Commentary Asserting that traditional demographics can be misleading, David Allison urged marketers to consider common values among pet owners. Three values provide more common ground than pet owners’ demographics and can reveal more meaningful ways to appeal to dog, cat and other pet owners: Personal responsibility Trustworthiness Experiences Source: PETFOOD … [Read more...]
Brainstorming and idea generation (video)
Judge me for how good my good ideas are, not how bad my bad ideas are.” - Matt Damon Source: ideageneration, Instagram. Link. … [Read more...]
Cope wth work stress appropriately
Effectively coping with job stress can benefit your professional and personal life. Source: Mayo Clinic, June 16, 2021. Link. Even a few minutes of personal time during a busy workday can be refreshing. Similarly, take time off when you can, whether it's a two-week vacation or an occasional long weekend. INSIGHT: Stress is often self-induced … [Read more...]
After the first visit, 4 opportunities to talk about pet insurance
Sponsored Content from ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance Increasing the number of clients with pet insurance in a veterinary practice frequently results in increased clinic revenue through more frequent visits, and more services accessed per visit while reducing the struggle of financing veterinary procedures. Jennifer Sperry, BSc, DVM, shares life stage opportunities and some … [Read more...]
Six burnout triggers to eliminate from veterinary hospitals
Galyna Danylenko shares results from Galaxy Vet research that lead to a burnout prevention strategy. In a new paper, experts describe six burnout triggers, how it can emerge in veterinary professionals and provide some actionable tips to reassess management practices and eliminate those risk factors. . . . work overload is not the principal factor causing stress at … [Read more...]
Virtual VCPR approved in Arizona!
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB 1503, opening Arizona to a virtual VCPR with safeguards. Arizona pet owners and pets can now access veterinary care wherever they live. Mark L. Cushing, JD, shared the law is expected to take effect in August 2023. Source: Veterinary Virtual Care Association, LinkedIn, May 9, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Apologize properly when something goes wrong
Mistakes happen. We are human after all. Tim Riesterer shares how to deal with mistakes and the importance of an apology message and intentionally delivering it to the customer. When delivered well, an apology message can improve the customer relationship to the point where it is stronger than if the mistake had never happened, a phenomenon known as the service recovery … [Read more...]
Tips to prepare cattle for summer
Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, PhD, says vaccinations and ear tags are key to maintaining herd health. He urges producers to review their vaccination and parasite control programs and plan for fly control including insecticide ear tag rotation. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin Extra, April 26, 2023. Link. Vaccinations should be given 45-60 days before the bulls will be released with the … [Read more...]
Implanting nursing calves
Implanting nursing calves has consistently shown to be an effective way to post greater calf weights at weaning time. In fact, Grady Ruble says implanting has the greatest return on investment of any other technology. . . . deciding to implant nursing calves is more important than which implant to use.” Source: FEEDLOT, March 22, 2023. Link. Generally, branding makes for a … [Read more...]
Study finds lifetime cost of horse can be 4 times higher than expected
On an annual basis, the all-in costs for owning a horse range from around $8,600 to $26,000, not including events or operating expenses, according to a Synchrony study. It estimates the lifetime costs range from $300,000 to $924,000. Source: DVM 360, April 26, 2023. Link. Helping horse owners clearly understand the full financial commitment and the financing options they … [Read more...]
Ways to make an older dog’s life better
Mary Gardner, DVM, refers to some older dogs as “geriatric,” which she says is a more fragile phrase for them. She says many vet schools don’t address the special needs of these gray-muzzled and wobbly dogs that often need modifications at home. She visits homes where dogs have been struggling to get around and be comfortable that often have easy problems to fix. Source: The … [Read more...]
Updating – Xylitol. Let’s review. Then warn pet owners. (video)
Last week’s xylitol post <Link> shared how common foods can put dogs at risk. In a related video, Elanine Blythe, PharmD, provides more context related to suspensions and solutions that contain xylitol. She warns pharmacists dispensing gabapentin on the order of a veterinarian to be sure the suspension is xylitol free. Source: Veterinary Pharmacy Education, April 28, … [Read more...]
Study finds H3N2 canine influenza virus moving closer to infecting humans
Scientists at the China Agricultural University indicate the dog flu virus is mutating, stabilizing and adapting to better recognize human-like receptors. Virologists say the study calls for continuous surveillance and risk assessments related to the canine flu, citing no pre-existing human immunity. Source: Popular Mechanics, May 1, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Animal health … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 1, 2023
Debunking pet insurance myths, smartphone apps for dog owners, when it is time to secure funding, recession proofing strategies, $500 billion global pet industry could be possible by 2030 and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
ChatGPT threatens these four human traits
The emergence of advanced AI technologies, as with prior technologies, presents risks and opportunities. The authors assert it is a wake-up call for humanity to harness four unique and precious human virtues: Humility Curiosity Self-awareness Empathy Source: Fast Company, April 19, 2023. Link. . . . ChatGPT, which merely personifies the latest advancement of … [Read more...]
