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After being sprayed in the face by a skunk, one Jack Russell Terrier developed a life-threatening blood issue. 

Skunk encounter creates rare near-death experience 

Annika VanNoy, PhD, joins this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast to discuss mental health in the veterinary profession

Healing the healers: Mental health in the veterinary profession

Bond Vet Launches New Position: Area Lead Nurse

Here is how veterinary teams can help clients honor the cherished memories of their beloved pets and find comfort after pets cross the Rainbow Bridge

Honoring beloved pets on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Check out the latest news in the veterinary industry with these 5 recent position promotions

Paws and profits: New veterinary industry appointments 

The investment includes funding for high-priority research initiatives on zoonotic infectious diseases, vaccines, animal welfare, and more

USDA announces $17.6 million investment to protect livestock welfare and fund research 

This year’s theme will focus on the impact veterinary technicians have on more than just clients and patients

NAVTA announces 2024 theme of National Veterinary Technician Week 

Atlantic Veterinary College is investigating the use of a commonly prescribed children’s medication to treat these cardiac tumor canine patients  

Veterinary college launches clinical trial to treat cardiac tumors in dogs

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I received a copy of this first issue of your magazine. Thank you very much. I read it cover to cover and found lots of useful information in it. I plan to have each staff member read it also.

Respecting a client's wishes

Three veterinary hospitals have been named grand prize winners in dvm360’s 2024 Hospital Design 360 Competition. These newly built or recently renovated facilities were each named Hospital of the Year, in 3 structure size categories, and 7 more hospitals are receiving merit awards. All winners are being recognized for the quality and uniqueness of their layouts, décor, and amenities as well as spaces that serve staff, clients and patients well.

The 3 grand prize winners will be presented with their awards Sunday, August 25, 2024, with a celebratory luncheon during the 

, Missouri. Selected by a panel of judges, the 2024 Hospital of the Year honorees are as follows:

: Blue Cross Animal Clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico

: Habitat Veterinary Hospital in Boise, Idaho

: The Vet Vision Center in Lambertville, New Jersey

“With the highest number of submissions this year, these 3 winners did a fantastic job showcasing their outstanding veterinary hospital designs, setting a new benchmark for excellence in our profession,” Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360, said. “Their arduous work, dedication and passion for innovation are celebrated in each of these outstanding hospitals.”

The celebratory event in Kansas City will also feature a panel discussion with the winning practice owners, as well as an architect and design expert. These scheduled speakers include Christman; Ashlee Andrews, DVM, owner, Blue Cross Animal Clinic; Sohaila Maleki, chief visionary officer and founding partner, Habitat Veterinary Hospital; Reed Linenberger, DVM, chief financial officer and partner, Habitat Veterinary Hospital; Shelby Reinstein, DVM, MS, DACVO, owner and founder, The Vet Vision Center; and Becky Gasser, NCARB, director of design and partner, BDA Architecture, PC.

In an interview with dvm360, Maleki and Linenberger spoke about the significance of Habitat Veterinary Hospital’s being selected a grand prize winner. “It means a lot, actually, because we put so much thought and energy and all the things that we've learned through the years together to create this beautiful space. To be recognized for that is really, really special to us,” Maleki said.

“I think it also helps us in our grand vision… veterinary medicine is changing a lot, and we feel very appreciated that [dvm360 is] recognizing us as a smaller hospital,” Linenberger added.

Although the competition brings attention to the winning hospitals, Reinstein said the program also helps bring awareness to designers and the work they do for hospitals. “Veterinary medicine is coming into a new age, where it matters what your hospital looks like. It matters what it does. All of it matters,” she said.

In addition to the grand prize winners, the competition judges recognized the following Merit Award recipients:

Partners Animal Hospital West Loop in Chicago, Illinois

Red Barn Animal Hospital in Gilberts, Illinois

All Creatures Great and Small in Downers Grove, Illinois

dvm360’s John Hydrusko, vice president, sales, MJH Life Sciences, congratulated all of the competition winners in a statement. “We are honored to add these incredible clinics into our Hospital Design winner's circle. Creating a beautiful workspace for employees, the clients and pets they service is a true testament to exceptional veterinary care,” he said.

Abi Bautista-Alejandre, assistant editor, contributed to this article.

Grand prize winners were named Hospital of the Year in 3 size categories, and 7 additional facilities receive the Merit Award 

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dvm360 announces 2024 Hospital Design 360 Competition winners

Companion Animal End-of-Life Doulas (CADs) are professionally trained individuals meant to provide nonmedicinal, nonjudgmental emotional support and comfort to a dying animal and their caregivers. Ken Gorczyca, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, an in-home euthanasia practitioner in San Francisco, California, and veterinary facilitator for the University of Vermont (UVM) Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Training Program, recently spoke at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Austin, Texas, about the emerging role of CADs. He shared core principles, methods, and strategies for CADs, and how to integrate them into existing veterinary practices, citing real-life examples from current CADs.

