The word “but,” a simple conjunction seems nearly impossible to avoid, is potentially damaging to your brand and reputation, even if only subtly. Typically, “but” follows a more positive statement and signals a note of disagreement, opposition, or confused thinking that’s just around the corner. Source: Fast Company, March 28, 2018. Here are a few common situations where … [Read more...]
Why we stink at fact-checking
Research from cognitive psychology shows that people are naturally poor fact checkers and it is very difficult for us to compare things we read or hear to what we already know about a topic. Psychologists believe that there are at least two forces at work. First, people have a general bias to believe that things are true. Second, people tend to accept information as … [Read more...]
Why we fall for false expertise and how to stop
One of the more important assets a group can have is the expertise of its members. But, research indicates that even when everyone within a group recognizes who the subject matter expert is, they defer to that member just 62 percent of the time. When they don’t, they listen to the most extroverted person. People are not naturally skilled at figuring out who they should be … [Read more...]
Sentinel chickens keep us safe from disease
Chickens do more than lay eggs and develop protein. Throughout California, 139 sentinel chicken flocks work hard to help ecologists and disease prevention specialists predict when human cases of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis may occur. They’re sitting in coops throughout neighborhoods waiting to get bitten by mosquitoes. But, they don’t get sick from the diseases. … [Read more...]
Owning a horse is hard, but worth it.
Gerrie Barnes reminds would-be horse owners to decide how much time they have available for an equine friend. She shares options to meet the needs of a horse enthusiast and to ensure a horse’s needs are met. horse: Full-time/on-site ownership Boarding ownership Leasing Take lessons Source: AQHA, April 2, 2018. Owning a horse isn’t as easy as it looks, but it … [Read more...]
Polydactyl cats and their many toes
Domestic cats normally have 18 toes; five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. However, polydactyl cats can have one or two extra toes, usually on their front feet. Sandy Robins reviews this fairly common trait. Source: Catster, March 27, 2018. Because of the variability in the expression of polydactyly in cats, some extra toes have a tendency for ‘ingrown’ claws,” … [Read more...]
Feline serenading indicates heat (includes videos)
If you grew up before air conditioning you’ve probably been awakened by the tell-tale sounds of a tom cat and his girlfriend singing to each other. Angie Bailey shares videos and discusses spay and neutering as the only way to stop all the caterwauling, yowling, lugubrious meows and thunderous purrs. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. The only way to truly prevent female cats … [Read more...]
Cats may experience placebo effects
Cat, or other pets, may experience placebo effects, according to a study at North Carolina State University evaluating a novel approach for cats with degenerative joint disease. Though conducted in 2014, interesting results were aired this week. Source: KPCC, April 4, 2018. Results? In Part One, all owners said their pets were better – so there was a definite placebo … [Read more...]
Noise sensitivity and pain in dogs
A recent study about noise sensitivities in dogs gives us new information that could improve their quality of life and well-being. Two recent articles reviewing the research findings are offered for your consideration. The research suggests that pain can be a cause of new noise sensitivities, especially in older dogs. The recommendations based on the work are: older dogs … [Read more...]
Use the first 90 minutes of your day to gain clarity
As an industry, we invest heavily into life quality issues for animal health professionals and animals. Benjamin Hardy believes how you spend the first 90 minutes of your day will determine your success in life. His perspective is results-orientated. Hardy thinks most people’s mornings are far from optimal. As a result, few people make tangible progress toward their dreams on a … [Read more...]
Leadership secrets revealed
Done well, leadership looks easy and effortless, much like a swan gliding across a pond appears graceful and elegant. But, like the swan, there is a lot of work going on below the waterline. So, understanding the following secrets of leadership will help develop your leadership abilities. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, March 22, 2018. Don’t expect the world to look at you as a … [Read more...]
AAHA, Coffman Organization partner to improve veterinary practice cultures
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and management consulting firm The Coffman Organization (TCO), announced a collaboration to study and build stronger, healthier workplaces within the veterinary profession. AAHA and TCO are committed to bring meaningful, lasting improvements to veterinary workplace culture and enhance the overall well-being of veterinary … [Read more...]
Regain the lost art of reflection
This article has value for almost every animal health pro because of the levels of decisions we make daily. An intense focus on information processing, reaction and execution causes the quality of our thoughts to suffer, even though it may feel productive. In reflective thought, a person examines underlying assumptions, core beliefs and knowledge, while drawing connections … [Read more...]
Diversity training infuriates men and fails women
Tracing the history of diversity training to the 1950s, Joanne Lipman tackles the issue from all directions in this excerpt from her book, "That’s what she said." She covers a half century of terms and biases that still need resolution through improved strategies to understand and act equitably. Source: Time, January 25, 2018. A recent Harvard study found that corporate … [Read more...]
Feedyard sector featured in March 23 New York Times
Antibiotic resistance in cattle is the focus of, “Hamburger Central, Antibiotics for Cattle That Aren’t Sick,” an article posted online by the New York Times and in print with the headline, “Drugs Go to Healthy Cattle. Should Consumers Worry?” on March 23. The article features three officers of Cactus Feeders, Dr. Martin J. Blaser, a scientist at a Manhattan, New York, Veterans … [Read more...]
