Danni is a third year veterinary student at Colorado State University, and we connected through our shared passion of sustainability in veterinary practice. She’s a real inspiration – not only co-authoring recently published research on the potential client-driven market for sustainable business initiatives in veterinary practices, she’s also hosting a virtual symposium for veterinary professionals focused on protecting animal health in a changing climate!
I am proud of our team that in the face of our demanding veterinary school schedule, everyone committed to seeing this project through to its publication and now we feel that it’s really important to get this research out to practicing veterinarians and practice owners.
Danielle Scott
“I have always had a strong commitment to the environment and am on a personal quest to continue to lessen my impact on the planet. I have a master’s degree in environmental science and management from UC Santa Barbara and it is my ultimate goal to combine this degree with my future DVM and study the health implications of a changing climate and the sub-lethal effects of environmental contaminants on wildlife populations.
Sustainability is in my core and it is inspiring to be on a campus where the student body wholly shares in this value. I was naturally drawn to an elective course offered in the DVM program called Emerging Issues in Veterinary Medicine, taught by the funny and engaging Dr. Colleen Duncan, who has become an incredible mentor to me. For course credit, students work in groups and produce a deliverable that addresses a relevant concern in our field. In one of our initial brainstorming sessions, my friend, classmate and the lead-author, Sarah Deluty, ask if there is a potential client-driven market for sustainable business initiatives in veterinary practices. From this question birthed a survey of 1044 veterinary clients from around the United States that indicated the vast majority of pet owners believe climate change is occurring and is relevant to their pets’ health. Two-thirds of pet owners would value knowing their veterinarian received training on the animal health impacts of climate change. Additionally, clients value a sustainability certificate to aid in identifying a sustainable business AND over half of clients indicated they would pay more for veterinary services at a clinic with a reduced environmental impact! I’m excited to announce the manuscript was recently published. I am proud of our team that in the face of our demanding veterinary school schedule, everyone committed to seeing this project through to its publication and now we feel that it’s really important to get this research out to practicing veterinarians and practice owners. Thank you Dr. Sullivan for the invitation to share these results on your blog!
Out of this research and similar studies investigating climate perceptions amongst veterinary students and veterinarians, Colorado State University’s One Health Club is hosting a first-ever, student organized, virtual symposium for the veterinary profession titled Animal Health Advocates in a Changing Climate. Once again, I feel so inspired to be part of a driven team forging a healthier future for our planet. We are designing the symposium to equip clinicians, technicians and students in the veterinary field with knowledge and tools to be effective contributors in protecting animal health in a changing climate. From an interdisciplinary One Health perspective, climate change and health will be explored through the lens of emerging disease, conservation implications, emergency management, veterinary care, and sustainable business initiatives. We are really excited to bring this program to our profession and hope that attendees will leave feeling inspired to implement tangible initiatives in their daily lives and careers.
I have worked in veterinary medicine in one position or another since 2007 and have frequently considered the lack of sustainability. However, since being in veterinary school I have focused on exploring sustainability in this profession. What I now realize is that this journey to reach a sustainable future has already been set in motion. A read through the All Scrubbed Up Scrub Hats blog provides an insightful portrait of the work being done! Each individual contributes to the collective and the collective can drive change. I’m honoured to be amongst colleagues and professionals that know a healthy future is within reach and I am motivated by every individual I am introduced to who is taking action. We are all in this together.
For details on Animal Health Advocates in a Changing Climate, please visit the symposium’s event page and the Sustainability Advocacy in Veterinary Education Facebook Group. Be sure to check frequently for updates!
Danielle Scott
LInks
Veterinarians in a Changing Global Climate: Educational Disconnect and a Path Forward
Animal Health Advocates in a Changing Climate Symposium Event