Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 6, 2024. Link. Most read posts from March 6, 2025 AHD Bulletin - Pork industry optimistic despite disease, labor challenges. Link. Save a swamp. Sauté a nutria. Link. A cat is a cat, BUT, lifestyles, environments, their natures are a conundrum. Link. S. heartworm risks increase as mosquito … [Read more...]
Listen or watch The Bridge Club’s 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
For those who missed the conversation reviewing 2024 legislative action and challenges, you can listen or watch the virtual event and learn how legislation affects the future of veterinary medicine. Speakers from the Animal Policy Group share they tracked more than 2,300 bills in 2024 and expect more in 2025. Source: The Bridge Club, November 8, 2024. Listen: … [Read more...]
Post election, 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
Join the Bridge Club November 6, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. for a discussion of some of the issues represented in legislative bills presented this year. The Zoom discussion is provided at no charge and will feature: Mark Cushing, Founder of the Animal Policy Group Loren Breen, Director of Policy, Research & Government Relations at Animal Policy Group Katie Jarl, … [Read more...]
Katherine Polak, DVM, chosen as 2025 ICON Honoree by The Bridge Club
Kudos to Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice). She is the recipient of the 2025 Bridge Club ICON Award. Dr. Polak will be formally honored during The Bridge Club ICON event on January 13, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Polak’s global contributions to animal welfare and shelter medicine, along with her tireless leadership in animal welfare … [Read more...]
Charity Halloween pet costume contest to benefit the Veterinary Hope Foundation
This charitable event hosted by The Bridge Club aims to build excitement for the "Give is the Word" benefit in March 2025 during the WVC Annual Conference, while raising awareness for the Veterinary Hope Foundation. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice managers, and anyone connected to the veterinary profession are invited to dress their pets in one of the … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club discussion of challenges, solutions for veterinary technicians
In a virtual conversation, The Bridge Club facilitated a lively discussion about what is an age old topic of using veterinary technicians fully, defining their roles, legal issues and working toward more national governance. Catherine Haskins and Shannon Norwalk, RVT, welcomed Sam Geiling, CVT, Becky Mosser, RVT, and Mark Cushing, JD, to share perspectives and opportunities in … [Read more...]
Reminder: Prioritizing veterinary technicians, a virtual conversation
The Bridge Club’s September 18th Zoom conversation seeks to advance successful paths forward for all technicians. Despite their crucial role in veterinary care, veterinary technicians continue to encounter numerous challenges, including title protection, underutilization, low compensation and high turnover rates. Join via Zoom, September 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club sets date to discuss veterinary technicians, their challenges and status
Mark your calendars and register to join the discussion of meeting the challenges veterinary technicians face and solutions to create a successful path forward for all technicians. Despite their crucial role in veterinary care, veterinary technicians continue to encounter numerous challenges, including title protection, underutilization, low compensation and high turnover … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominations for 2025 ICON Award
For the 2025 ICON award, the focus is on unifying the global veterinary community by honoring contributions that transcend national boundaries. This year’s award will celebrate a veterinarian, researcher, veterinary technician/nurse or industry professional who has made significant advancements in veterinary medicine internationally. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominees for Bright Minds award in U.K and Singapore
Announcing the inaugural Bright Minds Singapore award and its second annual Bright Minds U.K. Award The Bridge Club is seeking nominees in three categories: Industry Influencer Practice Game Changer Wellness Champion Source: The Bridge Club, May 15, 2024. Link. Since the inaugural Bright Minds Awards in 2018 more than 16 professionals and organizations have been … [Read more...]
Title protection for vet techs, next week on The Bridge Club
For veterinary technicians and our industry, titles are confusing state by state. Join Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR; Beckie Mossor, RVT; Sam Geiling, RVT and Shannon Nowak, LVT, RVT, to discuss the state of title protection for veterinary technicians April 24th in a Bridge Club virtual discussion on Zoom. Registration is free. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Upcoming industry conversations scheduled at The Bridge Club
Register to join The Bridge Club at no charge during these upcoming conversations: Understanding title protection for veterinary technicians, Zoom, April 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CDT. <Link to register> Revolutionizing veterinary education, May 02, 2024, 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. CDT. <Link to register> Source: The Bridge Club, LinkedIn. <Link> … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, sponsors, contributors raise $10K for Veterinary Industry Giving Tree
A primary step in advancing veterinary medicine is to recognize and support those in the profession. Congratulations and THANK YOU to those who supported The Bridge Club’s VIGT effort during WVC! Source: The Bridge Club, February 20, 2024. Link. You can still donate $$ here <Link>. … [Read more...]
Unique Bridge Club Veterinary Virtual Care events slated for February 28th
Listen as a group of industry insiders shares data from more than two million data points gathered from more than half a million virtual care interactions. The virtual conversations will cover country specific data and address: The need for virtual veterinary care: Tackling access concerns Global insights: Virtual veterinary care data from the US, Canada, Europe … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 14, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, 2023. Link. Most read posts from the December 7th AHD Bulletin – Pay attention to others. They’re not thinking of you. Link. Lapsing client numbers increasing. Link. The average pet owner has 72 “pet panics” per year. Link. ============================================ Top 10 veterinary … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club names Kara Burns as 2024 ICON Honoree AHD Staff
Industry News Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, CVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS Hon (Internal Medicine, Dentistry), is to be honored as the 2024 Bridge Club Industry ICON. Burns is the ninth ICON and the first veterinary technician/nurse to receive the honor. She will be formally honored during The Bridge Club ICON event on January 13 in Orlando, Florida. Source: The Bridge Club, … [Read more...]
