AVMA, United partner to board emotional support animals safely, legally for allMarch 9, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association and the AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust have entered into the emotional support animal-airline travel challenge. United Airlines recently announced a new policy requiring a veterinary signature vouching for the health, behavior, and training of psychiatric service and emotional support animals flying with its passengers. The airline said the policy took effect March 1. The AVMA reviewed United's veterinary health form and expressed concern that the information it requested might not appropriately support the health and welfare of their animal and human passengers—and that it created potential liability risks for veterinarians attesting to them. After collaborating with United, the airline has adopted AVMA recommendations and will be posting a new form on their website that reflects alternate language. The new form will allow veterinarians to confidently report meaningful information to assist United in making decisions about transporting psychiatric service or emotional support animals on its flights, according to the AVMA. Requested revisions include: The form should be completed and signed only by a licensed veterinarian. The original version asked a veterinarian to attest that s/he "is not aware of any reason to believe that this animal would pose …
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Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, The Veterinary Cooperative partnerMarch 9, 2018Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, the provider of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, has partnered with The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC) to advance their shared mission to improve pet health. "With pet health insurance, TVC clinic clients can worry less about cost and focus on their pet's care. This helps make it easier to provide great care for pets," said Allison Morris, president of TVC. TVC is a cooperative of 3,000 independent veterinary hospitals that helps level the playing field in pricing, marketing, and other business components for smaller hospitals among the growing corporate locations and big-box stores. "TVC is a leader in this space and we're proud to be able to partner with them," said Gina Fortunato, AVP of Veterinary Field Services, Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Complete Coverage is robust coverage that includes exam fees for covered conditions, diagnostics, alternative therapies, treatments, and more, the company stated. Pet owners can choose their annual limit, reimbursement percentage, and annual deductible to customize plans to fit their needs. For more information visit cfpetinsurance.com or theveterinarycooperative.coop.
AVMA names Matthew J. Salois as Veterinary Economics Division headMarch 9, 2018Matthew J. Salois, Ph.D., has joined the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to head the association's Veterinary Economics Division. He will replace Michael R. Dicks, Ph.D., who is retiring after serving five years as AVMA's chief economist. Previously, at Elanco Animal Health, Dr. Salois served as director of global scientific affairs and policy since 2016, and as an economic research and policy advisor from 2014 to 2016. Prior to joining Elanco, he worked as the chief economist at the Florida Department of Citrus and as an assistant professor in economics at the University of Reading. "Matt … has the opportunity now to build upon the AVMA Economic Division's solid foundation to ensure that all the incredible data we have is turned into the most effective tools and resources for our members and the profession," said Michael J. Topper, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, president of the AVMA. Salois said the scope of achievement already accomplished by the AVMA Economics Division has been "breathtaking" and that the economics team currently in place is a testament to AVMA's commitment to the veterinary profession. "I feel very privileged to be joining not only a team that I admire, but also to be a part …
Banfield releases Corporate Social Responsibility, Foundation Impact ReportsMarch 9, 2018Banfield Pet Hospital recently released its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, detailing its support of pets, communities, its associates, and the veterinary profession. The company's charitable arm, the Banfield Foundation, also released its 2017 Banfield Foundation Impact Report, which summarizes how the foundation leveraged the resources entrusted to it by donors and shares stories about the pets, people. and organizations it supported in 2017. The company's 2017 CSR efforts included volunteer programs, championing preventive care, partnerships with animal welfare organizations, environmental stewardship, and investments in its associates, as well as the broader veterinary industry. Continued disaster relief efforts in 2017 from Banfield and the Banfield Foundation helped more than 26,000 pets and their families in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, demonstrating their commitment to the communities they serve—and in which company associates live and work. "In 2017, Banfield grew as a company and as a corporate citizen," said Brian Garish, president of Banfield. "We provided much-needed veterinary care and supplies, as well as volunteer services, to animal welfare organizations, communities, people and pets in need. We invested in our associates and continued to use our resources, reach, and relationships to strengthen the …
Pathway Vet Alliance rebrand unveiled at WVCMarch 7, 2018Pathway national veterinary management group has rebranded as Pathway Vet Alliance to promote the company's position as a "change agent for good" in the veterinary industry and elevate its focus on providing personalized management support and tooling to veterinary practices across the U.S., the company said in a statement. As part of the rebrand process, Pathway is adopting a new logo, color palette, typeface, website, and streamlined brand system. "Our company has always been deeply passionate about inspiring positive change for our partners, the veterinary industry, and beyond," said Stephen Hadley, DVM and CEO of Pathway Vet Alliance. "This rebrand is an amazing opportunity to better communicate our company culture and values. We work with veterinary hospitals to remove the administrative burden from their team, so they can focus on what they love—providing the best care possible to our patients." Pathway rolled out its new identity at the 90th Annual Western Veterinary Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Throughout WVC, Pathway aimed to raise funds for the American Humane Association, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation's Veterinary Care Charitable Fund, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by donating $5 to …
