Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan – A Visionary & Pioneering Veterinarian who champions Animal Welfare in Malaysia
For the past 50 years, Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan nurtured and pioneered the Companion Animal veterinary industry in Malaysia. He is committed to animal welfare through his passion for animal care and well-being through his veterinary practice and foundation (MNAWF – Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation) which he founded with the aim to promote a caring Malaysian society through awareness and a balanced approach to animal welfare for the wellbeing of animals and mankind.
Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan’s dream of becoming a vet was realized when he secured a place to study veterinary medicine at the University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. In 1972, Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan saw a need to champion the care for pets i.e. dogs and cats as there was a growing need for awareness and education on pet care. Thus, he embarked on a quest to engage and support small animal medicine and began a modest private practice in Kuala Lumpur.
Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan went on to introduce the latest in veterinary care in the 80’s from diagnostic imaging to in-house laboratory services to provide better and accurate diagnosis to help treat/manage common ailments in pets.
In the 90’s, his practice became a benchmark in small animal veterinary medicine and was accredited by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), as the only private teaching hospital for veterinary students.
Through various appointments in government and non-government associations, Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan devoted his time and effort to introduce Veterinary Continuation Education in Malaysia to help inspire other veterinarians. He was also active in the academic arena, lecturing on veterinary medicine and animal welfare globally.
As a veterinarian and animal lover, Datuk Dr. S. Sivagurunathan believes that pets are very similar to their pet owners; they need to be loved, appreciated and treated with respect.