Newly released guidance from the American Animal Hospital Association aims to support collaboration across medical professions to address health problems affecting pets, people and their shared environment.
The guidelines, available at bit.ly/4mU2FcR, were developed by human and veterinary health professionals.
“The highest quality care — for individuals, families, communities and our shared environments — depends on true interprofessional collaboration,” said Dr. Brian Sick, co-chair of the guidelines task force. “Yet, despite this widely accepted principle, one of the most enduring gaps exists between human and veterinary medicine. The AAHA One Health Guidelines aim to bridge that divide.”
The guidelines take a detailed examination of a world where human and animal health care are intertwined. It includes sections describing:
- Standardized terminology to promote a shared language across professions
- Criteria for when to apply a One Health approach
- Structured protocols for outreach to physicians, public health agencies and social services
- Step-by-step follow-up recommendations
- Detailed case studies highlighting the diversity of issues that impact One Health
“[The guidelines] equip our veterinary health care teams with the essential tools and framework to collaborate with our colleagues in human health care,” said Dr. Cheryl Roth, a veterinarian and co-chair. “This collaboration will not only enhance the care we provide to our animal patients but will also support the families that love them, promoting healthier communities overall.”
The family care model is central to AAHA’s recommendations, emphasizing that veterinary and human health often intersect within the same household. The guidelines encourage veterinary professionals to consider environmental factors, social challenges and the human-animal bond as part of a more holistic approach to wellness.
Case reports included in the guidelines help veterinary professionals put an understanding of One Health into practical action. Examples include:
- Using cognitive decline in a senior pet to screen senior pet owners
- Recognizing patterns of injury or fearful behavior in pets that may mirror violence among intimate partners
- Addressing tick-borne disease in pets and people in the household
- Helping disabled persons receive Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for service animals