The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation® (ACVSMR) reached a significant milestone at the annual American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) meeting held March 2-3, 2018, in Schaumburg, Illinois. The ABVS is the committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) that sets standards for, advises and recognizes veterinary specialties. After review of our request for full recognition and the annual and five-year reports submitted in November 2017, the ABVS voted to recommend that the AVMA recognize the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation® as a fully recognized veterinary specialty. That final step was made by the AVMA Executive Board in April 2018.
When the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation® reached provisional recognition in 2010, our specialty had the full rights and responsibilities of a veterinary specialty and we proceeded to develop and grow our College. During those eight years, the College provided annual reports to the ABVS listing the demographics, new developments, challenges and other details of our College, and responded to requests for modifications made by the ABVS, ultimately resulting in full recognition.
Now that the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation® is fully recognized as a veterinary specialty, our most important work continues – providing specialist care in sports medicine and rehabilitation to our clients as well as integrating treatment with other specialists and primary care veterinarians. We continue to advance our residency training programs, research efforts and continuing education opportunities. With our outstanding Diplomates, and with the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation® achieving full recognition, our future is securely established.
Our thanks to Dr. Andris J. Kaneps, who has worked closely with the ABVS to help us achieve this milestone.