Heroes for Healthy Pets helps veterinary clinics maintain disease-free facilitiesMarch 7, 2018At the 90th annual Western Veterinary Conference, Clorox Healthcare and Merck Animal Health, in coordination with the International Boarding and Pet Services Association, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Pet Sitters International, VETgirl, and Barkleigh Productions, announced the launch of the Heroes for Healthy Pets Infectious Disease Management Certification Program to educate veterinary and pet professionals on the risks of infectious diseases. The program provides best practices for preventative care, including strategic vaccination and cleaning and disinfection protocols to help maintain disease-free facilities and keep pets healthy. "The Heroes for Healthy Pets certification program provides essential support to the veterinary and pet professional community to help keep pets healthy," said Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus), CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). "The program is complementary on VetFolio and provides professionals an excellent opportunity to better understand infectious diseases and preventative care." The certification program consists of two free educational modules taught by three veterinary experts in infectious disease: Understanding Infectious Diseases led by Jason Stull, DVM, Ph.D., and Michelle Evason, DVM, DACVIM, and Effective Infectious Disease Control led by Melissa Bourgeois, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM. "Dogs that are social or visit pet …
WVC Women's Veterinary Summit registration open, speakers namedMarch 6, 2018Western Veterinary Conference announced that registration has opened for its Women's Veterinary Summit, to be held this July in Las Vegas at the Oquendo Center. The summit, in its third year, aims to help women veterinarians gain confidence, pursue their goals, and focus on leadership, communications, wellness, and success. WVC also has announced the keynote speakers for the July 22-23 event: Allison Massari has been recognized by Meeting & Conventions Magazine as one of the Top 10 Best Speakers for motivation and personal development, and has been featured on ABC, NBC, and FOX networks. After overcoming a devastating, near-fatal car accident in 1998, Massari went on to share her story, inspiring others who are suffering and helping to reinvigorate teams and avoid workplace burnout. Siri Lindley is owner and head coach for Sirius Athletes Inc. As a former World Champion Triathlete and World Champion Coach, Lindley has coached numerous athletes to Olympic medals. Lindley is also co-president of Believe Ranch & Rescue, a canine and equine rescue. Lindley, a Tony Robbins guest lecturer, has counseled numerous superstars, including Beyoncé and Justin Bieber, on how to be mentally tough and deal …
Improve International CE provider enters U.S.March 6, 2018Improve International continuing education provider, founded in 2008 by a team of U.K. of veterinarians, has launched in the U.S., offering a range of short courses for veterinary professionals seeking to update their knowledge and develop new skills. The company's first RACE-approved courses for U.S. veterinarians will take place between April and July and feature such speakers as Kenneth Waller III, DVM, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, and Eric Monnet, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, DECVS, and Howard Seim III, DVM, from Colorado State University. More than 20,000 veterinarians in 20 countries have enhanced their careers and improved the profitability of their practice by undertaking Improve International's programs, which combine review lectures, case-based discussions and hands-on practical sessions, according to the company. Improve is working with industry partners, including IM3, Medtronic, Mila, Sound, Storz, and Veterinary Orthopedic Implants Inc. in the delivery of its U.S. courses and will host its practical sessions at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine facilities. "As the leading supplier of CE in many countries, we have a strong understanding of the needs of practicing veterinarians and are working with highly skilled instructors and leading vendors to offer high-end practical …
East Asian tick species turns up on New Jersey sheepMarch 6, 2018A tick native to East Asia—also known as the longhorned, bush, or cattle tick—turned up on a New Jersey sheep with no travel history or nearby domesticated animals, according to a report from National Public Radio. Haemaphysalis longicornis multiplies quickly, feeds on mammalian blood, including humans. In South Korea, it has been linked to the spread of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, described in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report as "a newly emerging infectious disease," NPR reported. H. longicornis can transmit theileriosis to cattle, which can cause blood loss and occasional death of calves; Lyme bacteria, spotted fever group rickettsioses, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Anaplasma bovis have been detected in H. longicornis. SFTS features symptoms of fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and elevated serum enzyme levels, according to the CDC. In August, the sheep's owner noticed that her clothing was covered in ticks—and not the area's native deer ticks. Investigators found hundreds on the sheep and collected nearly 1,000 more from the 1-acre paddock, according to NPR. The tick has previously been found in the U.S. on large animals in quarantine, but this is the first …
Veterinary coalition looks to study access to careMarch 5, 2018The Access to Veterinary Care Coalition (AVCC) and the University of Tennessee Center for Applied Research and Evaluation are looking to the veterinary community to participate in a national study about access to veterinary care affecting more than 25 million pets. "Your participation in this survey will provide a veterinarian's perspective and help with understanding how to best address this crisis," said Michael J. Blackwell, DVM, MPH, coalition chair. The purpose of the study is to identify barriers that families face as well as best practices in delivering veterinary care to underserved pets. Phase One of the study surveyed pet owners across the U.S. in various socio-economic groups. Now the AVCC is surveying veterinarians who work in different settings across the U.S., including for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations. The findings will be published and widely available by the end of 2018 to help guide veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, legislators, community leaders, and others as they seek to improve access to veterinary care for all pets. "Your participation will help ensure a better understanding of this societal problem and encourage evidence-based strategies to save lives," said Dr. Blackwell. To take the survey, which the …
