The International Veterinary Academy on Disaster Medicine (IVADM) originated at the 1983 Congress of the World Veterinary Congress. Originally called World Veterinarians Against Nuclear War (WVANW), it was formed as a result of the effort by Dr. Robert Shomer and Dr. Ole Stalheim to submit a resolution against nuclear war to the congress. Twenty-nine charter members from ten countries drafted a resolution which was passed by the 1988 congress in the following form:

"The XXIII World Veterinary Congress aware of the capacity of the super powers in the field of nuclear armaments and their plans to extend their action radius into space, and deeply conscious of the real threat of an accidental nuclear war, calls upon the Governments of all countries to abolish all nuclear arms in order to protect man, animals and plants against the danger of radioactive fallout."

The scope of the organization was later expanded to include all disasters affecting the well being of animals, whether natural or man-made. The organization's name became the International Veterinary Academy on Disaster Medicine (IVADM) to reflect this change. The objectives of the Academy, as stated in the Constitution, were as follows:

1. To assemble, present and discuss data on natural and man-made disasters affecting the well being of all animals.
2. To make recommendations to the veterinary profession and the public at large on ways to cope with disasters and to alleviate the sufferings they cause animals, or on the prevention of disasters if coping is impossible, as with nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction.
   
3. To promote research and study in emergency and disaster veterinary medicine.
   
4. To pursue these objectives using our professional, scientific, educational and legislative resources, to collaborate with others, and to cooperate with national associations in mutual endeavors.

The first meeting of the Academy was held in Brighton, England in 1985, in conjunction with the World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine. Subsequent meetings were held in Montreal, Canada during the 1987 World Veterinary Congress, and in Hong Kong during the 1989 World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine. At the Hong Kong meeting, the Academy advanced the following guidelines for coping with disasters:

Every community should have a disaster preparedness plan developed by voluntary and governmental agencies with input by veterinarians; it should include animals and veterinary care. The initial aid for animals in disasters will come from persons in the area; they should have some guidance on emergency animal care. Facilities for emergency veterinary services should be identified and the locations should be publicized. Mobile veterinary disaster units should be established on a stand-by basis. A national inventory of such units should be maintained. Guidelines in emergency and disaster medicine should be taught in veterinary schools and included in continuing education programs.

Though a fourth meeting was planned for the IVADM at the 1991 World Veterinary Congress, it never materialized, leaving the future of the Academy in doubt. Dr. Ole Stalheim, Secretary of the Academy, summarized the IVADM's contribution:

Although the future of the Academy is uncertain, it can be credited with significant accomplishments. First, it was a participant in a worldwide shift in people's perception of nuclear war. The World Veterinary Association and even former Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, now favor the abolition of all nuclear weapons. In many countries veterinarians and their organizations work in opposition to nuclear war and have plans for emergency actions in time of disasters, but most of them are not properly equipped and efforts must continue. Despite these small but definite advances, the main-line veterinary organizations have not broadened their concept of animal welfare to include a permanent, significant role in animal disasters. Whether they will do so remains to be seen.

The collection (1979-1992, undated) documents the work and history of the IVADM. It contains constitutions, correspondence, disaster planning files, meeting materials, membership information, news clippings, publications, and treasurer's reports.

The collection documents the work and history of the IVADM. It contains 8 series:

• Series 1, Constitution (1987, undated)
• Series 2, Correspondence (1979-1992, undated)
• Series 3, Disaster Planning (1981-1985)
• Series 4, Meetings (1985-1989)
• Series 5, Membership (1988, undated)
• Series 6, News clippings (1983-1989, undated)
• Series 7, Publications (1984-1989, undated)
• Series 8, Treasurer's Reports (1984-1991)