Krista Schultz

College Station, Texas - Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) are finalizing development of an oral contraceptive to help to control wildlife populations and that might one day be modified for companion animals.

ST. Paul, Minn. - The state veterinary community is contesting a pending bill that would allow human chiropractors to work on pets without veterinary input, saying it would be one of the "loosest" such laws in the country if passed.

United Kingdom - Veterinarians' suicide rate is proportionally four times that of the general population and twice that of other health professionals, studies show. Photo: Kristofer Dan-Bergman/Getty Images

Only 7 percent of what we say is actually heard--our bodies do the most important communicating without saying a word.

The steps to create a career with meaning, importance and value in life begin well before the job search and continue long after landing a position.

Topeka, Kan. - An unprecedented study about drug shopping and "doc-hopping" in veterinary medicine hinges on the passage of a pending Kansas bill aimed at tighter prescription oversight.

Denver, Co. - A stalled state bill moved ahead after a provision was removed allowing pet owners to seek non-economic damages against veterinarians.

Dallas - Far from television characterizations as a city filled with cowboy hats, bolero ties and society debutantes, the reality is that the Dallas area is economically strong, with a thriving job market and stable housing.

Lexington, Ky. - Revised equine vaccination guidelines - updated by an American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) committee - reflect new attitudes on infectious diseases, core vaccinations and recent technology.

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. - A Florida veterinarian is refusing to hand over his clients' rabies vaccination data, arguing his county's interpretation of a state statute is violating patient privacy and medical confidentiality.

Kuna, Idaho - Estimates of how much revenue the state might receive from a proposed annual fee for veterinary pharmaceutical firms in Idaho could be inflated by as much as double, according to the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), which is taking a neutral stand on the measure.

Palm Springs, Calif. - The creation of cat-care guidelines for veterinarians and pet owners is the first in a series of steps aimed to reverse the trend of decreasing feline veterinary visits at a time of increasing cat ownership.

Whitehall, PA.- An emergency hospital's employee union disbanded and back pay was awarded to those who joined a picket line against management, settling a ground-breaking case of organized labor in veterinary medicine.

Lakewood, Colo. - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) will begin accrediting referral hospitals next month, a move encouraged by some but deemed unnecessary by other industry insiders.

National Report - Resolve to start the year right - not through clich? New Year resolutions such as losing weight, eating healthy or quitting smoking - but by implementing key behaviors to ensure your educational success, experts suggest.

Austin, Tex. - The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) petitioned the state board to regulate lay practitioners. The petition calls for changes to the state practice act.

Atlanta, Ga. - Students' time spent playing Wii or Playstation III might soon be considered preparation for the education model of the future - video games.

Phoenix - A 19-year-old man entered a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic armed with a gun and looking for drugs and money, but hours after releasing four employees held at gunpoint, he left with nothing but handcuffs and felony charges, according to police.

Shadyside, Pa. - Believed to be the first in this region, a veterinary practice has gone green.

Norwell, Mass. - An imported dog carried a larvae species never before detected in the Western Hemisphere into the country.

Corvallis, Ore. - A team of Oregon State University (OSU) scientists successfully used nanotechnology to detect and define cancer tumors, introducing a less invasive way to fight cancer in humans and animals.

Providence, R.I. - More than 200 physicians and veterinarians gathered to share ideas, improve knowledge and open communication lines about zoonotic and vector diseases at the state's first joint conference.

Alachua, Fla. - Veterinarians could be losing tens of thousands of dollars each year by leaving one clinic position unfilled - practice manager.

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri researchers have developed an in vitro joint model that replaces laboratory animals, cuts costs and improves safety when studying human and canine arthritis.

Frederick, Md. - Two years of scientific collaboration yields a nearly complete decoding of the feline genome, a step that will aid in the continued fight against both cat and human diseases.

Springdale, Pa. - "Thick, black smoke blinded me," recounts Mark Jasmine, DVM, of his last desperate attempt to save his burning clinic. He escaped only with his family and two patients.

Columbia, Mo. - A ringing bell stops the conversation, capping the get-to-know-you questions and exchange of contact information. On cue, the participants get up and greet another stranger seated at an adjacent table.

National Report - Sending a resume via e-mail can be as easy as clicking a button. But so can deleting it.

Denver, Colo. - To help veterinarians track disease and client health-care compliance, standardized diagnostic terms are under development by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

National Report - Getting your practice, or what you hope to be a future practice, properly zoned can be a nightmare - but it doesn't have to be.