Cybersecurity training is rapidly becoming as important as safety training for businesses and their employees. Teaching new hires why cybersecurity policies exist is important, as is showing them how to correctly complete procedures. Making sure both ‘why’ and ‘how’ are understood helps increase the likelihood your company policies will be followed. The world of security … [Read more...]
Legal ramifications of lay persons providing veterinary advice online
Animal owners frequently seek solutions for their horses and pets online. Some lay people are exposing themselves to liability by giving advice as if they are veterinarians. It happens all the time in chat rooms, Facebook groups and various internet venues. If a layperson is giving information about a specific condition, they’re diagnosing. That’s practicing without a license, … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – December 20, 2021
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council turns 50, a new IBPSA member platform, small business trends, considerations for managed security service providers and more. . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, December 20, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
STOP being nice at work. Kindness trumps nice.
Nice and kind are not the same thing, writes Kelly D. Parker. Though similar, kindness is the clear front runner, with the power to motivate teams, boost productivity and foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent. She shares three reasons to ditch nice in exchange for kind: Niceness breeds uncertainty Nice people want to be liked Niceness slows … [Read more...]
Getting stuff done when you’re feeling down
If you’re depressed, your number-1 job is to look after yourself. Productivity is secondary to your mental health, says Alice Boyes. However, learning how to be productive when you’re feeling down can help with depression recovery. Source: Harvard Business Review, October 20, 2021. Link. Summary. When people are depressed their energy, activity, and mood levels decrease … [Read more...]
Iowa State University to test teaching with telehealth technology
A USDA grant allows veterinarians at Iowa State’s Swine Medicine Education Center to partner with precision farming company Dystinct and the VetNOW veterinary telehealth platform to test the learning platform. The partnership proved the concept works as students learned how to draw blood from a pig while being taught from a veterinarian using telehealth technology. Source: … [Read more...]
Best of Pat Malone 2021
Pat Malone’s posts consistently rank near the top of those you read each week. Here are this year’s most popular. Spoiler alert. They’re as relevant in 2022 as they were in 2021. Source: Animal Health Digest. 2021. updated 12/23/2021 Top 10 most-read posts from Patrick T. Malone: Be interested. Link. Communicating without words. Link. Complex … [Read more...]
University of Missouri, Jefferson College enabling veterinary technician education
The University of Missouri has partnered with Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri, to create a new transfer agreement for veterinary technology students. The objective is to help meet the country’s growing demand for veterinary technicians, The ‘two plus two’ agreement allows undergraduate students who earn a two-year associate degree in veterinary technology at … [Read more...]
5 retention strategies for combatting the Great Resignation
OPINION Retention has not been a common term in the employment marketplace and only occasionally considered in customer strategies in recent years. Peter Corless says, “It is imperative that we get creative with retention strategies and cater to the needs and wants of today’s workforce.” Organizations need to shift from a work-life mindset to a life-work mindset and place … [Read more...]
Why Doc Lunsford and his orange slices define Christmas
Every now and then someone or something bestows upon us the real meaning of Christmas. AHD contributor Jim Whitt shares his annual post about Doc Lunsford’s generosity, unconditional acceptance and the most difficult gift to share. Source: Purpose Unlimited, Link. Doc could never repay my parents for the kindness they showed him – at least not financially. But I could never … [Read more...]
“Farmers thrive when their animals thrive.”
That’s what fourth-generation, Iowa dairy farmer and TikTok sensation Dan Venteicher said in a recent conversation with Kristen Peck, chief executive officer at Zoetis. The pair talked about the importance of taking care of the cows so they produce more milk and remain healthy. Venteicher also shared the reality of using technology and data to help care for and in this case, … [Read more...]
Winners announced: the Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
Zoe Ross was named the overall winner with her shot of little Pepper, the puppy in 'Whizz Pop!’. The Comedy Pet Photo Awards seeks to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.” Source: Comedy Pet Photo Awards, December 10, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: See all the finalists at … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 16, 2021
Last week’s most read post Toxic positivity. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 9, 2021. Link. AHD posts one year ago Archives for December 2020, Animal Health Digest. Link. Zoonotic infection from household aquarium Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2021. Link. Scott Weese, DVM, reminds us to use some … [Read more...]
Characterization of overgrown toes in sow breeding herds
Overgrown toes, often called digital overgrowth, can be a challenge for commercial sow breeding herds. The condition can contribute to increased locomotion challenges and reduced sow performance in the herd. Breeding sow herd lameness is a major contributor to mortality challenges, feet and leg conformation and lameness. Feet and leg structure rank right behind … [Read more...]
Dry cow rest may equal more live calves
The old method of putting cows into a dry pen and forgetting them is being debunked by research. Getting cows started off right in the dry period, keeping them healthy and ending it fully rested means more calves, more milk and happier dairy persons. Research from Ohio State University shows improving the factors that encourage close-up cows and heifers to lie down and rest … [Read more...]
Keeping horses warm and healthy this winter
Christine Barakat’s article is focused on older horses, avoiding chills and checking blankets daily. Considering the U.S. weather to date, chilling from sweating under a blanket is as likely as chilling from the cold. Wide temperature swings are hard on all animals living outside. With all the wind likely to arrive with winter, keeping water fresh and free of debris is … [Read more...]
