AVMA salutes LGBTQ+ veterinarians, colleagues during Pride MonthJune 27, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is celebrating Pride Month by sharing stories of LGBTQ+ veterinarians and their colleagues, which can be viewed at AVMA's Facebook page. The AVMA and the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (formerly LGVMA) collaborate to support veterinary students and professionals who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as LGBTQ+ clients. "We believe diversity fosters a climate conducive to success for all members of the veterinary medical community and affirms the value of human diversity for the enrichment of our communities," said Janet Donlin, DVM, AVMA CEO. "The AVMA believes that diversity and inclusion make us stronger, which is why we stand up in support of our LGBTQ colleagues during the month of June." The effort to recognize LGBTQ+ veterinarians, students, and colleagues is an important step in improving their well-being, according to Melinda Merck, DVM, president of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community. "Being LGBTQ can create additional stressors, such as the inability to be authentic and to feel safe," said Dr. Merck. "If we can't be our authentic selves, or feel safe in that authenticity, it creates barriers that hinder our relationships with coworkers and clients, and can ultimately have a negative impact …
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Scratchpay veterinary lender raises $6.4M Series A funding for expansionJune 26, 2018 Scratchpay, a financial tech company focused on veterinary care, has raised a $6.4 million in a Series A funding round led by Companion Fund, a pet-care focused investment arm launched by Mars Petcare. Founded in 2016 by John Keatley and Caleb Morse, Scratchpay offers payment plans to clients with vet bills from $2,000 to $10,000. If approved, applicants choose among various payment and interest options. Once the plan is set, the vet receives a confirmation email and Scratchpay pays the clinic through direct deposit. The company's underwriting model incorporates multiple proprietary and third-party data sources specific to the animal health industry, according to CEO John Keatley. "We are the only lender that incorporates information about the pet and the procedure being performed into lending decisions," he said. The company makes money on the interest, which is determined on an individual basis, ranging from 5 to 26 percent, and a 5 percent cut on all transactions it handles. As Scratchpay pays the vet clinic the approved amount up front and takes full responsibility for pet owners' payments, this process potentially mitigates the risk-assessment problem vets (and pet-owners) often face in …
Midmark offers rebate program on select veterinary equipmentJune 26, 2018Midmark Corp. has launched a promotion for 2018, The Edge, which gives veterinarians and veterinary facilities the opportunity to receive cash rebates with the purchase of select veterinary equipment now through Aug. 31. During the promotion, rebates of up to $750 per item are available with the purchase of eligible animal health products through an authorized Midmark dealer. Rebates include: Stainless-Steel Lift Tables with Scales, electric or folding ($375 rebate) Stainless-Steel Lift Tables without Scales, electric or folding ($275 rebate) Midmark Wet Dental/Treatment Lift Table ($750 rebate) Midmark Exam Lift Table ($750 rebate) 255 Single LED Procedure Light ($100 rebate) 255 Dual LED Procedure Light ($300 rebate) Midmark Diagnostic Monitor ($150 rebate) Midmark M9 or M11 Automatic Sterilizers ($400 rebate) In addition, discounted pricing is also available on a broad selection of Midmark products including: Containment Kennel runs Surgery tables Lift tables Exam tables Treatment tables Grooming and tubs Scales Exam and treatment lighting Dates to remember: Promotion order period: June 1 – Aug. 31 Last date to take shipment of products: Sept. 30 Invoice must be dated: June 1 – Sept. 30 Last date to redeem incentives: Oct. 31 For product inquiries, call the Midmark Customer Experience Department …
5 tips for new veterinary clinic construction financingJune 26, 2018Whether you have outgrown your existing building, are expanding into new service areas, or are just ready to own your own space, you've made the decision to build a veterinary clinic from the ground up. The first step to turning your new dream clinic into a reality is to determine the type and amount of financing you require. This will lay the groundwork for everything you do moving forward, from site selection to equipment purchases. For veterinarians, it's important to speak with a lending expert who understands the unique needs of your practice. In addition to conventional loans, there are several Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to veterinary practices, each offering different benefits. A lender that specializes in veterinary financing will help you select the right loan and oversee all the financing details, so you can focus on the construction of your new clinic. When reaching out to a lender, there are several steps you can take to ensure the loan process goes smoothly so you can get the construction of your new veterinary clinic underway as quickly as possible: Establish a budget. Going to your lender with a comprehensive budget will save time and help curb potential …
Laser therapy technology: Voodoo or valid?June 26, 2018To help overcome the obstacles veterinarians face when deciding to adopt laser therapy technology into their practices, Companion Animal Health has announced the launch of a limited-time trial program that enables veterinarians to see the impact of laser therapy first-hand, with no financial commitment. Companion Animal Health's program allows veterinarians to try laser technology free for 30 days to evaluate its success in their practice. "[I] thought it was voodoo. … I wasn't even going to take the thing for free," said Vernard Hodges, DVM, from Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, Ga. "I've paid for [laser] I'm sure twice now and I haven't even had it for six months … it works." "I pretty much thought it was voodoo medicine until I tried it on my own knee," said Kimberly Daffner, DVM, from Family Pet Clinic in Redondo Beach, Calif. "I play tennis five days a week and this laser machine keeps me mobile on the tennis court, so that sold the machine. The interesting part about that is it paid for itself with my patients within the first six months." Veterinary professionals who participate in the trial program before Aug. 31 can earn exclusive access to 11 …
