Society depends on veterinary services for many critical tasks including managing the health and welfare of animals, diagnosing animal disease, and providing many other services that impact the health of animals, humans, and the environment. These diverse activities help to ensure food safety and security, preserve animal health, prevent zoonotic disease, preserve biodiversity, and protect the environment. It is imperative that the public remain assured that the veterinarians providing these services are qualified and competent. The restricted and proper use of the specific title ’veterinarian’ helps to ensure that individuals are qualified and competent. Other considerations that contribute to veterinary competency and veterinary service quality include regular assessment or evaluation of Veterinary Educational Establishments (VEEs) to assure that VEEs are producing graduates with appropriate Day One Competences, as well as ongoing regulation and oversight of graduate veterinarians by Veterinary Statutory Bodies.
Only individuals qualified by virtue of completing appropriate education and training can be identified as a veterinary doctor, veterinarian, veterinary surgeon or any other term that implies that they are entitled to engage in the professional practice of veterinary medicine.