Dr Mike McFarland launches documentary series to mark World Veterinary Day.
A vet is on a mission to raise awareness of the ways veterinary professionals can improve the world by advancing animal care.
Speaking ahead of World Veterinary Day (30 April), Dr Mike McFarland, global chief medical offer at Zoetis, highlighted the opportunity to recognise the growing importance of veterinary professionals and their pivotal role in protecting public health.
“When people think of their veterinarian, they think of that person as the caretaker of their animal’s health. But the stakes are much higher than that,” he said. “Veterinarians play a critical role in providing for your animal’s health, your family’s health, your community’s health and our global public health.”
A veterinary surgeon for more than 35 years, Dr McFarland has dedicated his career to advocating for the health and well-being of animals and the veterinary professionals who care for them.
He helped lead Zoetis emergency responses to the Louisiana floods, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and other major crises. He is also the co-creator and executive sponsor of the Zoetis K-9 Courage Programme, which helps retired military and police dogs with annual health care costs at veterinary clinics.
To honour the importance of veterinary professionals, Zoetis has launched a new minidocumentary series called FutureBound.
The series will follow Dr McFarland as he visits veterinary experts to showcase impactful stories of veterinary care transformation, the influence of the human-animal bond on animal care, and its positive effect on the health and well-being of animals and those who care for them.
The first of the two videos are available at zoetis.com/drmike
Image (C) Zoetis.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
