Complimentary Content Dr. Ivan Zak released the first results of the Burnout Survey, conducted as part of his MBA dissertation. The survey reveals some predictable outcomes, proving that burnout is one of the more important issues negatively affecting the veterinary profession. Zak found a disturbing direct correlation between the age of the respondents and the burnout … [Read more...]
Help for communicating the cost of care
Complimentary Content Pet owners are frequently surprised at the cost of veterinary care. This is partly because veterinary teams are reluctant to proactively discuss the cost of a lifelong commitment to pet ownership. Further, there is a distinct difference between price of care versus cost of care over the life of the pet. Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares how being proactive … [Read more...]
Bricks and clicks; veterinary technology comes of age
Nearly a year before the onslaught of the Covid era, Bob Lester, DVM, wrote, “We are moving from bricks to clicks. Consumers are insisting, and we had better listen.” Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he advocated adopting emerging technologies sooner than later. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2019. Link. Bricks have and will continue to serve a purpose, but bricks … [Read more...]
2 powerful words to empower animal owners
We received overwhelming responses to Kirk Augustine’s opinion post last week. He reflected on what he heard during veterinary tech week and identified a primary impediment blocking the full use of certified veterinary technician skills < link >. He also shared a spoiler alert for the two powerful words referenced here. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Asking “WHAT … [Read more...]
Opening a conversation
If you find yourself starting conversations with, “How are you?,” Bill Murphy, Jr.’s column will help you. Because it turns out there is a solid argument for why choosing a different phrase could subtly improve the ways that other people perceive you. Source: Inc., October 10, 2020. Link. Most of the time, you don't ask "How are you?" because you actually want the other … [Read more...]
Radical empathy part of 5: Other ways to rethink customer experience
Bridget Brennan’s Forbes article dovetails with discussions from the AVMA 2020 Economic Summit Day 1 theme, Transformation through Collaboration. Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., executive vice president of Merck, and president of Merck Animal Health, emphasized “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable” and “listening to the customers’ experiences.” Brennan said innovating your … [Read more...]
Virox® webinar: Recommended operational changes for veterinary practices
Sponsored Content TODAY, Thursday, 22 Oct, 2:00 p.m. EDT: Register here: LINK. Join Virox® Animal Health for a free webinar featuring a panel of four business operations advisors. They will outline human resources, OSHA safety, infectious disease and management changes for the veterinary practice 2020-2021 during Covid. Source: Virox® Animal Health. Link. Topics will … [Read more...]
The secret to talking about yourself
Jim Anderson, PhD, offers tips for sharing your personal story and how you became successful. While his article is focused on a public address, the context fits virtual interactions, as well. Your personal story often comes up when meeting someone new. Having it organized in Anderson’s three parts will help other’s learn about you without sounding like you’re bragging. . . . … [Read more...]
Mr. Rogers reminds us to help people on their journeys
Everything we see in the news in 2020 is scary. It’s like a never-ending horror movie where a two-headed monster — pandemic and pandemonium — roams the earth seeking whom it may devour. The result is anxiety, fear, anger and frustration. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. Fred Rogers’ childhood was defined by the Great Depression and World War II. His mother shared something … [Read more...]
An update on U.S. feral swine disease surveillance
Like a storm cloud on the horizon, 6 million feral hogs create ongoing challenges and disease threats to rural and ruralpolitan areas. Jennifer Shike shares an update from the collaborative feral swine multi-disciplined team’s progress reports. . . . feral swine pose a threat to our domestic herd in several ways, and we are committed to working with our government and industry … [Read more...]
Backyard poultry Salmonella update
Backyard chickens aren’t inherently bad. There’s risk and there’s reward says Scott Weese, DVM. He says disease risk is also an important consideration, so we need to figure out how to reduce risks while maximizing the benefits of pet contact. For chickens, the big risk is Salmonella. The risk of chicken-to-human transmission is very well established, and there are outbreaks … [Read more...]
How to care for senior horses
By age 15, most horses have reached their senior years. They generally live longer than most domestic animals. Their use and lifestyle affects the way they age. A longer lifespan increases the need for enhanced animal health services and screenings as equine patients age to achieve animal health goals. . . “ Source: MWI Animal Health, October 16, 2020. Link. Here are a few of … [Read more...]
The problem with overdiagnosis
David Ramey, DVM, believes that overdiagnosis is a growing problem with horse medicine and it is mentioned more and more frequently in human medicine. Otherwise stated, just because a doctor can make, or try to make a diagnosis, doesn’t mean a diagnosis is always necessary. Review Ramey’s thoughts. Then decide for yourself if, when or how overdiagnosis is a possible customer … [Read more...]
EHD takes half of Minnesota Zoo reindeer
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease recently caused deaths in the Minnesota Zoo’s reindeer herd. Officials say the virus that causes the disease is transmitted between deer by biting midges, or gnats, which are most active in the first frost of the fall. EHD is fatal in deer and it can also affect other hoofed mammals. Source: Fox 9, Apple Valley, MN, September 17, 2020. … [Read more...]
Best dog clippers for professional groomers
Getting pets groomed is often part of holiday planning. For pros, this may mean thinking about updating clippers. The editors at Breeding Business say there is no single best product but several dominate the market for great reasons. They share a look at their top 10. Source: Breeding Business, July 24, 2020. Link. The features that matter most when picking the best dog … [Read more...]
