We are so excited to assemble LIVE, once again, for the DWAA Award Banquet in New York City on February 8th! To mark this special occasion, Dr. Adam Christman, DVM, MBA and Chief Veterinary Officer for dvm360, has agreed to be our Keynote Speaker. We thought it would be fun to learn more about Adam and his work in the areas of animal health and welfare and as someone who rocks social media platforms, often accompanied by his fun-loving four-legged pack. I personally came to know Adam when I lived in New Jersey and Adam was my dog Teddy's veterinarian. 

 Welcome Adam!

When did you know you wanted to become a veterinarian? Was there someone who influenced this career choice?

I knew around 6 years of age I wanted to be a veterinarian from our family dog, Archie.  He was the most amazing dog and I was fascinated with the human animal bond early on. When my parents took Archie to the veterinarian, I wanted to come and check it out. The veterinarian told me when I was old enough to come shadow him. Cut to 14 years of age, I did and really enjoyed the atmosphere of veterinary medicine.  I even started my own dog walking business in fifth grade where I walked three neighborhood dogs after school. I wanted to gain a sense of their understanding, their behavior and the different types of dogs out there. I even went to the library to read up on animals in general. I had a huge passion for science and combining my two favorite interests of animals and science made me want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

The DWAA has a category in their annual writing competition for young writers. How do you think we can encourage more young people to consider choices in the areas of animal health and welfare?

As a veterinarian, I believe we can inspire young people to explore careers in animal health and welfare by integrating multidisciplinary approaches and leveraging technology to create compelling, accessible pathways. The average age someone decides a career in veterinary medicine is 10 years of age!   Here are a few strategies:

1. Educational Outreach with Emphasis on STEM Integration

Partner with schools to develop programs that highlight the intersection of veterinary medicine, biology, and technology, such as advancements in genomics, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in animal care.

Offer hands-on workshops, such as basic animal anatomy labs or pet first-aid training, which can spark curiosity and make the field tangible for young learners.

2. Mentorship and Shadowing Opportunities

This is my personal favorite.  Mentorship and hands on experience early on is crucial for inspiration. Create mentorship programs that connect aspiring young writers or science enthusiasts with veterinary professionals. Allow them to shadow in clinics or research facilities to see the real-world applications of their interests. I remember I went to the local community college for Young Author's Association where I wrote all about my dog Archie and how he inspired me to want to be a veterinarian.

Encourage veterinarians to participate in career days, sharing their personal journeys and the diversity of roles within veterinary medicine, from clinical practice to public health and policy advocacy.

3. Harnessing the Power of Storytelling Through Writing

Utilize competitions like the Dog Writer's Association's young writer category to prompt essays or stories that explore ethical dilemmas, advancements in animal care, or the human-animal bond.

Introduce creative writing prompts that merge scientific rigor with narrative, such as imagining the future of veterinary medicine or addressing real-world challenges like zoonotic diseases or wildlife conservation.

4. Incorporating Digital Platforms

Develop engaging online content—short videos, podcasts, or interactive quizzes—that showcases breakthroughs in animal health and welfare.

Promote platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube to share day-in-the-life vlogs of veterinary professionals or showcase emerging trends in veterinary science.

5. Recognition and Incentives

Collaborate with organizations to offer scholarships, internships, or publication opportunities to young writers who excel in topics related to animal health and welfare.

Establish awards or special recognitions for innovative ideas or solutions that reflect an understanding of both scientific and humane principles.

6. Emphasizing Global Impact

Educate young people about how careers in animal health contribute to broader societal goals, including public health, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Highlight veterinary contributions to One Health initiatives, which unite human, animal, and environmental health professionals to tackle global challenges.

By demonstrating the breadth of opportunities in animal health and welfare, and emphasizing how veterinary professionals can influence not only individual animals but entire ecosystems, we can motivate the next generation to pursue impactful careers in this field.

Back in 2018, you invited my dog late dog Teddy to be on The Adam Christman TV Show and Teddy brought me along for the interview. Do you still produce your show? If so, how can we view it?

I no longer work with that production company but you can catch my two seasons of "dvm360 Live!" here:  It's a 30 minute talk show where I interview incredible veterinary colleagues doing great work both in the profession and their daily lives!

 https://www.dvm360.com/live-with-dr-adam-christman.  You can also catch me on Good Morning America where I contribute pet content for their morning show throughout the year!

Please tell us about your own adorable dogs. How did they come to be with you?

They are my world!  Connor is our King!  I rescued him after closing down a puppy mill pet store with awful practices in Brick, New Jersey.  He's 13 years young. Then along came my heart dog, Carl, named after our favorite Disney Pixar movie, Up!,” a miniature blond wire haired dachshund 8 years young.  And of course, the shoe thief, Clark W. Griswold, a miniature wild-board wire haired dachshund from Canada.  And our newest edition is the Costco sized version of them all. . . a standard wire-haired dachshund, Capone, who thinks he's the bouncer of the frathaus since he towers over them all.  The name is very fitting!  They have inspired so many dog parents and future dog parents on social media on pet health, the power of the human-animal bond and choosing kindness.  4 dogs to fill each chamber of my heart!

What do you think are some important topics, and issues, that those in the dog-writing field should focus on in 2025?

Wearable technology for pets,  AI technology in veterinary medicine,  sterilization and hormone-sparing techniques instead of full spaying and neutering in dogs and cats, the Gen Z craze of pet parenting, the future pet parents of Gen Alpha,  early cancer detection in dogs,  pet insurance, the intersectionality of dog groomers, doggie daycare and veterinarians.

Your outgoing nature and lively videos range from very funny, often including humorous scenes with your dogs, to more serious offerings filled with health and safety tips for dog owners. What is your advice to those who may be a bit "shy" when it comes to putting themselves out there when it comes to promotion?  

I love this question and when I give lectures on social media to my fellow colleagues, the #1 rule is to be your true authentic self.  Don't be what you THINK people want you to be in social media.  Be your transparent self.  At the end of the day, we all are pet parents.  Showing vulnerability, emotions, humor and laughter add value to content and helps create a more memorable educational experience.  Almost all my videos have at least 1 education piece in it. You may not even know it!  It's that subtle.  But trust me, it's there and it's super intentional.   And remember, no one has YOUR voice.  I don't care if there are 10,000 videos on how to trim your dog's nails.  But no one will ever explain it the way YOU explain it.  Building an audience takes time which includes a foundation of trust, respect and candor.  And if you choose to select topics that may be perceived as "edgy" be prepared for some warrior keyboarding out there.  Examples would include pet nutrition, end of life care, types of training methods, etc.  And lastly, collaborate.  Collaboration is key to success in life. If you are not the trusted source in an area, invite that individual in your video (or splice it in) to elevate the education. You are the nucleus to your brand.  Your guests are an extension of your success.

Thank you Adam for this wealth of positive information. We look forward to your appearance at the DWAA Awards Banquet in February.