This new resource offers veterinary professionals and students an opportunity to earn RACE-approved CE credit via a series of informative online webinars.

dvm360 launches online CE center amid pandemic

 Registration is now open for our November Fetch dvm360 virtual conference, which combines 3 of our exclusive annual live events: Fetch Indianapolis, Fetch San Diego, and the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference.

Registration for second virtual veterinary conference is now open

Traditionally, LGBTQ+ members of the veterinary community haven’t been well represented, says Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) President Dane Whitaker, DVM, MPVM. When Whitaker, now a transgender man, applied to veterinary school, he identified as a lesbian but kept his identity to himself.

“The importance of having this organization and this recognition is to allow queer folks in our profession to be our authentic selves,” says Whitaker.

The organization, founded in 1978, has had several different names over the years and was officially rebranded as PrideVMC in 2018. Despite all the name changes, however, the organization has always strived to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ community.

Recently, the group staged a letter-writing campaign to advocate for gender and pronoun options on veterinary school applications.

“It is very important to recognize that there are gender-nonconforming folks that are coming into the profession,” says Whitaker. PrideVMC membership is also increasing and the organization is fortifying its relationship with Pride Student VMC to help create scholarship opportunities and other resources.

PrideVMC is also building a mentorship program. Whitaker says when he was in veterinary school, he had no LGBTQ+ mentors. “There were no queer mentors that I was aware of, so to be able to see that when you’re in school will be incredibly impactful and very powerful," he says.

Whitaker encourages anyone experiencing identity-related discrimination or harassment to reach out. “Contact us. We are here to help,” he says.

Watch the video below to learn more about PrideVMC.

Articles

The long-running organization is partnering with its student-run arm, Pride Student VMC, to create scholarship and mentorship opportunities.

PrideVMC promotes the LGBTQ+ veterinary community 

As seasons change and the uncertainty about the pandemic remains, it's important that we continue to keep you updated on the latest pandemic news and coverage of the veterinary industry.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released a 

 guide that shares the latest research and regulatory updates on cannabis-related pet products

Royal Canin has partnered with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association 

(WSAVA) to support the association's Global Nutrition Committee (GNC), which provides accurate nutritional information and recommendations for veterinary professionals and pet owners.

 Kentucky-based MediVet Biologics, which develops regenerative medicine and oncology solutions for animals, has announced its 

Check out this week's top veterinary headlines.

News wrap-up: This week's headlines, plus registration is open for our second virtual conference 

Established in 2016, Kentucky-based MediVet Biologics, which develops regenerative medicine and oncology solutions for animals, has announced its relaunch with a new look and new name—Ardent Animal Health.

The company’s core mission is to “develop affordable, innovative treatments for animal cancer and disease while supporting its veterinary partners in their efforts to make a positive impact on pet health,” according to a 

 announcing the relaunch. Among the company’s products is an in-clinic adipose regenerative stem cell therapy kit (ActiStem Therapy) for pets suffering from orthopedic disease or injury.

“The name ‘Ardent’ captures the spirit of our organization as a company with fiery passion for innovation guided by compassion for the well-being of animals,” says company President Thomas Masterson. The company’s aim, he says, is to facilitate connections between pet owners seeking advanced care with Ardent’s expanding global network of progressive veterinarians.

“We will continue to focus much of our strategy in creating novel products and services utilized in veterinary hospitals,” say Masterson, “We believe that this approach is key to the future of animal health. It is important not only for value creation, but to ensure veterinarians have the ability to diagnose and treat their patients with the same leading-edge strategies underway in human health. Our animal family members deserve it.”

To learn more about Ardent Animal Health and its’ recent rebranding, 

Under new ownership and leadership, the company reasserts its mission of providing affordable, innovative therapies for canine joint disease and cancer.

MediVet Biologics relaunches as Ardent Animal Health

One of the advantages in my role at MJH Life Sciences is that I get to speak with so many colleagues. I love hearing about the creative ways you are providing excellent client service. As we continue to evolve how we practice veterinary medicine, I want to share a golden “op-paw-tunity” you may be overlooking to improve client relationships, and it’s sitting right in your parking lot. 

While their dog is being evaluated for lameness and arthritis, for example, consider sending push notifications to the client’s smart phone with video content about what causes lameness, and how it is evaluated and treated. Providing this information is known as priming the pet parent, and it increases client loyalty and trust while fostering better decision making. Push notifications are also a great way to send quick reminders to waiting pet parents. “Don’t forget ‘Charlie’s heartworm prevention. Let us know what you need and we can get it ready for you while you are waiting.” Or “check out our online pharmacy while you’re waiting. Remember heartworm disease is year-round both in dogs and cats.” 

