Patricia Maruschak is on the board of directors for Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord Canada.
Patricia is a senior executive with extensive experience developing and implementing complex human-rights-based international projects. She has applied her strategic planning, policy development and relationship-building skills in her work with key organizations in the Canadian international development and humanitarian assistance area and possesses a deep understanding of current issues in the sector.
She is currently the Director of Engagement and Learning at Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. Patricia has also held senior positions with Canadian Lutheran World Relief and Canadian International Development Agency. She has a Master of Arts, Public Administration, and International Development, and brings to the board her extensive skills and experience working with non-profits dedicated to humanitarian assistance and international development.
Louise Mukarugwiza’s journey from community health worker to One Health Team member highlights the transformative impact of COHERS, empowering women to prevent disease, promote gender equality, and build healthier communities in Rwanda.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Méli-Jade Léveillé-Blais, an Animal Health Advisor who spent three months in Kenya (May–August 2025) with our local partner, Meru Dairy, training farmers, building local leadership, and strengthening community resilience through better dairy practices.
The Patron Pet Center in Kyiv has grown from a handful of kennels into one of Ukraine’s most advanced animal welfare facilities, providing care for injured and abandoned animals from frontline areas. They recently unveiled a new cat wing offering veterinary care, socialization, and adoption support. We spoke with former director Iryna Podvoyska about the center’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