ICYMI – The Bridge Club discussion about new vet schools (video)
Addressing the shortage of veterinarians remains a topic of discussion. The Bridge Club held a virtual conversation about it and new schools. Some animal health pros have pushed to provide veterinary educational opportunities, including modified models for streamlining and modernizing the way veterinary students receive learn and gain expertise. Guests included Mark Cushing, … [Read more...]
Expanding veterinary schools: Will they solve the veterinary shortage?
During the past decade, the conversation about opening new veterinary schools has been top on the list to solve our veterinary shortage challenges. The Bridge Club is hosting a conversation to better understand how new schools may address the veterinary shortage, the way DVMs are educated and any affect on veterinary technicians. The panel for this discussion includes: Dr. … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to launch Bright Minds UK award at London Vet Show
The first Bright Minds UK award this year will be awarded at the 2023 London Vet Show. This distinguished honor recognizes the brightest minds, wellness champions and game changers in veterinary medicine, shared Catherine Haskins. In partnership with the London Vet Show, VetCT and IDEXX, the prestigious award will celebrate innovation in the field of veterinary … [Read more...]
How the veterinary shortage affects groomers
Addressing the opportunities groomers may have due to the veterinary shortage and advancing treatment options, Cliff Faver, DVM, reminds groomers to know what is acceptable and what is not for a groomer to do in their state of residence. Owners and veterinarians may expect groomers to express anal glands, treat ears and even scale teeth routinely, but some procedures are not … [Read more...]
Legislative updates, progress and the status of VCPR
The Bridge Club hosted a panel* to provide an update following legislative decisions in Arizona and California that have eased restrictions on virtual VCPR. The discussion included experiences from panel practitioners and members of the VVCA. Mark Cushing shared legislative experiences and offered perspective on which states are likely to move forward with a virtual … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to discuss affect of new VCPR legislative efforts
The recent Arizona decision to legalize a virtual VCPR raises many questions about the future of the VCPR and telemedicine. To shed light on this topic, The Bridge Club will host a crucial conversation on June 8th to explore the affect of Arizona’s decision on veterinary medicine, access to care and ongoing state battles regarding the value of veterinary telemedicine. Join … [Read more...]
Possibilities for veterinary technicians to provide in-home euthanasia discussed
Guest contributor - Catherine Haskins of The Bridge Club Nearly 100 animal health professionals joined for a virtual discussion of the opportunities, challenges and limitations veterinary technicians and the practices for which they work face providing in-home euthanasia for clients’ animals. In a survey conducted by The Bridge Club, 76 percent of the industry is in favor of … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club back in action
Sponsored Content The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets announce three new events. The conversations will be lively. See the links below. TBC: Groomers and veterinarians: Can they co-exist? April 19 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT on Zoom. Register here <Link> TBC Pets: Let’s talk about all the creepy crawlies on pets March 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDY … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club honors veterinary medicine’s Brightest Minds
Partnering with Blue Buffalo and the Viticus Group, The Bridge Club gathered votes from more than 5,000 veterinary professionals who voted in three categories. The winners are: Game Changer award winner – Dr. Fred Wininger Industry Influencer award winner – Dr. Adam Christman Wellness Champion award winner – Dr. Ashley Bourgeois Source: The Bridge Club, February … [Read more...]
Cannabinoids in veterinary medicine (video)
Complimentary Content For those who did not join live, The Bridge Club’s in-depth conversation with experts from across the profession addressed questions it has about cannabinoids. Cheryl Good, DVM, moderated conversation with guests: Mark Cushing, J.D. CEO, of Animal Policy Group Jeffery Pollard, DVM, DABVP, from the advocacy committee, Veterinary Cannabis … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club – Cushing to discuss cannabis
Complimentary Content The Bridge Club will address what a practice can do with cannabinoids, state-by-state issues, what veterinarians can say and if selling is allowed in an upcoming virtual event. No fees but registration is required. Mark Cushing, JD, is the guest speaker. Virtual event via Zoom: December 7, 2022. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. CST Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians to share their view of the state of the profession
Join The Bridge Club as veterinary technicians discuss the state of the profession today, opportunities for growth, solutions to workflow management and ways technicians can provide more value in the current practice context. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Register to join the conversation on Zoom, October 27th at 7 p.m. CDT. No fees. Registration required … [Read more...]
New advancements in dermatology, renal diets
Adrienne Bautista, DVM, PhD, DABVT, is on tap to share advancements in dermatology and renal diets using current diagnostics to guide nutritional recommendations tailored to individual pets. Live, virtual discussion hosted by The Bridge Club on Zoom, October 20th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. Register to participate at no cost. <Link> Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Cushing, The Bridge Club to discuss the latest on veterinary telehealth
Complimentary Content Catch up on the discussion of VCPRs, access to care and staffing shortages, plus get the latest about veterinary telehealth from Mark Cushing, JD. Source: The Bridge Club, October 3, 2022. Link. Be a part of the discussion on Zoom, October 12th, 7:00 p.m. Central time. Free registration required. Register here <Link> … [Read more...]