The Vet Blast Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Vet Blast Podcast
The Vet Blast Podcast is a fun, educational show for veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary support team members and of course, pet parents! Learn the latest and greatest in veterinary medicine from professionals in the field! Also laugh with my guests as we share great stories of the incredible human-animal bond. No creature is too big or too small for a show designed for all!
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Robert Armentano, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), from the Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn, Illinois, to get back to basics on lepto. They cover why the disease's epidemiology has shifted toward smaller dogs and urban areas, why the lepto vaccine's old reputation for reactions no longer holds up, and the biggest misconceptions still floating around the profession, including the belief that a negative snap test rules out infection and that a clinically improved dog is no longer shedding the organism.
This episode is sponsored by Novaquis Animal Health
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Chrsitman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Kelly Sovey, DVM, CVA, and Karl C. Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA to the show to dive into practical wound management, from when to close versus leave open, to tackling chronic non-healing wounds, dead space, degloving injuries, and more. Plus, they explain to listeners what exactly ScafiGen is, and how it can potentially improve outcomes and owner compliance in veterinary practices.
On this episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA sits down with Ori Stollar, M.Sc., DVM, DACVB, to break down the top five stress behaviors every clinician and technician should be able to spot in dogs and cats — including one that's often mistaken for a calm pet.
This episode is sponsored by INDIBA | K-Laser
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Ryan McKenzie, DVM, to discuss K-Laser veterinary laser therapy and the science of photobiomodulation. They cover how K-Laser's FDA-cleared devices work, real-world success stories, surprising applications like pancreatitis and feline lower urinary tract disease, and the ROI case for making laser therapy standard practice.
This episode is sponsored by Monarch Practice TransitionsOn this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Chris Rocchio, DVM, to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of selling a veterinary practice: keeping your team intact through the transition.
Eye problems can stump even seasoned GPs, but they don't have to. On this episode of Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with veterinary ophthalmologist Kenneth Pierce, DVM, MS, DACVO, for a crash course in everyday ophthalmology. How do you tell cataracts from nuclear sclerosis in seconds? What's the smartest way to triage a corneal ulcer? And which red flags mean "emergency" the moment they walk through the door? Pierce breaks it all down with practical, step-by-step guidance you can use in clinic tomorrow.
This episode is sponsored by KLC Financial.What if you didn't have to wait until you had the cash to upgrade your practice? In this episode of Vet Blast presented by dvm360, and recorded live at Fetch Nashville, guest host Caitlin McCafferty, content producer for dvm360, and Erin Wondra, sales representative for KLC Financial, diving into the world of veterinary equipment financing and leasing, and why more practices than you might think are using it as a smart, strategic tool.
From busting common myths to breaking down how to prioritize investments one step at a time, this conversation is packed with practical insights for any practice owner looking to modernize, expand services, and set their clinic up for long-term success.
In this episode of the Vet Blast Podcast, Dr. Adam Christman sits down with Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP, FFCP to talk all things feline enrichment. Kucera shares practical, low-cost strategies for letting cats express their natural instincts at home, from scent enrichment using silver vine and catnip to puzzle feeders that tap into a cat's innate hunt-seek-forage behavior. She emphasizes the importance of tailoring enrichment to the individual cat — including those managing obesity or chronic pain, and reminds caregivers that enrichment doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive.
This episode is sponsored by PerioViveOn this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, and recorded live at Fetch Nashville, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA sat down with Elizabeth Wright Smith, DVM, MS, chief veterinary officer at Periovive, to talk about the company's hyaluronic acid–based dental gel and what's next in its product lineup.
Together, the pair digs into how the gel supports periodontal healing and helps manage chronic oral conditions in dogs and cats, while also exploring why it's a smart addition for veterinary practices looking to combine strong clinical results with real profitability.
In this special Pride Month episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Tripp Oliphant, DVM, for an honest, vulnerable conversation about growing up LGBTQIA+ in the veterinary profession.
Together they explore what it was like coming of age with little representation, the pressure to channel identity into achievement and perfectionism, and the realities of coming out, not just once, but again and again throughout a career and a life.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Debra Hamilton, JD, to the show to discuss the importance of communication in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, Hamilton emphasizes the need for veterinarians to build relationships with clients by asking curious questions and being transparent.
On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Josh Sanabria, DVM, back to show to discuss what it was like for Sanabria to sell his practice. Throughout the episode, the duo talks about the emotional and practice challenges of practice ownership, the need for a balanced life, and what it will feel like when his name is removed from the practice doors.
This episode is sponsored by NovaQuis Health.During this live recording from Fetch Nashville of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, teamed up with colleagues to break down the latest in wound care. Joined by Justin Ganjei, DVM, DACVS-SA, and Kelly Sovey DVM, CVA, the trio highlighted how critical vascular preservation and tracking the precise stages of healing are to a patient's recovery.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and his 3 guests Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CCRT, Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT, and Jennifer A Repac, DVM, DACVSMR discuss the importance of exercise therapy for dogs, emphasizing that it should be considered a therapeutic intervention from the start.
This episode is sponsored by Zoetis.
Canine osteoarthritis is far more common, and far more underdiagnosed, than most veterinary professionals realize. In a recent episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presentedby dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Mikayla Mayland, DVM, DACVS, to discuss the latest thinking on osteoarthritis in dogs and why early recognition matters more than ever.
Throughout the episode, the duo challenges everything veterinary professionals thought they knew about canine osteoarthritis, from which dogs are actually at risk to what the real first step of OA management is.
In this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Colleen Ellis, CT, CPLP, unpack how veterinary teams can reframe euthanasia as an honor, not a failure, through better hospice and palliative conversations, thoughtful memorial options, and intentional clinic protocols. Learn practical, clinician-focused ways to support grieving pet parents while also protecting your team’s emotional well-being.
You can register for Fetch Encore here today!
On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Emmanuel Fontaine DVM, MSc, PhD, DECAR, discuss the importance of microbiome development in neonatal puppies and kittens.
Throughout the episode, the duo unpacks how puppies and kittens inherit their mother’s microbiome, why C-sections and weaning can disrupt that process, how colostrum, nutrition, and smart hygiene can set the stage for lifelong health, and more.
This podcast sponsored by Virbac.In honor of Mobility Awareness Month this May, dvm360 is shining a spotlight on the movement health of veterinary patients. Joining host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CVA, CVPP, CCRT, to discuss how proactive mobility care profoundly impacts the quality and duration of life for aging pets.
Together, they explore the necessity of a comprehensive, multimodal approach, integrating pain management, targeted nutrition, and physical exercise, while highlighting the essential role joint supplements play in long-term support.
Learn more and register for Fetch Encore: Nutrition Virtual Symposium here today.On this week's episode, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Robert Ward, BVM&S, MSc, MRCVS, DACVD, to talk all things nutrition dermatoses. Throughout the episode, Ward and Christman unpack how nutrition quietly drives many skin and coat problems in pets. From zinc-responsive dermatoses to vitamin, fatty acid, copper, and protein-related conditions, they explore when to suspect a nutritional link, how modern diets have changed the landscape, and why veterinary professionals can’t separate dermatology from what’s in the bowl.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
Cats are finally getting the low-stress veterinary care they deserve. In this episode of the Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Kathryn Primm, DVM, FCCP (Elite), one of the earliest Fear Free Certified professionals, to explore how feline care has transformed over the last decade.
Throughout the conversation, they emphasize how fear free and low-stress handling not only improve outcomes for cats, but also enhance the experience for clients and veterinary teams.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
Happy Client Service Representative Week! On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Jill Clark DVM, chief visionary officer at IGNITE and cofounder of The North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists, to explore how CSRs are evolving from “just receptionists” into revenue generators, client loyalty architects, and true patient advocates.
Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a special offer from Clark and the team at IGNITE!
This episode is sponsored by Nationwide.The episode is a Vet Blast podcast with host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Emily M. Tincher, DVM, dives into the spectrum of care and the vital role of client service representatives in helping pet families navigate financial, logistical, and emotional trade-offs in treatment options while emphasizing non-judgmental communication, pet insurance, and creative, accessible care plans.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast now on dvm360.com.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!On this episode, Connor Barich DVM, MPH, shares his journey to becoming a veterinarian, including his educational path, transitioning to relief veterinarian work, and his upcoming venture into practice ownership with host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA.
This episode is sponsored by Elanco Animal HealthAdam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), on this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, presented by dvm360 to unpack the biggest myths about parasites in dogs and cats, including why year-round prevention is non-negotiable. Throughout the episode, the duo dives into why “indoor-only” and “seasonal” thinking puts pets and families at risk, and how tapeworms and other under-the-radar parasites can signal broader health and zoonotic concerns.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, MBA, DVM, and welcomes Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, to the show to chat about the physical and mental challenges veterinary professionals face in the industry, plus the need for systemic changes to address burnout and injuries in veterinary clinics.
In this episode of The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success, the focus shifts from motivation to what actually sustains healthy habits. Hosts Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP discuss why relying on motivation often falls short, and how small, consistent changes, supportive environments, and realistic expectations can help veterinary professionals build lasting physical and emotional resilience.
In this episode, proudly supported by Royal Canin, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Lacey Lee, DVM, to deconstruct the complexities of feline diabetes—from identifying high-risk demographics to implementing modern management strategies.
Throughout the episode, Lee shares that obesity is a critical challenge in feline health, as it can increase a cat's risk of developing diabetes, why prevention begins when the patient is a kitten, and how prioritizing high nutritional standards and an active lifestyle early on, owners can build a strong foundation for long-term health.
You can also watch this episode as a video on dvm360.com!
This episode is sponsored by Dechra.On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, Emily Estrada, RVT, and Nastaia Kanaci Chica, RVT, take a deep dive into how technician‑driven diagnostics, smart flea control, and compliance‑friendly ear and skin therapies can turn even the most frustrating dermatology cases into long‑term success stories.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), discuss the strategic use of food as a primary reinforcer in canine training, emphasizing its effectiveness due to its high value and ease of delivery. They define positive reinforcement as the process of increasing a desired behavior by adding a rewarding stimulus.
Pachel highlights the critical role of timing, noting that rewards should be delivered immediately to be most effective. He also explores non-food reinforcers, such as engaging activities or favorite objects, and the use of secondary reinforcers like clickers or verbal cues to bridge the gap between a behavior and its reward.
This episode is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
In this episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Whit Church, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) to walk through the full life cycle of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs, using the real case of Vinnie, a Chihuahua, as a guide.
They explore how this common small-breed heart disease begins, how to catch it early, what truly helps slow progression, and how to navigate the difficult but compassionate end-of-life decisions with pet owners
This episode of The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success focuses on a familiar challenge in veterinary medicine: maintaining proper nutrition during long, unpredictable workdays. As clinic schedules fill and breaks become limited, meals are often replaced with quick, convenient options.
Cohosts Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, and Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, discuss how those daily choices can affect more than energy levels, including cognitive function, client communication, and team interactions. The episode also outlines practical approaches to help veterinary professionals build more consistent eating habits in a busy clinical setting
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Michael Natale, LVT, joins our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to share more about his career, his home-based veterinary care business, and why it is important for veterinary professionals to meet their clients where they are.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA, to chat about his company Safe Pet Anesthesia and how it is helping veterinary clinics by offering teleconsulting services.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes repeat guest Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, back to the show to talk about misconceptions surrounding veterinary toxicology, including when to induce vomiting, using activated charcoal, when it is necessary to hospitalize a patient, and more.
Register for tonight's webinar, Say yes to Dentistry, here!
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, discusses the importance of comprehensive oral prevention assessments (COPAT) over traditional dental cleanings. Throughout the episode, the duo will discuss why COPAT is better than COHAT, the importantace of full-mouth radiographs, and more.
All of dvm360's dental content for the month of February is sponsored by C.E.T.
On this week's episode, Shadi Ireifej, DVM, DACVS-SA, and our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, have a conversation about the evolution and impact telementorship and teletriage has on veterinary medicine, the integration of artifical intelligence in the veterinary industry, and the industry shifting to accept telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic.
All dvm360's cardiology content for the month of February is sponsored by C.E.T. The content of this episode is in no way influenced by the sponsorship.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Jonathan Goodwin, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), to the show to talk about the most common questions veterinary cardiologists are getting from primary care veterinary professionals, the answers behind them, and even a bonus 6th question.
Clare T Walker, DVM, discusses her dual careers of being a relief veterinarian and a novelist, where she uses her knowledge from being a veterinary professional to write thriller books featuring veterinary professionals in both books and short stories.
Interested in reading some of her work? Use this link to access her short story Tooth and Nail: https://www.claretwalker.com/vet
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, This episode explores the work of Mark Besançon, DVM, in regenerative medicine—specifically canine amniotic allografts—and his vision for a future defined by AI integration and long-acting veterinary treatments. Plus, Besançon and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, talk about Besançon journey to veterinary medicine and what he learned before getting into veterinary medicine that helped shape his career today.
Board complaints are a source of anxiety for many practitioners, but they don't have to be. In this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, to demystify the process.
From debunking common misconceptions to exploring why complaints are increasing, Venit shares essential insights on what to expect and how to navigate the common pitfalls of the profession.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Kelly Cronin, MBA, BS, CVT, PHR, VTS (ECC), VSPN, and our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sit down to chat about virtual assistants available in veterinary medicine, how helpful they can be to your veterinary clinic, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
This episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 welcomes Audrey Cook, BVM&S, MSc, MRCVS, DACVIM (SAIM), DECVIM-CA, DABVP (Feline), to talk all things feline diabetes with our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA.
On the first Vet Blast Podcast episode of 2026, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Lindsey Braun, vice president of research for the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, and Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA, senior veterinarian for Chewy Health, to the show to discuss survey results from a new study conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, including how many pet owners currently view pets as family, and how Chewy Health initiatives are helping to bridge the gap between clients and veterinary professionals.
This episode is sponsored by Nationwide.
In this episode, Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, reveals to our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and listeners how to ditch the negativity and turn meetings into fast, focused, and inspiring gatherings your team will actually value. Discover how to use agendas that work, celebrate wins, reinforce your mission, and turn every meeting into a mini masterclass in clinical and practice management excellence—all in service of improving the lives of patients, clients, and relationships with local communities.
This episode is sponsored by Blue Buffalo.
In this episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, to explore the complexities of diagnosing and managing feline and canine allergies, specifically addressing clinical markers like over-grooming and recurrent otitis. The pair also discuss best practices for prescription diet trials, the critical role of comprehensive flea prevention in multi-pet environments, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Zomedica.
Live from dvm360's Fetch Kansas City conference, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Nicole Westfall, MBA, senior vice president of marketing at Zomedica. In this episode, they explore the benefits of PulseVet Shock Wave Therapy and The Assisi Loop, highlighting how these innovative tools provide noninvasive, effective pain management for patients suffering from chronic conditions.
This episode is sponsored by Royal Canin
On this episode of The Vet Blast Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Megan Shepherd, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition) have an essential conversation on managing gastrointestinal (GI) health in dogs and cats. They emphasize that proper nutritional management is not just supportive care—it is a cornerstone of therapy, often overlooked or mishandled, and more.
Learn more and register for Fetch Encore here.
On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Derek Matthews, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) to talk about Felycin-CA1, including its benefits, what previous studies have shown, and how it actually works.
Want to hear more from Schiller? Check out her upcoming lectures at Fetch Long Beach!
On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, Hunter Finn, DVM, and Noga Schiller, DVM, have a discussion on vaccine titering for pets, highlighting the advantages of using in-house tests. Christman, Schiller, and Finn explain how rapid titer testing enables personalized vaccination decisions, enhances pet care, helps veterinary practices stand out in a competitive market, and more.
Learn more about Biogal Galed Labs here: https://www.biogal.com/
On the latest Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 episode, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA sits down with Bonnie D. Wright DVM, DACVAA, to explore the cutting edge of multimodal analgesia. Wright dives into the critical need for integrating pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic techniques for optimal pain control.
Learn more about Fetch Encore and register here today.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Kelly Chappell, DVM, DACVIM (Small Animal), to talk about feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Throughout the episode, Chappell and Christman highlight the current challenges in diagnosing FIP, the effectiveness of the antiviral medication GS-441524 for treating these patients, alternative treatments, and more.
This episode is sponsored by PerioViveThis episode of the Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 dives deep into the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) in veterinary dentistry with Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC. Learn why HA is an essential tool for enhancing tissue healing and regeneration in periodontal pockets, extraction sites, and even emerging uses for stomatitis. Lobprise also explains the mechanism of action, proper preparation, and why HA is a cost-effective, powerful addition to dental procedures.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Brian Hare, MA, PhD, to talk more about his research on dogntiion and behavior in canine patients. Throughout the episode, the duo highlights the importance of socialization, consistent training, his work at Duke University, and more.
This episode is sponsored by VetniqueOn this special episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, the tables have turned and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, our usual host, is now the guest! Join Christman and interim host Matt Bubala, president at Black Dog Productions, Inc., as they explore the spectrum of care for the chronically itchy dog.
In recognition of Oncology Awareness Month, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, invited Rachel Venable, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), to the show to discuss some common oncology mistakes that are being made in general practice, and how to correct them.
All dvm360 oncology content for the month of November is sponsored by IDEXX.
This episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 is sponsored by Royal Canin
In this live podcast recording of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 at our Fetch National Harbor conference, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Emmanuel Fontaine, DVM, MSc, PhD, DECAR, sat down to talk about pediatric care and nutrition for the puppies and kittens coming into veterinary clinics.
This episode is sponsored by IDEXX.This podcast episode, hosted by Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, features oncologists Dana Connell, DVM, MPH, DACVIM (Oncology) and Zachary L. Neumann, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), discussing the significance of early cancer detection in dogs. The conversation focuses on the IDEXX Cancer Dx testing.
The doctors explain how the test, which can be included in routine wellness exams, provides rapid results, enabling veterinarians to make timely diagnoses and improve treatment outcomes. They also touch on the importance of the veterinary team in communicating sensitive news to pet owners and the future potential of the test to screen for other types of cancer.
This episode is sponsored by Adapet
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes guest Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CFCP, Elite FFCP-V, to talk about canine diabetes management, including key clinical signs, challenges that teams and clients could face, such as emotional, financial, and compliance issues. The pair also takes a deep dive into monitoring strategies, including continuous glucose monitors, which can provide real time date to clients.
You can watch the video version of this episode on dvm360.com
All of dvm360's Veterinary Technician content for the month of October is sponsored by Royal Canin.
Happy Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week to all of our veterinary technician listeners out there! On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Mike Natale, LVT, to talk about his journey to becoming a veterinary technician, plus why better utilization of technicians is so important.
Veterinary technicians can use discount code VETTECH50 to receive 50% off any upcoming Fetch conference. https://www.dvm360events.com/ Discount code is valid until October 18, 2025.
In this debut episode of The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success, Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, share their personal journeys, explore what resilience means in veterinary medicine, and more.
Read more, and watch the full video clip, here: https://www.dvm360.com/videos/the-resilient-vet
This episode is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, talk about how important it is for general practitioners to control pruritus quickly to retain client relationships, treatment approaches based on the severity and seasonality, and more.
You can watch the video version of this podcast on dvm360.com!
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Matthew W. Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT, Fellow IAVRPT, sit down to discuss multimodal pain management in veterinary medicine. Throughout the episode, the doctor take a deep dive into innovative treatment options for pain management, from joint injections to acupuncture, plus the importance role clients play in their pets pain management.
Article mentioned in the episode: https://www.dvm360.com/view/pain-management-in-veterinary-medicine-what-s-new-
dvm360's Pain Awareness Month content is sponsored by Elanco.
Anthony R. Coronado DVM, joins host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, on this week's episode to discuss what he considers to be the essentials of a crash cart for veterinary clinics, plus highlights some common mistakes that can be made during an emergency case such as focusing on visible problems over potential underling conditions.
Alex Miller, VMD, MS, serves as the Veterinary Services Manager for Blue Buffalo. He is inspired every day by the power of the human-animal bond and believes veterinary professionals are as entitled to wellbeing as the animals they care for. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Miller practiced general and emergency medicine on both US coasts before joining industry as a professional services veterinarian. A master’s degree in organizational leadership set him on a path of championing the role of leadership, motivation, and realistic job design in promoting workplace thriving and offsetting compassion fatigue. A certified compassion fatigue professional, he is actively involved with numerous wellbeing organizations, including Not One More Vet, the AVMA, and MentorVet.
He lives Boston, Massachusetts with my incredible wife Tamara, tenacious 7-year old, Maya, and diminutive DSH Penny. In his spare time, he enjoys slow running, cooking, and exploring the world through wine and food.
Phil Richmond, DVM, CAPP, CPHSA, CCFP, is a practicing veterinarian and the Founder | CEO of Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants, LLC. He advocates and consults for positive culture and individual, team, and organizational psychological health, safety, and wellbeing in veterinary workplaces.
Richmond leads and is involved in state, national, and international projects for advancing workplace wellbeing and culture in veterinary medicine. He has served as Chief Medical Officer for Veterinary United. Richmond currently serves as the chair of the FVMA Professional Wellbeing Committee. He is also a member/advisor for several national committees and boards for workplace suicide prevention, psychological health & safety, and veterinary wellbeing, including those sponsored by the CDC/NIOSH, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Veterinary Visionaries, MentorVet, and Appalachian State University.
Richmond is a speaker and published writer, including having co-authored “Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines” from Veterinary Visionaries. He is a frequent veterinary podcast guest and holds multiple certifications in applied positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, workplace wellbeing, psychological health & safety, trauma-informed workplaces, resilience training, behavior change, and suicide prevention. He has been awarded the FVMA Gold Star, FVMA Veterinarian of the Year, Uncharted Veterinary Community Founder’s Award, Blue Buffalo Together for Pets Award, and a finalist for the US Bright Minds Veterinary Wellness Champion Award.
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA welcomed his former veterinary school classmate Stacy Anderson, DVM, MVSc, PhD, DACVS-LA, the Executive Dean of the Lincoln Memorial University Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, to talk about the veterinary distributed work-based program, what exactly COWBEL is, the benefits of this type of program for students and clinics, and more!
Sponsored by Elanco
Elise Kelly, DVM, graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in zoology and a minor in chemistry. She earned her DVM degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, then practiced in Blue Springs, MO for 9 years before joining Elanco in 2015 as a Regional Consulting Veterinarian. In her nine years of practice, her special interests included dermatology, small exotics, and reproductive medicine, attaining a certification in canine AI in 2012. Since joining Elanco, Kelly has had the opportunity to train intensively and speak on topics including parasitology, pain management, dermatology and immunology. She has given over 500 presentations and spoken at continuing education events including Kansas City’s Frostbite and the annual Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Conference. Kelly is Fear Free Elite, compassion fatigue and Human Animal Bond certified.
She supports and works with Elanco sales representatives throughout the Midwest. She is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association and is Vice Chair for the board of directors at the Kansas City Pet Project.
She currently resides in Independence, Missouri with her husband, two children, Sheepadoodle puppy, cat, and four goats. In her spare time, you might find her cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, boating, hiking or traveling with her family.
Indication
Galliprant controls pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.
Important Safety Information
For use in dogs only. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose. Galliprant is a non-COX inhibiting NSAID. As a class, NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney and liver side effects. Evaluation for pre-existing conditions and regular monitoring are recommended. Do not use in dogs that have a hypersensitivity to grapiprant. Concomitant use of Galliprant with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids should be avoided. Concurrent use with other anti-inflammatory drugs or protein-bound drugs has not been studied. The safe use of Galliprant has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 9 months of age and less than 8 lbs (3.6 kg), dogs used for breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs, or dogs with cardiac disease. Owners should be advised to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. Adverse reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, watery or bloody stools, and decreases in serum albumin and total protein. Click here *for full prescribing information
Galliprant, Elanco, and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2025 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-US-25-1504*
You can also watch the video version of this episode on dvm360.comAlice Jeromin, RPh, DACVD—Before earning her DVM degree from The Ohio State University, Jeromin graduated from the University of Toledo with a BS in Pharmacy and practiced as a hospital pharmacist. She completed her veterinary dermatology residency with Patrick Breen and dermatopathology training at Procter & Gamble, Miami Valley Labs, as well as a fellowship in human dermatology at Metro Health Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio with Bryan Davis. Jeromin is currently an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University, lecturer at Northeast Ohio College of Pharmacy, and former practice owner of Veterinary Allergy & Dermatology, Inc. She is a former member-at-large on AVMA’s Council on Biologicals and Therapeutics as chairman of the supplements and compounding committees. Along with publishing in human and veterinary journals, she authored the dermatology chapter in “Pharmacotherapeutics for Veterinary Dispensing”. Her interests include human-animal comparative dermatology and skin lipid research with publications in both areas. Because of her pharmacist background of counseling patients, she is a strong believer in client education and maintains her website, www.purrfectpet.com, for clients to be educated with evidence-based information as well as an upcoming podcast "Speaking of Pets" The podcast is geared toward pet owners of allergic pets to provide them with accurate, evidence-based information.