Make anxious pet parents as comfortable as possible in their vehicle by bringing them a cup of coffee or tea and having a staff member talk with them while remaining socially distant. Going the extra mile shows that you value your clients as people and not just as another “appointment.”

Consider having waiting pet parents take a survey on their smart phone. What do they like about the practice? What areas need improvement? What additional services would they like your clinic to provide? This type of feedback provides crucial information for you, and most clients will be happy to comply. Send clients snapchats, Instagram stories, or pictures of their pets receiving wags and kisses from your hospital team. 

This not only provides comfort to nervous pet parents, it increases team morale and creates free marketing for your practice when clients share, post, comment, and engage. Share educational content from your practice’s YouTube Channel (if you don’t have one, choose a team leader or marketing firm to help you with one) or from other sources your practice supports. This serves both to educate the client and provide effective distraction. You can even create and share a video from the pet’s perspective showing what the experience is like from curbside to physical exam. 

These next 2 creative ideas may not be possible, depending on your location, weather, availability, etc, but are worth sharing because they showcase the amazing creativity of our profession. One hospital is requesting the help of waiting clients to create a mural of their logo on the side of their hospital. Pet parents receive a paintbrush and a number assigned to the tile(s) they can paint. Another hospital is asking waiting pet parents to plant a bulb in the hospital’s garden on behalf of their family. They then write their name on a tag so when the bulbs bloom, the hospitals can show how wonderfully their hospital has "blossomed.” 

These simple ideas do not cost much but go a long way. Take advantage of the time pet parents are waiting on you to help bond them further to your hospital and create peace of mind during uncertain situations. Keep on innovating. And always remember to take a deep breath…you’ve got this! 

                                                                                                —A

                                                                                                   Chief Veterinary Officer

Podcasts

Maximizing  virtual  client  touchpoints 

National veterinary hospital network PetWell Partners recently announced the additions of Debbie James and Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, to its Board of Directors. Both have extensive backgrounds in multi-site healthcare operations.

James, CEO of multi-site health care company Cranial Technologies, brings more than 25 years of experience working for a wide range of private equity–backed and Fortune 500 companies, according to this 

“With deep experience as an operator in health care in various roles, Debbie will bring expertise and guidance to Petwell Partners,” says company co-founder David Strauss. “She adds strength to our operational capabilities and will help us as we continue to scale our company.”

Cavanaugh’s extensive experience ranges from executive association leadership—he was CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association for 10 years—to private practice ownership to academia.

“He assumed the lead role at AAHA and led many successful programs during his 10-plus years there,” says Strauss. “We are thrilled that he will be sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience by serving our Board.”

The company welcomes Debbie James and Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, whose combined expertise is expected to create more growth opportunities for the hospital chain.

PetWell Partners brings 2 new leaders to its board

Although his professional path wasn’t linear, David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, has paved a legacy for himself as a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. The certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and 

 tells Dr. Adam Christman that, unlike many people in the profession, he didn’t know he wanted to go to veterinary school until college.

Dycus says he always had an interest in orthopedics, mainly because of his personal experience with injuries and surgeries. During his first week of veterinary school, he made the bold move to tell his anatomy professor that he wanted to become a surgeon. “Well, let’s get through the first month of veterinary school first, then we’ll talk about it,” his professor replied.

He did more than just get through his first year. What began as an 8-week research project as part of his residency program turned into a 4-year large research project funded by Nutramax Laboratories. As his career progressed, he’s been able to teach others the complex theories and applications that he’s learned over the years.

Dycus also explains to Christman the importance of shifting the veterinary industry pendulum from retrospective management of osteoarthritis or starting treatment post diagnosis to early recognition and intervention—identifying patients before they present with clinical and radiographic signs.

“With so many dogs affected by osteoarthritis,” he says, “we can certainly make a huge impact on improving their quality of life.”

Listen below to learn more about Dycus’s professional journey, plus learn some exciting details about his soon-to-launch state-of-the-art multi-specialist facility.

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Dr. Adam Christman is joined by orthopedic surgeon David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, who shares the unique evolution of his career in veterinary medicine.

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dvm360 launches online CE center amid pandemic

Registration for second virtual veterinary conference is now open