One Welfare in Practice: The Role of the Veterinarian

Animal welfare has long been recognised as central to the role of the veterinary professional, but this is increasingly aligned with the welfare of humans and the broader environment in which we co-exist. This is the first book dedicated to the role of the veterinarian in One Welfare, a concept that recognises the interconnections between animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the environment. The book demonstrates, through a wide range of international case studies, why professional ethics and the use of good evidence is integral to this role. Contributors bring a rich variety of writings, each with their own perception of the role of the veterinarian in improving animal welfare and human wellbeing. One Welfare in Practice: The Role of the Veterinarian emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and solutions: it is essential that veterinary practitioners recognise when other professionals or disciplines need to be consulted to benefit both animals and humans. With its multiple, fascinating approaches to One Welfare, this book will inform and inspire the veterinarian to find areas where collaborative action reaps the greatest rewards. This unique book shows how veterinarians can and are contributing to improving animal and human welfare, offering practical advice as to how the profession can further engage in One Welfare in a range of settings.

About the Author

Tanya Stephens BVSc (USyd) MSc IAWEL (Uni Ed) MANZCVS (Animal Welfare) FRCVS

Tanya Stephens was born and grew up in the Somerset countryside which inspired a lifelong love of animals and the natural world. She loved nothing more than paddling in streams, collecting tadpoles, talking to hedgehogs or spending time on Devon beaches with their wealth of rock pools. Her family moved to Australia when she was in her early teens and it didn’t take long for that interest to transfer to the Australian landscape. A passion for the environment and animals led her to study veterinary science and post graduate work with native animals especially kangaroos.

Tanya established her own small animal practice in Haberfield, Sydney and very much enjoys practice and its everyday challenges. As a practitioner she is particularly interested in professional ethics and promoting the use of evidence based veterinary medicine. She is also a wildlife researcher with original research on galactosaemia in kangaroos and nutrition of orphan marsupials. Tanya’s interests lie in animal welfare, professional ethics, the law, research, evidence based practice, wildlife, the environment and sustainable agriculture. She is a regular presenter at Veterinary Conferences and Universities and published author on these topics.

Tanya holds leadership positions within the Australian Veterinary Association, the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and is Chair of the Australian Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Trust. She is also a member of a number of Animal Ethics Committees, honorary veterinarian for the Children’s Medical Research Institute and involved in management of kangaroos.

Tanya is a recipient of the Belle Bruce Reid Medal awarded by the University of Melbourne in 2006 to Australia’s 100 most notable women veterinary science graduates and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.