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LEADING EDGE: The CVMA Mentorship Program for Veterinarians
Build the non-clinical skills that help veterinarians like you communicate with confidence, strengthen your workplace relationships, advocate for your patients and create a more sustainable career.
2026 CVMA mentorship pilot program survey results
Wellbeing and satisfaction improved across every indicator
Participants reported lower stress, psychological distress and burnout, alongside greater resilience, life satisfaction, job satisfaction and a more positive view of their current life position.
The strongest effects were seen early in veterinary careers
Veterinarians with fewer than five years of experience drove the largest improvements across most wellbeing and satisfaction measures—showing the value of timely non-clinical support during the transition into practice.
Positive changes extended across career stages
Benefits were not limited to newer veterinarians. Participants with more than 10 years of experience also recorded notable improvements in resilience, stress and their assessment of their current life position.
Skills that translate into everyday practice
- Communicate with clarity: navigate difficult conversations, explain treatment options and build client trust.
- Lead stronger teams: deliver useful feedback, strengthen work relationships and reduce friction.
- Advocate for patients: present recommendations and estimates with greater confidence and value.
- Work with greater purpose: build self-worth, resilience and professional fulfilment.
- Manage time and pressure: use practical strategies to improve efficiency and avoid being overwhelmed.
- Support career sustainability: develop skills that can contribute to a longer, happier career in practice.
“The weekly modules were short and easy to fit into a busy schedule. I think this course has much potential to help transition young veterinarians into a successful career.”
— Dr. Kris Torske, DVM, DVSc, CVMA Council member and program participant
BETTER SKILLS. STRONGER CONNECTIONS. MORE SUSTAINABLE CAREERS.
Especially valuable early in a career
Veterinarians with fewer than five years of experience showed some of the strongest gains. Compared with the start of the pilot, this group recorded positive shifts in patient advocacy (+39 points), remuneration capacity (+33), self-worth and mindset (+33), workplace relationship skills (+32) and efficiency and work-life balance (+32).
A program built for real veterinary work
- Targeted: focused on practical, non-clinical competencies veterinarians use every day.
- Flexible: short, virtually delivered modules designed to fit demanding schedules.
- Evidence-based: outcomes assessed before and after training using quantitative and qualitative measures.
- Independently analyzed: CVMA pilot findings were analyzed by Ipsos.
COMPLEMENTARY ORGANIZATIONAL EVIDENCE
A separate 12-month Australian pilot linked the same Leading Edge training to stronger commercial and retention outcomes
Among 50 trained veterinarians compared with 80 controls, average fees generated rose 48% versus 21.8%, and attrition was 8.0% versus 17.7%. Commercial data were independently verified by Pears Chartered Accountants. These findings are from a different practice setting and should be interpreted separately from the CVMA pilot.
“I gained several new skills for the exam room that I have already put into practice with success, to the benefit of my patients.”
— Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, DVM, CVMA President Elect and program participant
Help veterinarians thrive—at every stage of practice
Sign up for Leading Edge training coming Fall 2026!
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