Keeping industry professionals healthy is the focus of two announcements this month. AAHA just introduced the Healthy Workplace Culture Initiative. A major part of the initiative’s launch is the 20-page “AAHA’s Guide to Veterinary Team Wellbeing,” available at http://bit.ly/2jKCw5i. Additionally, The AVMA announced that Dr. Jen Brandt joined the staff as the association’s … [Read more...]
Cesar and National Dog Week
This week is National Dog Week. Cesar Milan offers some things you can do that dogs will appreciate. It is not too late to post this for customers on social media, websites or even signage. Source: Cesar’s Way, September 24, 2017. Cesar gives five ways to celebrate dogs during this week — and every other week of the year: Let your dog be a dog Stop being so … [Read more...]
Manage anxious horses
The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared: The horse's vision is compromised The horse is in pain The horse's tack doesn't fit The diet is out of whack The … [Read more...]
Dealing with snarky comments
Passive-aggressive comments that mask anger lurking beneath the surface constitute snark. It seems like the world is getting snarkier all the time. But that doesn’t mean you must let those jabs drag you down or stress you. Source: Forbes, September 8, 2017. Everyone has the ability to build bigger mental muscles so they can handle tough circumstances and snarky people in a … [Read more...]
The answer to why
All kinds of things make us happy at work: hitting a goal, getting a promotion, landing a new client, completing a project; the list goes on. But happiness is temporary. The feeling doesn’t last. Nobody walks around energized by the memory of a goal hit 12 months ago. That intensity passes with time. Instead of looking for happiness at work, consider what is fulfilling about … [Read more...]
Let science help you choose good passwords
Passwords are an annoying part of online life, but they aren’t going away. While the password policies of the past decade have caused more user pain than security gain, research is finding ways to create passwords that work for regular people. Source: The Conversation, August 30, 2017. Make your password at least 12 characters, and mix it up with at least two or three … [Read more...]
Help clients understand therapeutic diets
Elisa Jordan writes about discussing therapeutic diets with clients and addressing their benefits, effectiveness, cost and necessity. Emphasizing the medicinal qualities of such diets help pet owners understand exactly what they’re paying for and how they’re actually treating their pets. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 25, 2017. A problem surrounding these diets, … [Read more...]
Pain and P3 remnants
Sixty percent of declawed cats have residual P3 fragments according to a recent study. Back pain, inappropriate elimination, biting, aggression and barbering occurred more often in cats with retained P3 fragments. Only increased biting and inappropriate elimination habits were seen in cats without them. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2017. This study’s findings may … [Read more...]
Personal branding must be your first focus
Many people find it hard to stand out. Personal branding is the key to giving yourself an advantage in your current job and when you search for a new one. Source: Entrepreneur, July 10, 2017. To become a respected intellectual in your field, you have to know what you’re talking about, offer genuine counsel and really mean what you say. Done well, personal branding can walk … [Read more...]
A game plan for the difficult conversation you have been putting off
Carrying an issue without resolution is like carrying debt. You’ll eventually have to pay the principal (by having the difficult conversation), but the longer you wait, the more interest you’ll pay in anxiety and dread. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 12, 2017. Life is full of difficult conversations, particularly if you’re invested in having a great team at work. … [Read more...]
Reboarding existing employees
Robert David makes a strong case for continuous boarding of new and current employees. He discusses the ways technology has changed how we work, but also how employees approach their work and careers. Source: SmartBrief, July 31, 2017. Organizational effectiveness initiatives should be geared toward continuous onboarding of employees, and this is especially the case for … [Read more...]
Rabies is still a public health issue
Despite that rabies continues to be a public health threat, some animal health pros fail to recognize its persistence. Vaccination alone is not the "silver bullet" for continued control of this nearly 100 percent fatal disease. If vaccination is the foundation of rabies control, then animal control is the cornerstone of it. Source: Vetted, April 14, 2017. Since the 1960s … [Read more...]
Strategic errors affect long-term business success
Hugh Latif offers perspectives on strategies and tactics, which are frequently confused. Strategic errors can be fatal because they deal with business direction. Tactical errors are easier to fix, absorb and are less costly than strategic errors. Source: The Globe and Mail, September 5, 2017. Strategy is tied to the overall direction and represents the main highway taken to … [Read more...]
Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases best in nature photography
Take a break from puppy and kitten photos and look at what else nature offers. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition attracted nearly 50,000 entries from 92 countries. Source: The Atlantic, September 14, 2017. The Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, founded in 1965, is an annual showcase of the best in nature photography. Wildlife Photographer of the … [Read more...]
