Dr Richard Squires BVSc (Hons) PhD DVR Dipl. ACVIM Dipl. ECVIM-CA GCertEd, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Medicine, James Cook University, North Queensland, Australia, has been announced as the new Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association‘s (WSAVA’s) Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG).
The VGG comprises a team of experts from around the world focused on providing evidence-based scientific advice to the global veterinary profession on optimum vaccination practice for dogs and cats. As part of its work to promote best practice in vaccination, it has produced:
- Three editions of the WSAVA Global Guidelines on Vaccination for Veterinarians
- Two editions of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines for Pet Owners and Breeders
- Regional Guidelines for veterinarians in Asia, together with soon-to-be launched Guidelines for veterinarians in Latin America.
Following graduation from the University of Bristol, UK, Dr Squires worked in general practice before undertaking postgraduate clinical training at the Universities of Cambridge and Pennsylvania and research training at Glasgow. His PhD was awarded for research in which he sought a retroviral aetiology for canine lymphoma. He held faculty positions at the Universities of Liverpool, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and at Massey University prior to joining James Cook University in 2007. He is a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine and holds the RCVS’ Diploma in Veterinary Radiology.
Dr Squires has been a member of the VGG since 2012 and has been actively involved in the creation of its Global Guidelines and its more recent Regional Guidelines. While some of its work for 2020 has been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, VGG Committee members are working on the creation of online CE and preparing for a full review of the WSAVA’s Global Vaccination Guidelines. He succeeds Emeritus Professor Michael J. Day, who chaired the VGG from 2009 until March 2020.
Commenting on Dr Squires’ new role as VGG Chair, Dr Shane Ryan, WSAVA President, said: “Thanks to Michael Day’s exceptional leadership, VGG Guidelines are transforming vaccination practice and, in so doing, supporting the welfare of millions of companion animals around the world. We are delighted to welcome Richard to his new role of VGG Chair and look forward to working with him and the rest of the VGG team in the months ahead.”
Dr Squires said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to continue Michael Day’s outstanding work as Chair of the WSAVA VGG. I look forward to working with the WSAVA leadership, with VGG members and with our partner MSD Animal Health on the next phase of our work.”
MSD Animal Health has been a committed sponsor of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) since its inception in 2006 and is now a Diamond Partner of the WSAVA.
The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 113 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care for companion animals. Its core activities include the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important issues affecting companion animal care worldwide.
