From Clinics to Communities – The Veterinarian’s Expanding Role in One Health

In the evolving landscape of global health, veterinarians are no longer confined to treating individual animals within clinic walls. The One Health approach, which recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected, has redefined veterinary roles, expanding their responsibilities into community and public health arenas. One Health calls for cross-sector collaboration to address complex health challenges such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and food safety threats¹. 

A Broader Vision of Veterinary Practice 

Traditionally, veterinarians were seen primarily as clinicians for individual animals. However, current research underscores how veterinarians are indispensable partners in community health, a transformation driven by One Health priorities. One recent overview emphasizes that interventions in any single health domain can significantly impact others, and that veterinarians must engage with physicians, environmental scientists, public health experts, and policymakers to solve shared health issues¹.  

This expanded scope is particularly clear in the management of zoonotic diseases, infections that can jump between animals and humans. For example, a 2024 study published in One Health found that veterinarians possess substantial knowledge about zoonoses and play a critical role in counseling pet owners, particularly families with immunocompromised members, on reducing transmission risks. This study also highlighted the importance of collaboration between human and veterinary professionals to effectively manage zoonotic disease risks². 

Disease Surveillance and Community Protection 

One of the most important ways veterinarians contribute to public health is through disease surveillance and early detection. Working with a wide range of animal species, from livestock to companion animals, veterinarians are often the first to notice unusual patterns of illness that could indicate emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Their observations help identify potential zoonotic threats and provide critical early warnings that can trigger timely public health interventions. 

Surveillance is particularly vital at the human–animal–environment interface, where many EIDs originate. Veterinarians play a key role in strengthening disease monitoring networks, enhancing diagnostic capacities, promoting biosecurity measures, and participating in interdisciplinary research to understand pathogen transmission dynamics. By integrating field observations with laboratory and epidemiological data, veterinarians support the rapid detection and containment of diseases, reducing risks to both animal and human populations³. 

Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship 

Another urgent area where veterinarians are pivoting between clinical practice and community health is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR threatens effective treatment of infections in both humans and animals and is recognized as a key One Health concern. Research into veterinarians’ role in AMR indicates that most veterinary professionals recognize AMR as a pressing challenge and believe that combating it requires continuous education, responsible prescribing, and stronger regulatory frameworks⁴. 

For instance, an open-access study from 2022 reported that 95.65% of veterinarians saw AMR as a significant challenge to their sector and emphasized the importance of veterinarians’ roles in educating clients about appropriate antimicrobial use ⁴.  

Furthermore, recent surveys of veterinarians’ attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance and stewardship indicate strong recognition of the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for guiding antimicrobial use, yet many veterinarians report low routine use of sensitivity testing due to barriers such as lack of nearby diagnostic laboratories and the unaffordability of tests for clients, highlighting ongoing challenges that limit effective antimicrobial stewardship in practice⁵. 

Key Clinical Tips (One Health Perspective) 

• Unusual or clustered disease presentations in animals should be considered potential indicators of emerging infectious diseases and reported through appropriate surveillance channels³. 

• Routine biosecurity measures, including isolation and hygiene protocols, are essential for limiting pathogen transmission at the human–animal interface. 

• Clear communication of zoonotic disease risks to animal owners is a core component of preventive veterinary practice. 

• Rational antimicrobial prescribing should be prioritized, with antibiogram (antimicrobial susceptibility testing, AST) used whenever feasible to guide therapy⁶. 

• Veterinary clinics serve as important community contact points for reinforcing One Health–based disease prevention messages  

Education and Outreach Beyond the Clinic 

Veterinarians serve not only as clinicians and disease monitors but also as educators and community leaders. The One Health paradigm encourages veterinarians to extend their influence into public awareness campaigns, school health programs, and partnerships with local agencies. This educational dimension strengthens community understanding of disease prevention, hygiene practices, and responsible animal caregiving, all of which protect both animal and human health. 

As veterinary curricula continue integrating One Health principles, future veterinarians are being trained to think systemically about health and to collaborate effectively across sectors. 

Conclusion 

Veterinarians today play a multifaceted role that goes far beyond treating individual animal patients. Through early disease detection, zoonosis prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and health education, veterinarians contribute significantly to community and public health outcomes. By breaking down traditional silos and embracing One Health collaborations, the veterinary profession is helping bridge gaps between clinical practice and broader health systems, an essential evolution in pursuit of healthier communities for animals and humans alike. 

 References 

1. Mohite RV, Koparde AA, Durgawale TP. Ethical frameworks in veterinary medicine: navigating complexities for improved animal welfare and human health. REDVET – Rev Electron Vet. 2024;25(1). 
2. Garcia-Sanchez P, Romero-Trancón D, Sainz T, Calvo C, Iglesias I, Perez-Hernando B, Hurtado-Gallego J, Sánchez R, Alcolea S, Moya L, Mendez-Echevarria A. The role of veterinarians in zoonosis prevention: Advising families of immunocompromised children with pets. One Health. 2024 Jun 1;18:100662. 
3. Patil SS, Patange AP, Kadam P. Addressing emerging infectious diseases in veterinary medicine: global health challenges and solutions. Rev Electr Vet (REDVET). 2024;25(1) 
4. Bazzi R, Alaboudi A, Rácz G. The role of veterinarians in the one health approach to antimicrobial resistance perspectives in Jordan. Animal Diseases. 2022 Jan 5;2(1):1. 
5. Daodu OB, Olusegun EG, Adegbehingbe G, Komolafe SE, Daodu OC. Barriers to effective antimicrobial resistance management in Nigerian livestock: the role of veterinary practices and client expectations. BMC Veterinary Research. 2025 Apr 9;21(1):255. 
6. Feßler AT, Wang Y, Burbick CR, Diaz-Campos D, Fajt VR, Lawhon SD, Li XZ, Lubbers BV, Maddock K, Miller RA, Papich MG. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in veterinary medicine: performance, interpretation of results, best practices and pitfalls. One Health Advances. 2023 Nov 6;1(1):26.