June 15, 2021

Event

45th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, held virtually, March 21-24

Program

The congress attracted more than 2,300 attendees. Close to 100 speakers presented lectures, including presentations from 2020 and 2021 WSAVA awardees. Also featured was a presentation on the results of a WSAVA-supported global study on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the veterinary profession (see JAVMA, May 15, 2021).

Awards

WSAVA Award for Global Meritorious Service
This award was presented posthumously to Dr. Michael J. Day in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the understanding of immunology and vaccination and his contributions to the practice of veterinary medicine on a global level. Dr. Day was a professor emeritus of veterinary pathology at the University of Bristol in England and served as an adjunct professor of veterinary pathology at Murdoch University in Australia. He was appointed chair of the WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group in 2009, became founding chair of the WSAVA’s One Health Committee in 2010, and served as president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association from 2013-14. Dr. Day was also a past honorary treasurer of the WSAVA and a past editor-in-chief of the journal Comparative Pathology. Inaugural vice president of the WSAVA Foundation, he helped develop and lead its African Small Companion Animal Network project, working to raise standards of companion animal veterinary care in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Day was also involved with several veterinary charities, serving as the first honorary president of Mission Rabies.

WSAVA International Award for Scientific Achievement
Dr. Claudia Reusch, Zurich. Dr. Reusch received her veterinary degree in 1980 from Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany. Since 1996, she has served as a professor of small animal internal medicine and as director of the Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich. Dr. Reusch previously served as a professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Munich. A founding member and a past president of the European Society of Veterinary Endocrinology, she is also a past president of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine–Companion Animals. Dr. Reusch co-edited the textbook “Canine and Feline Endocrinology.”

WSAVA Future Leader Award
Dr. Elizabeth Boudreau (Texas A&M ’10), College Station, Texas, won this award in recognition of her contributions to research and for her role as an educator. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in neurology, Dr. Boudreau serves as an assistant professor of small animal neurology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses primarily on the biology of canine brain tumors and how genetic and immunological features connect with treatments. Dr. Boudreau conducts canine clinical trials in collaboration with the MD Anderson Cancer Center, examining immunotherapies for glioma in dogs with naturally  occurring disease.

Business

The Armenian Small Animal Veterinary Association, previously an associate member, is now a full member. The total membership of the WSAVA is 115 associations, representing more than 200,000 veterinary professionals worldwide.

Officials

Drs. Siraya Chunekamrai, Bangkok, president; Ellen van Nierop, Quito, Ecuador, vice president; John de Jong, Weston, Massachusetts, honorary treasurer; Shane Ryan, Singapore, immediate past president; and board members—Drs. Felisbina Queiroga, Vila Real, Portugal, and Jim Berry, Fredericton, New Brunswick