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Expert Interviews

Moral stress is a huge proponent of compassion fatigue. Jen Brandt, PhD, LISW-S, assistant director of veterinary student affairs at Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about ways veterinarians can relinquish control and beat moral stress.

Panelists B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP, CVPP; Sheilah Robertson, BVMS, PhD, DACVAA, DACAW; Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB; and Bryan T. Torres, DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, survey the difference in osteoarthritis prevalence data between veterinary literature and clinical practice.

Oliver Knesl, BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc, BVSc, MRCVS, director of major accounts for veterinary professional services in the US Companion Animal Division for Zoetis, talks about why fraudulent emotional support animals are becoming more visible.

Creating a Prospective Resume

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Marvin Meinders, DVM, MPVM, veterinary epidemiologist, describes a "prospective" resume and why you should create one.

Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVPP, medical director of TotalBond Veterinary Hospitals and Carolinas Animal Pain Management in Gastonia, North Carolina, explains that changing the culture and awareness of local anesthetics in veterinary medicine will come through several different avenues.

Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, researcher at Duke University's Canine Cognition Center and adjunct professor at North Carolina State University, talks about some of the most interesting findings in current behavioral research.

Jen Brandt, PhD, LISW-S, assistant director of veterinary student affairs at Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses a few ways to foster resilience.

Panelists B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Bryan T. Torres, DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR; Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB; Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP, CVPP; and Sheilah Robertson, BVMS, PhD, DACVAA, DACAW, review different questionnaires available to assess pain in companion animals and the importance of validation of these questionnaires.

Elizabeth B. Strand, PhD, LCSW, director of veterinary social work at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine College of Social Work, says almost all veterinary colleges in the United States have a mental health professional on staff.

W. Preston Stubbs, DVM, DACVS, staff surgeon and owner of Mile High Veterinary Surgical Specialists, expresses that performing efficient orthopedic exams and getting the proper diagnosis hinges a lot on your support staff.

Tracy Dowdy, CVPM, managing director of MRG Consulting and founder of the Relationship Centered Practice Academy, says many veterinarians may feel isolated, but they need to understand that they're not alone.

Panelists B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP, CVPP; Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB; Sheilah Robertson, BVMS, PhD, DACVAA, DACAW; and Bryan T. Torres, DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR, share their views of practical assessment tools to determine pain level in companion animals, including the use of diary, video, and photo documentation to assess quality of life.

Staci Alonso, founder of Noah’s Animal House, talks about the PAWS Act — a federal bill being considered that would recognize pets in protection orders.

Matt Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, staff veterinarian at Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group, advises veterinarians to do their research before buying lasers for their practice.

Steven Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM, associate dean at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about how morbidity and mortality, which is common in human medicine, is different in veterinary medicine.

Kris Bannon, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, veterinary dentist at Veterinary Dentistry & Oral Surgery of New Mexico, LLC., explains another important part of a pet's wellness package—home care.

Jason Sweitzer, RVT, DVM, chief financial officer and board member of Not One More Vet, Inc., explains how to bring out what may be bothering someone in your veterinary practice.

Panelists B. Duncan X. Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DACVS; Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP, CVPP; Bryan T. Torres, DVM, PhD, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR; Sheilah Robertson, BVMS, PhD, DACVAA, DACAW; and Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, outline the importance of early diagnosis of osteoarthritis in companion animals, as well as pet owner education about lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to help with pain management.

Wendy Hauser, DVM, assistant vice president of veterinary relations for Crum + Forster Pet Insurance Group, likes to ask current practice owners about how they use pet health insurance in their veterinary hospitals.

Betsy Charles, DVM, MA, executive director of the Veterinary Leadership Institute, talks about the concept that women need to lead differently than men.