Gallup’s research has one finding that every CEO should tape to their monitor: Managers account for at least 70 percent of the variance in employee engagement scores across business units. Ashley Herd shares the case against the Great Flattening in this article which acknowledges the functions of AI tools and their weaknesses beyond tactical support. “When you remove the … [Read more...]
AVMA president breaks down pet insurance gaps
Pet insurance covers fewer than four percent of U.S. dogs and cats, a gap Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, addresses in this article. He offers pet owner guidance to know what’s covered, wellness versus emergency plans and the importance of financial planning for a pet’s lifetime care when choosing a pet insurance policy. Above all, Bailey makes the case for prevention, … [Read more...]
Gratitude
Gratitude is a grounding force that protects us from pride, strengthens resilience and supports long-term career fulfillment. Source: LinkedIn, May 19, 2026. Link. Gratitude doesn’t require pretending your job is perfect. No role is without challenges. Instead, gratitude invites a broader, more balanced perspective, one that acknowledges difficulties while still recognizing … [Read more...]
23 percent of the U.S. workforce is 55 or older: The retirement wave is coming.
Workforce aging is accelerating because many older Americans are increasingly balancing financial pressure, career uncertainty and concerns about long-term stability in today’s labor market, according to Jasmine Escalera. Notable findings in this report include: Older workforce growth outpaces total employment growth: Workers aged 55+ grew by 17.3 percent since 2014, … [Read more...]
Consumers like AI content until they know it’s AI
Important read Pamela Parker shares research on how AI content is perceived against its ability to generate content rapidly. The outcomes cover trust and believability. She asserts that for marketers, the path forward involves balancing efficiency with trust. The AI content paradox means that efficiency and scale come with a trust tax that is activated the moment a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 1, 2026
In this week’s Fast Bites Legislative updates from Colorado and New York Member hosts successful dock diving event; more than 70 canine athletes competed White paper report from 2026 Financial Benchmarking survey Member resources and upcoming events Source: IBPSA, June 1, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28th. Link. Role ambiguity, … [Read more...]
The impact of BCS on systolic blood pressure and glucose levels in cats
This article reinforces the importance of obesity management in cats as our industry works to support growth in feline health interest and veterinary visits. Results from a recent study highlight the importance of recognizing the impact of body condition score on feline health. Obese cats exhibited significantly higher SBP and blood glucose concentrations compared to their … [Read more...]
Quality over quantity driving milk revenue in U.S. dairies
Karen Bohnert says the U.S. dairy industry is evolving from a fluid milk nation into the world’s premier nutrient-dense global powerhouse. She shares analytics from Farm Journal’s 2026 State of the Dairy Industry Report that shows a staggering 89 percent of producers are now actively and surgically adjusting their rations to target specific milk components (fat and protein) … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 4, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 28, 2026. Link. Most read posts from May 28, 2026 AHD Bulletin – New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey. Link. Malone: Bad and good pain. Link. Just trying to save lives and survive! (video). Link. Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload. … [Read more...]
New insights on the hidden impact of veterinary care: global survey
Commentary I often promote the benefits of veterinarians and veterinary technicians talking out loud with clients and sharing what they look for and feel during exams when working with clients’ animals. This kind of vet talk reveals the expertise and depth of veterinary care owners often take for granted. Yet, it is this expertise that is essential to protect animals, people … [Read more...]
Vetmed. Just trying to save lives and survive!
No commentary required. Walter Brown, BS, RVTg, VTS, tells it like it is. When it comes to veterinary medicine, he says, “Love don’t keep the lights on.” Listing many of the fixed operational costs to keep a clinic available for animal owners, he says, “The same inflation that is affecting groceries, housing, gas and health care is also affecting veterinary medicine.” The … [Read more...]
Bad and good pain
Hard days if you stay in a safe job. Hard days if you leave. Hard days if you keep doing what drains you. Hard days if you try to build something better. Source: The 1 Minute Read, May 14, 2026. Link. Which kind of suffering is worth it? Some suffering only takes from you…but some suffering builds you.” INSIGHTS: Stop expecting life not to hurt. Choose the pain … [Read more...]
Role ambiguity is the top workplace stressor, not workload
A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Psychology identified role ambiguity as the most damaging of three foundational workplace stressors by far: Role overload refers to having too much to do. Role conflict involves competing or contradictory demands, such as receiving conflicting direction from supervisors. Role ambiguity is the absence of clarity … [Read more...]
CX is a leadership issue, not a service issue
Research from Forrester finds companies that prioritize proactive customer experience achieve 41 percent faster revenue growth and 51 percent better customer retention than their peers. Author Jeannie Walters asserts that customer experience is the responsibility of leadership. She shares three behaviors of leaders who consistently drive strong customer experience outcomes: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 26, 2026
Financial survey results, IBBY nominations, webinars for members. Source: IBPSA, May 26, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 21st. Link. Fear Free, making decisions, why clients don't book, are you ready for summer, using Reddit for pet marketing, and more! … [Read more...]
