WSAVA and ACTAsia Partner to Enhance Veterinary Education in China

Veterinary training in Yulin

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and ACTAsia, a not-for-profit organization which provides veterinary training in Asia as part of its remit to promote animal welfare, have joined forces in a partnership to support the development of the veterinary profession in China and other Asian countries.

Under the agreement, ACTAsia becomes an Educational Partner of the WSAVA and will encourage the adoption of standards set out in the WSAVA’s best practice Global Guidelines in the veterinary training programs it runs in Asia. The WSAVA will provide support to ACTAsia in the delivery of this training and promote its collaboration with ACTAsia to its members associations in the region.

The WSAVA works to enhance the clinical care and welfare of companion animals globally, representing more than 200,000 veterinarians around the world through its 110 member associations. The WSAVA Global Guidelines set standards for veterinary care in key areas of practice, including nutrition, pain management and welfare.  As part of ACTAsia’s work to enhance understanding of animal welfare concepts, it educates veterinary professionals in the latest surgical techniques, stray population control, use of anesthetic, pain relief and the general handling of animals.  In addition to running its own training programs, led by Dr Elaine Ong and Dr Chris Baton, ACTAsia conducts ‘Train the Trainer’ programs to increase the reach of its educational initiatives within Asia and create a sustainable platform for the training to continue.

ACTAsia founder and CEO Pei Su said: “Companion animal veterinary education is less-developed in many parts of Asia with standards of veterinary practice affected by a limited understanding of animal sentience and related welfare concerns. Our training focuses not only on imparting surgical techniques and skills, but also on helping delegates to understand how to carry out their work humanely and in a way that respects animal welfare.  We have been working successfully in China for 12 years and have built collaborative relationships with local organizations. We have also trained local veterinarians who, in turn, are able to train their peers through workshops, in order to create a sustainable future for the veterinary profession and animal welfare.”

She added: “We share a common goal with the WSAVA to educate veterinarians and enhance animal welfare. Its educational content, including its Global Guidelines, will be a great resource for our trainers. We are delighted to become a WSAVA Educational Partner and look forward to working together to raise standards of veterinary care for companion animals in China and other Asian countries.”

WSAVA President Dr Shane Ryan said: “Our Global Guidelines cover key aspects of veterinary care.  We are delighted that ACTAsia will be using them as the foundation for much of its training and we will support Dr Ong and her team in delivering their programs.

“We believe that by working with ACTAsia we can accelerate our joint efforts to develop companion animal veterinary practice in those Asian countries where it is still emerging and, in so doing, make a significant beneficial difference to animal welfare in the region.”