Northern Summit 2023 - Blog
Skip to Main Content

Northern Summit 2023

Posted Nov 16th, 2023 in Northern Canada

Northern Summit  2023

On November 1, 2023 we brought together people from the north for our annual northern summit. Building community capacity and community-based solutions is key to our program. During this summit we introduced the concept of the Community Animal Health Worker and how this model is implemented internationally, with discussions to find out how this model could be implemented in the north to create greater access to animal health in your community year-round. If you are from the territories and were unable to attend, your insights will still be so valuable in these conversations and to build a program that works for your community. Please find below the presentations and discussion questions.

Video 1: Introduction

Video 2: Introducing the Community Animal Health Worker model

Video 3: Learnings from a Community Animal Management worker program in Australia

Video 4: Learnings from a paraveterinarian program in Guatamala

Video 5: How telehealth increased access in the Ukraine

Share  your take-aways from the summit  and videos

If you live in one of our  partner communities or in another Nunavut or Northwest Territories community that struggles to access animal health services, share your thoughts on the programs below with the question prompts.

Stories From Around The World

VETS Volunteer Voices: Growing Stronger Together in Cambodia

VETS Volunteer Voices: Growing Stronger Together in Cambodia

Posted Jul 9th, 2026

In this edition of #VETSVolunteerVoices, we shift perspective — from volunteer reflections to the voice of a local VETS program partner helping shape sustainable agriculture from within. Meet Sophoan Min, Country Representative of AVSF Cambodia, who has spent more than 25 years working alongside farming communities and VETS volunteers to strengthen farmer organizations, promote sustainable agriculture, and build more resilient rural livelihoods.

Read more

Where Care Begins: How Helen Klengenberg Is Helping Strengthen Animal Health in Nunavut

Where Care Begins: How Helen Klengenberg Is Helping Strengthen Animal Health in Nunavut

Posted Jul 9th, 2026

From coordinating veterinary clinics to supporting future Community Animal Health Workers, Helen Klengenberg's story highlights the importance of local leadership in strengthening animal health across Nunavut. As communities continue to build local capacity, we explore how VWB is working alongside northern partners to improve access to care.

Read more

Different Approaches, One Goal: Bringing Veterinary Care Closer

Different Approaches, One Goal: Bringing Veterinary Care Closer

Posted Jul 8th, 2026

Access to veterinary care looks different in every community. This blog explores how mobile clinics, local veterinary partners, and Community Animal Health Workers help bring care closer to animals and families in Northern Canada, Ukraine, Senegal, and beyond.

Read more

  • The most rewarding part of my placements was helping others and seeing the many lives that are impacted along the way.
    - Nikki Sheedy

Become A Part Of The Big Picture

By supporting Veterinarians Without Borders through donations or volunteering, you become part of the Big Picture solution. 

Volunteer  Donate  

+1(343) 633-0272 Contact