Comments Sought On Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment ProgramJuly 15, 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on an interim final rule that establishes the process for designating veterinarian shortage situations, specifically for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 9. Comments received by Sept. 8 will be considered in the final rule. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program is authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act and administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CSREES will designate geographic and practice areas that have a shortage of food supply veterinarians in order to carry out the program goals of strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and supplementing the federal response during animal health emergencies. CSREES will enter into educational loan repayment agreements with veterinarians who agree to work in shortage situations for a determined period. The interim rule is based, in part, on the comment period late last year. CSREES received oral and written comments from groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Assn., the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American College of Veterinary …
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NAVTA Adds 3 Specialty AcademiesJuly 15, 2009 The National Assn. of Veterinary Technicians in America has added three specialty academies: the neurology subspecialty of the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians, the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians and the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians. Academy representatives were announced at the American Veterinary Medical Assn.'s annual convention, which took place July 11-14 in Seattle, Wash. Deborah Reeder, RVT, Amy Butzier, CVT, and Sharon Kaiser-Klingler, RVT, are representatives for the equine specialty. . Bonnie Soule, CVT, is the representative for the zoological specialty. . Linda Merrill, LVT, is the representative for AIMVT-neurology. “The NAVTA Academies give veterinary technicians recognition for having advanced education, training and experience in an area of specialization,” said Butzier, chairwoman of the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties. NAVTA also recognizes specialties in dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, behavior and emergency and critical care. <HOME>
Pet Services Market To Exceed $34 Billion By 2013July 14, 2009 Despite an economy-related dip in discretionary pet services, the overall U.S. market for pet care services will grow annually by about 9 percent and exceed $34 billion by 2013, according to a report from the market research firm Packaged Facts. That growth is faster than the annual 7 percent rate in the past five years, during which time the market grew from $17.1 billion in 2004 to $22.7 billion in 2008, according to Packaged Facts, a unit of Market Research Group in New York. Veterinary services accounted for 75 percent of the overall pet care services market and will lead growth in the overall market. “Because veterinary services are the most essential type of service, sales in this channel will be the least effected by the economic downturn while continuing to lead market growth, with services including grooming, training and boarding being harder hit in the short term but fully rebounding by 2011,” said Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts. Grooming accounted for 11 percent of the market in 2008, boarding 6 percent and training 5 percent. The report, Pet Care Services in the U.S., 3rd Edition: Riding the Multiservice, Premium/Luxury …
AVMA Elects New Officers And Council MembersJuly 13, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates elected Larry Kornegay as its new president-elect and reelected Gary Brown as its vice president. Both ran unopposed during the election, held in Seattle, Wash., during the House’s annual meeting. On July 14, the AVMA will install current president-elect Larry Corry as its new president and James Cook will become immediate past president. The house also elected several new council members, listed by council. Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents: Stephen Sutherland (representing epidemiology) Stanley Kukanich (representing clinical pharmacology) Murl Bailey (representing at-large) Council on Education: Frederik Derksen (representing basic science) D. Glen Esplin (representing non-private practice, non-academic medicine) Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine: David Chico (representing agricultural agencies) Nick Striegel (representing agricultural agencies) Council on Research: Michael Kotlikoff (representing colleges of veterinary medicine) Council on Veterinary Service: Rolan Tripp (representing private practice, exclusively small animal) Amanda Chea Hall (representing at-large) Judicial Council: Andrew Maccabe (representing at-large) The house also elected Richard Dixon, …
AVMA House Rejects Policy Change On Ear Cropping And Tail DockingJuly 10, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Assn.’s House of Delegates on July 10 rejected Resolution 4, which would have revised its policy on ear cropping and tail docking of dogs. The action came during the legislative body’s semi-annual session, held in Seattle, Wash., before the AVMA’s annual convention. Submitted by the Utah Veterinary Medical Assn., the resolution would have eased the AVMA policy, adopted by the executive board in November 2008, that opposes ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic reasons. The revision would have noted that the procedures, though offering limited or no therapeutic value, are condoned by the American Kennel Club and many members of society. Because of that acceptance, the policy would have stated that it is “imperative that the procedures be performed by trained, licensed and caring veterinarians using current stand of care” while continuing to support the elimination of those procedures from breed standards. In addition, the resolution would have revised AVMA policy to ensure that association members “conform to all state mandates concerning the procedures.” The November 2008 policy significantly altered the AVMA’s position against the two procedures; previous policy recommended only …
