Key points and trends in the press release from Global Market Insights, Inc. will interest animal health pros. It notes various growth drivers including: Growing trend of adopting pet animals Rising prevalence of food borne and zoonotic diseases Favorable government initiatives Rapidly increasing demand for animal protein in human food Technological … [Read more...]
Rural veterinary shortage continues; food safety a concern
There has been a shortage of large-animal vets in rural areas since 2003. Experts say this is because of a combination of low wages, long hours and fewer new graduates wanting to live outside a major city. Without vets, farmers and the nation's food supply are more vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Source: NPR, June 16, 2018. Link. The death of a cow can set a rancher back … [Read more...]
Is what you do important?
Whether you’re an employer or employee, it is critical that you believe the work you do is important to attain the highest job satisfaction and maintain employee morale and retention. Properly looking at the way we mentor employees and the way we approach our jobs are key to success throughout any organization. Source: Purpose Unlimited, August 13, 2018. Link. The workplace … [Read more...]
Change is in the air for U.S. cattle ID and traceability
A 2017 BEEF Survey says beef producers give cautious support to traceability, Burt Rutherford said as he spoke to members of the International Livestock Identification Association (ILIA) at their annual conference. This is important because at present, outside of those for various value-added programs, the U.S. doesn’t have a nationwide birth-to-consumer traceability … [Read more...]
Does free-range access really offer poultry a better lifestyle?
We’ve linked to a one-page summary that outlines key points from a new study, “Impact of Free-range Poultry Production Systems on Animal Health, Human Health, Productivity, Environment, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare Issues.” Management is key to optimizing animal welfare in any production system. Although many perceive free-range poultry production systems to be more animal … [Read more...]
Protect your business
“Disruptive times call for transformational leaders with a knack for addressing complex problems. To navigate effectively, we must learn to let go—and become more complex ourselves.” This lead paragraph in an article in the March 2018 edition of the McKinsey Quarterly caught my attention. The further I read, the more I realized there is an acute need in the companion animal … [Read more...]
How we use our land helps customers gain perspective
Animal health pros, especially those serving livestock and wildlife sectors, often get into conversations about the best use for certain types of land. Bloomberg writers Dave Merrill and Lauren Leatherby used data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to show the major uses of land in the lower 48 states. You may be surprised at how little is used to grow our food. Source: … [Read more...]
Productive things to do when killing time between meetings
Those little spaces of time between “this” and “that” often seem insignificant. Still, with better focus we can use the spaces more productively and save time at the end of our days. Alyse Kalish offers 12 things you can you do in that itty-bitty timeframe that are productive enough to feel like you checked something off your to-do list. Source: the muse, August 3, 2018. … [Read more...]
White paper covers how dogs will help owners in distress (includes video)
The white paper “Timmy’s in the well: Empathy and prosocial helping in dogs,” was recently published in the journal Learning & Behavior. Paper authors studied the time that dogs responding to their owners’ crying. The study involved 34 pet dogs of various breeds and sizes and their owners. The results show that dogs will frequently push through barriers with urgency to help … [Read more...]
ARH-WOOOOOOO! Why do dogs howl?
Beyond ancestry, communication seems to be the primary reason dogs howl, writes Melvin Peña. He discusses some common reasons and situations when dogs howl. Source: Dogster, July 12, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Peña’s list of howling-prone dog breeds might help with a dog owner’s choices for a new animal. … [Read more...]
Therapy dogs may help with ADHD
There is good reason to suspect that dogs could be helpful for kids with ADHD, writes Karen B. London, PhD. If the Motivational Hypothesis is true, then interacting with dogs may help these kids by heightening their arousal and emotional states which may lead to increased attention and interest in the environment in which therapy takes place. Although promising, there is … [Read more...]
Our pets are fat and getting fatter
Sixty percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. In fact, the Association for Pet Obesity estimates that veterinarians now classify more than 100 million dogs and cats as overweight or obese. That is up from 80 million five years ago. Some pet owners fail to recognize the severity of the problem. Source: New York Times, August 2, 2018. (paywall) … [Read more...]
Traveling with pets: AVMA FAQs
August is traditionally a busy family vacation month. These trips include pets more than ever before. The AVMA has a solid resource to answer questions about pet travel. Consider using it to inform pet owners via social media, website links and in vacation readiness newsletters. Many of these FAQs also apply to the dogs and cats that attend state fairs with 4-Hers and FFA … [Read more...]
Virtual farm-to-table experience a must-see for animal health pros
The Maschhoffs is the fourth-largest hog production company in North America. Its new farm-to-table experience, an interactive digital tool that explains how pigs are raised, opens pork production to public. Less than 2 percent of the U.S. population works in agriculture and some animal health pros are unfamiliar with how pork is produced. Consumer education has been a priority … [Read more...]
Stable management topics
The Equine Network Newsletter topic for August 2018 is stable management. Content is provided from four different publications. Source: The Equine Network, August 1, 2018. The risks of poor arena air quality, EQUUS. Link. Fencing for the dressage facility, Dressage Today. Link. What to know during tick season, Practical Horseman. Link. Piles of grass clippings … [Read more...]