Alexa Romano, DVM, graduated from St. George's University in 2020, and completed clinical rotations at Louisiana State University. Her undergraduate degree was done at The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Outside of work, she spends her time with her husband, Carmine, two dogs - Asher and Lucy, and her cat - Ellie. In the summer she can be found jet skiing or relaxing on the beach. In the fall she watches a whole lot of football. Her and her husband love to travel, eat at new restaurants, and hangout by the fire pit with their friends and family. Romano loves all aspects of being a small animal veterinarian, but really enjoys surgery and internal medicine.
Rhys Giannarelli is adedicated Multi-Site practice owner alongside his 'smarter half', his wife who is a veterinarian. He is an active member of VetPartners and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), and stays connected to the veterinary community through ongoing learning and collaboration.
Like many practice owners, Giannarelli has faced his fair share of challenges. Operational inefficiencies, team disengagement, and financial pressure. You name it, he lived it. That real-world experience has shaped how he lead and how he help others do the same.
Giannarelli's goal is simple, to help other practice owners shift from being stuck in the day-to-day to becoming confident business leaders. In his talks, he share practical, story-driven insights that attendees can actually use. Whether it’s streamlining systems, building a strong culture, or improving profitability, Giannarelli focuses on honest, actionable strategies that help owners get back to doing what they love.
This episode is sponsored by Scribenote
Described as a human golden retriever, Ryan Gallagher likes to help people with technology. Gallagher is an engineer by training, a founder by nature, and a lover of working hard for an important mission. He started Scribenote to help his sister Katie get home on time from the clinic. He is proud that he’s finally achieved this goal, and won’t stop until all veterinarians who struggle with time-consuming medical records can make it home on time for dinner.
If Jeremiah Pouncy had to describe himself in one word, it would have to be 'dreamer.' He embodies this spirit as a veterinary student at Cornell University and as an entrepreneur with a vision to revolutionize veterinary medicine and the world beyond.
His passion lies within wildlife and conservation, with the ultimate goal of never letting another species going extinct. However, to accomplish this seemingly unrealistic goal, he plans on diving into small animal emergency medicine and subsequently starting veterinary-focused real estate developments. Throughout his time pursuing these endeavors, he will also continue scaling his current businesses, such as his bottled water company & media brand.
So, in every step, he strives to weave a narrative of innovation, compassion, and leadership. He’s not just pursuing a career; He’s on a mission to inspire and empower, to transform dreams into reality. He is Jeremiah Allen Pouncy - a dreamer at heart, a visionary in action, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the world of veterinary medicine and beyond.
Check out Pouncy's website here.
This episode is sponsored by Blue Buffalo. Watch the full video version of the podcast episode here.Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, CCFP, Elite FFC-V, is an award-winning small animal veterinarian with over 20 years of clinical experience, previous practice owner, industry consultant, educator, media expert, co-owner of Veterinary Ownership Advocates, and CEO of VANE (the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs). She is committed to supporting innovation in the animal health space and mentoring and supporting young founders and practice owners.Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, is an Ohio native and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. While attending Cornell, she earned numerous awards, including the Dermatology Service Award for her aptitude in clinical dermatology and her research on Malassezia otitis externa. After graduation, she completed an internship at VCA Berwyn and Aurora Animal Hospitals in Chicago where she was awarded the Intern Abstract Award for her presentation on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Griffin returned to Cornell University in 2007 for a residency in dermatology and, after completing her residency-training program, served one year as an instructor of dermatology teaching fourth-year clinical students as well as lecturing to underclassmen on bacterial, fungal, and immune-mediated skin diseases. Griffin became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) in August 2010 and joined the Animal Dermatology Group. She has a special interest in fungal and immune-mediated skin diseases as well as feline and equine dermatology. She enjoys lecturing to fellow veterinarians, mentoring residents, and teaching the veterinary students who extern with her. Griffin also stars in the Nat Geo WILD television series, “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya,” which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology. Griffin always strives to care for her patients as if they are her own pets and loves building a long-lasting relationship with their pet parents. Outside of work, Griffin enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She is happily married to Forrest Cummings, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), a veterinary internal medicine specialist, and they have 3 children - Caden and boy/girl twins, Coby and Carter. They have two cats, Donut and Peach Coffee, and two dogs, Guri and Magic. She loves traveling, entertaining and working out.
Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD, is an Upstate NY native who grew up in the hallways of Cornell's vet school. She tried her hand at vocal performance (opera) in undergrad at Indiana University and in spite of having a blast singing all day long, she decided that her first true love, animals, offered a more stable and satisfying career. She graduated from Cornell's vet school in 2012 and then completed a large animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia. Mixed animal general practice kept her busy for the next few years where she also found herself falling in love with dermatology. She made her way back to Cornell and completed a dermatology residency after which she stayed on as faculty. When not ooing and aaahing over the grossest skin you can find Julia playing with her three bully-breed dogs (the squish!), singing in a rock cover band, or riding any horse that she can sit on.
Sophia Jodka is a first year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Masters of Public Health dual degree student at Colorado State University. She recently graduated Summa Cumme Laude from North Carolina State University where she was highly involved in pre-veterinary leadership including organizing the 2024 APVMA Symposium and serving as an APVMA National Board Member. She continues to be highly involved in research and hopes to combine clinical practice and research in her future career to tackle global public health challenges.
This podcast episode, and all Itchy Pet Awareness Month content, is sponsored by Apoquel.Elizabeth Capitano, DVM, CCFP, earned her veterinary degree from North Carolina State University and her BA in Psychology from Davidson College. After seven years in small animal practice, she transitioned to industry roles at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Virbac, and Elanco, where she specialized in veterinary education, sales training, and strategic marketing support. At Elanco, she led technical training initiatives, developed unique training strategies, and created game-changing educational programs. Capitano currently serves on the dermatology medical education team at Zoetis, where she partners with cross-functional teams to develop engaging educational content for veterinary healthcare professionals. She is also an active advocate for mental health in the veterinary profession through her work with Not One More Vet. Capitano lives in Charlotte, NC with her family, and 2 English Bulldogs (Booger and Lola). She enjoys jewelry collecting, roller-skating, grooving to her husband’s band, and discovering new podcasts.
Sponsored by ElancoProgram Description:
Ticks pose a significant health risk to companion animals, both as blood-feeding parasites and as vectors for numerous pathogens. Over the past few decades, tick populations have expanded and intensified due to factors such as increased globalization, greater movement of humans and animals, and climate change. In the United States, common tick species—including the blacklegged tick, lone star tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick—have the potential to transmit a range of bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens.
Serological data indicate that tick-borne pathogens are a persistent challenge for dogs, with US canines frequently testing positive for agents of anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. Many of these same ticks and pathogens also pose a public health risk, as the tick species that commonly bite dogs can also transmit these same pathogens to humans. As a result, dogs can serve as valuable sentinels for tick-borne disease risks of their human families.
Despite awareness of the risks ticks pose to pets, ticks are often and easily overlooked. Given that ticks are a year-round threat in most regions, annual testing and the routine use of fast-acting tick control products play a critical role in protecting pet health by killing ticks and reducing pathogen transmission risk.
Learning Objectives:* Identify the most common tick species in the US that pose a risk to companion animals and suggest resources where for investigating local tick and tick-borne pathogen risk. * Explain the key factors contributing to the expansion and intensification of tick populations, including environmental and human-driven influences. * Outline pathogens commonly transmitted by ticks to dogs and humans, including agents of anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. * Discuss the speed at which different tick-borne pathogens are transmitted and the implications for timely intervention and prevention. * Advise on effective tick prevention, treatment, and control strategies for dogs, including the importance of annual testing.
Credelio Quattro Indications & ISI.
Indications: Credelio Quattro (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and for the treatment and control of roundworm (immature adult and adult Toxocara canis and adult Toxascaris leonina), hookworm (fourth stage larvae, immature adult, and adult Ancylostoma caninum and adult Uncinaria stenocephala), and tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, and Echinococcus granulosus) infections. Credelio Quattro kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater.
Important Safety Information: Lotilaner, an ingredient in Credelio Quattro, belongs to the isoxazoline class and has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions like tremors, ataxia, and seizures even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before Credelio Quattro administration as it is not effective against adult D. immitis. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea. For full prescribing information see the Credelio Quattro package insert.
Credelio Quattro Label
Credelio Quattro, Elanco, and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2025 Elanco or its affiliates.
James Bascharon, DVM, is the founder and CEO of Vetnique, a pet health company dedicated to creating vet-formulated solutions that help pets thrive for life. Since launching in 2012 with the groundbreaking supplement Glandex for anal gland health, Bascharon has led Vetnique to become a leader across multiple categories including digestive support, dermatology, ear care, and joint health. His passion for innovation has guided the company’s rapid growth—most recently marked by Vetnique’s acquisition and US launch of YuMOVE, a globally trusted, science-backed joint health supplement. Bascharon was also recently named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, a true testament to his impact on veterinary innovation and the pet health industry.
The episode is sponsored by The Eye Vets and was recorded on site during the 2025 Fetch Nashville conference. Watch the full video here.
Benjamin Bergstrom, DVM, MS, DACVO, is originally from the rural, small town of Rockton, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2009 followed by his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2013 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He then completed a one-year Small Animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia in Athens. Immediately following his rotating internship, he traveled back to the Midwest where he completed a three-year residency in Comparative Ophthalmology at Purdue University in 2017. As a board-certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Bergstrom began practicing in Nashville in 2017. In 2023, Bergstrom pursued a dream of becoming an independent practice owner and opened The Eye Vets in Nashville. Through a combination of in-person consultations and telecollaboration, Bergstrom aims to provide compassionate, innovative veterinary eye care to the greater Nashville area and beyond.
Check out the latest in veterinary medicine on dvm360.com
Krista Halling, DVM, CCRP, DACVS, HAB-Certified, is a board-certified small animal surgeon and certified in both canine rehabilitation and the human-animal bond. With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, she’s the founder of Dogpacking.com, a science-backed resource that helps dog owners deepen their bond through outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddling, and camping. Drawing on veterinary research and real-world adventures with her mini goldendoodle, River, Halling focuses on the physical and emotional benefits of shared movement in nature. Her mission is to inspire people to get outside and connect with their dogs through activities in nature, enriching both lives in the process.
Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, is a mindset and leadership coach who helps professional women and organizations transform their relationship with leadership and life. Drawing from 13 years as CEO and owner of her veterinary practice, she now helps others break through limitations and achieve extraordinary results.
As an ICF credentialed coach specializing in leadership and transitions, Edwards develops conscious leaders and cohesive teams that transform challenges into opportunities and build thriving cultures.
Through private coaching, workshops, business culture audits, retreats and speaking engagements, Edwards combines proven leadership strategies with energy management techniques to help individuals and teams move from feeling stuck to leading with purpose and creating lives of deep fulfillment.
Edwards' expertise in conscious leadership and personal development has made her a sought-after speaker, coach, and business culture consultant who empowers people to master the mindset and energy needed for sustainable success and satisfaction.
In this episode of Vet Watch, we dive into the essentials of veterinary ophthalmology with Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO and Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. The pair discusses tonometry—what it is and why it’s important—along with practical tips and tricks for accurately measuring eye pressure. You’ll also learn expert techniques for using fluorescein stain, and get clear guidance on when and how to perform direct versus indirect retinal exams as a GP or ER vet.
The discussion also goes in depth on the management of both primary and secondary glaucoma, with the goal of providing the knowledge and confidence necessary to handle these cases in practice.
A link to the educational materials mentioned in the episode can be found here: Ophthalmology Resources
Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. She graduated UC Irvine, with a major in Biology and Criminology in 2003. She attended Veterinary School at Oklahoma State University graduating in 2011. Following Veterinary School, she completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Ohio State University followed by a three-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at Animal Eye Care. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic pharmacology as well as dry eye disorders and retinal diseases. In her free time, she enjoys photography, running, traveling, and spending time with family.
Melissa Shapiro, DVM, is a small-animal veterinarian, author, and speaker. She is the creator and driving force behind the social media phenomenon Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy. Shapiro is an outspoken advocate for disabled pets through media appearances, presentations at veterinary and pet care conferences, on her social media platforms, and through her monthly webinar series. Recently she created The Disabled Pets Project, a comprehensive resource for vets, pet parents, and rescuers who care for disabled pets. The website is disabledpets.org.
Her nonprofit, Piglet International Inc., implements the Piglet Mindset® Educational Program, an authentic teaching asset emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and kindness, in schools globally. Her memoir, Piglet, the unexpected story of a deaf blind pink puppy and his family, and children’s book, Piglet Comes Home, are available wherever books are sold.
Shapiro is the owner of Visiting Vet Service. She lives in CT with her husband, Warren Shapiro, Piglet, and his pack of 7 rescued dogs.
Michael Tokiwa, DVM, is a practicing small animal veterinarian and the owner of Progressive Veterinary Care. With over 2 decades of clinical experience, he is passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate medicine while mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals.
He is also the creator and host of two long-running radio shows and podcasts—Your Pet Matters and The Collaborative Vet—where he bridges the gap between pet parents and professionals by educating, inspiring, and advocating for better pet care and stronger veterinary communities.
Tokiwa is actively involved in national veterinary initiatives, including advisory roles with Boehringer Ingelheim and participation in specialty collaboration networks. Known for his energetic, honest approach, he combines clinical expertise with media outreach to elevate both the profession and public understanding of veterinary medicine.
This episode is sponsored by VCA Animal HospitalsJennifer Scanlon, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a master’s degree in social work from Simmons University in Boston. With a strong background in working with the elderly and providing end-of-life and hospice care, she brings compassion and expertise to her practice. Currently, she serves as a veterinary social worker at VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, where she supports both clients and staff in navigating the emotional challenges associated with pet care and loss. Jennifer is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of those she serves, combining her passion for social work with her love for animals.
This podcast is sponsored by Antech DiagnosticsMichelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS, serves as Global Director, Veterinary Clinical Education for Antech Diagnostics (MARS). She has worked in general practice, academia, specialty clinical practice, and in the animal health industry. Michelle has published on numerous infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, nutrition, spectrum of care, veterinary- and pet-owner education related topics. She keeps busy (and humble!) with 2 teenage daughters, 1 husband, multiple 4-legged creatures, and numerous imperfect projects in various stages of completion on her farm in PEI, Canada.
Jennifer Quammen, DVM, MPH, is a trailblazing veterinarian with a passion for shaking up the industry! Starting as a vet tech, she’s worked her way through just about every role in the clinic, from associate vet to medical director—and now, she’s the Chief Veterinary Officer at a cutting-edge tech company. Along the way, she co-founded Veterinarian Coaching to help vets and students manage stress and create awesome career paths. A former AVMA Vice President and current candidate for AVMA President-Elect, Quammen’s all about blending technology, teamwork, and wellness to build a better future for veterinary medicine. When she’s not transforming the profession, she’s probably hanging out with family, traveling, or dreaming up the next big thing!
Quammen earned undergraduate degrees in both mathematics and biology from Northern Kentucky University and went on to earn her veterinary degree from The Ohio State University. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Iowa, combining her love for science and public health with her commitment to veterinary care.
Sponsored by Antech. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Lisa Ziemer, VMD, DACVR, Chief Medical Officer, Antech Imaging Services, obtained her bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998. She went on to complete a residency in radiology, becoming board certified in 2003. After her residency, Ziemer spent one year as a postdoctoral fellow in oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. After spending several years in private radiology practice, she joined Antech Imaging Services, where she is currently the Chief Radiologist for AIS.
White paper:
“RapidRead: Global Deployment of State-of-the-art Radiology
AI for a Large Veterinary Teleradiology Practice” https://view-su2.highspot.com/viewer/661987d121698f1724bec472
Other resources:
RapidRead: https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/imaging-services/rapidread/
RapidRead Dental (available now): https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/imaging-services/rapidread-dental/
RapidRead findings list: https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/imaging-services/rapidread/rapidread-findings/
Sponsored by VirbacLeilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR is a veterinary specialist in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation as well as the director of integrative and rehabilitative medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Check out all of dvm360's conference coverage here.Adam Conroy, DVM, graduated from University of Illinois Vet Med in 2005. He owned and operated 8+ practices – 20 yrs of leadership,mentorship business experience
Cofounded 2 companies (Vet Mentor Solutions : 7S Society (facilitate practice ownership).
Conroy is VP of Medical Recruiting for MVP (2020 to merger with SVP), VP of Clinical Operations Livewell (MVP/SVP), and a national speaker He is married with 2 kids and 3 dogs, Otter the Labroador and Frenchies Tug and Hudson.
Christian Capobianco, DVM, CertAqV, CVA, is a 2023 graduate of North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, he pursued a zoological, small, and large animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at the University of Florida (UF). He loved living in the swamp so much that he stuck around and is currently completing a zoological medicine residency program at UF. Throughout his training, he has expanded upon his knowledge of eastern medicine and aquatic animal medicine by becoming a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) and certified aquatic veterinarian (CertAqV). He has authored several peer reviewed journal articles and case reports with his research interests including integrative medicine and emergency / critical care of zoologic species. Outside of veterinary medicine, he enjoys running, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and traveling to new places that have unique wildlife.
With over 12 years of experience in veterinary medicine, Lopes brings a deep understanding of patient care, team leadership, and client relations to his role as Practice Manager at Doral Veterinary Care (DVC). His career began in a 24-hour emergency and critical care hospital, where he spent six years as a veterinary technician before expanding into oncology, ophthalmology, and orthopedic surgery. Before joining DVC, he successfully managed multiple general practice veterinary teams across several cities, ensuring excellence in both medical care and client service.
Lopes’s expertise extends beyond veterinary medicine. His first decade of professional experience was in hospitality, where he developed a keen ability to enhance client experiences and foster strong team dynamics—skills he seamlessly integrates into his work in veterinary care. His lifelong passion for animals began in childhood, growing up alongside a wide array of pets, from dogs and rabbits to a pig and a goat. This love for animals led him into zoological care, where he worked with an impressive range of species, including canids, raptors, primates, and large fauna such as rhinoceroses and giraffes. Notably, he has worked with all seven species of big cats and even the Southern Cassowary, known as the world’s most dangerous bird.
Outside of work, Lopes is an avid aquarist who enjoys outdoor adventures, fitness, and—above all—spending time exploring the world with his wife and daughter.
Today we're talking about the rattlesnake vaccine and its potential loss from the marketplace.
Dale Wallis, DVM, is a UC Davis graduate and was a director for a vaccine laboratory in the town of Davis before she accepted a position at Hygeia Biologics Laboratories in 1993. She quickly rose to become their vice president. She is now the senior staff veterinarian at Red Rock Biologics, which manufactures the rattlesnake vaccine.
Lynsey Victoria Rinelli, DVM, is an emergency veterinarian in Paramus, NJ. A Wagner College graduate with a BS in Biology and major in Psychology. After her time at Ross University and clinical year at LSU, she traveled to Alaska. There she participated in the aid of canine racers in the Willow 300. She is now focused on emergency surgery, physical rehabilitation, and exotic animal medicine.
She has published her first children’s book as a memoir to moms in the postpartum period. Celebrated on Staten Island Live, she was able to express the inspiration for that dedication to her daughter, Gracelyn. Her second book was celebrated in November 2024 in order to help families process pet loss around the world. She has sent her book to over 80 clinics across the US and Canada.
Working with families during their most pivotal moments. "Goodbye for Now" was born. She has officially become the first author in her family in 2024; celebrating a NYC big book award distinguished favorite and Independent press award winner in multiple categories this May.
Kelly Mitchell DVM, DVSc, BSc, DACVIM (SAIM) received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan), followed by a one-year rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Atlantic Veterinary College (University of Prince Edward Island). She completed her Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency and Doctor of Veterinary Science degree at the Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph). She is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SAIM).
Mitchell worked in private referral practice prior to joining Antech Consultation Services in 2017. In September 2021, she became Director of Consultation Services, North America. Mitchell has authored and co-authored several book chapters, publications, and abstracts, and is a frequent lecturer.
Related links:
Pablo David Jimenez Castro DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology) andMitchell's article in Veterinary Practice News: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/feline-heartworm-diagnostic-testing/
AHS feline heartworm guidelines: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-cats
Christopher Pinard, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM (Oncology), is a clinician scientist and medical oncologist at Lakeshore Animal Health Partners, adjunct professor at the University of Guelph, and CEO of ANI.ML Health Inc. ANI.ML Health integrates AI and spatial computing to enhance veterinary care, launching Hachiko in 2025—a first-of-its-kind veterinary medical record summarizer.
His research focuses on AI-driven biomarkers for canine and feline cancers, leveraging machine learning for comparative oncology. He explores spatial computing, 3D modelling, and AI to improve patient outcomes.
Pinard has co-authored multiple AI-focused publications and is a faculty affiliate at CARE-AI. He is also a member of T-CAIREM and the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group. He has served on the Morris Animal Foundation Osteosarcoma Scientific Advisory Board and ACVIM’s AI Task Force. He is currently the guest editor of BMC Veterinary Oncology’s special issue on AI and Informatics. His research is actively funded for next-generation AI in medicine.
Vet Watch: Where what you know today will protect everybody tomorrow.
Join us for the premiere of Vet Watch—the new podcast from Dr. Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, designed to bring you real‑world clinical insight. In our first episode, Dr. Lee sits down with board‑certified dermatologist Dr. Alice Jeromin, DVM, RPh, DACVD, to explore how isoxazoline parasiticides have reshaped flea, tick, mite, and other ectoparasite control.
Alice Jeromin, RPh, DACVD—Before earning her DVM degree from The Ohio State University, Jeromin graduated from the University of Toledo with a BS in Pharmacy and practiced as a hospital pharmacist. She completed her veterinary dermatology residency with Patrick Breen and dermatopathology training at Procter & Gamble, Miami Valley Labs, as well as a fellowship in human dermatology at Metro Health Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio with Bryan Davis. Jeromin is currently an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University, lecturer at Northeast Ohio College of Pharmacy, and former practice owner of Veterinary Allergy & Dermatology, Inc. She is a former member-at-large on AVMA’s Council on Biologicals and Therapeutics as chairman of the supplements and compounding committees. Along with publishing in human and veterinary journals, she authored the dermatology chapter in “Pharmacotherapeutics for Veterinary Dispensing”. Her interests include human-animal comparative dermatology and skin lipid research with publications in both areas. Because of her pharmacist background of counseling patients, she is a strong believer in client education and maintains her website, www.purrfectpet.com, for clients to be educated with evidence-based information as well as an upcoming podcast "Speaking of Pets" The podcast is geared toward pet owners of allergic pets to provide them with accurate, evidence-based information.
Introducing Vet Watch with Dr. Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. In each episode, Dr. Lee and his guests will take a deep dive into various topics and bring you real-world insights and game-changing strategies in veterinary medicine. Stay tuned, right here in this feed!
Josh Rosen, DVM, aka Dr Josh, is a traveling relief veterinarian who’s passionate about bringing clinical empathy and effective communication to every exam room. With years of experience working in diverse hospitals, Dr Josh has seen firsthand how connecting with pet parents — and the veterinary teams who serve them — leads to better patient care and healthier work environments.
Through his social media presence as @dogtorjosh on Instagram, he educates both veterinary professionals and pet parents on how communication and compassion can transform the veterinary experience. Whether it's coaching veterinarians on reflective listening, helping clients understand their pet’s care plan, or encouraging teams to create more supportive workplaces, Dr Josh is on a mission to make veterinary medicine more human — one conversation at a time.
When he's not in the clinic, you can find him exploring new cities on his travels, hanging out with his beagles Molly and Cora, or creating relatable VetMed content that reminds us all why we love this profession.
