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When most of us think of veterinarians, we think of the compassionate, animal-loving medical professionals we go as far as to trust with the care of our beloved family members. However, there is another side to this noble profession. That can be seen by the fact that the lead industry group, The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), actually works hand in hand with the animal slaughter industry by, among other things, approving unspeakable cruelty and “mass exterminations” of animals from chickens to pigs.

One such technique, known as VSD, or Ventilation Shutdown, involves sealing all air inlets and ventilation, and turning fans off in barns inhabited by birds or pigs. Heaters and/or steam are turned on. Body heat from the animals, combined with any added heat, raises the temperature until the pigs or chickens die from hyperthermia (overheating). This typically takes hours, according to all published research. Fortunately, there is now a movement amongst veterinarians who recognize that condoning such cruelty is simply unacceptable.

Join HealthyPlanet’s Bob DiBenedetto with one such veterinarian who is a leader in the movement to speak out on behalf of all animals. Her name is Dr. Crystal Health. She is the Executive Director of Our Honor, a nonprofit that supports veterinary students, veterinarians and other animal professionals in speaking their conscience to create more ethical systems that consider the best interests of all species. She’s also on the founding committee of Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown (VSD).

A local CBS affiliate profile of Dr. Heath stated that “she is the kind of veterinarian who we all as children are taught to admire.” She graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and was recently named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50, which honors the scientists, thinkers, scholars, writers, and activists working on solutions to today’s (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.

Yet, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed the agricultural industry’s coordinated efforts to discredit Dr. Heath and portray her as a “dangerous animal rights activist” for speaking out against factory farming. Dr. Heath garnered worldwide attention after an Intercept article laid out the details of the story.

Join us to hear Dr. Heath’s story and learn how she’s working to bring much-needed change to her industry despite strong resistance from the AVMA. Becoming informed is the first step to you becoming part of the solution!