5 Questions With… Wade Wright, DVM, president of the College of Veterinarians Ontario (CVO)
by tamanna_bhasin | June 21, 2024 10:06 am
Unlike many veterinary professionals who embark on their careers immediately after graduating, Wade Wright, DVM, took an unconventional route to animal medicine. In a unique diversion from the traditional veterinary path, Wright initially worked as a paramedic in Toronto before choosing to dedicate himself to the treatment of animals.
“As a child, I told my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up with a lot of animals and, like most future vets, I naturally gravitated towards wanting to care for them. I didn’t head in that direction immediately when I left high school though,” Wright shares.
Though Wright felt another path would suit him better as a long-term career, he did not consider veterinary medicine until his best friend helped him recognize his forgotten childhood aspiration. “That conversation was a turning point for me to pursue my original dream. I am grateful that I was able to realize my goal.”
“Since graduating from Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 2003, I have sought new experiences and opportunities for professional and personal growth. I have been a business owner, been a board member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), helped establish a co-operative veterinary emergency clinic in my hometown of Ottawa, organized continuing education in the Ottawa area and volunteered with my local chapter of Community Veterinary Outreach to help homeless pet owners. Each endeavour has presented an opportunity for me to learn and make new connections with both colleagues and pet owners within this wonderful profession.”
Wright’s most recent stride forward is his appointment of president at the College of Veterinarians Ontario (CVO). Veterinary Practice News Canada caught up with Wright to learn more about the challenges facing veterinarians in Ontario, legislative reform, and the CVO’s intersection with provincial and federal initiatives.
1) How long have you been working with CVO? What sparked your interest in joining the organization?
I have always been keen to contribute to the veterinary profession, which led to my involvement in the Central Canada Veterinary Association and the OVMA. CVO’s mandate is to serve the public interest and I was curious about that perspective, given my previous involvement on the professional interest side. I also knew CVO was working towards modernizing our governing legislation and I was intrigued by that direction. What began as curiosity has evolved into an incredible learning opportunity!
I served on the Complaints Committee for three years, starting in 2018, and was elected to the Executive Committee in 2021. I have learned CVO’s values align with my own personal values. Our council is committed to “right touch” regulation, where the college only gets involved when necessary. As veterinarians, we are human and, occasionally, errors happen. Just culture supports the profession in learning from incidents and errors. I really value this commitment to fairness, focus on improving quality care, and safe outcomes for our patients. As president, I am proud of our council’s work and how innovative we are in fulfilling our mandate.
2) What would you say are the more pressing issues surrounding veterinary professionals in Ontario today?
Ontario, like many areas across Canada, has been experiencing a significant shortage of veterinarians and veterinary team members in recent years. Unfortunately, many communities do not have access to a primary care veterinarian. It is a challenging and stressful time for both animal owners and veterinary practices.
It’s difficult to provide after-hours care in the current environment. Veterinarians are struggling to find a balance between legislative requirements, client expectations, and patient needs, while also supporting our own health. Our council recognizes the challenges to the public’s access to veterinary services, and the strain on veterinary practices to meet the public demand. Earlier in 2023, we established an after-hours veterinary care task force to provide input on veterinary care, veterinary well-being, and facility accreditation.
It is frustrating for me, for our council, and for the veterinary profession, when we are unable to tap into potential solutions due to the restrictions in our aging legislation. Today’s version of veterinary practice has evolved into something completely different since the Veterinarians Act was last reviewed over 30 years ago.
A key proposal in CVO’s recommendations for legislative reform is to maximize the contributions of veterinary technicians and recognize their important skillset. This could be a big help in alleviating the pressures facing those of us in clinical practice.
Another area of significant concern is the health and well-being of veterinarians in Ontario, and indeed, across the country. The CVO is engaged with our partners on this critical topic. We strive to connect Ontario’s veterinarians with resources that support their health, well-being, and resilience.
3) How do you envision the effectiveness of provincial or federal assistance in addressing these issues, and how does the role of CVO intersect with this support?
Our college is keen to work with partners to develop solutions to concerns which impact the delivery of safe, quality veterinary medicine in Ontario. I am encouraged to see our provincial government moving towards modernizing the veterinary profession’s governing legislation—which is good news for the public, for the profession, and for animal welfare.
Legislative reform is one pillar in the college’s current strategic plan, Strategy 2026, which also includes work on improved access to veterinary services, creating space for innovation and technology, One Health, and focusing regulation on people and context.
Our college works closely with the Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars on several topics, but limited licensure is one of the key areas. This collaborative project, launching this year, provides an alternative pathway to licensure for internationally educated veterinarians: undergoing competency assessments and a clinical practice placement focused on their area of practice. Upon completion, these veterinarians will be eligible for a license that is limited to their area of practice.
4) What pressing concerns would you like CVO to address during your term as president?
I would love to see the Ontario government present new, modernized legislation governing the veterinary profession this year. Our council has been focused on this objective for several years and I’m optimistic we will see new legislation soon. CVO, along with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) and the OVMA, are working with the government on legislation that strengthens public protection and more accurately reflects veterinary practice today.
We see legislative reform as an opportunity to provide the public and the veterinary profession with:
- Better protection for animal welfare.
- Clarity in the role of veterinary technicians and recognition for their skillset on the veterinary team.
- A more streamlined approach to managing investigations and their resolutions.
- Improved access to low-risk health care options for animal owners.
- Increased accountability and transparency.
- Modernized and enhanced governance.
5) What would surprise veterinarians in Ontario about CVO?
CVO is a partner in the delivery of safe, quality veterinary medicine in Ontario. Too often, members of a profession view their regulator with apprehension, and I encourage veterinarians to connect with us and learn more about our work. I think you will find we are open and forthcoming in our work, and insightful in our focus and objectives. We very much value the input we receive from veterinarians.
We also have extensive resources that are useful for veterinarians and their team members on our Practice Advisory Service. Everything from drug management guidance and tips for building skills and record-keeping, to tools for resolving ethical dilemmas, and so much more.
Source URL: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.ca/5-questions-with-wade-wright-dvm-president-of-the-college-of-veterinarians-ontario-cvo/