Stephanie Davis

The veterinary graduate's final assignment as a student requires research, a meticulously planned budget and the right questions.

As a new associate fresh out of school, it's probably safe to assume you would like to find a practice where "everybody knows your name."

There's a hidden "occupational hazard" new graduates aren't likely to find in any OSHA manual, according to one expert.

At some point early in a new graduate's career, he or she will stumble upon a patient case that's hardly the textbook variety.

Tacoma, Wash.-In an unprecedented ruling, the Washington Court of Appeals has determined how much pain is needed for an animal cruelty conviction.

Columbus-The Ohio Legislature is mulling a bill that, similar to existing agricultural commodity programs, would market the equine profession to the public.

Lexington-In an attempt to assist the profession in handling a delicate issue, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is establishing a veterinary compounding taskforce.

Dr. Tom Mann, Akron, Ohio-based general practitioner, admits to a bit of surprise after reading a letter sent to his colleagues by another general practitioner.

Raleigh, N.C.-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the State Animal Response Team (SART) a $250,000 grant to reproduce its model of animal emergency response in other states.

If Dr. Dennis Feinberg, incoming president of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), was allowed to focus energies on just one demographic during his presidential tenure, he's convinced students would win out.

The equine financial benchmarking tools from the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) are ready to roll.

Pending passage of a congressional bill to ban horse slaughter (H.R. 857), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is lending horse rescue and retirement facilities an official head start on caregiving.

Santa Fe, N.M.-New Mexico veterinarians are busy monitoring two state legislative issues, as chiropractors seek to practice on animals, and animal rights groups attempt to rewrite the regulations for public shelters.

The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OKV-MA) is backing an effort to cash in on income tax refunds.

If students begin curbing all unhealthy spending habits while in school, academic leaders say they can trim the size of their pending student loan repayment substantially upon graduation.

Hanoi, Vietnam-A vacation in Vietnam left Dr. Michele Gaspar, feline practitioner in Flossmoor, Ill., with a longing to return - this time as a visiting veterinarian.

Negotiating for the right deal means understanding the compensation process, seeking out appropriate counsel

Practice managers serve a variety of roles; can help new associates adjust to practice culture; run interference with non-medical problems

Lay "technicians" practicing equine dentistry in Oregon may have to pack their bags, transporting their services to a state where they're welcome.

Little Rock, Ark.-Leaders of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association weren't too pleased with the outcome of a state board of pharmacy hearing late last fall.

Concerned with the absence of industry regulation, independent researchers set out to determine if veterinary supplements are served as advertised.

Lexington, Ky.-In the wake of a reintroduced bill in Congress to ban horse slaughter in the United States, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has reiterated, via a position statement, that the organization is not pro-slaughter.

As part of its far-reaching plan to create a no-kill community, New York City Animal Care and Control (NYCAC&C), the largest animal shelter center nationwide, has debuted technology to increase adoptions and reunite pet owners with lost animals.

To the common equine practitioner, applying ethics in practice might mean something as simple as deciding whether to use supplements or as complicated as knowing when use of compounded drugs crosses a line.

A "surreal" scene captures more than one veterinary account of the wildfires that consumed more than half a million acres and snatched the lives of more than 20 people in Southern California.

Members of the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA)animal welfare and ethics taskforce remain hopeful that their new position statements on such controversial issues as declawing and convenience euthanasia will provide leadership and guidance for the veterinary profession and the public.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has some choice words to contribute to the evolving animal welfare dialogue.

In what's been dubbed the "worst and costliest disaster in California history," merging wildfires scorched more than 800,000 acres and killed 20 people and countless wild animals in late October and early November. Veterinary volunteers and animal care organizations have stretched resources, giving selflessly to save as many four-legged lives as possible, officials report.

As Illinois officials hunt for defrauded investors in the business of the late Randall Travnick, the courts are engaged in administrative details.

Based on the success of a recent initiative, the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) is recruiting students' help to bring more practitioners up to speed on its financial tools.