“I am truly honored to serve PAACO as board chairperson,” said Dr. Baysinger. “As one of the founding members of the organization in 2004, I remain committed to our mission of improving the training and certification of qualified auditors in the field of animal welfare. I look forward to continuing to advance our influence on a global level.”
In addition to serving as PAACO’s board chair from 2004 – 2006, Dr. Baysinger has served on various committees during the past 12 years, including the Qualifications and Standards Committee and the Training and Education Committee.
“Dr. Baysinger brings a wealth of experience as she begins her term as board chairperson,” says Colette Kaster, PAACO Executive Director. “She is one of the few livestock industry leaders with experience across a broad range of livestock segments and species. Her combination of business and technical experience will help me navigate the many opportunities for PAACO, which continue to grow with the increasing interest in animal welfare oversight,” she said.
PAACO will continue to expand its influence on animal welfare auditing and education by looking to establish training programs in additional species (i.e. aquaculture) and expanding partnerships internationally. “We want to continue to be a positive influence on animal welfare globally,” says Dr. Baysinger. “Our first partnership was with Brazil with meat plant training and auditor certification, and we are discussing opportunities in Canada.”
Dr. Baysinger received her D.V.M. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Masters in Epidemiology from the University of Nebraska. She is currently pursuing board certification in Animal Welfare through the American College of Animal Welfare, an AVMA recognized veterinary specialty organization. A strong advocate for animal welfare, she has played an active role in that specialty area throughout her professional career. From private large animal practice, animal welfare and on-farm program development, she has made animal welfare her passion.
About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.
About PAACO
The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization was founded in 2004 and is dedicated to helping livestock, dairy and poultry producers, and their industry partners, implement auditable animal welfare programs. The process by which harvest plant and on-farm welfare auditors are qualified, trained and certified continues to be developed. Many groups and PAACO require the plant and on-farm auditors and audit firms to have specific qualifications, experience and abilities. The organizational members of PAACO are professional, independent, science-based groups that have come together to initiate training and certification for on-farm and harvest plant auditors.
