Ontario Veterinary College Emphasizes Antimicrobial Stewardship as Animal Welfare Priority

CVO updates language to promote responsible drug use as part of compassionate care, not just public health burden

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where a veterinary stethoscope is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the importance of responsible antibiotic use in veterinary medicine.The College of Veterinarians of Ontario emphasizes antimicrobial stewardship as a core element of compassionate animal care.Ontario Today

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) has revised its position on antimicrobial stewardship, emphasizing it as a core element of animal welfare and public health. The CVO's registrar and CEO, Jan Robinson, noted that the changes are not about stricter oversight or punitive direction, but rather about normalizing stewardship as routine professional practice aligned with veterinarians' identity and values.

Why it matters

This language shift signals a strategic reframing of antimicrobial stewardship, connecting responsible drug use with compassionate care outcomes rather than presenting it solely as a public health burden. Experts say this approach is psychologically important, as it can make clinicians more receptive by aligning stewardship with their professional identity and values.

The details

The CVO's revised position links antimicrobial stewardship directly to animal welfare and public health, challenging the false tradeoff between treating animals effectively and protecting society from resistance. Experts say this framing implies a more mature model of responsibility, focusing on diagnosis, monitoring, and evidence-based prescribing rather than just reducing antibiotic use.

  • The CVO updated and reissued its position on antimicrobial stewardship in April 2026.

The players

College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO)

The regulatory body that oversees the veterinary profession in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Jan Robinson

The registrar and CEO of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.

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What they’re saying

“The change wasn't about stricter oversight or punitive direction.”

— Jan Robinson, Registrar and CEO, College of Veterinarians of Ontario

The takeaway

This language update suggests the CVO wants to normalize antimicrobial stewardship as a routine part of professional practice, rather than something that only becomes relevant during controversy. Experts say this shift from compliance-driven to culture-driven frameworks is happening across healthcare, as behavior change is more sustainable when it aligns with clinicians' values and identity.