Final answer:
The local veterinary medical association's discussion forum is designed to help veterinarians connect professionally and to facilitate a space for field-specific queries and knowledge sharing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The creation of a discussion forum for veterinarians by a local veterinary medical association likely serves a few key purposes. One significant purpose is b) To allow professional veterinarians to connect with each other, which provides a professional network for sharing insight, resources, and forming collaborations. Another important role is d) To create a space for veterinarians to ask and answer field-specific questions, where they can seek advice on cases, discuss the latest research, and hone their clinical skills. Options such as a) and c) are less likely to be primary objectives for a professional veterinary forum, as they focus on pet owners and personal storytelling which may not contribute directly to professional development or knowledge sharing within the veterinary community.