Fat leg disease or edema?
It is not uncommon to see horses swell with subcutaneous edema. It happens most frequently in the hind legs and resolves when the horse begins exercising again. Alternatively, swelling can be a bacterial infection and indicate a different condition with several potential causes. Regardless of the exact cause, the swelling will be extreme, hot and very painful to the touch, … [Read more...]
Is your cat happy? There’s an app for that.
For those who like to take photos of their cats, there’s a new reason to do so. Sylster.ai, a Calgary, Alberta, Canada, animal health technology company, developed an app calledTably that uses a phone’s camera to determine whether a cat is feeling pain. Source: Yahoo!news, July 27, 2021. Link. An app that learns patterns from images o cat faces can be helpful but cat owners … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for caring for senior dogs or cats
Complimentary Commercial Content November is when we celebrate National Senior Pet Month. . . . once a pet becomes a senior, every day is senior care day.” Keeping a senior pet happy is all about paying attention, shares Katherine Carbanaro. As dogs’ or cats’ needs change with age, owners need to learn about accommodating them and adjusting routines when needed. Among the … [Read more...]
How to raise a barn cat right
Barn cats deserve to be treated like other high-performing work animals. If you want an animal to perform work for you, then you should feed it adequate nutrition, so it has the energy and stamina to perform, asserts author Janet Garman. She addresses spay and neutering, veterinary care, shelter, nutrition, feeding locations, collars, microchips and monitoring working cat … [Read more...]
Do cats get separation anxiety?
Little work has been done to assess potential separation-related problems in cats. Using canine questionnaire studies as a model, researchers investigated the topic with cat owners. The results suggest that pet cats are social and develop bonds with their owners and about 13 percent of cats may have signs of separation-related problems. Source: Vet Candy, November 27, 2021. … [Read more...]
Big puppy paws; big dog or not?
It is possible to understand the relationship between a puppy’s paw and the puppy’s size when one knows the growth stages a puppy undergoes. However, the author concludes one cannot rely on finding the puppy’s size using its paws as the result might be wrong. Determining the size of the puppy based on its paws is a fun and interesting activity. Other alternatives to consider … [Read more...]
Treat nutrition: The why, how and what of proper treating
Treating is a rapidly growing subcategory of pet nutrition. Jessie Nelson AAS, CVT, VTS, and Kara M. Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS, VTS-H, discuss the importance of understanding treat use and their nutritional value when working with pet owners. <treats> are intended to be given in moderation. However, many clients may be unaware of this distinction.” Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
What reptiles REALLY need to thrive with Joerg Mayer, DVM
Complimentary Sponsored Content Responding to viewer inquiries, the Chatfields host Joerg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, to discuss reptile care, feeding crickets and whether to feed live rodents to snakes. Specifically, the discussion of sunlight versus artificial sunlight is enlightening. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, November 24, 2021. Link. 54 minutes. … [Read more...]
Zoetis horse video emphasizes human-horse bond
Complimentary Commercial Content Horses recognize care and dedication and they return it tenfold. Zoetis Equine’s Facebook video shows horses and their caregivers in everyday settings and relationships with people of all ages. Source: Zoetis Equine, December 10, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Kudos to the Zoetis equine team. Well done. Nice video! … [Read more...]
No college degree? More employers than ever just don’t care.
Most U.S. working age adults do not have a 4-year college degree. New growth in apprenticeship programs that lead to jobs are resulting in paid, on-the-job training, benefits, coaching and access to employee and alumni networks. Over the past five years, employers have been trying to solve for two things: the long-predicted skilled labor shortage; especially in … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – December 13, 2021
Pet training apps, 2021 U.S. pet food and treats update, less is more mindset, five points for small business advertising, reminder to submit for IBPSA rebate program, the latest from AHD and more . . . If some new holiday employees plan to stay into 2022, don’t forget the species-specific education and certification programs available for enrollment in the IBPSA online … [Read more...]
Is your criticism of employees really contempt?
When it comes to leading morale, Kate Nasser says to rethink criticism and how you give it. She gives examples of criticism that comes across as contempt and says to watch your words and your tone of voice. Communicating with respect and objectivity has value. It helps you and your employees grow. Showing contempt for them crushes morale and results. Rethink criticism and make … [Read more...]
The power of pressure
We need to rethink how we think of pressure and how we manage it, writes author Dane Jensen. In his book, The Power of Pressure, he asserts seeing pressure as an ally as one learns to respond to peak pressure moments differently than long-haul pressures. Pressure isn’t just a nasty by-product of life, it’s an essential input into high performance. A life well-lived requires … [Read more...]
Managing intellectual diversity
Most workforces are equally divided into thirds among conservatives, moderates and liberals when it comes to social issues. Forty-one percent strongly favor their employer requiring Covid-19 vaccinations to enter the workplace, while 31 percent strongly oppose. The list of differences goes on, so these three suggestions are essential to getting the work done. Source: Gallup, … [Read more...]