VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe importance of One Health to the veterinary teamApril 2, 2025By Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVTNAVTA president on how vet team members contribute to One Health partnerships by developing early warning systems that help detect disease outbreaks in animals and humans, and the four ways they add to their own skillsets.
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHow to add 100 specialists to your practice -- your hospital libraryNovember 11, 2021A medical library is not just a tool for a seasoned doctor to refresh their knowledge on rare conditions, or to grow medically when it’s utilized to save an incredibly complex case. An in house medical library can help a new doctor get more confidence and increase their level of learning as they cross reference what they are seeing clinically, with what is documented in the textbooks.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveVPN Fireside Chats: Wildlife Disease MonitoringMay 3, 2021Elizabeth Buckles, DVM, PhD, DACVP, addresses wildlife disease monitoring and its importance in protecting ecosystem, animals, and human health.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveVeterinary medicine's shameful secret: Making it up as we go along?January 21, 2021By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAMany experienced veterinarians would admit to themselves we often feel uncertain about our knowledge, training, and skill when performing infrequent requests we are rarely called on to perform and which we have minimal training or experience with.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveNew year, new you?December 23, 2020By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAEight strategies and reslouctions for work/life balance in veterinary medicine.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveIn the Navy: How veterinarians are keeping military-trained mammals healthyAugust 18, 2020For six decades, the Navy has relied on trained marine mammals to assist and protect its personnel and assets in the water.
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 …
Is it time we change our tune on telemedicine?May 24, 2019At some point, our profession got it into its collective head to start hating on telemedicine. Perhaps it was the image of non-veterinarians armed with third-tier vet tech degrees hunched over laptops banging out answers to questions they have no business fielding. And in their pajamas, no less! It's a mental picture my state's association—the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)—is advancing this legislative season, as it seeks to limit telemedicine's reach into Sunshine State living rooms. And Florida is by no means alone in its quest to curb the telemedicine industry's growth. Most other state associations also are seeking a legislative solution to the perceived threat posed by online veterinary services. Telemedicine was front and center at American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA's) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in January, the findings of which they'll likely present at this summer's conference in Washington, D.C. These are the best minds our profession has at its disposal, grappling with issues as fundamental as the nature of the veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR). It all comes down to the hands In its wariness of telemedicine, professional organizations like AVMA and state veterinary medical associations (VMAs) argue the definition of VCPR is at the heart of the …
AVMA offering new well-being certificateMay 10, 2019Veterinarians and clinic staff are now able to improve their knowledge of and skills in well-being, thanks to a new certificate program offered by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The Workplace Wellbeing certificate program was created with the help of an educational grant from Merck Animal Health. The program will be taught by experts from the veterinary community. According to the AVMA, the purpose of the certificate is to provide resources for problem solving to create a work culture focused on well-being. Those who participate will be eligible to receive up to four continuing education (CE) credit hours. The courses can be taken individually and do not have to be done as part of the program. To receive the certificate there are five units one must complete: Creating a culture of wellbeing How to request, receive, and give feedback effectively Transforming conflict Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) assessment Diversity and inclusion
New bill allows Florida veterinarians to report suspected abuseMay 7, 2019The Florida Senate has passed a criminal justice bill allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to authorities without notice to or authorization from the client. Bill 7125 would permit veterinarians to notify law enforcement officers; animal control officers who are trained in animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor, and civil citations; or agents dedicated to protecting animals and preventing any act of cruelty, of signs of mistreatment. Currently, veterinarians are required to inform an owner if they are suspicious of animal abuse before going to law enforcement. Under the new bill, the only time veterinarians would be required to inform the client first is if suspected cruelty occurred at a commercial food-producing animal operation on land classified as agricultural. The next step is for the bill to be signed or vetoed by Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
