College Connection | Spring 2025
New position on boundary violations continued from page 1
College Connection | Spring 2025
New position on boundary violations continued from page 1
position statement reinforces the expectation that professional boundaries must be maintained. This position statement provides direction to the profession, and clarity for the public, on professional boundary expectations. A professional relationship boundary defines the limit of a safe and effective professional relationship between a veterinarian and a client, colleague, staff, or other co-worker.
A boundary violation occurs when a veterinarian does not establish and / or maintain the limits of a professional relationship with their client, colleague, staff, or other co-workers. A boundary violation is when a relationship changes from professional and contextually appropriate to unprofessional and inappropriate.
Public confidence in the profession is at risk if the veterinarian’ s decisionmaking is influenced by a relationship that crosses the boundary from professional to personal.
Council’ s position is that veterinarians
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must responsibly manage a boundary situation. They are expected to take actions to resolve or mitigate relationship boundary situations. Veterinarians should not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with a client or with those involved directly in their practice of veterinary medicine where a power imbalance exists.
In situations where professional relationship boundaries are not maintained, the College would consider such behaviour unbecoming of a professional and demeaning to the reputation of the profession so as to erode public trust.
Public interest is grounded in the provision of safe, competent, and informed veterinary care and society holds veterinarians to a high standard of ethics and professionalism to maintain public trust. The public has a reasonable expectation that the College ensures that members are maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and provides clear expectations that protect the public and their animals from potential harm.
NEW PODCAST
Revolutionizing Emergency Vet Care: How Culture and Values Drive Success
In the latest episode of Elevating the Veterinary Team, host Dr. Steven Roche interviews Dr. David Bessler, founder of the Veterinary Emergency Group( VEG). They discuss the unique approaches VEG takes to enhance customer and patient experience in emergency veterinary medicine.
Dr. Bessler prioritizes keeping pets with owners, even during surgeries, and feels that team-based care is crucial for enabling this service. They explore VEG’ s focus on deliberate culture, rewarding and meaningful work, innovative practices, and the intrinsic values that drive their success.
Dr. Bessler also digs into how they use their registered veterinary technicians and their role in client engagement.
Also check out the three earlier episodes in the series:
Defining team-based care
Establishing trust, playing to people’ s strengths, and leveraging technology
Leading by example
Tune in to learn more about the rise of team-based veterinary care.
cvo. org / podcasts
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Editor: Jan Robinson Assistant to the Editor: Kim Huson
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College Connection is the official publication of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, informing members on regulatory issues, with the expectation that members will govern themselves accordingly. College Connection is charged with the responsibility of providing comprehensive, accurate and defensible information. cvo. org 8