In this member news edition: Learning platform update: Courses temporarily unavailable; new platform delays 2026 Pet Care Business Excellence Award winners. CONGRATULATIONS! Cybersecurity awareness: recent text and QR scams currently circulating IBPSA Education Committee is seeking about 10 members to help choose the topics and speakers for the 2027 Conference … [Read more...]
Fear Free for felines introductory course for members
Cats have unique needs when it comes to veterinary visits, and understanding how they communicate and respond to handling can make all the difference. October’s member-exclusive course, Fear Free for Felines, introduces considerate handling, touch gradients, rewards, gentle control and practical strategies to help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in feline patients. Details … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club names Susie Crockett as 2027 ICON Award Honoree
Veterinary practice management leader Susie Crockett, BS, CVPM, will receive The Bridge Club’s 2027 ICON Award, becoming the first Certified Veterinary Practice Manager to earn the distinction. The award recognizes her more than 25 years of leadership, mentorship and contributions to the veterinary profession. Source: Animal Health News, October 14, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
AMODIP® (amlodipine besylate tablets) for control of systemic hypertension in cats now available in the U.S.
While off-label use of generic human amlodipine products has been the standard antihypertensive therapy for cats for many years, these medications were not developed with feline patients in mind. Veterinarians and feline caregivers in the U.S. now have a new tool to help manage systemic hypertension in cats. AMODIP® (amlodipine besylate tablets), the first FDA‑approved … [Read more...]
Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 4th -10th
Mental health is closely linked to physical health. The two are equally important. Family, work, romantic relationships and even pet care can contribute to mental health concern. A coworker or superior maybe managing a mental health condition without others knowing. A teammate may be managing a mental health condition others know nothing about. If an opportunity for a … [Read more...]
Cockroach milk proteins churn out an Ig Nobel win
Researchers found that cockroach milk proteins boast more than triple the energy content of dairy milk, winning the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Milk proteins from Diploptera punctata, the Pacific beetle cockroach, have more than three times as much energy as milk proteins from cows Source: Scientist Digest, September 3, 2026. Link. D. punctata, in particular, is one of … [Read more...]
CatsOnly™ opens with CAETA Practice Certification, a first
CatsOnly™ announced October 6th that its flagship location has earned the Certified Peaceful End-of-Life Practice designation from Lap of Love's Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy. A historic milestone for feline healthcare, it is the first practice to open its doors with the CAETA practice certification in place from day one the company said. Source: PR Newswire, … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites, September 28, 2026
In this edition: IBPSA offices will close from October 7th – 9th for staff to attend the CANIS Conference Save your records before the migration to GZLearn; learning management system Cybersecurity awareness: a quick refresher on what email scams are currently circulating and how to protect yourself Thank you to the sponsors who are generously underwriting this … [Read more...]
Scientists want your photos of wildlife eating lunch
Feedback tells us you enjoy the photos of the year contest results we post <Link>. Here is a chance to contribute your own photos.weerwe A citizen science project called Who Eats Whom is using crowdsourcing to grow a repository of wildlife photos. Ideally, they will inform conservation efforts in species interactions and adaptation. With a platform like Who Eats Whom, … [Read more...]
No avocado toast for your rabbit, bird, horse, sheep, goat or cow
If avocados are so good for people, are they good for pets? The short answer: it depends very much on the species, and for some animals the answer is a definite no. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, explains why in this blog post. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, September 30, 2026. Link. In addition to persin toxicity, the high fat content of avocado can cause … [Read more...]
Laser play for cats: fun or hidden danger?
Laser pointers aren’t inherently bad, but they require careful use. They tap into a cat’s natural hunting instincts but there are some safety concerns to consider: physical and psychological. The key is moderation and proper technique. The authors recommend interactive toys to provide similar exercise and mental stimulation while allowing cats to complete their hunting … [Read more...]
Horse feeding mistakes to avoid
Many horse owners unwittingly follow feeding practices that can make horses more susceptible to gastrointestinal distress and abdominal pain. Cynthia McFarland outlines eight common horse feeding mistakes owners should avoid. This is a good article to share in newsletters and social media as a reminder to help owners avoid colic risks, choke and keeping up with dental … [Read more...]
Don’t trust your nose around manure gases
Research in deep-pit swine and beef facilities has documented rapid increases in hydrogen sulfide during agitation, especially when ventilation is inadequate. Sharing this article may save the life of a client, neighbor or someone in your community. Remind farmers and manure applicators that manure storage can create one of the most dangerous storage atmospheres on a farm, … [Read more...]
Fetch pet insurance launches Fetch Online Vet powered by Vetster with no out-of-pocket costs or claims to file
Complimentary Fetch Pet Insurance announced the launch of Fetch Online Vet powered by Vetster on September 29th. The service gives Fetch Pet members a first-of-its-kind virtual veterinary care experience. Available exclusively for Fetch Pet members directly through the app, this new vet experience is included at no additional cost, allowing members to connect with veterinary … [Read more...]
