Dear editor,
I am submitting this letter in support of veterinarians who wish to formally ‘retire’ from a busy practice life but want to slowly ‘retire’ from being a practicing veterinarian by volunteering in areas where their services will be a great asset. Examples include shelters that facilitate adoption, or pets owned by the homeless which may require preventive healthcare or other low-level support to promote well-being and prevent or delay euthanasia. As no remuneration is expected, I request that they be able to make a specific request to provincial governing bodies to designate them as an unpaid volunteer and exempt them from a license fee.
A licensed veterinarian is required to meet the requirements for continuing education and to provide an appropriate standard of care to protect patients and their owners. A retired volunteer would have met these requirements until retirement and will morally continue these standards to the level which the clinical environment will allow. Beyond this, decisions will need to be made regarding referrals for necessary treatment.
To fully retire is a difficult decision, but there comes a point in which the physical demands, and overall management of a clinic are difficult to maintain in a full-time manner; however, the desire and passion to help animals continues. This is supported by the Veterinarian’s Oath:
“As a member of the veterinary medical profession, I solemnly swear that I will use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society.
I will strive to:
promote animal health and welfare,
prevent and relieve animal suffering,
protect the health of the public and the environment, and
advance comparative medical knowledge.
I will perform my professional duties conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I will strive continuously to improve my professional knowledge and competence and to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards for myself and the profession.”
Knowing the importance of caring for animals belonging to those who rely on them for emotional support but have no or little income, or those in shelters in which finances are limited, the voluntary provision of basic care will promote well-being, is a great motivator for retirees to use their knowledge and experience to maintain healthy ‘emotional and physical support pets’ and prevent or delay euthanasia.
I believe that volunteering is a very generous and sincere demonstration of the true meaning of being a veterinarian. I would be very grateful if the provincial governing bodies supported this initiative, thereby enabling retired veterinarians to continue to fulfill the Veterinarian’s Oath.
Sincerely,
Karol A. Mathews, DVM, DVSc, DACVECC OVC 80
Footnotes
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