When disaster strikes, veterinarians are often among the first to offer help. Their compassion and medical expertise make them invaluable in crisis situations, but without proper training and integration into organized response systems, even the most well-intentioned efforts can lead to disasters of their own.
WVC Vegas 2026 is proud to present the Disaster Preparedness Learning Track on Sunday, February 15. Led by Debra Zoran, DVM, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) program director, this track equips veterinarians with the tools, protocols and mindset needed to act effectively in natural or man-made emergencies.
From field triage and sheltering logistics to interagency coordination and mental resilience, the curriculum delivers practical knowledge through a dynamic and purpose-driven approach to emergency preparedness.
Who Are You When Disaster Strikes?
Disaster can come out of nowhere without warning. Out in the Disaster Zone, the rules are different. You’re no longer in charge, but part of a larger structure. In these conditions, self-awareness becomes as important as skill. Knowing how and when to act, when to pause, and when to ask for help, is what allows the whole team to function and stay safe in a crisis.
Expert-led learning and practical preparation come from WVC Vegas 2026. Dr. Zoran will guide veterinarians through this world in her four-part disaster preparedness series, helping to explore what it takes to respond effectively and safely.
This series will break down a veterinarian’s role in disaster preparedness, give insight into the expectations and realities of disaster deployment, address requirements in the field and how teams operate within an Incident Command System (ICS), and deliver what unexpected personal and professional challenges veterinarians may encounter.
Are You Ready To Respond?
Compelled to respond when disaster strikes? The Veterinarian’s Role in Disaster Response series will guide you through key topics such as:
Through this series, veterinarians can explore the depth and challenge of these difficult situations and understand that preparation starts long before you arrive to the Disaster Zone.
If not now, when?
The Disaster Preparedness Learning Track gives you the insight, structure and readiness to do your job and determine if you have what it takes to be a Disaster Response Veterinarian, when it’s no longer “just another day.”
Don’t wait for a natural or man-made emergency to realize what you need to know. Make a plan to attend The Veterinarian’s Role in Disaster Response at WVC Vegas 2026.