A Board-certified veterinary specialist is one who, after completion of a veterinary degree, spends two to three years specializing in one topic such as Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Surgery, Dentistry, Neurology, Dermatology, Critical Care, Radiology, Oncology, Anesthesiology, Behaviour and other specific topics. Sometimes it can take years to be accepted into these specialty programs and during which time Internships or specialty internships are often completed. Each specialty has general and intensive multi-day specialty examinations, as well as strict criteria to meet before certification into a respective specialty college. Veterinary specialists works as a close team member with your veterinarian to provide the best quality of care for your pet.
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (www.acvim.org), American College of Veterinary Surgeons (www.acvs.org), American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (www.acvo.org) and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (www.veccs.org), are the primary governing bodies regulating Board-certified veterinary specialties. Specialties such as these are recognized by the governing body of the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.AVMA.org)
The specific requirement of a Board-certified specialist differentiates them from someone who advertises as having ‘a specialty in’, or ‘special interest’ in a certain field. There are MANY good veterinarians with interests in a certain field of medicine, but advertising or promoting oneself as 'a specialist', or 'specialty in' results in professional misconduct under Regulation 1093.
Veterinary Technicians are also an integral part of the veterinary care team. There are a number of accredited colleges in the province that offer 2-3 year programs for Veterinary Technician/Technologists, and also veterinary assistants. Registered Veterinary Technicians/Technologists (RVT) are a self-regulated body of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (www.oavt.org). Registered Veterinary Technicians can become specialized by meeting strict requirements under supervision of a Board Certified Veterinary Specialist (www.navta.net).