OVMA: Exceeding expectations

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) had a busy and productive year in 2001 and plans to continue to move ahead by leaps and bounds in 2002!

The OVMA initiated several new and exciting public relations projects in 2001 that will not only aid the general public, but enhance the image of all veterinarians. With the establishment of the Farley Foundation, the OVMA has created a charitable organization to help to finance emergency treatment of companion animals owned by low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Lynn Johnston, the creator of the Canadian cartoon For Better or For Worse®, has generously allowed the OVMA to use the name and image of the cartoon's beloved English sheepdog to promote the good work of the Foundation. The Association has also developed the SafePet Program to protect pets at risk. Each year, many women in Ontario wish to flee abusive relationships but do not leave because they fear for the safety of pets that are left behind. Through the SafePet Program, selected Ontario clinics will provide temporary shelter for pets belonging to abused women. The Program will help women take the necessary steps to leave an abusive relationship by providing time to make alternate arrangements for the care of the family pet.

The Association also published material to promote pet ownership. Welcome to The Family: A Cat Owner's Handbook complements the Association's previously published Dog Owner's Handbook. Both publications were featured at the OVMA booth during the 2001 Royal Winter Fair. The Royal is the largest annual indoor agricultural event in Canada, attracting 325 000 visitors last year. The OVMA also continues to promote the veterinary profession through its product and service endorsement/recognition program, and ongoing media releases.

The OVMA continues to provide leading-edge economic research and development for veterinarians across North America. These projects help to improve clinic profitability, which, in turn, should raise the level of income for owners, associates, technicians, and support staff. In Ontario, the Association's successful Practice Consultation Service is its newest practice-building aid. Across Canada, the Association provides economic consultation and client satisfaction surveys in 8 other provinces, thereby building a national perspective on the economic health of Canadian practices. In 2002, the OVMA hopes to partner with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association in promoting a national benchmarking system. The United States is also looking to Canada as a model for improving practice health in America. The OVMA is pleased to be working with the US National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues on this important project.

The OVMA encourages student participation in the profession and is enthusiastic about the approval of an annual Employer/Employee Relationship Forum as a vehicle for practitioners to meet 4th year veterinary students and discuss issues and expectations. The Association also supports the student/employer relationship through the new Student Summer Placement program. On a related note, transition into and out of practice ownership was the feature of a hugely successful OVMA Succession Planning Seminar. The Association hopes to repeat this type of seminar at least once in 2002.

Advocacy for the profession is a major focus for the OVMA. The Association works hard to protect veterinarians and their practices, and will continue to promote the interests of Ontario veterinarians in 2002. While space prevents a complete account of the OVMA's activities in 2001, the following projects demonstrate how the OVMA advocates effectively on behalf of the profession:

• The OVMA has pledged financial support to gFARAD (Global Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank), which will provide large animal practitioners with residue avoidance information.

• The OVMA is working to ensure that the essential role veterinarians play in food safety is recognized in the new Ontario Food Safety and Quality Act.

• In recognition of the connection between animal abuse and violence towards people, the OVMA has requested that changes to the OSPCA Act include civil and criminal immunity for veterinarians reporting suspected animal abuse in good faith.

• The OVMA surveyed every veterinarian in the province to seek input on recent changes with respect to the use of auxiliaries in Ontario practices.

• The OVMA lobbied the provincial government regarding proposed changes to the new Ontario Employment Standards Act.

• The OVMA worked in conjunction with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario to forge a more beneficial policy for the handling of animals abandoned at the clinic.

• The OVMA proposed changes beneficial to the profession regarding by-laws that will govern the incorporation of practices.

• The OVMA worked with the Ontario College of Pharmacists to ensure that the activities of a new on-line pet pharmacy conform to the Pharmacy Act.

• The OVMA plays a continuing role in providing information to members and spokespeople to respond to media requests and events.

The OVMA has taken a leading role and will continue to support and promote the veterinary profession in Ontario and across Canada. This would not be possible without the hard work of an amazing staff, the OVMA Board and committees, and the help and cooperation of Canada's veterinary medical associations. Best wishes for 2002!

(by Dr. Andrea Chapin, President, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Ajax, Ontario)

Dr./D^re Andrea Chapin