Chicken farming: evolving or returning to its roots?
Over the past 160 years, consumers and poultry farmers have changed the way we care for and eat chickens. The 19th-century fancier valued the beauty of the various breeds. Most consumers now value low prices more. Kenny Googan traces the evolution of the chicken industry. Source: Countryside Daily, March 27, 2018. The evolution of the chicken industry over the past century … [Read more...]
Bacon: America’s meat candy (includes slides)
For bacon’s sake! For years, we’ve been in the age of bacon mania where consumers can’t get enough of delicious cured pork belly and bacon-flavored foods. Sara Brown shares a slide deck that shows bacon’s rise to fame. Source: Pork, March 26, 2018. America's favorite meat has a long history of making people smile. … [Read more...]
Public support for animal rights goes far beyond dogs in overhead bins
Garrett M. Broad is a researcher who studies how society treats animals. While public outrage clings to the death of a French Bulldog in an airplane bin, Broad has been investigating what the public thinks about animals and their rights. The results show that a clear majority of people identify as animal lovers. But, not every self-professed animal lover supports full legal … [Read more...]
The vaccinations horses need
Vaccines are the most effective weapons for protecting horses against the ravages of disease. The editors at EQUUS provide an overview of how vaccinations work and how best to use them to protect horses. Articles like this are valuable for social media posts, websites and to help reinforce lifestyle protocols for horse owners. Source: Equus, March 19, 2018. The American … [Read more...]
Feline heartworm discussions are important
Our feline friends are true masters at falling asleep any time, any place and under any circumstances writes JaneA Kelly. She offers some perspective about them: All that sleeping is in your cat’s genes Cats aren’t always sound asleep Cats do sleep deeply and even dream Some cats do snore when they sleep A change in your cat’s sleeping habits could be a sign … [Read more...]
AAHA accreditation IS a BIG deal
AAHA accreditation serves two purposes. First, it recognizes and objectively certifies great veterinary practices. Second, it helps good veterinary hospitals become great ones by coaching their teams and bringing out the maximum potential and value of the practices. Since 1933, the association has charted the course for approximately 3,700 practices to achieve accreditation. … [Read more...]
A different perspective helps
I write a regular sales column for distribution reps. It recently occurred to me animal health pros, especially associates in a veterinary practice may benefit from what that I share with distribution reps. My February 2018 column in Vet-Advantage magazine is a good example. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2018. Act like a customer Act like a marketer Act like an … [Read more...]
Create a growth culture, not a performance-possessed one
Tony Schwartz discusses the challenges of performance cultures, the impact on employees and challenges to sustaining success. Instead he advocates a growth culture that blends individual and organizational components: An environment that feels safe, fueled first by top by leaders willing to demonstrate vulnerability and take personal responsibility for their shortcomings … [Read more...]
New study says social media doesn’t isolate people
A new study from the University of Kansas finds that spending time on social media networks doesn’t leave users feeling isolated or lonely. Published in the journal, “Information, Communication & Society,” the study concludes that using social media offers no evidence of losing face-to-face communication with friends and family. The KU researchers followed this with a … [Read more...]
Demographic shift in pet ownership
Millennial pet ownership has surpassed baby boomers, according to a December 2017 Packaged Facts report on pet food in the U.S. The report also states that millennials account for 35 percent of all pet owners. Approximately 66.8 million households, which is more than half of U.S. households at 54.6 percent, owned pets in 2017. Source: Petfood Industry, March 8, 2018. … [Read more...]
Engagement, experience and relevancy highlight Bridge Club activities
We posted the sell-out results of the Bridge Club event that focused on the Veterinary Nurse initiative last week. Bridge Club founder, Catherine Haskins, summarized audience interactions and Ken Yagi’s responses for AHD: The big question asked by the community was “why?” According to Yagi, the effort started with many veterinary technicians asking how the profession could … [Read more...]
PetIQ, Inc., opening 20 veterinary clinics in Walmart
This recent announcement begins PetIQ's plan to expand veterinary services to leading retailers following the acquisition of VIP Petcare this past January. PetIQ has plans to open more than 1,000 additional veterinary services clinics, in retail-partner locations, through 2023. Today, PetIQ and VIP serve more than 40 retail partners representing more than 60,000 … [Read more...]
Self-management is a long-distance race
This is the work of self-management: building the intellectual, emotional and behavioral muscles to modulate our thoughts, emotions and reactions to triggers that lead to ingrained behaviors. This change doesn’t happen overnight after our big epiphanies. Source: Key Step Media, February 2018. With the right skill-building, supports, and self-discipline, we can build new … [Read more...]
Lead from where you are
It is time to update our thinking, asserts Christina Folz. She offers some tips to help you succeed as a leader: Accept failure Accept who you are Build relationships early Question everything Find people who challenge you Take initiative Source: HR Magazine, December 12, 2017. We live in a world where “traditional authority has less and less currency, … [Read more...]
Dogs favor baby talk
A new study by researchers at the University of York in England shows that the way we talk to our dogs plays an important part in building relationships with them, similar to the way that talking baby talk to infants helps them bond with adults. Source: AAHA NEWStat, March 7, 2018. Previous studies on how humans communicate with dogs suggest that using dog-directed speech … [Read more...]