Madalyn Nielsen is Program Officer, VETS at Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord.
Madalyn joined VWB in October 2025, bringing a lifelong passion for the intersection of animal and human well-being. Her early experiences showing dairy cattle in rural Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) and working in a small animal veterinary clinic inspired her pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts in Bioveterinary Science and a Master of Arts in Global Development Studies—grounding her in the principles of One Health that now guide her work.
Madalyn has seven years of experience working for international cooperation programs and is a published academic author in the gender and rural development space. She is interested in how intersectional gender dynamics affect livestock-based livelihoods and believes that locally driven solutions including all gender identities are invaluable. Madalyn previously volunteered in Kenya through VWB’s Emerging Leaders Program as a Gender Advisor Volunteer.
In her free time, Madalyn loves to spend time outdoors, travel, and spend as much time with animals as possible.
In Ghana’s Upper East Region, women Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) are transforming animal care and community health. Through VWB’s VETS program, they’re improving livestock management, advancing gender equality, and building resilient One Health systems from the ground up.
Join Veterinarians Without Borders for our virtual 20th Anniversary celebration — 20 Years of Impact: A Celebration of Our Volunteers & VWB in Action. Reflect on two decades of One Health impact and connect with the people shaping a healthier world for animals, people, and the planet.
This field report from Laos shares insights from VWB’s Senior Program Officer, Megan Sylka, highlighting how the VETS program, in partnership with CARE Laos, is empowering women, improving animal health, and helping farming communities build climate resilience through sustainable agriculture and One Health practices.
