Some teams are superb; harmonious, efficient and high performing. Others get bogged down by bickering and missed opportunities and suffer poor outcomes, shares Daniel Goleman. What makes the difference? A team’s level of emotional intelligence and a set of emotionally intelligent norms. Source: LinkedIn, July 23, 2025. Link. Dr. Vanessa Druskat on TedX [15:51] … [Read more...]
Use the 30-Second Rule to make a lasting first impression
Making a good first impression implicitly means making yourself look good: who you are, what you do, what you’ve accomplished, writes Jeff Haden, referencing leadership author John Maxwell’s 30-second rule. People feel better and do better when you give them attention, affirmation, and appreciation . . . Maxwell’s goal is simple: Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 4, 2025
This week’s Fast Bites arrived in a new format with reminders of resources for pet services businesses, an announcement of a new webinar to help elevate pet care businesses and the weekly link to the last AHD Bulletin. Registration for The Forum is still open and rooms are available at the convention hotel. Source: IBPSA, August 4, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Observational study analysis of the pet-conversationalist phenomenon
Rather than being a quirky habit, the tendency to converse with pets as if they were human reveals more about our psychological makeup than simple pet devotion. These behaviors indicate a complex set of traits: enhanced empathy, sophisticated communication skills, comfort with vulnerability, effective stress management, creative thinking, self-awareness, and exceptional … [Read more...]
The best defense against rats and leptospirosis is a good trash can
The scene? Urban Boston where One Health researchers sought to better understand the risks from leptospirosis. Rats, being typically asymptomatic carriers of leptospirosis, can be an important source of exposure to humans (and pets) in urban environments. Since the organism is shed in the urine, common methods of exposure include direct contact with rat urine or with … [Read more...]
The ABCs of dog blood work: What the results really mean
It is common when reviewing articles on client feedback for pet owners to express confusion about test results and to indicate veterinary teams sometimes don’t take time to explain the results. In this article from AAHA’s Your Pet, blood work results are explained in the context of helping pet owners understand the numbers, their importance and why doing bloodwork is part of … [Read more...]
Steve Dale. Safety first. Use the leash!
There are at least seven reasons to always keep dogs on a leash in public areas. Steve Dale shares the list and a video to drive home the importance of leash use as a safety measure for pets and people. Consider sharing this piece on social media and in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 28, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Financial strain often shapes horse owners’ veterinary decisions
A University of Kentucky study motivated by frequent references to the challenges of keeping equine practitioners in the profession confirms that financial constraints affect decisions about veterinary care. Nearly 50 percent of respondents reported being able to accommodate unexpected medical expenses of $5,000 or less. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2025. … [Read more...]
Bridging the vet-farrier communication gap
Noting differences in perspectives between farriers and veterinarians, Maclaren Krueger shares the importance of communication, shared experiences and collaborating on a treatment plan before talking with the horse owner. Ultimately, each professional is seeking to do right by the horse and owner, so seeking to improve trust and familiarity is imperative. Source: American … [Read more...]
Beware of blue-tinted pig tissue, an indicator of rodenticide contamination
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife urges hunters to always use caution when harvesting game animals and be aware of potential risks. Wildlife can be inadvertently exposed to rodenticides either by eating rodenticide bait or by eating other animals that have ingested rodenticides. Rodenticide baits often contain dye to identify them as a poison. Blue-colored … [Read more...]
KCAHC’s Kimberly Young featured in Women’s Business Daily
Kimberly Young, President of the world’s largest animal health innovation cluster, KC Animal Health Corridor, is featured in this informative article. She shares the unique professional journey that has helped drive the successes of the KC Animal Health Corridor. The KCAHC will celebrate its 20th anniversary August 25-26, 2025 during the 2025 Animal Health Summit … [Read more...]
CDC ends emergency response to H5N1 bird flu
“As reports of animal infections with avian influenza A virus have declined and no human cases have been reported since February 2025, CDC’s H5N1 emergency bird flu response was deactivated to transition back to regular program activity on July 2, 2025.” Source: CNN, July 7, 2025. Link. Surveillance, readiness and response for influenza, including H5N1 bird flu, will … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 7, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 31, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 31, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Ridiculous to sublime. K-9 preventive wellness mirrors their humans. Link. Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too! Link. Timing BRD vaccines likely improves calf health, performance. Link. 7,000 steps/day is … [Read more...]
AAHA introduces four new Standards of Accreditation
Updates to the AAHA Standards of Accreditation will now address 1) nontherapeutic ear crops, 2) devocalizations and 3) feline declaws. The fourth encourages practice teams to talk to families about microchipping and to verify the chip’s functionality and location annually. Source: AAHA Trends, July 22, 2025. Link. AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary … [Read more...]
Google reviews, ratings may warn of practice decline
Google ratings and review volume offer accessible, real-time insight into customer sentiment, shares Chris Kelly. He presents trends in enterprise practices and notes a shifting focus from aggressive acquisitions toward operational efficiency. Source: Veterinary Advantage, May 2025. Link. While <practice> closures can result from a wide range of operational or … [Read more...]
