A tribute to the people, places, and programs that shaped VWB from 2005 to 2025
— and the future we’re building together.
A Phone Call That Sparked a Movement (2004)
The story begins in November 2004 with a surprising inquiry: Aeroplan was launching its new “Beyond Miles” program and wanted to know if a Veterinarians Without Borders existed in Canada. It didn’t — yet. Within 48 hours, a group of Canadian veterinarians had assembled by email and phone to make it happen. Founding members included Drs. David Waltner-Toews, Erin Fraser, Enid Stiles, and John VanLeeuwen — all of whom would go on to shape the organization’s early direction.
Becoming VWB/VSF (2005)
On May 5, 2005, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières – Canada was officially registered as a charity. The office was a borrowed desk at the University of Guelph. The first website was built by an IT staffer at the Ontario Veterinary College and the legal paperwork was filed pro bono. With no funding and no staff, the founders launched an organization rooted in One Health values — committed to improving lives by improving animal health.
“No” to Helicopter Medicine (2006–2007)
Early on, the team faced a critical question: Would this be a fly-in, fly-out charity delivering vet care in brief bursts? Or something more lasting? They chose the harder path — building long-term, community-led programs that prioritized local ownership. This approach set VWB apart and led to early collaborations with researchers, universities, and local partners who shared a vision of integrated, sustainable change.
Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord couldn't do the work we do without your support. Whether it's a financial donation or a donation of your time, by improving the health of animals you will be working to improve the health and quality of life for people throughout the world.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you inspiring stories from the field, showcasing the impactful work of our dedicated VETS program volunteers. Meet Dr. Riley Bauman (DVM), an Animal Health Advisor who spent two months in Kenya (April–June 2025), working alongside smallholder dairy farmers and Meru Dairy staff to promote animal health, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods.
This article explores the persistent threat of anthrax and the critical need for community-led surveillance in preventing zoonotic outbreaks. It highlights how VWB’s One Health approach—through the COHERS program, CAHW training, and gender-responsive outreach—strengthens local capacity to detect and manage neglected diseases, protecting both human and animal health in vulnerable communities.
#VETSVolunteerVoices aims to bring you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. This blog was written by Guy Audet, a Business Development Advisor who supported our VETS program partner, WIPVaC-Apex, in Ghana from March to May 2025.
