AAHA Selects Veterinary Technician of the Year
Described as “a talented mentor and teacher,” Susan Herbert was named the American Animal Hospital Association’s Veterinary Technician of the Year. She works at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic in Chestermere, Alberta, Canada. The runners-up were Meagan Hembrough, from West Loop Animal Hospital in Longview, Texas; Meika Valazquez, from Black Canyon Veterinary Clinic in Montrose, Colorado; and Nicole Van Sant, from Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, Connecticut.
Digicare’s digiCloud App Captures Surgery Data
Digicare Animal Health launched digiCloud, a cloud-based app supporting real-time surgical charting. “After the completion of a surgical procedure, all patient data collected during the surgery is automatically saved inside the digiCloud database,” the company reported. “There, all records are safely stored and can be reviewed at any time or downloaded in PDF format for uploading into practice management software.”
VCA Launches Career Progression Program
VCA Animal Hospitals introduced the Career Progression Program to help its 14,000 credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants map a path in veterinary medicine. “Grounded in competency-based career levels, clear job descriptions and robust development programs, the new Career Progression Program kick-starts career growth of VCA’s teams across the U.S. and builds a strong foundation for future veterinary medicine talent,” according to the company.
LSU Professors Advance in Organized Medicine
Two Louisiana State University faculty members were elected to leadership positions in national veterinary associations. Dr. Henry Green, associate dean for inclusive excellence and an associate professor of veterinary cardiology, was named president-elect of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine for 2024. Dr. Clare Scully, an associate professor of food animal health maintenance, was inducted as president of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners.
Honey Skin Care Product Reaches U.S. Market
Vetramil, a medical-grade honey product formulated for animal skin care, is available in the United States for the first time. The manufacturer is Netherlands-based Bfactory. Veterinarians may request a free sample of Vetramil Ointment by visiting bit.ly/45GLphW starting Oct. 29.
Study: People Favor Dogs Over Cats
A study conducted in Denmark, Austria and the United Kingdom found that people generally are more invested emotionally and financially in their dogs than their cats. The difference is biggest in Denmark and smallest in the U.K., according to the Frontiers in Veterinary Science report, published at bit.ly/474YhQ3. “The scientists found that people … had higher attachment scores for their dogs, insured their dogs more often, generally expected more treatment options to be available for dogs, and would pay more for those treatments,” Frontiers stated.
Brakke Study Explores Home Delivery Channel
Brakke Consulting released the “Pet Medications Home Delivery Study,” an in-depth look at pet owner spending behaviors and shopping preferences, online sales trends for veterinarians, and the top online pet medication retailers. The study is available for purchase by emailing Richard Hayworth at rhayworth@brakkeconsulting.com.
WSAVA Webinars Focus on Non-Clinical Skills
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association launched a webinar series to help veterinary teams with non-clinical skills such as communication, leadership and management. The program, sponsored by Purina Institute, is free for WSAVA members. Details are at bit.ly/3Qapxpb.
New Resource: My Pet Placement Plan
Pet Peace of Mind unveiled a free resource for people whose challenging life situations could put a pet’s health, safety and overall well-being at risk. My Pet Placement Plan, available at bit.ly/3Fv5gpG, “was designed to ensure beloved pets will not be placed in an animal shelter and minimizes an owner’s apprehension about what will happen to their pets while dealing with life’s difficulties,” the nonprofit organization stated. “The planning resource includes key information such as an identified pet guardian, elements of the pet’s daily routine, details specific to the pet’s health, a power of attorney and next steps.