In collaboration with GO Topeka, the economic development group for Kansas' capital city, Plug and Play Topeka, a global industry-specific accelerator program, has selected 13 animal health startups for its ninth cohort. The group includes global startups focusing on animal health diagnostics or therapeutics, food safety and quality, packaging, or novel ingredients, and … [Read more...]
Dr. Gary Smith awarded CAB’s Industry Achievement Award
Likely the most renowned meat scientist in the U.S., Dr. Gary Smith received the Industry Achievement Award from Certified Angus Beef during its Feeding Quality Program in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 24. Source: Certified Angus Beef, August 2025. Link (includes video). Dr. Gary Smith originally had no plans to become a meat scientist. But thank goodness he did. … [Read more...]
CattleCon 2026 registration is now open
Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, the annual gathering for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA Trade Show. The event will take place from February 3 through February 6 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Source: NCBA, August 20, 2025. Link. Full convention details. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 21, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 14, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 14, 2025 AHD Bulletin – When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer. Link. Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers. Link. The hidden costs of fear in businesses. Link. Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms. … [Read more...]
False consensus: Same buzzwords, different priorities, no actions
Commentary At first blush, this article was a pass, but advice it offers kept surfacing. Though it originates in manufacturing, we’re all trying to align our teams and focus on investing our talents and resources in the best places. Beyond the words, there is a real cost to misalignment, writes Robyn M. Bolton. She shares perspectives and actions from the Strategic … [Read more...]
The hidden costs of fear in businesses
Fear is terrible and expensive for business. If you could quantify the Total Cost of Fear (TCF) inside most organizations, the number would be staggering, shares author John Ryan. Fear-based messages don’t motivate . . . they paralyze. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, July 2025. Link. When people feel safe enough in an environment, they take interpersonal risks. That means … [Read more...]
IVAP approved by NAVTA
IGNITE’s Veterinary Assistant Program has officially earned approval from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, joining an elite group of just seven online programs nationwide. IGNITE now serves more than 22,000 members and offers membership programs tailored to practice owners, practice managers, technicians, veterinary assistants and front desk … [Read more...]
Doing pet telehealth right isn’t optional; it’s essential
Complimentary Content Telehealth should support, not compete with, local veterinarians, writes Deb Leon, founder and CEO of whiskerDocs. She asserts that the best systems relieve pressure on clinics, help triage smartly and improve access without undermining the critical role of in-person exams. Warning of the risks from cutting corners as the services grow, she outlines why … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 11, 2025
Conference reminders and overview, Rover expanding through acquisition, legislative updates, August 7th AHD Bulletin and more . . . Source: IBPSA, August 11, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
6 LinkedIn recommendation mistakes that kill your career prospects
The language you use when asking for a recommendation on LinkedIn often determines whether you'll receive something meaningful or generic. Sadly, most professionals sabotage their chances before they even hit send on that request, writes Jason Morris, owner and CEO of Profit Engine. He shares what successful professionals say instead. Source: Profit Engine. Link. Vague … [Read more...]
Analgesic relief during castration. The right thing and it pays
Sponsor Content A study at Kansas State University demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands help calves transition through the painful castration phase more smoothly and comfortably than after standard castration practices. Increased lying time versus controls between days 21 and 35 post-banding demonstrated how Solvet’s LidobandTM improves calf comfort as … [Read more...]
Does vaccination influence PRRSV evolution?
A new paper from the University of Minnesota shares strong experimental evidence that vaccination influences PRRSV-2 evolution and can drive genetic changes that result in viral populations distinct from the original challenge virus. Vaccinated animals harbored viruses that were more genetically diverse and distinct from the parent virus. However, even though viruses … [Read more...]
Should we target longevity or extend lactation length for dairy cows?
Commentary For animal health pros who work with dairy producers or monitor elements of dairy production, this article from Stephen LeBlanc, BSc(Agr), DVM, DVSc, may challenge some of the corporate thinking being applied to the dairies you serve. His discussion of where a cow fits in dairy management decisions and how various scenarios influence culling provides perspectives … [Read more...]
Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI wins Pet Care Innovation of the Year Award
Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI is a free, online chatbot that seamlessly integrates AI with human expertise, delivering instant, trusted advice 24/7 to pet parents on pet health, nutrition and care. Genius AI also enables consumers to schedule one-on-one appointments for a personalized and in-depth level of pet care, according to the company. Source: PR Newswire, August 7, … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeks nominations for the 2026 ICON Award
The Bridge Club ICON Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding individuals from across the profession who are driving meaningful change and elevating veterinary care. For 2026, the focus is Excellence in Veterinary Care, recognizing those who are redefining what’s possible in veterinary medicine through innovation, leadership, and compassion. Source: The … [Read more...]
Goodbye trial by fire, hello strategic onboarding
Employers have an average of just 44 days during onboarding to influence whether a new employee will stay for the long term, according to BambooHR. Jill Barth shares perspectives from onboarding professionals and identifies key principles that make the difference between success and failure. Source: HR Executive, July 11, 2025. Link. The most effective onboarding programs … [Read more...]