Love and leadership
And no, it’s not another Coldplay meme. Effective leadership has a direct connection to the degree you enjoy (love) your job. If you want a fulfilling leadership career, you’ve got to love the game you’re playing, shares the author, who asserts “The more you love it, the more it gives back” in this piece. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, June 2025. Link. … if you don’t love … [Read more...]
7,000 steps/day is the new sweet spot
A new study reveals that walking just 7,000 steps per day delivers the biggest gains in longevity. Piling on more may not help much. Source: Super Age, Mindset, July 25, 2025. Link. In a world where health advice often feels complicated, this research offers something refreshingly simple: Walking works. And 7,000 steps a day might just be your longevity sweet spot.” … [Read more...]
Managing and supporting neurodiverse team members
Having neurodiverse minds within a company gives a fresh perspective, a new way of thinking, and, often, a competitive advantage, writes Alex Partridge. While accommodating neurodiversity in the workplace can present some challenges, too many managers and business owners see neurodiversity as a problem, which is pure ignorance built on old-fashioned stigmas and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 28, 2025
Pet food prices easing, dealing with cyberbullying and AI ‘review bombing,’ burnout tips and consequences plus the comedian Drew Lynch is scheduled to entertain at The Forum. Registration is still open for the September 21–23, 2025 event. Source: IBPSA, July 28, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Remind employees to use their FSA benefits
There are 154 days remaining in 2025 so now is a good time to remind employees to check on and use their FSA benefits. Millions of dollars in these accounts are left unused and the money is forfeited at year end. Lee Hafner suggests sending emails, putting posters up in office breakrooms and including FSA and HSA reminders during meetings to keep these benefits top of … [Read more...]
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Dog preventive wellness mirrors that of their humans.
As we spend more on self-care, we spend more on our dogs’ care. Take a limo (what else?) ride with Dug, who, after being abandoned as a puppy, ended up in the life of Reilly. You’ll go from a sound bath to aqua training to deep tissue massage and everything in between. Source: The Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2025. Link. Dug sits upright on the limo’s black Corinthian leather … [Read more...]
Proposition 129: One year later
Join the conversation. Membership not required. It’s time to explore what has transpired since Colorado passed Proposition 19, what lies ahead, and what it ultimately means for veterinary medicine. Source: The Bridge Club. Join the virtual conversation here: Link. … [Read more...]
Counting calories for cats
Includes commercial links Sources have indicated that today’s cat owners are more invested in their cats’ health, including seeking out resources like this article. BtoC content like this does affect pet owner perceptions between clinic visits. Consider sharing this article in newsletters, on social media or directly with specific pet owners to set up the discussions … [Read more...]
13 ways to entertain cats and reduce boredom
Cat owners dedicated to keeping their felines indoors have to work harder to provide environmental enrichment to keep their cats from becoming bored. This article offers some ways to keep cats entertained and mentally stimulated. Share a link in newsletters or on social media. Source: Modern Cat, July 22, 225. Link. Photo compliments of Nancy Woodrow … [Read more...]
It’s National Mutt Day . . . are they really healthier than purebreds?
National Mutt Day is celebrated on July 31st. A mutt is a dog of mixed or unknown breed heritage, and there’s a common belief that mutts are healthier due to hybrid vigor. Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, shares perspectives on the topic in this article. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, July 30, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Buzz off! Deer flies irritate horses and pester riders, too!
Gina Fortunato, MBA, shared a recent horse riding experience with disruptive, biting deer flies that aggravated her horse despite fly shields. She shares her experience and some facts about deer flies, including feedback horse owners offered via social media. Gina (right) and a friend are pictured with their horses. Source: Gina Fortunato, Animal Health Digest, July 28, … [Read more...]
Tight nosebands associated with reduced stride length
Noseband tightness is a welfare concern with equestrians. A new study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Equine Veterinary Science provides an informative perspective of a new issue caused by tight nosebands. The study found that not only do tighter nosebands increase pressure on the nasal bone, but they also cause a significant decrease in stride length when compared to … [Read more...]
“If we wait, we lose.” Screwworm coming for U.S. beef
Fresh on the heels of bird flu, the New World screwworm is rattling Agriculture Department officials and livestock producers more than any threat in 50 years. This is because few believe we’re equipped to handle an outbreak of screwworm. Once eradicated from the U.S., screwworm has returned, similarly as has measles. A natural barrier and sound management practices once kept … [Read more...]
Synthetic bait, insecticide designed to attract adult screwworm flies being deployed
Swormlure-5, created using modern science and built upon previous versions, is a potent synthetic attractant that mimics the scent of open wounds, drawing adult screwworm flies to the bait, where they die, according to Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner, who is quoted in this article. Source: Bovine Practitioner, July 2025, 2025. Link. The attractant only impacts … [Read more...]
Felycin®-CA1 is now available
Felycin®-CA1 is now available by prescription via licensed veterinarians, and PBI-Gordon Companies, Inc. confirms that it has no affiliation with any online companies offering rapamycin (sirolimus) through telehealth consultations. PBI-Gordon Companies, Inc. the parent company of TriviumVet, holds sole conditional approval from the FDA for Felycin®-CA1 (sirolimus … [Read more...]