Veterinary Services Investment Act Passes House, Moves To SenateSeptember 17, 2010 The U.S. House has passed the Veterinary Services Investment Act (HR 3519), which authorizes the secretary of agriculture to award competitive grants to develop, implement and sustain veterinary services in communities all across the country where they are needed most. The bill, which was first introduced in July 2009, now goes to the Senate. The American Veterinary Medical Association issued a media alert today applauding the passage. “We are excited and grateful our representatives passed this bill,” said Larry Kornegay, DVM, president of the AVMA. “It is obvious our representatives in Washington, D.C., have begun to understand the critical role of large animal, mixed animal and public health veterinarians play in protecting livestock and ultimately consumers in the United States. “The Veterinary Services Investment Act will offer grants to draw more veterinarians to shortage areas by helping them establish or expand practices with new equipment and technology. We need these veterinarians to coordinate veterinary services and enhance food safety and food protection systems.” The legislation provides grants to relocate or recruit veterinarians and veterinary technicians into shortage areas, support veterinary students seeking training in food safety or food-supply veterinary medicine. It also supports continuing …
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Cornell To Establish Canine Genomics Program With $10 Million GiftSeptember 16, 2010 Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has received a $10 million anonymous gift from a university trustee to establish what it says is the world’s first canine genomics program. The money will be invested in endowed professorships and faculty start-ups, DNA sequencing and the DNA Bank, an archive of DNA and medical information that defines inherited diseases. “With this gift, we will leverage the information embedded in canine genetics—available after hundreds of years of selective breeding—for the benefit of animals and humans,” said Michael Kotlikoff, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. “We know that each breed possesses a unique and highly similar collection of genes, which confer susceptibility to certain diseases and constitute a stunning opportunity for gene association studies that cannot be performed in people. These investigations can be done non-invasively in dogs and will inform our understanding of the specific genes that result in susceptibility to some of our most serious diseases.” The college will begin by conducting a national search for a tenure-track faculty member in biostatistics to lead the comparative genomics effort. The next step will involve recruiting for a second faculty position in cancer biology. The …
PIJAC Hires Canning As President, CEOSeptember 14, 2010 The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has hired Mike Canning as its new president and CEO, filling vacancy left by shift of former CEO Marshall Meyers to part-time consultant in May. Over the next few months, Canning will be meeting with key industry leaders, participating in the development of a long-term strategic plan, and soliciting new members, PIJAC reported. He will be formally introduced to PIJAC membership during the H. H. Backer Pet Industry Christmas Tradeshow in Rosemont, Ill. “His strong background in government affairs gives him the vision and capacity to ensure that PIJAC remains a strong force on legislative and regulatory issues,” said Jim Heim, chair of PIJAC’s board of directors. “His leadership in the non-profit sector is exactly what we need to build PIJAC’s capacity as an organization. We are lucky to have him join our industry.” Prior to joining PIJAC, Canning ran a public affairs firm in the DC area. “I wholeheartedly believe that companion animals add a special and meaningful dimension to the human existence,” Canning said. “The chance to further this value through PIJAC provides a wonderful career opportunity for me.” Canning is a reptile hobbyist who …
Local VCA Animal Hospitals Fight Colorado Wildfires With Free BoardingSeptember 10, 2010 VCA Animal Hospitals is offering free boarding for pets affected by the Colorado Fourmile Canyon fire, which to date, has consumed more than 6,000 acres. “For approximately 3,000 residents facing mandatory evacuations or loss of their homes, VCA is committed to assist them by providing free boarding for their pets so they can concentrate on the safety and welfare of their families and homes,” said Art Antin, COO of VCA Animal Hospitals. “VCA wants everyone affected to know that during this difficult time, they can keep their pets safe and comfortable with VCA’s free boarding offer.” The following VCA hospitals are participating in the program: • VCA All Pets Animal Hospital Boulder, Boulder • VCA All Pets Animal Hospital Lafayette, Lafayette • VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital, Fort Collins • VCA Alameda East Animal Hospital, Denver • VCA Aspenwood Animal Hospital, Denver • VCA Southeast Area Animal Hospital, Denver • VCA Douglas County Animal Hospital, Castle Rock • VCA Mountainview Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge, Highlands Ranch • VCA Thornton Animal Hospital, Thornton • VCA Anderson Animal Hospital, Lakewood • VCA Wingate Animal Hospital, Englewood VCA noted that boarding assistance for pets is based on space …
Laser Therapy Conference Set For Oct. 17September 10, 2010 LiteCure, the manufacturer of Companion Therapy Laser, will host a Class IV Laser Therapy User’s Conference from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17 in Newark, Del. The conference will address treatment protocols, guidelines and settings, pain management and control, clinical case studies and practice economics. It will also include a hands-on session for treatment techniques. Robin Downing, DVM, Dipl. AAPM, CVA, and John Godbold Jr., DVM, will lead the course. Dr. Downing, owner of Windsor Veterinary Clinic and The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colo., is an affiliate faculty member at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Godbold is the owner of Stonehaven Park Veterinary Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. He has more than 10 years of veterinary laser experience. Six continuing education credits are available. Early bird registration is $325 on or before Sept. 17. Breakfast, lunch and materials will be provided. To register, call 302-709-0408 and ask for Samantha. For details, visit Companion Therapy's website.
