"Positive mental wellbeing is critical for the future of our profession" - Dr Iveta Becvarova.

WSAVA's PWG and Hill's Pet Nutrition to develop tools that will combat anxiety. 

Hill's Pet Nutrition and The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Professional Wellness Group (PWG) have joined forces in a bid to enhance global veterinary wellbeing.

The collaboration comes in response to research by the PWG into veterinary wellness, which revealed that diminished wellbeing and stress are concerns for veterinary teams around the world.

It will see the PWG and Hill's working together to raise awareness of the issue, and create the tools and resources necessary to combat feelings of anxiety and depression.

As a long-standing industry and Gold partner of the WSAVA, Hill's Pet Nutrition said its partnership with the PWG is part of its continued commitment to support the veterinary profession globally.

Dr Iveta Becvarova, ‎director of Global Academic and Professional Affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, commented: “Positive mental wellbeing is critical for the future of our profession. At Hill’s we are eager to support the WSAVA’s PWG in its mission and to help it develop tools that can combat anxiety and depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts.”

The PWG aims to support the health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals by raising awareness and creating the tools and resources necessary to support veterinary teams. Led by Utrecht University's Dr Nienke Endenburgh, the PWG also supports vets in countries who do not readily have access to help and advice.

As a long-standing industry and Gold partner of the WSAVA, Hill's Pet Nutrition also supports the veterinary team through the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. This is an initiative that helps the veterinary team and pet owners understand the importance of nutrition in companion animal health and welfare.

Dr Shane Ryan, WSAVA President, said: “Hill’s has been a staunch supporter of the WSAVA for many years and is one of our most important industry partners.

“We are delighted that the company will continue as our Gold Partner and are particularly happy that it has chosen to support the important work of the PWG. The interim findings of the PWG’s global survey into veterinary wellness, launched during WSAVA World Congress 2019 in Toronto, confirmed that stress and diminished well-being are concerns for all members of the veterinary team and in all areas of the world."

He continued: "This already serious problem is likely to be exacerbated by the additional pressures many of our members are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an issue the PWG is already addressing with Hill’s support as a key focus for its work this year.”

Image (C) WSAVA.