Our team found this interesting since some new offices use open floor plans. New, in-depth research indicates that open office configurations likely do not create the interactive results originally expected. Source: Cal Newport, July 6, 2018. Link. When you remove any semblance of structure to human interaction, people get overloaded and withdraw into private, electronic … [Read more...]
Hold tax records long enough for comfort
This article will help reduce what is often a closet full of old tax records. When you boil it all down, keeping tax returns to seven years after filing is good – generally. Source: DVM Management, June 19, 2018. Link. Important note: Although you can discard backup records, do not throw away the filed copies of any tax returns or W-2s. Often, these returns provide data … [Read more...]
Women can overcome being interrupted and talked over
Women are interrupted twice as often as men in meetings, writes Eleanor Beaton. She provides seven tips for women to get their voice heard: Interrupt back. Sit in the power seat Speak in shorter sentences Get feedback on your meeting style Cultivate allies Take credit Make direct eye contact and lean in Source: Inc., June 6, 2018. Link. No one likes … [Read more...]
Accommodate clients with disabilities
Beckie Mossor, RVT, shares the attitudes necessary to interact with animal owners who have disabilities. The way pet owners are treated at the practice or at a retail facility directly affects their understanding, compliance and overall satisfaction with their pet’s care. It affects customer retention as well. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2018, page 29. … [Read more...]
Tooth resorption: Name it to tame it
There are three types of tooth resorption in cats and six types in dogs. And all of them are treated differently, says Dr. Mary Krakowski Volker, DVM, DAVDC. Treatment depends on the type of resorption present. She notes we don’t use the same names for dogs or cats. Source: Veterinary Medicine, DVM 360, May 23, 2018. Link. There are stages of tooth resorption in cats that … [Read more...]
Dealing with allergy season
Animal health professionals suffer from allergies like others do. Still, we are required to do our best even when our eyes matter shut, or sinuses plug up. Nicole Spector’s allergy season tips will provide some relief for spring allergies sufferers. More laundry detergent, more shampoo and a good doormat are the [building blocks] of creating an allergy-free indoor … [Read more...]
In-person VCPR is key, even for telemedicine
Beyond legal and liability reasons, establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship needs to start with an in-person visit, says the AVMA. On-site visits help ensure all senses get engaged. Source: AVMA@Work, May 16, 2018. Link. The AVMA Telehealth Resource Center is your go-to information source, with basic definitions and frequently asked questions, practical steps … [Read more...]
A different perspective helps
I write a regular sales column for distribution reps. It recently occurred to me animal health pros, especially associates in a veterinary practice may benefit from what that I share with distribution reps. My February 2018 column in Vet-Advantage magazine is a good example. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2018. Act like a customer Act like a marketer Act like an … [Read more...]
Demographic shift in pet ownership
Millennial pet ownership has surpassed baby boomers, according to a December 2017 Packaged Facts report on pet food in the U.S. The report also states that millennials account for 35 percent of all pet owners. Approximately 66.8 million households, which is more than half of U.S. households at 54.6 percent, owned pets in 2017. Source: Petfood Industry, March 8, 2018. … [Read more...]
Forward appointment booking; just do it!
We EXPECT to leave our doctors’ and dentists’ with the next appointment in hand. This was not a common practice 20 to 25 years ago. It took time to make that discussion an expectation rather than a suggestion. This booking concept was first proposed for veterinary practices in 2015 by AAHA and Partners for Healthy Pets, among others. There is little evidence that it is … [Read more...]
Cycle counting inventories
Cycle counting is a process of counting a small, predetermined set of goods and materials frequently, as opposed to completing a full physical inventory each year. The objective of cycle counting is to determine records that are incorrect, correct the cause of errors, close process loopholes and improve upon human error. Another benefit is having inventory on hand when … [Read more...]
Best dog harnesses of 2018
Whether it is to reduce pulling, avoid trachea injuries or gain a mechanical advantage, dog harnesses are beneficial.Pat Miller updates the dog harness information from the April 2017 article we posted in AHD, March 29, 2017. Miller uses a 0 to 4 paw rating when identifying the best harnesses. Pet owners will appreciate this information. Consider using it on websites, social … [Read more...]
A look at the most common life mistakes young people make (infographic)
Our industry is being challenged to address suicide and job satisfaction challenges previously unrecognized. James Altucher asserts, Here’s the truth: you can’t fail as a kid. He sometimes gets messages like, “I’m 23 and I failed and now I don’t know what to do.” No, you didn’t fail. Yes, you do know what to do. Just do the next thing. That’s all you have to … [Read more...]
How to tell a coworker their personal habits are disgusting
It’s inevitable. Bad habits creep into workplaces. Liz Ryan addresses a question from a reader whose coworker uses her desk as an extension of the bathroom. Maybe it is time for all of us to double-check our habits. Source: Forbes, March 9, 2018. Speak up, regardless of how socially awkward the situation., Ryan says. She shares 10 things never, ever to do at your … [Read more...]
Equine law for 2018 and beyond
Julie Fershtman, one of the nation’s most experienced equine law practitioners, offers suggestions for horse industry persons. She warns against handshakes and to update working knowledge of equine activity liability acts. Source: Arabian Horse Couture Magazine, February 2018, page 64. Make 2018 a year of attention to legal matters to stay safe and protect yourself, says … [Read more...]