“I really believe that many of us in the veterinary profession, especially end-of-life practitioners, already are playing the role of death doula,” Gorczyca said during his presentation.

 “I don’t think we knew that term.”

The practice can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where the word “doula” was used to describe women who assisted throughout pregnancy and childbirth.2 Doulas, not to be confused with obstetricians or midwives whom they often work alongside, are not medical professionals, but are meant to provide guidance and emotional support.

 Today, the term has extended to apply to those professionally trained to provide similar emotional support at the end of life. In recent years, they’ve become increasingly more common in the veterinary field, according to Gorczyca.

CADs accept that birth, death, and grief are natural and expected in life. Their goal is to serve the family, and the animal, as companions, focused on calming, soothing, comforting, and supporting, rather than trying to cure or treat the animal. Among other things, CADs can educate and empower clients in their decision making, support animal comfort and home safety, provide advice regarding care plans, make referrals to additional support services, aid in grieving, and even serve as a stand-in during euthanasia if the owner cannot, or does not want to, be present. In a nonmedicinal support role, CADs should respect the boundaries of veterinary medical professionals, refrain from engaging in clinical tasks, and avoid medical advice or influence.

“The veterinary community and the pet doula work actually do merge at the end of life,” Gorczyca said, regarding why veterinary practices should consider implementing CADs.

 "I think, a lot of time, it’s the veterinary technician [or] the veterinary front staff that are dealing with clients at this level. Maybe it would be helpful to our practices to have someone take on that role… some people really are empowered to help in this moment.”

Gorczyca encouraged practices to designate 1 or more staff members as end-of-life navigators or pet death doulas. Practices should create a dedicated, sacred space for euthanasia, explain their euthanasia process on their website, and consider working with private death doulas for clients requiring more advocacy and assistance, he noted. These steps help to acknowledge the significance and sacredness of end-of-life care.

“I think that, just like in society where we don’t really deal with death very well, the profession doesn’t necessarily deal with it well either,” Gorczyca said. “We’re starting to get there, and I really want to empower each of you to be better to help the clients at the end of life.”

In 2024, Gorczyca worked with UVM to develop the 6-week online CAD training program, which covers essential skills, compassionate, hospice, and palliative care, as well as post-death options. More than 500 individuals have already received their certificates from the UVM course. The University of New England recently launched a similar online course.

For further resources, Gorczyca recommended the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), both of which offer supplementary course material on CADs. Organizations like The Death Wives, International Doula Life Movement, DoulaGivers, and the Center for Sacred Deathcare also provide death doula training programs.

To conclude his presentation, Gorczyca announced the Vet Death Doula Café, a private Facebook group for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other veterinary staff with interest in becoming CADs. He invited others to join the group and share experiences, gain insights into the emerging world of CADs, and connect with other like-minded veterinary professionals. Please contact Gorczyca at vetdoula@gmail.com to receive an invitation to the Vet Death Doula Cafe. 

Gorczyca K. The Emerging Role of the Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula (CAD). Presented at: American Veterinary Medical Association Convention; Austin, TX; June 22, 2024.

Dukehart C. Doulas: Exploring a tradition of support. National Public Radio. July 14, 2011. Accessed August 12, 2024. 

https://www.npr.org/sections/babyproject/2011/07/14/137827923/doulas-exploring-a-tradition-of-support

Ken Gorczyca, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, shared insight into the increase of death doulas in the veterinary field, at the 2024 AVMA Convention.

Clinical

The companion animal end-of-life doula

Twenty-eight veterinary management professions recently earned the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). The CVPM credential is recognized and respected by practice leaders and others in the veterinary industry, according to the association

The VHMA provides training, education, and resources to more than 5000 members and serves as a trusted resource that the veterinary sector relies on for industry insights, research, and advocacy to assure performance at the highest levels. VHMA's core purpose is to advance and support veterinary practice management professionals by developing professional competence, supporting, and encouraging standards through the industry's highest-level certification program, the CVPM

 and providing individuals with a network for professional connection and support.

The association's voluntary CVPM credential is recognized as a sign of professional achievement and excellence and is awarded to those who demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to manage the ever-changing operations of today's veterinary practices successfully. Applicants are tested rigorously on relevant management knowledge in human resources, law and ethics, marketing, organization of the practice, and finance.

The CVPM exam is offered electronically across North America to registered candidates

Before sitting for the exam, applicants meet practice management experience requirements and must demonstrate that they have earned sufficient formal education and continuing education credits.

