New Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brown Has Joined Department of Agriculture Team
The Department of Agriculture is extremely pleased to announce that a new Chief Veterinarian has joined its team. Dr. Kevin Brown comes to the Turks and Caicos Islands with twenty (20) years of veterinary experience in Farm and Small Animal Clinical Practice, he has also worked extensively in the areas of managing animals in disasters, veterinary education, and animal welfare in 40 countries worldwide. Before becoming a veterinarian, he had a successful career in biology specializing in arid land ecology in which he has a PhD. He has worked with several NGOs promoting animal welfare and raising awareness to owners of pets and working animals through community engagement and participation.
He is a strong believer in quality education and has delivered veterinary and para-veterinary workshops to international agencies such as the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), national veterinary health services, and to veterinary professional institutions around the world.
Over the years he has developed an interest in the important role veterinarians play in understanding the inter-relationship between humans, animals and the environment, the One Health Approach, for a better and safer world. He is enthusiastic and looks forward to leading and working with his colleagues from the Animal Health Service Division to deliver internationally recognized services that promote the health and welfare of both animals and people that share these beautiful islands.
With such a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds, the Director of Agriculture –Dr. Shelley Bridgewater says, “the new Chief Veterinarian is up to the challenge. Dr. Brown has been strategically placed to work in the island of Grand Turk. Traditionally, the Chief Veterinarian has been based in the island of Providenciales, but as part of the department’s plans to address animal welfare issues in a timely and systematic manner, neighbouring islands such as South Caicos and Salt Cay will also benefit. The Chief Veterinarian’s role would also be critical in spare heading livestock development programmes, compliance with trade in animal and animal products and producing livestock using good management practices that would reduce the use of antibiotics and other growth promoters. This is particularly important as the agriculture sector is growing and forms part of the development plans of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Minister responsible for Agriculture Honourable Edwin Astwood, and Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis within the Ministry, expressed their gratitude to Dr. Brown for accepting the challenge and wish him well in his new role.
It is indeed a pleasure to have Dr. Kevin Brown with us and we look forward to the contributions he will make in our Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The End!