ACVS Foundation

A generation ago, few envisioned the spectacular achievements of modern veterinary surgery. From artificial joint implants to arthroscopy, microvascular surgery to organ transplants, today’s veterinary surgeons have transformed what was once viewed as miracles into the routine.

Advances in technology, understanding and training are at the nucleus of these surgical triumphs. Who knows what frontiers must be explored in the millennium ahead? Only time will tell. But we do know that progress is the dividend of research and education.

The ACVS Foundation will forge a brilliant future for veterinary surgery…and for those it serves.

The Foundation
The Opportunity for a Better Tomorrow

The mission of the ACVS Foundation is to support the advancement of surgical care of all animals. The Foundation supports innovative proposals from veterinary students, surgical residents and ACVS Diplomates (young investigators, university faculty members and specialists-in-practice).

The ACVS Foundation is an independently-chartered philanthropic organization devoted to advancing the charitable, educational and scientific goals of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Founded in 1965, the ACVS sets the standards for the specialty of veterinary surgery. The ACVS, which is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, administers the board certification process for Diplomates in veterinary surgery and advances veterinary surgery and education.

The ACVS Foundation wants your support, whether you are an ACVS Diplomate, general practitioner or an animal owner. We also welcome the support of corporations and other organizations that wish to make a major statement regarding their commitment to the profession of veterinary medicine. Naming opportunities are available and will gladly be provided.

Resources donated to the Foundation can be designated for a specific program and will be used solely for that purpose. Contributions can also be made to the ACVS Foundation endowment fund which is used to support scientific and education programs.

Did You Know the ACVS Foundation …

• Awarded 83 research grants, totaling nearly $800,000, to ACVS residents and Diplomates since 1995.
• Administers $343,000 in private funding that has been raised for the Canine Orthopedic Outcomes Measures Program, now in its fifth year and near completion.
• Through educational endowments funding, presents annual ACVS Veterinary Symposium continuing education such as the cutting edge panel “Limb Sparing Concepts and Realities for Appendicular Neoplasia.”
• Co-publishes the “Advances in Veterinary Surgery” book series with Wiley-Blackwell.
• Presents the Large and Small Animal Residents’ Workshops at the annual ACVS Veterinary Symposium.
• Fosters new Diplomates participation in the College by underwriting discounted ACVS Veterinary Symposium registrations and organizing practical educational sessions focused on the needs of our new Diplomates.
• Supports the annual Outstanding Surgical Residents’ Awards and Student Surgical Proficiency Awards.
• Sponsors the Emeritus Diplomate Legacy Program.
• Recognizes an exceptional ACVS Diplomate with the annual Legends Award, presented to Diplomates who have developed a surgical or diagnostic procedure of significant value, proven by becoming the treatment or test of choice.
• Offers a means of honoring the memory of or paying tribute to a loved one, family member or mentor.
• Through the Pet and Equine Memorial Programs, helps you to ease the suffering of your clients, while letting them know that not only did they put their animal in skilled hands, but in caring ones as well.
• Creates informative and attractive posters for promoting the value and importance of your ACVS training and Diplomate status to animal owners and referring veterinarians.
• Acknowledges outstanding dedication with the named Past Presidents’ Conference Room, supported by Diplomates who pay tribute to those persons who have helped guide ACVS to be the recognized leader in veterinary surgery.
• Raises nearly $40,000 at its largest fundraising event, the annual Celebration!, the social highlight of each ACVS Veterinary Symposium.
• Offers an avenue to support future advances in the extraordinary progresses in the standards and excellence of veterinary surgery and animal health care with a planned gift.
• Provides a meaningful way to support the educational and research programs of the College through donations that are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

An Endowment for the Future

The Diplomates in the ACVS are world-renowned for their contributions to improvement of care for animals. The Foundation will build on these achievements by:

• Supporting investigations in diagnosis and treatment of surgical diseases.
• Increasing educational opportunities for surgeons, surgical residents and veterinary practitioners.
• Improving surgical training of residents and veterinary students.
• Bettering animal patients' care, treatment and welfare.