Ron Smith captures the devastation of the recent wildfires that have burned much of the Southern Plains. At a time when green grass should replace hay and rations, cattlemen and farmers are back at winter-like protocols to keep the remaining livestock alive. Source: Beef, March 13, 2017. Fires burned across thousands of acres of rangeland, leaving a blackened landscape for … [Read more...]
Multilingual employees are the best
Speaking a different language changes how one’s brain is structured and how it works. This change can help see situations differently and apply novel solutions to problems. According to the school of thought called linguistic determinism, the structure of language we speak influences how we see the world around us. This implies that those with different language backgrounds … [Read more...]
Ceva becomes Sustaining Sponsor of AHD
Our team at AHD is pleased to announce Ceva has committed to a Sustaining Sponsorship for 2017. You will note that we have exchanged Ceva’s logo for their Double Defense Heartworm Protocol program logo. Double Defense represents Ceva’s approach to fighting the rising incidence of heartworm infection in dogs. The Double Defense approach, which includes using … [Read more...]
The white horses of Camargue
At some time in most animal health pros’ lives, a love of animals is born. It may have been a puppy or kitten, but for some, the horse was their inspiration. For renowned photographer Drew Doggett, a passion for horses developed, particularly with breeds that have overcome difficult circumstances or have an interesting lineage. The horses of Camargue fit that perfectly. We … [Read more...]
Take control of your inner control freak
Our AHD team monitors concerns about stress and depression in the veterinarian community. Stressors are often self-induced or expectation-centric. Cari Romm shares insights on the proverbial, “control freak,” primary controllers and secondary control. Some of you will find this worth the read. Source: Science of Us, March 3, 2017. There are ways to let those take-charge … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken revolution struts onward
Chicken raising is experiencing unprecedented popularity. The backyard-chicken movement is recapturing some of the agricultural legacy lost to golf courses, sprawling estates and business campuses. Source: Pet Product News International, March 2017. The guesstimates of the number of backyard chicken owners in the U.S. is anywhere from 1 million to 10 million households. … [Read more...]
Pet industry supported 1.3 million jobs in 2015
We’ve seen pet spending numbers year after year. Now, a study conducted by George Mason University has examined the total economic impact of the pet industry on the economy. Dr. Terry Clower shared that the industry contributes more than $221 billion to the economy including an impressive $23 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Source: Pet Product News International, … [Read more...]
Spooking is not a natural reaction
“The message we hear is constant and insistent,” write Francesco De Giorgio and José De Giorgio-Schoorl. “‘Why does a horse spook? He spooks because it is the most natural thing for him to do.’ But it is not.” Challenging popular beliefs, the authors describe how those who define themselves as horse people need to be willing to change. Source: Horse Network, March 6, … [Read more...]
Student-run free clinics provide more than care
Students from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine are getting hands-on training while providing veterinary care to pets owned by people in underserved communities. Source: JAVMA, March 15, 2017. Also see: JAVMA, March 15, 2017. Table of Contents … [Read more...]
AQHA offers a team of internships
Animal health pros know the value of internship programs. The AQHA offers three paid internships each summer, spring and fall, plus an international internship each summer. Applications for this summer are due by April 12, 2017. Internships provide college-age professionals with the chance to gain practical experience in a real-life setting. Source: AQHA, February 17, … [Read more...]
Delegate meeting leadership to gain effectiveness
Well-run meetings allow you and your team to clarify issues, set direction and move objectives forward. Yet, meetings are seldom planned or executed well. Paul Axtell says it’s time to rethink whether you should even lead your own meetings. Source: Harvard Business Review, December 23, 2016. Letting other people lead meetings has three key benefits: Development of your … [Read more...]
4 ways to give effective feedback
Receiving feedback is often difficult. Many times, providing feedback is just as difficult. But, without it, we have no idea if we are meeting expectations, are below expectations or exceeding expectations. Most importantly, we need to know if there is opportunity for improvement. The simplest solution to this dilemma is to provide feedback in a way that has a positive impact … [Read more...]
“My door is always open.” Fact or fallacy?
As animal health companies, practices and retailers integrate and grow, leaders must encourage candor. Megan Reitz and John Higgins have studied accessibility, employee dynamics and why employees rarely cross the leader’s office door threshold. They challenge leaders to ask five questions. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 9, 2017. Reitz’ and Higgins’ research suggests … [Read more...]
Pre-op surgical site preparation is critical
Surgical site preparation is one of the more important skills operating room veterinary technicians perform in regard to patient care. Currently, surgical site preparation protocols are not standardized. Thus, veterinary team members should adhere to their practices’ accepted procedures when preparing patients for surgery. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January/February … [Read more...]
Cats are trainable
Sarah Ellis, PhD, says cats can be trained. She is a feline behavior specialist at International Cat Care, an England-based international charity that provides education and training for veterinarians, breeders, cat boarders, rescue workers and cat owners. Training may take a few hours, a day or a few weeks depending on how often owners practice and an individual cat’s … [Read more...]