Chelsea McGivney, DVM earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University.Her diverse veterinary career includes completing a small animal internship, working as an emergency and general practitioner, serving as an in-home end-of-life care veterinarian, and working in the pet food industry as a veterinary consultant for a leading company. This unique blend of experiences prepared McGivney for her role as General Manager at Caring Pathways, where she leads a dedicated team of at-home, end-of-life specialists. Her deep passion for the human-animal bond allows her to combine her professional expertise with her love of veterinary care to support families during some of life’s most tender moments.
Tyler Carmack, DVM, CVA, CVFT, CHPV, CTPEP, is the Director of Hospice and Palliative Care for Caring Pathways. She founded Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice, an AAHA Accredited End of Life practice, and has practiced exclusively hospice and palliative care since 2011. She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) since 2016 in various roles, including President in 2020 and 2025. Carmack holds certifications in animal hospice and palliative care, veterinary pain management, peaceful euthanasia, veterinary acupuncture, TCVM food therapy, and TCVM End-of-Life care.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
Veterinary Medicine was a 2nd career for Jill Clark, DVM, who had a successful 17-year career as an Assistant Director in film and television production that followed her early start in that profession as a child actor. Looking for a change, she was accepted into veterinary school and graduated from Oklahoma State University with her DVM (’96). Clark practiced medicine in a 6-doctor practice as an associate and then Medical Director of a satellite practice for 10 years before joining a group of 8 hospitals that grew to 80, National PetCare Centers, eventually taking on the Vice President of Operations role. Next up, she served 12 years with VCA in hospital operations, managing 22 General and Specialty Practices, and then as a vice president at the VCA home office in Los Angeles, overseeing VCA’s doctor recruiting team, campus relationships, and intern/resident placement. In 2010, she was responsible for creating VCA’s award-winning corporate university, WOOF-U, which trained and developed over 24,000 veterinary learners and is still VCA’s primary training vehicle today.
Clark founded IGNITE Veterinary Solutions in 2016 with the singular goal of elevating the role-specific knowledge and capabilities of veterinary teams to enhance their well-being and the well-being of the patients and clients they serve. Her passion for the underserved learners in our profession is obvious in IGNITE’s focus on CSRs and their advancement. Clark and her co-author, Kristi Fisher, CVT, created the Veterinary Receptionist Certificate of Excellence (VRCE), which has made a material difference in the lives of more than 5,000 CSRs and growing. Her passion for elevating CSRs to a new level led her to create the non-profit North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR) in 2024 with Debbie Boone, CVPM, and Rhonda Bell, CVPM, PCM, CDMP. This association advocates for CSRs, normalizes and creates continuing CSR education tracks at state and national conferences, and provides the tools necessary for CSRs to thrive in their role. Her nearly 30-year career in veterinary medicine has been dedicated to constantly improving veterinary outcomes and operations. It has created many opportunities for the professional growth of the incredible people who make up our profession.
Clark’s other passions are showing American Quarter Horses and spending time with the love of her life and fellow veterinarian Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, and their 7 dogs, 9 horses, 4 cats, 4 goats, 4 mini-Belted Galloway cows, and 4 chickens on their ranch outside of Austin, Texas.
Nominate your veterinary hero here today!
Karl C. Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA, is a Board-certified Veterinary Surgeon at MedVet Cincinnati, where he has been part of the medical team since 2010. Maritato attended the University of Florida, where he earned two Bachelor of Science degrees. At Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating with highest honors and at the top of his class. Following his graduation from veterinary school, Maritato completed a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery followed by a yearlong surgical internship at the Louisiana Veterinary Referral Center, now MedVet Mandeville. He then completed a 3-year residency in small animal surgery at MedVet Columbus. After completing his residency and becoming a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Maritato played an integral role in the development and introduction of new surgical options for the Cincinnati community. Within months of opening the surgery department, he performed the first cement-less canine total hip replacement and minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures in Cincinnati. He has surgically repaired thousands of ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in dogs.
When MedVet Dayton opened in 2012, he used his skills and experience to develop a full service surgery department there as well. Maritato is the co-editor of a textbook on locking implant technology for use in small animals as well as the co-editor of an issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America on minimally invasive fracture repair. He is also the author and co-author of scientific articles in a variety of veterinary publications, including Veterinary Surgery, the Veterinary Clinics of North America, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology, Compendium for Continuing Veterinary Education, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, Journal of Small Animal Practice, Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Clinicians Brief. Maritato is also consistently invited to review surgical literature for accuracy for select veterinary journals. Maritato is an active advocate of continued education for veterinary professionals and has lectured on a variety of small animal topics throughout the country at regional, state, and national venues, as well as in Europe.
Known as the practice geek, Madonna Livingstone, BVMS, MRCVS, qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2002 and is Head Vet and Head of Exotics at the Ark Veterinary Clinics Ltd, Coatbridge, Scotland with a 80% exotics case load. Livingstone delivers all the clinical exotic lectures for Glasgow Veterinary School, is the clinical lead for the Final Year selective Exotics rotation for Glasgow Veterinary School, delivers the husbandry and nutrition lectures for exotics to the Veterinary Bioscience course, and is an affiliate veterinary surgeon of Glasgow Veterinary School.
She also is the exotics consultant for Nation Wide Laboratories and Lab Services Ltd, has a diploma in parrot behavior, has been published on rabbits, reptiles, parrots, ferrets in peer reviewed journals and is sole author of a textbook on rabbits and small exotic mammals (Exotics Made Easy: Demystifying Rabbits and Small Exotic Mammals), is currently co-authoring a pictorial guide to rabbit and small exotic mammal surgery and is in the planning stages of writing the follow up Exotics Made Easy textbook on reptiles.
Livingstone speaks widely on exotic animal medicine and surgery to Vets and Veterinary nurses via conferences and webinars plus delivers bespoke in house CPD (CE) for practices. She has also spoken at the Scottish Parrot Society, Beloved Rabbit Charity events, and the International Herpetological Society to owners and enthusiasts.
She has a firm belief that all species deserve the same high level of care and is passionate about empowering veterinary professionals to incorporate these amazing species into their caseload. Although her main interest is in exotic animal species, she also enjoys soft tissue surgery and behaviour of all species.
Livingstone was awarded with the prestigious UK Rabbit Vet of the Year Award (2022) by Burgess and the Rabbit Welfare and Association Fund (RWAF) and the External Lecturer of the Year Award (2022, 2023, and 2024) by Glasgow Vet School students.
When not working, Livingstone can be found spending time with her husband, her three dogs, 20 chickens, 8 ferrets, 4 cockatiels, and 2 dwarf puffer fish.
Shannon Bass, DVM, grew up in a veterinary practice and spent 19 years in clinical practice after graduating from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as a general practice doctor, emergency veterinarian, acupuncturist, and medical director of a specialty/emergency hospital. After almost 2 decades of practice, Bass moved into veterinary recruiting, focusing on specialty and emergency roles. She is currently the Vice President of Medical Leadership at Vets Pets, a group of veterinary hospitals in North Carolina.
Organized veterinary medicine is something Bass is passionate about. She enjoys serving as the 2024-25 President of the NCVMA and co-chairs a VECCS committee working on an Emergency Medicine Certificate for veterinary students. She is a conference speaker and podcast guest on leadership and communication topics.
Outside of work, Bass enjoys traveling with her husband, 2 sons, and 3 legged labrador mix. She is an endurance athlete, yoga instructor, and adventurous cook.
Ashley Lall is a 24-year-old first-generation New Yorker born to immigrant parents from Guyana. Lall is hearing impaired and currently attends veterinary school at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, with a passion for avian medicine. Her goal is to make a difference in animal care
Check out Ashley's article on dvm360.com here: https://www.dvm360.com/view/becoming-a-first-generation-veterinarian
Renee D. Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is senior veterinary toxicologist and director, veterinary medicine for Pet Poison Helpline. She earned a bachelor of science in agriculture and her doctorate degree at Kansas State University in Manhattan. She joined the helpline and Safety Call International in 2013.
Tyler Primavera, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian. He recently self-published the children's book Eli the Flying Dog. When not at the clinic, he can be found working on his business Vetspacito, which seeks to help more pets get better care poco a poco. Vetspacito has a wide range of educational client veterinary videos in English and Spanish on YouTube. When not working, he enjoys dancing. His book and more info can be found here: https://linktr.ee/drprimavet
Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, “The Vet Eye Guy” on Instagram, and founder of Insight Veterinary Eye Care, LLC that provides continuing education and teleconsultation services. He enjoys combining his passion for ophthalmology by engaging owners and veterinarians via social media, continuing education events, and one-on-ones. Sigmund wants every veterinarian to be comfortable with the basics of ophthalmology to improve patient care and client understanding. He has plans to start his own private practice in the near future that will focus on the client/patient experience in addition to high quality medicine.
Sigmund enjoys working with exotic animals at local zoos and aquariums to ensure health and comfort for animals ranging from puffins to elephants. He completed veterinary school at the University of Georgia and a residency in comparative veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee. His publications have ranged from feline stem cell therapy to cataract surgery in raptors. Sigmund has a wonderful partner, an “old lady dog” named Asima, and a fluffy Ragdoll cat named King Louie that help occupy his time outside of the clinic.
Learn more and register for Fetch Charlotte here today!
Mark Massaro, DVM, was born and raised in south Jersey and comes from a family of veterinarians – both his parents, older brother, and his aunt are all vets! He graduated from the Cornell University College of Veterinary in 2019.
After graduating from vet school, Massaro completed a rigorous rotating internship in small medicine and surgery at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES) in Bucks County, PA. Following internship Massaro joined the family practice, where he served as an Associate Veterinarian for about a year, as well as the Marketing and Technology Lead.
However, Massaro’s interests in the veterinary management / technology world grew, so he then took on a series of roles at different companies, spanning from remote work in NJ to on-site positions in Philadelphia, Houston, TX and Knoxville, TN. All of these roles centered around advancing technology in the veterinary industry, specifically relating to electronic medical record (EMR) or practice information management systems (PIMS).
In 2023 Massaro returned home to south Jersey and is now the Director of Veterinary Software for VetmEDUcate, a group of 7 hospitals. These include Absecon Veterinary Hospital, Art City Vets & Urgent Care, Audubon Family Veterinary Center, Cape Veterinary Hospital, Exclusively Cats Medical Center of Medford, Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, and Pennsauken Animal Hospital & Urgent Care. Collectively these hospitals employ over 100 vets and 800 total staff.
Outside of work Massaro’s interests include playing sports (soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball), as well as hanging out and hiking with his wife Carolyn and their 3 dogs (Treeing Walker Coonhound, Miniature Poodle, and Texas Street Pitbull) and 2 cats (only the dogs hike, but not for lack of trying!). He is also very passionate about mental health in the vet profession, as well as the recent advancements in AI, and where those two things meet (i.e. AI scribes getting vets home on time!) and is very active on Linkedin!
You can learn more about Massaro and read his work on his website, The Digital DVM
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA talks with Dr. Tom Walsh, DVM, CCRP, MBA about some difficult cases with injured and/or aging pets, how he is able to handle them, and what made him start his own mobile rehabilitation and physical therapy clinic.
About Dr. Tom Walsh:
Dr. Tom Walsh’s passion for animals resulted in an abrupt turn in his life. After a successful career in telecommunications, he gave that up to become a veterinarian. And he has never looked back. After working years as a vet, he found his niche--small animal rehab. Dr Walsh established PrimePet Rehab, a mobile small animal rehabilitation and physical therapy service that treats animals at a number of veterinary clinics. Therapeutic laser is integral to his practice and is used daily to provide inflammation and pain reduction and to speed healing times. Dr. Walsh started using laser for post-op, IVDD recovery and trauma. He saw recovery for back surgery reduced from 4-6 weeks to less than half the time. Improvement in recovery time made a big difference for owners going through a traumatic event with their pets and helped the animals relax as well. After seeing the results he got from his early work with laser, Dr. Walsh expanded the scope of conditions he treats and often uses it in combination with other treatment modalities with great results.
Learn more about Fetch on Demand here today!
Brian Goleman, CVT, started his animal career as a zookeeper in 2014. After 3 years he transitioned into the world of veterinary medicine as an emergency technician, where he quickly developed a passion for the intricate art of bandaging. Transitioning to specialty surgery in 2019, Brian's expertise grew, culminating in his RVT credentialing in 2020.
Recognizing a gap in continuing education resources for veterinary bandaging techniques, Brian took matters into his own hands. In 2021, he founded Brian's Bandages, aiming to educate and empower veterinary technicians across the DC Metro Area and beyond. Brian is dedicated to enhancing the standards of care through innovative bandaging techniques and education.
You can learn more about Goleman and Brian's Bandages on the company's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Learn more and register for Fetch Charlotte here today!
Kemba L. Marshall, MPH, DVM, DABVP (Avian), earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida in 1999. After a one-year internship she completed a residency in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Marshall earned her Master’s in Public Health degree from the University of Iowa in 2018 and is a boarded Avian specialist of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Marshall spent 5 years in private, emergency and lab animal medicine in Dallas, Texas after completing her residency. She has authored peer-review journal articles and served as Guest Editor for publications including the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 5 Minute Veterinary Clinics and the Veterinary Clinics of North America.
Marshall embarked on her latest venture in 2020 when she founded Marshall Recruiting Consortium to address the lack of diversity in agriculture and animal health sciences.
Learn more about Marshall's new book here.
Evan Antin, DVM, is Instagram’s most-followed veterinarian with over 1.3 million followers. Antin went viral after being featured in People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive issue in 2014, and again in 2016 and 2017. Dubbed the “sexiest veterinarian,” he took the internet by storm. In February 2019, Antin’s new television show, Evan Goes Wild, premiered on Animal Planet. In the show, viewers watch him chase his wildlife bucket list as he swims alongside humpback whales in Tahiti, explores caves with bats in the Philippines, and tangles with crocodiles in the Yucatan. Antin brings his passion and love for all wildlife to each adventure where, as a practicing veterinarian, he also lends a helping hand to animals in need along the way.
His summer 2020 Facebook TV show Tusks To Tails with Seeker (under Group Nine) is dedicated to educating viewers about some of our planet’s most unique animals and what wild adaptations they have to contribute to their success. Seeker’s digital platform is all about bringing accurate, modern science to followers, subscribers, and viewers, and this show is no exception, delivering fascinating, fun, wild information while incorporating a variety of Antin’s experience with wildlife so far in his professional career.
In 2018 he debuted Happy Pet, his pet wellness brand that is available online. The products use natural and eco-friendly ingredients and are available in 3 categories—clean, fresh, and active. He will be launching his first book, World Wild Vet, in October 2020 with his publisher Henry Holt (under Macmillan). This book covers Antin’s life from young wildlife/animal super enthusiast, all the way to his veterinary and wildlife conservation work around the world. He originally hails from Kansas City, Kansas, where he spent the majority of his childhood in search of native wildlife, including snakes, turtles, and insects. He went on to study evolutionary and ecological biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder and spent multiple semesters abroad in Australia and Tanzania to learn more about their respective ecosystems and fauna.
In addition to his love for cats and dogs, Antin’s passions lie in exotic animal medicine and interacting with exotic animals in their native habitats around the world. For more than a decade he worked with wildlife in locations such as Central America, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Eastern and Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and a variety of North American ecosystems
Sponsored by PRN Pharmacal. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
This talk is intended to review the incidence of periodontal disease, the differences in treatment based on bone levels, and the indication for the use of ReGumVet in patients with advanced periodontal disease. Listeners will hear about tips for ultrasonic cleaning as well as hand instrumentation to prepare the surface for the application of ReGumVet in general practice. The steps for placement as well as flap closure are discussed to allow the listener to save more teeth with ReGumVet.
Learning Objectives:* Recall the incidence of periodontal disease and the teeth most often affected along with their structure. * Understand methods of periodontal pocket debridement that can be done in general practice. * Demonstrate knowledge regarding graft placements and flap closure methods.
Learn more about Fetch Charlotte here today!
Antonio Pedraza, DVM, has always had a lifelong passion for animals, and because of this he decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. After obtaining his veterinary license, Pedraza moved to the United Kingdom to continue his postgraduate training with ESPVS (European School of Postgraduate Veterinary Studies) and BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association). His focus was primarily in orthopedics, spinal, and complex soft tissue surgery. Pedraza has received extensive training in Endoscopy and Laparoscopy procedures. In Madrid, he earned a Master’s degree in Small Animal Surgery & Traumatology. He then moved to Los Angeles with his wife, a California native.
Pedraza strongly believes that the key to good veterinary medicine is integrating clinical skills and proficiency with good client communication. He prides himself on being attuned to the needs of his patients and their loved ones. He fosters open communication with his clients and a supportive atmosphere, and firmly believes this will facilitate the best long-term outcome for his patients.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Pedraza has been providing his services to hospitals in and around Los Angeles.
Learn more about Pedraza and the Sevilla Veterinary Hospital here.
Sponsored by Antech. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:
In this podcast, Dr. Michelle Evason will discuss topics related to spectrum of care and feline care, and practical tips for communicating with pet owners about these topics. Learning Objectives:
* Recognize the value of wellness testing
* Understand spectrum of care and how to communicate to pet owners
* Learn about new research on feline Giardia and its emerging zoonotic aspects, and how to apply this to clinical management
* Discuss current management of common feline infectious disease cases, e.g. ringworm, endoparasites, etc. and their implications for preventive care across the spectrum
Bio:
Michelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS, serves as Global Director, Veterinary Clinical Education for Antech (MARS). She has worked in general practice, academia, specialty clinical practice, and in the animal health industry. Michelle has published on numerous infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, nutrition, spectrum of care, veterinary- and pet-owner education related topics. She enjoys ferrying her two-legged (and four-legged) children to various activities and fulfilling most ‘Canuck’ stereotypes.
Megan Bauer, DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite, co-owner and medical director of Latah Creek Animal Hospital, graduated from Washington State University in 2015 and became Spokane’s first Fear Free Certified veterinarian. She is passionate about behavioral medicine and feline care but loves all her patients. Outside of work, Bauerenjoys camping, four-wheeling, and agility training with her two dogs, Remy Pierre and Oliver Elvis, and spending time with her three cats, Trixie, Chandler, and Jinkx, and beardy, Kevin.
Jessica Osborne, CVPM, Fear Free Certified Elite, co-owner and hospital manager of Latah Creek Animal Hospital, has been in veterinary medicine since 2003 and earned her CVPM in 2016, becoming Spokane’s first. A Fear Free advocate, she helped certify Eastern WAs first practice, and helped Latah Creek achieve Fear Free Practice Certification in 2021. Osborne is a thoughtful leader who values positivity and accountability. On weekends, she enjoys riding dirt bikes with her husband and kids, alongside their 2 dogs, Benelli and Dash, and 2 cats, Rocco Wilson and Gustov.
Christopher Lee DVM, MPH, DACVPM is a board-certified specialist in preventive medicine with over 15 years of national experience “edutaining” audiences on immunology, infectious diseases, and parasitology. He previously served as the medical director for a 24-hour emergency hospital, bringing leadership and clinical expertise to a demanding environment.
Lee serves on the NAVLE Item Writing Committee, shaping the next generation of veterinary professionals. He is also pursuing additional board certification in parasitology, expected in 2026, further expanding his expertise in combating parasitic diseases.
Lee contributes to the veterinary profession as a monthly columnist for PULSE magazine and as a co-author of the Heroes for Healthy Pets Infectious Disease Handbook. He also produces educational podcasts through MyVetZone.com, sharing practical insights and fostering lifelong learning among veterinary professionals.
Lee is passionate about bridging the gap between science and practice, empowering veterinary teams to deliver optimal care while protecting public health.
Joe Jesse Owens, III, DVM, is an accomplished Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, inventor, business owner, and dynamic public speaker with a career dedicated to advancing animal health and inspiring others.
Born in Marlboro, MA, and raised in Durham, NC, Owens grew up alongside three sisters and credits his parents, Joe Owens, Jr, and Sharon Owens, DVM, as his biggest inspirations for pursuing veterinary medicine. He is a proud graduate of Tuskegee University, where he earned a B.S. in Animal Science (2008) and a DVM (2012). During his time at Tuskegee, he excelled academically and served in key leadership roles, including Class President, SCAVMA President, and as Mr. Tuskegee University (2007-2008).
Owens began his veterinary career in Las Vegas, gaining expertise across various fields, including relief work, shelter medicine, emergency care, private practice, and corporate day practice. By 2016, he transitioned into practice ownership, co-owning three successful animal hospitals in Nevada (two day practices and one emergency hospital) with his college colleague, Johnathan Snead, DVM.
As an innovator, Owens invented Enjoy-A-Bowl, the first appetite-stimulating bowl for pets, helping improve dietary compliance and addressing feeding challenges for pets with medical or dietary needs. In 2017, he pitched Enjoy-A-Bowl on Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, securing $50,000 in seed funding.
In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Owens is the co-founder of Cosmic Development LLC, an investment property company, and contributes to pet welfare through initiatives like Two By Two Pet Venture and But I Love My Pet. A sought-after mentor, Owens travels to veterinary schools to inspire and guide future veterinarians.
Outside of work, Owens enjoys spending time with his wife, Leticia, their 2 toddlers, Mekhi and Nyilah, and their 12-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, Que. He is passionate about fitness, gaming, and exploring the world.
Sebastian Gabor, MBA, is a dynamic entrepreneur, educator, TED speaker, endurance athlete, and a firm believer in technology for the greater good. After completing business school at 21, he started a software development agency, ITGambit, that served industry giants such as Disney and Hasbro. Along the way, he lectured at Geneva Business School and co-founded Code4Romania, a non-profit organization creating technical solutions to social challenges that now unites 2700+ developers. Gabor's journey took an unexpected turn when he delved into the world of veterinary medicine while working on a project for a pet vaccine manufacturer. Immersed in the busy routines of dozens of veterinary hospitals, he was astonished by the multitude of administrative tasks that plagued their workflows, diverting precious time away from what veterinary professionals cherish most – caring for their patients. This revelation, coupled with observations of pet parent challenges, sparked the idea of building a software product that would enhance the veterinary care process. Together with his partner Ruxandra Pui, he developed Digitail – an all-in-one operating system for animal hospitals designed to improve efficiencies and provide a modern experience to veterinary teams, clients, and their pets. Launched in 2018, Digitail now serves 1,000+ practices and 1 million pets worldwide. In 2023, Digitail closed an $11 million Series A funding round led by Atomico.
Gabor's is an avid reader and a three-time Ironman finisher. He loves hiking and debating world problems with his friends.
Rachel Siu, DVM, has dedicated over a decade to the specialized field of exotic pet medicine. Her extensive experience encompasses a diverse array of species, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, and amphibians. Siu has a significant following on social media, where she aims to raise awareness and profile of exotic pets, their treatment, and care.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Alejandro Bernal, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with over 25 years of experience in animal health. Dr. Bernal shares his journey and insights on industry challenges, and highlights Wedgewood Pharmacy’s approach to connecting veterinary professionals with the exciting innovations transforming veterinary care. Learning Objectives:•Hear more about changes expected to impact the veterinary industry within the next five to ten years.•Learn how veterinary professionals can improve their mental health and establish a better work-life balance.•Gain insight into the latest technological developments shaping the veterinary field.
Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, JM, has held numerous high level leadership roles within veterinary medicine, from chief of staff to chief medical officer. She is a highly engaged veterinary industry consultant as an operation, start up and firm building subject matter expert. She is a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Earning her Master of Business Administration from St. George’s University. Hale also earned in 2023 a Juris Master’s degree from Florida State University. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Georgia VMA. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She served on the inaugural board of the Wedgewood Pharmacy Advisory Board from 2022-2023. She recently joined the board of the Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME). In addition, she is a member of Vet Partners and the CHIEF organization for women executives. She shares her home in Atlanta, GA with 5 pups and husband, Chuck (USAF veteran retired).
George Melillo, VMD, founder and chief veterinary officer of Heart + Paw, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He has had a long career working in private practice, as a practice owner, and in corporate veterinary medicine. In addition, Melillo has also been involved in two successful start-ups in human pharmaceuticals. Melillo started Heart + Paw with a passion for the profession. His vision was to create a practice where veterinarians and veterinary care providers, who he believes have the noblest of hearts, can practice happy, healthy, and successfully. In addition, the vision for Heart + Paw was to reimagine pet care for the pet parent and create a new model of care for pets. Outside of veterinary medicine, Melillo lives with his wife of 34 years and his 12-year-old Jack Russell rescue, Pancho.
