College Connection | Fall 2025
Building trust across cultures continued from page 6
Innovations in profession-based regulation
College Connection | Fall 2025
Building trust across cultures continued from page 6
• Break down medical terms and use plain language
• Utilize professional interpreters when needed
Check your bias at the door
Every person has biases, and it is your responsibility to keep your biases in check.
Common mistakes:
• Offering options based on financial assumptions
• Assuming truthfulness based on their identity
• Spending less time with clients that we see as different
What to do:
• Pause: Is this based on a‘ gut feeling” or facts?
• Offer plain language instructions
Acknowledge power differences
As a veterinary professional, you hold a position of trust and a great deal of authority. It is important that you not only recognize your power but also use it to amplify the voices of your clients.
Common mistakes:
• Dismissing client concerns
• Interrupting or rushing clients
What to do
• Be transparent about your role and the client’ s available choices
• Invite questions
Meet clients where they are- with respect and curiosity
Building cultural competency is a daily practice in learning and unlearning. You don’ t have to be an expert, but you have to be willing to learn and listen. That’ s how trust grows.
Prepared by Malissa Bryan, M. A, PhD student, of Rainbow Diversity Institute. RDI develops comprehensive diversity training strategies.
PODCAST
Innovations in profession-based regulation
Tune in for an informative conversation exploring key innovations and trends in profession-based regulation over the past 30 years. Jan Robinson, College Registrar, chats with Harry Cayton, an internationally recognized advisor on professional regulation and governance. The session is moderated by Deputy Registrar, Shilo Tooze.
As one of the oldest regulated professions in Ontario, the veterinary profession has been entrusted with regulating the medical care of animals since 1877. Harry and Jan reflect on the history of profession-based regulation. They also discuss the College’ s evolution into the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.
Discussion includes:
• Why are professions regulated in the first place?
• Key innovations & emerging trends
• Magnitude of the evolution to the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario
cvo. org / podcast
Stay informed!
Thank you for reading College Connection! All veterinary team members can sign up for communications about the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario at:
cvo. org / modernization
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo. org 7