Every day at SeaWorld® Abu Dhabi, our team of passionate and expert veterinarians and animal care specialists devote their lives to providing exceptional care for a very diverse set of animals—from dolphins and sea lions to flamingos, sharks and many other species.
Their expertise also extends to supporting the vital marine conservation efforts of the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, contributing to critical rescue missions and research projects.
On World Veterinary Day, we proudly celebrate their invaluable contributions to maintaining the highest standards of animal care at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi as well as to broader conservation efforts in the Arabian Gulf.
What Is World Veterinary Day?
The first World Veterinary Day was observed in 2000. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) created this special day to celebrate the veterinary profession and veterinarians' efforts to protect the well-being of animals and people and their contribution to the environment.
Since 2000, this special day has been observed annually on the last Saturday of April.
When is World Veterinary Day in 2025? This year, it will be celebrated on April 26th. The theme is “Animal Health Takes a Team,” which emphasizes the importance of collaboration among veterinarians.
The theme also highlights the roles different professionals play in providing high-quality care and services to all animals in need. It celebrates the hard work of veterinarians, veterinary researchers, technicians, nurses, and others committed to animal care.
Facts About the Veterinary Field
Below are some facts worth knowing about veterinarians and the veterinary field:
- The term "veterinary" comes from the Latin word veterinae, which means "working animals.”
- The word “veterinarian" was first published in print in 1646 by Sir Thomas Browne, an English polymath and author.
- Claude Bourgelat, a French veterinary surgeon, founded the first veterinary college in Lyon, France, in 1762.
- Dr. James Harlan Steele is considered the father of veterinary public health.
- The first three women to receive Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in the US were Mignon Nicholson, Elinor McGrath, and Florence Kimball. They received their degrees in 1903.
The Hard Working Veterinarians of SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
At SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, we are committed to providing the highest standard of animal welfare based on best practices and standards set by internationally recognized animal welfare organisations.
Our animal care team consists of highly experienced and passionate veterinarians, scientists, animal care specialists, and educators who devote their lives to caring for and sharing their passion for animals.
The veterinary and wider animal care team at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi operates around the clock to deliver world-class care to a diverse set of animals. Daily responsibilities include conducting health checks, performing medical treatments, collaborating with nutritionists to optimize diets, and evaluating laboratory results, among other essential tasks.
The Animal Care Center of SeaWorld® Abu Dhabi features the following state-of-the-art facilities and equipment:
- Surgical center
- Treatment center
- Diagnostic laboratory
- Reproductive laboratory
- Microbiology laboratory
- Radiology laboratory
- Animal CT machine
- Animal commissary
A Closer Look at the Veterinarians and Their Work at the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is also home to the Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center, the first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation, and return center in the MENA region.
The veterinarians of the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center partner with the Research and Rescue teams to support critical marine conservation efforts. They play a vital role working with other experts such as marine animal rescue experts, scientists, and animal care specialists to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need before returning them to their natural environment.
The veterinarians look after the animals' rehabilitation by performing first-aid treatments and surgeries, as needed.
They also monitor their patients’ behaviors to track their progress and create programs that strengthen the rescued animals' natural instincts to prepare them for their return to the wild.
The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center recognizes the veterinary team’s unwavering commitment to local marine conservation and, as such, deserves the spotlight this World Veterinary Day.
The veterinarians and animal care experts of SeaWorld® Yas Island have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to provide the best care to their patients.
The Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center facilities include:
- Rescue vehicles
- Veterinary hospital for triage of critically hurt animals
- Dedicated rehabilitation facilities
- Animal CT machines
- Rescue pools
- Laboratory
Want To Learn More About What Veterinarians Do at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center?
If you would like to learn more about what the veterinarians and animal care teams do at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, visit us at the Animal Care Center. Here, you can explore the state-of-the-art facility with unobstructed views, discover our medical equipment in use, and witness real-time animal health checks and medical treatments performed by our team of veterinarians and animal care specialists.
You can also sign up for a Guided Tour at the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center.
On this tour, an Educator will take you around the Center to give you behind-the-scenes views of the animal hospital, rehabilitation facilities, and research laboratories. You’ll get a closer look at the advanced equipment used to treat and care for rescued animals and you may see veterinarians and specialists in action as they care for their patients.
This year, take the time to appreciate the unsung heroes of the animal world. Join us as we celebrate World Veterinary Day 2025!
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