- Pet owners might believe they understand what takes place during an animal checkup — but a fresh worldwide survey of more than 1,000 veterinarians spanning 51 countries reveals considerably more activity beneath the surface.
- Among practitioners focusing on specific animals, the most frequently cited hidden elements included “detecting concealed health issues and discomfort” reported by 87% of small-animal vets and 60% of equine vets, along with “food-chain protection” and “disease monitoring” listed by 65% and 62% of livestock vets respectively.
- Boehringer Ingelheim, together with its veterinary association collaborators, is highlighting these results to foster greater appreciation for the essential yet frequently invisible contributions of veterinary medicine.
Boehringer Ingelheim has released fresh global survey data today that sheds light on the commonly overlooked dimensions of veterinary practice that play a vital role in safeguarding animals, humans, and communities.
Based on input from 1,046 qualified veterinary professionals across 51 nations, the study pinpointed three key but underappreciated facets of veterinary work:
- Identifying hidden illnesses and pain, noted by 87% of companion-animal veterinarians and 60% of equine veterinarians
- Safeguarding the integrity of the food chain, flagged by 65% of livestock veterinarians
- Surveillance initiatives designed to curb disease transmission, cited by 62% of livestock veterinarians
These findings highlight the extensive influence veterinary professionals have on daily life — from tending to pets in more than half of all households worldwidei to protecting the animals and animal-derived goods that supply nourishment for 97% of the global population.ii,iii,iv
"Veterinarians make choices every day that reach well beyond the examination room — affecting the animals under their care, the people who cherish those animals, and the food systems and public health infrastructure we all rely on,” said Claire Fowler, Head of Global Strategic Marketing, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “Through this Going Beyond survey, in partnership with our collaborators, we are drawing attention to something many of us in the animal health field have long sensed: the most vital elements of a veterinarian’s job are often the least visible.”
The skill behind every unnoticed veterinary decision
That hidden expertise starts with years of education. Recognizing health issues in animals and deciding on a treatment path demands a body of knowledge that is not always easy to see. Becoming a veterinarian typically requires five to six years of university study, and specialists may undergo four or more additional years of advanced training, meaning their judgments are backed by more than a decade of academic learning and practical clinical experience.v For dogs and cats, this expertise can be the deciding factor between catching a condition such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease early and missing it entirely.
As animal owners increasingly expect higher standards of health and wellbeing for their pets,vi,vii,viii veterinary judgment is becoming more crucial at every phase of care — from prevention and early detection to the management of complex diseases. Yet much of this effort remains invisible to pet owners, with 87% of companion-animal veterinarians ranking “spotting hidden health problems” as the most critical but frequently overlooked part of their work.
“Diagnostic and treatment choices are grounded in the veterinarian’s professional education and hands-on experience. This hidden layer of expertise guarantees that animals receive accurate, efficient, and life-saving attention,” said Dr. Jim Berry, President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. “Helping pet owners grasp the full extent of that expertise is essential for building trust and collaboration with their veterinary teams to support the long-term health of our animals.”
The unseen strength of preventive veterinary medicine
A large portion of veterinary care is preventive in nature, with timely intervention and careful monitoring helping to stop problems from worsening and reducing the long-term emotional and financial burden on animal owners.
Yet when equine veterinarians were polled, they identified “detecting hidden pain and subtle early signs of disease” (60%) and “using a horse’s surroundings and clinical history to predict risk” (42%) as the most significant but overlooked aspects of their profession.
In daily practice, this includes customized guidance on a horse’s nutrition, dental and hoof care, vaccination schedules, parasite management, and stable maintenance, all of which help lower the likelihood of conditions such as colic, laminitis, and respiratory ailments.
“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.”
Veterinary care that shields food systems and public health
Livestock veterinary medicine — which cares for animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry — has a direct and measurable effect on the food people consume daily, supporting roughly 34% of the global protein supply.ix
It also has implications for public health, given that 60% of human infectious diseases are known to transmit between animals and people,x and 70% of emerging diseases originate in animals.xi
Yet, according to livestock veterinarians, the broader significance of their work is often overlooked. In the survey, most identified “protecting food-chain safety” as the aspect of their role most likely to be underappreciated by the public (65%), closely followed by “surveillance to limit the spread of disease” (62%).
“Livestock veterinarians serve as stewards of our food supply and as frontline defenders against diseases that can jump from animals to humans — yet the public that depends on this work most rarely sees it,” said Arcangelo Gentile, President of the World Association for Buiatrics. “Recognizing this role isn’t just about professional pride; it is essential if we hope to attract, retain, and support the veterinary workforce that global food security and public health increasingly rely on."
Endorsed by prominent veterinary organizations
About the Going Beyond initiative
Going Beyond is a campaign created by Boehringer Ingelheim, in collaboration 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 highlights the hidden power of veterinary care and the critical yet frequently unseen role of veterinary professionals. Through fresh survey insights and content featuring real veterinarians, Going Beyond seeks to deepen public 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, valued, 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.
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