5 Questions With … AVMA's Dr. Sandra Faeh on the landscape of vet med

By Therese M. Castillo

The recently concluded AVMA Convention 2025 co-hosted the 40^th World Veterinary Association (WVA) Congress in Washington, D.C., from July 18 to 22. The joint event has reportedly brought together veterinary professionals from more than 70 countries, showcasing a united global approach to animal health, public policy, and professional well-being.

With more than 600 CE sessions, a dedicated One Health track, and collaborative panels on workforce issues and animal welfare, the convention underscored the profession's evolving global priorities. AVMA immediate past president 2025-2026 Sandra Faeh, DVM, hailed the partnership with WVA as a critical step forward in addressing shared veterinary challenges across borders.

"This collaboration reflects the increasing need for a united, global approach to veterinary medicine, whether we're addressing emerging zoonotic diseases, improving food safety or supporting the human-animal bond across cultures," Faeh says in a statement.

"We are proud to partner with the AVMA to present the 40^th WVA Congress, a milestone event that underscores our shared commitment to advancing veterinary science and public health on a global scale," adds John de Jong, DVM, president of the WVA. "Bringing together professionals from across continents fosters the exchange of knowledge and innovation that is essential to tackling the complex challenges facing animals, people, and our planet today."

In an exclusive interview, Faeh reflects on the convention's success, the complex issues facing veterinary professionals today—from workforce burnout to regulatory shifts—and how the AVMA continues to advocate for the well-being of animals and those who care for them.

1) This year's AVMA Convention brings together professionals from across the veterinary spectrum. What were the key themes or goals of the 2025 convention, and how were they selected?

Dr. Sandra Faeh (SF), AVMA immediate past president 2025-2026 : "We know our profession is stronger when we are united, and this year's convention was all about making and strengthening connections across roles, disciplines, and geographic locations to support one another and advance veterinary medicine.

The theme of AVMA Convention 2025 was "United for the veterinary community." We're proud to have hosted the 40^th World Veterinary Association Congress (WVAC) during the convention, which provided an exciting opportunity for attendees to learn from colleagues around the world, share insights, and explore the universal challenges and innovations shaping veterinary care across continents.

The convention's goals were shaped by listening to our members and understanding the dynamic landscape and challenges they face every day. We've built a program that prioritizes clinical excellence, whole-team well-being, innovation, and inclusivity. Sessions spanned the spectrum, from companion animal and food animal medicine to public health, technology, and veterinary education, ensuring that every attendee finds relevant, actionable content.

There were also many opportunities for networking at this year's AVMA Convention. The AVMA Career Center's Mix and Mingle event on July 18 connects potential job seekers with employers from across the profession. There was also a Career Coaching Corner, which offered 25-minute appointments with a veterinary career coach to review your resume, get career guidance, and discuss practical tools and resources to help you advance your career."

2) As president of the AVMA, how would you describe the most pressing challenges currently facing the veterinary profession, and how is the AVMA helping members address them?

SF: "One of the most pressing challenges facing the veterinary profession today is ensuring we have a strong, well-supported workforce—one that can meet the needs of our diverse communities, safeguard public health, and provide high-quality care in every area of veterinary medicine.

We know that many rural communities continue to struggle with access to veterinary services, which is why the AVMA strongly supports the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand the reach of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) by ending unnecessary federal taxation on awards. This change would allow more veterinarians to serve in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-designated shortage areas, in turn allowing them to improve access to care, help ensure a stable and safe food supply and protect public health.

We also know affordability is top of mind for many pet owners, especially in today's uncertain economic climate. It's so important that we work closely with clients to help them understand the full range of care options and associated costs, and to offer guidance on how tools like pet insurance or third-party payment plans can help manage expenses. It's also important we highlight the benefits of preventive care for clients, as it can help avoid certain illnesses and allows for early detection and treatment when problems do arise. This approach supports both better health outcomes and more cost-effective care.

And, of course, workforce challenges aren't just about numbers, they're about people. Veterinarians and their teams continue to face real pressures that affect job satisfaction, mental health and retention. The AVMA is deeply committed to supporting the well-being of the veterinary workforce; from mental health resources to tools that help foster healthier, more sustainable practice environments, we're here to support every veterinary professional, every step of the way."

