World Veterinary Year 2011

Vet2011 - celebrating 250 years of the veterinary profession!

Vet2011 is World Veterinary Year and marks 250 years of veterinary education. The world's first veterinary school was founded in Lyon, France in 1761 by Claude Bourgelat - Grand Equerry of Europe.

Animal associations and veterinary institutions around the world will be celebrating this milestone in their own countries, including New Zealand, to promote our profession to the public and raise awareness about the vital role veterinarians play in society.

Vets for health. Vets for food. Vets for the planet!

• The veterinary profession has been serving humankind for 250 years.
• Veterinarians are not only animal doctors and animal welfare advocates, they are also key public health stakeholders because of their crucial role in:
  • Reducing global hunger
  • Public health
  • Animal health/pet ownership
  • Controlling zoonoses
  • Monitoring food quality and safety
  • Biomedical research
  • Protecting the environment and biodiversity
• Veterinarians make a significant contribution to the income that NZ derives from the exports of primary produce of animal origin.

Vet2011 kiwi celebrations

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), along with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), Massey University and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), is proud to share in these celebrations and promote World Veterinary Year in New Zealand. See some of our events below. For the full calendar of key events, click here.

For more information about World Veterinary Year visit the official website Vet2011.

• October - Celebrating Ann Leighton, first registered woman veterinarian
  This month we celebrate the life of Ann Leighton with a morning tea function. As the first female graduate of a professional university-based veterinary course, Ann was a pioneer in the large increase seen in female veterinarians in the past 70 years.
  • Read the obituary of Ann Leighton (1919 - 2011) from October's Vetscript
  • View our tribute to Ann Leighton's life

• August - New COPC and Veterinary Toolkit
  In August 2011 the Minister of Agriculture - Hon David Carter - launched revised versions of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians and the Veterinary Toolkit.

  The Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians sets out the professional conduct standards the public, the profession and VCNZ expect veterinarians to meet and to be measured against.

  The Veterinary Toolkit was designed to provide practical guidance for veterinarians involved in addressing animal welfare issues on farms.

  • Read the Minister's speech.

• July - Vet2011 veterinary student essay competition
  Congratulations to Becca Leung and Sahil Dhillon, the deserving winners of our Vet2011 veterinary student essay competition! Read their essays below:
  • Read Becca's essay as published in VetScript June 2011
  • Read Sahil's essay as published in VetScript July 2011

• "Vets in your Daily life" video clips
  Vet2011 is also proud to bring you 7 short video clips "Vets in your daily life" which show the different aspects of the veterinary profession. See link below.
  • Vets in your daily life (7 short video clips)

• January - Vet2011 Official Opening Ceremony - French Embassy Residence
  World Veterinary Year 2011 got off to a great start with the official opening ceremony held at the French Embassy Residence in Wellington on 31 January 2011.

  This special event was hosted by the French Ambassador (His Excellency Francis Etienne), NZVA President (Richard Wild), and the Minister of Agriculture, Hon David Carter. It was a great start to Vet2011 celebrations in New Zealand! See below for speeches.

  • His Excellency Francis Etienne's speech
  • Hon David Carter's presentation
  • Dr Bernard Vallat and Student presentation

Vet2011 logos for your use

If you'd like to help support and promote Vet2011 in your business you are very welcome to use the official Vet2011 logos and strapline.