Establishing rapport
Sometimes we are so enamored with our breadth of knowledge and our point of view that we cannot understand another point of view other than our own. Source: Vet Advantage, April 2023. Link. Too many times we say we understand. Instead prove you understand. INSIGHT: Respect given comes back in multiples. … [Read more...]
Shaping the onboarding experience
Trial by fire is no longer acceptable when bringing new employees on board. Regardless of the size of the business, new hires need to feel supported from day one including opportunities to offer and receive feedback as onboarding takes place. A primary objective of onboarding is to reduce the time it takes for a new hire to become fully productive in their role” Source: … [Read more...]
Tips on marketing to owners of senior pets
Veterinarians should be seeing many more patients in their advanced-age life stage than ever, writes Mary Gardner, DVM, citing metrics that show 44 percent of practice patients are seniors. She shares tips on communicating with owners of senior pets similar to how puppy and early stage education is done. Source: AAHA Trends, February 2023. Link. We can do so much to manage … [Read more...]
Straddling the fence on dog parks
Mary R. Burch, PhD, presents the pros and cons of dog parks. She shares alternatives for dog owners who are not confident their local dog park is secure, safe and appropriately maintained. Source: AKC Family Dog, May/June 2023. Link. Also see: Search results for: dog parks, AHD. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider checking out the dog parks in your local area and communicate with … [Read more...]
Equine vaccination cheat sheet
Use this AAEP Vaccination Guidelines-based cheat sheet to support immunization programs for individual horses and herds. It is also a great handout for 4-H and other group education events. Source: The Horse, April 25, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Perfectly snotty: Understanding feline upper respiratory infections
Includes Sponsored Content Dr. Danette Schweers, and hosts, Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM, dive into the world of feline upper respiratory infections. They discuss the common causes and symptoms of this disease, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose and eyes, and fever. They explore the best methods for prevention and treatment, including vaccinations, … [Read more...]
Veterinary well-being: How to support yourself and others (1 hour CE)
Sponsored Content In this online CE course, veterinary well-being researcher Addie Reinhard, DVM, MS, explores the most recent research around veterinary mental health and well-being. She shares how to recognize and respond when you or someone you know may need to seek help. The content includes well-being resources currently available, including tools that can be used to … [Read more...]
Preparing for behavioral interview questions
Tell me about a time when you had to __________.” Behavioral interview questions are questions or statements that ask job candidates to share examples of specific situations they’ve been in. With the list of 30 common behavioral questions in this article, you can be prepared to share a story about yourself, writes Lily Zhang. Source: The Muse, April 13, 2023. Link. If you … [Read more...]
Acetaminophen clinical tip
Complimentary Content Veterinary Pharmacy Education provides distance education for pharmacists and pharmacy students to increase their competence to care for veterinary patients. Source: Veterinary Pharmacy Education, Instagram, April 21, 2023. Link. For information on course objectives, dates, tuition, or registration instructions … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 24, 2023
Herding cats with AI, Gen Z and millennials own half the pets, Petco pilots recycling program, growth in cat ownership a factor for future pet industry growth and more . . . IBPSA is partnering with the SMART Dog Park Professional Certification Program. This program will help us as we help cities build better dog parks and educate our pet owner clients.” - Carmen … [Read more...]
Protecting your wrists while providing animal care services
Veterinary medicine and other pet services are “hands on” businesses. Even those who don’t actively interact with animals need to protect their hands and wrists from overuse on computers, holding phones and so on. Saleema Lookman, RVT, CPT, shares the importance of strengthening opposing muscles in this edition of the “Movement is Medicine” series. Source: Today’s Veterinary … [Read more...]
Understanding suture materials
It seems there is a different suture for every situation. Veterinary technicians and assistants well-versed in suture types and selection criteria are more adept at anticipating the needs of the surgeon, writes Heidi Reuss-Lamky, LVT, VTS, Elite FFCP, CFVP. Reuss-Lamky establishes ideal suture characteristics and then covers the various types, styles, sizes and materials … [Read more...]
Trust lost
Only 21 percent of U.S. employees strongly agree that they trust the leadership of their organization. Source: Gallup, April 17, 2023. Link. Building trust in leadership is necessary to drive the performance that companies seek. INSIGHTS: Hearing and real listening are two distinct abilities. Start by listening. Also see: Leaders, don’t be afraid to admit your flaws, … [Read more...]
Possibilities for veterinary technicians to provide in-home euthanasia discussed
Guest contributor - Catherine Haskins of The Bridge Club Nearly 100 animal health professionals joined for a virtual discussion of the opportunities, challenges and limitations veterinary technicians and the practices for which they work face providing in-home euthanasia for clients’ animals. In a survey conducted by The Bridge Club, 76 percent of the industry is in favor of … [Read more...]
A closer look at the world of organized dentistry
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, shares the history and development of organized dentistry. He outlines the bodies behind it that serve veterinarians, technicians and the public. Organized veterinary dentistry began in 1976 making it young compared to the 160-year-history of the American Dental Association. Source: DVM 360, April 2023. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]