ISSN 2370-5965 | Winter 2025 2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Louise Kelly to serve as President
Conversations about physical examinations
ISSN
ISSN 2370-5965 | Winter 2025 2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr. Louise Kelly to serve as President
Dr. Louise Kelly, of Chatham, Ontario, is the 2026 President of the College.
“ I am honoured to serve as the College President during this significant time in the veterinary profession’ s history as we evolve into the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario( CVPO). Heading into 2026, I welcome the opportunity to lead the Legacy Council in overseeing the College’ s ongoing work and to partner with the Transition Council, who is charged with establishing the CVPO,” said Dr. Kelly.
Dr. Kelly has been practising veterinary medicine since graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2001. Dr. Kelly currently works with companion animals as a locum veterinarian throughout Ontario. She has also previously worked in mixed animal medicine, focused on dairy cows. Dr. Kelly was elected to College Council in 2022 and has served on the Complaints, Registration, and Executive committees.
Joining Dr. Kelly on the College’ s Executive Committee are: Dr. Lena
Dr. Louise Kelly, President
Levison, First Vice-President; Dr. Kathleen Day Dunbar, Second Vice- President; Dr. Jessica Retterath, Past President; and Ms. Cathy Hecimovich, Member at Large.
Appointments were also made to the College’ s statutory committees and details can be found on the College website. cvo. org / Council
Conversations about physical examinations
A top question the Practice Advisory Service receives from veterinary teams and clients is whether there is a requirement for an annual physical examination of a patient. Does a patient need an annual physical examination for a veterinarian to continue to provide veterinary care inclusive of prescribing drugs? Is an annual examination required for a veterinarian-client-patient relationship to be considered“ valid’ or“ active”? The short answer is no! Let’ s look at how the physical examination factors into a veterinarian’ s professional obligations and judgment.
INSIDE
Read more on page 4
Council News 2-3 Cultural Humility 5 Delivery medications 6 Learning in Practice 7