Banfield training focuses on suicide awareness, preventionSeptember 12, 2019The veterinary suicide crisis is top of mind for many in the animal health industry, and the latest initiative from Banfield Pet Hospital hopes to combat this issue head-on.
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Osteoarthritis in pets on the rise alongside obesity epidemicJune 25, 2019The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in pets has skyrocketed in the past decade, with the condition seeing a 66 percent increase in dogs and a 150 percent increase in cats.
Banfield launches phone interpretation service pilot programJune 7, 2019Banfield Pet Hospital has launched a 60-day, over-the-phone interpretation service pilot program at its California hospitals and Vancouver, Wash., call center. The service offers interpretation in 350 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, Creole, Arabic, and Russian. Banfield has partnered with Lionbridge Technologies to offer these services to its non-English speaking clients who require help understanding their pet's diagnosis and treatment needs. The California hospitals participating in the program are: Glendale, Los Angeles Midtown, La Cienega, Culver City, Oxnard, and Bakersfield. All of Banfield's clients across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will be able to phone in and use the service. Banfield says as it is dedicated to inclusion and diversity for its clients and associates and it hopes to expand the pilot to other areas of the country in 2020.
Banfield launches telehealth service for on-demand veterinarian supportJune 5, 2019Banfield Pet Hospital is offering its Optimum Wellness Plan clients a new way to discuss their pet's health with a veterinarian. The company has launched a telehealth service on its app called Vet Chat, which offers clients on-demand access to pet care advice and support from a veterinarian anytime and anywhere. "At Banfield, we never take for granted being entrusted with the care of a beloved pet is to be invited into the emotional center of a person's life," says company president, Brian Garish. "To us, that means not only being with you throughout your pet's life—from puppyhood through the golden years––it also means being there during those unexpected, sometimes anxiety-ridden moments between visits. "Vet Chat marks the next chapter in the future of pet care, and we're thrilled to offer a service benefitting our clients, their pets, and our veterinary teams." In a pet owner telehealth survey, Banfield found 39 percent of respondents admit they sometimes struggle to decide when to call the veterinarian and nearly four in 10 say they prefer to consult the internet first. Ninety percent of veterinarians say they worry pet owners may unknowingly put their pet at more risk by taking bad advice …
Banfield Pet Hospital, Banfield Foundation reports highlight commitment to animalsMarch 19, 2019More than $2.2 million in grants have been awarded to 265 nonprofits, thanks to the Banfield Foundation. That's one of the highlights from the organization's 2018 Banfield Foundation Impact Report, which was released in conjunction with Banfield Pet Hospital's 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. It details how the company has leveraged its resources, reach, and relationships to improve the well-being of pets, communities, and the veterinary industry. "At Banfield, everything we do is in service of our purpose—a better world for pets—including our collective efforts, which support pets, communities, our associates, and the veterinary profession," says Banfield Pet Hospital president, Brian Garish. "I can't think of a better legacy than being known as one of the country's most community-minded companies. Through the initiatives highlighted in these reports, we get to live our purpose of caring for pets, while also inspiring future generations of pet lovers to be more socially conscious and make a difference in their own communities." Since September 2015, the foundation has worked to give pets access to veterinary care, temporary shelter, and/or disaster relief, including Spayathon, which offers spay and neuter clinics across Puerto Rico aimed at decreasing an unwanted population of pets while also …
Banfield donates $4 million toward veterinary student debtJanuary 17, 2019A program to assist veterinary students with debt has now helped pay back more than $4 million in loans.
Being raised with pets may make you a howling successNovember 16, 2018A survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital says there is a correlation between pets and professional achievements.
Banfield Pet Hospital welcomes CFO, manager of mental health servicesAugust 27, 2018Ludek Janousek and Lisa Stewart-Brown have joined Banfield Pet Hospital as CFO and program manager mental health services, respectively. Janousek, charged with shaping key business decisions, strengthening the company's long-term financial health, and driving hospital vision and purpose within the broader organization, holds a master's degree in International Business from University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic. In her newly created role, Stewart-Brown will develop and implement mental health strategies and initiatives that support the emotional and mental health of Banfield associates, reinforcing Banfield's holistic approach to health and well-being. Stewart-Brown, a licensed clinical social worker, holds a master's degree in social work from California State University, Sacramento, and an MBA with health care emphasis from California Miramar University.
Veterinary practice trends webinar highlights further industry consolidationAugust 17, 2018In just five years, 25 percent of veterinary practices, accounting for half of all veterinary visits, will be corporately owned, according to Brakke Consulting. During a webinar presented at the end of June, "Hot Topics in Veterinary Practice," Brakke senior consultant John Volk said myriad variables were contributing to the trend: looming mass veterinarian retirement, fewer vets wanting to own practices, low interest rates and high interest for investors, and more. The webinar also discussed the largest veterinary consolidators; Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA lead the way with nearly 2,000 practices; National Veterinary Associates counts more than 400 clinics, and VetCor has more than 200. Something corporate outfits can offer that consumers want is the convenience of pet health plans, which allow pet owners to pay in regular installments, increase clinic visits and revenue, improve patient care, attract new clients, and build a bond between the practice and the client. To counteract corporate sales, Volk said associates should work with a current owner, partner with others, and focus on one- and two-doctor practices. Other sectors of the profession mimic the consolidation trend. The top five animal drug manufacturers, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco Animal Health, …
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 …
