AO VET is a nonprofit organization that represents a global network of surgeons, scientists, and other professionals highly specialized in the field of veterinary surgery of the musculoskeletal system. ;xNLx;;xNLx;The AO VET educational events give veterinarians the tools necessary to deliver high-quality care for orthopedic cases in a peer-to-peer interactive learning environment, whereas eLearning provides flexible training opportunities. Additionally, AO VET faculty is required to complete periodic educator programs that help them more effectively deliver educational content. ;xNLx;;xNLx;AO VET is the voice and professional resource for individuals working in the field of veterinary orthopedic trauma and reconstruction as well as musculoskeletal disorders. The AO VET community embodies a culture of teaching and learning, combined with research and development. As the only worldwide academic community in veterinary medicine that delivers innovative educational and research opportunities, AO VET created a membership to give veterinarians a core group of individuals with whom to communicate, not only to solve clinical problems, but also to enhance their training and career. After attending an AO VET educational event, becoming a member is the means to joining the AO VET family and sharing our passion for veterinary surgery.
On November 6, 1958 the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) was established at the Hotel Elite in Biel, by a group of Swiss surgeons—Maurice E Müller, Robert Schneider, Hans Willenegger, Martin Allgöwer (pictured 2nd from left), and Walter Bandi—who came together to champion revolutionary techniques of internal fixation that achieved unprecedented results in healing bone fractures.
The first undertaking of the AO founders—Maurice E Müller, Robert Schneider, Hans Willenegger, Martin Allgöwer, and Walter Bandi—was to find a suitable place to conduct research. Davos was selected as the location and the previous tuberculosis facility run by Alexander Spengler in Villa Fontana was identified as the ideal place for the newly established Laboratory for Experimental Surgery (LECD, Labor für experimentelle Chirurgie Davos). Allgöwer was its first director. Each of the AO founders made significant financial contributions towards the start-up costs for the AO's first research facility, known since June 1992 as the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI).
Led by the AO founders Maurice E Müller and Martin Allgöwer, 69 surgeons attended the first AO Davos Courses and learned new techniques in trauma surgery. The four-day course was organized by the AO Laboratory of Experimental Surgery (LECD, Labor für experimentelle Chirurgie Davos).
In December 1960, in a move to protect Robert Mathys and the AO, Synthes AG Chur is established to coordinate instrument production, represent them to the medical community, and distribute profits. Peter von Rechenberg crafted the wording. The 5 Founding Fathers owned the 50 shares.
The AO established the AO Technical Commission (AO TC System) as the institute responsible for the development and approval of innovative surgical techniques, implants, and instruments. The AO TC System is medically guided by independent surgeons who are responsible for the development and clinical testing of new devices. Today the AO TC System consists of the TC Executive Board (TC EB), Technical Commissions, and Expert Groups for trauma, spine, craniomaxillofacial, and veterinary surgery.
Mathys, Straumann and Synthes AG Chur sign an agreeement. Mathys had Asia and Africa. Straumann had North America. They shared Europe.
First AO manual published, some of the AO Principles and equipment could be transferred directly to veterinary surgery.
Björn von Salis meets Fritz Straumann, a passionate horseman and dog owner, when one of his dogs becomes sick. Straumann and his father founded a metalurgical research institute to improve watch design. He was since 1960 already working with the AO founders.
One of the first equine long-bone (MCPIII) osteotomy repairs was successfully carried out by Von Salis, Perren, Datwyler, Guggenbuhl and Straumann. Maxlie
