Mission Statement

  • To support the mission of the VIN Veterinary Mentorship Academy to provide clinical mentorship and support to any colleague, anywhere
  • To enable the learning and teaching of basic and routine surgical skills within the VIN community
  • To help bring into contact those who have surgical confidence with those who are desiring to become confident
  • To enable surgical mentees to visit surgical mentor’s clinics for hands-on teaching of basic and routine surgical skills
  • To enable a softer landing into our profession after finishing vet school
  • To ensure a more confident return to practice after a career break

  • VIN’s Veterinary Mentorship Academy aims to make it possible for everyone, everywhere, to receive the support they need.
  • Becoming confident in surgery takes knowledge, time, practice, and guidance. Hopefully, all are available locally.
  • Unfortunately, not everyone starting or re-starting their career has access to guidance.
  • VIN's Surgical Mentor Networking Tool aims to enable such access.
  • The VIN Surgical Mentor Networking Tool is a list of willing GP colleagues who have volunteered to act as Surgical Mentors.
  • Mentors have attested to have significant experience in basic and routine surgical procedures to share. They are not surgical specialists.
  • The Surgical Mentor Networking Tool provides a list of Surgical Mentors. VINners in need of boosting basic and routine surgical skills can contact mentors from the list to arrange mentorship.
  • Mentorship may include a one-day or several-day clinic visit to facilitate the teaching of practical surgical skills and confidence.
  • Thank you for considering becoming a VIN Surgical Mentor and sharing your love for the knife!
  • Are you a GP veterinarian confident in neutering dogs and cats, as well as other routine surgical procedures?
  • Do you enjoy teaching and are you the altruistic kind?
  • Do you have time to help a fellow VINner find surgical confidence in basic and routine surgical procedures?
  • If the answers to the above questions are “yes”, you indeed could become a VIN Surgical Mentor – the program would love to have you!
  • Please add your name to the database by clicking on the red "To Become a Mentor" button - it’s really simple.
  • Your name, location (city and state/providence), and email will be added to the Networking Tool.
  • You may be contacted directly by a fellow VINner in need of boosting surgical skills. 
  • This is a voluntary program without pay.
  • Nevertheless, the gratitude from mentees will be immeasurable and mentors’ karma will undoubtedly be boosted. You join – you rock!
  • Thank you once again for your kindness and for being part of the VIN Surgical Mentor Networking Tool list.
  • You might not hear from a VINner needing mentorship for many years.
  • If contacted, and you are still willing to be involved, great! Together, you can then figure out what works best. This might involve a one-day or multi-day visit to your practice for practical teaching.
  • A practice visit would focus on one-on-one, hands-on surgical training from you aiming to boost the mentee's confidence and skills with basic and/or routine surgical procedures, in particular, spaying and neutering. Adherence to legal licensing requirements and any liabilities is the responsibility of both parties. VIN is not responsible for legal, liability, or insurance issues.
  • You can be removed from the list whenever you want by simply emailing vma@vin.com - no questions asked.
  • Are you a qualified veterinarian and VIN member?
  • Is the thought of a surgical procedure keeping you awake at night?
  • Are you lacking a local mentor or role models able to help you acquire basic surgery skills?
  • Use the VIN Surgical Mentor Networking Tool to connect you with a GP surgeon.
  • The database is in its infancy, yet, with the help of the VIN community steadily growing.
  • Please click on the blue "Need a Mentor" button to complete the agreements and to be directed to the Networking Tool.
  • If you do not see a potential mentor in your location, please keep checking back.
  • The Program’s database is in its infancy, yet, with the help of the VIN community steadily growing.
  • If you have visited a Surgical Mentor and want to share your experience, we value the feedback. Please email vma@vin.com and let us know how it went.
  • The mentee should contact the mentor directly to determine the exact level of support desired and how the mentor can help.
  • At that stage, specific decisions will be made about the likely number of surgical procedures the mentee would be able to practice under the direct guidance of the mentor.
  • The mentor and mentee should also discuss jurisdiction licensing requirements, the level of supervision required, and whether the mentee would be able to assist first, followed by performing surgery under direct supervision, or if only indirect supervision is available or requested.
  • The more specific the conversation, the more satisfactory the outcome will be for all involved.
  • Once mentor and mentee have agreed on the expectations, other logistical practicalities can be agreed upon (when/where?).

Top 10 Surgical Skill Resources Available to Members on VIN:

    1. VIN Procedure Video Collection
    2. Virtual Veterinary Internship Library - useful basic surgery resources
    3. Virtual Veterinary Internship Library - useful routine surgery resources
    4. VIN Mentor Surgical Procedures Videos
    5. Surgery or ‘Knot’ information center
    6. Soft Tissue Surgery Information Center
    7. Orthopedic Surgery Information Center
    8. VIN Message Boards Soft Tissue Surgery – ask any question, any time
    9. VIN Message Boards Orthopedic Surgery – ask any question, any time
    10. VIN Spay/Neuter Alliance Video Library (in cooperation with ASPCA)


  


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