A proud, enduring heritage of serviceDecember 20, 2017Looking ahead to possible US involvement in World War I, Congress and President Woodrow Wilson brought the National Defense Act of 1916 to fruition.
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What Veterinary Practice News readers loved in 2017December 15, 2017Another new year is upon us, but before we embrace 2018 and all it might have to offer veterinary professionals and the industry, let's recap Veterinary Practice News' 10 most-read features of 2017. 1. Canine influenza virus 2017: Beyond two show dogs 2. 10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy 3. University of Minnesota develops cancer drug that helps dogs with hemangiosarcoma 4. Study: Cats eating dry food have increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes 5. Zoetis earns license for Cytopoint skin therapy 6. Raising greyhound health awareness 7. American Association of Feline Practitioners revises declawing position 8. The 7 top challenges facing veterinary medicine in 2017 9. Petco officially enters the veterinary hospital ring with Thrive 10. The strangest things vet techs have heard clients say
Penn Foster offers veterinary practice management certificate programDecember 14, 2017Penn Foster College, a provider of online degree programs and individual courses, launched its Veterinary Practice Management Undergraduate Certificate program. The new program helps prepare students to become veterinary practice managers by providing them with education in the procedures, policies, and management skills needed in the daily operations of a veterinary business. The undergraduate certificate offers 19 college credits, covering skills including managerial and financial accounting, veterinary practice systems, planning and leadership, business ethics, and more. The program is offered through Penn Foster's technology-enabled learning platform, where interactive, mobile-friendly courses, progress-tracking and goal setting tools, and personal coaches help students complete the program while managing their busy lives. In addition to earning an undergraduate certificate, completion of the program satisfies the college semester hours required for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager exam offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. Penn Foster also offers veterinary training programs for its AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Associate Degree, NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma, and Pet Grooming Certificate.
10 ways to protect your clinic's cash flowOctober 19, 2017 Veterinary clinic cash flow is challenged by several factors, but broken down, it's simple: how much comes in versus how much goes out. Here are 10 ways your practice can immediately take control of its cash flow. If your practice is hemorrhaging money, you must immediately staunch the flow. You cannot save your way to success, but you should still be conscious of what you are spending. By controlling your spending and saving on extraneous things, your practice will be able to spend more money where it counts, such as equipment and human resources. Plus, you must identify cash that is lost because it was never collected in the first place. The countdown to controlling clinic cash flow starts now. No. 10: Create a budget If you're like most, you just cringed a little when you read the word "budget." As much as they're disliked, budgets are a vital tool in your practice's path to success. Your accounting software and/or your accountant should be able to help you get started if you are unsure how to begin. Adhering to a budget allows you to project potential income and expenses, avoid shortcomings and build in a safety net …
The secret lives of vet techsOctober 6, 2017Veterinary technicians are dedicated professionals that possess very special sets of skills. However, in honor of National Technician Week, Oct. 15-21, I wanted to highlight several technicians who have developed skills well beyond those they display daily at their small animal practices. Veterinary technicians' work and personal lives run the gamut: some work in the pharmaceutical industry, for associations, and in the army. Others work at human hospitals, in journalism, and in startup businesses. Some are avid collectors or are obsessed with popular culture, and others have culinary skills impressive enough to compete on national television. Here, though, I chose to focus on a few veterinary techs who enjoy more physical hobbies. One would never guess at their passions upon first meeting them—they are humble in spite of their surprising and extreme skills. Here are their fascinating stories. Kerri "I'm very active outside of work. I gained interest in weight training about three years ago, initially as a means to get in better shape. But the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. Eventually, it turned into a passion. I don't see it as a chore—I looked forward to it. "I've learned a lot along the way, not …
Could your practice use a CWO?September 11, 2017Until recently, there were: The CEO, or chief executive officer; The CFO, or chief financial officer; The CIO, or chief information officer; The CTO, or chief technology officer; And a few others (CSO, CCO, and CKO anybody*?) I recently heard of the CWO, aka Chief WOW Officer, aka Director of WOW, as Nido Qubein calls it. The businessman and motivational speaker is currently the President of High Point University, an amazing private liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina. Of course, there is a CWO at High Point. His job is to identify the un-WOW on campus, and turn it into WOW to improve the students' experience. Here are a few of the services provided. Each one honors an important value: • There is an ice cream truck on campus, and a bubble-gum machine at the entrance of the Dean's door (value: generosity). • Students can have a free car wash on week-ends to forget the dust caused by an extensive construction project (value: respect for others' property). • Valet parking for students after 9 pm (value: safety). • Live music at the cafeteria (value: rock 'n' roll forever?). Similar creative …
Follow the 8 secret ingredients to successSeptember 8, 2017In an extremely popular TED talk, Richard St. John, a former marketing and communication expert turned speaker, and author in Toronto, shared his secrets to reaching sustained success.
How call tracking barks up business for veterinariansSeptember 8, 2017There's no denying that veterinarians are dedicated to their craft. Animal care is complex and leaves little time for marketing—after all, a veterinarian belongs in the field, not at a desk. Regardless of the difficulties of veterinary work, owners will accept nothing less than the best for their pets. Ninety percent of pet owners regard their pets as family and have the same health care experience expectations as they would for a child or spouse. Confusing or inconsistent advertising can dissuade pet owners from a choosing a veterinarian—there's no kidding around with animal health. Some veterinarians are prioritizing better companion care through partnership with third-party providers. While outsourcing the business side of a practice alleviates major marketing responsibilities, as well as other routine tasks like accounting and human resources, it does not solve the entire problem for vets. If these campaigns are still based on gut decisions rather than data, there's little opportunity for vets to improve their marketing efforts over time. Call-tracking and analytics solutions remove the guesswork from attribution, even between online and offline efforts. As vets begin to understand which marketing channels are actually driving leads, they can adapt their advertising …
How veterinary teams can unleash their full potentialAugust 24, 2017Did you know you are supported in reaching your fullest potential in veterinary medicine? Veterinary team members are encouraged to design, create and find support for their careers so that each may reach new heights in job satisfaction, fulfillment and prosperity.
Get clients off their phones and in the momentAugust 24, 2017How many times have you experienced this: While you explain your exam findings, a client’s fingers are pounding out text messages. Plenty? Well, prepare for more of the same.
