Integrating welfare science into veterinary education is essential to produce practitioners who can effectively advocate for and implement animal welfare improvements.
Veterinarians are among the most influential advocates for animal welfare in society, and their effectiveness depends on the quality and depth of their welfare education. A vet who confidently assesses pain, communicates welfare concerns to clients and can advocate for systemic welfare improvements at policy level has far greater welfare impact than one whose welfare knowledge is superficial. Investment in high-quality welfare science education at veterinary schools translates directly into improved welfare outcomes across all the species vets serve.