Well, yeah. Why would he tell me to use it like that if he didn't want me to. 'Course, when I was traveling 'round Kanto he always told me that I needed to catch more Pokemon if I wanted to become a better trainer.

[ Which he... never did catch more than the amount he did but the bonds he had with the Pokemon he did catch were way more important in the end anyways. ]

I dunno if his dream has been fulfilled, but I hope that your Professor Oak's dream is fulfilled someday!