Erika James, PhD, hosted Reid Hoffman in a discussion during a lecture series at The Wharton School about the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Hoffman believes that when AI is deployed correctly, it has the power to change society for the better, much like the printing press, the gasoline engine, computers, the internet and all the previous inventions that … [Read more...]
Building talent through delegation
Using a clinic’s professional staff to deploy their full educational training remains an everyday topic in veterinary medicine. Effective delegation is one of the most effective ways to develop the existing talent in your practice and free up your time to (fill in your top priority). The article shares 10 steps for successful delegation. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 6, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 30, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 30, 2025 AHD Bulletin Making the case for clinical obesity vs. obesity in veterinary medicine. Link. Storm clouds on the horizon evident in next generation of students. Link. Leadership advice. Link. Bird flu enters a new phase . . . the … [Read more...]
3 things nobody has ever told you about colostrum
There has been a lot of new research published in the past five years about colostrum and its role in the newborn's survival and health, writes Kalyn Waters. Despite cow-calf experiences, she was surprised to learn three new things about colostrum: Timing matters on the cow's side, too, as the chemical composition of colostrum in the udder changes by the hour. Colostrum … [Read more...]
30,000 from 86 countries, 2025 VMX celebrated the emotion, art behind veterinary science
As the dust settles for those who traveled to Orlando for VMX 2025, many animal health pros stayed behind to run practices and keep customers serviced. To get a taste of the event, review the news release here and note the video link as well. Congratulations to the NAVC for another record-breaking conference! Source: NAVC, January 30, 2025. Link. VMX 2025 was a … [Read more...]
Fear Free® launches Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification program
Fear Free’s new certification program bridges the gap between routine care and urgent or emergent scenarios, offering veterinary teams the training and resources necessary to implement Fear Free techniques in high-pressure environments. Detailed information about the Emergency & Urgent Care Practice Certification is here <Link> Source: Cision, January 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
Bird flu enters a new phase, meanwhile, the environment cannot be sterilized
The latest data from the CDC and USDA shows the continued devastating effects of bird flu outbreaks across the United States. New York Times writer Apoorva Mandavilli provides a relevant and updated situation analysis in the second article shared here. Not yet a serious human threat, she shares the expanding discoveries in mammalian species, including cats both wild and … [Read more...]
Senior Dog Veterinary Society announces strategic alliance with Elanco
The Senior Dog Veterinary Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the care of senior and geriatric dogs, has established a strategic alliance with Elanco Animal Health Incorporated. This collaboration aims to foster excellence in senior and geriatric dog care through education and awareness, research and innovation, and community support. Source: Senior Dog … [Read more...]
People buy benefits. Does your website share them?
Commentary Patrick Malone consistently coaches, “No one ever paid a dollar for a feature or function . . . they buy the benefit and what it will give to them.” Another way this can be expressed is we need to provide a “what’s in it for them” explanation. The results of a study published in JAVMA recently suggest that opportunities exist to increase communication of the … [Read more...]
Leadership advice
Note: Mr. Malone’s post here provides good follow-up to his post from last week <Link> on managing stress. We also created a PDF of Jeff Zientz’s leadership tips from the article Malone shares here <Link>. It can be used as a bulletin board reminder for all staff. You may not be the Practice Leader, but the practice and its clients benefit when everyone is … [Read more...]
Delegates approve, update new polices on biosecurity, license by endorsement and more
The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) approved seven resolutions on January 11 during its regular winter session. Association policies were updated including those on biosecurity, pet ownership, velveting, and integrative veterinary medicine. The delegates deferred action on cellular agriculture policies. Source: AVMA, January 28, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Gender and appearance bias exacerbates equine DVM shortage
A study published in Equine Veterinary Journal shared results of a focus group study of current and former equine veterinarians to learn what stressors led to, or could lead to, them leaving the profession. Beyond compensation, student loan debt and work-life balance, discrimination was an overall challenge. Seventy-six percent of participants reported experiencing some form of … [Read more...]
Storm clouds on the horizon evident in next generation of students
Commentary The slide show here was disturbing because it confirms discussions with educators. Industry colleagues have previously shared their challenges with integrating Gen Z early adults in the workplace, and it seems apparent the next generation will be even more challenging. While there are obvious human resource and selection criteria issues to plan for, the role … [Read more...]
NAVC’s 2024 VETTY Awards® recognize marketing excellence in animal health care
The 2024 VETTY Awards® winners represent the best in animal health care marketing worldwide. The winners will be recognized at the 42nd annual Veterinary Meeting and Expo, which takes place January 25-29 in Orlando, Florida. Source: PR Newswire, NAVC, January 20, 2025. Link. To view a complete list of winners, visit TheVETTYs.com/winners/2024-winners. … [Read more...]
FDA asks for veterinarians’ comments on cannabis-derived products
The FDA released a request for information soliciting comments from practicing veterinarians on the use of CDPs in animals. The focus of the request for information is on cannabidiol products and other products derived from hemp. The Federal Register notice that shares the RFI includes specific questions for veterinarians <Link>. Source: AVMA, January 16, 2025. … [Read more...]
