To James Kerr’s way of thinking, life is never in “balance.” Sometimes work needs to take top priority, sometimes family does and sometimes we need to take the top spot for ourselves on the importance list. He favors work and life integration. Work and life integration involves finding ways to harmonize and blend your work responsibilities with your personal life in a way that … [Read more...]
Hauser: Client relationships with veterinary team critical to positive practice experiences
Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares the importance of client relationships with the practice team. She says effective reminder systems and efficient hospital operations aren’t enough. Clients want a practice team who treats them and their pets as individuals and works to create a partnership. Hauser’s advocacy and guidance could be represented by CVRP instead of VCPR, denoting the … [Read more...]
Viticus Group announces time-sensitive WVC Annual Conference early registration price
Complimentary Commercial Content Early registrants for the 2024 WVC Annual Conference can take advantage of a limited time $96 registration price. Registration sales open on September 6th. The 96th WVC Annual Conference will be held February 18th through February 21st, 2024 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Source: Viticus, WVC press release, … [Read more...]
Building trust from the start: Why first impressions matter
Commentary We’re all selling something although not all of it goes onto an invoice. Perhaps it is seeking a raise or better hours, an extra day of PTO, trading for a new car, finding qualified buyers for the last three puppies out of a litter, getting support for a service club event or helping our child sell the last two cases of cookies, we’re all selling … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 3, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 27th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – 6 signs YOU are the bully at work. Link. 12 plants and herbs that naturally repel mosquitoes. Link. Goal setting made easy. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Equine network debuts brand for new horse owners
The Equine Network announced My New Horse for equestrians just getting into horse ownership or riding. Partners Kent (aka Kent Feeds) and W.F. Young assert the brand will deliver a community and resources to new horse persons at the beginning stages of ownership. The website will feature content created by industry experts, Kent nutritionists and editors of respected … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 31, 2023
Target, CoComelon launch pet-centered toys and videos for toddlers, Chewy’s Katy Nelson, DVM, profit tips for small business owners, business insurance basics, shifting to digital payments and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 31, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Taking a vacation improves your well-being. Here’s how.
The bottom line is that employees and employers benefit mentally, physically and spiritually from vacation. Making sure your people and you regularly take time off is key to creating a more sustainable workplace with healthier, happier employees, writes Rebecca Zucker. . . . every year more than half of Americans give up paid time off . . .” Source: Harvard Business Review, … [Read more...]
Weight stigma infiltrates work
There's an economic cost to not being thin and it is present at every stage of the employment cycle, writes Erica Pandey. She says studies show weight discrimination affects women more than men. Discrimination based on body size is largely left out of diversity and inclusion training, and overlooked in employment law, although she says some policy changes have begun. For an … [Read more...]
Mental health challenges aren’t a given in veterinary medicine
Veterinary medicine is an intensely emotional field and mental health challenges are real, but they are complicated and do not define the profession, says Kerry Karaffa, mental health and well-being coordinator at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine. He says research shows that access to lethal means is a more significant factor in veterinary … [Read more...]
Self-coaching helps motivate you
We need to step onto the field as our own coaches and motivators. Here are a few ideas to build your “tough situation” self-coaching skills. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, June 21, 2023. Link. When bad days hit get moving.” INSIGHTS: Tough situations are inevitable. How you react is manageable. … [Read more...]
Employers share employees need training on how to behave in the office
From eye contact to empathy, business leaders shared concerns about employee business behaviors in a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com. The results show that employees need refreshers on how to do such things as hold workplace conversations, dress appropriately, take lunch breaks and even make eye contact. Some employers are now offering etiquette classes. Being … [Read more...]
Want loyal customers? Teach them something new.
Research indicates consumers are 131 percent more likely to buy from a brand after they engage with early-stage educational content. Meanwhile, 70 percent of customers in a groove study say understanding how to use products and services is important to winning their business. Customer education programs are important differentiators for nearly any business.” Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 27, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 20th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – Straight talk about veterinary workforce issues. Link. Filtering is a critical skill. Link. Best joint supplements for dogs. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Will animals at your county fair launch the next pandemic?
Since 2011, there have been more confirmed human cases of swine flu in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, according to the article linked here. Most have come from agricultural shows and fairs. Dr. Andrew Bowman, a molecular epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, and his colleagues have documented the dangers and looked for ways to make pig shows safer. He says … [Read more...]
4 things to bring ROI to cattle operations
Animal health pros who work with or call on cattle producers benefit from understanding how producers make money. Wesley Tucker explains how to use herd income generated from drought-induced downsizing to consider making strategic investments in forages, fence or water, irrigation, feed storage and handling in lieu of paying higher taxes. Source: MissouriRuralist, July 24, … [Read more...]
