Dr. Simon Haeder joins Dr. Andy Roark to dig into a surprising question: if a parent is hesitant to vaccinate their child, are they also likely to be hesitant about vaccinating their pet? The answer is more complex than you might expect. Drawing from his research published in JAVMA, Dr. Haeder shares insights on the correlation between human and pet vaccine hesitancy, what drives those concerns, and how trust in a veterinarian can be a powerful factor in pet owners’ decisions. The conversation covers everything from social media misinformation to the shifting role of veterinarians in a changing industry, plus what the future of veterinary care could look like in a post-truth world. You will walk away with a fresh perspective on how building long-term relationships with clients can influence public health, patient safety, and the human–animal bond. Let’s get into this episode!

Article Referenced: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/86/2/ajvr.24.06.0163.xml

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Dr. Simon F. Haeder is an Associate Professor of Public Health at Texas A&M University’s School of Public Health, where he also serves as Health Policy Cognate Chair in the Department of Health Policy and Management. A nationally recognized scholar on health policy, access to care, and vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Haeder’s work bridges human and veterinary medicine, exploring how public perceptions and trust influence healthcare decisions. His research has been published in leading journals such as Health Affairs, Vaccine, and JAVMA, and he is a frequent contributor to national conversations on public health through outlets like The Washington Post, The Conversation, and Health Affairs Blog. With a career spanning academia, policy advising, and interdisciplinary research leadership, Dr. Haeder brings a unique perspective on how trust, science, and policy intersect in shaping the future of healthcare.

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