There is something about pets that overrides conventional career logic, writes veterinary nutritionist Megan Sprinkle, DVM. She shares her observations from a trip to Global Pet Expo 2026 and contrasts parallel industries with a common customer commenting on the opportunity of shared purpose. Source: Animal Health News and Views, April 2026. Link. Diverse perspectives and … [Read more...]
The Bird Bath launches “Terminal,” a new veterinary market intelligence platform and practice database
The Bird Bath, an animal health information and insights provider, launched Terminal, a new veterinary market intelligence platform designed to help business-side stakeholders in veterinary medicine access, analyze and act on industry data in one place. To view Terminal and the subscription model click here <Link>. Source: PR Newswire, April 21, 2026. Link. The dataset … [Read more...]
Free guide to win visibility in AI search
AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how pet owners find veterinary care. Gain an edge in online visibility using LifeLearn’s free guide to optimize AI discovery: 5 Minutes to Winning Clients in the Age of AI Search. Source: LifeLearn Animal Health, April 21, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 13, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Pet industry surveys from a) Australia , b) Canada, and c) United Kingdom Legislative updates from a) New York, b) New Jersey, and c) Iowa Source: IBPSA, April 13, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 9th. Link. Personal responsibility, leadership maturity, the power of introverts, emotional support animals, and … [Read more...]
Antiviral resistance in cats: Let’s not screw up game-changing drugs
The use of antivirals in cats is an important topic with a lot of issues to consider, writes J. Scott Weese, DVM. Citing decades of history in human and veterinary medicine of fouling up the use of remarkable, game-changing anti-infective drugs, he expresses concerns about resistance and using the anti-virals for other diseases. Source: Worms and Germs, March 18, 2026. … [Read more...]
Why relationship-centered care wins in veterinary medicine
A must-read Today’s pet parents want to be active participants in decisions about their pets’ health, not passive recipients of one-time services. Chewy Health’s Mita Malhotra asserts that practices that prioritize long-term partnership over episodic service often see stronger patient health outcomes, deeper trust and greater lifetime loyalty from clients. Nearly 82 … [Read more...]
Chewy to acquire Modern Animal accelerating a fully integrated pet healthcare strategy
Chewy, Inc., announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Modern Animal, Inc., a technology-forward veterinary platform with 29 owned clinics, 24/7 virtual care and a high-retention membership model. This acquisition represents an important strategic step in Chewy’s evolution into a fully integrated pet healthcare ecosystem, combining care, commerce and … [Read more...]
When AI misses the diagnosis, who gets sued?
We need this <liability> conversation to be MUCH MUCH louder, writes Michele Pfannenstiel, DVM. What follows is a thought-filled, researched treatise that raises concerns about what AI can do, how it is validated and who is responsible if AI can’t. Pfannenstiel is not anti-AI. She wants new tools to work. But wanting them to work is not the same as knowing they work, … [Read more...]
Don’t let OSHA changes take you by surprise
Includes Commercial references Compliance is not a place to cut corners, writes Jarden Mandeville. He emphasizes the importance of staying up to date with the changes to OSHA requirements, including MSDS sheets, personnel training, appointing a compliance officer and more. Source: INSIGHT, Patterson Vet, April 2025. Link. Practices risk financial penalties, reputational … [Read more...]
Tractor Supply surpasses $1 Million to expand hands-on learning for future ag leaders
Tractor Supply Company announced that its 11th annual Grants for Growing fundraiser raised more than $1 million. During the four-week event, Tractor Supply customers supported the effort by purchasing paper FFA emblems at checkout, which will in turn provide thousands of FFA members across the country with the resources to engage in hands-on learning experiences that prepare … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 23, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Sneak peek at IBPSA website’s new look The shift in U.S. pet stores <Link>. The experience-driven operating model. Sparkle Grooming continues expansion <Link>. India's booming pet economy <Link>. Source: IBPSA, March 23, 2026. Link. Upcoming webinar: Marketing Strategies for Pet Care Businesses, Wednesday, … [Read more...]
Ideas for choosing a trainer for pet parents, veterinary teams (video)
Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB, shares a video she offers to pet parents looking to find a trainer for their pet. She shares how to read a trainer’s website. She encourages them to look for clear indicators of positive reinforcement training, humane equipment, transparent credentials and evidence of continuing education. Source: Lisa Radosta DVM, DACVB, LinkedIn, March 24, 2026. … [Read more...]
We measure milk. The cow measures time. Management defines both.
Complimentary Content The recent heat wave across the West and Midwest is a reminder of the effects of heat stress on cows. The farms that succeed are not just cooling cows. They are managing time, environment and consistency as one system, explains Muhammad Wasim Iqbal, DVM, MS, PhD. The graphic from Dr. Iqbal’s post is saved here as a poster to use when communicating … [Read more...]
Zoetis expands Human-Animal Bond Certification Scholarship to include veterinary technician students
NAVC and HABRI announced that Zoetis has pledged its continued support for veterinary students across the U.S. by offering free Human-Animal Bond Certification throughout 2026. New this year, the scholarship is now available to veterinary technician students. Source: NAVC, March 10, 2026. Link. Veterinary and veterinary technician students may register for the Human-Animal … [Read more...]
Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals
Commentary Don’t let the cowboy hat and big beard fool you. Ashley Nicholls is an Australian turned Canadian and 2026 Nuffield Scholar <Link>. He says the ways we’ve learned to work with animals may be the missing framework for team cohesion and communication. The concept of low-stress people handling Nicholls promotes is based on the work of Temple Grandin, a renowned … [Read more...]
Where medicine meets intuition
Commentary Beyond the science, data, diagnostics and evidence-based decision making is gut instinct, writes Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. Intuition does not replace science; it directs it, he says. His advocacy for pet owner intuition, coupled with the veterinarian’s instincts, is not to be dismissed. “Going with your gut is not about being impulsive. It is about being … [Read more...]
Shoeing the road horse
Complimentary The American Farriers Journal shares insights from hoof-care professionals to help the horses that run the roads in the new Shoeing the Road Horse report. Offered free as a downloadable PDF <Link>, it can also be found in the AHD library at the link below. Source: American Farriers Journal, March 2026. Link. Images: Link. … [Read more...]
Review: The suture station: One stop for improving suturing skills
Includes Commercial Content Suture knots and skills can always be updated and reviewed. As veterinary technicians are empowered to practice at the full level of their training, these skills offer veterinarians more flexibility to move on to another patient. At the link below is a large library of webinars, videos and resources covering suturing and knots. Source: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 2, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: Participation sought for Pet Care Services Industry Financial Survey. Link. Request to update any job postings in member portal Legislative news from Virginia Source: IBPSA, March 2, 2026. Link. Also see: Do you have a minors policy for your pet business?, Pets+, December 17, 2024. Link. Readers share whether they do or not and … [Read more...]
PAC Beef Summits planned for April
Complimentary, Commercial Bringing producers and veterinarians into a room for half a day for joint benefit has value and two opportunities are coming soon. The PAC Beef Summit is where feedyard professionals, veterinarians and industry leaders come together for real conversations and forward-thinking solutions. PAC personnel say these are more than meetings. They’re … [Read more...]
KCAHC seeks innovators in companion animal, ag tech and food animal sectors
The KC Animal Health Corridor is now accepting Emerging Company applications for the 2026 Animal Health Summit, taking place August 31st to September 1st. The Summit provides a global platform for early-stage companies in companion animal health, ag tech and food animal production to present their technologies and business plans to investors, strategic partners and industry … [Read more...]
Cats grow to 25 percent of visits, signals $34 billion market opportunity
According to new data from the CATalyst Council Feline Veterinary Market Insights: Volume V, the overall companion-animal veterinary market continued to contract throughout 2025. But feline clinical visits grew in every quarter of the year, extending an outperformance streak to 12 consecutive quarters and fundamentally reshaping the veterinary landscape. The report, … [Read more...]
Client satisfaction stays strong according to AVMA data
Data from the AVMA’s 2025 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook offer reassuring and actionable insights into how U.S. pet owners feel about their regular veterinary practice. Kudos to the teams working hard to deliver every day. Source: AVMA, February 19, 2026. Link. Small, incremental changes—paired with intentional communication—can reinforce client satisfaction, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 23, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites: How to be a good listener, TED Talk. Link. [11:42] Listening experts unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question. Social media posts are telling hackers everything. Link. What can Southwest Airlines teach us … [Read more...]
World class VMX 2026 attendance, dates set for VMX 2027
Complimentary NAVC reports VMX 2026 saw more than 28,500 veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, support staff, students, exhibitors and guests in attendance from 78 countries. During the five-day event, attendees could select from 1,200+ hours of continuing education credits, interact with over 720 exhibiting companies and attend nightly entertainment and network with … [Read more...]
Building a robust, diverse innovation ecosystem in the animal health industry
Complimentary Delivering cutting-edge innovations continues to be a strong driver of sales in the animal health industry. While this need remains constant, the model for delivering it is fundamentally changing. Amanda McDavid shares insights from the Brakke Consulting 2026 Annual Animal Health Industry Overview here. Source: Brakke Consulting, Animal Health Jobs blog, … [Read more...]
A Facebook post worth sharing
This American Heartworm Society’s Facebook post is worth sharing. It addresses many of the falsehoods people believe about heartworm in dogs and cats. Share it with your Facebook network and print some to use as posters in clinics and pet services businesses. Source: American Heartworm Society, Facebook, February 14, 2026. Link. PDF <Link>. … [Read more...]
Does a positive drug test follow you? Experts explain what employers can and can’t see
Includes Commercial references Privacy laws create stronger protections than social media horror stories suggest. It’s common for people to assume that a positive test becomes part of some industry-wide database that all future employers can access. But that's not how it works. An individual’s test results belong to the company that ordered the test, and they're bound by … [Read more...]
CAAMS seeking DVM feedback regarding antimicrobial use in dogs
Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards committee is recruiting participants to participate in a research study to learn more about veterinarians’ preferences for perioperative and postoperative antimicrobial use in dogs. To participate, you must be a licensed veterinarian who treats dogs greater than 18 years of age. Source: AAHA Trends, February 4, 2026. Link. Link to … [Read more...]
Software integration is key to greater veterinary AI adoption
Commentary Destined to become a clarifying pivot point in veterinary technology development, we’re sharing a new paper, Companion Animal Veterinary Software: Part I, Navigating Practice Challenges with Support of Technology and AI, authored by Jon Ayers, Jeff Dixon, Dr. Adam Little, and Adam Wysocki, with contributions from Andrew Luna. As might be expected given this … [Read more...]