3) The AVMA has been active in advocating for several legislative efforts. Can you discuss the importance of the Healthy Dog Importation Act and how the association's collaboration with lawmakers is helping protect both animal and public health?

SF: "Utilizing a nonpartisan approach that is focused on a legislative agenda that advances, protects and promotes our profession, the AVMA's advocacy work has led to Congress reintroducing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, and the Healthy Dog Importation Act.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act is critical to helping prevent the introduction and spread of diseases impacting animal and human health. Championed by the AVMA, the proposed legislation would allocate additional resources to the USDA and other federal agencies to ensure every imported dog would have a certificate of inspection from a licensed veterinarian confirming they are in good health and not at risk of spreading disease that could endanger animal and public health. In the past, dogs have been imported while incubating rabies. There is also concern about the introduction of high-consequence animal diseases. The current animal health infrastructure we have in place is not equipped to handle the more than one million dogs imported into the United States each year.

Along with the Healthy Dog Importation Act, the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, which is strongly supported by the AVMA, would help recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural communities by addressing the significant obstacle of student debt. This proposal would end the federal taxation on the VMLRP. Currently, the USDA is required by law to pay the tax on behalf of the award recipient out of the funds appropriated for the program, so eliminating the tax would allow USDA to fund more awards even without increased appropriations. The program offers up to $120,000 over three years for student loan repayment in exchange for service in one of the USDA-designated shortage areas. Passing this legislation is key to protecting our nation's food supply, preserving animal welfare and upholding public health.

As all veterinarians know, xylazine is a prescription animal sedative used to facilitate safe medical evaluation, treatment, and surgical care of many species and is essential to keeping people and animals safe when handling livestock, zoo, laboratory, and wildlife species. Unfortunately, illicit xylazine is being unlawfully mixed with fentanyl. This potent drug combination poses grave health and safety risks for humans. The AVMA-endorsed Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would provide the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with tools to help address the illicit drug by scheduling xylazine as a Schedule III drug, ensure common veterinary uses of the drug remain legal, help maintain the availability of the drug on the market for veterinarians and allow the DEA to track the legitimate supply."

4) Veterinary teams continue to grapple with workforce shortages, mental health concerns, and shifting client expectations. What initiatives or conversations at this year's convention aim to support veterinary well-being?

SF: "Veterinary medicine is a calling, but it shouldn't come at the cost of personal well-being. At the AVMA, we're committed to making sure our members are supported not just as professionals, but as people.

Veterinary well-being was a focus at the AVMA Convention 2025. Our theme this year—"United for the veterinary community"—reflects our strong commitment to supporting all those involved in the profession and providing tools and strategies to help veterinary professionals care for themselves as they care for others.

At this year's convention, we hosted sessions that address well-being topics, such as workforce dynamics, team culture, mental health, and communicating with clients. Whether it's understanding how to better support team members, improve team communication, access wellbeing resources, or navigate the emotional demands of practice, the AVMA Convention is designed to help veterinary professionals walk away with meaningful, actionable ideas.

This year's gathering also offered something just as essential: connection. The opportunity to come together, share experiences, and celebrate our shared purpose can be a powerful antidote to isolation."

5) Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of veterinary medicine, and how is the AVMA positioning its members to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape?

SF: "While the future of veterinary medicine is full of promise, there are also many unknowns and complex issues facing us today, and on the horizon. We're seeing rapid advances in technology (including artificial intelligence [AI]), growing recognition of the veterinarian's role in public health and One Health, and increased expectations from clients and communities. At the same time, we're grappling with persistent challenges around workforce sustainability, reducing barriers to accessing care and economic pressures on the profession.

At the AVMA, we're focused on helping our members not only adapt to change, but to lead it. That means providing the tools, resources and advocacy they need to thrive in every corner of the profession, whether they're in companion animal practice, food animal medicine, equine practice, laboratory animal medicine, zoo and wildlife medicine, public health, research or education.

Most importantly, we're committed to ensuring that veterinary professionals can build meaningful, sustainable careers. That includes strengthening the veterinary pipeline, providing robust mentorship opportunities, advancing team wellbeing and creating opportunities for continued learning and leadership at every stage.

For more information about the association, visit the AVMA website.