Specialties are recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association's American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS). The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is the AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization™ for certification of veterinarians in large animal surgery and small animal surgery. The ACVS undergoes a comprehensive evaluation by the ABVS, a committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association, every three years to ensure that we are maintaining the required standards for our certification process.

​

If your animal develops a problem or injury requiring advanced care and procedures, your primary veterinarian or emergency room veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary surgeon.

​

Advanced Training

A veterinary surgeon has undergone additional training after veterinary school in order to become a specialist. This training consists of a minimum of a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program that meets guidelines established by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

​

During the residency, there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. In addition to these requirements, applicants must perform research that is published in a scientific journal and then passes a rigorous examination.
 

Specialists are called a “Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons” or a “board-certified surgeon.”

​

Learn more here.