Kristen Rodrigues is the International Development and Humanitarian Director for Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord.
Kristen is an international development practitioner with over 10 years of experience in global project management and multilateral cooperation. She holds a Master's in Development Practice, specializing in Global Health and Sustainable Development, as well as a Bachelor's in Environment Resource and Business Studies.
Through her experiences working across Africa and Asia, Kristen has gained a deep understanding and appreciation of the importance of cross-sectoral and cross-cultural understanding. Kristen brings extensive knowledge of food security, MEL(monitoring, evaluation and learning), and women’s economic empowerment to her role within the VWB/VSF Canada team from her time with WUSC, CIDA, the Guyana Red Cross, and SEW Tanzania.
She is passionate about improving the lives of the most vulnerable through international cooperation and committed to strengthening communities’ relationships with animals and their environment.
This article explores the diverse and often underrecognized roles of veterinarians within a One Health framework, highlighting how their work in animal health, food safety, wildlife conservation, and climate adaptation strengthens communities, safeguards ecosystems, and supports global health resilience.
This article examines the vital role of veterinarians in immunization and disease prevention, highlighting how VWB’s One Health approach — through vaccination campaigns, CAHW training, and real-time disease surveillance — protects public health, supports farmer livelihoods, and strengthens animal health systems in vulnerable communities.
In remote areas, like the far North, dog bites are more prevalent. This Dog Bite Prevention Week, we're raising awareness about how reading dog body language and improving access to veterinary care can reduce bites—and prevent the spread of diseases like rabies.