Top 10 talking points for dog trainers
All areas of dog health and behavior are being studied, which makes it possible to apply scientific insights to the way we train them. As a result, new conversations are taking place among professional dog trainers at conferences and seminars. New discussions arise regularly in the world of dog training. Animal health pros and dog owners need to be involved in them. Source: … [Read more...]
Dr. Blach presents customer service
In the most recent Is My Practice Healthy,? Dr. Blach references focusing on the customer in three different posts. We agree with his assertions. Customer service training, listening or questioning and anticipating customer needs are critical to differentiating your business, territory or company from competitors. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, March 12, 2017. How do you … [Read more...]
Spot and treat goat parasites
Learn through a Q & A about goat parasites as if you were a new goat raiser. Suburban practices and retailers across the country are having similar conversations. Share this with clients via websites, newsletters and blog posts. Source: Hobby Farms, February 15, 2017. It’s helpful to keep health records for each of your goats to track vaccinations, medications and … [Read more...]
Expanding training spaces for Fido
Denise Fenzi shares thoughts and ideas for expanding dog training into new environments. The excerpt from her book reminds readers of the value and additional distractions from simply by changing locations. She says to create controlled distractions for the dog to hold his attention longer than stuff in the environment might. You can order the book if you want. The information … [Read more...]
Equine asthma syndrome review
David Ramey, DVM, reviews the various causes of equine asthma syndrome, a new term to describe airway conditions characterized by inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. Among them: broken wind, heaves, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and IAD (inflammatory air disease). Source: Veterinary Practice News, February 27, 2017. Depending on the clinical signs and … [Read more...]
Horse industry career spotlight: physical therapist specializing in hippotherapy
Animal health pros often receive questions from young persons who desire to get involved in an animal health career. In this article and video, Lisa Harris discusses how she put her love for horses to work in a physical therapy career. Source: Horse Channel, January 27, 2017. Harris sees clients in physical therapy, both children and adults, and uses a variety of treatment … [Read more...]
Cats have to play
Behaviorist Marilyn Krieger reminds us that playing is a lifelong activity for cats. She says playing is intrinsically rewarding. If it wasn’t, cats wouldn’t play. Source: Catster, February 24, 2017. Cats of all ages should be encouraged to play — but always within their limits. Playing is a lifelong activity that teaches skills, promotes health, fights boredom and is fun. … [Read more...]
Grieving for a dog is hard
Cesar Milan discusses the emotions and challenges for losing a canine companion. He shares that the loss of a dog represents multiple losses at the same time. Source: Cesar’s Way, March 8, 2017. The biggest loss is the unconditional love that they give us and which we have earned over their lifetimes. We probably have no relationships — especially not human ones — with such … [Read more...]
Client control is key to optimizing pet health
Joel Parker, DVM, discusses ways to communicate effectively with clients whose inboxes and notices are just as full as our own. He suggests three strategic steps to help plan and execute a good Client Control Program (CCP). Source: Messenger, February 2017, pages 17-18. Follow these steps to put a good CCP in place: Set up your client communication lines Get your … [Read more...]
Don’t give up your parasite prevention sales
Bash Halow, LVT, CVPM, has two reasons for not giving up on selling parasite prevention products: Your products, with the assistance of manufacturer incentives, are nearly always competitively priced. You can be the one-stop shop. Halow adds as a veterinary team, rediscover the value of the products that you sell and understand the value of buying them through your … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the pigs
Collectively, swine veterinarians are helping producers and the swine industry deal with added regulation and transparency issues driven by consumers. But, recent discussions at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual conference included reminders that their primary role is to advocate for the pig and pig caretaker. Source: National Hog Farmer, February 28, … [Read more...]
Avian flu confirmed in breeder flock
USDA and Tyson Foods, Inc. have confirmed avian influenza in a breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Avian influenza is a worldwide problem with current outbreaks across Europe and a disastrous one in South Korea. Source: Watt AgNet, March 6, 2017. On March 5, state and national veterinary authorities announced the appearance of highly pathogenic avian influenza … [Read more...]
Editorial: Musings from WVC 2017
Returning home from the Western Veterinary Conference, I reflected that this year, the WVC was the comfortable veterinary conference. That is, comfortable compared to NAVC, which recently debuted in the vast Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. In past years, WVC seemed to tax our physical and time-management stamina. But, after the marathon hiking required during … [Read more...]
Celebrate the women in our profession
International Women’s Day was celebrated worldwide yesterday. It’s theme, BeBoldForChange, is a reminder of the contributions women make daily to our profession. They’re often the ones leading the charge for change, whether it is research for a breakthrough new vaccine, a simple routine change in a clinic or getting a customer to improve his baby animal care protocols. If you … [Read more...]
Technology is a literal pain in the neck
Many of us walk around with our necks jutting further forward than they should be. It is a consequence of being so tied to smartphones, notebooks, driving and working on computers. Bob Fischer, a personal trainer in Philadelphia, shares his five favorite moves for counteracting the effects of "tech neck." Source: Prevention, January 25, 2017. One study published in the … [Read more...]