ABBREVIATIONS

• AAHA - American Animal Hospital Association
• AC(IVAS) - Acupuncture (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society certified)
• AAVC - American Association of Veterinary Clinicians
• ACVIM - American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• ACVM - American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
• ACVO - American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
• ACVR - American College of Veterinary Radiology
• ACVS - American College of Veterinary Surgeons
• APVMA - American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
• ASVO - American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology
• AVA - Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists
• AVACI - Academy of Veterinary Allergy & Clinical Immunology
• AVCA - American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
• AVCPT - Association for Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• AVDC - American Veterinary Dental College
• AVH - Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
• AVMA - American Veterinary Medical Association
• CVMA - Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
• DVM - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
• ECVN - European College of Veterinary Neurology
• IACP - Internal Academy of Compounding Pharmacists
• LVT - Licensed Veterinary Technician
• MRCVS - Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, designation for a licensed graduate of a British veterinary college
• NAVTA - North American Veterinary Technicians' Association
• RANA - Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary, the British Equivalent of a Licensed Veterinary Technician
• SPVS - Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons
• VMD - Veterinary Medical Doctor

How does someone become a veterinarian?
The academic requirements are as follows: A person attends approximately 4 years of undergraduate school and four years of veterinary school.

What is a board-certified specialist?
After becoming a veterinarian, many times individuals will go on to become board-certified specialists. This is accomplished by completing the post-doctoral education and experience requirements. This usually includes a 1 year internship and a 3 year residency program in their field of study and by passing exams in their chosen specialty. There are colleges for internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, behavior and many others. For a full list of "Specialty Organizations" click here http://www.avma.org/care4pets/othrspec.htm

I often see ACVIM after a veterinarians name. What does this mean?
ACVIM is the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. As discussed above, this is a board-certified specialist. The college was organized to establish requirements and certify veterinarians as specialists in veterinary internal medicine. The ACVIM includes specialists in internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and cardiology. If a veterinarian is board certified in neurology the title would be "Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)". There are currently over 80 board certified neurologists in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Where can I find more Veterinary organizations?
The abbreviations given above are a small sampling. For more veterinary & animal science organizations click here: http://www.avma.org/netvet/vetorg.htm