Walkin' Pets offers certification for veterinarians, pet care professionalsMay 2, 2018Walkin' Pets, maker of the Walkin' Wheels dog wheelchair, is offering a free online Walkin' Wheels Certification Program to veterinary and pet care professionals. The six-part webinar series educates participants about all aspects of the fully adjustable mobility device, from in-office use to helping pet owners assess dog wheelchair options when pets become injured or disabled. The program instructs participants about the various rehabilitative and assistive uses of the wheelchair, assembly and fitting tips, therapeutic in-hospital and rehabilitation use, and renting and referral programs for pet care professionals. Participants who complete the certification program receive a Walkin' Wheels Certified certificate and are designated as "Walkin' Wheels Certified" on the company's veterinarian and pet care professional interactive map, which customers use to find local professionals knowledgeable about the wheelchair. To find more information or register for the program, click here.
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Patterson pledges support of Veterinary Nurse InitiativeMay 2, 2018Patterson Veterinary has announced its support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, an effort proposed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) to unite those working in the veterinary technician profession under a single title, with single credentialing requirements and a single scope of practice. The initiative will pursue legislative amendments in all 50 states to establish the credential of registered veterinary nurse (RVN), substituting registered veterinary technician (RVT), licensed veterinary technician (LVT), certified veterinary technician or licensed veterinary medical technician. NAVTA asserts standardization of the credential will align public perceptions of the role technicians play in veterinary clinics, effectively elevating practice standards and leading to better patient care. Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR, Patterson Veterinary's education development specialist, agrees with NAVTA's stance. An active supporter of the initiative, Prendergast is a member of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative workgroup and acting co-chair of the National Credential Task Force. She argues the term "veterinary nurse" will better reflect RVTs and LVTs position as caregivers for patients as well as scientific technicians. "There has long been a need for common credentialing in this area," said Prendergast. "The responsibilities and job tasks of a …
Improve Int'l continuing education course focuses on TPLOMay 1, 2018Global continuing education provider Improve International recently hosted its first U.S. course at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, with 13 veterinarians in attendance. Led by Brian Beale, DVM, DACVS, and Stanley Kim, BVSc, MS, both diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the course, which focused on the use of the tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cruciate repair, was comprised of both in-class lectures and hands-on, practical sessions. "We were delighted to welcome delegates to our first U.S. course and to have received enthusiastic feedback," said John Douglass, assistant managing director, Improve. "It was an important milestone for us as we celebrate our arrival in the U.S. and our 20th year in business. We look forward to bringing more of our premium CE to U.S. veterinarians in the coming years." Founded in 1998 by a team of veterinarians in the U.K., Improve announced its U.S. launch late last year, offering a range of short RACE-approved courses for veterinary professionals. The company, who has instructed more than 20,000 veterinarians across 20 countries, will soon offer more in-depth, annual courses in the U.S., which will help practitioners …
Henry Schein opens 2018 VetSummit registrationMay 1, 2018Henry Schein Inc. has opened registration for its 2018 VetSummit, a three-day conference designed to help veterinarians run better businesses. The conference, scheduled Oct. 10-12 in Dallas and open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and practice staff, is an initiative of Henry Schein Veterinary Solutions (HSVS) veterinary technology and practice management software provider and Henry Schein Animal Health U.S. companion animal health distribution company. Formerly known as the Veterinary Technology Summit, this year's event will include such topics as how to handle staffing and human resources-related issues, tactics for delivering excellent customer service, navigating regulatory compliance, and how financial valuation can impact a practice owner's short- and long-term goals. The event also will include topics related to technology, maximization of practice management software solutions, and other services. "We at Henry Schein are committed to helping veterinary professionals understand how to build stronger practices so they can focus on providing care to their patients," said Chris Dollar, global president, HSVS. "With VetSummit's expanded focus, attendees can rely on us to deliver a rich learning experience that will help them run more successful businesses that generate greater revenue, deliver better customer service, create a more productive working environment, give …
Colombian veterinarian who smuggled heroin in puppies arrestedMay 1, 2018Andres Lopez Elorza, the Venezuelan veterinarian who eluded authorities for 10 years and was arrested in 2015 for allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin from Colombia into the U.S. by "sewing" the drugs into puppies, was been extradited to New York from Spain. Elorza, 38, had worked at a clinic in Medellin, Colombia, where in 2005, authorities found 6.6 pounds of heroin implanted into six Labrador and Rottweiler puppies. The animals were rescued, but three died from infections from the implant surgery. In 2013, he was found in Spain and arrested, but was released due to complications of the extradition process and re-arrested by Spanish police in 2015 in the town of Santa Comba in La Coruna. Update: Elorza, part of a larger drug smuggling operation in Columbia, appeared in Brooklyn federal court last week. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
