World Veterinary Day- April 29
Ours is a great nation and it is certainly on the path of progress. But do we treat our animals with empathy and inclusiveness as the theme of this year’s World Veterinary Day suggests.
“No, certainly not,” thunders Subhashree Subhasmita Mishra, a firebrand poet of the Capital City known for her compositions on feminism.
Her resentment is not without a reason. She recently approached quite a few animal-focused organisations, which claim to offer shelters to stray animals, pleading to rescue an aging and diseased Dobermann but to no avail. The hapless animal was abandoned on a busy National Highway by its ‘parents’ to be crushed under the wheels of speeding vehicles as it was of no use for them.
Finally she managed to get a home for the animals with the help of one of her friends, thanks to social media.
So, the slogans and themes publicised on such an occasion often sound good only on pen and paper, laments Mishra.
On this backdrop and ahead of World Veterinary Day, Sunday POST caught up with a few veterinarians to learn what they have to share.
Dr. Radhamohan Narendra, an Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the Institute of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry under SOADU, says, “This day is an opportunity to honour and appreciate pets and the veterinary professionals who care for them. But the day is more about motivating young people to participate in veterinary science. This apart, society should also take care of the living standards of animals, especially those who are not properly taken care of and left abandoned at public places.”
Explaining the inception of veterinary science, he narrates “According to Indian tradition, Shali Hotra is known as the founder of veterinary science and is considered the first veterinary surgeon for horses. The symbol for the veterinary profession is a caduceus, which typically features a veterinary technician and two snakes intertwined with the letters V and T, and is associated with Hermes and Aesculapius, the Greek God of medicine.”
He goes on to add that it is not just the services to the animals, the veterinarians worldwide should also be recognised for their excellent work on this occassion. Society should observe this day as an occasion when humans, animals, and the environment as a whole become happy, concludes Narendra.
Bawrun Mohanty, a fourth year veterinary student from College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, “The importance of this day lies in the value that this service provides to society. It is celebrated to make people aware of the importance of all the animals living in our ecosystem and our duty towards them. This day urges people to feed stray animals when they are hungry, provide timely water in summer, give them medicines when they are sick, give them shelter and most of all – Not to be cruel towards them. They should be treated with love and care. This day also appreciates and salutes to all the veterinarians throughout the world for their selfless service and tireless efforts.”
The students should be involved in veterinary activities throughout the year and not just on this day as it is their duty and responsibility to promote animal welfare and management, opines Bawrun.
Besides, the role of veterinarians isn’t anymore restricted to treating the animals. It has now reached many other sectors as well. Veterinarians are now a part of the dairy industry, agricultural research, defence, sports, food safety and many others, he adds.
On their plans this year, he shares, “We are going to conduct a free vaccination campaign from morning 10 am till afternoon. Free vaccines will be given to any breed of dogs, cats or cattle. We have planned ambulatory programmes where we could treat the animals in their shed. We will also use social media platforms and the internet to sensitise people about animal welfare.”
World Veterinary Day provides the opportunity to demonstrate the duties and responsibilities the vets play at local, national and international level as well as the challenges they face in day-to-today life, says Linkan Mahapatra, a final year student of the same varsity.
He reckons that a true veterinarian needs to first acknowledge the value of diversity, equity and inclusion in improving the veterinary dispensary culture and practice.
On changes that have taken place in the last few decades, he says, “The biggest and most obvious growth has been in “companion animal sector”. People have become fond of pets more than they used to in the past. This apart, the proportion of female vet graduates has spiked tremendously. Technology has also advanced remarkably. About three decades ago, the only veterinary equipment for diagnosis was X-ray. We now have digital x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, advanced laboratory testing, endoscopy and many more, he adds further.
And about challenges, he adds, “Vets should be well acquainted with the use of new equipment efficiently. Now we focus not only on treatment but also on the animal husbandry extension as it forms an integral part of the Indian economy alongside agriculture. One of the most crucial challenges has to be wildlife conservation with the emerging threats of extinction.”
On being asked how one can add novelty to the profession, Mahapatra shares, “Being vets, we can involve ourselves in veterinary webinars and seminars related to the theme of this year. The Internet can also play a huge role in promoting and raising awareness on animal welfare.
“We all can spend some quality time with our pets and can adopt any stray animals as companions and provide them food, shelter and good health facilities and posting pictures with them on social media platforms. We can also arrange health checkup camps in different villages”, he signs off