Keith True, DVM, MBA, chose a career in veterinary medicine because of his love for animals, and a desire to pursue the many entrepreneurial opportunities the field offers. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014, True became a partner at three hospitals in the Chicagoland area. During that time, he developed expertise in orthopedic surgery and discovered a love for building successful businesses, including the foundational work of developing strong, cohesive teams. His interest in business led True to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration. True founded True Vet Potential in 2023 with a goal focused on removing the barriers to practice ownership and providing the necessary business training and coaching to help veterinarians thrive in the field of entrepreneurship. True and his wife, Lauren, are the proud parents of 4 young children and enjoy traveling the world, whether it be for marathon running or pleasure.
Jessica Vogelsang, DVM is a veterinarian, international speaker, bestselling author of All Dogs Go to Kevin, and Chief Medical Officer at AAHA. As the founder of Pawcurious Media back in 2009, she was one of the first veterinarians to explore how the internet was going to impact the profession and build community. In that time she reached hundreds of thousands of pet owners around the world, helped launch multiple veterinary brands, and created the Veterinary Telemedicine community in response to COVID-19. In addition to her work at AAHA, she currently sits on the boards of the Mark Morris Institute, Pet Nutrition Alliance, and the Veterinary Virtual Care Association.
Melani Seymour explains the factors that are driving younger practice owners to sell their business.
About Melani
Melani Seymour is a serial entrepreneur and veterinary industry change agent, dedicated to revolutionizing practice ownership and transitions. As co-founder of Transitions Elite and DVM Elite, she has worked with over 1,100 veterinary owners, positioning practices as premium assets in the market. Melani's expertise in veterinary practice growth, business strategy, and high-value negotiations has consistently transformed average practices into highly sought-after acquisitions. With a background in psychology and a passion for philanthropy, she ensures her companies contribute significantly to social good, including microfinance initiatives and local charities. Melani holds an M.Sc. from the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and combines deep industry insights with innovative business approaches to unlock the full potential of veterinary practices and their owners.
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Meghan Solc, DVM, DACVD, grew up on a hobby farm in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Solc later moved to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she ultimately achieved her dream of becoming a veterinarian, receiving her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2012 from the Atlantic Veterinary College. After graduation, Solc relocated to Toronto, Ontario, to complete a rotating and specialty dermatology internship. She was accepted into a residency with Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner Dermatology for Animals. In 2018, she became an American College of Veterinary Dermatology diplomate.
Solc has continued her work with Dermatology for Animals in Akron, Ohio, and recently moved to Catonsville, Maryland. She has trained two dermatology specialty technicians and continues to work with residents through the ACVD. In 2024, she received the dvm360 Veterinary Heroes Award for dermatology.
She resides in Baltimore with her wife, Katie, and their fur kids, Bruce, Iris, and Max. When she's not promoting the field of veterinary dermatology, Solc can be found traveling, hiking, rowing, and exploring new foodie spots.
Check out our 2025 Fetch Conferences for a Wicked savings here.
CJ Burnett, CExP, is an owner and financial advisor with The Next Step Planning Group & Florida Veterinary Advisors. He also hosts a podcast that discusses a wide range of financial topics for veterinarians called "The Smarter Vet Podcast." In 2024 he authored a book: "Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs."
In 2022 Burnett was invited to join a board of a dozen advisors that produces the educational content for financial advisors across the United States. When speaking at financial advisor conferences, he reaches nearly 1,700 financial advisors per year to educate them on unique planning concepts, financial market conditions, and rarely known business owner strategies. He also gives talks to financial advisor firms throughout the year.
Although he is an analyst at heart, Burnett enjoys working directly with people. In 2011, he started his business, The Next Step Planning Group. Over the years, Burnett, who is a Certified Exit Planner, has had success working with business owners on structuring a financial plan that gives them the most control over the results they are after. Burnett does not want to only help people with their financial plans; he wants to change what’s possible for them; to show them how to master the “short game” for them to win the “long game.” Burnett also enjoys working with clients on their charitable giving goals. He works with them to structure a plan to minimize the tax impact on them and maximize the impact they can make when giving money to 501(c)(3) entities.
Tom Seeko,CExP, is a financial advisor and business financial guide who works with veterinarians, owners, and veterinary teams. His experience in the financial industry started in 2011 but his desire to support the veterinary industry began in 2014. He is the co-host of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, co-owner of Florida Veterinary Advisors, national speaker, publication writer, and book author of Unleashed: The Financial Clarity That Every Veterinarian Needs.
Sponsored by Elanco.
Novel targeted therapies can provide rapid relief for canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. In this podcast, Andrew Rosenberg, DVM, and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, react to the availability of a once-daily oral JAK inhibitor, highlighting it as an advancement in managing difficult skin conditions in dogs.
Learning Objectives:* Understand the various causes of canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. * Gain insight into using available treatment options to manage canine allergic and atopic dermatitis. * Learn how Zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) can be used to offer dogs relief from pruritus associated with allergic and atopic dermatitis.
INDICATIONS
Zenrelia is indicated for control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Read the entire package insert before using this drug, including the Boxed Warning.
For Full prescribing information call 1 888 545 5973 or visit www.elancolabels.com/us/zenrelia
WARNING: VACCINE-INDUCED DISEASE AND INADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO VACCINES.
Based on results of the vaccine response study, dogs receiving Zenrelia are at risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease from modified live virus vaccines and inadequate immune response to any vaccine. Discontinue Zenrelia for at least 28 days to 3 months prior to vaccination and withhold Zenrelia for at least 28 days after vaccination. Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations prior to starting Zenrelia. Do not use in dogs less than 12 months old or dogs with a serious infection. Monitor dogs for infections because Zenrelia may increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed during clinical studies. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. The most common adverse reactions were vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Zenrelia has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs and concurrent use with glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, or other systemic immunosuppressive agents has not been tested. For full prescribing information see package insert.
Zenrelia, Elanco, and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. PM-US-24-1648 (2).
Sponsored by Antech Diagnostics.
Mars Science & Diagnostics, a relatively new division of Mars Petcare, focuses on veterinary diagnostic and scientific research. Its vision aligns well with legacy brand, Antech, in helping veterinary professionals predict, diagnose, and monitor wellness or disease using science, data, and technology, so pets can live their healthiest lives.
Learning Objectives:* Learn how Antech’s KeyScreen® test harnesses PCR testing. * Hear how the Antech Imaging Services® RapidRead™ test complements the expertise of veterinarians by harnessing artificial intelligence to provide rapid imaging solutions. * Understand what makes the Nu.Q® Canine Cancer Test so attractive in monitoring the wellness of high-risk breeds and senior dogs.
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Boaz Man, DVM, is the owner and medical director of Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital, an AAHA accredited facility. He is a fear free certified professional with over 20 years of experience in private practice. Man earned his bachelor’s at the University of Miami and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University. He is a national speaker on digital cytology and laser surgery and believes in the power of social media storytelling to advance animal health care. You can find him on Instagram @bocamidtownevet.
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Of French origin and raised in equatorial Africa and Canada, Anne Chauvet, DVM, DACVIM, CHT-V, graduated from the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, in 1990. She completed a 1-year small animal rotating internship at the University of Illinois School, Urbana, and pursued a residency in neurology/neurosurgery at the university of California, Davis from 1991-1993. While on staff at the University of Wisconsin from 1994-1999, Madison, Chauvet created the Basic Science Course in Veterinary and Comparative Neurology & Neurosurgery that is now known as “brain camp”. She later moved to Florida’s gulf coast where she grew her practice until its sale in 2016. Since, Chauvet has worked in practice in both Canada and the United States. She is trained in rehabilitation and certified in hyperbaric medicine.
Over her career, Chauvet has obtained multiple business and veterinary awards, served on ACVIM and not-for-profit local committees and boards, lectured in multiple countries, authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters, created a educational video in rehabilitation for clients, and written a children’s book. She embraces integrating medicine styles to support the need of the patient.
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), brings over two decades of veterinary oncology experience to her role as a trusted authority in the field. As the head of the oncology service at Guardian Veterinary Specialists in Brewster, New York, she is one of only 450 board-certified specialists in medical oncology in North America. Ettinger's expertise is rooted in her residency at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr Sue, also known as Dr Sue Cancer Vet®, is recognized for her educational contributions and was awarded the 2019 Western Veterinary Conference Small Animal Continuing Educator of the Year. She is a sought-after international speaker, a book author, and a valuable resource for pet owners and veterinary professionals. Her "See Something, Do Something, Why Wait? Aspirate.®" campaign is dedicated to raising cancer awareness and promoting early detection.
As a prominent online figure, Dr Sue actively engages with a dedicated audience of 50,000 followers on Instagram, 47,000 on Facebook, and 25,000 on YouTube, sharing essential resources and support for both pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, she finds joy in her role as a proud mother to 2 teenage boys and shares her home with her fun-loving yellow Labrador, Penelope. In her leisure time, she is passionate about running, traveling, and enjoying tropical beach destinations.
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Carl Palazzolo, DVM, graduated from veterinary school at Michigan State University in 1978. He practiced in Michigan for 2 years prior to moving to California in 1980. Palazzolo then worked at the Sun Surf Animal Hospital in Sunset Beach, California from 1980-1985 and then relief work from 1985-1989. He received his MBA in 1985 from Pepperdine and in 1989, purchased the Long Beach Animal Hospital. He sold that practice at the end of 2018.
Palazzolo has been in private practice for 46 years and taught conservation medicine and wildlife digital photography since the first trip to Africa in 1986. He is also an author of PULSE digital photography articles since 2015
Learn more about Fetch Long Beach and register here today!
Michael Shirley is Chief Empowerment Officer of Family Pet Health in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He believes that the key to success is to hire great people, equip them with the tools they need, and then work alongside them to accomplish great things. Before opening Family Pet Health with his wife, Amy Shirley, DVM, Michael enjoyed a 16-year career in education as a 4-H agent, then as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.
He uses his experience developing students to now train and empower his veterinary team. He also enjoys educating pet parents through social media channels, as well as his podcast, The Family Pet Podcast. In January of 2020, Michael created the Veterinary Leadership Book Club which can be found on Facebook and has more than 3,000 veterinary professionals as members.
Sheena Davis, LVT, VTS (Dentistry),VCC is a graduate of the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh, earning her AS degree in specialized technology. Upon completion of her externship at the Animal Medical Center 2004 she sat for the VTNE in 2005 and passed.
She is a New York-based veterinary technician that has over 18 years of experience in the field of small animal medicine. She earned her veterinary technician specialization in dentistry and certification in cannabis counseling in 2020. Davis enjoys lecturing at conferences, is a published peer-reviewed author, a host for the veterinary podcast “Catnip and Chill,” a board member for The Veterinary Cannabis Society, and is the owner of Big Apple LVT Consulting and Education.
Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today!
Erin Maegerle is currently in her second year at Rowan University, enrolled in the inaugural class of the Schriber School of Veterinary Medicine’s 3+4 BSDVM program. A 2023 magna cum laude graduate from Egg Harbor Township High School, she has been working in various roles in small animal practices in South Jersey since she was 16. Maegerle is also involved in a research lab at Rowan, studying the behavior of wildlife species in South Jersey. Growing up at the Jersey Shore, she developed a lifelong fascination with horseshoe crabs and is eager to learn more about their ecology and conservation. A passionate and accomplished musical theatre enthusiast, she recently starred as Philia in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Fool Moon Theatre Company in Margate, NJ. Maegerle also has a Shih Tzu named Phineas, a cat named Herman, and a variety of reptiles and is looking forward to a long and exciting career in veterinary medicine.
Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today!
Greg Bishop, DVM, is here to draw some humor into veterinary medicine. A practicing veterinarian with a knack for storytelling, Bishop is also an author, speaker, cartoonist, and the illustrator of more than half a dozen beloved children's books.
Known for his playful, yet well-researched approach, Bishop's recipe involves education and entertainment in equal proportions. He spices it up on his weekly blog, SasquatchPaw.com, with humorous and insightful takes on animal science, medical culture, and the absurd corners of modernity.
A polished and versatile writer, he's also the official cartoonist for Veterinary Practice News, and submits cartoons monthly to The New Yorker. He's a restless creative, and an award-winning speaker and scientific writer. Bishop is here to entertain all audiences, great and small.
Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today.
Ashley Randall, DVM, brings her passion for animal care and advocacy for underserved communities together as the founder and CEO of Muse Veterinary Group. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in 2009, Randall quickly became a rising talent treating pets at The Village Vets of Decatur. Her skills in surgery, dentistry, and emergency medicine speak for themselves.
Yet her vision stretched beyond building an individual practice. Randall dreamed of creating opportunities for the next generation of vets, especially vets of color, to carry on the legacy of care in their neighborhoods. In 2015, she took a bold step - purchasing and renovating a defunct clinic to establish the West End Animal Wellness Center. Serving over 6,000 clients, the Wellness Center became a pillar in a vibrant local community.
Now Randall is taking her advocacy work further with Muse Veterinary Group. By acquiring respected black-owned clinics, she preserves their legacies while empowering new vets to learn from the best.
Her own journey lights the way, from Tuskegee graduate to practice owner to an entrepreneur building bridges between communities. At Muse, she's creating space for women of color to excel in a field where representation matters.
Meet the vet rewriting the script and honoring the past while cultivating the talents of the future. Her drive to open doors for others is what makes Randall a leader worth watching and supporting. We're proud to have her vision guiding the way at Muse Veterinary Group.
Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, is an Ohio native and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. While attending Cornell, she earned numerous awards, including the Dermatology Service Award for her aptitude in clinical dermatology and her research on Malassezia otitis externa. After graduation, she completed an internship at the VCA Berwyn and Aurora animal hospitals in the Chicago area, where she was awarded the Intern Abstract Award for her presentation on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Griffin returned to Cornell in 2007 for a residency in dermatology and, after completing her residency training program, served 1 year as an instructor of dermatology, teaching fourth-year clinical students and lecturing to underclassmen on bacterial, fungal, and immune-mediated skin diseases. Griffin became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in August 2010 and joined the Animal Dermatology Group. She has a special interest in fungal and immune-mediated skin diseases, as well as feline and equine dermatology. She enjoys lecturing to fellow veterinarians, mentoring residents, and teaching the veterinary students who extern with her. Griffin also stars in the Nat Geo WILD television series Pop Goes the Vet With Dr Joya, which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology. Griffin always strives to care for her patients as if they are her own pets and loves building a long-lasting relationship with their pet parents. Outside of work, Griffin enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She is married to Forrest Cummings, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), a veterinary internal medicine specialist, and they have 3 children: Caden and boy/girl twins Coby and Carter. They have a kitten named Donut and 2 dogs, Guri and Magic. Griffin loves traveling, eating the delicious meals her hubby cooks for her, and working out.
Greg Echols, DVM, is a small animal relief veterinarian providing service to pets in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Competitive bodybuilding and powerlifting are 2 of his favorite things to pursue outside of veterinary medicine.
Sponsored by AVMA Trust. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:
This podcast covers the rising trends and common causes of Veterinary Professional Liability (Malpractice) and Veterinary Board Complaints. We will also discuss what veterinarians can do to help avoid claims and how to protect themselves if they are faced with a Malpractice claim or License Complaint. Learning Objectives:
* Learn about the most common causes of veterinary malpractice and Board complaints and what can be done to help avoid claims.
* Recognize that good medical record keeping and documentation is the most important defense if you are faced with a claim.
The National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 988.
Annika VanNoy, PhD, is an accomplished leader in the veterinary field, currently serving as the senior director of talent and learning at Thrive Pet Healthcare. With a solid academic background culminating in a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin, VanNoy has dedicated her career to advancing the veterinary industry by enhancing practice management and optimizing team development. Her work focuses on creating and implementing talent strategies that empower veterinary professionals, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel in their roles. In addition to talent strategies, VanNoy oversees Thrive's wellbeing strategy. VanNoy's expertise and innovative approach to talent management have been instrumental in driving the growth and success of Thrive Pet Healthcare, making her a key figure in the company's mission to revolutionize veterinary care.
Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, is a practicing board-certified veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. He is the Co-Editor of the textbooks, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and Canine Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. He has also published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals.
Andrew Ciccolini, DVM, is currently the Medical Director for the National Mill Dog Rescue located in Colorado. A graduate from The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 he also has a Masters in Organizational Leadership. He spent 9 years on active duty with the Army Veterinary Corps and continues to serve in the National Guard. He also partnered with Galaxy Vets in 2022 to launch a telehealth initiative to help pets suffering from the war in Ukraine. Active on social media as the @Okay_Vet, he has 3 dogs (all mutts!) and enjoys playing rugby, snowboarding, and hiking.
Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU
Heather E. Lewis, AIA, AAA, NCARB, is a principal of Animal Arts Design Studios.In her 24 years with the firm, Heather has been instrumental in the programming and design of numerous projects ranging in size from 1,400 to 110,000 square feet across the nation and beyond. Heather has worked with hundreds of veterinary hospitals and animal sheltering organizations helping them to create environments that support staff efficiency, promote healing, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for the animals they care for. She assisted in writing the Fear Free® facility standards for veterinary hospitals. Heather has spoken at dozens of conferences and written numerous articles on animal care design topics.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is the chief veterinary officer for dvm360®—an MJH Life Sciences Company™—who oversees content strategy and development and is the brand voice and personality for dvm360®’s multimedia channels. As a charismatic leader, he brings wit, humor, and authenticity to animal health care as the host of dvm360 Live!™ a new web-based talk show, The Vet Blast Podcast, continuing education webinars, and live media broadcasts.
Christman has also been in private practice and shelter medicine for 18 years and is currently a member and Treasurer of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. He received his DVM degree from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and his MBA from Aspen University.
Christman is a national thought leader, speaker and author on practice management, social media, and rehabilitation, and co-authored, Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Pet Owner’s Guide for Owners Who Are Terrified of IVDD—a book on dogs with disabilities. He has been featured in multiple publications and appeared on various multimedia shows throughout the country sharing his expertise and passion on all things veterinary medicine.
As an avid social media influencer for animal health care, he has over 800K followers on TikTok and 53K followers on Instagram. He loves to engage with fellow pet parents and veterinary professionals across social media. Christman is an advocate of Pride VMC and Pawsibilities. He is also the proud dog dad to 4 dachshunds and believes no one should be deprived of the incredible human-animal bond.
Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU
David L. Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS(Small Animal), attended Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for his veterinary degree, Auburn University for a small animal rotating internship, and Mississippi State for a combined surgical residency and Masters degree.
Dycus is frequently asked to lecture locally, nationally, and internationally. He has given over 250 continuing education lectures and taught over 150 laboratories. He has published numerous research articles and authored or co-authored several book chapters. He is the co-editor of the textbook: Complications in Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Surgery. In 2023 Dycus received the Veterinary Hero’s Award in surgery by DVM360 and was named by DVM360.com as one of the 10 veterinarians to watch in 2018. Dycus is a frequent contributor for updates in orthopedics to several veterinary websites and magazines. Dycus has also been featured on Sirius XMs Doctor Radio’s segment on Pet Health and Orthopedics. His passion for teaching has allowed Dycus to become a laboratory instructor for the CBLO, TPLO, extra-capsular stabilization, medial patella luxation, angular limb deformity, and fracture repair. He is on faculty for AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen), and he is an orthopedic consultant for VIN (Veterinary Information Network).
Along with being a scientific reviewer for multiple journals, he serves on the editorial review board and is the associate editor (orthopedics) for Veterinary Surgery, the official publication of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. He has previously held an appointment on the research committee for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Currently Dycus is on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, is a council member for the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) and is on the education committee for AO North America.
Dycus became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2015. He is the founder and surgeon at Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics where he has a focus on total joint replacement, complex and minimally invasive fracture repair as well as angular limb deformity correction, 3D implant printing, and arthroscopy. In addition, he is the founder of Ortho Vet Consulting, an educational consulting and orthopedic coaching service.
Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU
Editors note: Within this episode, there is an instance of explicit language.
Baran Schultz is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and graduated from St. Joseph's University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2000, Schultz started his own IT business wanting to make a difference in the way people understand and shop all the aspects of the IT world; 24 years later he has a successful nationwide company that is considered a one-stop provider for all IT needs. This includes IT
managed services, IT help desk support, data backups, VoIP phone systems, telephone integration software, security cameras, access control, voice and data cabling, fire and security systems, and low voltage design. Schultz Technology works with a variety of companies, large and small, and specializes in veterinary practices.
Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU
David Hall was named a “Top 100 Marketing and Advertising Influencer” by MARsum, invited by Forbes to join their prestigious Agency Council, has been Director of SEO for four award-winning marketing and advertising agencies, founded theSEOeffect.com, and Co-Founded GeniusVets. David is known for delivering incredible results for clients ranging from local and regional businesses to global Fortune brands.
As the author of eight books on modern marketing, David often speaks at events and leads workshops, providing key insights and actionable steps to strengthen and grow your business.
Mita Malhotra is the President of Chewy Health, where she is passionate about pet health and driving long-term growth for Chewy via product innovation, technology and a laser focus on customer and veterinarian experience. Malhotra joined Chewy in 2018 to build Chewy Pharmacy, which is now America’s #1 pet pharmacy. The brand has since experienced transformative growth by delivering innovative solutions that empower pet parents and veterinary partners to better care for pets in real-time, regardless of their location or proximity to resources.
Benjamin Carter, DVM, Chief Medical Officer, Chewy Vet Care, is a seasoned veterinarian who has spent the last decade focused on transforming the pet healthcare industry for the better. At Chewy Vet Care, he leads the team devoted to delivering personalized, patient-centered medicine with the latest technology, for the benefit of pets, pet parents and practitioners at Chewy Vet Care locations across the U.S.
To learn more about careers at Chewy, check out the Chewy website.: https://careers.chewy.com/us/en/vetcareers
Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:
Canine osteoarthritis is a complex disease that impacts quality of life for many of our canine patients. Part 2 of this podcast series will highlight why effective management requires development of a baseline treatment plan that is customized to the individual patient and includes a plan for managing flare-ups. A systematic, evidence-based approach will be presented that can be implemented in general practice.
Learning Objectives:
* Recognize the importance of a customized treatment plan; that one-size does not fit all for canine osteoarthritis
* Appreciate the ebb and flow of osteoarthritis with periods of calmness followed by periods of flare-ups
* Appreciate the multimodal management of osteoarthritis
Mariah Young, DVM, is a small town Montana girl with a passion for compassion. Her whole life she wanted to be able to make an impact on this world. As she grew up, this desire morphed into pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and a secondary career as a firefighter/EMT. Young achieved both goals simultaneously and currently work full time as a mixed animal veterinarian and part time as a firefighter/EMT.
Young has an Australian Kelpie named Dilly who is her constant adventure companion. She is fluent in Spanish and love to travel. Young volunteered in a vet clinic in Peru during undergrad, studied abroad in Spain, and has visited 13 different countries. Recently, she has been spending her time playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, hiking, traveling, snowboarding, running half marathons, and white-water rafting. Young also enjoy reading, baking, training Dilly, and cleaning
Doug Aspros, DVM, joined the VPP team in 2015 to help develop the promise of co-ownership into a transformational reality for the profession. With his extensive experience as a clinician and practice owner and strong relationships in the wider veterinary community, he worked to improve many aspects of our partnerships and practices, focused on clinician development, leadership training, and building our veterinary community.
Aspros served as the 150th president of the AVMA, the largest member organization in veterinary medicine. He worked to make AVMA more engaging for the new generations entering the profession, responsive to their needs and reflective of those of a changing society. Among other roles in the profession, Aspros chaired the AVMA Council on Education, served as a trustee of the AVMA-PLIT, was appointed a member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and currently chairs the New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine.
A graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Aspros and his wife split their time between the NY Metro area and Tucson, AZ, and are the proud pet parents of a Norfolk Terrier, an African Grey Parrot, and one awesome cat.
