Along with the residency training programs came new faculty positions for trained veterinary anesthesiologists. This effort was headed Dr. Eugene Steffey, President of the ACVA at that time. Approval was granted by the AVMA and from 1980 to 1990, the ACVA has continued to grow, mature, and prosper. The current organization has national and international recognition and influence. Throughout development of the ACVA, certain ideals and goals were ever present and we still hold to these fundamental principles.
Anesthesiology is a service-oriented specialty.
It is vital to the well-being of all animals requiring medications and procedures to prevent or alleviate pain and suffering. It plays a crucial role in veterinary medicine. Anesthesiologists have always recognized and respected their role in providing quality anesthesia service to animal patients, as well as their responsibility for instructing veterinary students. They accept their responsibility to practitioners and the origination and conduction of research designed to improve knowledge of the discipline. We should always pursue the opportunity to speak and publish on the subject of anesthesia.