April 30 is World Veterinary Day, a day to celebrate veterinarians, their work and their impact. Although the importance of veterinarians is hardly a secret, people often forget that their work goes far beyond the clinical care of animals. USDA employs more veterinarians than any other department in the federal government. The wide variety of roles they fill clearly illustrates their versatility. You can find USDA veterinarians working as veterinary epidemiologists, emergency responders, laboratory diagnosticians and public health veterinarians, just to name a few.

Resilience is the theme of this year’s World Veterinary Day. From FSIS’s perspective, there could not be a more appropriate theme. From leading inspection teams that keep biological and chemical hazards out of the food supply to diagnosing animal diseases of agricultural significance and alerting partner agencies to these diseases, such as with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, FSIS veterinarians face challenges while on the frontlines of public health every day. This resilience and commitment to the mission aids FSIS in preserving an essential resource: a food supply that is both dependable and safe.

We are so pleased to celebrate and thank our FSIS veterinarians on World Veterinary Day. You play a critical role in protecting the health and welfare of people and animals and we appreciate your service.

Read more about World Veterinary Day.

Dr. Kis Robertson-Hale
Chief Public Health Veterinarian of the Food Safety and Inspection Service