FAQs

The CVR membership application requests all CVR members to commit to a maximum of 12 hours per year of unpaid CVR on-line training. Training may be provided by the CVR, the CFIA or other training partners.

This does not necessarily mean there will be twelve hours of training required, or even available, every year.  The CVR will notify you when new training opportunities arise and will advise of any training requirements to maintain CVR Member status. 

The CVR uses e-mail almost exclusively to connect with CVR Members. Any new training offers or invitations to participate in specific training will most likely be sent to you via e-mail.

CVR general training is readily available through the CVR website and may be suitable for all CVR Members. This training may be offered in a variety of formats including on-line self directed training modules, net meetings, conference calls, webinars and call up drills.

Training offered by other partners, such as the CFIA or a civil emergency partner, will be made available according to the parameters set by the partner themselves.

Whenever CVR Members are deployed to serve in a real emergency response, either under the CFIA or other government authority, there will be some level of on-site training and/or briefing(s) prior to actual service.

The CVR endeavours to provide web-based training to all Members.  From time to time there may be other opportunities where participation is limited to a certain number of CVR Members and therefore requires a selection process. The CVR maintains a database of CVR Members that includes each individual’s specialty, certifications, general experience, and skills information. When a subset of CVR Members is needed for training, a search of the CVR database provides a list of those who meet the set criteria. From this subset a prioritized list of invitees may be created based on a variety of factors such as species contact, geographic location, language, etc. The Requestor may then choose from the list and contact the individuals directly or work through the CVMA/CVR to finalize the list and contact the invitees.

Details are provided here.

The CVR is primarily a domestic resource intended for deployment within Canada. There is the possibility of international deployment if requested and funded by an authorized international government/government agency.

While it will vary depending on the nature of the disaster, duties may include clinical diagnoses; triage; initial emergency treatment; minor surgical repair; referrals to appropriate specialists and/or local veterinary hospitals; etc.

First and foremost, when CVR management issues a CVR Call Up Notice, the Notice clearly communicates the remuneration CVR Members may expect for their service.  Each Member makes an informed decision to offer their services or not.  This includes a daily rate of pay, when payment begins and ends, overtime if applicable, insurance coverage information, expense reimbursement, etc.  When a Requestor asks for the CVR to assist in an emergency response, CVR management negotiates the financial terms with the Requestor prior to issuing the CVR Call Up Notice.

Practice Continuity Compensation (PCC) is funding designed to assist in offsetting the costs incurred by a veterinary practice owner when they or their staff are absent from work to serve in CVR emergency response. PCC is obtained by qualifying owners by applying to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association when they, or their staff return from an emergency deployment.

The CVR program has set practice continuity compensation which it presents to the Requestor. CVR members are advised of the terms at the time of Call Up and may decide to offer their services for the agreed terms, or not.

While the requestor may provide some additional coverage, it is expected that CVR Members will carry their own private liability, disability, medical, and dental insurance. CVR Members are responsible for deciding if Supplemental Health Insurance coverage, including Disability Insurance, is warranted. Any insurance acquired or maintained by the Member is at their own expense and for their own benefit and protection.

Any provisions would depend on the Requestor, the agreement negotiated between the Requestor and the CVMA/CVR, and any applicable labour/occupational health and safety laws in Canada. These would be determined on a case by case basis for civil emergencies.