College of Veterinarians of Ontario

College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) is the veterinary medicine regulatory body for the province of Ontario, Canada. It was established under the Veterinarians Act of Ontario to oversee the practice of veterinary medicine within the province to ensure that it is practiced in a manner that is in the public interest.

History[edit | edit source]

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario was established in 1874, making it one of the oldest professional regulatory bodies in Ontario. The CVO was created to ensure that the people of Ontario are served by veterinarians who meet high standards of practice and professional ethics.

Role and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

The CVO's primary role is to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario to protect the public interest. This includes licensing veterinarians, inspecting and accrediting veterinary facilities, and investigating complaints against veterinarians. The CVO also sets the standards for veterinary medicine in Ontario and ensures that these standards are maintained.

Licensing[edit | edit source]

In order to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario, a veterinarian must be licensed by the CVO. The licensing process includes a thorough examination of the applicant's education and qualifications, as well as a background check. Once licensed, veterinarians are required to adhere to the CVO's standards of practice and code of ethics.

Accreditation[edit | edit source]

The CVO is responsible for accrediting all veterinary facilities in Ontario. This includes conducting regular inspections to ensure that these facilities meet the CVO's standards for equipment, sanitation, record-keeping, and patient care.

Complaints and Discipline[edit | edit source]

The CVO has a comprehensive complaints and discipline process to deal with allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence. This process is designed to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the veterinary profession in Ontario.