Even criticism that is intended only to be helpful, that is phrased kindly, and is genuinely useful, often stings when it is delivered, writes Art Markman. It is a blow to your self-confidence, and it challenges your self-esteem. You have to suppress the urge to go on the defensive. . . “- Art Markman Source: Fast Company, October 1, 2021. Link. When you get a really incisive … [Read more...]
Decision making made clear
This simple rule of decision making is founded on principles of emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage your emotions. Source: Inc. October 29, 2021. Link. Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion.” INSIGHT: Certainly, think through your decision before acting but do not get caught up in analysis-paralysis. … [Read more...]
Pet Age introduces pet industry’s 2021 Power 50 list
In its inaugural Power 50 list, Pet Age recognizes the people whose vital work has made a substantial impact on the pet market. Note the cross section of businesses represented. The criteria were simple: Identify the people influencing the pet care community in positive ways, whether they be company leaders, heads of organizations or officials whose decisions affect the pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 11, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Cost of veterinary care concerns consistent among generations. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin – November 4, 2021. Link. . . . Archives Archived AHD posts for October 2021. Link. This 11-year-old is helping hard-to-place dogs in shelters get attention – and find new … [Read more...]
Pandemic coronavirus is widespread in Iowa deer
About 80 percent of Iowa deer tested between late November 2020 and early January were infected with the pandemic coronavirus according to a New York Times report. The deer picked up mutations and variants in similar patterns to humans across the state, suggesting humans passed infections to deer multiple times. The rapid rise in the prevalence of infections indicates … [Read more...]
Tackling listeriosis on the farm
Listeriosis is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It is present everywhere in the environment and survives well in moist soil for about one year. A synopsis explaining the infection path of Listeria and how farmers can keep the infection at bay is provided here written by Clare Holmes from Northern Ireland’s Agri-Food and Biosciences … [Read more...]
10 early interventions to rescue sick calves
Scours and pneumonia are the twin challenges of every calf raiser, especially heading into winter. However, early detection along with proven interventions, will help many calves pull through temporary setbacks and thrive. . . . supportive care is more valuable than antibiotics.” - Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM Source: Dairy Herd Management, November 3, 2021. Link. Develop … [Read more...]
The history of the Kansas City Stockyards
Kansas City once housed the second-largest meat packing industry in the nation, just behind Chicago, known as the Kansas City Stockyards. The last cattle auction took place in September 1991. The stockyards then closed because of rising costs and changing agricultural marketing patterns. Meat processing challenges have been discussed routinely in 2020 and 2021 as the … [Read more...]
Understanding how horses learn may keep veterinarians safe
Concerned about the frequency of injuries to equine veterinarians, researchers in Scotland sought to determine if the vets understood how horses learn. Vets were asked if they understood positive reinforcement. Eighty-four percent said they did, but only 19 percent were correct when tested. Nearly 80 percent of vets said they understood negative reinforcement, but only 33 … [Read more...]
We’re overfeeding like crazy
Studies show that keeping dogs lean contributes significantly to their health and well-being, writes Denise Flaim. A 14-year Purina Life Span Study found dogs with restricted diets lived 15 percent longer than those with less-restricted diets. That’s almost two years. Despite the compelling evidence for the upside of slimming down, the reality is that thin isn’t In . . . when … [Read more...]
How dogs see the world and TV
Dogs hear better than us for sure. When it comes to sight dogs see the world differently. Two articles from PetMD offer a look at dog vision, including TV watching. Sources: How do dogs see the world? Pet MD. Link. Can dogs see TV? Pet MD. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider these articles for social media or newsletters. … [Read more...]
Which dogs live the longest?
Some breeds live longer than others . This article shares dog breeds with long average life expectancies. For a canine companion that has a long average life, choose small dog breeds.” Source: Puppies and Pooches, January 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month
As the most common medical neurologic disease in dogs, epilepsy has a profound impact on quality of life for affected dogs and their owners. Epilepsy affects one in every 100 dogs and refers to recurrent seizures resulting from an abnormality in brain function. Source: AKC, November 8, 2021. Link. Since 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and its donors have … [Read more...]
Looking into 2022. Mark Cushing, The Bridge Club
Complimentary No one has a crystal ball, but industry insiders like Mark Cushing have perspectives worth consideration. Cushing will be the guest of The Bridge Club for a casual zoom discussion of what 2022 might present as hot topics or challenges for animal health professionals. Location: The Bridge Club Zoom Date/Time: November 17, 2021. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM … [Read more...]
Front desk persons anchor customer experiences and are more important than ever
In a post from June 7, 2016, Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR reminded front desk persons that people NEED you, and you need them. Fast forward to 2021 and we find the importance of first contact personnel setting the tone for each visit hasn’t changed. In fact, their roles may be more important than ever. Every single client that walks through your door has a worry (or need), … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 8, 2021
Small Business Saturday tips, pet industry growth projected to continue, outside investors wild about online pet industry opportunities, CBD more mainstream, pet owners seeking healthy pet food attributes and more. Achieving certified pet care status has become increasingly important and acts as a differentiator for pet care community businesses and for advancing the skills … [Read more...]
