First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the positive review of my submitted documents and for including me among the 33 scholarship recipients. It is a tremendous honor and a source of great pride for me.
Participating in the congress has provided not only lasting and joyful memories, but also a deep sense of inspiration and unity. After all, our daily work is dedicated to improving the comfort and well-being of our little companions. Surrounded by individuals who are devoted to doing good and who deeply understand the concept of suffering, I am hopeful that such unity may eventually influence broader discourse — including political conversations — in a meaningful way.
However, meaningful global change begins at the local level. In this context, the knowledge I gained during the congress is already proving mutually beneficial. My patients now receive a higher standard of care, and I, as a veterinarian, experience a deeper sense of professional fulfillment.
The WCVD also serves as a premier source of information on innovative treatment methods. I now feel more confident proposing alternative therapies, knowing they are backed by solid scientific evidence. This, I believe, is one of the most important values of holding such gatherings — bringing together professionals who actively seek evidence-based solutions. In today’s era of information overload, with misleading and false content increasingly widespread, I feel a strong responsibility to provide both animal caregivers and my fellow professionals with accurate and trustworthy information.
Attending the congress, and thereby enriching my CV, has opened new professional doors — enabling me to join the teams of several veterinary clinics in Kraków, the city where I reside. These are institutions led by veterinarians who understand the importance of continuous learning and refining our skills. At the same time, I am acutely aware that there is still much to be done to improve the standard of veterinary care in Poland.
I would also like to highlight the highly engaging and motivating lectures on veterinary otology delivered by Professor Ronaldo Lucas. His presentations, enriched with numerous videos demonstrating the use of video otoscopy in practice, inspired me to advocate for similar diagnostic capabilities in my own workplace. Today, I regularly perform endoscopic examinations of ears in both dogs and cats. Such diagnostics, however, would not be possible without the invaluable assistance of skilled veterinary nurses and technicians. Their contributions are too often overlooked, yet they are vital — especially when performing procedures like video otoscopy, where teamwork is essential.
The knowledge I acquired and the experiences we have since shared as a team have already borne fruit. We are seeing therapeutic results that encourage further collaboration and enthusiasm. This momentum stems from the inspiration and intellectual curiosity sparked in me by the congress — an energy that has since spread to the veterinarians and technicians I work with.
Receiving the WCVD10 scholarship was a true distinction, for which I am deeply grateful. Travelling halfway across the world has greatly broadened my horizons — not only in the field of veterinary dermatology, but also in cultural understanding and human connection.
With sincere appreciation,
Agnieszka Pilecka