Pet Care Demand: Addressing Access to Care
UVSA members discuss ways the industry can meet the increased demand for pet care at their recent annual conference.
In an interview with Vet-Advantage, United Veterinary Service Association (UVSA) board members discussed their recent annual conference, the importance of access to care and the association’s initiatives in the coming months.
Your recent annual conference was a chance for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and nonprofits to come together to discuss key topics and challenges in the industry. Why was access to care a topic you wanted to focus on?
At UVSA, we believe that access to veterinary care is important for the animal health industry to understand as it serves as the cornerstone of maintaining the well-being and health of animals. In addition, veterinary professionals play a crucial role in providing preventive care, early disease detection, and effective treatment options for various health conditions that animals may face. By ensuring regular access to veterinary services, not only are individual animal health needs met, but broader goals such as controlling zoonotic diseases, supporting research and development efforts for future health needs, and sustaining the growth of industries reliant on animal health are also achieved. We realize that veterinary care and our industry stands as a critical element in safeguarding and enhancing the overall health and welfare of animals and, therefore, we have a responsibility to support the veterinary professionals who serve to protect the animals and families in their care.
However, given the increase in demand for pet care and protein over the past decade and the expected increase in demand over the next decade, access to care has become progressively more of a concern for the profession and the industry to be able to reach the world’s animals with the products, services and innovation that our member companies support. Issues that have been brought to the forefront include veterinary professional shortages, inflationary pressure on affordability, and general access to services in remote areas or in large animal. Since the pandemic, there is heightened pressure on the profession and the consumer.
At UVSA, we feel it is our responsibility to continue to educate the industry on not only the concern, but also ways in which we can truly support the profession. When we collaborate within the animal care ecosystem, we can make a meaningful difference for veterinary professionals, the health and welfare of animals, and the communities surrounding them.
Were there any noteworthy solutions talked about by the panelists? What steps can the industry take to improve access?
The following steps, among others discussed by the panelists and UVSA, highlight the proactive role the animal health industry can play in improving access to veterinary care. It’s a collective effort that requires collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to the well-being of pets and their owners.
1. Leveraging technology
The panelists discussed the potential of telemedicine and AI in making veterinary care more accessible. By offering virtual consultations, we can reach pet owners who may not be able to visit a clinic due to distance, time constraints, or other barriers. Additionally, AI is making its way into animal health and presents some real interesting opportunities to increase hospital/DVM productivity and pet owner education.
2. Policy
Policies related to veterinary licensing and practice can impact how and where veterinarians can provide care. For example, some regions may have restrictive policies that limit the ability of veterinarians to practice across state lines or provide care without a Vet Client Patient Relationship.
3. Affordability initiatives
The panelists suggested that the industry could work on initiatives to make veterinary care more affordable. This could involve developing cost-effective products and services and partnering with insurance companies to offer affordable pet insurance plans.
4. Community outreach
The industry can play a key role in educating communities about the importance of regular veterinary care. This could involve conducting workshops, webinars, or community events to raise awareness.
5. Collaboration with veterinary schools
By partnering with veterinary schools, the industry can help ensure that future veterinarians are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide accessible care. This could also involve providing scholarships or funding for students who wish to work in underserved areas.
6. Education and training
Policies related to education and training can influence the number of practicing veterinarians. For instance, policies that provide scholarships or loan forgiveness for veterinary students can encourage more people to enter the profession and increase the availability of veterinary care.
Mobile clinics
UVSA has talked about the potential of mobile clinics in reaching underserved areas. These clinics can provide essential services like vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and basic veterinary care to pets who might not otherwise have access to these services.
What will the UVSA be focusing on for the remainder of 2024 and heading into 2025?
The UVSA Board of Directors spent a significant amount of time discussing ways to drive member engagement beyond the annual meeting. In the coming year, the association will be hosting free webinars, increasing communications on industry developments, and participating in industry events. The Board would also like to encourage members to have an open dialogue with leaders, and look for ways to get directly involved, including participating in task forces.
What were some other highlights of the conference?
For the third year, UVSA offered a NextGen Session to engage future leaders of the animal health industry through peer networking, education, and association involvement. This year’s session resulted in our highest participation and attendee satisfaction with content and takeaways.
Dr. Michael Canic, president and chief flag-bearer of making strategy happen moving forward, facilitated a leadership master class designed to inspire NextGen leaders to bring ambition and energy to their roles. Attendees were provided a wide-ranging set of tools to help them develop and sustain focus, create an environment of engagement and performance, and build a high-performing team.
NextGen participation was open to all qualified applicants of UVSA member companies. There was no additional fee for the NextGen session and registration fees for the full conference were waived for the first year. Participants and their managers made the initial commitment of two years to UVSA’s NextGen program and to maintain active engagement.
Benefits of participating in the NextGen cohort include access to industry leaders, professional and personal development, community building and networking, and mentoring of future NextGen classes.
In the coming year, UVSA will continue investing in the NextGen Cohort by offering interactive webinars with key leaders, fostering career conversations, creating networking opportunities at other industry events, and introducing participants to company leaders.
UVSA would like to thank Animalytix for its continued generous financial support of the NextGen program.
UVSA held an inaugural executive session which brought together industry leaders and provided a forum to share challenges and discuss ways to move the industry forward. Dr. Michael Canic, president and chief flag-bearer of Making Strategy Happen, detailed a well-proven framework for strategy plus execution that will help leaders successfully navigate our uncertain and complex world. Executives received complimentary registration, as well as a copy of Dr. Canic’s book “Ruthless Consistency.”
Thought Leaders
Panelists who discussed Access to Care at the UVSA Conference included:
- Dr. Kent McClure, Associate Executive Vice president & Chief Advocacy Officer, AVMA
- Dr. Phil Boutet, Vice President Global Medical Affairs Operations, MARS Veterinary
- Susan Groeneveld, CEO/Founder, Sylvester AI
- Dr. Rustin Moore, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University
- Scott Bormann, Senior Vice President, North America, Merck Animal Health
Mark your calendar
UVSA announced the 2025 Annual Meeting will be held May 5-7 at the Napa Vally Westin hotel in Napa, California. Anyone who is interested in learning more about UVSA, or how they can get involved, can reach out to UVSA’s executive director/secretary, Amy Kulp, at akulp@msp-amc.com or 240-404-6482.
Image credit: istockphoto.com/Rockaa; istockphoto.com/Anna Reshetnikova