Covid in Animals, Review
Scott Weese, DVM, returns to the Covid-19 discussion. He is focusing on one species at a time starting with cats followed by dogs as below. Source: COVID in Animals Review Part 1: Cats, WormsandGerms Blog, October 15, 2020. Link. Cats are people too when it comes to Covid-19. . . so if a family member is being isolated, isolate the cat too” Source: COVID in Animals Review … [Read more...]
Make Halloween fear free for pets
Part of the fun of Halloween includes frightening images, sounds and sudden movements. While great for most humans, our pets are not as tolerant. Fear Free Pets offers some ideas to reduce anxiety and create a Fear Free Happy Home for pets. The tips are available as PDFs so animal owners can easily try to prevent Halloween howls from their pets. Source: Fear Free Pets. … [Read more...]
Managing password risk in veterinary practices
Sponsored Content Our readership of the data security tips from Clint Latham, JD, indicates how challenging digital security is for animal health pros in the office, on mobile connections and at home. This week Clint offers perspectives on password management. As he explains, the challenges remain, but with some planning, risk can be mitigated. Source: Lucca Veterinary … [Read more...]
Table Talk to provide information about canine genomic testing in veterinary practice
Complimentary content DNA testing options are continuously being developed for dogs and adoption of the technology is on the rise. Veterinarians can now use genomic testing to screen for common, actionable disorders to anticipate health issues and enable preventative care. Join Lindsey Kock, DVM, and Lauren Thorne of Neogen® for a free RACE CE approved Table Talk: … [Read more...]
Petco launches Vital Care Wellness Plan
"Petco's Vital Care Wellness Plan is the latest offering in our mission to improve the lives of pets and pet parents. With Vital Care we are offering critical, everyday services, from nail trims and teeth brushing to vet care, in a way that has never been done before - all in one accessible destination." - Ron Coughlin, Petco CEO. Source: Rural Marketing News, October 12, … [Read more...]
How men can confront other men about sexist behavior
W. Brad Johnson and David G. Smith tackle becoming courageous watchdogs for equity, dignity, respect and fairness in the workplace. They share the essential need for active confrontation of other men for sexism, bias, harassment and all inappropriate behavior. Public allyship, they say, may be the toughest part of male allyship. Allyship is hard work. Excellent allies have … [Read more...]
4 tips to encourage employees to get a flu vaccination
Chaz Hinkle reminds us of the importance of annual influenza vaccinations and the flu’s annual pressure on healthcare facilities and workers. The ongoing coronavirus challenge adds to the importance of getting everyone vaccinated. Source: Human Resource Executive, September 29, 2020. Link. Studies show that getting vaccinated can reduce flu illness, doctors’ visits, missed … [Read more...]
Leadership is often not pretty
Many consider leadership an art and sometimes that art is imperfect. The market changed and you did not see it coming. That new hire turned out to be all style and little substance. Regardless of the specifics, mistakes happen, and Jason Aten’s article may help you manage them. Source: INC, October 10, 2020. Link. One of the most challenging parts (of leadership) is that you … [Read more...]
Impediments to empowerment
OPINION National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened: Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including … [Read more...]
SAD: turn toward the light
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), seasonal depression or winter depression usually starts in the fall when daylight hours decrease and less temperate weather drives us inside. The American Psychiatric Association explains that SAD may arise from a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by fewer hours of daylight and less sunlight, which can shift the biological internal … [Read more...]
Why you’re always late, but it is not your fault
Research shows that 20 percent of the population finds it hard to be punctual. Time seems to work differently for us. We bend time; sometimes it stretches and sometimes it shrinks,” shares Grace Pacie, author and time bender. She writes about how time benders think, fit-in and offers ideas to mitigate the behaviors. Source: Fast Company, October 5, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Take a 2-minute reset before the next meeting
. . . interruptions between tasks, as opposed to within them, are vital to your overall functioning. Research has shown that even brief diversions improve focus. Taking a break, even a quick one, right before a meeting can make it much more productive. Kate Morgan shares the two-minute psychological buffer zone as the ultimate gear-switching tool. It’s a quick, but powerful … [Read more...]
Your pandemic meltdown has an upside if you allow it
If the least inconvenience or someone’s action sent you into an uncharacteristic fit, a bawl fest, a rant or even silence lately, you’ve probably experienced your version of a pandemic meltdown. Yet, meltdowns can have an upside. They let us release tension. Once it’s released, we can think more clearly because we’re not spending the energy to hold things together. The author … [Read more...]
Writing advice for science types and using an editor is important
Scholarly writing has a reputation for obscurity and obfuscation, says Josh Jones, who shares novelist Cormac McCarthy’s editing advice. His straightforward counsel is an invitation for writers of all kinds to remind themselves of the fundamental principles of clear, compelling and communicative prose. Scientific papers also rely heavily on jargon, overly long, … [Read more...]
Dreamer or doer?
Warren Buffett shares four life choices. Common sense, yes. But, to many of us, it is not common practice. That is, until we become believers than the principles work. All you need to do is act on them with positive intent. Source: Inc., September 24, 2020. Link. You will move in the direction of people you associate with. So, it is important to associate with those that are … [Read more...]