As National Public Service Week wraps up on Friday, New Brunswick’s top veterinarian is reminding residents about the importance of recognizing the people providing essential services.
Dr. Nicole Wanamaker, New Brunswick’s chief veterinary officer and manager of the provincial veterinary service, said in a Wednesday interview it became all the more crucial over the pandemic when government departments began working more collaboratively.
“I can give you a great example, where currently the Department of Energy and Resource Development and the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries are working to subdue a dangerous animal,” said Dr. Wanamaker.
“It just shows that we are working together in collaboration.”
Working together is part of the provincial government’s One Team One vision, which encourages an “all in this together” approach. She hopes the collaborative efforts continue post-COVID.
Dr. Wanamaker said the role of public servants has not changed, but demand has increased. From her experience as a vet, as more people decided to adopt pets over the last two years, local veterinarians are busier in educating owners.
She adds that it is important to thank these teams because of their around-the-clock work to maintain the health and welfare of livestock in New Brunswick.
“I think it’s really important from a public servant point of view to recognize this week for all public servants, federal and provincial,” said Dr. Wanamaker.
“We are here to serve the public; we like doing that. That’s our job, and so that is why we’ve chosen to do it.”
