The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has paid tribute to itslong-standing Committee and Executive Board member Emeritus Professor MichaelJ Day following the announcement of his death. Emeritus Professor Michael Daybegan working with the WSAVA in 2003, holding a range of roles,includingmembership of the Gastrointestinal Standardization Group and Chair of theScientific Advisory Committee. He founded the WSAVA’s One Health Committee in2010 and was Chair of the WSAVA’s Vaccination Guidelines Group from 2009untilMarch 2020 when ill-health necessitated his stepping down from this and hisother WSAVAroles.Emeritus Professor Day was latterly the BSAVA MemberRepresentative for the WSAVA and joined the WSAVA’s Executive Board in 2017.He was elected Honorary Treasurer in 2018.The inaugural Vice-President of theWSAVA Foundation, Emeritus Professor Day also helped to develop and lead itspioneering African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) project,which isworking to raise standards of companion animal veterinary care in Sub-SaharanAfrica.He had recently been awarded the WSAVA’s prestigious Award for GlobalMeritorious Service.

WSAVA President Shane Ryan said:“We are terribly saddened by the loss ofMichael, who served the WSAVA with distinction and dedication for many years.He wasa true veterinary leader who made an immense contribution to the WSAVAand the other associations he served. Michael was not only a highly respectedcolleague but a much-loved friend.We are heart-broken to lose him, and ourthoughts are with his wife, our WSAVA colleague Dr Mary Marcondes, his widerfamily, his friends and colleagues.”Professor Michael Lappin, Chair of theWSAVA’s One Health Committee, said:“Professor Day was an icon of globalveterinary medicine in many fields. His work to found the One Health Committeeand the resultant One Health Certificate Course are just two of the ways inwhich his memory will live on.It was an honor to be his friend and to have himas an inspiration in so many ways, both professionally and personally.”DrJolle Kirpensteijn, WSAVA Past President and Chief Professional VeterinaryOfficer at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, US, said:“Michael was a friend to the entireglobal veterinary community and worked tirelessly and humbly to make the worldbetter by championing a One Health approach. His hallmark sense of humor andability to explain complex concepts touched us all.”Dr Guillermina Manigot,WSAVA Member Representative for Argentina, added: “Among his manyachievements, Professor Day was passionate about the creation of the first setof WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines for Latin America and travelled throughout theregion, with members of the Vaccination Guidelines Group,to explain anddiscuss them with veterinarians.These Guide lineswere recently published inJournal of Small Animal Practice and it is now our mission, as Latin Americanveterinarians,to apply what he taught us for the benefit of our patients andpublic health.Thank you, Professor Day.”

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