WVA, OIE seek contributors for World Veterinary Day 2018 awardApril 28, 2018 To celebrate the World Veterinary Day (WVD) taking place globally today, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) are organizing the World Veterinary Day Award to honor the most successful contribution by the veterinary profession on the selected theme for 2018. The competition is open to all WVA member associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected body. The winner of the World Veterinary World 2018 will be announced on the WVA and OIE websites on June 15. The theme for this year's World Veterinary Day is "The role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security, and safety." Eligibility All World Veterinary Association member associations that contribute to the World Veterinary Day theme alone or in cooperation with other bodies can participate in the competition. Criteria The WVD 2018 Award will be given to the veterinary association who will best promote the theme of "The role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security, and safety" during the WVD. The organizers also will consider activities that took place in the past, are still ongoing, or are planned for the future. …
AVMA global food security policy follows World Veterinary Day 2018 themeApril 27, 2018In advance of World Veterinary Day 2018, April 28, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced the association's first global food security policy, which complements the theme of this year's event, promoting the role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security and safety. The AVMA Committee on International Veterinary Affairs wrote the policy following its 2017 Global Food Security Summit. "Veterinarians, as individuals and as members of associations, play a vital role in food security through their education and professional support of large-scale farmers and smallholders; work on disease-eradication programs; roles in ensuring good biosecurity; public health interventions for food safety; research; capacity building; and as a source of expert advice and opinion for governments, the media, consumer groups and the public," wrote the AVMA Food Safety Advisory Committee in a statement. "Veterinarians have always been key to ensuring a safe and abundant food supply around the world, said Michael Topper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, president of the AVMA. "This policy commits the AVMA to bring together different groups with diverse areas of expertise to establish public and private stakeholder partnerships to achieve global food security." World Veterinary Day 2018 is …
Midmark promotion offers free dental trainingApril 27, 2018Midmark Animal Health announced the launch of its 2018 Animal Health Imaging Training promotion, designed to help veterinary professionals learn new skills and better facilitate dental care for their small animal patients. During the promotion, which runs until early 2019, Midmark is offering participants an X-ray positioning continuing education course, free with the purchase of eligible products. Offered to veterinarians and veterinary technicians by Midmark Academy, the Dental Radiography and Positioning Training is provided on-site by a member of the Midmark Animal Health Training and Education Network. The half-day course, which provides professionals with four hours of a continuing education credit, covers a variety of topics, including imaging software, X-ray positioning techniques, and proper machine maintenance. To take part in the promotion, veterinary professionals must purchase at least one of the following products: Midmark Digital Dental X-ray sensors Midmark CR Digital Dental Radiography Reader Midmark Complete Digital Dental X-ray Systems with Sensor Midmark Complete Digital Dental X-ray Systems with CR Additionally, important dates include: Mar. 11 - Dec. 31, 2018: Promotional order period Jan. 31, 2019: Last date to take shipment of products Mar. 11, 2018 - Jan. 31, 2019: Period when eligible invoices must be dated Feb. 28, …
JAVMA now free online, via app for SAVMA membersApril 27, 2018Student AVMA (SAVMA) members can now read the Journal of the American Veterinary Association (JAVMA) for free online or through the JAVMA mobile app. Students can sign in to the app with their SAVMA ID and password or register online at avmajournals.avma.org to get free access to all of the journal's clinical research, feature articles, and content. SAVMA members who want to receive the print version may subscribe at a significant discount rate of $40 per year. On-the-go access through the JAVMA mobile app allows subscribers to read it from an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device. App functions include: Pinch-to-zoom functionality to view text and images in greater detail Full-text and archival search capabilities Note taking, note syncing, and bookmarking pages Navigation by table of contents and page carousel Easy sharing of articles via email or social media The mobile app is available through the Google Play and Apple App stores. Learn more at avma.org/JAVMAapp.
CVMA Kennel Code updates regulations for breeders, operatorsApril 26, 2018 The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) released its newest edition of A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations (also known as the Kennel Code), which outlines best humane practices in regards to dog boarding and breeding. Last published in 2007, the updated document reflects changing societal views in regard to the human-animal bond and incorporates new scientific evidence in many aspects of dog breeding and kennel management, including social needs, housing, medicine, and nutrition. Designed as an educational tool for breeders and kennel operators, the information detailed in the Kennel Code applies to various environments where dogs are housed, both indoors and outdoors, for short- and long-term periods, including facilities that offer private breeding, boarding, daycare, animal rescue, and training. The document also serves as a resource for veterinarians with such clients, providing an understanding of the role veterinarians play in establishing and maintaining an effective veterinarian-client-patient-relationship with facility owners/operators and the animals within them. Additionally, similar to the National Farm Animal Care Council's codes of practice for farmed animals, the Kennel Code serves as a resource for legislative bodies, allowing the judicial system to more easily determine if the acceptable standards of care …
