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Newsletter
July 2026
President's Message
Stephen Pittenger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP® (Canine & Feline Practice), President, ABVP®
Dear Fellow Diplomates,
It is an honor to write to you as your incoming president, and I want to begin with something that has shaped my entire career in organized veterinary medicine: the privilege of working alongside colleagues whose day-to-day practice looks nothing like mine. Whether through local, state, and national VMA work, more than 25 years spent helping program a symposium, or now through ABVP®, I have had the chance to sit at the table with veterinarians doing work very different from mine — different species, different settings, and entirely different challenges. And yet every time, the same thing holds us together: we are all veterinarians.
That tension is, I think, exactly what makes ABVP® distinctive. We are a federation of specialty practice areas, each with its own standards, its own culture, its own definition of excellence — and at the same time, we are bound by a shared commitment to advancing species-specialized practice as a unifying discipline. Few organizations in veterinary medicine occupy that particular space: specific enough to matter deeply to each of our practitioner groups, unified enough to speak with one voice for board certification in specialized practice.
I look forward to navigating the year ahead with you. Change is the one constant we can count on, and I expect this year will be no exception. One piece of that change I want to flag now: we continue to work toward harmonizing ABVP® with JAAHA® and its Journal. This is not a small undertaking, and I'll keep you updated as those conversations progress, but I'm optimistic about what closer alignment could mean for both organizations.
You'll also see new faces this year on the Executive Board, on our advisory committees, and chairing several of our committees. I'd encourage you to reach out and welcome them; a new perspective is part of what keeps an organization like ours honest.
I'm also going to bring back Rucinsky's “Pints with the President” in the next couple of months. My pint of choice will be Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia! You're welcome to show up online with a pint of just about anything. It will be an open forum to hear directly from you on how you think our organization should grow and evolve.
I want to close with a word of thanks to Stephanie Janeczko for her leadership as president this past year. She guided us well, and I'm glad to say she hasn't gone far; she'll continue serving on our Leadership Development Committee.
Finally, to every one of you who volunteers your time to this organization: thank you. ABVP® does not run on staff and structure alone. It runs on Diplomates who show up, again and again, because they believe in what species-specialized practice means for the profession. We owe you a debt of gratitude, and we could not do this without you.
I'm elated to be doing this work alongside you.
Your MOC Update
Sonnya Dennis, DVM, DABVP® (Canine & Feline Practice), MOC Chair
Do you know when your MOC is due? If not, you need to log in and check!
If you are due this year and have not submitted your renewal, you are already overdue! Contact the MOC Chair immediately. If you do not, you may use the ABVP® status on a website and in any professional materials until December 31 of THIS YEAR. After that date, you will be required to remove mention of diplomate status from business cards, websites, LinkedIn, phone books, and any other personal or professional materials in accordance with ABVP®, AVMA, and state practice act guidelines and regulations.
Links:
Individual RVS MOC Vice Chair emails are listed in the Certification Guidelines.
Journal Club: Keep up with Journal Club! Back issues will not be available once they are removed from the website.
Recognizing Emancipation Day in Canada
On August 1, Canada observes Emancipation Day, commemorating the day the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across most of the British Empire in 1834. This important day honors the resilience, achievements, and lasting contributions of Black communities while acknowledging the enduring impacts of slavery and systemic racism.
For the ABVP® community, Emancipation Day is an opportunity to reflect on our shared commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within veterinary medicine. By learning from history and amplifying diverse voices, we help create a profession where every veterinary professional, diplomate, and client feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
The ABVP® DEI Committee encourages members to take time to learn about the history of Emancipation Day, celebrate the contributions of Black colleagues and communities, and consider how each of us can continue advancing equity and inclusion in our workplaces and throughout the profession.
Learn more: Government of Canada: Emancipation Day (August 1)
Inaugural AVMF Excellence Award given to Larry, Rita Dee
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) gave its first Excellence Award to the late Dr. Larry Dee and his wife, Rita. The award aims to recognize individuals or couples who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the mission, values, and impact of the Foundation through volunteer service, long-term engagement, and philanthropic support. Dr. Dee was a Charter Diplomate of the ABVP®.
Don’t forget that ABVP® has classified listings for open positions all over the world!
Welcome Your New Equine Regent!
Sylvia Ouellette, DVM, DABVP® (Equine)
I’m excited to serve as the new Equine Regent for ABVP®!