Jill Clark, DVM, spent 17 years as an Assistant Director on feature films, commercials, and documentaries before changing direction and becoming a veterinarian in 1996. She practiced in a multi-doctor group of small animal practices known for creating an exceptional client experience as an associate and then as Medical Director before joining a group of entrepreneurial veterinarians who grew their hospital group from 8 to 80 hospitals. She was vice president of Operations for this group before joining VCA, managing 22 general and specialty practices with a continued focus on client experience as a competitive advantage. In 2009, she joined VCA’s Executive Team and was responsible for VCA’s doctor recruiting team as well as creating VCA’s corporate university, WOOF-U, which served over 24,000 veterinary team members. In 2016, Clark founded IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, a modern learning company focused on bringing high-end learning experiences to all veterinary teams across the globe. She has a special passion for Client Service teams and elevating their role to its fullest in our profession. She is one of the founders and President of the newly formed, North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists.
Sarah Machell, DVM, is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and previously owned and operated a Small Animal Practice outside of Toronto, Canada for 18 years. Since transitioning her practice in 2018 she has worked in a variety of industry spaces, with a special interest in technology and virtual care. Machell is passionate about maximizing the capacity of veterinary practices to engage with and effectively leverage technologies to improve practice efficiencies, patient outcomes and professional satisfaction. One of Sarah's current roles is the Medical Director for PetPath, a digital tool that provides a critical bridge between inpatient and outpatient care.
Alex Ehrich, co-founder of PetPath and Liberty University graduate, is passionate about transforming lives and bringing innovative ideas to life. Ehrich has spent the past four years in the tech space, bringing products to market that enhance organizational effectiveness and improve user experiences. In 2022, Ehrich teamed up with a veterinary neurologist and several business partners to launch PetPath. This digital care companion guides pet owners through their pet's most stressful moments, while freeing up veterinary care teams to focus on their core passion: providing exceptional animal care.
Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, “The Vet Eye Guy” on Instagram, and founder of Insight Veterinary Eye Care, LLC that provides continuing education and teleconsultation services. He enjoys combining his passion for ophthalmology by engaging owners and veterinarians via social media, continuing education events, and one-on-ones. Sigmund wants every veterinarian to be comfortable with the basics of ophthalmology to improve patient care and client understanding. He has plans to start his own private practice in the near future that will focus on the client/patient experience in addition to high quality medicine.
Sigmund enjoys working with exotic animals at local zoos and aquariums to ensure health and comfort for animals ranging from puffins to elephants. He completed veterinary school at the University of Georgia and a residency in comparative veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee. His publications have ranged from feline stem cell therapy to cataract surgery in raptors. Sigmund has a wonderful partner, an “old lady dog” named Asima, and a fluffy Ragdoll cat named King Louie that help occupy his time outside of the clinic.
After an earlier career as a carpenter and builder, Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP emeritusr graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995.. After graduating, he practiced as a house call veterinarian for several years, and then embarked on a 20 year career as an emergency clinician in Colorado. During that time, Geller and his partners started up 4 emergency clinics. He became Board Certified as Veterinary Practitioner in Canine and Feline Medicine in 2010.
After seeing a homeless man and his pit bull on a bridge in Nashville in 2015, he founded The Street Dog Coalition, a non-profit charity, which provides free medical care, and other related services, to pets of owners at risk of, or experiencing homelessness in over 50 US cities.
In March of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Street Dog Coalition went international, and Geller worked with several Romanian veterinarians to set up a vet clinic in a blue tent at the Romania-Ukraine border, where teams of veterinarians, vet students and technicians, known as the ‘Blue Vet Group’, have been providing free veterinary care to pets of Ukraine refugees. Since setting up the tent clinic, over 800 pets have been cared for and provided European Union pet passports to allow their owners to continue their travels westward. Currently, The Street Dog Coalition is partnering with other non-profits to bring the first mobile veterinary clinic into Ukraine to provide care for injured pets, as well as providing preventive care and sterilization services, in a long-term project with a goal of caring for 10,000 pets and horses.
Geller was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association for 2019. In the spirit of unbridled learning, he is currently enrolled as an MPH candidate at the University of Minnesota. He received the ASPCA Henry Bergh Humane Award for 2022, and also is an Instructor in the Colorado School of Public Health teaching a class on ‘Homelessness in America.’
Josh Sanabria, DVM, is proudly from Puerto Rico and he came to the continental United States in 2008 to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a veterinarian. In 2012, he graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his degree, Sanabria moved to Las Vegas to practice general and emergency veterinary medicine. In 2016, he moved to San Diego, where he joined the corporate veterinary medicine field, allowing him to transfer to Dallas, Texas. In 2019, he pursued his vision of practicing boutique veterinary medicine and he opened his very own office called Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital in Addison, TX. In less than 5 years, Isla Vet has earned 9 awards for Best Veterinarian in Dallas. He is also a regular columnist for Dallas Voice, the most important LGBT magazine in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and he has also joined different TV networks for veterinary medicine related interviews, including Univision, Telemundo, NBC, and Fox News. Sanabria was also featured in a national TV commercial for Bank of America, where he shared part of his journey, from his humble beginnings to owning his veterinary hospital. Sanabria is openly gay and a proud advocate for the LGBTIA+ and Latinx communities.
Dr. DJ Haeussler grew up in the Cincinnati area. He finished his undergraduate work at The Ohio State University and then received his doctorate in 2006. He then went to New Jersey where he finished two internships at Garden State Veterinary Specialists and then returned to his alma mater, The Ohio State University to complete his residency. While at Ohio State University for his residency, he completed a Master of Science degree and earned the top award for professional student research at Ohio State as well as the top resident award for professional research at the annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 2010. Dr. DJ Haeussler has been published in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinician's Brief, and others. Dr. Haeussler has also published a photographic atlas to help better help veterinarians and veterinary technicians identify ophthalmic disease in dogs and is entitled Recognition of Canine Ocular Disease: A Photo Atlas, Volume 1. Dr. Haeussler is a board certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Dr. Haeussler has also served on the ACVO Public Relations committee as the committee chair, president of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association, and is a member of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association Board of Trustees.
Dr. Haeussler’s interests are providing exceptional ophthalmic care to prolong vision and comfort for your pet. He is very interested in cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation as well as various surgical methods of corneal repair.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC,often known as “toothy”, is passionate about teeth!
However, it was not always this way – she started her career in small animal practice with very minimal dentistry knowledge. She was fortunate to have a great mentor in her first job where she learned a lot and her desire to learn more grew. Once she attended her first Veterinary Dental Forum in 2013, she KNEW dentistry was her passion.
Throughout her years in general practice, she took every opportunity to expand her knowledge and along the way she affectionate became known as “Toothy Thomson”.
With time and support from her family, friends, collogues and a big ‘shove’ form her mentor she applied for a dentistry and oral surgery residency and was overjoyed when she matched at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
During her residency her passion grew not only for dentistry, but also for teaching. And because life is always full of surprises Thomson found herself at a crossroad in 2020 in the early stages of the pandemic – so she started her own mobile dentistry practice!
In addition to with working alongside small animal general practice veterinary teams, she also became very active online sharing her knowledge. It has always been and continues to be very important to Thomson that she share as much as she can given it took hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to obtain the knowledge she did while in general practice. Knowledge she wants to see all veterinary teams have!
Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:This podcast will delve into the critical importance and limitations of population-based reference intervals in veterinary diagnostics. Hear directly from a clinical pathologist and Medical Director of Zoetis Reference Laboratories on best practices for interpretating chemistry and hematology data and common errors to avoid.
Program Agenda: * What defines a population-based reference interval? * What happens when an interval is: * Too broad * Too narrow * How should a reference interval be used when evaluating a laboratory result? * Rationale for laboratory-specific intervals
Learning Objectives: * Define a population-based reference interval in veterinary medicine * Compare the potential problems with intervals that are too broad and too narrow * Explain the limitations of reference intervals when interpreting individual patient results * Identify the need for proper quality regulation in veterinary reference laboratories
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Michael Natale, LVT, has been involved in Veterinary Medicine for over 10 years. After graduating from Barry Tech, Natale attended SUNY Delhi and obtained his AAS in Veterinary Science Technology. After completion, he continued his education and obtained his BS in Science, Technology, and Sociology with a double minor in Business Management and Economics. His experience in Veterinary Medicine ranges from Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, and Business Leadership. Natale also holds certifications in BLS/ALS CPR, Laser Therapy, and NYS Certified Teacher. He currently is the Veterinary Medicine teacher at Barry Tech, practices as a per diem LVT and is a Hiring Manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. In his free time, you'll find Natale out surfing, skiing, biking, at CrossFit, or hanging with friends and family.
Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:
Canine osteoarthritis is a complex disease that impacts quality of life for many of our canine patients. Part 1 of this podcast series will focus on the epidemiology of this disease, the importance of a proactive approach to diagnosis, and will introduce a standardized staging tool to be utilized in general practice.
Learning Objectives:
* Recognize that osteoarthritis affects the entire joint
* Appreciate that canine osteoarthritis impacts many younger dogs and is not an “old-dog” disease
* Understand the importance of a proactive approach utilizing the Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Tiffany Ayres, CVPM, has worked in the veterinary field for more than twenty-five years in an array of leadership positions. She initiated her veterinary career at a small Pennsylvania mom and pop veterinary hospital with 2 veterinarians and 10 support team members. During her tenure, she grew this veterinary hospital to a 6-doctor thriving medical practice. While in practice, she taught PT veterinary management courses at the local veterinary technician school, York Technical Institute. In addition, she has presented at AAHA’s annual conferences and works with Fred Pryor presenting management topics all over the country. Ayres provides veterinary management consultant services and Zoetis has utilized her services for workshops. Recent years she has worked in the corporate sector, offering coaching and leadership services in a regional capacity for PetVet Care Centers & Mission Veterinary Partners. With this broad view of the veterinary industry, Ayres offers a wide scope of knowledge and the ability to adjust her approach to the needs of the recipients.
In 2013, while attending a Zoetis workshop, Ayres was introduced to a beekeeper. Intrigued by the hobby she immediately signed up for beekeeping classes. Ten years later, she received her Master’s in Beekeeping from Cornell University, manages 2 apiaries (bee yards) and started a small business, Keys to Bees Inc., a honeybee learning center. The focus of the business is honeybee education and outreach. She teaches: Youth STEM classes, Beekeeping 101, Novice & Advance beekeeping courses and provides research studies for extension services.
Perhaps what she enjoys most is utilizing her background in business & leadership to provide workplace enhancements through the examples of the honeybee collaborative harmony. Thousands of honeybees work together as a social organism clearly communicating needs and making unified adjustments as environmental threats arise. By utilizing the methods of the honeybee, we can improve our own business’s teamwork, communication, and engagement. Ayres developed “Honeybee Concept”, as a program to intergrade these methods of social unity into the business sector. Those organizations that struggle with teamwork, communication, and organization, have found this “Honeybee Concept” to be refreshing and unique; offering solutions in a non-threatening manner which encourages team engagement and success. The Honeybee Concept not only works for troubled organizations but brings successful organizations to the next level.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Matthew C. Edson, DVM, CVPM, MRCVS,was named founding Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University in June of 2021. Founder and owner of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a multi-doctor, multi-location mixed animal practice based in South Jersey, Edson leads a group of veterinary professionals that treat a wide range of species. He has special professional interests in miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery and has lectured nationally on those subjects. He is an advocate for the advancement of affordable, clinically-relevant veterinary education. A native of Eastampton Township, Edson is a former executive board member and the immediate past president of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, a former site visitor for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, former chair of the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues, and former vice chair of the AVMA Practice Advisory Pilot Panel. He also has served as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. Edson earned his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science and biology from Rutgers University and also completed training as a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic through Virtua Health. He is a licensed veterinarian in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has strong interest in veterinary business and practice management is also a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Named a top veterinarian by South Jersey Magazine in 2017, Edson was voted “Best Veterinarian” in Burlington County by Burlington County Times readers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Edson was also named to the 2022 and 2023 NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 list, which ranks the top influencers in health care in New Jersey.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Katie Fish, DVM received her undergraduate degree at the University of Buffalo and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She was a small animal general practitioner for 16 years before transitioning to becoming a full-time mentor for Monroe Veterinary Associates in the Rochester, New York area, which later became a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner. There she was responsible for on-boarding and providing one-on-one medical, surgical and leadership coaching support to new graduates at 18 hospitals. In 2023, Fish became the Director of Mentorship Programs for Thrive, which includes “Meant to Thrive,” a one-year medical mentorship program that meets doctors where they are, offering a unique, individualized approach that positions each veterinarian for success in the profession they love.
Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:
Osteoarthritis (or degenerative joint disease) is the most common cause of chronic (maladaptive) pain in cats but is underrecognized by owners and therefore many cats go untreated. Up to 92% of all cats have radiographic changes (radiographic disease) in the axial and appendicular skeleton and these changes are more common in cats over the age of 10. There is often a mismatch between radiographic changes and clinical findings (painful joints, mobility impairment) but the relationship between radiographic changes and clinical disease increases with age. Screening and assessment tools have been developed and validated for cats and should be used to help diagnose the disease and monitor the response to treatment. Treatment is multimodal and includes drug and non-drug therapies in combination with environmental changes to ensure that stress in the affected cat’s household is addressed. Pain related to osteoarthritis is responsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the feline specific anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, Frunevetmab (Solensia™). Non-drug therapies include Omega-3 fish oil, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Ensuring cats have a safe place to hide, have help with accessing “high” places, and easy-entry litter boxes are important for improving the cat’s quality of life.
Program Agenda:
Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, FRCVS, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, discusses diagnosis and treatment options for osteoarthritis in cats.
Learning Objectives:
* Recognize the changes in behavior that suggest chronic pain in cats
* Know how to screen for cats with OA
* Know which assessment tools can be used to document disability and monitor response to treatment
* Know what treatment options are available for cats with osteoarthritis
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Frank Bozelka,DVM, is a small animal emergency and critical care veterinarian at a busy specialty and referral center in the Chicago-land area. He has been in practice since 2016 and works at a high-volume facility that offers many highly specialized services such as dialysis, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and more. Bozelka has professional interests in both cardiac and orthopedic emergencies as well as educating new grads/interns and has a love/hate relationship with wound repairs.
Bozelka is a social media personality and educator with his biggest fan base being on TikTok, but also has a growing Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube following. In his personal time, Bozelka enjoys spending time with his friends, family, wife, Laura, and cats Toby and Biscotti. He also enjoys playing music, reading, playing videos games, and playing sports. Bozelka is a foodie and could probably be considered a modern-day cookie monster.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), has dedicated his career to reimagining veterinary nursing for 24 years. He is currently the chief veterinary nursing officer for Veterinary Emergency Group, and the Program Director for the RECOVER Initiative.
Over the years, Yagi has received many accolades, including the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by NAVTA and the AVECCTN Specialty Technician of the Year award. Yagi co-edited the Veterinary Technician and Nurse’s Daily Reference Guide for Canine and Feline, and the Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking, and publishes articles and presents internationally on topics in ECC, transfusion medicine, and the veterinary nursing profession.
Yagi passionately works to bring further recognition of the vital role of the veterinary nurses and technicians through work with industry leading organizations. He is also an advocate for the Open Hospital Concept, encouraging veterinary practices to invite the pet owners to “the back” as a part of the team.
Yagi invites everyone to ask “Why?” to understand the “What” and “How” of our field, and to continually pursue new limits as veterinary professionals and individuals.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Michael Petty, DVM, is a 1980 graduate of the veterinary school at Michigan State University. As the owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan; he has devoted his professional life to the care and well-being of animals, especially in the area of pain management.
Petty is the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management .A frequent speaker and consultant; he has published articles in veterinary journals and serves in an advisory capacity to several pharmaceutical companies on topics of pain management. He was also an ELITE speaker for Pfizer Animal Health during the life of that program. He has been the Investigator/Veterinarian in over 12 FDA pilot and pivotal studies for pain management products. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on pain management topics.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader.
He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15 year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners.
He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, among other things, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences.
He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who recently graduated from veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en
Céline Leheurteux has been a veterinarian in small animal practice in Canada since 1999. Putting beloved pets in plastic bags after euthanasia was causing her stress and inner turmoil. She created EUTHABAG to help families and veterinary teams feel better around euthanasia. Having suffered from a lack of education around end-of-life, she is also dedicated in training veterinary practices this delicate topic. She has been speaking in Europe and North America conference to help veterinary teams feel better around end-of-life.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today: dvm360.com/vetheroes
For most her entire veterinary career, Jessica Molina has not only been a veterinary professional but a military spouse navigating her career through naval relocation, which offered her the opportunity to work in several practices around the country. Like many managers, she's held just about every position in a clinic along the way. She is a Georgia native and a University of Missouri graduate, where her degree was specifically focused in the areas of Business, Education, and Human Development. In 2008, while working in Virginia Beach, she first entered management. A few years later, she moved to Whidbey Island, WA, where she shifted into remote veterinary recruiting and management consulting while serving in an HR role for a manufacturing, distribution, and retail company. In 2016, she earned certification through HRCI as a Professional in Human Resources. That same year, she landed a full-time veterinary management position with a multi-doctor Fear Free companion and exotic clinic on the island. Another military move in 2018 landed her in the Pensacola area and a new adventure as Hospital Administrator for a large multi-doctor mixed animal practice just over the state line in Alabama. This same year, she earned her CVPM and was also certified as a Compassion Fatigue Professional. A year later, she was named Practice Manager of the Year by DVM360 and the VHMA! Since then, she pushed herself a bit further, digging into her passion for innovation and leadership, obtaining several other certifications which include Human-Animal Bond, Fear Free Elite, and Neurocolor Trainer Certification! Over the last few years, she has expanded into multi-site clinic Operations in the Northeast. Molina has been a member of the VHMA since 2016 and a board member for since 2022. She currently resides outside of Jacksonville since her husband’s Naval retirement in 2021.
Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today: dvm360.com/vetheroes
Nominate your veterinary hero today.
Fueled by her passion for making a positive impact in pets’ lives, Dr. Whitney Miller (she/her/hers) serves as Petco’s Chief Veterinarian. In that role, she is the lead veterinary subject matter expert advising Petco as a health & wellness company and overseeing the company’s standards of excellence in animal care and welfare; provides strategic direction and medical management for Petco’s growth in veterinary services; and provides cross-functional support across the company to marketing, communications, legal, merchandising, pet services and more. Dr. Miller leads the Petco medical team, which supports over 200 full-service hospitals and mobile vaccination clinics operating in over 1,000 Petco Pet Care Centers nationwide. In addition, Dr. Miller is a member of the Petco Pet Wellness Council (PPWC), an independent coalition of leading experts in veterinary science and animal care that serve as an external source of unbiased advice and counsel to Petco on a range of topics across the pet care industry. The PPWC also guides the development and aggregation of credible pet care science to educate professionals and all who care about pets.
Over the course of her veterinary career, Dr. Miller has spent time in emergency and general companion animal veterinary practice, worked in pharmacovigilance reporting for Zoetis and spent time in federal government relations for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), advocating on animal welfare issues. Dr. Miller received her DVM and MBA degrees from Colorado State University and has been board certified in preventive medicine since 2018. Dr. Miller continues to practice companion animal medicine every chance she gets.
Nominate your veterinary hero here.
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in companion animal practice before transitioning into academia to advocate for companion animal primary care. She debuted as an Instructor of the Community Practice Service at Cornell University. She then transitioned into several roles as founding faculty – most notably developing the communication and clinical skills curricula at Midwestern University and Kansas State University respectively. In February 2020, Dr. Englar reprised her role of founding faculty when she joined the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently serves as a dual appointment Associate Professor of Practice and the Executive Director of Clinical and Professional Skills. Dr. Englar is passionate about advancing education for generalists by thinking outside of the box to develop course materials for the hands-on learner. She is a prolific textbook writer. When Dr. Englar is not teaching or advancing companion animal primary care, she trains in the art of ballroom dancing and competes nationally with her instructor, Lowell Fox.
Ron Nelson serves as Executive Vice President of Covetrus Care Plans, a leading wellness plan and program management solution at the forefront of the veterinary industry, driving compliance, pet owner loyalty and practice revenue. With a career spanning over 10 years in the veterinary industry, Nelson brings a wealth of experience focused on wellness plan technology and program implementation. His responsibilities have ranged from brand and business strategy, sales and marketing, technology feature and capability development, as well as strategic partnerships and customer support. Under Nelson’s guidance, Covetrus Care Plans provides comprehensive solutions for independent practices while delivering enterprise-level functionality answering the specific needs of multi-location partners.
Nelson Has more than 30 years’ experience in business and brand strategy, creative development, marketing planning, and business operations. He has a BA in Advertising from California State University, Fullerton.
Dr. Jason Balara is the CEO and Co-founder of Lark Capital Group, and host of the Know Your Why Podcast. Jason is a veterinary surgeon with extensive experience and training in his field. He additionally has many years of experience in real estate investing on the residential side with single family fix and flips and small multifamily rentals.
As a real estate syndicator and fund manager, Jason is focused on Class B and C multifamily and small businesses, in order to achieve excellent returns for his investors. Lark Capital Group is also raising awareness surrounding the disproportionately suicide rates within the veterinary community. The Lark Veterinary Impact Fund has been created specifically with that in mind. The goal is to create financial wellness amongst veterinarians, promote awareness of the challenges facing the veterinary profession, and have a positive impact through a partnership with Not One More Vet.
Michael Natale has been involved in Veterinary Medicine for over 10 years. After graduating from Barry Tech, Michael Natale attended SUNY Delhi and obtained his AAS in Veterinary Science Technology. After completion, he continued his education and obtained his BS in Science, Technology, and Sociology with a double minor in Business Management and Economics. His experience in Veterinary Medicine ranges from Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, and Business Leadership. Michael Natale also holds certifications in BLS/ALS CPR, Laser Therapy, and NYS Certified Teacher. He currently is the Veterinary Medicine teacher at Barry Tech, practices as a per diem LVT and is a Hiring Manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. In his free time, you'll find Mike Natale out surfing, skiing, biking, at CrossFit, or hanging with friends and family.
Best known as the “Queen of Scripts,” Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, has taught communication and client service skills for more than two decades. As founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches practical skills through online courses, onsite consulting, and conferences. Wendy was a partner in a specialty and emergency practice for 5 years. She's authored 6 books and a column for Veterinary Practice News magazine for 10 years. Wendy is a certified veterinary journalist and RACE CE provider. Visit YouTube.com/csvets and Csvets.com for more.
Shadi J. Ireifej DVM DACVS graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (2001, Magna cum laude). He then attended Cornell University where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2006, DVM).
After completing his studies at Cornell, Ireifej participated in an intense one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angel Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts (2007), followed by two rigorous one-year small animal surgical internships at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, New York (2009).
Ireifej achieved his board certification in small animal surgery by completing a three-year small animal surgery residency at LIVS (2012), and subsequently became a Diplomat for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS). After operating for almost 10 years at LIVS, Ireifej elected for warmer weather, and transplanted to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016.
In Las Vegas, Ireifej became a staff surgeon at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC). In 2017, he began flying across the United States, performing surgeries at a number of emergency and specialty hospitals in need of surgical assistance. This was followed by a Chief of Surgery position at United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in Silicon Valley, California. Managing their three locations, Ireifej and his team successfully cared for dogs and cats in the Campbell, Mountain View, and San Jose areas.
In 2018, Ireifej joined TrueCare for Pets in the Los Angeles, California area as Chief of Specialty, where he was instrumental in morphing the after-hours and weekend emergency hospital to a successful 24-7 emergency and multi-specialty veterinary hospital. While the size of the hospital tripled, Ireifej instituted hospital-wide protocols, managed the surgery, internal medicine, and oncology departments, and became a leading force on social media platforms.
In 2020, Ireifej changed gears in his already illustrious career, finding a novel and state-of-the-art means of reaching concerned pet owners and their ill pets worldwide, VetTriage. Ireifej currently serves as their Chief Medical Officer.
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Manager, Veterinary Medicine and Professional Services, Pet Poison Helpline and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline /SafetyCall International. She has been with the organization since 2013 during which time she has had the opportunity to lead the team of veterinarians that span across the country and contribute to the management of the daily operations of Pet Poison Helpline. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture/Animal Science as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. While at Pet Poison Helpline, Schmid has managed over 20,000 cases involving animal poisoning and has presented on leadership and various toxins at both regional and national conferences.
