Sheila Torres, as the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) representative to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), saw the opportunity to create a group of board-certified dermatologists who had in common the desire to disseminate the knowledge of veterinary dermatology in underserved areas around the world. At the ACVD business meeting in Galveston (2011), Dr. Torres presented the idea and called for volunteers. Shortly after the meeting people with interest were identified and the group was conceptually formed. Initially, there were only ACVD members, however, a few months later Dr. Chiara Noli from Italy indicated her interest in the activities of the group, and the group expanded beyond the ACVD. Shortly after, Dr. Lucia Panakova from Slovakia also joined the group. The group became then international in composition. In 2012 at the WCVD7 meeting, the group was officially formed and its name created, and thereafter members from Asia and Latin America were added. In 2014, the GVDEG became a non-profit 503(c) charitable organization.
The GVDEG works with WSAVA which has a long history of established networks of communication and organization with veterinary associations/groups in the areas of the world that we aim to target.
The GVDEG is an affiliate member of the World Association of Veterinary Dermatology (WAVD). Having a common mission of improving veterinary dermatology worldwide, we provide the WAVD with personnel and tools to complete this aim in underdeveloped countries, while the WAVD provides the necessary funding.