About Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition

The CAVN was founded by a group of 12 passionate veterinarians with advanced training in nutrition in 2018 at an inaugural meeting in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. At this initial meeting, the CAVN’s mission, to advocate for evidence-based animal nutrition and for veterinary education across Canada, was established. To fulfill the CAVN’s mission, five founding goals were also cultivated:

• Enhancing veterinary nutrition programs and services within Canada through academic institutions, research, industry, and private practice;
• Using nutritional expertise to improve the health and well-being of animals as a way to benefit society;
• Disseminating credible nutrition information to stakeholders;
• Encouraging collaboration of the community of veterinary nutrition experts in Canada;
• Promoting the practice and teaching of evidence-based animal nutrition through the encouragement of clinical research.

In 2019, the CAVN invited Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) having been awarded their Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in nutrition to join the CAVN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the organization’s second annual meeting. Since then, Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists®, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) who have completed or are completing a clinical nutrition residency, and RVTs who have completed their VTS in nutrition have been encouraged to join the organization to foster collaboration amongst the community of veterinary nutrition experts in Canada.

In 2020, the CAVN’s annual meeting took place virtually given the COVID-19 pandemic. The CAVN remained focused on disseminating credible nutrition information during the pandemic by publishing a series of short educational videos on YouTube to assist pet parents and veterinary teams navigate working from home with pets and the ongoing pet food shortages. The organization also hosted their first webinar series in fall 2020, which has grown into a successful annual series each fall as a means of continuously providing veterinary nutrition education across Canada and beyond.

In 2022, the CAVN expanded to include a spring panel discussion series as part of the organization’s ongoing educational mission. The CAVN also achieved not-for-profit status in Canada under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Our Values

CAVN Bylaws & Not-For-Profit Status 

As a Not-For-Profit Corporation under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, our bylaws and certificate of incorporation are available below: