In this article, My Vet Candy reviews survey results from a paper titled, “U.S. Residents' Self-Reported Access to Veterinary Care and Implications for Care-Seeking Decisions.” The survey of more than 1,100 adults asked what “access to veterinary care” meant. In summary, the results show most people value and respect veterinary professionals, but they often feel shut out and … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2025
Canine sports medicine has a promising future
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation’s new Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency program is generating excitement about specialty training that will benefit any pet with mobility challenges. The program kicked off in July 2025 with residents and mentors at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Colorado State University College … [Read more...]
It is time to communicate about pet holiday safety
Halloween ranks third for holiday candy-related pet claims, behind Christmas and Thanksgiving, according to data from Independence Pet Group. Independence Pet Holdings’ Jennifer Sperry, DVM, shares tips and an informative infographic about pet safety during this spooky season here <Link>. Thanksgiving kicks off the official winter holiday season, which is now under … [Read more...]
The power of your brain
Doctors and educators agree that there may be tangible benefits to training your brain to focus on a meaningful intention. Source: AXIOS, September 29, 2025. Link. Manifesting reinforces constant, disciplined practice, reminding the brain of an intention repeatedly. INSIGHTS: Your brain has the lifelong ability to change. Editor’s note: We envision that AHD Bulletin … [Read more...]
The empathy problem: Balancing emotion in decision-making
Commentary Nearly all of us have moments where emotions influence our choices or cloud our judgments. We were intrigued by the subject line of an email that read, “Your brain is tricking you - here’s how to fight back.” Reading further, we found the discussion of heuristics and current decision-making practices among managers relevant for animal health pros. Researchers … [Read more...]
How to follow up after an interview if you’re still waiting for answers
It’s natural to want updates after a job interview, but phrasing matters, writes Richard Moy. He shares how to follow up after an interview, with tips and examples for different situations. Source: The Muse, March 11, 2025. Link. If you were never given a timeline for the next steps, it’s recommended to wait at least a week before following up. If the interviewer provided a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 27, 2025
From the IBPSA blog: Termageddon is offering IBPSA members a 10 percent discount on website compliance service to manage risk from a growing list of privacy laws <Link>. Gallagher offers IBPSA members affordable, comprehensive health insurance and pharmacy solutions designed specifically for individuals, families, and business owners with options available … [Read more...]
Black cat bias
Black cats face lower adoption rates and higher euthanasia rates at shelters, according to research conducted by Robert Carini, PhD. He says it’s clear that ideas rooted in stereotypes around black cats are strong and enduring. Source: AAHA Trends, June 13, 2025. Link. The study found that “white cats had the most favorable euthanasia and adoption outcomes while brown and … [Read more...]
4 ways to fix ‘tech neck,’ according to a physical therapist
The more you succumb to the default smartphone posture, the more you stretch out the muscles of your neck, making them longer and weaker. Patrick Suarez, OCS, SCS, says the solution is a series of upper back exercises to strengthen, not stretch, the muscles to promote strength and proper alignment. Source: Popular Science, October 18, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Trainer says dog parks are one of the biggest gambles owners take
Complimentary Commercial Content Method K-9’s owner, Stephanie, discusses the risks associated with dog parks. Her warnings about recall, other dogs’ behaviors, bullying and more are worth sharing with pet owners on social media or linked in newsletters. Source: Method K-9, Facebook. Link. Almost every dog in our board and train program has either been bullied or … [Read more...]
Energy medicine for dogs and cats
As alternative ways of supporting animals become more mainstream, a variety of modalities are represented. Barrie Sands, DVM, CVA, HMCT, EMP, reviews therapies that may address physical, emotional and energetic imbalances in the body. Many of the energy modalities include hands-on healing, movement and breathwork that pet owners can learn to do at home. Fans of Cesar Millan … [Read more...]
Reminder: For indoor cats, well-being requires more than physical safety
"Indoor-only cats are often assumed to be the safest, but it is more challenging to meet their needs, impacting their physical and emotional health and resulting in more caregiver concerns about behavior," said Dr. Ilona Rodan, chair of the FelineVMA’s Feline Welfare Committee. The FelineVMA asserts five pillars to support a healthy feline environment that can reduce … [Read more...]
When it comes to horse hay, cost matters but nutrient content matters more (videos)
Bob Coleman, PhD, shares information for forage growers and horse owners in this article and videos. He notes more than 85 percent of horse owners buy their hay but may not understand or check the hay’s digestible energy, crude protein or nonstructural carbohydrates. Source: Paulick Report, April 22, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
4 ways chickens can benefit from pumpkin
As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses <Link>, Ana Hotaling shares the value the various parts of pumpkins provide for chickens. She asserts that pumpkin is considered a superfood. This is a good article to share with backyard chicken owners. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. As a follow-up to last week’s post about feeding pumpkins to horses … [Read more...]
Insects could help turn farm food waste into sustainable livestock feed at industrial scale
Researchers have found a sustainable and large-scale way to turn farm food waste into animal feed using black soldier fly larvae. The researchers found that the larvae grown on food waste with the new, novel bio-conversion unit provided a nutritious, high-quality protein source for livestock feed. Source: DVM 360, October 13, 2025. Link. Unlike the common house fly, the … [Read more...]