Opinion – Train new hires to give location directions
A recent family reunion and the return trip across new geography exposed the weakness of cell phone coverage, internet connectivity and the stark reality that many younger persons cannot give directions to their work location without the help of digital technology. Imagine the end of a 600-plus-mile day, traveling with a gracious but tired octogenarian and not being able to … [Read more...]
The harrowing tale of veterinary management service agreements
Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD, looks at the fine print in veterinary management agreements and raises concerns about governance and oversight. This is a must-read for all animal health pros to gain perspective on clinic ownership and the dynamics of MSAs. Source: DVM 360, July 10, 2018. Link. The MSA/MSO structure has been widely adopted as acceptable and legal in myriad … [Read more...]
Keeping pace with veterinary technology and services
Veterinary care providers have been slow to adapt to the rapid growth and industry advancements, writes Lidia Staron. She predicts some will be left behind. She reviews some of this year’s top trends that practice owners can consider to help stay ahead of the competition. Source: Veterinary Money Digest, July 28, 2018. Link. In addition to revenue growth, the veterinary … [Read more...]
Walmart enters veterinary care market
Targeting pets that don’t see veterinarians, Walmart is entering the veterinary care market. Veterinary clinics are opening in Walmart stores. By April 5, the pet products company PetIQ had opened its first three Walmart-based clinics in the Oklahoma cities of Bartlesville, Duncan, and Edmond. Company officials plan to have opened 20 by the end of last June. It will then push … [Read more...]
AVMA announces activity by Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
As we blast through our own busy schedules, committees like the CVTEA are toiling to update definitions and define pivotal elements of people managing animal care and health. Source: AVMA, July 31, 2018. Link. This newsletter serves to report on the accreditation actions and other activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary … [Read more...]
Behaviorist advises against toilet training cats (includes video)
Beyond the obvious convenience of not having to deal with a litter box, Dr. Marci L. Koski is firmly opposed to training a cat to use the human toilet. She gives five reasons why this is not a good idea: Not natural You may miss indicators of changes in your cat’s health Physical stress It only takes ONE time to spook your cat off the toilet forever Your cat … [Read more...]
Veterinarians are important to beekeeping
Gillian Kruskall, DVM, writes about the veterinarian’s role in beekeeping since te VFD regulations require site inspections to establish VCPRs. When a beekeeper contacts you, Kruskall’s article will help veterinary teams “bee” ready. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, July 2018. Link. Each state has a number of certified state apiary inspectors who are highly skilled at … [Read more...]
And you thought role-play was challenging
Live role-play has always been a challenging training exercise in training, at least for those participants who get anxious being watched. Soft skills, regardless of one’s level in society, are key to effectiveness in life. From self confidence to communication skills and emotional intelligence, they all play a significant role in determining a person’s success and happiness. … [Read more...]
One simple question can help you break out of your bubble
A significant challenge for many leaders is that the higher they rise, the more insulated they become. In other words, they get trapped in a bubble. Subordinates tend to become overly compliant, telling them what they want to hear. And once candid conversations are now not so candid. By explicitly asking others, “What do you think?” leaders can break free of this … [Read more...]
Take control of learning at work
There is great demand for employees who demonstrate high levels of “learnability,” the desire and ability to quickly grow and adapt one’s skill set to remain employable throughout their working life, writes Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. The recent technological revolution turbocharged this demand. As children, we are naturally curious and free to explore the world around us. As … [Read more...]
There are 3 occasions when it is okay to cuss
Cursing. It’s a temptation that’s gotten the better of most us more than once. It is likely none of those utterances fit the straightforward guidelines in this piece. Jenni Latzke takes on salty language and the very few times it is worth considering. Source: High Plains Journal, July 16, 2018. Link. Look, there’s a reason curse words are called “salty language.” It’s … [Read more...]
Sponsored content; as seen in AAHA NEWStat
AAHA NEWStat is one of several publications available from AAHA Press, the publishing arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). <link> We’ve selected a sample of sponsored content as seen in recent weeks for your consideration: Source: AAHA NEWStat. Make sure clients hear what you’re trying to tell them with these free videos, Partners for Healthy … [Read more...]
Antibiotic use is all about animal welfare
Carissa Odland, DVM, is a swine practitioner whose antibiotic comments apply to all species. Her discussion forms a solid position for any animal health pro who engages in an antibiotic-free discussion. There are three reasons why we use antibiotics in veterinary medicine: Treat disease Control disease Prevent disease Source: PORK, July 23, 2018. Link. By … [Read more...]
10 things that steal our motivation and how to get it back
At its core, demotivation is about you not being fully committed to act. There are many reasons why you might be in this position. Cath Duncan explains ways to categorize your demotivation that can help you identify the real reasons for your unwillingness to commit to action. With a better understanding ,you can pick the right tools and strategies to get motivated … [Read more...]
6 signs you’re being taken advantage of at work
If going the extra mile is a part of your work ethic, sometimes you can find yourself in a difficult position, says Alyse Kalish. If you’re unsure whether you’re being taken advantage of in your current job, keep an eye out for these six signs: People have stopped asking whether its ok to hand you more work No one ever says thank you You’re spending a majority of … [Read more...]