ABVP Exotic Companion Mammal Practice - History of Development

On April 12, 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) granted provisional recognition to the first completely new veterinary specialty since 1993, called Exotic Companion Mammal Practice (ECM). The new specialty will focus on small mammals commonly known as “pocket pets,” including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice and other exotic companion mammals. Click here to read the complete ABVP press release regarding ABVP - ECM.

Dr. Michael Dutton, chair of the organizing committee of the ECM and co-founder of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, began petitioning for the specialty in 2004. Dr. Dutton would like to thank all of the ECM organizing committee for their hard work and attention to detail.

Thomas Michael Donnelly, DVM, DACLAM
Peter G. Fisher, DVM
Rose Ann M. Fiskett, VMD, DABVP-Av
Deborah L. Flake, DVM
Jennifer E. Graham, DVM, DABVP-Av
J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, DABVP-Av
Stephen Divers, MRCVS, DACZM
Cathy A. Johnson-Delaney, DVM, DABVP-Av
Susan A. Kelleher, DVM
Sandra C. Kudrak, DVM, DABVP-Fe
Angela M. Lennox, DVM, DABVP-Av
Bruce S. Levine, DVM, DABVP-Av, DABVP-CF
Marla K. Lichtenberger, DVM, DACVECC
Jörg Mayer, Dr.med.vet., M.Sc
James K. Morrisey, DVM, DABVP-Av
Connie J. Orcutt, DVM, DABVP-Av
Robert A. Wagner, VMD
G. Heather Wilson Barron, DVM, DABVP-Av

The following Diplomates obtained their certification following the successful completion of examinations held on November 6‐8, 2009, in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Vittorio Capello, Milan, Italy
Dr. Rose Fiskett, Scotland, PA*
Dr. Jennifer Graham, Boston, MA*
Dr. Cheryl Greenacre, Maryville, TN*
Dr. Cathy Johnson‐Delaney, Kirkland, WA*
Dr. Bruce Levine, Huntington Beach, CA*
Dr. Joerg Mayer, Southbridge, MA*
Dr. Sandra Mitchell, Saco, ME*
Dr. Connie Orcutt, Brookline, MA*
Dr. David Vella, Australia*
Dr. Robert Wagner, Pittsburgh, PA*

*Indicates certification in two or more practice categories

Progress Reports

The following reports submitted by Dr. Michael A. Dutton, Chair of the ABVP committee at AEMV, provide details on the requirements and progress made in creating a specialty certification exotic mammals.

May 2004
Report of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Council of Regents Meeting concerning the Formal Proposal presented by AEMV concerning specialty status for Exotic Mammal Practice

April 2005
Report on the ABVP Council of Regents (COR) Meeting

May 2005
ABVP Committee report to AEMV