First open-source dairy farm ‘digital twin’ unveiled
Amazing new technology lets dairy producers get closer to cows from farther away and it is open-source. Scotland’s Rural College Dairy Research Centre, has unveiled farm-twin, the world’s first open-source Digital Twin platform designed specifically to transform dairy farming. By replicating the physical environment in a digital space, it enables farmers to monitor … [Read more...]
Round crowding pens work better
There is always something to learn or reinforce about the most humane ways to handle cattle. Implementing low-stress handling techniques when working with cattle is important to reduce stress and protect workers. These techniques recognize the cattle’s natural tendencies <Link>. A round crowd pen will work better than a straight crowd pen because, as cattle go around a … [Read more...]
Dry fog a possible alternative for disinfecting supplies entering farms
Veterinary student Lindsey Britton’s research was recognized during the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. Her study looked at dry fogging systems as an alternative disinfection method and demonstrated efficacy in reducing pathogen viability, including Salmonella spp. Two different disinfectants were fogged from a Micro-spray unit and evaluated: a) hypochlorous acid and b) … [Read more...]
FDA grants emergency use authorization for Elanco’s Credelio against New World screwworms in dogs
The FDA's emergency use of Credelio is temporary and only valid while the threat of screwworm remains. This is the first time the FDA has granted such an authorization for treating New World screwworm. Elanco warned that Credelio, part of a drug class called isoxazolines, has been linked to side effects such as tremors and seizures in some dogs. Source: Reuters, October 24, … [Read more...]
BiomEdit awarded $2 million to develop AI model reducing cattle methane emissions
BiomEdit, an animal health biotechnology company, has received nearly $2 million from the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge to develop the Rumen Digital Twin, an artificial intelligence model aimed at reducing methane emissions in cattle while enhancing productivity and welfare. Source: Feed & Grain, October 24, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Chewy Vet Care opens first Miami location
Chewy Vet Care Aventura opened its doors on Friday, October 24th, as the 14th Chewy Vet Care location. Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, shared this about the opening, “We are thrilled to bring Chewy Vet Care to Miami. It is an exciting moment for pet healthcare as more pet parents are embracing a lifestyle where their pets’ well-being is at the center of everything … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 23, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door. Link. AAHA resources complement vet tech support, development. Link. Free book; guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions. Link. What do they value? … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door.
Temple Grandin is synonymous with livestock handling practices and advocacy for neurodivergent individuals. In this fascinating article, Pam Caraway shares a discussion with her about overcoming barriers as a woman in agriculture and her mission to support students' education and careers at her life stage. In the Women in Field video linked in the article, she asserts these … [Read more...]
AAHA resources complement veterinary technician support, development
While National Veterinary Technician Week has ended, the opportunity to involve, develop and use veterinary technicians in practice teams remains every day. Connor Dunwoodie pulled together resources in this article, beginning with the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines and Veterinary Technician Utilization Toolkit. Source: AAHA Trends, October 14, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Pigs, purpose and PTO: Managing Gen Z
Commentary This article is helpful for anyone managing or working with Gen Z individuals. Amanda Reever, DVM, asserts reasons to challenge long-standing leadership norms when it comes to Gen Z. Reever says Gen Z isn’t afraid of hard work, but they expect it to mean something. They bring curiosity, adaptability and digital fluency to <their jobs>, but they also … [Read more...]
Free book offers guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions
Complimentary Content There is no question that animal health pros in all settings are challenged when a pet owner struggles with an aggressive dog or a serious behavior issue that impacts human and animal safety or quality of life. When deciding to euthanize a dangerous animal, pet owners turn to veterinary professionals. It can be hard to find resources or the right words … [Read more...]
Menopause, mindset and medicine: The conversation vet med needed.
Discussing how menopause affects women across veterinary medicine, this Bridge Club TableTalk is an open, revealing, honest, sometimes humorous and compassionate discussion about an often hushed topic. Sharing how it affects veterinary medicine professionals Liz Barton, MA VetMB, MCIPR, FRCVS, brings her experiences, research and helpful resources <Link> to the … [Read more...]
What do they value?
Editor’s note: Whether a sales rep, pet services provider, a retail associate or part of a veterinary clinic team, when a transaction is involved, a sale is taking place. Sales interactions with clients of the practice have much in common with distribution reps calling on it. So, consider these tips for managing those barriers to sales success. Source: Veterinary … [Read more...]
What neuroscience teaches us about reducing phone use
Our brains aren’t well-suited for smartphones. We might not like this reality, but we cannot ignore it. Fixing the issues this causes requires more than minor tweaks. We have to drastically change our relationship to our devices if we hope to control their impact. Source: Cal Newport, October 13, 2025. Link. There are bundles of neurons in your brain associated with your … [Read more...]
Mental health myths that may hold us back
Author Joe Nucci, MA, says trauma is real, but so is the casual misuse of the term and others used in the therapy culture. His article is timely, considering our industry’s mental health challenges and the effects many experience during shorter days. A licensed psychotherapist, he puts mental health misinformation in context in his material. This article shares insights from … [Read more...]