Financial barriers revealed in 2025 Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report
This report confirms much of what we suspected. The cost of veterinary care ranked as the number-1 perceived pet ownership expense or that two-thirds of Americans say vet care costs directly influence their decision to adopt a pet. Three of the top five barriers to pet adoption are financial reasons: veterinary care, the initial cost of the pet and ongoing pet food expense. … [Read more...]
Climate disasters devastating to small businesses
News sources cover the physical destruction from tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought, wildfires and winter storms, but what is less visible is the economic impact on small businesses in communities over a prolonged recovery period. Noting the contributions of small businesses to our economy, this article shares the importance of contingency planning and risk … [Read more...]
Team successes dependent on emotional intelligence (video)
Some teams are superb; harmonious, efficient and high performing. Others get bogged down by bickering and missed opportunities and suffer poor outcomes, shares Daniel Goleman. What makes the difference? A team’s level of emotional intelligence and a set of emotionally intelligent norms. Source: LinkedIn, July 23, 2025. Link. Dr. Vanessa Druskat on TedX [15:51] … [Read more...]
Use the 30-Second Rule to make a lasting first impression
Making a good first impression implicitly means making yourself look good: who you are, what you do, what you’ve accomplished, writes Jeff Haden, referencing leadership author John Maxwell’s 30-second rule. People feel better and do better when you give them attention, affirmation, and appreciation . . . Maxwell’s goal is simple: Within the first 30 seconds of a conversation, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 4, 2025
This week’s Fast Bites arrived in a new format with reminders of resources for pet services businesses, an announcement of a new webinar to help elevate pet care businesses and the weekly link to the last AHD Bulletin. Registration for The Forum is still open and rooms are available at the convention hotel. Source: IBPSA, August 4, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Observational study analysis of the pet-conversationalist phenomenon
Rather than being a quirky habit, the tendency to converse with pets as if they were human reveals more about our psychological makeup than simple pet devotion. These behaviors indicate a complex set of traits: enhanced empathy, sophisticated communication skills, comfort with vulnerability, effective stress management, creative thinking, self-awareness, and exceptional … [Read more...]
The ABCs of dog blood work: What the results really mean
It is common when reviewing articles on client feedback for pet owners to express confusion about test results and to indicate veterinary teams sometimes don’t take time to explain the results. In this article from AAHA’s Your Pet, blood work results are explained in the context of helping pet owners understand the numbers, their importance and why doing bloodwork is part of … [Read more...]
Financial strain often shapes horse owners’ veterinary decisions
A University of Kentucky study motivated by frequent references to the challenges of keeping equine practitioners in the profession confirms that financial constraints affect decisions about veterinary care. Nearly 50 percent of respondents reported being able to accommodate unexpected medical expenses of $5,000 or less. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2025. … [Read more...]
Bridging the vet-farrier communication gap
Noting differences in perspectives between farriers and veterinarians, Maclaren Krueger shares the importance of communication, shared experiences and collaborating on a treatment plan before talking with the horse owner. Ultimately, each professional is seeking to do right by the horse and owner, so seeking to improve trust and familiarity is imperative. Source: American … [Read more...]
KCAHC’s Kimberly Young featured in Women’s Business Daily
Kimberly Young, President of the world’s largest animal health innovation cluster, KC Animal Health Corridor, is featured in this informative article. She shares the unique professional journey that has helped drive the successes of the KC Animal Health Corridor. The KCAHC will celebrate its 20th anniversary August 25-26, 2025 during the 2025 Animal Health Summit … [Read more...]
Google reviews, ratings may warn of practice decline
Google ratings and review volume offer accessible, real-time insight into customer sentiment, shares Chris Kelly. He presents trends in enterprise practices and notes a shifting focus from aggressive acquisitions toward operational efficiency. Source: Veterinary Advantage, May 2025. Link. While <practice> closures can result from a wide range of operational or … [Read more...]
Love and leadership
And no, it’s not another Coldplay meme. Effective leadership has a direct connection to the degree you enjoy (love) your job. If you want a fulfilling leadership career, you’ve got to love the game you’re playing, shares the author, who asserts “The more you love it, the more it gives back” in this piece. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, June 2025. Link. … if you don’t love … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 28, 2025
Pet food prices easing, dealing with cyberbullying and AI ‘review bombing,’ burnout tips and consequences plus the comedian Drew Lynch is scheduled to entertain at The Forum. Registration is still open for the September 21–23, 2025 event. Source: IBPSA, July 28, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Dog preventive wellness mirrors that of their humans.
As we spend more on self-care, we spend more on our dogs’ care. Take a limo (what else?) ride with Dug, who, after being abandoned as a puppy, ended up in the life of Reilly. You’ll go from a sound bath to aqua training to deep tissue massage and everything in between. Source: The Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2025. Link. Dug sits upright on the limo’s black Corinthian leather … [Read more...]