What is the AVMA? Resources for Veterinary Assistants

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a not-for-profit organization that stands as the leading advocate for veterinary medicine. The AVMA has evolved from a group of 40 veterinarians to a powerful institution that represents more than 100,000 veterinarians across the country. Founded in 1863, this organization serves as the backbone of veterinary education, career growth, and animal welfare promotion. Therefore, becoming a member would be beneficial to any veterinary professional. Veterinary assistants aren’t eligible to become full members of the AVMA, but for students participating in our vet assistant program at the Academy of Pet Careers, many resources and tools can still be accessed for free.
How does the AVMA work?
The AVMA operates under a structured hierarchy, ensuring effective leadership. At the top, there is the Board of Directors which is the administrative sect of the organization. Then there is the House Advisory Committee, which advises both the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates comprises of representatives from each state and specialty organization. It functions as the principal body that makes major policy decisions. Finally, there are the Reference Committees, which review and debate specific matters and make suggestions to the House of Delegates. The organization divides its operations into districts, each with state chapters to address veterinary concerns on a local level.
What does the AVMA do?
The AVMA’s mission to advance animal medicine extends to multiple areas. This includes research and clinical insights, like the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR). The AVMA champions the One Health initiative, facilitating discussion and positive change across human health, animal health, and environmental issues. They also offer The Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) and the International Veterinary Student Association (IVSA) to connect students who aspire to enter the world of veterinary medicine upon completing their education.
The AVMA's influence even extends to international partnerships. By collaborating with organizations worldwide, they can address global animal health concerns, exchange knowledge, and promote best practices in the veterinary field. Additionally, the AVMA acts as an accrediting body, giving their stamp of approval to various veterinary schools that meet their standard. While the AVMA supports the veterinary community in many ways, it focuses on three core functions: advocacy, professional development, and standardization.
Animal Advocacy
The first core function is spearheading political change in the veterinary world. They influence animal healthcare policies through federal and state-level engagement. This includes fighting for:
- Establishing humane regulatory practices
- Prioritizing animal welfare policy
- Addressing workplace challenges
- Promoting public health strategies
Veterinary Professional Development
The veterinary field is demanding, despite how passionate or experienced a professional might be. The second core function is providing resources to further your career and education in this ever-changing industry. The AVMA offers:
- Career advancement tools
- AVMA Convention and leadership conferences
- Internships and externships
- Continuing education
- Networking opportunities
Practice Standardization
The third core function is to standardize how veterinary medicine is practiced. This means developing strategies that not only focus on pet health but human health as well, including:
- Workplace codes of conduct
- Animal care protocols
- Humane animal ethics
- Evidence-based practice proposals
Benefits of Becoming an AVMA Member
Members of the AVMA get to be the voice of the veterinary world, meaning they are at the forefront of animal issues both locally and globally. By obtaining a membership to the AVMA, veterinary professionals can get involved with all of the missions previously mentioned as part of their advocacy, professional development, and standardization projects. That includes access to career resources, research, networking opportunities, and education opportunities within the industry. However, AVMA members can also gain access to insurance programs, retirement products, exclusive discounts, ready-to-use toolkits, and more. A standard membership costs $370, but fees are lower for graduates, interns, retirees, or those with extenuating circumstances.
Key Takeaways
As veterinary medicine evolves, veterinary professionals must evolve with it. The AVMA works to support veterinary professionals through these changes while advocating for animal welfare. They’ve championed numerous education, career, and health initiatives, and their current focus is on integrating new technologies, addressing workforce challenges, and preparing the profession for the future. Veterinary technicians and assistants unfortunately cannot become full members of this organization. However, whether you’re a licensed veterinarian or a student currently in a vet assisting program, the AVMA can be a helpful resource as you work toward a fulfilling career in animal care.
Frequently Asked Questions
The AVMA doesn't directly provide certifications, but they work closely with the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) to recognize veterinary specialties. The ABVS currently recognizes 46 distinct specialties across 22 specialty organizations.
While veterinary technicians cannot become full members of the AVMA, they can join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), which works closely with the AVMA.
Yes, the AVMA offers legal consultation services and resources through its Legal Services department. Though they don't provide direct representation, they offer guidance, educational resources, and referrals to qualified legal professionals specializing in veterinary law.
The AVMA provides mediation guidelines and resources through its Veterinary Medical Ethics Committee. They offer resources and best practices for conflict resolution and can refer parties to appropriate state veterinary medical boards or local mediation services.
The AVMA works closely with the FDA and other regulatory bodies to establish guidelines for veterinary drug use. They provide clinical practice guidelines, antimicrobial stewardship resources, and policy recommendations regarding drug protocols.
Hope Allen
Hope Allen combines her lifelong passion for animals with her digital marketing expertise. Growing up in a veterinary family, she gained hands-on experience working as an office assistant and sterilization tech at their mobile practice. This foundation, coupled with her degree in design and digital content strategy from Lindenwood University, allows her to bring unique insight to pet-focused content.