Organized Veterinary Medicine: Why Get Involved

🐾 Why Organized Veterinary Medicine Matters: A Call to Get Involved 🏥

The veterinary profession is built on a foundation of care—not just for our patients, but for our colleagues and the future of the field itself. While it’s possible to practice veterinary medicine without being involved in organized medicine, doing so means missing out on the power of advocacy, connection, and collective action.

🏛️ What Happens Without Organized Veterinary Medicine?

If you’re not actively involved in your local, state, or national veterinary organization, life goes on. You continue practicing, connecting with colleagues in your community, and caring for animals. But the reality is, without organized veterinary medicine, our profession lacks a unified voice to:

• ⚖️ Advocate Against Harmful Legislation – Veterinary organizations, like AVMA and state VMAs, fight against legislation that could negatively impact veterinary professionals, animal welfare, and public health.
• 📜 Shape Standards of Practice – While regulation plays a role, organized medicine ensures that veterinary professionals have a say in shaping the standards we follow.
• 💰 Address Economic Challenges – Whether it’s workforce shortages, student debt, or reimbursement structures, our organizations work to find solutions to challenges that affect the financial stability of veterinary professionals.

👩‍⚕️ Organized Medicine: By Us, For Us

One of the most inspiring aspects of veterinary organizations is that they are largely volunteer-driven. The veterinarians and team members who step up to serve are doing so in addition to their day-to-day work in the profession. They give their time, expertise, and energy because they see the value in supporting their colleagues and shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

For me personally, this is why I stay involved. The legislative work AVMA does—such as addressing issues around xylazine regulation and dog importation laws—has real impacts on our communities. When I first stepped into organized medicine, I had no political background or agenda, but I quickly learned that advocacy is one of the most critical and often unsung aspects of what these organizations do.

📢 How to Get Involved in Veterinary Organizations

Many people wonder how to take that first step into organized medicine. It can seem intimidating, but it’s actually much simpler than you think. You just have to ask.

If you reach out to your local or state VMA and express interest in volunteering, I can almost guarantee they’ll find a place for you. Here’s how you can start:

• ✅ Join Your State VMA or VMS – Some states have Veterinary Medical Societies (VMS) instead of Associations (VMA), but either way, they are key to local advocacy.
• 🎤 Attend Meetings – You don’t have to be on the board to participate. Many meetings are open to members, and some even offer remote attendance options.
• 🔗 Understand the Connection Between Local, State, and National Organizations – If jumping into AVMA volunteerism feels like too much, start by learning how your state organization interacts with AVMA and how you can engage at that level.

🚀 Why This Matters More Than Ever

Right now, our profession faces challenges that require collective action. Recent legislative efforts, such as addressing virtual VCPR regulations and ensuring the continued availability of critical medications like xylazine, highlight the essential role of veterinary organizations. Additionally, industry changes, including the ongoing discussions around mid-level practitioners and workforce expansion, demonstrate the importance of having a unified voice advocating for veterinary professionals at both state and national levels. Workforce shortages, medication access, and federal veterinary workforce concerns are just a few of the issues that require strong advocacy. While no single person has all the answers, together, we can pool our collective wisdom to navigate these challenges.

To those already volunteering—thank you. Your time and dedication make a difference. To those who haven’t yet taken that step—now is the time. Even a small commitment, such as serving on a committee or attending meetings, can have a meaningful impact.

So, raise your hand. Get involved. Bring a friend.

This profession matters to all of us, and your voice can help shape its future. 🐕💙

If you’re unsure where to start, reach out—I’m happy to help you find the right organization to get involved with. Together, we can strengthen veterinary medicine for generations to come. 🩺🐾