Call summary feature new to Talkatoo app
Visit VMX booth 1433. Talkatoo <Link> makes the day-to-day lives of veterinary professionals better with technology to create an affordable, intelligent medical dictation solution. Talkatoo listens, transcribes and writes your medical notes for you and now offers a call summary feature through the Talkatoo app <Link> … [Read more...]
Ask Jorvet about the latest in veterinary equipment
Visit VMX booth 2805. Jorgensen Laboratories Inc. <Link> is recognized in the United States and globally as a premier source for veterinary instruments and equipment. Ask about the latest innovations in veterinary equipment for the progressive veterinary practitioner and team members. … [Read more...]
Address three root causes of procrastination
Elizabeth Grace Saunders offers ways to move beyond the reasons for procrastination. She shares the importance of practicing starting and starting again with consistent, persistent action to move beyond the tendency to avoid dealing with something that needs to be done. Source: Fast Company, January 16, 2025. Link. The key to overcoming your procrastination is identifying … [Read more...]
7 home maintenance tasks everyone forgets to do
Commentary Household trouble always seemed to come just as I left for a convention or business event. Colleagues often joked about it as they took a few minutes to call home and see what had happened, broken or was falling apart. Jeff Somers offers good advice for maintenance tasks often forgotten or ignored in this article. Some of them apply to veterinary hospitals … [Read more...]
The wisdom is in the questions
Questioning skills are critical to success in life, and as my grandfather coached, “The wisdom is in the questions.” Refreshing questioning skills will provide better experiences, outcomes and opportunities as animal health pros attend the upcoming national conventions and team meetings. In this article, Leonardo Capita shares the importance of open-ended questions and says … [Read more...]
Managing your stress
Animal healthcare is attractive, seductive and fulfilling, but it comes with responsibilities that produce stress. It is against the backdrop of normalcy that these stress pressures can stay well hidden, ready to strike when you least expect it. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, January 2025. Link. Every team member in a practice is a leader responsible for producing … [Read more...]
Indeed, veterinarian is the new “it” job
Veterinarians are ranked Number 1 on this year’s Best Jobs of 2025 report from Indeed. Sales representative was ranked second. Gen Z surpasses other generations in spending on their pets, whose presence seems to supplant having children. Plus, having a pet is associated with upsides for their own well-being. Source: Yahoo! News, January 15, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
AAVMC, Chewy Health announce the 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort
The 2025 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Cohort program combines financial assistance, professional development resources and mentorship opportunities to empower underrepresented veterinary students to thrive as future leaders. Fifteen selected second-year veterinary students receive a $20,000 scholarship each, as well as peer support sessions, leadership training and early-career … [Read more...]
Modern tech reshaping relationships and what we can do to rebuild meaningful connections
Commentary We believe this short article is worth consideration. Our animal health industry has long been underpinned by its collegial connections, the daily interactions with animal owners and the guidance around VCPR. Anthony Iannarino is increasingly concerned about how our technologies have rewired adult relationships. He asserts asynchronous tools sacrifice the … [Read more...]
Questions – rude or helpful?
We succeed when we help others succeed, and that is the role of every animal healthcare professional. Source: Repertoire, October 2024. Link. How can we help others succeed if we don’t know where they want to go?” or “Where are they now?” or “What is standing in the way? INSIGHTS: Move from “intrusive” to “interested” by acknowledging every response. Every interaction, … [Read more...]
Perianesthetic medication errors in general practice
Much like carpenters who measure twice and cut once, veterinary teams can benefit from developing a culture of safety that normalizes double-checking each other’s work. Erik H. Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA, MS, shares results from a study examining the number and type of medical errors during the perianesthetic period in private veterinary clinics. Workloads increase the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 16, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from January 9, 2025 AHD Bulletin - Water: Critical, undervalued nutrient in dairy calves. Link. Vaccination protects ratter dog from disease. Link. Lead when not in charge: leverage influence when you lack authority. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 8, 2025
Animal Health Digest Bulletin Archives from December 2024. Link. AHD Archives from January 2024. Link. Scroll through articles and topics from last January as you renew efforts for 2025. ================================================ Real ID set to go into effect on May 7, 2025 Source: Daily Passport. Link. REAL ID is currently optional but it will soon be a … [Read more...]
How to lead when you’re not in charge: leveraging influence when you lack authority
Clay Scroggins and Andy Stanley provide a practical and empowering framework for developing the skills and mindset needed to lead effectively, even when you're not in charge, writes PM Kimemia. He highlights seven things he learned from reading the book. Source: PM Kimemia, Facebook, December 23, 2024. Link. Influence is not about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about … [Read more...]
Complaining rewires the brain to stay negative and depressed (video)
Recent research shows that the act of complaining goes beyond simply releasing frustration; it can actually rewire the brain, making negativity a default setting and even setting the stage for prolonged feelings of sadness and depression. Negativity can be contagious and spending time around people who frequently complain can significantly affect our own mental health and … [Read more...]