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Veterinary medicine is a diverse profession that can involve protecting not just the health of animals, but also people and the environment. Their knowledge of animals, diseases and other issues that affect animals, and the connection animals have with humans and the environment all make veterinarians a crucial part of One Health efforts in the United States and around the world. No One Health network is complete without the involvement of experts in animal health – including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

At CDC, more than 150 veterinarians work to protect public health as epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, environmental health scientists, policymakers, researchers, surveillance experts, and more. Veterinarians have unique expertise and training for a variety of animal species including domestic animals like pets and livestock, laboratory animals, and wildlife. Veterinarians in public health also apply their knowledge of population medicine and herd health to promote public health as it relates to human disease, injury prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and other areas.

Why are veterinarians so important for One Health?

• They work to improve health for animals, which in turn protects human health
• They have a unique understanding of issues that can affect people, animals, and the environment
• They don’t just work with animals – they understand people too

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