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About OVMA

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is Canada's foremost veterinary association.

Our mission:

Supporting veterinarians’ well-being and professional growth, to contribute to the advancement of animal and human health.

Our values:

Integrity: We lead by example by taking pride in working honestly and doing what's right.

Connection: We nurture relationships and build bridges between people, organizations, generations and cultural groups so they can all flourish.

Community: We are community builders and believe we are stronger together. We are enriched by the differences in experience, background and perspective that each person brings.

Innovation: We are trailblazers and lead the veterinary profession by remaining curious and doing things differently.

Care: We strive to make a positive impact on the world around us by taking care of each other, ourselves and our planet.

 

Thousands of veterinarians depend on us as their collective voice in the province. They also rely on us as their source for news, world-class continuing education, extensive practice management resources, and work-life balance and career advice. These services have been fundamental in helping practice owners, associates and students achieve their personal and professional goals. 

The Farley Foundation was created by OVMA in 2002 to give veterinarians the ability to help low-income pet owners with the unexpected costs of caring for a sick or injured pet. More than 13,500 pet owners have received over $6 million in funding since the foundation was established. Our annual bike ride and golf tournament also raise funds for the foundation, and hundreds of veterinarians participate in Fundraise for Farley Month each year by organizing dog washes, charity walks and other events.

People often tell us about veterinarians who have gone to great lengths to ensure the health and welfare of an animal. The OVMA Awards Program celebrates these outstanding professionals. Nominations come in from all over the province recognizing the extraordinary work that veterinarians do on behalf of animals and people.

For the latest about what’s happening in animal health and veterinary news, join our active Twitter and Facebook communities of animal and vet lovers.

Considering becoming a member? See Your Member Benefits for a full list of services.


Position statement on diversity and inclusion

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion and rejects discrimination or harassment based on grounds such as race, colour, ancestry, ethnic origin, place of origin, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, marital status or disability. Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

The well-being of our society and our profession is vital. OVMA is committed to ongoing and active promotion and maintenance of diversity and inclusion in its membership, leadership and organization; to ensuring that its services are provided without bias; and to educating its members regarding the value of diversity and inclusion.

OVMA is committed to working with the Ontario Veterinary College to ensure that the principles of inclusivity and diversity are reflected in the equitable selection of students, and to make veterinary education more accessible for underrepresented and minority groups. OVMA is also committed to working with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario to ensure that the principles of inclusivity and diversity are reflected in the licensing and regulation of Ontario’s veterinarians.


History

The association’s humble beginnings stretch back to Sept. 24, 1874, when a group of Ontario veterinary surgeons met at the Ontario Veterinary College on Temperance Street in Toronto and formed a society named the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

At that time, OVMA consisted of 27 members who defined the association's objectives as, “The mutual improvement of its members, in those branches of knowledge specially pertaining to their profession, and the advancement of the position and interests of the veterinary profession in the province of Ontario.”

After almost 100 years of name changes, including the Society of Ontario Veterinarians and the Ontario Veterinary Association, financial ups and downs and organizational restructuring, OVMA finally took on its current form in 1980.

OVMA now represents more than 4,400 Ontario veterinarians in small mixed and large animal practice, private practice, government, academia, industry and public service. Its mandate includes the provision of economic research, continuing education, increasing public awareness, government relations and advocacy, and member services.

 

 

Phone: 905.875.0756 / (toll free) 1.800.670.1702

Email: info@ovma.org

Contact Us

 

© 2023 Ontario Veterinary Medical Association

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