How is modern veterinary medicine evolving? What approaches do specialists from different countries employ, and which international practices can be adapted for use in Ukraine? These are the questions explored by Olesia Kysterna—a researcher, educator, and practicing veterinarian at Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU)—who participated in the WSAVA 2026 World Veterinary Congress.
Olesia Kysterna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Diseases, Pharmacy, and Biochemistry, and serves as the head and a veterinarian at the university’s veterinary clinic (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, SNAU). By combining research, teaching, and clinical practice, she engages with veterinary medicine across multiple dimensions: conducting research, training future professionals, and applying her expertise daily in a clinical setting.
WSAVA 2026 brought together over 10,000 participants from more than 120 countries, including 154 representatives from Ukraine. The program featured lectures by international experts across various veterinary specialties, alongside an exhibition showcasing state-of-the-art equipment, pet nutrition, and veterinary pharmaceuticals. The event offered a unique opportunity to stay abreast of professional trends, discover innovative solutions, and learn from the experiences of colleagues worldwide.
For the representative from SNAU, participation in the congress extends into practical application. The knowledge and ideas gained can be integrated into her teaching, the training of future veterinarians, and the care provided to patients at the university clinic. Third- and fourth-year students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also joined the congress online, gaining the opportunity to explore current industry topics while still pursuing their studies.
Olesia Kysterna’s participation was made possible through the support of the Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association (USAVA) and its president, Hanna Kondratieva. Membership in the association provides students and professionals with access to professional educational opportunities and international knowledge exchange.
For SNAU, such events offer a way to align university education with the practical demands of veterinary medicine, transforming international experience into knowledge that can be applied both in the classroom and in the clinic.
