Pet Healthcare Summit focuses on economy, animal welfare and veterinary education

Portland — The economy, animal welfare and veterinary education remained top themes as this year's Pet Healthcare Industry Summit, which was hosted by Banfield, The Pet Hospital.

The summit brought together professional leaders in practice, associations and industry to talk about key trends influencing the veterinary profession. This year's presentations featured:

• Mark Jorgenson, president of U.S. Bank of Kansas City, on customer service;

• Philip Romero, PhD, dean of California State University's College of Business and Economics, offered an economic forecast;

• U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) addressed the state of the U.S. economy and politics;

• Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), delivered an update on AVMA initiatives;

• Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou, executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, talked about activities surrounding the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium;

• Dr. Gregg Takashima, president of the American Animal Hospital Association, addressed the association's new care guidelines;

• Mark Cushing, of Tonkin Torp LLP, led an animal-welfare panel discussion, which included participation from:

-John Snyder, Humane Society of the United States;

-Patti Strand, National Animal Interest Alliance;

-Dr. Gail Golab, American Veterinary Medical Association;

-Dr. Jed Rogers, practitioner in Denver;

-Jan McHugh-Smith, Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.