A little about me—I graduated from UC Davis in 1995 and have been practicing equine veterinary medicine for more than 30 years. It’s amazing how quickly the time has flown!
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles, from practicing on the Southern California Thoroughbred racetracks and managing the Nuclear Imaging Facility at Santa Anita Racetrack, to owning a three-doctor equine sports medicine practice in Los Angeles. For the past 10 years, I’ve been a Senior Associate at a six-doctor equine practice in rural Oregon. Along the way, I also had the privilege of serving as a Clinical Associate Professor at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine.
I’ve been an ABVP® Diplomate since 2005 and have successfully recertified twice—whew! Throughout the years, I’ve also enjoyed serving on several ABVP® committees, and I’m honored to now give back as your Equine Regent.
I’m looking forward to bringing fresh ideas to our specialty while continuing to build on what makes this organization so valuable. Just as importantly, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re an equine diplomate or part of another RVS, your feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Let me know what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can better serve our members.
I’ll be sharing important dates and updates throughout the year, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy the summer as we prepare some exciting upcoming events and continuing education opportunities.
And if you’ll be attending the next AAEP Symposium in Las Vegas in December, be sure to stop by! I’ll share details about the ABVP® breakfast—including the date and time—as soon as they’re available.
I look forward to connecting with all of you!
The Residency Committee is currently hard at work reviewing residents’ biannual logs! So no major updates, but I did want to take the opportunity to introduce the residency programs that have been approved in the first six months of this year. Please join me in congratulating these programs! Thank you all for being willing to mentor future ABVP® Diplomates!
Avian:
● Avets Specialty and Emergency Trauma Center
● MedVet - Hilliard
● The Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine
Canine Feline:
● Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
● Veterinary Specialty Services
Feline:
● South Austin Cat Hospital
Reptile & Amphibian:
● MedVet - Hilliard
● South Texas Avian and Exotic Hospital
● North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
● The Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine
ABVP® Diplomates didn't earn their credential alone—mentors, examiners, and volunteers built the path that made it possible. Now it's their turn. Volunteering isn't optional extra credit; it's how the credential stays rigorous, relevant, and respected. Every hour given—mentoring a candidate, reviewing exam content, serving on a committee—is an investment in the next generation of Diplomates and in ABVP®'s future. The organization is only as strong as the members willing to show up for it.
Have you accomplished something exciting lately? We want to celebrate with you!
Maybe you've published a journal article, authored a textbook chapter, received an award, presented at a conference, been recognized by your state VMA, or reached another professional milestone. Whatever the achievement, we'd love to hear about it.
ABVP® Diplomates are doing incredible things every day, and we're proud to showcase those accomplishments. Share your news with us so we can help celebrate your success and inspire others within our community!
Submit your achievement today!
ABVP® is happy to partner with VIN to make Rounds available to all ABVP® Diplomates. You must be a VIN member and/or an ABVP® Diplomate to attend. Those who attend the live session earn 1 hour of CE credit. Sessions are also recorded for viewing later with NO CE credit attached.
Thursday, August 13, 9 PM Eastern
Working Up Abdominal Bloat in Ruminants, Laura May, DVM, DABVP® (Food Animal Practice)
If you have not received access to VIN, please email VIN directly at rounds@vin.com. ABVP® cannot assist with access since Rounds are on the VIN platform.
If you are a newer Diplomate and interested in presenting, please email vinrounds@abvp.com. Each lecture is about 50 minutes long and you will need to keep an eye on your lecture's message board after the lecture for a couple of weeks. VIN will pay you for your lecture. ABVP® will help you with your lecture by assigning you a mentor, if you would like.
ABVP® CALENDAR
December 31, 2026
Final day to be a called a Diplomate for those who failed to MOC on time
January 15, 2027
Credentials deadline for both Initial Applications and Re-Applications. All documentation must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Time
Swine Health Management Entry Exam registration and fee deadline. Registration must be completed online by 11:59 PM Central Time
Semi-Annual Residency Logs deadline. Logs must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Time
April 1-4, 2027
ABVP® Symposium, Chicago, IL
July 1, 2027
2027-2028 Diplomate and Emeritus Diplomate fees payable
July 15, 2027
Semi-Annual Residency Logs deadline. Logs must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Time
July 15, 2027
MOC Renewal Applications Deadline
