The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of companion animals around the world.
Improving the care of companion animals requires global collaboration, strong professional standards, and a commitment to continuous learning. At the forefront of this effort is the World Small Animal Veterinarian Association (WSAVA). WSAVA is a global network of more than 390,000 veterinarians worldwide from 113 member associations. This community works together to promote the health and well-being of companion animals around the world and provide a voice for companion animal veterinarians around the world.
Innovation Platform spoke to Dr. Jim Berry, President of the World Small Animal Veterinarian Association, to learn more about its efforts and plans for the year ahead.
Could you briefly explain the activities of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and its main areas of focus?
WSAVA aims to promote the health and welfare of companion animals and advocate on behalf of companion animal veterinarians and the broader veterinary team around the world.
This is achieved by focusing on five key pillars:
Development of standards and guidelines for companion animal practices. Supports and facilitates the personal/professional development of the entire Companion Animal Veterinarian team. Advocates for changes in the profession to support animal welfare and companion animal veterinary teams. Ensure a strong, united and supportive companion animal veterinarian community. Ensure WSAVA has the necessary infrastructure to achieve its goals.
What were the main achievements of WSAVA in 2025?
In 2025, WSAVA launched a new and enhanced online learning platform to support the Academy program. This allows us to offer high quality certification courses, podcasts, and webinars.
This year we established three new committees. The Standards Steering Committee is tasked with developing global standards for all aspects of hospital care. The Strategic Advisory Committee is tasked with identifying and prioritizing the importance of new and evolving trends in the field of companion animal veterinary medicine. and an Advocacy and Communications Committee tasked with advocating for change in the profession and ensuring a global voice in veterinary practice.
What are your priorities for next year?
Our main focus for the coming year will be to review and update our three-year strategic priorities. This is based on input from the Strategic Advisory Committee and data from a new survey that provides a snapshot of the current state of companion animal veterinary medicine worldwide.
WSASVA also launched two new programs for its members. The Future Association Leaders program is a combination of online lectures, live interactive sessions, and in-person meetings at the World Congress in Poland in October. The second program is a Veterinary Business Fundamentals online course for new graduates.
What are the main issues you are campaigning for change?
Our campaign for change focuses primarily on antimicrobial resistance and responsible antimicrobial use, recognizing the critical importance of antimicrobials for both animal and public health. At the same time, we strongly advocate the professional health of the entire veterinary team and promote sustainable careers, mental health support and healthy working environments for all veterinarians.
How do you shape education in the field of companion animal veterinary medicine?
WSAVA supports global veterinary education by offering a variety of high-quality, expert-led courses, podcasts, seminars, and webinars for remote access. In addition, we continue to host the major annual WSAVA World Congress in a different region each year.
WSAVA also actively participates in regional summits to determine the educational needs of its members and also offers regional workshops, lectures, and courses. All of these programs are supported by the work of expert committees that develop guidelines and in-clinic tools for daily use.
This article will be published in an upcoming Special Focus Publication on Animal Health.
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