Need for Veterinary Involvement in the Airline Industry

Summary: Animals are transported domestically and internationally via air for zoos, aquariums, and research facilities.  Animals are also transported for commercial purposes and as personal pets.  Specific animal welfare regulations and policies must be abided by to ensure these animals arrive to their destinations safely.  Veterinary involvement in the airline industry is needed to explain and ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations, educate animal shippers/animal owners of the regulations, assist with monitoring the health and welfare of animals during air transport, and guide decisions related to the transportation of animals.  During the presentation, we will discuss how having veterinary involvement in the airline industry could benefit animal welfare.

About Dr Nelva J. Bryant, DVM, MPH

Position Title:  Founder, DVM Transportation Consultants LLC

I served as Delta’s industry-first staff veterinarian. Unfortunately, due to COVD-19 and its impact on the airline industry, I was laid off.  However, I anticipate returning once the pandemic ends and the airline industry recovers. In response to COVID-19, I’m pivoting.  Veterinary involvement in the airline industry is needed to ensure all animals arrive to their destinations safely. Thus, I developed DVM Transportation Consultants, a consulting firm that is available to supply services to airlines, veterinarians, and animal owners.  Services include: Animal Transportation Policy analysis; and assisting veterinarians as they prepare pets for domestic and international air travel. Although pets, as well as a vast majority of people, are not traveling via air domestically or internationally on US airlines, this is a good opportunity to get ready for future air travel.

 

Highlights

· 27+ years of experience in the fields of veterinary medicine

· Licensed veterinarian since 1993, with the ability to practice in Georgia and New York

· USDA Accredited Veterinarian (Category 1)

· Retired LCDR in the US Public Health Service, serving 10+ years at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

· Past positions at CDC include: Quarantine Veterinary Medical Officer (Dog Importation Subject Matter Expert), Veterinary Public Health Consultant, and Chief Veterinary Pathologist

· Currently active in veterinary medicine working in the airline industry and available to provide consultative services

· Served as Industry-first, In-house Veterinarian at Delta Air Lines

· Completed training in Live Animal Transportation at the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

· Serves on Executive Council Committee for GVL (Global VetLINK)

· Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Experience

Dr. Bryant’s veterinary career is not typical. Upon graduating from veterinary college, she was torn between small animal clinical practice and veterinary pathology. After being in clinical practice for 1 year, she decided to take steps towards becoming a veterinary pathologist. She obtained additional veterinary pathology training and then joined the US Army for 3 years. She then transferred to the US Public Health Service and held numerous positions related to animal and public health. To further advance her skills, she completed an MPH degree through the University of Iowa MPH for Practicing Veterinarians program.  Upon retiring, she has been employed by Delta Air Lines as their industry first in-house veterinarian to review and revise policies related to the transportation of live animals.

Along her career pathway, Nelva obtained a unique skillset. Her knowledge of veterinary pathology, infectious and zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health, CDC’s dog importation regulations, international and national animal transportation regulations, and airline live animal transportation policies has made her an expert in the field of animal transportation. As a consultant, she shares her observations at veterinary conferences and via webinars. She also serves on numerous council/advisory boards.

A Word from Nelva J. Bryant, DVM

“Using my veterinary degree to educate pet owners and benefit pets has been the most rewarding aspect of my career. As a member of the US Public Health Service, I have been able to protect animal and human lives through the practice of veterinary medicine. Currently, my mission is to improve pet travel via promoting animal welfare, education, and veterinary oversight. I’m so excited to work with The Spruce Pets and look forward to sharing my insights.”

Education: Dr. Bryant received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Iowa-MPH for Practicing Veterinarians Program.

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Expertise: International and domestic travel of companion animals, CDC’s dog importation regulations, Infectious and zoonotic diseases of animals, Veterinary public health, Animal welfare, Veterinary consulting

Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine; University of Iowa-MPH for Practicing Veterinarians Program

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Title: Airline Industry Veterinarian, Consultant