2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, the first professional organization to certify toxicology experts. Since the AVMA granted provisional status to the fledgling specialty in 1967, the ABVT has certified more than a hundred diplomates, most of whom still work in academia and for veterinary diagnostic laboratories, poison control centers, government agencies, industry, and private consulting firms. For a half-century, ABVT diplomates have educated the public, private practice veterinarians, and veterinary students about toxicological hazards to pets, livestock, wildlife, and the environment. The AVMA granted full recognition as a veterinary specialty to the ABVT in 1970.
The ABVT’s objectives are to advance education and scientific progress in veterinary toxicology and to encourage continued educational training and research among those engaged in the organization. The organization ensures through its certification examination that competent veterinary toxicologists are available for veterinary teaching institutions, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, industry, government, the military, research, private practice, public health, and the environmental sciences. Field veterinarians, physicians, regulatory agencies, animal scientists, lawyers, laypersons, and other professional organizations recognize the expertise of ABVT diplomates and routinely consult with them on a broad range of toxicological problems.
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