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.
#VETSVolunteerVoices aims to bring you the stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Elise Tessier, an Epidemiology Advisor who spent 10 weeks in Cambodia (March–May 2025) supporting a zoonotic disease risk reduction project with our local partner, AVSF Cambodia.
#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.
