A recent collaboration between Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) researchers and Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB) is seeking to pilot a sustainable model for improving animal healthcare grounded in community engagement and empowerment. Led by graduate student Tsai-Ping (Hannah) Liao, under the supervision of Dr. Lauren Van Patter, the project centers on the development and implementation of Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) programs in Northern Canada. These programs train local individuals to offer basic animal health services in areas where veterinary care is inaccessible or limited. VWB has an existing Northern Animal Health initiative where they partner with remote Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories and Nunavut to support the communities with their identified needs including access to veterinary care.
CAHW programs have been successfully implemented around the world, and an aim of the research is to adapt the model specifically for the unique social, cultural, and environmental contexts of Northern Canada. CCSAW funding will enable Liao to visit Gjoa Haven, a hamlet approximately 1000 km north-east of Yellowknife, in Nunavut, in person, as part of community engagement and knowledge exchange for the project.
Why Northern Canada?
Communities in Northern Canada, particularly Indigenous and remote populations, face significant challenges when it comes to access to animal health. Veterinary services are often sporadic or entirely absent due to geographic isolation, harsh climates, and limited infrastructure. This lack of care not only affects animal welfare but also community well-being, public health, and environmental sustainability. In fact, according to Dr. Michelle Tuma, the Northern Veterinary Specialist for Veterinarians Without Borders North America, “there are no veterinarians in Nunavut and four of us in Northwest Territories. There are over 50 communities that don’t have regular access or that actually have zero access to veterinary care.”
The CAHW model has the potential to address these gaps by supporting local community members in providing essential animal care services, guided by proper training and support. Developing that model of proper training is the end goal for Liao’s MSc. and potential further studies.
Tuma explains that “a lot of the communities that we work with identify their needs in terms of animal management, especially dogs. About 95% of the domestic animal population are dogs. Without access to basic health care for these animals, like vaccinations, spays, neuters and any other medical concerns including parasites, the challenges continue, which then affects community welfare. Most of the communities have the same type of identified concerns regarding dog population management.”
A Global Perspective with Local Focus
To avoid the pitfalls of imposing external solutions, the research team is taking a globally informed yet locally grounded approach. Data was collected through surveys and interviews with stakeholders involved in CAHW programs from diverse regions around the world. The goal is to analyze how successful strategies can be adapted—or reimagined—to fit the unique cultural, economic, and geographic contexts of Northern Canada. As Liao emphasized during a recent interview, “We don’t want to take a one-size-fits-all approach. Because each community has its own unique background, so we want the framework to be flexible and engaging.”
Tuma highlights the importance of community involvement at every stage. “We want the community to be not just participants but leaders in this initiative,” she noted. That means engaging with local voices, respecting Indigenous knowledge systems, and co-developing a flexible framework that can evolve over time.
Sustainability and Cultural Sensitivity at the Core
At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to sustainability. The project seeks to avoid short-term fixes and instead build lasting infrastructure by training individuals who already live in and understand their communities. Equally important is cultural sensitivity. Recognizing that every community has its own relationship with animals, traditions, and ways of knowing, the project is designed to be adaptable and respectful.
CCSAW’s Role
This is the first initiative funded by the new CCSAW annual mini-award scheme, whereby the Centre will allocate $20,000/year to support the activities of faculty and graduate students as they strive to advance the welfare of animals through research, teaching, and service/outreach. Through this funding Liao will co-deliver a community engagement session, meeting the residents, and working with VWB to further foster conversation around community needs and priorities in the development and implementation of a CAHW program.
Looking Ahead
The team hopes that this project will not only lead to a successful CAHW pilot program but also pave the way for a national movement toward community-based animal health care in underserved areas. With continued support, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other countries and contexts facing similar challenges.
By combining academic research, on-the-ground experience, and heartfelt commitment, the CCSAW-funded community engagement event is an example of what’s possible when diverse perspectives come together to solve pressing issues. It’s not just about animal health—it’s about community empowerment, equity, and creating a more compassionate world for all living beings.
