The value of AVA Chartered Veterinary Practitioner accreditation: A case study with Tropical Vets

^{Image: from left, Dr Graham Lauridsen, Dr Shannen Gordon, Dr Hannah Butler}

In today’s ever-evolving veterinary landscape, continuous education plays a crucial role in maintaining a high standard of care. The Australian Veterinary Association's Chartered Veterinary Practitioner (AVA CVP) accreditation is designed to meet this need, offering general practitioners an opportunity to expand their knowledge and strengthen their professional credentials.

Tropical Vets, a mixed practice in Northern Queensland, is one example of a clinic that has embraced this exciting new offering in veterinary education. With 6 major and 3 branch clinics across the region, and a staff of over 110 including 35 veterinarians, Tropical Vets is focused on delivering high-quality care across all species.

Dr Graham Lauridsen, a director at Tropical Vets, was motivated to undertake the AVA CVP accreditation primarily to keep his knowledge up-to-date and to be a more effective mentor to his younger staff. In his view, it was essential not just to expand his own knowledge base but also to create an environment that fosters growth and professional development for the newer graduates in his team.

“I felt I needed to keep my knowledge current to be the best mentor I could be,” Graham explains. He also sees the accreditation as a potential boon to the business itself, adding, “The accreditation could add to the business’s ability to attract and retain quality veterinarians.”

Why AVA CVP accreditation resonates at Tropical Vets

Tropical Vets has 3 veterinarians currently enrolled in the AVA CVP course, a testament to the program's appeal within the practice. Lauridsen credits an initial conversation with his colleague Dr Shannen Gordon, a co-director at Tropical Vets, with sparking their shared interest in the program. As the duo progressed through the first year of the course, they began to discuss it with other colleagues, including Dr Hannah Butler, a Clinic Manager who also mentors new graduates.

Butler, who was seeking advanced learning opportunities, found the AVA CVP course perfectly suited to the needs of a rural general practitioner. “I was actually relieved to have found a course that covers all of the relevant aspects of general practice, rather than only focusing on one area,” Butler notes. For a practice like Tropical Vets, where the range of species and cases is broad, a comprehensive course like AVA CVP is invaluable.

A supportive culture for continuing education

The emphasis on continuing education is deeply ingrained in the culture at Tropical Vets. The practice offers each veterinarian a $4,000 continuing education budget per year, along with a week of paid conference leave that can be used for study or professional development. This investment in education helps staff keep their skills current, which in turn benefits the practice as a whole.

“Staff are encouraged to use their entire budget every year,” Lauridsen says. This commitment to professional growth aligns with Tropical Vets’ broader goal of providing top-tier veterinary care while empowering their team to continually learn and evolve.

Practical outcomes from AVA CVP learnings

The impact of the AVA CVP accreditation is already being felt across Tropical Vets’ clinics. Both Lauridsen and Butler emphasise the tangible benefits they’ve experienced from the course, from improved time management to new treatment options and drug protocols that they’ve been able to implement immediately in practice.

“I come out of most weeks with a list of things to implement in practice,” Butler shares. “The course material is relevant to everyday practice, which means I can share what I’ve learned with my team.”

Lauridsen echoes this sentiment, stating that the course has improved his ability to mentor and support younger veterinarians and nurses. “It will bring some recognition to our more senior vets and enhanced our ability to provide a higher standard of care to our clients and their animals,” he says.

A message to fellow veterinarians

For those contemplating the AVA CVP accreditation, both Lauridsen and Butler offer a clear message: the program is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to continuing education and to put that knowledge into action in the workplace.

As Lauridsen puts it, “The AVA CVP accreditation is a great way to show your peers and clients that you’re serious about maintaining and expanding your expertise.” In a profession where staying up-to-date with the latest advancements can significantly impact patient outcomes, the AVA CVP accreditation stands out as a valuable tool for growth, both for individuals and for practices.

If Tropical Vets’ experience is any indication, the benefits of this accreditation go far beyond personal growth—they ripple out to positively affect colleagues, clients, and the veterinary community at large.

Want to know more about the AVA CVP?

An online Information Session on Tuesday 19 November will provide an opportunity to learn more about the AVA CVP program and hear from students and teachers. Visit www.ava.com.au/avacvp to register.

If you’re ready to take your career and personal growth to the next level, the next cohort commences in January 2025.  Call Annmaree Jackson on (02) 9431 5004 or email education@ava.com.au to discuss any questions and secure your place.