Do You Love Animals? Thank a Veterinarian!

Boomer relies on me to protect him from disease threats and keep him safe. In turn, I rely on my veterinarian to guide me through caretaking and responsible pet ownership. I’m like most dog and cat owners—I consider my pet to be like a part of my family, and it’s my veterinarian that helps make sure Boomer stays healthy so the humans in his life can fully enjoy all the benefits that his companionship brings.

It starts with making sure he’s up to date on all his vaccinations, which most veterinarians seamlessly build into their suggested check-up schedules. Our veterinarian also makes sure Boomer keeps up with his preventative parasite care. One of the main reasons pet owners visit the veterinarian is because their companion animal can’t stop scratching or chewing its itchy skin. Preventative medicines make sure fleas, ticks, mites, and other pests don’t take hold of pets or infest our homes.

Of course, not all veterinary care is related to medicines. Each time I take Boomer to the doctor, we’re reminded not to let those pet treats add up! As much as Boomer loves snacks, maintaining a proper weight is an essential part of keeping pets healthy, and my veterinarian can make sure Boomer weighs what he should given his breed, age and activity level. We also get reminders about how to safely travel together and the extra steps we need to take during hot weather and cold weather.

April 25 is World Veterinary Day, and while we think of the veterinarians that care for our companions it is also important to remember just how crucial livestock veterinarians are to our daily lives. The work of these specialists reaches far beyond animal welfare and wellbeing. By preventing and treating the diseases that make food-producing animals sick, livestock veterinarians make sure our milk, eggs, and meat are safe for people to eat. To find out more, check out this fascinating read about a day in the life of a livestock veterinarian—we truly are safer and healthier thanks to their commitment and hard work.

Boomer and I are so thankful to the veterinarians in our lives—the ones we see for pet care, and the ones behind the scenes keeping our food supply safe.