Merck, AVMF announce 2018 Veterinary Student Innovation AwardsJune 25, 2018Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have announced the winners of the 2018 Veterinary Student Innovation Awards, a new award program designed to recognize graduating seniors at each veterinary school accredited through the American Veterinary Medical Association in the U.S. and Canada. Awards were given to students in good academic standing and who have demonstrated innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity in developing a project or product that inspires others within the veterinary profession. "At Merck Animal Health, we believe in the science of healthier animals," said Scott Bormann, Merck's North America vice president. "Part of what drives that science is the identification of new challenges and the development of initiatives to address them in our ever-changing industry. We're excited to partner with the AVMF to support these inspiring students." "We are pleased to recognize and support these outstanding veterinary students," said Jan K. Strother, DVM, chair, AVMF board of directors. "Not only have these students displayed entrepreneurial spirit, initiative and creativity, but they are also making a positive difference in their communities and in our veterinary profession." Award recipients include: Carolyn Benedetto, Louisiana State University Amanda Carlson, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Meredith Chamberlain, University of Prince Edward Island Caitlin Conner, Texas …
What veterinary students want mostJune 25, 2018When considering improvements in veterinary students' education, veterinary colleges invariably focus on the subject matter of the veterinary medical curriculum. Everyone possesses some expertise in it and therefore believes he or she knows (arguably) what it should contain. However, to be an effective teacher, other attributes are necessary. Colleges should be giving more attention to the human dimensions of education. Recently, I participated in a study that allowed me to meet a number of current veterinary students and recent graduates and discuss their college experiences. This was not a statistically validated population survey; it was simply a collection of opinions. The results were interesting. Perceptions of the material content of the DVM curriculum and the professional and academic qualifications of the teaching faculty were pleasingly positive. However, respondents expressed concerns about rigid lecture formats, information overload, and the impersonal atmosphere of the classroom. What students wanted was a less homogeneous education that respected and accommodated them as individuals with unique backgrounds, needs, and prior learning experiences. Too often, students are persuaded that medical science is a set of hard facts, every detail of which must be memorized and recalled. However, scientific facts are seldom perfect or permanent; many in …
Texas A&M and Cornell team up for AMR researchJune 25, 2018 Texas A&M and Cornell universities are working together to advance the research of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in veterinary medical education and streamline communications for underrepresented students in the field, reports Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). Funded by a $300,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, researchers from both institutions will work in tandem to develop and study the impact of a collection of competency-based educational resources on AMR in order to aid veterinary education programs across the U.S. "Antimicrobial resistance poses an increasingly serious threat to global health, and veterinarians must be properly equipped to assume leadership roles in addressing this challenge," said Kevin Cummings, DVM, Ph.D., principal investigator for Cornell University. "Crucial to the success of the AMR mitigation effort is the need to educate a wide variety of stakeholders about proper antimicrobial stewardship in production agriculture." The monies will go toward research focused on the development of multidisciplinary lessons on AMR, as well as the creation of an online platform to share resources with veterinary colleges across the country and increase community for underrepresented student populations regarding career opportunities in …
Banfield named among 50 top community-minded US companiesJune 21, 2018Banfield Pet Hospital has been named an honoree of The Civic 50 by Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. As a recipient for the second year in a row, the award recognizes Banfield, including the work of the Banfield Foundation, as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills, and other resources to improve the communities in which they do business. "Points of Light believes that people drive change in addressing society's growing and most profound challenges," said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO, Points of Light. "The business community plays an important role in creating and delivering innovative solutions that drive social good in the communities where they live and work." The Civic 50 honorees are public and private companies with U.S. operations and revenues of $1 billion or more and are selected based on four dimensions of their U.S. community engagement program, including investment, integration, institutionalization, and impact. "Banfield and the Banfield Foundation are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of pets and their owners," said Brian Garish, president of …
MyCatDNA analysis aims to breed healthier catsJune 21, 2018MyCatDNA test, a new feline DNA test from Wisdom Health, a division of Mars Petcare, is designed to help veterinarians and breeders maintain the health and wellness of cats from a genetic level. MyCatDNA test, also known as the Optimal Selection Feline test in North America, provides insight into an individual cat's unique genetic makeup, allowing breeders to make more informed breeding decisions and subsequently lessen the chance of passing down inherent diseases to future generations. "New insights based on genetics, such as mutations linked to health conditions and traits, can transform the lives of cats and their offspring," said Leslie Lyons Ph.D., a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri–Columbia. "Having these discoveries and many other tools readily available to cat owners and breeders on a global scale can only improve the health care of cats and our breeding decisions." The MyCatDNA test develops a comprehensive view of a cat's unique genome, including inherited characteristics. The analysis is able to identify more than 40 genetic mutations that cause inherited feline diseases, as well as traits such as blood type, coat color/length, and body type. Owners can then access online health profiles for their …
