- While animal owners might assume they understand what occurs during a veterinary appointment, a fresh international survey of over 1,000 veterinarians spanning 51 nations reveals considerably more activity behind the scenes than is apparent.
- Among veterinarians who specialize by species, frequently missed elements included “identifying concealed health issues and discomfort” noted by pet veterinarians (87%) and equine veterinarians (60%), “food-chain safety” and “disease monitoring” cited by livestock veterinarians (65% and 62% respectively).
- Boehringer Ingelheim and its collaborating veterinary organizations are highlighting these results to foster greater awareness of the crucial yet frequently hidden contributions of veterinary medicine.
Boehringer Ingelheim disclosed fresh global survey findings today that spotlight the frequently unnoticed facets of veterinary medicine that play a vital role in safeguarding animals, people, and communities.
Based on feedback from 1,046 qualified veterinary professionals across 51 countries, the research pinpointed three of the most significant yet insufficiently recognized elements of veterinary care:
- Detecting hidden health issues and pain, reported by 87% of pet veterinarians and 60% of equine veterinarians
- Ensuring food-chain safety, highlighted by 65% of livestock veterinarians
- Surveillance programs aimed at curbing disease transmission, cited by 62% of livestock veterinarians
The results highlight the extensive influence veterinarians exert in daily life – from tending to pets in more than half of households worldwidei to protecting the animals and animal-derived goods that help nourish 97% of the global populace.ii,iii,iv
"Each day, veterinarians take actions that extend well beyond the exam room – affecting the animals they treat, the people who cherish them, and the food systems and public health we all rely on,” said Claire Fowler, Head of Global Strategic Marketing, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “Through this Going Beyond survey, together with our partners, we are shining a light on the worth of something many of us in the animal health sector have long believed: the most essential aspects of veterinary work are often the hardest to see.”
The expertise behind every quiet veterinary decision
That invisible expertise is built on years of education. Diagnosing animal health conditions and choosing treatment paths depends on a breadth of knowledge that is not always readily apparent. Becoming a veterinarian can require five to six years of university study, while specialists may undergo four or more additional years of advanced training – meaning their choices are shaped by over a decade of learning and hands-on clinical experience.v For cats and dogs, such expertise can mean the difference between identifying a condition like diabetes or chronic kidney disease early or missing it entirely.
As pet owners’ expectations regarding animal health and welfare continue to rise,vi,vii,viii veterinary judgment becomes increasingly critical at every stage of care – from prevention and early detection to managing complex illnesses. Yet much of this effort remains invisible to animal owners, with 87% of pet veterinarians naming “detecting hidden health issues” as the most vital aspect of their job that is most often ignored.
“Diagnostic and treatment decisions are based on the veterinarians professional training and experience. This unnoticed layer of expertise ensures animals receive precise, efficient, and life-preserving care,” said Dr. Jim Berry, President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. “Helping pet owners understand the full scope of that expertise is key to building trust and partnership with their veterinary teams to support the long-term health of our animals.”
The hidden power of preventative veterinary care
A great deal of veterinary medicine is preventive in nature, where timely action and close monitoring help stop problems before they worsen, thereby lessening long-term emotional and financial burdens on animal owners.
Yet when equine veterinarians were polled, they rated “identifying concealed pain and subtle early disease signals” (60%) and “using a horse’s surroundings and clinical history to forecast risk” (42%) as the most crucial yet underrecognized elements of their work.
In practical terms, this involves customized guidance on a horse’s nutrition, dental and hoof maintenance, vaccination, parasite management, and stable protocols – helping lower the chances of conditions like colic, laminitis, and respiratory illness.
“Much of an equine veterinarian’s work goes unnoticed precisely because it is effective,” said Dr. Sarah M. Reuss, President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Its impact is seen in problems identified early, avoided altogether, or managed before they escalate.”
The veterinary care protecting food systems and public health
Livestock veterinary medicine – which protects animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry – directly and measurably affects the food people consume daily, underpinning roughly 34% of the global food protein supply.ix
It also carries significance for public health, given that 60% of human infectious diseases are known to transmit between animals and humans,x and 70% of emerging diseases originate in animals.xi
Nevertheless, according to livestock veterinarians, the broader consequences of their role often go unacknowledged. In the survey, most pointed to “safeguarding food-chain safety” as an element of their work most likely to be overlooked by the public (65%), closely followed by “surveillance to curb disease spread” (62%).
“Livestock veterinarians are guardians of our food supply and frontline defenders against the diseases that can cross from animals to people – yet this role is rarely visible to the public who depend on it most,” said Arcangelo Gentile, President of the World Association for Buiatrics. “Recognizing it is not just a matter of professional pride; it is essential if we are to attract, retain, and support the veterinary workforce that global food security and public health are increasingly reliant on."
Supported by leading veterinary associations
About the Going Beyond campaign
Going Beyond is a campaign developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, in cooperation with the World Small Animal Vet Association, the World Association for Buiatrics, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and other leading organizations. Launched for the first time for World Veterinary Day 2024, Going Beyond shines a light on the hidden power of veterinary care and the critical yet often unseen role of veterinary professionals. Through new survey insights and content featuring real veterinarians, Going Beyond aims to deepen understanding of veterinary care and why it matters – not only for animals, but also for people, communities and society as a whole – while helping veterinarians feel seen, appreciated and motivated to continue doing what they do best.
As part of the Going Beyond 2026 campaign, a survey conducted in March and April 2026 by Boehringer Ingelheim included 1,046 qualifying veterinarians from 51 countries.
Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business
Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.
Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
Intended Audiences Notice
This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.