Schmid has published scientific book chapters on the topics of thyroid supplements, diuretic drug intoxication, xylitol intoxication, general poisoning therapy, strychnine toxicosis, Compound 1080 toxicosis, anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning, toxicities from human drugs – cardiovascular and poisonous plants: house plants and ornamentals. Schmid has also published peer-reviewed scientific articles on xylitol and mirabegron poisoning in dogs, as well as anesthesia induction in cats (Schmid et al. Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion and Schmid et al. Mirabegron Toxicosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study, both in Journal of Medical Toxicology. Schmid et al. Comparison of anesthetic induction in cats by use of isoflurane in an anesthetic chamber with a conventional vapor or liquid injection technique, JAVMA).
Jessie Brown, LVT, serves as the Blood Bank Director at Veterinary Emergency Group. She has over 19 years in specialty and emergency medicine, experience in management and operational roles, and developed and ran a regional veterinary blood bank. In her previous position at BodeVet, Brown established a comprehensive donor colony, performed FDA level advanced transfusion medicine including but not limited to apheresis procedures and held training boot camps to teach other veterinary professionals about establishing and maintaining their own in-house blood banks. Brown’s experience in the profession, her deep understanding of the critical need for blood and blood products in veterinary practice, commitment to excellence, and passion for advancing the veterinary profession makes her an asset to VEG, veterinary blood banking and the profession as a whole. Her goal is to remove supply driven transfusion decisions for our patients and allow veterinary professionals the opportunity to treat based off of what is best for their patients.
During her downtime, she finds joy in hiking with her husband and dogs - bonus points if it is in the Pacific Northwest, and playing with her two cats. Brown’s motto is: Blood is life so pass it on!
Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM) has dedicated his career to reimagining veterinary nursing for 24 years. He is currently the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer for Veterinary Emergency Group, and the Program Director for the RECOVER Initiative.
Over the years, Yagi has received many accolades, including the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by NAVTA and the AVECCTN Specialty Technician of the Year award. Ken co-edited the Veterinary Technician and Nurse’s Daily Reference Guide for Canine and Feline, and the Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking, and publishes articles and presents internationally on topics in ECC, transfusion medicine, and the veterinary nursing profession.
Yagi passionately works to bring further recognition of the vital role of the veterinary nurses and technicians through work with industry leading organizations. He is also an advocate for the Open Hospital Concept, encouraging veterinary practices to invite the pet owners to “the back” as a part of the team.
Rand Wachsstock, DVM, has always believed in the power of compassion. The compassion he has for animals is what led him to veterinary medicine and to begin practicing emergency medicine in 1984. Wachsstock has helped countless animals over the years, working hard to help make comprehensive state-of-the-art medical care readily available to all pets.
That compassion has remained his driving force throughout his career as a highly respected veterinarian, as an instructor at Yale University and at his alma mater, the University of Illinois, and perhaps most significantly, now as the Founder of Compassion Animal Project.
In many ways, Compassion Animal Project represents Wachsstock’s life work: helping as many pets as possible. He likes to say that compassion is the perfect combination of empathy and action. Compassion Animal Project will allow him, his team, and all the donors to put their empathy into action by helping keep families together.
Ricky Walther, DVM, serves as Chief Medical Officer at Pawlicy Advisor the leading pet insurance marketplace & comparison tool recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Realizing the positive impact that pet insurance can provide for pet parents and the profession, he helps ensure that Pawlicy Advisor is aligned with the veterinary community.
Dr. Leslie Bauer is the Medical Director at Emergency Pet Clinic in San Antonio, Texas, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner. She is also Thrive’s Director of House Officer Training Programs and ER Academy National Director. Dr. Bauer earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia. She completed a small animal internship at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School prior to joining the Emergency Pet Clinic. She is certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in Canine and Feline Medicine and is also a certified veterinary acupuncturist from the Chi Institute in Florida.
Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:
A urinalysis is an essential component of the minimum database, but it is often not performed for numerous reasons. It is important to understand the barriers to urinalyses being performed in order to propose productive solutions that will ensure best medicine for our patients. In addition, there may be a lack of standardization within urine sediment examinations leading to variability in results. This podcast will highlight current concerns around urine sediment analysis and discuss upcoming solutions to workflow efficiency and result consistency.
Program Agenda:
- Review the justification for a urinalysis being an essential component of a minimum database along with the current recommendations for performing a urinalysis as part of diagnostic health screenings.
- Present current compliance towards performing a urinalysis within veterinary practice and what factors lead to its exclusion from a minimum database.
- Discuss the segments of the urinalysis workflow that introduce potential error or imprecisions.
- Introduce Artificial Intelligence and Differentiate Superficial vs Deep Learning AI.
- Introduce potential solutions to overcome workflow and standardization concerns.
Learning Objectives: * List clinical instances in which a urinalysis would be performed. * Understand current barriers to more frequent use of the urinalysis in veterinary hospitals. * Evaluate potential sources of error or lack of standardization in urinalysis workflow and results within the veterinary hospital. * Recognize the differences between various types of artificial intelligence and understand how deep learning artificial intelligence can advance the accuracy of urine sediment evaluation.
Sponsored by Ceva. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:During this podcast, we will discuss the innovative new science behind the Douxo® S3 line by Ceva specifically focused the new to veterinary medicine active ingredient, Ophytrium®. We will discuss the basics of cutaneous structure aka the epidermal barrier function as well as the cutaneous immune system and response and finally the cutaneous microbiome. These 3 different systems all play a role in many different dermatologic diseases which plague our veterinary patients.
Learning Objectives:* Better understanding of the 3 skin barriers: epidermal barrier, immunological barrier, and microbiological barrier * Understand how all three of these barriers are disrupted in allergic disease leading to itching * Know how Ophytrium® works to repair these barriers
Program Agenda:* Introduction of Ophytrium® – how and why it was chosen as the active ingredient in the innovative S3 skin care line. * Review of cutaneous structure and the epidermal barrier with focus on how this structure is involved in the development and progression of allergic skin disease * Review cutaneous immune system and response with focus on the atypical immune system response which occurs in allergic skin disease * Discuss the current understanding of the cutaneous microbiome and how/why dysbiosis occurs * Review how topical Ophytrium® interacts with each of these 3 different aspects of the skin
Lisa Lippman, DVM, is one of the most followed and socially influential veterinarians in the United States. She is nationally respected by media outlets such as Dr Oz, Inside Edition, and People magazine as a go-to source for expertise in pet health and safety. When not making house calls to treat some of the most influential pets in the world, she sits on the board of Animal Lighthouse Rescue, whose mission is to help the homeless dogs of Puerto Rico. She is the co-host of the popular podcast Pets and Punchlines with her partner, comedian Richie Redding, and still finds time to devote to her own dog, the incomparable Rhodesian Ridgeback, Chloe. The only thing larger than her big brown eyes is the size of her heart, which is why she tirelessly advocates for animals and the humans who love them.
Sponsored by Embark. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program Description:
This podcast will cover general information regarding the use of canine genetic health screening and the implementation of genetic test results in clinical veterinary practice. We will discuss the increasing popularity of canine genetic health screening and how veterinarians can use this technology to aid in improving clinical outcomes. We will also discuss the strengths and limitations of genetic screening and its future potential uses.
Program Agenda: * Rising popularity of canine genetic health screening * Clinical use of canine genetic health screening * Discussion of canine diseases for which genetic testing is particularly impactful * Number of canine genetic health tests available * Strengths and limitations of genetic health screening * Potential future applications of genetic testing in veterinary medicine
Learning Objectives:1. Improved understanding of the canine genetic testing landscape 2. Implementation of canine genetic screening in clinical veterinary practice 3. Specific examples of diseases for which genetic testing is particularly impactful 4. Strengths and limitations of canine genetic health screening 5. Potential future applications of genetic testing in veterinary medicine
Sponsored by Antech. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:As we know in veterinary medicine, the owner-provided history and even the physical exam findings frequently do not provide us with the details needed to understand our patients’ underlying medical issues. In this podcast, we will discuss the importance of obtaining objective lab data from our patients to make accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans, using a case example of a dog with an unusual presentation and some unexpected twists in her diagnostic work up. Key pointers will be shared about urinalysis and hematology to raise awareness and confidence around proper interpretation of important pathologic findings. As well, the case discussion will highlight the teamwork of the technician and veterinarian that is essential in maximizing laboratory diagnostics.
Learning Objectives:
* Justify the need for objective lab data to understand our patients’ underlying pathologic conditions
* Understand the importance of performing a complete minimum database for proper interpretation of reported abnormalities
* Investigate abnormalities that can result in pigmenturia
* Work through an algorithm for interpretation of anemia
* Appreciate the essential role veterinary technicians play in our diagnostic teams
Dr. Emily M. Tincher, DVM,Senior Director of Veterinary Relations at Nationwide, is a second-generation veterinarian focused on providing more care for more pets by combining evidence-based medicine and pet family-centered communication to practice across a spectrum of care. She is a member of the AVMA Early Career Development Committee, the President of the Veterinary Leadership Institute Board, and has experience in education, partnerships, and emergency medicine.
Sponsored by Ceva. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:This podcast will discuss the benefits and advantages of topical therapy when treating animals with allergies. The discussion will include important ingredients, different forms of topicals, and how to use for best results.
Learning Objectives:* Understand the different forms of topical therapy to use in patients * Know which diseases to use topical therapy for patients * Learn about using topical therapy as maintenance and prevention long-term
Program Agenda:* Topical therapy, what is it? How do we use it? * Options of different forms of topicals (shampoo vs mousse vs spray vs wipes, etc.) * Important ingredients and concentrations * Different types of diseases to use topicals for * Using topicals to treat, but also as maintenance to prevent
Dr Silene St. Bernard is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (DACVPM), which focuses on zoonotic and infectious disease, epidemiology, safety and public health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University and also spent two years studying Biomedical Engineering and Business at the Master’s level at Case Western Reserve University.
She has over 25 years of experience in companion animal veterinary medicine and has practiced in OH, WA, MO and CA. St. Bernard designed, operated and sold a companion animal veterinary practice and during her career practiced both emergency/critical care and general medicine.
St. Bernard is currently a Regional Medical Director for VCA Animal Hospitals in Southern California. Prior to her role at VCA, she worked as a Regional Consulting Veterinarian for Novartis Animal Health and then Elanco Animal Health helping to educate both internal and external clients on variety of disease states and products. St. Bernard spent two years as the Director of Veterinary Marketing for Veterinary Pet Insurance (now Nationwide) and spent 6 years with Bayer Animal Health in roles ranging from Field Veterinarian to Product Manager and Regulatory review.
St. Bernard has a passion for service and is a member and former chair of the Board of Health and Human Services for the City of Long Beach CA and is a Past President of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV).
Dr Debbie Torraca has been involved in the field of canine physical rehabilitation and conditioning for over twenty five years. She began her career in human sports medicine and quickly made the transformation over to canine physical rehabilitation and sports medicine. She began with a BS at Boston University, an advanced MS from Quinnipiac College, and a doctorate at the University of Tennessee. She teaches all over the country and is one of the founding members at the North Carolina State University of the Certified Companion Animal Therapy program and the Certified Canine Manual Therapy program. She is internationally recognized in the field of canine physical rehabilitation.
She has been very involved with professional research in the area of canine performance and treatment of canine performance issues and the use of photobiomodulation in the treatment of canine sports performance and degenerative myelopathy. She absolutely loves spending time in her clinics, Wizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, LLC. Her love of animals and rehabilitation is demonstrated through her practice and her teaching – she loves what she does and it is obvious. She is often sought out for her advice throughout the world and is thrilled to be able to offer her advice to others to help animals. But her true love is treating the beloved clients in her clinic, especially the current and retired canine and military teams.
Mita Malhotra is the President of Chewy’s dedicated healthcare vertical, Chewy Health. Chewy Health is committed to improving the lives of pets and the people who work tirelessly to care for them. The brand is proactively responding to challenges facing the veterinary industry by bringing technology solutions forward that modernize the continuum of care and collectively empower pet parents and veterinary partners to better care of pets. Mita joined Chewy in 2018 to build Chewy Pharmacy, which is now America’s #1 pet pharmacy. The brand has since experienced transformative growth with strategic launches that include: Practice Hub, a B2B platform where veterinarians can prescribe and fulfill medications directly on Chewy.com and earn revenue throughout the process; Chewy’s in-house compounding pharmacy; Connect with a Vet, an industry-leading tele-triage service where pet parents can connect with licensed veterinary professionals on demand; and CarePlus, an exclusive suite of pet insurance and wellness plans.
Mita is a seasoned leader who brings more than 15 years of retail and e-commerce experience to Chewy. She has a proven track record of leading teams to success and growth. Prior to Chewy, Mita was a Category Leader at Amazon for its owned devices and accessories business. Prior to that, she spent eight years at Dell where she oversaw the company's Consumer PC division.
Mita holds a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Engineering and a B.E. from Punjab Engineering College. Outside of the office, Mita enjoys spending time with her family including her beloved Shih Tzu.
Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:
This session will summarize the diagnostic power of a Comprehensive Complete Blood Count and how to use new technology tools for efficient results and interpretation support from board-certified specialists. In day-to-day practice, it is easy to overlook hematology basics, particularly the role of a blood smear evaluation. This podcast will review when and why a blood film review should be done, namely to verify your automated CBC results and to assess cell morphology changes. Listeners will learn how easy it is to obtain CBC analysis and a blood smear assessment in minutes by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Zoetis! Learn how to gain the most information from your hematology samples and rely on a network of specialists for interpretation and case guidance from Virtual Laboratory by Zoetis.
Program Agenda: * The importance of hematology in everyday practice * A closer look at a Comprehensive Complete Blood Count * How an AI application makes blood smears simple at the point of care * Managing complicated cases using Virtual Laboratory by Zoetis
Learning Objectives: * Define a comprehensive CBC and why it should be part of every patient’s minimum database * Understand the benefits and challenges of performing and reviewing a blood smear * Learn how to use the Vetscan Imagyst AI Blood Smear application and virtual laboratory technology to practice the highest quality medicine with ease in your practice
Dr. Radosta graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, she worked as a primary care veterinarian for 2 1/2 years. She completed a 3-year residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and passed the board examination later that year. During her residency, she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row. In 2005, she went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to volunteer in the efforts to help animals stranded by Hurricane Katrina. She has owned Florida Veterinary Behavior Service since 2007. Dr. Radosta is a sought-after national and international speaker. She has written chapters for textbooks including Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat; Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline and Small Animal Pediatrics.
She has published scientific research articles in Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science, The Veterinary Journal, and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior and written review articles for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Compendium, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, and AAHA Newstat. She is the section editor for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. She served on the Fear Free Advisory Board and the AAHA Behavior Management Task Force. Interviews with Dr. Radosta have been published in: Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Palm Beach Post, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, O Magazine, Catster, Good Housekeeping, Sun Sentinel, Washington Post, Real Simple, WebMD, and AAHA News Stat. She has appeared on Lifetime television, Laurie Live, News Channel 25 (West Palm Beach, WPBF), Mitch Wilder’s Amazing Pet Discoveries, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, News Channel 10 (Miami, ABC), and Steve Dale’s Pet Talk.
Dr. Radosta has participated in tracking, obedience, herding, and therapy dog work with personal dogs–always Rottweilers. Currently, she shares her life with a wonderful husband, Scott, and her daughter, Isabella as well as Maverick, her Labrador Retriever, and Chewie her cantankerous black cat. Dr. Lisa Radosta is one of only 90 veterinary behaviorists in the world. She is also a world-class lecturer, author, and teacher who has helped hundreds of pets with emotional and behavioral issues.
Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program DescriptionThis podcast will cover the primary treatment recommendations for canine parvoviral enteritis, including fluids, anti-nausea medications, nutrition, and the recently approved canine parvoviral monoclonal antibody treatment.
Program AgendaTreatment recommendations for canine parvoviral enteritits:* IV fluids for resuscitation
* Use of a multimodal approach to anti-nausea medications
* Importance of nutrition
* Canine parvoviral monoclonal antibody treatment
Learning Objectives1. Compare different fluids available for resuscitation of dogs with parvoviral enteritis. 2. Develop a multimodal plan for the treatment of nausea in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. 3. Describe the importance of nutrition in the treatment of dogs with parvoviral enteritis. 4. Define how to use the canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody treatment.
Marcy A. Bliss is the CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy, the leading compounding pharmacy for animals in the US. She is responsible for all aspects of the pharmacy operation and for leading the delivery of extraordinary business results. In 2018, Wedgewood Pharmacy acquired Diamondback Drugs, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Formerly the executive vice president of Business Operations and Marketing, Bliss began her career with Wedgewood Pharmacy in early 1999. Over the years, she assumed positions of increasing responsibility, many with a significant emphasis on pharmacy growth, the building of infrastructure, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and regulatory compliance. She leads the company's public affairs and issues-management programs, and is frequently seen on Capitol Hill, protecting patient and prescriber access to compounded medication.
In addition to her role on the Board of Wedgewood Pharmacy, Marcy is a volunteer Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, and board member of many organizations including the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA), IndeVets, and Together Women’s Health. Previously, Marcy served on the board of directors of the Tobin Foundation for the Visually Impaired (Wilmington, DE).
Bliss holds a B.S. degree in Business/Marketing and Management Studies from the University of Maryland. A life-long learner, she has continued her education at the Wharton School for Executive Education (University of Pennsylvania), the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (California), as well as extensive leadership training from Gap International.
Wedgewood Pharmacy has won two awards from the NJBIA for Business Success (growth) and Employee Satisfaction. Bliss has been recognized by Marcom as the 2017 Healthcare Innovator of the Year, by NJBIA in 2018 as one of NJ’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, and by the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce in 2019 as Businessperson of the Year.
Anthony Grzib, R.Ph., Vice President, Quality, State-Regulated Pharmacies for Wedgewood Pharmacy, leads the quality control and quality assurance functions for the company's state-regulated pharmacies, working closely with the executive leadership team to develop and execute the corporate strategy, goals, and objectives. He oversees quality systems and ensures overall compliance with current applicable quality standards, as well as leads development of a quality culture that supports the company’s values of customer focus, integrity, collaboration, and innovation while meeting the needs of the company’s stakeholders and customers.
Prior to joining Wedgewood in 2000, he was pharmacist-in-charge and Team Leader for CVS Pharmacy and for Eckerd Drugs. He began his career as a pharmacy technician at Eckerd Drugs.
Anthony is a member of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, currently serving on APC’s board of directors. He holds a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from the Rutgers University College of Pharmacy and has been in the pharmacy profession since 1990.
Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Program DescriptionThe program will cover nutritional management of chronic kidney disease, which will include how chronic kidney disease develops and consequences of kidney disease on the body, clinical symptoms associated with chronickidney disease, the components of a therapeutic renal food, the benefits of a renal food for pets with chronic kidney disease and updates to current kidney disease management recommendations.
Program Agenda1. Effects of chronic kidney disease on the body
2. Renal disease management
3. Updates to current management recommendations
4. Components of therapeutic renal food
5. Benefits of nutritional management.
Learning Objectives1. Learners will understand that nutritional management is the standard of care for pets with chronic kidney disease. 2. Learners will be able to describe the important components of a therapeutic renal food. 3. Learners will comprehend how a specifically formulated renal food can improve the quality and length of life for a pet with chronic renal disease.
Matt McGlasson, DVM, CVPM, is a passionate, customer-focused leader in the Animal Health industry with over 17 years of experience in leading multiple hospitals through creative clinic management, professional development, and quality improvement. He has a successful track record of establishing innovative care systems, mentoring programs, and social media marketing initiatives to boost brand awareness and humanize Veterinary Medicine. Within his current role as chief medical officer, he built and rolled out a mentoring program to help the transition for first-year doctors, including effective goal-setting, communication skills, financial advising from a CFP, doctor best practices, and other personal and professional development topics. McGlasson is a Certified Fear Free Practitioner, Certified “Cat Friendly Veterinarian” by AAFP, and a member of the AVMA, VHMA, and AAFP. He currently serves as the Northern Kentucky Representative on the Executive Board of the KVMA and serves on the Veterinary Advisory Board for BasePaws, and the Editorial Advisory Board of dvm360 magazine.
As a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, he represents a group of fewer than 40 DVMs in the United States with the CVPM certification. His articles have been featured in dvm360 magazine and he has spoken at national veterinary conferences on the topics of practice management, practice culture, and finding joy in veterinary medicine. In 2022, he was awarded the Veterinary Hero Award in the category of Practice Management from dvm360. Throughout McGlasson's career, he also seeks to bring personality and fun to the animal health industry. He has redefined methods for content development and education within the industry by operating engaging veterinary-themed social media accounts and amassing over 1.2 million followers with well over 150 million video views. McGlasson is passionate about growing and supporting the future leaders of our profession. He believes that veterinary professionals will thrive if given the opportunity to be a part of a healthy culture and have continuous support.
Dr Kelly Cairns is the Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education for Thrive Pet Healthcare. She earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University and went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at Cornell University and a small animal internal medicine residency at the Ohio State University where she also obtained Diplomate status. Cairns is also an adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, a Chicago Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors member and a dvm360 editorial board member. She lectures internationally on profession-related wellness and leadership coaching topics, veterinary education models and internal medicine. She is passionate about supporting the growth, success, and happiness of the superheroes in the veterinary profession.
Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description
Canine parvovirus remains a constant and frustrating disease for many veterinary practitioners, particularly those working in or with animal shelters and other facilities housing many vulnerable animals with frequent turnover. In such facilities the threat of a single case of parvovirus turning into an outbreak is real and the consequences can be grave both in terms of animal morbidity and mortality as well as the impact on personnel and the community. As sheltering organizations seek to expand their ability to care for pets infected with canine parvovirus and maximize opportunities for positive outcomes, critical analysis of the available organizational resources, preventive care protocols, and spectrum of treatment options employed can assist in life-saving efforts.
Program Agenda* Why is canine parvovirus a continuing threat to canine health and welfare? * What resources help define an organizations ability to manage canine parvovirus cases? * What is “isolation,” which cases should be “isolated,” and how/where can patients be isolated effectively in a variety of facilities? * What are the most common mistakes animal care facilities make that may contribute to outbreaks of canine parvovirus? * How effective are low-cost and outpatient treatment protocols for canine parvovirus? * What are some novel, effective, and cost-effective treatment options for canine parvovirus? * Canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody * Oral recuperation fluids * Fecal transplantation
Learning Objectives
1. List the resources required to successfully manage canine parvovirus cases in shelter environments
-
Evaluate preventive care and biosecurity practices and identify gaps that increase the risk of disease transmission in the shelter
-
Compare the benefits of different treatment options and their impact on the course of disease and shelter animal flow
Dr. Tia Gregorio is a tenured Certified Veterinary Technician with history in emergency medicine, general practice, and specialty services. She received her Bachelors of science in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accreddited school before completing an MBA early on in her career. Her nontraditional route to pursue a doctorate in business has allowed her to grow her management skills while continuing to develop a robust understanding of today's veterinary practice. She is the current practice manager of two Urgent Care facilities and has spent her last 3 years in multi-unit management. Joining medicine with strategy has helped drive her passion to grow successful and empowered veterinary teams. Her goal is to continue developing veterinary teams to function at the top of their abilities.
A native of Brasília, Brazil, Proença is the founder and CEO of VETAHEAD! Proença has always been passionate about veterinary medicine. She is the first South American to become a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine (DACZM), with an emphasis on zoological companion animals (a.k.a. exotics). In Brazil, she owned her own private practice exclusive to zoological companion animals. Proença did her Zoological Medicine residency at the University of Georgia, where she developed a special interest for ZooMed endoscopy and minimally invasive techniques, collaborating to produce several publications including novel techniques in endosurgery. She is the co-editor of the 2015 Exotic Endoscopy issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America. Proença has been actively participating in the zoological medicine community, teaching many national and international lectures, courses, masterclasses and wet labs, including endoscopy courses. She graduated in 2004 from The College of Veterinary Medicine (UPIS/FAVET) in Brasília, Brazil and obtained her American Veterinary Diploma (DVM) in 2012.
