Ester Banque is EVP and president of U.S. Operations for Zoetis.
Have you ever stopped to think about how animals impact our lives and bring communities together every day? The food on the table, the milk in the fridge, the ice cream after recreational sports. Don’t forget the cats, dogs, horses, and other animals that enrich our lives and provide comfort, company, and even therapy.
Animals play a life-changing and life-sustaining role in our society. I’ll admit, this was an eye-opening realization for me in 2023 when I first joined animal health company Zoetis. I knew a lot about human health, but animals presented a new landscape and opportunity for me to continue making an impact on humankind.
In the past decade, the animal health industry has accelerated innovation in preventatives and treatment to extend heathy lives for animals. It has also accelerated faster, more precise diagnosis for many conditions, reducing the time veterinarians must wait for laboratory and specialist reviews.
I am constantly amazed at the pace and efficiency of innovation in this field. The best part though? I believe we’re just getting started.
Innovations protect pets and their families
A few years ago, my twin daughters were relentlessly begging us for a puppy. My wife and I knew caring for a dog would be a huge responsibility, but we eventually gave in and adopted Yuna. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, and we are so happy she is part of our family.
One of Yuna’s favorite things to do is roam our backyard. Before entering animal health, I had no idea how many parasites potentially threatened Yuna. Nor did I understand the consequences of her bringing parasites into the house and causing health problems for the entire family. However, advances in parasiticides have effectively removed those concerns, and Yuna has free reign of our property without my wife and I having to watch her every move!
Beyond parasiticides, pet owners now have access to many innovations that help animals live longer, healthier lives, like vaccines that protect against disease, therapeutics that relieve itchy skin and new options for controlling osteoarthritis (OA) pain, such as Zoetis’ Librela®, a monoclonal antibody treatment for canine OA pain.
This field is experiencing a significant evolution in how pet owners seek information and receive care and treatment for their pets. We are improving diagnostic tools, increasing specialization to address chronic and severe diseases, and creating new channels to access resources and care—both online and in the clinic.
Humans benefit from advances in animal health
These advances benefit humans too. Studies from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute show that pet owners have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease than non-pet owners; and that pets can reduce stress, promote exercise, and help alleviate anxiety and depression. In turn, pet owners can return the benefits to their animals by offering them a healthier, more fulfilling life.
There’s even more innovation to come. Scientists are researching treatments for cancer, cardiovascular, and renal diseases that claim too many pets’ lives every year.
New solutions for livestock are emerging as well. The World Health Organization has identified approximately 200 diseases as zoonotic—meaning they can jump from animals to humans—including highly pathogenic avian influenza, a bird flu that harms both livestock and humans. Producers and industry partners are constantly focusing on driving a safe, sustainable, and healthy protein supply by implementing holistic treatment programs, combining nutrition management, vaccines, genetic testing, and biosecurity to prevent health problems. Meanwhile, healthy herds provide healthy protein for humans, which is critical for food supply and improves sustainability.
Technology leads to more precise care
The digital revolution has completely transformed access to animal care. There are apps to train our pets and track their behavior. Farmers use ear tags and other devices to collect and analyze data to inform decisions on their herd’s health. How many of us had virtual veterinarian visits during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Technology throws open the barn (and doggy) door to new possibilities for more efficient, precision care. For example, AI-powered tools that quickly analyze blood, urine, and feces allow veterinarians to diagnose disease in hours, instead of days and weeks. Diagnostic tools like checklists can help pet owners know when to call the vet based solely on their cat’s movement. These technologies are helping veterinarians streamline their practices, which means a better, more efficient experience for all.
Genetic testing also helps pet owners and veterinarians understand the risk for disease and determine ways to prevent future health problems.
Advances in genetic testing can provide insights that improve productivity for farmers and livestock producers. For example, Zoetis offers a test for cattle farmers to determine whether a cow is likely to develop mastitis, a common and economically devastating disease plaguing the livestock industry.
Animal health care will continue to innovate
Science has always been a great disruptor, and I can only imagine how far technology and industry innovation will take us over the next decade.
What I do know is this: Our bond with animals, and our dependence on them will only grow stronger in the years ahead. With that, so does our responsibility as an industry to keep investing in innovation to care for the pets we adore: the chickens, cattle, and pigs that feed the world, and the horses that blaze a trail of joy and compassion. We owe them the best care possible, so they can live healthy, productive lives—and so we can too.
