Just for fun! Marjorie Wilkinson walks us through an interesting history of horses in videos, including a highly prolific period between 1929 and 1939. Source: Horse Network, July 17, 2017. Enjoy the video clips! … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2017
Why sitting at your computer all day can wipe you out
If you’re conscious, your brain demands your energy and lots of it. Using your brain takes real, honest, physical work — it’s just not visible to us the way using our muscles to exercise is. Source: Science of US, July 19, 2017. Because we’re more likely to get sick after period of heightened mental exertion, too, it’s important to treat mental fatigue with the same care … [Read more...]
Is technology being used counterproductively? (audio program)
In this thought-provoking audio interview, David Allen ( Getting Things Done® ) talks with Dr. Theo Compernolle, a doctor with a 35-year background in medicine, psychiatry, teaching and research. His most recent book is Brain Chains. Source: Getting Things Done®, July 13, 2017. You’ll find this interview to be educational, and perhaps challenging, as you learn that we may … [Read more...]
22 plants you may not know could poison dogs (infographic)
Use this infographic to correctly identify which plants are poisonous to dogs so you know which ones to keep dogs away from. This information will make good content for websites, social media, newsletters and in puppy kits. Source: The Bark, July 20, 2017. A study found that one in 12 pets has eaten poisonous plants, with smaller dogs and puppies being particularly at risk … [Read more...]
Horses and the heat: Fact vs. fiction
The heat across the Midwest has been severe recently. In addition to the challenges to humans, animals suffer, as well. It isn’t only performance and racing horses that are at risk. Serious dehydration and overheating can happen to any horse. Be wary of misinformation out there. Source: Horse Network, July 2015. Never let a hot horse drink all they want, or drink cold … [Read more...]
Coaching: Help other success
Since I was a good salesperson I would work with my reps and close more deals for them. After six months of running ragged closing deals without improving the total district sales, I realized that once again I had misinterpreted the trainer’s advice. For the first time in my life, I began to see the real value of coaching as a skill that helps others succeed. Source: Vet … [Read more...]
Office hugs require etiquette
Workplaces are seeing a rise in hugging culture. Hugging is a social minefield, says Kara Deringer. Context is all-important. Source: BBC News, July 20, 2017. Not everyone's so keen on the idea of hugging. Deborah Wallsmith, an assistant professor of anthropology says that the graduations of hug discomfort depend upon nuances, relationships, and personal … [Read more...]
Great leaders focus on one important thing
We preface our comments reminding animal health pros that in any given interaction any one of us may be the leader. Results come from great teams, and great teams start with a strong coalition. If you know relationships could be your key to getting ahead, but you’re struggling to get them right, read what Joel Garfinkle shares about how coalition building can help you succeed … [Read more...]
Google enters job application management
Google recently debuted its Hire recruiting app for small- to medium-sized businesses. To use Hire, companies will need to be paid subscribers to Google’s G Suite of business apps such as Calendar and Gmail. G Suite customers will have to pay extra to use the Hire app which integrates with a company’s existing Google software. Source: Fortune, July 18, 2017. The Hire app … [Read more...]
Pig’s personalities may play role in welfare
Professor Kristina Horback is an animal-cognition expert with the Department of Animal Science at the University of California-Davis. She is building on her pioneering research that examines the role personality plays in the welfare and sustainable production of farm animals, like cattle, sheep and swine. Her work is driven by new legislative and marketplace demands to raise … [Read more...]
When goals matter
Steve Keating shares solid insight on goal setting for our personal lives. A solid goal-setting process begins by investing serious time considering what is important in your life. That might sound easy but here’s the deal – what is important in your life isn’t what you say it is. It is what you show it is. Source: LeadToday, July 13, 2017. Most people spend on average 40 … [Read more...]
Social media policy guidelines help businesses
People often talk online about how they do business to demonstrate their expertise, often in the spirit of sharing and transparency that customers value. However, if sharing this information isn’t appropriate for your business, a social media policy will help outline what can and cannot be shared. Larry Alton shares three tips for creating a social media policy. Source: … [Read more...]
Proven, free program brings back inactive clients
Churn can approach one-fourth of active clients annually. Normal reasons for churn include moving, pets dying, divorce, owner illnesses and others. An industry funded program, used by more than 1,000 veterinary practices can help bring your inactive clients back. Source: AAHA NEWStat, July 18, 2017. The program, Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) is an alliance of 100+ … [Read more...]
Human noise pollution is disrupting parks and wild places
Human-caused noise has consequences for wildlife, entire ecosystems and people. It reduces the ability to hear natural sounds, which can mean the difference between life and death for many animals, and degrade the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild places. Source: The Conversation, July 17, 2017. Strategies to reduce noise include establishing quiet … [Read more...]
A not-so-quiet problem: noise!
When you remodel your existing location or build a new one, noise management often gets overlooked. Researchers have documented ways that noise and distractions create stress for workers in open offices. One analysis of survey results found nearly 80 percent of workers in open offices cited noise or lack of speech privacy as a reason for being dissatisfied with their work … [Read more...]