Proença completed a Masters degree in Biological science (UnB, 2007), where she worked with free-ranging maned wolves and crab-eating foxes. Her PhD was in Veterinary sciences where she worked with psittacine birds (Unesp, 2010). Proença loves to read, to watch TV shows, and going to the movie theater. Those are especially better with coffee or wine. She is not very passionate about exercise or hiking, but she will do it because, well, because she has to. In her free time, Proença devotes her attention to her two kids, Bou and Chloe, their three furry dog babies, Pepper, Ginger, and Hazel, their two slimy cutie frogs Mint and Basil, and their talkative feathery African grey parrot Coco. She is passionate about human equality, especially gender and race, and that is evident in all aspects of her life, including her profession. She also works hard for all zoological companion animals to be equally respected and served as their counterparts, the dogs and cats. No species left behind!
Sponsored by Antech. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:
In this case-based session, we will discuss the hematologic analysis of Mac, a critically ill Greyhound mix, as we dissect the details of his CBC and blood film review that decode an interesting twist to a cool case with a suspenseful ending.
Program Agenda:
o Introduce Mac’s case
o Signalment
o History
o Presenting complaints
o PE findings
o Discuss hematology basics
o Sample quality
o Sample collection tips
o Proper sampling handling
o In-depth review of Mac’s CBC results
o Anemia of inflammatory disease
o Inflammatory leukogram
o Bands as the hallmark of inflammation
o Glucocorticoid/stress leukogram
o Contrast with epinephrine leukogram pattern
o Discuss blood film basics
o Importance of fresh blood film
o Technical tips
o Basics of blood film review
o Discuss findings from Mac’s blood film review
o Toxic change in neutrophils to signify systemic inflammatory process
o Mastocythemia
o Review ACVIM retrospective study on mastocythemia in dogs and cats
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand importance of sample quality and handling to accurate hematology results
2. Analyze each individual component of the CBC
3. Review leukogram patterns
4. Correlate CBC data with key microscopic findings from the blood film review
5. Evaluate morphologic changes of neutrophils consistent with toxicity
6. Learn clinical significance of mastocythemia
7. Discuss ancillary diagnostics performed in response to key CBC changes
D’Andrea completed her Bachelor of Science at The University of Michigan in 2005 and gravitated toward her passion of practicing veterinary medicine after working with a cancer research team at MIT. She graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and spent six years in general practice and emergency medicine. In 2017, D’Andrea opened the first Veterinary Urgent Care Center in Quincy, Mass., to create a place where owners could gain critical access to high-quality care and where women and men in the veterinary field could have a positive work-environment, bringing balance back to their busy lives. In 5 short years, D’Andrea has helped grow VUCC into 3 stand-alone urgent care hospitals with 3 more expected to open in 2023.
In this podcast Dr. Harry Cridge, an ACVIM and ECVIM board-certified specialist in small animal internal medicine, will discuss his approach to the management of pancreatitis in dogs. This podcast will include discussion of Panoquell®-CA1, a novel and innovative solution for neutrophilic inflammation in acute pancreatitis.
Dr. Cridge is an ACVIM and ECVIM board-certified internal medicine specialist with clinical and research interests in disorders of the exocrine pancreas. He is 1 of 3 RCVS recognized specialist in Small Animal Medicine (Gastroenterology) worldwide. Dr. Cridge obtained his veterinary medical degree from University College Dublin, before moving to the United States to pursue an internship and small animal internal medicine residency at Mississippi State University. Following residency, he joined the faculty at Michigan State University where he is an Associate Professor. He has published in multiple prestigious journals and textbooks.
PANOQUELL®-CA1 (fuzapladib sodium for injection)
PANOQUELL® is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.
© 2023 Ceva Animal Health, LLC
PANOQUELL®-CA1 is conditionally approved by FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under application number 141 to 567. It is a violation of federal law to use this product other than as directed in the labeling. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
*IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: The safe use of PANOQUELL®-CA1 has not been evaluated in dogs with cardiac disease, hepatic failure, or renal impairment; dogs that are pregnant, lactating, or intended for breeding; or puppies under 6 months of age. PANOQUELL®-CA1 should not be used in dogs with a known hypersensitivity to fuzapladib sodium. PANOQUELL®-CA1 is a highly protein-bound drug and its use with other highly protein-bound medications has not been studied. The most common adverse effects in the pilot field study were anorexia, digestive tract disorders, respiratory tract disorders, and jaundice. PANOQUELL®-CA1 is not for use in humans. Limited data is available on the potential teratogenic effects of fuzapladib sodium. Therefore, anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant should avoid direct contact with PANOQUELL®-CA1. For additional information on the use of PANOQUELL®-CA1, please refer to the package insert.
See prescribing and product information: https://www.panoquell.com/
Dr Stephen Birchard attended veterinary school at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine (Class of 1976). He then was an associate veterinarian in a small animal practice in New Jersey for two years. Birchard completed a small animal surgical residency program and Masters Degree at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1981 and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1984. After two years as an Associate Staff Surgeon at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, he joined The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine faculty in 1983. Birchard was Head of Small Animal Surgery at Ohio State from 1988 to 1994. While at Ohio State, he received the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award (1985), the Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity National Gamma Award for distinguished service to the veterinary profession (1994), the John Lyman Jr. Award for Clinical Teaching Excellence (2006), and the Excellence in Teaching Award (2008). Birchard retired from The Ohio State University in 2010 and is now a consultant, author, and speaker at continuing education conferences.
Birchard’s clinical specialty is small animal soft tissue surgery. He has written numerous articles for refereed journals and book chapters. He is the chief editor of the Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice, co-edited by Dr Robert Sherding, and writes an educational blog for veterinarians, “Veterinary Key Points,” at drstephenbirchard.blogspot.com. He recently published a book: “Their Tails Kept Wagging: Pets Show Us How Hope, Forgiveness, and Love Prevail,” a collection of inspiring stories about dogs and cats who survived critical illness.
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
There are many barriers, whether real or perceived, to providing preventive care and treating many common ailments in cats. Clients may be wary of seeking wellness care after they've experienced a high stress veterinary visit. Furthermore, they may worry it will be next to impossible to get their cat to comply with any at home preventive or therapeutic medication. What if we could make this experience completely different for both the patient and the client? This presentation will walk you through how to make your wellness visits and prescribed treatments not just better, but enjoyable for your feline patients. Learn tips and tricks from a behaviorist's point of view on how to keep your feline patients content and compliant with all of their wellness care and keep your clients coming back for more.
Dr. Meghan Herron is the Senior Director of Behavioral Medicine, Education and Outreach at Gigi’s – A Shelter Organization dedicated to improving the lives of shelter dogs. Prior to her current position she spent over a decade as an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as head of the Behavioral Medicine Service at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior after completing a residency at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. As a published author and seasoned international speaker, she has given lectures and seminars on animal behavior around the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Dr. Herron is the lead editor on the book “Decoding Your Cat” the long-anticipated sequel to “Decoding Your Dog” where the ultimate experts, The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, explain common cat and dog behaviors and reveal how to prevent or change unwanted ones.
Indications Credelio CAT kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) for one month in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 2.0 pounds or greater. Credelio CAT is also indicated for treatment and control of Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) infestations for one month in cats and kittens 6 months of age and older and weighing 2.0 pounds or greater.
Important Safety Information Lotilaner is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia and seizures. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders. The safety of Credelio CAT has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. The effectiveness of Credelio CAT against Ixodes scapularis in kittens less than 6 months of age has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, tachypnea and vomiting. For full prescribing information see Credelio CAT package insert.
Dr. Brooke Moore obtained her BA from Franklin and Marshall College in 2001. She then attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school in 2005. She spent six years in small animal clinical practice before starting an industry career with Novartis Animal Health in 2011. She is now a regional consulting veterinarian with Elanco Animal Health. She has a special interest in preventative medicine and enjoys educating veterinary professionals about new trends in veterinary medicine. She has received advanced training in parasitology, immunology, pain management, and customer service principles.
Dr Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian, and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year-old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It.
Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter in veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.
Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program DescriptionThis course covers key diagnostic, treatment and communication elements involved in successful diagnosis and effective treatment of acute and chronic canine allergic dermatitis.
Program Agenda * Key elements in diagnosis of canine pruritus and treatment of allergic dermatitis * Stop the pruritus: we will discuss features of both Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet) and Cytopoint® to clarify decision-making in the acute and chronic phasis of allergic dermatitis, and flexible dosing of Apoquel. Assessment and interpretation of Apoquel and/or Cytopoint perceived treatment failures will be discussed. * Assess for ectoparasites: diagnostic techniques as well as the importance of trial ectoparaciticidal therapy will be discussed with a focus on the isooxazoline class. * Assess for and treat secondary infections: Cytology will be discussed including tips to leverage your technicians in the diagnostic process as well as VetScan Imagyst™ technology. * Key elements in the management of chronic allergic dermatitis * Communication tips will be discussed, including key concepts and statements to maximize understanding and compliance. * Anchor therapies and supportive therapies for management of chronic atopic dermatitis and perceived failure of previously successful anchor therapy
Learning Objectives
- Investigate flare factors to assess increases in itch in previously controlled atopic dogs.
- Outline the key elements in the diagnosis of allergic dermatitis and communicate a diagnostic plan to a client or colleague.
- Develop a long-term treatment plan for a patient with chronic atopic dermatitis including anchor and supportive therapies.
- Construct a treatment plan to control allergic pruritus during an ectoparasite or elimination diet trial, and discontinue therapy to interpret the results.
- Evaluate history, diagnostic findings, patient and client needs to synthesize an optimal anchor therapy or therapy for an allergic flare.
Michael Natale has been involved in Veterinary Medicine for over 10 years. After graduating from Barry Tech, Michael Natale attended SUNY Delhi and obtained his AAS in Veterinary Science Technology. After completion, he continued his education and obtained his BS in Science, Technology, and Sociology with a double minor in Business Management and Economics. His experience in Veterinary Medicine ranges from Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, and Business Leadership. Michael Natale also holds certifications in BLS/ALS CPR, Laser Therapy, and NYS Certified Teacher. He currently is the Veterinary Medicine teacher at Barry Tech, practices as a per diem LVT and is a Hiring Manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. In his free time, you'll find Mike Natale out surfing, skiing, biking, at Crossfit, or hanging with friends and family.
Sponsored by VEG
As a career emergency veterinarian since 2003, David Bessler, VMD, has a passion for helping people and their pets when they need it most. His intense focus on families made him realize emergency care was broken and wasn’t working for anyone. Bessler took a holistic view of the ER experience, from start to finish, and from every angle, to make it better. Pets would be treated like people and pet parents like human beings. In 2014, armed with a vision and a dedicated team of like-minded people—the first VEGgies!—he purchased his first VEG hospital. They worked to reinvent the emergency experience. It was in this first hospital that VEG became “not normal,” in a good way! This new experience was fully transparent, with an open floor plan. They created a comfortable setting for pets, even if that meant getting on the floor with them; and keeping people and their pets together throughout treatment. Bessler also defined a positive company culture to make sure VEG would deliver on this revolutionary shift. It was exactly what pet parents and emergency vet professionals wanted, as VEG has the highest NPS in the vet industry.
During his 20+ years in the field, Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), has dedicated his career to reimagining veterinary nursing. He obtained his VTS certification in emergency and critical care as well as small animal internal medicine and achieved his master’s degree in Veterinary Science. He is currently the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer for Veterinary Emergency Group, and the Program Director for the RECOVER Initiative. Over the years, he has received the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by NAVTA, the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by the California Veterinary Medical Association, the RVT of the Year award by the California RVT Association, and the AVECCTN Specialty Technician of the Year award. Yagi co-edited the Veterinary Technician and Nurse’s Daily Reference Guide for Canine and Feline, and the Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking, and publishes articles and presents internationally on topics in ECC, transfusion medicine, and the veterinary nursing profession. Yagi works to bring further recognition of the vital role of the veterinary technicians and nurses through work with organizations, being a Past President of National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, and President of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. He is also an advocate for the Open Hospital Concept, encouraging veterinary practices to invite the pet owners to “the back” as a part of the team.
Glenna Mauldin, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology and Nutrition), and her team provide guidance and support for clinical research activities within Thrive Pet Healthcare, including research project design, execution, standards, and regulations.
Dr Mauldin received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She completed a rotating internship and residency in medical oncology at The Animal Medical Center in New York, and a residency and master’s degree in nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in both oncology and nutrition.
Before joining Thrive Pet Healthcare in early 2022, Dr Mauldin was Director of Clinical Research for PetCure Oncology. She has practiced veterinary medical oncology and nutrition for over 30 years in both private practice and academic settings, including The Animal Medical Center in New York, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and VCA Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dr Mauldin has authored over 75 peer reviewed publications, book chapters, and scientific abstracts. She lectures frequently at regional, national, and international meetings.
Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.Program Description:
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) infection is one of the most common and serious infectious diseases of puppies and dogs younger than 6 months of age. We will discuss the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CPV and emphasize expected laboratory changes including hematologic and electrolyte abnormalities.
Exciting new treatments for CPV will be discussed including the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) which is the first and only USDA-conditionally approved monoclonal antibody treatment that targets CPV. CPMA selectively binds and blocks canine parvovirus from entering and destroying the enterocytes stopping this destructive and potentially deadly virus.
Program Agenda:
- Overview of Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
- Understanding how CPV impacts our patients, our clients and our hospital staff
- Reviewing the diagnosis of CPV and potential pitfalls
- Clinicopathologic changes and monitoring treatment of CPV
- Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA)—a new and novel treatment for CPV
Learning Objectives:
- Develop a differential diagnostic list of diseases affecting puppies with common presenting signs of vomiting and /or diarrhea.
- List the expected hematologic changes expected in patients infected with CPV.
- Understand the rationale and protocol used in the treatment of CPV with canine parvoviral monoclonal antibody (CPMA).
Stephen Kochis, DVM, served for nearly 25 years in various positions in veterinary medicine, including Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital and VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists. His veterinary specialties include infectious diseases, immunology and emergency medicine.
As Chief Medical Officer at OHS, Kochis oversees a team of more than 100 veterinary professionals who serve pets and people at the Community Veterinary Hospital, and care for shelter pets in the medical centers at the Portland and Salem Campus.
Kochis received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences and DVM from Cornell University. He served on the OHS Board of Directors for three years until he joined the staff. He has served as President of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) and currently serves on its Executive Board.
Kelly Bremken, MSSW, VSW, is the Veterinary Social Worker with Oregon Humane Society. Originally a Midwest native, with a BA in Organizational Communication, Kelly’s experiences have crisscrossed the entire country. She has worked in animal welfare for more than 18 years at Arizona Humane Society, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Seattle Animal Shelter, and Oregon Humane Society.
Bremken graduated in Spring 2021 with a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a certification in Veterinary Social Work (VSW). The University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program trains MSSW students in the four areas of Veterinary Social Work. Those areas are Compassion Fatigue & Conflict Management, the Link Between Human & Animal Violence, Animal Assisted Interventions, and Animal-Related Grief & Bereavement.
At Oregon Humane Society and in the Community Veterinary Hospital, Bremken is on the forefront of utilizing social work practice to attend to the human needs that arise at the intersection of veterinary medicine & animal welfare, and social work practice. She serves as Oregon Humane Society’s first veterinary social worker and is paving the way in the field for greater workplace wellbeing and community partnership.
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP, graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in companion animal practice before transitioning into academia. Previously she was a clinical instructor of the Community Practice Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, an assistant professor as founding faculty at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, and an assistant professor at Kansas State University. In 2020, Dr Englar joined the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor. She leads the clinical and professional skills curriculum, which includes designing and refining the standardized client encounters for student training in clinical communication. Her active areas of research examine how clinical communication drives relationship-centered care.
Dr Englar is passionate about advancing education for generalists by thinking outside the box to develop new course materials for hands-on learners. She has published 4 textbooks as sole author in the content areas of companion animal medicine and clinical communication. Her students fuel her desire to create. They inspire her to develop the tools that they need to succeed in clinical practice. When Dr Englar is not teaching or advancing primary care, she trains in ballroom dancing and competes nationally with her instructor, Lowell E. Fox.
Sponsored by Zoetis, Inc. This podcast is RACE-approved for CE credit. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.
Born and raised in New York City, Georgette Wilson, DVM, received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and DVM from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, NY. Dr. Wilson completed a one-year small animal internship at the University of Tennessee. She practiced in the greater New York City area for 11 years prior to entering the veterinary industry. Dr. Wilson is currently the Zoetis Petcare Medical Lead AlphaTrak 3. In her spare time, Dr. Wilson enjoys travel with her family.
Note: The podcast episode references data from the Banfield State of Pet Health 2011 Report. Please see the following link for more information: https://www.dvm360.com/view/banfield-releases-major- veterinary-study-showing-spike-diabetes-dental-disease-and-otitis-externa
Dr. Bozelka is a small animal emergency and critical care veterinarian at a busy specialty and referral center in the Chicago-land area. He has been in practice since 2016 and works at a high-volume facility that offers many highly specialized services such as dialysis, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and more.
Dr. Bozelka has professional interests in both cardiac and orthopedic emergencies as well as educating new grads/interns and has a love/hate relationship with wound repairs. Dr. Bozelka is a social media personality and educator with his biggest fan base being on TikTok, but also has a growing Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube following. In his personal time, Dr. Bozelka enjoys spending time with his friends, family, wife, Laura, and cats Toby and Biscotti. He also enjoys playing music, reading, playing videos games, and playing sports. Dr. Bozelka is a foodie and could probably be considered a modern-day cookie monster.
Content sponsored by Zoetis. This podcast is worth 0.25 CE credits. Head to https://ce.dvm360.com/pages/podcasts and login or register for a free dvm360 Flex account to redeem your free RACE-approved CE credit after listening to this episode.
In this presentation, Dr. Liska will provide real world tips for your dermatology patients, including how to get your practice ready for Itchy Pet Awareness Month in August. Dr. Liska will present data on Apoquel’s® (oclacitinib tablet) ability to treat both itch and inflammation due to allergic dermatitis, share the lack of evidence for antihistamine efficacy for treating dogs with allergic dermatitis, and will share how to maximize success with Cytopoint®.
Program Agenda: * How getting it right the first time when treating canine allergic dermatitis benefits the pet, the owner and the practice * Why it is important to avoid “phone fixes” to owners of itchy dogs * Evidence to support that antihistamines are not effective in most cases of allergic dermatitis in dogs(1,2) * Introduce Itchy Pet Awareness Month and how to get your practice ready for this important month in August. Will review what practice resources can be found on ItchyPetAwarenessMonth.com. * Review the data that supports Apoquel’s ability to control inflammation due to allergic and atopic dermatitis as well as steroids(3) * Will share a study supporting that some dogs with an initial partial response to Cytopoint may benefit from additional injections(4)
Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how getting it right the first time when treating canine allergic dermatitis benefits the pet, the owner and the practice, and why it is important to avoid “phone fixes” to owners of itchy dogs 2. Understand the evidence to support that antihistamines are not effective in most cases of allergic dermatitis in dogs(1,2) 3. Introduce Itchy Pet Awareness Month and how to get your practice ready for this important month in August. Will review what practice resources can be found on ItchyPetAwarenessMonth.com. 4. Review the data that supports Apoquel’s ability to control inflammation due to allergic and atopic dermatitis as well as steroids(3) 5. Evaluate a study supporting that some dogs with an initial partial response to Cytopoint may benefit from additional injections(4)
References: 1. Olivry et al. Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the international committee on allergic diseases of animals. (ICADA). BMC Veterinary Research 2015;11:210. 2. Hsiao YH, Chen C, Willemse T. Effects of cetirizine in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Vet Sci. 2016 Dec 30;17(4):549-553. 3. Gadeyne C, Little P, King VL, Edwards N, Davis K, Stegemann MR. Efficacy of oclacitinib (Apoquel®) compared with prednisolone for the control of pruritus and clinical signs associated with allergic dermatitis in client-owned dogs in Australia. Vet Dermatol. 2014 Dec;25(6):512–e86. 4. Data on file, Study No. 17SP4DER-01-01 (v.3.0), 2019, Zoetis Inc.
Dr. Stobie completed his undergraduate work at Cook College/Rutgers University before graduating from the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an internship in small-animal medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, then went on to complete a three-year surgical residency at the University of Minnesota and earn a Master's Degree in Veterinary Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesia. Dr. Stobie is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and completed the mini-MBA certificate program at the Rutgers School of Business.
In 2000, he formed Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists (a mobile surgical and ultrasound practice) that evolved into what is today, NorthStar VETS, where he serves as Chief of Staff. Dr. Stobie also participates in veterinary management groups, providing guidance on veterinary economics and practice management. In addition, he is involved in development of new and novel surgical techniques including the dome trochleoplasty for patellar luxations in dogs and pioneered a new total hip procedure.
This podcast is sponsored by Ceva Animal Health. This podcast is eligible for CE credits. Head to dvm360.com/flex and login or create an account to redeem your free CE after listening to this episode.Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ, obtained her bachelor's degree with High Honors in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1998, and then proceeded to obtain a Masters in Veterinary Medicine and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree with High Honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She became a Certified Veterinary Journalist in 2018.
She has been a veterinarian at Blum Animal Hospital since 2006, co-owner until 2018 and current associate. Prior to 2006, Marks worked at Allatoona Animal Hospital just north of Atlanta, GA. Her media experience began in print when she created several monthly veterinary columns in multiple community magazines and was a frequent guest speaker for the German Shepherd and Bernese Mountain Dog clubs of Atlanta.
Upon her return to Chicago, Marks became very active in the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, serving on the executive board. She was also a past board member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and an active volunteer to the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Animal Hospital Association.
Marks has received many prestigious awards in her career. She was awarded the Dr Erwin Small First Decade Award, presented to a veterinarian that has contributed the most to organized veterinary medicine in his or her first decade of practice. In 2012, Marks was awarded Petplan's nationally-recognized Veterinarian of the Year. In 2015, she was awarded America’s Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. And, most recently in 2017, she was awarded Nobivac’s Veterinarian of the Year for her work on canine Influenza.
Marks is also very passionate about educating in all aspects of media, both locally and nationally. She has appeared on Good Day Chicago, WGN-Pet Central, NBC Morning News, ABC, CBS, NPR, WBBM, Northwestern University media channel and many local websites. Marks was featured nationally on the Today Show and CBS Nightly News during the canine influenza epidemic of 2015 and in multiple issues of JAVMA. She is a guest contributor in multiple media campaigns for Merck, Zoetis (formerly Pfizer), Boerhinger-Ingelheim, Ceva, Trupanion, Aratana, ScopioVet, and Royal Canin.
Marks is a regular columnist in Today’s Veterinary Business, Healthy Pet magazine, and Pet Vet, and has been published in Veterinary Medicine magazine, DVM magazine, Dogster, and Vetted. She is on the Advisory Board for Health Magazine and also was the host of numerous veterinary broadcasts for the Viticus Group (formerly WVC).
She is a desired national and international lecturer for many of the same companies at VMX, WVC, AVMA and regional conferences, and most recently was a featured speaker at Ceva Sweden’s Derm Day, and the Royal Canin Global Symposium.
Marks finds the ideal combination of teaching/mentoring and improving the emotional health of pets in the Fear Free movement. She sat on the Fear Free Executive Council and is a national educator helping other private practitioners develop these techniques. She also led her practice to become the seventh nationally and first practice in Illinois to become a Fear Free Certified Hospital. She is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional.
Finally, Marks is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and consultant, and one of the newer members of VANE, the Veterinary Angel Network.
When Marks is not working, she treasures her time with her family and her three wonderful children: Sophia, Evan, and Madeline. Marks loves traveling, scuba diving, cooking and spending time outdoors, especially anywhere there is a beach.
Atkins has 40 years of private practice experience treating dogs, cats, and pocket pets for a variety of conditions. He has been board certified since 1992 with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Atkins is experienced in case review for malpractice claims and has provided in-court expert witness testimony.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Audrey Weaver, DVM, received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science/Pre veterinary medicine from Virginia State University in 2008. She went on to obtain her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University in 2014. After graduating, Weaver completed a 1yr ER-focused rotating internship In Chandler, Arizona. She continued working as an emergency/critical care veterinarian in Arizona, California, and Maryland until 2021. Some of Weaver’s veterinary interests include educating clients, fear-free/low stress handling techniques, pain management, fluid resuscitation, wound care, radiology/ultrasonography, and chronic kidney disease management.