The April 2024 class includesSara Aho, Michelle Lynn Beck, Gail Bigelow, Shantell Bogedain, Crish Bowles, Lauri Brown, Jordanne Day, Shirley Devera-Caldwell, Kathy Diesen, Amanda Marie Durden, Tina Dziewior, Mei-Ling Flesch, Sarah Jackson, and Carma Jeanette Johnson. Also, receiving the CVPM credential are Annemarie Jones, Connie Lovello, Vonnie Meraz, JoAnna Miller, Kelley Molitor, Sara Nunimaker, Jennifer Reynolds, Chartia Robinson, Rachelle Romano, Rex Salzsieder, Sarah Small, Esteban Sotomayor, Carly Taft, and Jessica Wright.

Veterinary practice managers earn prestigious CVPM designation. News release. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. April 25, 2024. [email]

Roles

VHMA awards CVPM credential to 28 practice managers

The Innovator of the Month series, sponsored by Chewy Health, spotlights veterinary professionals who are driving positive change and inspiring their peers. By recognizing outstanding clinicians, technicians, and paraprofessionals, Chewy aims to highlight impactful initiatives and promote a brighter future for veterinary medicine.

With veterinary dentistry becoming an increasingly integral aspect of primary practice, the need for world-class education and mentoring is more important than ever. Mary Berg, BS, RVT, LATG, VTS (Dentistry), founded Beyond the Crown with a mission to improve the confidence of veterinary teams to deliver outstanding dental care and ultimately better serve their patients and clients. Berg is the Chewy Innovator of the Month (and 2024 VMX Technician of the Year), because her efforts go beyond education. She strives to make a profound, lasting impact on the quality of veterinary dental care throughout the industry. The 

® editorial staff caught up with Berg for an interview to hear how she wound up at the forefront of dental education.

Note: The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

dvm360: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work with Beyond the Crown?

: I'm a registered veterinary technician and a veterinary technician specialist in dentistry. I live in Lawrence, Kansas, and have been in the field for over 31 years. All of that time has been in dentistry in one way or another. 12 years ago, I started my full-time business, Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education, which helps educate veterinary technicians and veterinarian teams on proper dental procedures. We do this through videos, in-clinic training, and other resources available for the teams.

dvm360: Was there a pivotal moment that led you to start Beyond the Crown?

: My background started in veterinary dental research, working on companion animal products for the oral cavity for about 13 years. Then, I moved to practice for seven years as a dental technician and practice manager. During that time, I did some in-clinic trainings and found that I loved it. I enjoyed working with teams and helping them better understand dentistry. Despite my fears, I had multiple people encourage me to pursue this full-time. The pivotal moment came at the Western Veterinary Conference 12 years ago, after a particularly tough week at the practice, when I decided to start Beyond the Crown full-time. The response I got was overwhelmingly positive, with many people saying I should have done this years ago.

dvm360: Which aspect of your work do you enjoy the most: hands-on practice or teaching?

: I enjoy getting my hands dirty; there's nothing more rewarding than taking a nasty oral cavity and making it healthy again. I miss working with clients and talking to them. That was one area I really enjoyed in practice. However, now I have a bigger impact by helping thousands of animals get better oral care through training and educating veterinary teams. It was a no-brainer to start working with teams to get more patients better oral care.

dvm360: What does success look like for you in your work with Beyond the Crown?

: Success for me is a combination of things. It's not about the money but the impact I have. For instance, a smaller corporate group I worked with increased their dental revenue by over 32% after my training. Hearing feedback from people at conferences who tell me how much I've helped them is incredibly gratifying. Additionally, being called back to the same practice to train new members and fine-tune their skills due to the high turnover in veterinary medicine is a mark of success. I'm there for them, whether it's in-clinic training, discussing equipment, or handling specific situations.

dvm360: How do you see mentorship fitting into dental education?

: Everything I do right now is mentoring, even if I haven't officially labeled it as such. When I work with teams to help them understand procedures and their importance, that's mentoring. At conferences, having people come up to me and say I've inspired them or been their mentor, even if I don't know them personally, is very rewarding. Mentoring plays a significant role in my organization.

dvm360: Can you share a success story from your work?

: One of the most gratifying stories is from working with a smaller corporate group. After my initial training, they saw a significant increase in their dental revenue. The feedback from teams and seeing the improvements they make is incredibly rewarding. Being able to return to practices to train new members and refine existing practices is also a testament to the ongoing success and impact of my work.

dvm360: How has the reception been to your training and educational programs?

How this driven technician made an impact on the profession with her educational venture, Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education, which aims to improve dental practices in veterinary medicine.

Barbara C. McCullough

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