AVMA Supports Johanns Amendment To Small Business ActSeptember 10, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA CAN) sent out a media alert today urging its members to ask their senators to support the Johanns Amendment (SA 4596) to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 (HR 5297). The amendment, sponsored by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), would repeal a new 1099 tax paperwork mandate embedded in the health care law. Specifically, the amendment’s purpose is “to repeal the expansion of information reporting requirements for payments of $600 or more to corporations, and for other purposes.” “The current mandate will add undue burden to small businesses such as veterinary clinics,” AVMA CAN said in its alert. “Tax paperwork and compliance are already major expenses for small businesses and the new reporting requirements will only increase these costs. As Congress calls on small businesses to lead the nation out of the recession, now is not the time for government-imposed costs on doing business.” Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) is sponsoring an alternative amendment (SA 4595), which would modify, not eliminate, the 1099 paperwork mandate in the health care law. The amendment seeks “to exempt certain amounts subject to other information reporting from the information reporting …
New Initiative Seeks To Reverse Decline In Veterinary VisitsSeptember 8, 2010 Bayer Animal Health of Shawnee Mission, Kan., and Brakke Consulting of Dallas have launched a new research initiative that will investigate the causes behind the reduction in companion animal veterinary visits and identify ways on how veterinarians can increase them. The study is being launched in response to statistics bringing light to this trend. For instance, one million fewer veterinary visits were recorded in 2006 versus 2001, according to data published by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Bayer Animal Health and Brakke Consulting point out that the decline has accelerated during the recent recession, with more than half of veterinarians seeing stagnant to declining visits. “The research results should give veterinarians the information they need to better understand recent trends in pet owner behavior, which will help them to develop strategies to increase veterinary care,” said Ron Brakke, president and founder of Brakke Consulting. Bayer Animal Health and Brakke Consulting will collaborate with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. Specifically, the study will measure pet owner perceptions of the need for veterinary services, obstacles to scheduling visits and the role of alternative channels for pet health information and products. The project will target companion animal …
Franck’s Resumes Veterinary CompoundingSeptember 7, 2010 Franck’s Compounding Lab of Ocala, Fla., reported today that it has resumed its veterinary compounding practice, effective immediately, after voluntarily suspending it in May. Franck’s decision comes shortly after a federal judge denied a U.S. Food and Drug Administration request for a preliminary injunction that would have shut down the veterinary compounding business. “Veterinary compounding is a longstanding, recognized and medically vital service,” Paul Franck, owner of Franck’s Compounding Lab, said in a prepared statement. “We are resuming this practice so that we can help veterinarians and pet owners who rely on compounded medicines to stay healthy and treat life-threatening conditions. We have been compounding human and veterinary medications for more than 27 years and we are as committed as ever to meeting the special needs of doctors, veterinarians and their patients.” However, the FDA’s complaint is not being dismissed entirely. The court just was not convinced at this preliminary stage that the FDA’s legal theory was correct and that a preliminary injunction was warranted, according to Franck’s. The FDA maintains that animal medications compounded from bulk ingredients constitute “new animal drugs” that cannot be distributed without an FDA-approved new animal drug application. Franck’s …
HealthyPet Acquires Veterinary MetricsSeptember 7, 2010 HealthyPet, a provider of veterinary client communication and education tools, has acquired Veterinary Metrics Inc., also known as Vet Met. The Atlanta-based company offers analytics products and services that are designed to identify areas of operational inefficiency and uncover missed revenue opportunities in veterinary practices. “HealthyPet and Vet Met share a common goal of helping veterinarians improve their practices through simple, easy-to-use communication and data analytics services,” said Brian Tennyson, CEO of HealthyPet. “Vet Met clients will benefit from HealthyPet’s industry-leading communication services platform and HealthyPet clients will benefit from Vet Met’s proprietary software, practice analytics and implementation strategies.” Vet Met’s management team will remain in place and continue to operate out of its Atlanta office. <HOME>
American Humane Association Names New President/CEOSeptember 3, 2010The American Humane Association named Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Dr. Ganzert currently serves as deputy director of philanthropic services at the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington, D.C. “Robin brings an unparalleled combination of energy, professional reputation and nonprofit management ability toward achieving our mission to ensure that all children and animals are free from abuse, cruelty and neglect,” said David Gies, American Humane Association chairman. “Her relationships and credentials in driving high-impact philanthropy give American Humane Association a new foundation from which to build on 133 years of achievements. We enthusiastically welcome Robin’s leadership to this historic and vitally important organization.” Ganzert will replace George Casey, interim president and chief executive officer. Casey has guided the organization since the departure of CEO Marie Belew Wheatley in January