Review covers new and traditional OA drugs for canine osteoarthritis
Tamara Grubb DVM, PhD, DACVAA, reminds us that chronic pain has no biological value or purpose. Her review covers new and commonly used existing drugs and compounds for control of osteoarthritis pain in dogs since new publications on most of the existing drugs are mostly non-existent. She examines the related scientific evidence and key features of current OA drugs and … [Read more...]
Summer driving tips and reminders (video)
A large percentage of animal health pros are on the road in territories or commuting to and from work. Especially during this heat wave, it is a good time to review summer driving safety tips. A little planning and some safety checks might spare you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or worse, a crash. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. … [Read more...]
Filtering is a critical skill
One of the hardest things to do in leadership, and life, is to filter out BS. Source: AXIOS, June 29, 2023. Link. You need one or two people (intimate truth-tellers) who know your warts and worst instincts. INSIGHT: Balance – you are not as bad as your critics claim, nor as good as your supporters believe. … [Read more...]
Straight talk about veterinary workforce issues
Dr. Lori Teller, AVMA president, addressed some of the major issues affecting the veterinary workforce during the AVMA convention. The article here provides a summary of her comments, including perspectives on what is termed as an abundance of misinformation currently driving conversations about veterinary supply and demand. Teller notably mentioned: Normalizing trends … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 13, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 6th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 6th AHD Bulletin – Check your assumptions at the door to avoid medical gaslighting. Link. The hard truth. Link. Bear cam livestream returns for salmon run. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Running with the bulls. Tradition, bravery, craziness?
Ernest Hemingway was fascinated by the running of the bulls and bullfights. His depictions of Spain, festivals and the bulls likely increased the popularity of the events. Thought to originate in the 13th century, La Fiesta de San Fermín originated in 1591 when three festivals - the San Fermín festival, town fair of Pamplona and a celebration of bullfighting were combined … [Read more...]
Blister beetles in hay are a danger for livestock, horses
Got grasshoppers? Then it is likely blister beetles may be present as grasshopper eggs are a main food source for them <Link>. With drought causing more hay to be transported about the country, it is important for livestock producers and horse owners to monitor the hay and their animals for signs of blister beetles. Elizabeth Cronin shares some ways to reduce the threat … [Read more...]
Viticus Group announces two new 2023 WVC Academy courses
Complimentary Commercial Content New WVC Academy courses have been announced by Viticus Group. The courses provide hands-on CE, learning from top instructors and skill development to meet the needs of patients in everyday practice. The new courses announced are: Feline Medicine, October 9-10, 2023. Participants receive hands-on training in relieving urethral … [Read more...]
Mission Rabies on the streets in Cambodia
Includes Sponsored Content The Drs Chatfield connect with Luke Gamble, BVSc DVM&S, FRCVS, live on the streets of Cambodia as Mission Rabies teams get ready to disperse and vaccinate dogs. Rabies causes one to two deaths in children each week in Cambodia where dogs are a primary virus vector. Gamble’s objective is to vaccinate 100,000 dogs in an effort to increase herd … [Read more...]
Morris Animal Foundation celebrates 75 years of helping animals (video)
Morris Animal Foundation is celebrating 75 years of helping dogs, cats, horses and wildlife through scientific research. Spend five minutes to understand the history, importance and contributions this organization has and continues to provide to our industry. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, YouTube, June 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
New study reveals the states where vets are most in demand
Colorado has the highest demand for veterinarians and animal hospitals in America according to an analysis of Google searches by PetLab Co. Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina and Arizona complete the top 5. These findings highlight not only the pivotal role of vets but also the reliance on digital means in finding pet care.” Source: PetLabCo, July 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
You’re capable of courage
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act despite it. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, June 14, 2023. Link. It is precisely those times when your knees are shaking, when your voice is unsteady, and when your stomach is teeming with rioting butterflies that you are being courageous . . . provided, of course, that you are moving through your … [Read more...]
What happens at an in-person VMG meeting?
Rebecca Kilmartin shares what practitioners can expect when attending a live VMG meeting. Sessions generally feature at least one expert speaker that shares valuable insights on professional development topics. Recent discussions have covered areas such as hiring and staff satisfaction, practical accounting tips, efficient supply sourcing, and improving vision and leadership … [Read more...]
Artificial intelligence in veterinary medicine
Complimentary Content Offering perspectives on the hot topic of artificial intelligence, Meghan E. Burns, DVM, covers the current capacity of AI. She continues with a view of developing and future possibilities that can benefit animal health and veterinarian teams in time. Her perspectives are a good read for animal health pros trying to digest all the buzz on AI. Source: … [Read more...]