A doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) is licensed to provide medical and surgical care for animals.

To obtain the degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), a minimum of six years of university education is required: two years of pre-veterinary study at a regular university followed by four years of courses in veterinary medicine at one of the four Canadian veterinary colleges. Some of the colleges are adjusting their pre-veterinary requirements and introducing some curriculum changes to reflect the changing face of the professions. Guidance counsellors at the institution of your choice should be able to advise you regarding these admission and curriculum changes. The number of students that can be accommodated in a veterinary school is quite limited. Canadian veterinary colleges combined, currently graduate about 400 veterinarians each year.