What Is A Veterinarian?

On the surface, this seems like a simple enough question, but it actually proves a difficult one to answer. As it turns out, there are countless adjectives that can be used to characterize veterinarians. Knowledgeable, compassionate, engaged, ambitious, kind, energetic, tough, authoritative, gentle, dedicated—the list goes on and on.

For the past several weeks, we’ve been posing this very question to veterinarians and pet owners both in person and online with the launch of the hashtag #AVeterinarianIs and its complementary social media campaign. And now, we’re asking you.

Participating in the campaign is simple. To let us know what “A Veterinarian Is” to you, complete the short form on AmericanVeterinarian.com or use #AVeterinarianIs in your own social media posts and tag us (@Am_Veterinarian on Twitter and American Veterinarian on Facebook).

We initiated our #AVeterinarianIs campaign to celebrate veterinarians around the world in advance of World Veterinary Day, which takes place on Saturday, April 28. In the weeks and days leading up to World Veterinary Day, we’ll be posting your submissions, photos, and videos, as well as stories from pet owners, on our website and social media pages. It’s just another way we hope to honor the invaluable services you provide for pets, their owners, and people everywhere who are passionate about the health and well-being of animals of all kinds.

So far, we’ve been duly impressed by the thoughtful and unique responses we have received. In most cases a single word has been insufficient to answer the question. “When a veterinarian is taking care of our pets, they really become a part of our family,” said one industry professional. “A veterinarian is a tremendous force for good in the world,” added another. Veterinarians are “colleagues coming together to find ways to help the less fortunate. Coming together to change lives,” remarked a Twitter follower.

Upon further reflection, the variety and length of the responses make perfect sense because, although veterinarians first and foremost are medical professionals, your role extends well beyond that. You are scientists, business owners, marketing gurus, educators, authors, mentors, and advisers. And that doesn’t even begin to encompass all of your passions outside the clinic.

But it doesn’t stop there. At American Veterinarian^®, we believe that celebrating veterinarians and other veterinary professionals shouldn’t be limited to a single day or event. We hope you’ll join us in highlighting the triumphs and generosity of veterinarians (self-promotion is OK too) by using #AVeterinarianIs in your own social media posts throughout the course of the year.

Mike Hennessy, Sr

Chairman and CEO