Enter the Trends Teams@Work Photo Contest by October 15th
The Trends annual Teams@Work Photo Contest celebrates veterinary teams in honor of National Veterinary Technician Week. Send your best photos of veterinary teams working in the practice by October 15, 2026. Note the updated rules for 2026. Source: AAHA Trends, September 25, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Registration open for Week of WILMAH virtual event
Join Women in Leadership and Management in Animal Health for a virtual event to invest in personal and professional growth without travel or committing to an entire day online. Sessions run from 12:00 to 1:30 EST November 2nd to 6th. Each day is a different theme: Key connections, Personal brand, Leadership, Career growth, Well-being. Source: WILMAH, September 29, 2026. … [Read more...]
CareCredit and Vetspire modernize veterinary payments with AI-enabled practice solutions
CareCredit’s embedded financing, combined with Vetspire’s AI-enabled practice technology, helps veterinary teams streamline operations, improve client engagement and support timely pet care. Source: Synchrony, September 30, 2026. Link. Key Highlights: Embedded financing from CareCredit: Real-time financing offers now integrated directly into the Vetspire workflow. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 1, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 24, 2026. Link. Most read posts from September 24th AHD Bulletin – Why job hopping is surging among Gen Zers. Link. Community outreach “stuffy style” Link. Malone: Role reversal. Link. BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. Link. FFA: Growing the future. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
New Age Pet partners with Dr. Jan Pol on collection of dog, cat, bird products
Complimentary New Age Pet has partnered with the Dr. Pol brand to develop and launch new innovative pet products that combine the trusted veterinary expertise with thoughtful, pet-centric design. Five new products were developed with Dr. Jan Pol’s practical, no-nonsense approach to animal care and New Age Pet’s commitment to safe, durable and stylish products for … [Read more...]
USDA announces actions marking new era of companion animal welfare
Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, held a Strikeforce roundtable with federal agency partners on September 21, where she announced actions to usher in a new era of companion animal oversight under the leadership of the current administration. Strikeforce meeting objectives will continue to build and develop policies to protect our nation’s animals, … [Read more...]
World Rabies Day theme is: Stronger Together
September 28th is World Rabies Day for 2026. It reinforces the importance of a One Health approach, recognizing the connection between human, animal, and environmental health. Rabies elimination strategies rely heavily on working together for dog vaccination campaigns, community education, and rapid response to potential exposures. Source: World Health Organization, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Pet Care Pro – September 2026
Highlights in this edition: How to weather disruptions in pet care services. Link. Survey request: Essential Oils in Pet Care: Survey deadline is October 5th Resource: Glossary of health care and health insurance terms <Link> Series continues: The Pet Industry Leaderboard: Benchmarks and Actionable Business Strategies. FREE for IBPSA Members, PocketSuite … [Read more...]
Free webinar: The Emotional Side of Behavior
Complimentary Join PACCC on Tuesday, September 29th, for The Emotional Side of Behavior with Jamie Engerdahl, CPACP, FFCP, owner of Kinder Canine Coaching and former PACCC board member. She will explore how understanding a dog's emotions can help pet care professionals respond with care and build trust. Get a practical look at recognizing fear, stress and anxiety, and how we … [Read more...]
FFA: Growing the future
Modern FFA programs are framing agriculture in familiar urban and suburban environments, writes Kristy Meyer. Students learn that agricultural careers can exist in stadiums, parks, school districts, golf courses, universities and professional sports facilities, in addition to traditional farm and ranch settings. Source: AgriLife, October 2026. Link. Leadership in FFA does … [Read more...]
BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. From mode of action to impact.
Discover how enzymes interact with specific substrates, how conditions within the digestive system influence their activity, and how differences between animals, diets and production systems can shape their impact during this Novonesis webinar at 4:00 p.m. CDT on September 30th. (Check your time zone against Copenhagen time.) How enzymes work and why substrate specificity … [Read more...]
Cat owners asked to complete hairball survey
This survey request is an opportunity to communicate with cat owners without promoting in-clinic visits or preventative health topics. Simply share it with your cat owner contacts. Source: Worms and Germs, September 23, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Fall foresight: Seasonal preventive horse care
Nancy S. Loving, DVM, urges horse owners to prepare for cooler days ahead. She reviews steps to prepare the barn and meet horses’ needs before the weather turns bad. This includes completing a preventive care checklist that covers vaccines, worming, body condition scoring and hoof care. Commentary Nearly every animal owner study we see identifies communication from … [Read more...]
Names in the news
IDEXX Laboratories has acquired veterinary AI software company CoVet. Link. Patterson Veterinary launches Atlas AI assistant for practices. Link. Girl Scouts of the USA adds Patch Pals™ for dogs to cookie lineup. Link. The Farmer's Dog® becomes the NFL’s first Official Pet Food Partner. Link. Instinct Science announces Attending, a first-of-its-kind clinical AI … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 24, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 17, 2026. Link.a Most read posts from September 17th AHD Bulletin – Malone: Leadership’s dark side. Link. Stop saying SORRY for who you are. Link. High school science students introduced to Fear Free. Link. Cat health care and deworming barn cats. Link. Credentials got you into the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 14, 2026
This week’s FastBites provides updates for members including: Upcoming October launch of a new Learning Management System called GZLearn. Gallagher's insurance concierge services for U.S. members Ticket reminder for the IBBY Award Celebration at the CANIS Conference Source: IBPSA, September 14, 2026. Link. Survey results from Suburu-commissioned Talker Research … [Read more...]