7 strange sleeping habits of horses
Horses’ sleeping habits are nothing like our own. We recently posted about dog sleeping habits, so here is some information on horses. Source: Horse Network, July 7, 2017. Horses only sleep for short periods throughout the day or night and their sleep patterns change as they age. … [Read more...]
What these sleeping positions tell owners about their dogs
Fun and thought provoking. There are many attributes in dogs’ sleeping behavior that can indicate their overall mood, health and state of mind. Some of these include the duration of their sleep, movement, frequency and location. One such attribute is the position in which they are sleeping. Source: Pet Pace, July 3, 2017. Sleeping positions and attributes can bring you … [Read more...]
Opinion – Veterinary distribution measured, supply chains challenged
Almost concurrently, I read about AVDA’s survey of veterinary distributors and a supply chain report on Amazon as a competitor, yet partner. The move to online is apparent in both articles and signals how much distributors are at the front line of a changing economy. Direct-to-consumer sales threaten their business models, which previously relied on shipping large amounts of … [Read more...]
All of us need to be in sales (video)
Sales is that five-letter word no one wants to mention. But, John Baldoni makes a case for everyone to consider sales as a reflection of you, your work and your commitment to customers. Source: SmartBrief, July 14, 2017. Re-framing sales then means re-thinking what you do. Very basically, consider sales as everything you do for a client -- service, execution, follow up and … [Read more...]
10 myths about farming to remember when you buy groceries
For those of us not actively engaged in farming and ranching, Jenna Gallegos, a plant biologist, offers important clarifications for pervasive myths about agriculture. Source: Washington Post, July 2, 2017 (paywall). Most farms are corporate-owned. This myth is probably the most pervasive on the list. It is also the furthest off-base. Nearly 99 percent of U.S. farms are … [Read more...]
Poultry Health Today, editors’ picks
The editors of the Zoetis-sponsored publication picked the following topics as news you may have missed: IB called ‘eye of the storm’ for chicken health Medication shortage top issue for US turkey industry 'Old bug' with new name easily mistaken for E. coli peritonitis Source: Poultry Health Today, July 18, 2017. … [Read more...]
Start a meeting right
Too many meetings drag on without participants discussing the real problems that need to be addressed. People talk around the important issues during the meeting and then address them before or after it. This renders the meeting a waste of time and makes you, the meeting organizer, look bad. Combat this risk by explicitly asking that issues be discussed during the meeting, not … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science, August issue quick view
We’ve linked to the table of contents for this research-rich issue. We always scan for papers that seem to be applicable to the more commercial animal health pros. The interpretive summaries and one paper are linked below: Interpretive summaries Short communication: Behavioral evaluation of the analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine in lame dairy cows Source: Journal … [Read more...]
Opinion – Bank ATMs turn 50
The authors have created an innovation-centric overview of the ATM. It is a fun read. I am old enough to remember when ATM transactions were free and ATM networks allowed for free transactions from a machine branded with a bank you did not use. Today, ATM fees range from $2.00 to $5.00, no matter how much cash you receive. The average is about $3.00 per transaction where I … [Read more...]
Rare heartworm surgery saves cat
Vets at UC Davis are claiming a medical first after successfully removing a 13 cm heartworm from a cat’s femoral artery. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-weekly, July 18, 2017. NAVTA’s first post links to the story in Vet Times. … [Read more...]
Gratitude improves response to electronic communication
The speed of today’s communication has been blamed for poor spelling, bad grammar, little to no punctuation and a variety of other communication breakdowns. The sheer volume of emails needing attention can be overwhelming. So, anything that helps get your emails noticed and better responded to is very helpful. Source: Power Social Media, June 2017. Emails that ended in … [Read more...]
Dog writers contest underway
The Dog Writers Association of America announced that sponsors have added 11 new special awards to this year's writing contest and an additional $7,900 in cash prizes that brings the prize tally to $14,000. If you’ve been holding a story, now is the time to put pen to paper. Source: Germinder and Associates, July 10, 2017. The Dog Writers Association of America is the most … [Read more...]
Travel costs to increase next year
As you compile budgets for next year, be aware that travel costs are projected to increase across the board, according to a study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel and the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Travel Association. Source: Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2017 (paywall). In North America, the increases will be more modest, with airfares expected … [Read more...]
New ideas about implanting feedyard heifers
We don’t see a lot about implanting these days. This article features Merck Animal Health nutritionist Marshall Streeter, PhD, as he outlined some of the research conducted in preparation for release of a new heifer implant. Since most implant research has been conducted with from steers, Merck’s new data could improve our understanding of implant use in feedyard … [Read more...]
Livestock protect children from asthma
It is a known fact that microbes on farms protect children from asthma and allergies. But, even non-microbial molecules can have a protective effect. New research from the University of Zurich opens up opportunities for transferring the protective effect of farms to all children. Source: Pork, July 17, 2017. Early childhood contact with animals and the consumption of food … [Read more...]