Leadership is easy in good times. Effective leaders tend to get out of the way and spend their time looking ahead. However, when the pandemic is celebrating its one-year anniversary, more is required. Source: peoplehum.com, January 2021. Link. This is when real leaders need to stand up, speak out, and lead. INSIGHTS: As the leader, you communicate whether or not you are … [Read more...]
A clinical approach to alopecia in cats
Dermatologic issues of pets are commonly among the top 10 reasons owners visit their veterinary hospitals. The visible fur loss that shocks clients requires veterinary teams to use their detective skills. The single-most important diagnostic tool for any skin disease (including alopecia) is a thorough history, writes Cherie Pucheu-Haston DVM, PhD, DACVD. Pucheu-Haston’s … [Read more...]
Veterinary resource library supports pet health insurance discussions
Complimentary Content – Part 4 of February 2021 series Data featured in this month’s posts about research conducted by Dr. Wendy Hauser’s team are compelling and indicate potential benefits for insured pets, pet owners, veterinary team members and practices. <Link>. The results also indicate the need for a strategic approach to comfortably include pet health insurance … [Read more...]
The Depression Project helps people understand their depression
Given our industry’s focus on suicide and stress, we’re sharing information from The Depression Project. Two brothers from Australia experienced depression from different perspectives and created Storm to Sun Framework. It makes it easier for people to understand their depression; to know what they need to do to get better; and to have an easy way of explaining their depression … [Read more...]
Stop insisting everything’s fine when you’re actually drowning
Being emotionally transparent is an unnatural response, writes Annaliese Griffin. She writes about emotional resilience, stoicism and achievement in the context of people who look fine, who look like they are handling everything with calm resilience but are potentially really drowning. Source: Forge, February 21. 2021. Link. The emotional drowning response is a common … [Read more...]
VVCA inaugural Lunch and Learn deemed a success
VVCA Board member, Aaron Smiley, DVM, was the featured speaker during the inaugural Lunch and Learn series for VVCA Community members. Smiley brought his well-known enthusiasm to the group as he shared step-by-step use of telemedicine, client interactions and veterinary nurse involvement in two cases from his practice in Indiana. He also demonstrated how he monetizes virtual … [Read more...]
Working with technology means planning for failure
Opinion For those of us born before 1990, technology represents significantly more than computers and digital devices. Things like anti-lock braking systems, satellite communications, microwave ovens, cable television, early robotics, even indoor plumbing all fit in technology discussions. The expectation was that these technologies will work 99.9 percent of the time. The … [Read more...]
Pandemic leadership lessons can help you
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a unique crisis for businesses. These leadership tactics can serve you and your team for years to come. Source: enterprisersproject.com, August 31, 2020. Link. In challenging times, people will step up if we let them. But if you try to solve the world’s problems on your own, your team can only stand back and watch. Bring your team into … [Read more...]
AAFP releases new feline hypertension educational toolkit
The new Hypertension Educational Toolkit will help veterinary professionals diagnose systemic arterial hypertension (hypertension) in cats, according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). Assessing blood pressure in the feline species is an important part of feline preventive care, yet it is uncommon for practices to routinely perform this test. This … [Read more...]
Slow down, write better emails
We’re sharing from this article verbatim. It is concise, actionable and central to our personal lives. Erica Dhawan says reading carefully is the new listening and writing clearly is the new empathy. So many of our exchanges today happen in written (or typed) form such as email, text and IM. This means that listening in its traditional sense has been replaced by reading text … [Read more...]
Lyme disease is getting skinked
Black-legged ticks in the southeast U.S. prefer to feed on lizards, particularly skinks. Skinks don’t transmit Lyme as easily as the white-footed mice in the northeast U.S. Jean Tsao, a disease ecologist, and her team found a clear divide in ticks’ preferred hosts and behavior south of Virginia, matching the pattern of both tick infections and Lyme disease. Source: Science, … [Read more...]
Lepto IS a thing! Dr. Jen the Vet
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, discusses Leptospirosis sp. including history, zoonoses, clinical signs, environmental concerns and modern approaches to prevention. Every dog, EVERY dog is at risk for lepto. Every dog ought to be vaccinated for lepto.” - Dr. Jen the Vet Source: Is this a Thing? Dr. Jen the Vet, February 10, 2021. Abbreviated version. … [Read more...]
Moving your practice services online important, especially now
Sponsored Content Many small- and medium-sized veterinary practices are still reeling from the impact of the lockdowns during this coronavirus pandemic. Getting practice services online often sounds like a daunting task for practice owners, says Clint Latham, JD. However, it is now more important than ever to have an online presence, where you can reach out to your clients … [Read more...]
Overcoming barriers in cost-of-care conversations
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 3 of a February 2021 series In the first two posts <post-1> <post-2>, study results reported by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team indicate clients and veterinary team members feel better when proactive education about pet health insurance occurs and demonstrated a strong correlation between insured pets and the care these pets … [Read more...]
7-step process helps you deal with stress, so it doesn’t affect your health (video)
Life can be rough at times and Covid-19 scares and protocols don’t help. They add to everyday stress. Our bodies aren’t designed to constantly be under that pressure. We have to learn healthy ways to deal with the stressors that don’t go away, says Dr. Seth J. Gillihan. “Key is being able to process the stress, so it's not building to a breaking point.” It can feel like … [Read more...]