Followership: The Key to Leadership
In business, leadership occurs at all levels, from the executive suite to the warehouse floor and at every level in between. Source: Vet Advantage, August 2021. Link. Influential leaders, no matter what title they have or role they play, are those with willing followers. INSIGHTS: Leaders follow first, then invite others to follow them. … [Read more...]
Best practices for legal and ethical issues with delivering virtual care
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association provides a free resource for veterinary practices considering or implementing virtual care and navigating legal and ethical considerations. The free resource covers topics like: VCPRs Licensing Medical Record Keeping Malpractice Insurance Client Communication Prescribing Source: VVCA, June 2020. … [Read more...]
Medical exemptions to mandates? 5 answers from a legal expert.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission continues to issue guidance to employers on how to evaluate medical exemption requests, but not every situation will be covered. Helene Hechtkopf* shares the basic process by which an employer should evaluate a medical exemption request and presents factors that will impact decisions. Source: Human Resource Executive, November 1, … [Read more...]
Paired housing in lieu of group housing
Group housing for dairy calves is not an easy system for all farms to implement. Dairies can still reap the benefits that come from raising calves in social groups by housing two calves together as a pair. I really like pair housing because we get a lot of the advantages of social housing without the detrimental effects of large groups. There is a lot of opportunity to modify … [Read more...]
The biggest whales can eat the equivalent of 80,000 Big Macs in one day
Baleen whales, the biggest animals to have ever lived on earth, gobble up much more food than scientists thought, according to a new study of filter-feeding whales that reveals just how important their eating habits could be for recycling nutrients in the ocean. Source: NPR, November 3, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
AAHA releases first veterinary guidelines for working, assistance and therapy dogs
The 2021 AAHA Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines are the first comprehensive consensus report to guide veterinary teams who care for: Protection dogs (police, military, security) Odor/scent detection dogs Service dogs for people with diagnosed disabilities or physical limitations Emotional support dogs Therapy dogs Source: AAHA NEWStat, November … [Read more...]
The secret to hiring customer service employees
A great customer experience depends on great employees, says Micah Solomon. The secret is to hire your customer-facing team based on psychological traits, in addition to thinking about the specific skill set you’re looking for. Solomon shares five key traits using the acronym W.E.T.C.O.: Warmth Empathy Teamwork Conscientiousness Optimism Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 1, 2021
Shelter dog makeovers, conservation dogs helping endangered species, digital marketing for small business, who spends the most on their pets, how to get paid as a small business owner and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 1, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Leadership word of the day: DISAPPOINTED
Eventually, we all get upset or angry. Loosing our cool is simply not effective when dealing with employees or with recalcitrant clients. The key is to convey these feelings of discontent in ways that will evoke an emotional reaction, capture attention and heighten the immediate pressures of reality. But it’s essential to evoke the right response because not just any feelings … [Read more...]
How to give difficult feedback to your boss (even when you’re scared)
To ensure your upward feedback is received well, start with connection and intention, write Karin Hurt and David Dye. It might feel safer to stay silent but the problematic behavior will only continue, or even get worse. They offer six steps to improve how you give upward feedback. Giving difficult feedback to your boss is rarely easy. But, practice builds confidence. And the … [Read more...]
The importance of tracking spending
Complimentary One of the more challenges to managing your finances is tracking spending. It helps give you the clarity to drive your plan and not let your plan drive you. In this edition of the Smarter Vet podcast ,techniques are shared to get the most control over your spending. Source: Smarter Vet Podcast, Florida Financial Advisors, January 2021. Link. 27 minutes. … [Read more...]
Women at work. Leaders to learn from.
HBR’s Emily Caulfield interviews four women who model leadership excellence. Plus, Muriel Wilkins shares advice on how to take care of yourself while taking care of the people you manage. Source: Women at Work, Harvard Business Review, Season 7, Episode 2. Link. 45-minute podcast found in the WILMAH newsletter, October 27, 2021. … [Read more...]
NIB rule (notice, importance, belonging) critical to help people feel included
Take the time to offer a small gesture, a kind word or even just a nod or knowing glance that makes people feel they matter. This makes people feel a part of something. It makes them feel, in some small way, that they belong. Source: Inc. October 7, 2021. Link. Great leaders see making people feel noticed as an important part of their job. They look for ways to recognize … [Read more...]
Know and share the signs, risk of EHD in deer and livestock
We’re posting this because deer seasons have opened around the country. Please consider sharing it with local media to encourage hunters and livestock producers to be on the lookout for deer, particularly whitetail deer, and livestock exhibiting symptoms. EHD is a reportable disease in North Dakota where drought has caused many producers to relocate their cattle. The virus … [Read more...]