Telehealth, is reality
Telehealth, or telemedicine, is not a specific service. It is a collection of resources to enhance care and education delivery. The term, telemedicine is often used to refer to traditional clinical diagnosis and monitoring that is delivered by technology. However, the term, telehealth is now more commonly used. It better describes the wide range of diagnosis and management, … [Read more...]
Microfiber towels are favorites for chemical-free cleaning
Look beyond the commercial messaging in this article and you will likely improve your understanding of microfiber towels. We were surprised to find so many variables in microfiber types. Source: Today, March 1, 2018. From windows to bathtubs to floors, cleaning experts continue to recommend this specific cleaning tool. With millions of fibers, microfiber lifts and holds … [Read more...]
Children, sandboxes, pin worms and pets
Here are the facts about the neighbors’ cats using the sandbox, even though my mother and grandmother told me differently: Human pinworms, such as Enterobius vermicularis are nonzoonotic intestinal parasitic worms of human hosts. Humans are considered to be the only hosts of E vermicularis; therefore, human pinworms cannot originate from pets or other animals and vice … [Read more...]
Opinion – Brain-eating pork tapeworm found in man’s eye (includes video)
A Florida man discovered a tapeworm living in the vitreous chamber of his eye—the fluid behind the eye lens, between the cornea. He believed he contracted the worm, Taenia solium, commonly called a pork tapeworm, after eating undercooked pork during the holidays. T. solium passes to humans from consuming raw pork or through contact with human fecal matter. It’s likely you … [Read more...]
AVMA, Merck collaborate on veterinarian mental health study
Veterinarians younger than 45 years old are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, according to a new survey conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health. According to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, younger veterinarians are more affected by the financial and emotional stresses of … [Read more...]
Take stock of your inventory
Inventory is frequently the second-largest expense in veterinary practices. Now that year-end counts are completed and new promotions are launched, it is a good time to review Brian Conrad’s approach to getting inventory under control. He takes a pragmatic approach to eliminating duplications, applying usage reports and establishing parameters for stocking top items. He also is … [Read more...]
The high cost of low action
Few things grow as effortlessly as a problem ignored, writes Steve Keating. Realistically, the things that aren’t working out well now only tend to get worse over time, and issues that remain unaddressed grow larger, not smaller. Doing nothing is easier, faster and cheaper until the bill comes due. And it always comes due. Source: Lead Today, January 22,2018. Problems … [Read more...]
Get ready for Gen Z
Patricia M. Buhler and Nicole Evans offer five keys to becoming Generation Z’s employer of choice. More than 61 million of them born after 1999 are poised to enter the workforce. These are not younger millennials, say the authors comparing the millennial entitlement to Gen Z expectations. One-size-fits-all career paths won’t appeal to Gen Z. These individuals won’t be … [Read more...]
Opinion – Eliminating declaws adds nail challenges
First, I support eliminating declaw surgeries. I’ve been there, done that and wished I hadn’t. But, indoor cats just don’t wear down claws as easily as indoor/outdoor or outdoor-only cats. During a recent visit with a Ceva colleague, I asked about nail trimming guidance beyond the benefits of FELISCRATCH™ and dedicated scratching poles. We did a quick Google search and I was … [Read more...]
Get your flu shot for the ones you love
Flu season is in full swing, but there’s still time to get a flu vaccine. You may think it’s too inconvenient or that this year’s vaccine isn’t as protective as it should be. Aaron E. Carroll, professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, writes that the risk of dying from flu is higher than many realize. Plus, he says, it’s not about you. It’s about … [Read more...]
Donating a pet’s body is alternative to burial, cremation
The passing of a cherished pet is something every pet owner dreads. Yet, it is something most of eventually face. In addition to burial or cremation, educational memorial programs or willed body programs are offered at several veterinary universities in the United States. Modeled similar to human cadaver donation programs, pet owners can donate the body of their beloved dog … [Read more...]
Getting along with others: popular posts with animal health pros
After peppering some human-to human-interaction posts in the AHD BULLETIN early 2017, we learned that animal health pros are just as interested in getting along with each other and clients as they are with keeping animals healthy. In fact, this reality added more than 20 media sources for our team to scour routinely. Source: Animal Health Digest, July-December 2017. Facing … [Read more...]
UC-Davis veterinarians using facial recognition to identify animal pain
Veterinarians and computer scientists at University of California-Davis are teaming up to determine if they can use facial recognition to identify pain in animals. They’re making progress. Source: KXTV, December 15, 2017. The technology is still being developed. However, so far, computer scientists have trained the technology to recognize animal faces in photos (similar to … [Read more...]
Sexual harassment; HR needs help
Research indicates that one in three women experience sexual harassment, although a staggering 71 percent never report it. Human resources professionals are routinely conflicted by the balancing act of providing support to the victim while still serving the company. Empowering HR to be proactive about handling sexual harassment cases will improve company morale, and it will … [Read more...]
November is Pet Diabetes Month
Pet Diabetes Month is observed in November and is a fitting opportunity to work with pet owners to achieve and manage a healthy weight for their pets. The AVMA offers good resources to guide those discussions. Direct clients to view information on Your Pet’s Healthy Weight page Keep healthy weight brochures on-hand in your clinic for easy distribution Discuss … [Read more...]