Huddle up each morning
Two examples highlight the benefit of check-in meetings. First, a recent Nat Geo episode of The Wild Life of Dr. Ole <Link>, featured Ole Alcumbrac, DVM, hosting a stand-up meeting discussing the day, staff substitution while he would be out and follow-up required on a couple of cases. It ended with a request for questions or concerns. This is a real-world example … [Read more...]
AVMA resources address diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine
The AVMA has a suite of resources available to help veterinary professionals address and remove barriers to equity and inclusion. Creating socially conscious educational and work environments are imperatives for veterinary professionals whose oath includes public health. Veterinarians, team members, and students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs … [Read more...]
The 5 things customers want
Randy MacLean works in distribution. His perspective on five things customers want and how to deliver them is applicable anywhere in the animal health supply chain. He believes customers are affected and influenced almost exclusively by: Availability On-time delivery No product failures Smooth (and short) interactions Acceptable price Source: Modern … [Read more...]
Saying it and doing it are different
I learned a valuable lesson from my mentor, “Saying you want something is one thing, but actually doing something about it is very different.” We prove what we desire most by our actions, not by our words. Source: becomingminimalist. Link. In too many cases, what we say we want is different from what we pursue. INSIGHT: A goal without a plan is just a wish. … [Read more...]
Join VVCA as a veterinary team
If you missed last week’s post featuring VVCA’s veterinary team memberships, you can catch it now. It is a great way to be sure virtual care grows as a team endeavor. Community activities are being scheduled and implemented, including weekly Café discussions. Team membership is cost-effective. Source: Animal Health Digest, February 11, 2021. Link. Groups of up to 10 … [Read more...]
Covid-19: Here to stay
It is more evident Covid-19 is here to stay. It transmits easily, readily develops new strains and is as tough as flu, HIV and measles. Experts recommend we must realize that our lives will not be the same from now on, even with effective vaccines fully available and distributed worldwide. Quite literally, a new Covid-19 industry is developing to address the goods and services … [Read more...]
Proactively educating clients about pet health insurance impacts the CARE pets receive
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 2 of a February 2021 series In the first post, a study by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team, <link> showed clients and veterinary team members felt better about pet health insurance discussions when done proactively. In this second post we review the effects of how proactive pet health insurance client education impacts the care … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet presents the top 5 deadly bugs in practice
Sponsored by Virox® Technologies Animal Health Chatfield’s talk will explore the top 5 deadliest pathogens seen in everyday practice and how to prolong your life despite them. Speaker: Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM Event: Viticus Virtual Summit Date and time: February 18, 2021, 2:55 p.m. EST. Registration: Link. Source: Virox® Technologies … [Read more...]
VIS webinar: How burnout prevention in veterinary organizations translates into profits
Complimentary Putting people first will encompass the topics Bob Lester, DVM, and Thom Jenkins, MA VetMB, will cover with Ivan Zak, DVM, in the February 24 Veterinary Integration Solutions webinar. Employee retention is especially important when transferring ownership or changing management structures. Burned out employees are 2.6 times as likely to be seeking a different … [Read more...]
Animalytix senior executive forum: next Tuesday, February 16th
Complimentary Support the Animal Health Corridor’s Spirit of Service program by registering for this valuable industry forum. Few participants leave without learning something new or gaining new perspectives on our industry. This year’s program is especially promising. The 10th annual Animalytix Senior Executive Forum provides a detailed analysis of the critical market … [Read more...]
Registration still open for Viticus Virtual Summit
Complimentary No airplanes, no noisy slot machines and with no secrets to leave behind, the Viticus Virtual Summit promises new experiences beyond normal Zoom meetings. Summit offers veterinary professionals a virtual laboratory experience, interactive sessions and hands-on demonstration videos. Register for a front-row seat as Viticus streams live … [Read more...]
VVCA Practice groups provide superb access for veterinary teams
Complimentary – includes discount offer! The updates to the Veterinary Virtual Care Association’s (VVCA) new Community are in place and gathering momentum. Employees from sponsoring companies can register at no charge by using the code issued to each sponsor. Groups of up to 10 individuals may join under a Veterinary Practice Team membership purchased by an individual … [Read more...]
6 ways diversity and inclusion will change in 2021
Get ready for uncomfortable conversations. From the squeeze chute to the C-suite, knowledge about diversity, equity and inclusion will take place this year, according to Amber Cabral, author and diversity and inclusion consultant. She predicts six trends that, at last, indicate true change will take place. Remote work will be more common Workforce diversity will … [Read more...]
Overcoming 4 WFH challenges for remote Gen-Z workers
It will require thoughtful use of resources to advance Gen-Z’s contribution in a virtual workspace. According to a new study by Ten Spot, 54 percent of Gen-Z workers report being less productive when working from home. Source: Forbes, February 2, 2021. Link. The main challenge factors and solutions are: Distractions: requires time management and structure Boredom: … [Read more...]
Managers need leadership training
Driven by the incredible pace of change in globalized business and the new will of the workforce that prioritizes development and flexibility, today’s business world is agile and dynamic. Source: Gallup, January 21, 2021. Link. This habit of reserving high-potential develop for the top layers of a company is a major blind spot for executive leaders, and it threatens the … [Read more...]