From the very beginning, AMRRIC’s unique approach to its work has been founded on a deep respect for the cultures and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities) utilises a ‘One Health One Wellbeing’ model of service delivery, developed over years of dialogue and engagement with Indigenous communities, that recognises dogs and other companion animals as being intrinsic to the fabric of each community, and acknowledges the inseparable links between the health and wellbeing of companion animals and that of their owners and their communities. As a national not-for-profit organisation that advocates and coordinates culturally safe veterinary and education programs in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities, AMRRIC exists to assist and empower communities to meet their needs for companion animal health, care and safety. By working with remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve the health of their pets, AMRRIC is working towards its vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that are healthy and safe for people and their companion animals. AMRRIC was founded in 1998 by a group of veterinarians and health professionals involved in a movement to achieve co-ordinated action in community vet services for remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. While its scope has since expanded, AMRRIC’s founders’ passion is still evident in the organisation today. AMRRIC’s Board of Directors includes professionals with backgrounds in veterinary, environmental health, education, and Indigenous Knowledge. AMRRIC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, brings the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities into the planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of AMRRIC’s animal management services and programs. Over the last two decades, AMRRIC has become a peak body, focused on all areas of companion animal management in Australian remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including: coordinating access to veterinary services for under-served communities; developing and collaboratively delivering animal-related education and training to build local knowledge, skills and capacity; and, advocacy, strategic planning and research to build the evidence base and sustainability of effective remote community animal health and management programs. The organisation’s relationships, experience and collaborative approach is critical to achieving sustained success in the unique and complex realm of remote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities animal health and management. To learn more about AMRRIC, visit www.amrric.org