Early Registration For Human-Animal Interaction Conference Ends July 10July 9, 2009 Early-bird registration for the “Human-Animal Interaction: Impacting Multiple Species” conference, to be held Oct. 20-25 at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI), ends July 10. The early registration process is designed to save attendees money, according to the university. Regular registration will take place after July 10. The event consists of two sequential conferences: the International Society for Anthrozoology’s 18th Annual Conference (Oct. 20-23) and ReCHAI’s 1st Human-Animal Interaction Conference (Oct. 22-25). Conference themes will include challenges for enhancing human-animal interaction (HAI), bio-psycho-social-spiritual wellness across species, animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activity, HAI impacting professional practice and HAI crisis planning (i.e., animal emergency and the Pet Evacuation Act), among others. A special symposium will focus on how HAI may help fight obesity across the lifespan. Anyone who is interested in HAI is invited to attend, including investigators and practitioners working in the HAI field, veterinarians, those working in animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activity, nurses, physicians, social workers, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, activity directors and students. Sponsors include Mars Inc. of McLean, Va.; the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom; Nestlè Purina of St. …
Multi-State Dog Fighting Operation BustedJuly 8, 2009 A multi-state dog fighting operation was raided July 8, the largest of its kind to take place in the United States, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of Missouri. More than 300 dogs, mostly pit bulls, were seized. The two organizations are working in cooperation with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney. Investigators from the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force provided the information that led to the investigation. The dog fighting operation is believed to have spanned six states and included arrests in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Dogs are being safely transported to a secure facility under the direction of the task force, where they will receive veterinary care. “We are grateful to the state and federal agencies for aggressively pursuing this investigation and bringing to justice those who perpetuate the systematic torture of dogs for sport and profit,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “Dog fighting is happening in every …
CAPC Road Show Makes A Stop In SacramentoJuly 8, 2009 The Companion Animal Parasite Council Education Road Show made a stop in Sacramento, Calif., on July 7 in its traveling effort to educate pet owners and families about zoonotic diseases and how to prevent them. The West Coast tour began June 27 in Denver, Colo., and has since visited San Diego,Calif., Long Beach, Calif., and San Francisco, Calif. The next stop is Eugene, Ore., on July 9. The tour ends July 11 in Seattle, Wash., where the American Veterinary Medical Association conference will take place. “[The road show] has been really fun,” said Michael Paul, DVM, executive director of the CAPC. “It’s even better than last year.” Attendee turnout has been great and the local television news coverage overall has increased significantly this year, he said. To up its efforts, the CAPC this year partnered with more local nonprofit animal welfare groups to help facilitate pet adoptions at the various tour stops. They also incorporated a computerized survey to get a better understanding of what pet owners really think about parasite prevention. It turns out that about 50 percent to 60 percent of the pet owners Dr. Paul has spoken to …
Two Aspiring Vets Receive AVMA Funded FFA ScholarshipsJuly 7, 2009 The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, recently awarded two $1,000 American Veterinary Medical Association scholarships. The recipients were Alyzabeth Looney of Denton, Texas, and Megan Westerhold of Rich Hill, Mo. Looney plans to use the scholarship to pursue an undergraduate degree and then a veterinary degree at Texas A&M University. Westerhold plans to do the same at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Both are interested in practicing large animal veterinary medicine. Looney and Westerhold were chosen from 7,810 applicants from across the country. Selections were based on the applicant’s academic record, FFA and other school and community activities, supervised agricultural experience program in agricultural education and future goals. This is the second year that the AVMA has sponsored scholarships for aspiring veterinarians through the FFA. AVMA plans to offer them again in 2010. The AVMA and its charitable arm, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, will distribute more than 23 scholarships this year, including 21 to students attending AVMA-accredited veterinary schools in the United States. The scholarships this year are aimed at students interested in large animal veterinary medicine, food safety, public health and shelter medicine.
California Spay/Neuter Bill Moves ForwardJuly 2, 2009 California Senate Bill 250, which would require spay or neuter surgery for most of the state’s dogs and cats, recently passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee by a 6-4 vote. The bill will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on July 15. SB 250, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, calls on cat owners to spay or neuter their cats at 6 months of age if the cats are allowed to roam at large. The bill also requires the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months old unless the owner gets an unaltered dog license. The bill has been amended to authorize local governments to use existing procedures to issue the intact dog licenses or to charge a fee for procedures related to the issuance, denial or revocation of unaltered dog licenses. Unaltered dogs used in legal hunting activities would be exempt from being cited. The sterilization of dogs found to be at-large continues to be a requirement under the bill. Click here for the most recent version of SB 250. <HOME>