Quarter-by-quarter sales; a vicious, costly cycle
September has been a critical revenue month in animal health for decades. Companies seeking to grow by 10 percent to 15 percent annually race to achieve last year’s revenue numbers by the end of September. If they do, they draw closer to making their growth goal. Data shows that sales reps give better terms to customers who wait until the last minute — with both sides … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Fall equine wellness (includes video)
Zoetis has provided the American Quarter Horse Association with material about preparing horses for the risks of fall season. Annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response. Now that it’s almost fall, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine … [Read more...]
Riding Japan’s Cat Café train
The Japanese have made stationery cat cafes popular and successful. Now a collaboration has the put the concept on the move via a train. The main difference is the train was full of rescue kittens rather than sedentary cats in the cafes. Read about Bill Adler’s experience and consider the possibilities. Source: Atlas Obscura, September 11, 2017. The cat train was a … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
Groom advice, stop feeding horses treats
Megan Withers offers advice to horse owners about feeding too many treats. In her experiences, horse owners train horses to exhibit some bad behaviors by over-treating. This is good content for clients with unruly critters, new horse owners or young people just getting involved in horsemanship. Source: Horse Network, September 9, 2017. When your horse nickers for you as you … [Read more...]
Avoid things that kill or hurt cats
Client education is a continuous challenge in veterinary practice or in a retail environment. Many new pet owners have little or no awareness about common risks. Articles like this that review risks to cats at home make good content for websites, social media posts or new pet kits. Source: Catster, September 5, 2017. The three most common cat injuries are represented by … [Read more...]
AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines revised
The 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines were developed to help support veterinary teams as they determine protocols for each of their patients’ risk factors, life stage, and lifestyle. Published in the September/October edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)—and for the first time, as an online educational resource for the veterinary … [Read more...]
AAHA calls for photos
Need a break from the everyday race? Consider a photo shoot in your practice showing your team using AAHA Press products. Then submit them for consideration in the AAHA Press Catalog. Source: AAHA Red, September 8, 2017. Get creative! Ask one of your favorite reps to help you. The deadline for submissions is September 21, 2017. … [Read more...]
Evaluate and simplify leadership
Ask 100 experts to define leadership and you will get 100 answers. Ask them what constitutes effective leadership you will get 100 answers with 100 different nuances. There is no question that effective leadership is a complex subject with multiple facets. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Here are three steps to evaluate your leadership effectiveness. Source: … [Read more...]
Sleep better when dogs are in the bedroom, not bed
Mayo Clinic research scientists recently conducted a study to determine how sleeping with dogs impacts sleep quality. The findings of this small study indicate those who kept their dogs in their bedroom experienced better sleep, compared to those who didn’t. Those who slept with their pet in bed suffered from lower quality of sleep. Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, … [Read more...]
Engage more clients, retain more clients
Customer engagement and experience management are key value drivers to client retention. Value delivery methods are critical to ensure clients keep your business top of mind. An engagement program with multi-touch messaging and a strategy to drive client loyalty will help create success. Source: MWI Messenger, September 2017, page 9. Client engagement creates loyalty. Equal … [Read more...]
Household cleaning products that are not safe for dogs
As the human-animal bond strengthens, our homes can become risky, especially with cleaning products . Furniture wax, cleaning wipes, even disinfecting sprays are part of the products reviewed in this article. Consider using the information on websites, blogs or in social media posts. New pet owners need this information, as well. Source: Dogster, August 23, 2017. Several … [Read more...]
Help pet owners prepare a disaster plan
Before tropical storms Jose, Katia, or Lee arrive, Pet Sitters International is offering tips for to pet owners so they can prepare for disaster and remember that “no pet left behind” is the best policy to avoid potential injury and death. September is National Preparedness Month. Source: Pet Product News, September 6, 2017. Creating a disaster plan is an important step … [Read more...]
Cat food variety growing rapidly
While kibble remains the mainstay, the cat food category is expanding with new options as manufacturers seek to meet customers’ varied demands. Nutritional science, as well as consumer and feline preferences, drive the trends and appear to be following the trends in dog foods for increased numbers of natural offerings and unique protein sources. Source: Pet Product News, … [Read more...]
Zombie dogs or mangy coyote? (graphic image)
Chicago residents are reporting mangy coyotes as zombie dogs. Sarcoptic mange causes the coyotes to lose hair and develop infections. The infections can degrade their eyesight, which may cause these normally nocturnal animals to become active during the day. Source: Bellevue News-Democrat, August 31, 2017. Police are warning persons that mange is contagious to animals. It … [Read more...]
30 behaviors that make you unstoppable
Benjamin Hardy shares that when you’re unstoppable, you will make sure to get what you want. Everything you need to know is already within you. All you need to do is trust yourself and act. Source: Thrive Global, August 30, 2017. Those who are unstoppable are in their own world. They don’t compete with anyone but themselves. You never know what they will do — only that you … [Read more...]