U.S. consumer sentiment hits record low amid rising costs
Consumer sentiment has hit an all-time low. Spiking energy prices renewed inflation fears and pushed consumer confidence down 10 percent from a month ago and more than 14 percent from a year ago. Source: Washington Express, May 22, 2026. Link. The cost of living continues to be a first-order concern, with 57 percent of consumers spontaneously mentioning that high prices … [Read more...]
There’s still time to protect cattle from pinkeye
Commentary Drought, slow pasture growth, moving cattle to new grass and cattle grouping around hay feeding areas increase exposure to the pinkeye bacteria flies readily transfer. Even if cattle are already turned out, consider pinkeye vaccination during movements to new pasture. Pinkeye in cattle most often involves both Moraxella bovis and Moraxella bovoculi. Vaccination … [Read more...]
Making the pet food to pet health connection
Pet owners are turning to pet food to boost their pets’ health and wellness, writes David Sprinkle. His takeaways from the January 2026 Packaged Facts survey data show the priority of pet food as a pet health product rises up the generational ladder, tied to a greater likelihood of populations owning more senior pets than ever before. Source: PETFOOD Industry, May 11, 2026. … [Read more...]
The science behind red light therapy for horses
Red light therapy, or photobiomodulation, has become one of the most talked-about modalities in modern equine wellness. PBM uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity, particularly in the mitochondria. This article shares B to C content that supports educating animal owners. It covers professional and at-home use of PBM, areas … [Read more...]
What’s wrong with this picture?
May 24, 2026. Southeast Central Nebraska. Feeding hay while drought-affected grass tries to recover. The lack of moisture is putting significant pressure on producers in this state. Around 62 percent of the U.S. cattle inventory is in an area experiencing drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly three-quarters of the U.S. cattle herd is being affected by … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo opens June 3
The world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show brings together pork producers and industry professionals from around the world for two days of education, innovation and networking. It takes place Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Source: World Pork Expo. Link. There’s something for everyone — an expansive trade … [Read more...]
What Fear Free actually built in 10 years
The principles that shape how animals experience professional care have lived in the apprenticeship layer of the pet industry—passed mentor to mentor, shop to shop, with no shared curriculum. Fear Free was built to close that gap, writes Collin Armstrong. The organization grew from Dr. Marty Becker’s conviction of, “Fear, anxiety, and stress in animals are not just welfare … [Read more...]
Veterinarian perception of professional conduct
In this study, a convenience sample of 98 veterinarians in Australia were surveyed on their perceived importance of professional conduct statements based on standards listed in the Australian Veterinary Association’s code of professional conduct. The statement with the highest mean score of perceived importance was, “Veterinarians must hold the health, welfare, and … [Read more...]
Producer-veterinarian relationships matter
A lot has been written about access to veterinary care lately. We’ve professed the need to adjust the relationship view to consider CVRP instead of VCPR <Link>. Whether we have it backwards or not, Andrea Bedford’s article reveals the value communication and trust with producers as an important and often overlooked component of VCPR. She describes the C-V-R as part of … [Read more...]
Deciding is the first step
The fear of making the wrong decision creates a barrier to acting because we falsely believe there is only one right answer. That belief is the trap. We don't develop judgment skills by waiting for the perfect decision to practice on, shares Andy Williams. We develop it by deciding, observing, learning, and deciding again. Source: LinkedIn, April 24, 2026. Link. You don't … [Read more...]
Free webinar: Why clients don’t rebook and what to do
Complimentary Pet owners still want care for their animals, but they now return to practices based on total client experience. In this evidence-based webinar, you’ll learn: What today’s digital-first clients expect from veterinary practices Where common breakdowns in communication and education occur How aligning the client experience leads to more consistent … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 18, 2026
TODAY! Financial Survey Results webinar, 12:00 p.m. MDT. Registration Link. Also consider: Member Webinar: Introducing Preventive Vet, Tuesday, May 26th, 1:00 p.m CDT. Link. Remember to submit your IBBY Nominations. Link. Source: IBPSA, May 18, 2026. Link. Also see: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 14th. Link. Pet brands using AI, employee sabbaticals, … [Read more...]
Is your pet business ready for summer?
Beginning with freezer and cooling maintenance, Pets+ staff writers offer a readiness schedule for store locations to run through the first summer months. We would add checking air conditioning units, servicing any air filtration units and pressure washing entry sidewalks to the schedule. Source: Pets+, May 18, 2026. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Why Reddit is quietly becoming one of the most powerful forces in pet marketing
Ronn Torossia extends his AI marketing theme we posted last week <Link> and explores Reddit’s ability to generate community validation at scale. He says the implications for marketers are profound as brands consumers naturally discuss become the brands AI systems naturally retrieve. Source: Pets+, May 17, 2026. Link. As AI increasingly intermediates consumer … [Read more...]
Application and use of a continuous glucose monitor in cats and dogs
In the article linked here, Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM, and Jose Estrada, DVM, MS, share the pros and cons of using CGM systems, how to attach them and the importance of educating clients about results. The article includes instructional photos that will help explain CGM use with clients. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2025. Link. The CGM most commonly used in … [Read more...]