Indiana animal shelter accused of freezing kittens to deathAugust 15, 2018The Spencer County Animal Shelter in Chrisney, Ind., is under investigation due to allegations of freezing kittens to death instead of practicing standard euthanasia methods. Bridget Woodson, a former employee of the shelter, quit and informed authorities of the alleged activity after the animal control officer at the shelter told her to put injured but alive kittens in a plastic bag and then into a freezer, according to the Courier & Press newspaper. "I had to do something," Woodson said. "If this is deemed as acceptable and no one is held accountable, what else will start to slip through the cracks?" During a text exchange with the animal control officer that Woodson shared with the newspaper, the individual told Woodson that "the freezer is no less humane" than euthanasia by a veterinarian. The "slow chilling or freezing of unanesthetized animals" is an unacceptable form of euthanasia, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. Spencer County Animal Control Board attorneys released a statement to WFIE-TV saying the "board acknowledges that actions have occurred that are fundamentally opposed" to its mission of proving humane care and treatment of animals. "In response, the …
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Compassion-First launches program for noncredentialed vet techs, assistantsAugust 15, 2018Compassion-First Pet Hospitals has launched an educational development program for its noncredentialed veterinary technicians and assistants—the Compassion-First Technician and Assistant Development Program. The program involves a partnership with two American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary technician programs, Penn Foster College and Cedar Valley College, to provide educational options and tuition assistance for career growth. The new partnership provides noncredentialed veterinary technicians the opportunity to earn their AS degree in veterinary technology and become eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become credentialed in their state. The program also includes a veterinary assistant certificate program approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, in which employees become eligible to take the national exam and earn credentials as an approved veterinary assistant. "We are extremely pleased to offer a ground-breaking employer supported development program for our veterinary nursing teams that allows them to make a choice for their educational program and career path," said Janet McConnell, CVT, director of veterinary nursing development for Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. "Both Penn Foster and Cedar Valley College are outstanding programs that have completely different formats, allowing students to choose what fits them best from a financial, lifestyle, and program …
Veterinary small business owners reap pass-through income tax deductionAugust 15, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association reported that veterinary small business owners will be able to take advantage of the new "pass-through" income tax deduction for the salaries they pay themselves. The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last week released proposed regulations detailing how they plan to apply the deduction, which is available to sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts, and S-corporations under Section 199A of the tax code. The deduction was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed by the president in December and takes effect for the current 2018 tax year. According to the IRS and treasury officials, the full pass-through deduction will be available to owners of all small businesses, including veterinary practices, as long as their taxable income does not exceed $315,000 if filing jointly or $157,500 if filing individually. Beyond the stated income thresholds, the regulations would limit the deduction for the owners of certain types of businesses, including veterinarians and other business owners in the "field of health." The limited deduction would apply to veterinary business owners with taxable income between $315,000 and $415,000 if filing jointly, and $157,500 and $207,500 if filing …
Aug. 15 is Check the Chip DayAugust 14, 2018Lost pets have a better chance at finding their way home, thanks to the Check the Chip Day campaign.
Three types of veterinary clients you may want to fireAugust 14, 2018You seek mutually respectful relationships with your clients, but let’s be honest: Some pet owners are jerks. Meet three clients you want to fire and learn solutions to tame their bad behaviors.
Overcome limiting beliefs about moneyAugust 14, 2018You probably have heard the statement “I’m not in it for the money” from team members—or you may have uttered it yourself. And you probably said it because you believed it, or, because for whatever reason, you thought someone else needed to hear it.
Why mastering soft skills equals success in the veterinary fieldAugust 14, 2018In veterinary school, students learn hard skills, the tangible, technical assets that allow us to perform our jobs. Mastery of these skills is vital, but so is developing a complementary set of skills: soft skills.
It's in your head, and the outside seems so distantAugust 13, 2018Not so long ago, I visited a most amazing veterinary hospital. It is an architectural beauty filled with an amazing team of people with cooperation and can-do-ism coursing through their veins. (At this highly successful practice embracing Fear Free principles, I witnessed firsthand radiant happiness on the faces of pets, pet owners, practitioners, and the practice team.) When the team asked me to pose for a photograph with them in the lobby, I had no idea that the veterinarian standing next to me, one of the founding partners in his 40s, was suffering from depression.
Client checklist: Controlling canine influenza virusAugust 10, 2018With summer underway, plenty of dogs are enjoying fun in the sun with their canine companions, play-fighting and sharing water bowls. Of course, accompanying summer vacation is the increased risk of infectious diseases and other illness. Canine influenza virus (CIV) is at an all-time high this year, with reported cases in at least 46 states. As such, it is more important than ever for veterinarians to warn their clients of some of the tell-tale signs of the illness. Here are some suggestions for helping clients protect their pets from illness year-round, courtesy of Zoetis. Identifying clinical signs Symptoms of CIV are similar to those of other bacterial and viral causes associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD). Much like humans, signs of the virus often vary from dog to dog and can last for several weeks. Some symptoms to look out for include: Reduced appetite High fever Cough Runny nose Lethargy Additionally, CIV has no seasonality, so owners should keep an eye out for these symptoms throughout the year; however, it is especially important to keep watch during the summer when dogs tend to spend more time outdoors, socializing with other dogs. Considering treatment options If an owner suspects …
Southern Veterinary Partners named 'Top Tiger' by Auburn UniversityAugust 9, 2018Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP), a veterinarian owned and operated a regional network of animal hospitals in the South, has been named an Auburn University's "Top Tiger," which recognizes the fastest-growing companies led by Auburn University alumni. Jay Price, DVM, CEO; Jeff Falone, DVM, chief medical officer; and Chase Whitworth, DVM, regional medical director, all graduates of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Barron Lakeman, chief development officer and graduate of Auburn University, received this honor. Based in Birmingham, Ala., SVP is the largest veterinary management company based in the South. It provides centralized support for its in-network animal hospitals, including marketing, HR, finance, inventory, and purchasing management, and provides enhanced benefits to team members. The hospitals retain their names, culture, and local commitment to their communities as well as veterinarians and staff. SVP's network includes 57 animal hospitals across 10 southern states.