Dr. Weaver works hard so her fur-children Marilyn (elderly schnauzer), Ozil (middle aged dachshund mix), Talullah (a long hair kitty goddess), and Rhaegal Dracarys (an adorable hearing-impaired/deaf kitten) can live comfortably. When she’s not tending to her “flock” you can find her building LEGO creations, watching anime/MCU/Harry Potter, reading manga, playing board games, meditating, or spending time with her beautiful support system made up of biological and chosen family, friends, and colleagues.
Dr. Kris Brand is a staff veterinary radiologist with VitalRads, LLC Veterinary Imaging Specialists in Cypress, Texas. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at St. Matthew’s University in the Cayman Islands and clinical rotations at the University of Georgia. After a short time in general practice, Dr. Brand was accepted into the VitalRads residency program, which he completed in 2020. He was born and raised in Canada.
Serena Nayee, DVM, (she/her) is the founder and executive director of Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion and Intersectionality Initiative and InclusiVet. Based on personal experience and statistical assessment throughout veterinary school and onward, the lack of inclusion and intersectionality within veterinary medicine heavily inspired her to create Chapter VIII upon graduation from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She has previous experience as a medical director in the for-profit small animal veterinary urgent care sector, which inspired her to pursue development of accessible urgent care, after reflecting on the need for access to urgent clinical care and education among marginalized groups. Dr. Serena hopes to make urgent care and other specialty sectors within veterinary medicine more representative and accessible via incremental care and inclusive education.
Michael is a licensed and certified veterinary technician that has been working in the
field of veterinary medicine for over 2 decades. His current role is with 2020 Imaging, a division of Konica Minolta, as their Northeast Regional Sales Manager handling business development in both veterinary and healthcare imaging. Prior to starting at 2020 Imaging, he spent 2 plus years at Patterson Veterinary and before that with Wedgewood Pharmacy. Before sales, Michael was the nursing supervisor at a multi-doctor veterinary practice in his home state of New Jersey.
Michael obtained his Master of Business degree from Capella University in 2019 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2005 from Delaware Valley University. After graduating from Delaware Valley University, he went on to work ten years in public safety with the county sheriff’s office prior to returning to his passion in veterinary medicine.
Besides his full-time position with 2020 Imaging, Michael has taught at various levels of academia, specifically on topics in anatomy and physiology and business courses.
This episode is sponsored by Hill's.Omar Farías, VMD (he/him) is was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He received his VMD from the University of Pennsylvania. For 11 years, he worked in small animal practice, first as an associate and later as a practice owner. While in practice, he dedicated part of his time helping several local animal welfare organizations. In 2011, He joined Hills Pet Nutrition as a professional consulting veterinarian and moved his family to New York City. In his progression at Hill's, Dr Farías has held positions of increasing responsibility and currently serves as a senior manager of scientific and academic affairs for Hill's Pet Nutrition. Farías serves as board member for Pride Veterinary Medical Community as president elect and as board member for the Mark Morris Institute. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his husband Paul, his Chihuahua La Chispa and his cat Desilu.
Best known as the “Queen of Scripts,” Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, has taught communication and client service skills for more than two decades. As founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches practical skills through online courses, onsite consulting, and conferences. Wendy was a partner in a specialty and emergency practice for 5 years. She's authored 6 books and a column for Veterinary Practice News magazine for 10 years. Wendy is a certified veterinary journalist and RACE CE provider. Visit YouTube.com/csvets and Csvets.com for more.
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Jake McCormack enlisted into the delayed entry program of the United States Marine Corps in 2002 and shipped to MCRD San Diego in 2003. He graduated recruit training and reported to Assault Amphibian School Battalion, for training as an Amphibious Assault vehicle operator. Upon graduation, he received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for service with Bravo Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. In April 2005, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 5, Team Gator.
In 2006, he re-deployed back to Camp Fallujah in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return to the States, Jake served as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School and graduated Resident Professional Military Education, Martial Arts Instructor Course, and Amphibian Unit Leader Course. He was also submitted, and subsequently selected, for Meritorious promotion to Staff Sergeant.
His next assignment would take him to Dallas, Texas, where he served as both a canvassing recruiter and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of 2 different recruiting stations in the Dallas area. Upon completion of his tour of recruiting duty, he would receive orders to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
While serving at multiple units aboard the Air Station, Jake was selected again for promotion to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. His final set of orders would take him to Kansas City, Mo to serve on the Inspector-Instructor staff for a Reserve unit.
During his time in Kansas City, Jake took charge as the coordinator for the Toys for Tots campaign of the greater Kansas City area for 2019 and 2020. He directly coordinated the efforts of over 600 volunteers and more than 500 local non-profits to raise and collect a combined total of over $1.5 million dollars of monetary and toy donations that were distributed to more than 75,000 local children.
In addition to this, Jake has served as a veteran Ambassador for the Boot Campaign, a nationally recognized veteran’s non-profit that supports programs to assist in health and wellness of our returning veterans. He has traveled all over the country speaking about the issues veterans face after returning home from deployments, as well as his own personal story dealing with the aftermath of combat.
He is deeply passionate about people and developing capable leaders that understand the burden of leadership as well as the responsibilities that go with it. He is a staunch believer that no other element of success is as critical as the ability to take care of your people, and to inspire them to do great things.
Over the course of his career, Jake has received 5 Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals, one with Combat distinguishing device for valor, a Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct medal with silver star (sixth award), and numerous unit awards. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife of 15 years and his 14-year-old son, pursuing most any outdoor activities. They also share their home with 6 dogs and 4 cats.
Matt McGlasson is a passionate, customer-focused leader in the Animal Health industry with over 17 years of experience in leading multiple hospitals through creative clinic management, professional development, and quality improvement. He has a successful track record of establishing innovative care systems, mentoring programs, and social media marketing initiatives to boost brand awareness and humanize Veterinary Medicine.
Matt brings a versatile skill set that allows him to transform any role he steps into. His collection of experience also differentiates him because he has led and grown other professionals in a variety of different environments. Within his current role as Chief Medical Officer & Medical Director, he built and rolled out a mentoring program to help the transition for first-year doctors, including effective goal-setting, communication skills, financial advising from a CFP, doctor best practices, and other personal and professional development topics.
Dr. McGlasson is a Certified Fear Free Practitioner, Certified “Cat Friendly Veterinarian” by AAFP, and a member of the AVMA, VHMA, and AAFP. He currently serves as the Northern Kentucky Representative on the Executive Board of the KVMA, serves on the Veterinary Advisory Board for BasePaws, and the editorial advisory board for dvm360. As a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, he represents a group of fewer than 40 DVMs in the United States with the CVPM certification. His articles have been featured in dvm360 magazine and he has spoken at national veterinary conferences on the topics of practice management, practice culture, social media utilization, and finding joy in veterinary medicine.
Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, and KPA-CTP. She is the owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. Her teaching credentials include lecturing on the regional and national levels and lecturing at multiple veterinary technology programs. . She enjoys helping people better understand and relate to their animal companions which leads to a stronger bond and a more gratifying relationship between animal and human. She is a Fear Free certified speaker and coach, a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant, serves on the board of Pet Professional Guild’s cat committee, and the host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech.
Tabitha has helped to develop training and behavior programs for various veterinary hospitals and shelters and works as a consultant for many shelters and private veterinary practices.
Alexis (Lexi) Hansen Bs, LVT, RVT, VTS (ECC) started her career in the veterinary industry at Morrisville State College where she received her Bachelors in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She then went on to attend SUNY Delhi to obtain her Associates in Veterinary Technology. After becoming an LVT in New York in 2016, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and obtained her RVT while pursuing her dream of working in emergency medicine. In 2020 she relocated to the Raleigh-Durham area to join the emergency and critical care department at BluePearl in Cary, NC. Working alongside three criticalists she was able to obtain her VTS(ECC) in 2021. Over the last year she has transitioned into a leadership role as the emergency and critical care technician manager. She works closely with their in-house technician trainer to ensure her and her team are always practicing the best standard of medicine.
When she is not busy at work, she is spending time with boyfriend, two pit bulls, baking, or gardening.
Episode sponsored by Credelio and Interceptor Plus
Dogs are at risk of infection and infestation from a broad array of parasites. In this podcast we discuss the importance of broad spectrum parasite control to protect the health of dogs, including internal parasites like heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms, and external parasites like fleas and ticks. Many of these parasite pose a zoonotic risk but all can be controlled by implementing comprehensive, 360-degree protection.
Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)is Regents Professor and the Krull-Ewing Professor in Veterinary Parasitology at Oklahoma State University, where she is active in veterinary parasitology teaching and oversees a research program that focuses on zoonotic parasites and tick-borne diseases. She earned a BS from Cornell University, a DVM from Virginia Tech, a PhD in veterinary parasitology from the University of Georgia, and is board certified in veterinary parasitology through the American College of Veterinary Microbiology. She is co-director of the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and past-president of both the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists and the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Dr. Little has authored more than 150 publications on veterinary and human parasites and tick-borne disease agents. She is an outstanding veterinary educator who has received two Excellence in Teaching Awards from the national Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) and been recognized as a Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist by the AAVP.
Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, is a 1982 graduate of Colorado State University (CSU)’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Silver received his MS in 1976, and his BS in animal science from CSU in 1974, with honors. Dr Silver serves as chief medical officer of RxVitamins, and was chief veterinary officer for one of the largest vertically integrated hemp companies in the United States. Dr Silver has been providing post-graduate, continuing education classes to veterinarians, both domestically and internationally, for the past 20 years, primarily speaking on the value of integrating nutraceuticals into conventional veterinary medical protocols. Considered one of few experts in veterinary cannabis, Dr Silver has authored the book Medical Marijuana and Your Pet.
Additionally, he has contributed 4 textbook chapters in 2 Springer publications on veterinary cannabis in the past 2 years. Dr Silver has written a peer-reviewed and published article for animals.com titled The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Dr Silver is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and past president of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association He has served on the board of directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and with the Hemp Feed Coalition. Dr Silver is a founding member of the Veterinary Cannabis Society and a member of the Cannabis Clinicians Societ
Christina Moore, DVM, MBA, graduated from Texas A&M University with her DVM and MBA in 2012. She then completed a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship in NYC, which is where she met her husband. Following the internship, she practiced in a private general practice in Pennsylvania before moving back to New York and into a role recruiting veterinarians for VCA. Through great mentors, she joined Thrive Pet Healthcare over six years ago. With Thrive's rapid growth, she has experienced significant professional growth and has worn many hats including sole recruiter, Senior Director of Recruiting, and her current role, Sr. Dir. University Relations and Doctor Mentorship - her dream job. In her spare time, she loves to hike, read, and play outside with her husband, Oliver, & two children, Magnus and Olina, as well as her two furry kids (dogs), Frankie and Baxter.
Isaiah Douglass is a partner in Vincere Wealth Management, a fee-only financial advisory firm. He is focused on working within veterinary medicine to increase the net worth of veterinarians by bringing the professional and personal together. Isaiah is the host of The Veterinarian Success Podcast, which features interviews and discussions of clinical, business, financial, and personal topics in the lives of veterinarians. He actively speaks within the veterinary medicine industry via students, podcasts, video interviews, and conferences.
This episode is sponsored by Simple Solutions 4 Vets
Kelley Detweiler is a DEA and regulatory compliance expert who provides controlled substance and DEA listed chemical solutions to the veterinary, healthcare, supply chain and pharmaceutical industries operating in the public and private sectors. She is a partner in Simple Solutions For Vets with Dr. Peter Weinstein and the coauthor of “Safeguarding Controlled Substances” published by AAHA. Kelley has spoken on international platforms including the United Nations and continues to speak and write for various industry associations, organizations and publications. Kelley serves on the Board of Directors for Backbone Software, a supply chain management company for regulated industries based in Silicon Valley, and the New Jersey Cannabusiness Association providing regulatory guidance and advisement on legislation.
Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15 year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the E-Myth Veterinarian: Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, among other things, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter in veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.
Dr. Radosta graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, she worked as a primary care veterinarian for 2 1/2 years. She completed a 3-year residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and passed the board examination later that year. During her residency, she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row. In 2005, she went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to volunteer in the efforts to help animals stranded by Hurricane Katrina. She has owned Florida Veterinary Behavior Service since 2007. Dr. Radosta is a sought-after national and international speaker. She has written chapters for textbooks including Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat; Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline and Small Animal Pediatrics. She has published scientific research articles in Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science, The Veterinary Journal, and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior and written review articles for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Compendium, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, and AAHA Newstat. She is the section editor for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. She served on the Fear Free Advisory Board and the AAHA Behavior Management Task Force.
Interviews with Dr. Radosta have been published in: Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Palm Beach Post, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, O Magazine, Catster, Good Housekeeping, Sun Sentinel, Washington Post, Real Simple, WebMD, and AAHA News Stat. She has appeared on Lifetime television, Laurie Live, News Channel 25 (West Palm Beach, WPBF), Mitch Wilder’s Amazing Pet Discoveries, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, News Channel 10 (Miami, ABC), and Steve Dale’s Pet Talk. Dr. Radosta has participated in tracking, obedience, herding, and therapy dog work with personal dogs–always Rottweilers. Currently, she shares her life with a wonderful husband, Scott, and her daughter, Isabella as well as Maverick, her Labrador Retriever, and Chewie her cantankerous black cat. Dr. Lisa Radosta is one of only 90 veterinary behaviorists in the world. She is also a world-class lecturer, author, and teacher who has helped hundreds of pets with emotional and behavioral issues.
Content sponsored by Interceptor Plus. This podcast is worth 0.25 CE credits. Head to dvm360.com/flex *and login or create an account to redeem your free CE after listening to this episode.
In this podcast, we discuss the importance of tapeworm infections to pets and pet parents, including the disconnect between how our profession traditionally views tapeworms and the way many clients feel about them. New strategies to identify and control tapeworm infections in pets are also described.*
Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)is Regents Professor and the Krull-Ewing Professor in Veterinary Parasitology at Oklahoma State University, where she is active in veterinary parasitology teaching and oversees a research program that focuses on zoonotic parasites and tick-borne diseases. She earned a BS from Cornell University, a DVM from Virginia Tech, a PhD in veterinary parasitology from the University of Georgia, and is board certified in veterinary parasitology through the American College of Veterinary Microbiology. She is co-director of the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and past-president of both the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists and the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Dr. Little has authored more than 150 publications on veterinary and human parasites and tick-borne disease agents. She is an outstanding veterinary educator who has received two Excellence in Teaching Awards from the national Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) and been recognized as a Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist by the AAVP.
My name is Liz and I'm a fourth-year veterinary student from the University of Queensland, Australia. I work casually as a veterinary nurse at a specialist hospital and spend my spare time shadowing emergency vets, which is the career path I plan to pursue when I graduate.
After seeing team after team struggle with staff morale, hospital after hospital face financial challenges, and too many incredible but disheartened veterinary professionals leave the field, Dr. Ingrid Pyka concentrates on implementing much-needed change in our ever-evolving veterinary profession.
Earning her DVM from Colorado State University and furthering her business training at Purdue University, Ingrid has owned her own practice, worked as an associate and relief veterinarian, as well as held executive management roles in large corporate and non-profit hospitals. In 2011, she established IBP Consulting Services LCC to guide effective and profitable strategies. More recently, she founded VetMatch with a focus to reduce burnout and bring like-minded veterinary professionals back together - strong.
A two-time TEDx Speaker, multi-award winning and internationally recognized author, Dr. Pyka promotes high-level communication pathways and effective tools. She embraces the multitude of perspectives, and, now collaborates extensively with corporate and private veterinary leaders and teams for general, specialty/emergency and mobile practices and the quickly emerging field of telemedicine. Owners/investors, managers, individual veterinary professionals alike rave about her interactive approach to establish efficient, productive and happy teams. “Long-term success of the veterinary profession (or any industry for that matter) builds from individual physical, mental and financial wellness,” says Ingrid.
Ingrid remains active in veterinary academia (currently a facilitator in Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital well-being programming). Her passions also include supporting younger generations to a more empowered future. She is the immediate past-President of Imagination StoryBooks, a non-profit supporting global literacy with vision- and hearing-impaired as well as other learning challenged children.
When not actively traveling for trainings and “exploring the world,” Ingrid resides in Colorado with her two cats Bert (aka Berticus or Albert) and Harvey (aka - Harvard).
Contact ingrid.pyka@vetmatchPRO.com
My name is Dr. Jennifer Remnes and my undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Illinois at Champaign- Urbana. I double majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. Believe it or not, I was on a pre-med track throughout college and planned to apply to medical school. I quickly realized humans are gross, and I am way more passionate about animals. I was inducted into the Phi Zeta National Veterinary Honor Society in 2014. I graduated from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 following completion of my clinical year at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. The wonderful small town of Chambana gifted me with endless country nights at Kams I’ll never remember with friends I’ll never forget. The small Spice Island of Grenada will forever remain a second home for me. I was fortunate enough to experience an authentic Caribbean culture, obtain a PADI scuba certification and bring home the world’s most handsome souvenir—my heart dog and Papillon, Nutmeg.
I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Yes, Chicago, Chicago—not the burbs. I grew up
a few miles west of Wrigley Field, and I’m absolutely ecstatic that I witnessed a Cubs
World Series championship within my lifetime. Hey Chicago, what do you say? I live in the Windy City with my husband, Brad, and our Great Pyrenees rescue, Ophelia.
Hi! My name is Dr. Jessica Trice! I graduated from Waubonsee Community College with an associate degree in Biological Sciences. I then received a bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in Animal Science and Agricultural
Consumer and Environmental Sciences. I graduated from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine.
My multifaceted career has led me to wear many various hats in veterinary medicine,
including Chief of Staff and Medical Director. I have also served as a member of the
Medical Advisory Board for the Midwest and led a Mentorship Program for veterinary
students and new DVM graduates. I proudly collaborated with Banfield Pet Hospital
and co-authored a children's book called "My Very, Very Busy Day." You may have also viewed one of my many television media segments featuring pet current events, health and preventative care.
My long time passion of incorporating integrative medicine with conventional veterinary medicine finally became a reality when I received my certification of Veterinary Acupuncture along with Herbal Medicine through the Chi Institute. Additionally, I also earned certification as a Veterinary Chiropractor in the specialized area of Applied Kinesiology through the Health Pioneer Institute. Together, we can take a whole-pet approach to your pet’s therapy. My collaborative techniques blend Western medicine with holistic approaches to treatment.
Dr Courtney A. Campbell is a board certified veterinary surgeon who specializes in orthopedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive surgery. He practices at VetSurg in Ventura, California. He is also a host, author, producer, and content contributor for Vet Candy. Dr Campbell is the host of 3 popular podcasts, Anything Pawsible, The Dr Courtney Show, and Vet Mysteries with Dr. Courtney. Dr. Courtney has been dedicated to veterinary journalism for the past 10 years. He had the honor of co-hosting Pet Talk, a first of its kind talk show on Nat Geo Wild. He is a recurring veterinary health correspondent expert on programs such as WebMD, The Rachael Ray Show, CBS’s The Doctors, Home & Family, KTLA, and other daytime talk shows. He was awarded the Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award at the Global Pet Expo in 2020. He shares his life between veterinary surgery, veterinary journalism, and exploring the depth of the human-animal bond. He’s looking forward to new possibilities in 2023.
Dr Jan Bellows received his undergraduate training at the University of Florida and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in 1975. After completing a small animal internship at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, he returned to south Florida, where he still practices companion animal medicine surgery and dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston. He is certified by the Board of Veterinary Practitioners (canine and feline) since 1986 and American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) since 1990 He was president of the AVDC from 2012 to 2014 and is president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. Dr Bellows’ veterinary dentistry accomplishments include authoring 5 dental texts including, The Practice of Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Effort (1999), Small Animal Dental Equipment, Materials, and Techniques (2005, second edition 2019), and Feline Dentistry (2010, second edition 2022). He is a frequent contributor to DVM Newsmagazine and a charter consultant of Veterinary Information Network’s dental board since 1993. He was also chosen as one of the dental experts to formulate the American Animal Hospital Association’s Small Animal Dental Guidelines published in 2005 and updated in 2013 and 2019
Brian Hurley, DVM, National Medical Director at AmeriVet Veterinary Partners
Dr. Hurley serves as AmeriVet’s National Medical Director. He received his education from the University of Florida Veterinary School in 1994. Since then, he has run a successful veterinary clinic in Gardner, Massachusetts, where he became AmeriVet's very first veterinary partner. Impressed with the professionalism and impact AmeriVet had made on his business, he began consulting for AmeriVet Veterinary Partners in 2017 while still overseeing his practice, Gardner Animal Care Center. Then in 2018, Brian was appointed as AmeriVet's medical director.
Louis DelGiudice, DVM, DACVECC, National Emergency Specialty Director at AmeriVet Veterinary Partners
Dr. DelGiudice has been in private practice emergency medicine since 2002. Dr. Delguidice has worked at emergency/specialty hospitals in California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Louis has been involved with the training of interns, and emergency/critical care residents. In addition, he has served on several committees for both the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society.
Prior to becoming dental board certified, Curt Coffman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, National Specialty Director of Dentistry at Thrive Pet Healthcare, worked as an associate veterinarian and partner in a small animal veterinary practice. Realizing that he enjoyed the dentistry portion of his GP role, he decided to seek specialty board certification. Dr. Coffman began working at Arizona Veterinary Dental Specialists (AVDS) as a relief veterinarian and ultimately completed his residency training at the hospital. Today, Dr. Coffman is an AVDS partner, and the hospital has grown to encompass four locations across Arizona! Within Thrive Pet Healthcare, Dr. Coffman has launched a Dental Growth Program, a year-long training initiative to build more competent and confident dental champions across Thrive’s network. The program includes extensive training, including 30 hours of continuing education, with an opportunity to participate in a hands-on training at the Dental Growth Symposium at the end of the program. With the demand for pet dental services growing, Dr. Coffman is particularly passionate about helping current and future veterinarians deepen their dental training – something students spend very little time on in veterinary school – to improve the industry. As a member of Thrive Pet Healthcare’s Specialty Directors Board, Dr. Coffman supports training and mentorship opportunities for new and prospective dentists, recruits top talent, and ensures team members can truly thrive.
Dr. Coffman is the author of multiple publications in the field of veterinary dentistry and enjoys lecturing and presenting dental education topics to doctors and veterinary technicians. He has been fortunate to be invited to lecture and teach across the country and around the world. This pairs well with his interests outside of the office including traveling, food/wine, and golf.
Dr. Tracy Paukette founded the first clinic dedicated to reactive pets and their families. She earned her doctorate at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998.
Since 2018 her focus has been on animal behavior and stress-free handling in the veterinary environment.
The Reactive Referral Center was eventually created to provide veterinary care for reactive patients. Many of these patients had previously been fired from other veterinary clinics or unable to seek veterinary care due to their reactivity.
In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Paukette enjoys speaking events and working with her team to provide education and hands on training sessions within individual clinics.
Jennifer has been in veterinary medicine for 23 years. She has worked in all areas from kennel, to reception, to technician and finally ended up in hospital operational management. She served as President and COO for 6 years at a Non-Profit rescue One Love Pet Orphanage. For the last 2.5 years, she has been at Zoetis as a Diagnostic Technical Specialist where she has recently been named the Co-Lead for the colleague resource group Proud and Welcome. Even with being a full time colleague of Zoetis she still incorporates her dedication to veterinary medicine by serving on local boards and volunteering at local hospitals, as well as, veterinary based “give back events”.
Dr. Venable is Board Certified as a medical oncologist from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Venable has always been surrounded by animals growing up on a farm in the Midwest. She obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Missouri and graduated cum laude. After veterinary school, Dr. Venable pursued further training as a small animal intern at the University of Georgia. She then completed her 3-year medical oncology residency at the world-renowned Colorado State Flint Animal Cancer Center. During her residency, she achieved a master’s degree and studied new cancer therapies and clinical trials. She continues to seek out clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies for her patients. Dr. Venable has authored numerous publications and has been a speaker on local and national levels. She is the founder of Pet Cancer Care Consulting an innovative teleconsulting service which consults with the family vet and pet owner together to give personalized responses and needed information to make an informed decision on treatments. She is also a VIN consultant and was an adjunct professor of veterinary oncology at Midwestern University. She is a member of many organizations and currently a director to the board of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. Her oncology philosophy is one of a team-based approach with the family and referring veterinarians for compassionate, individualized care, and optimal quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
Dr. Venable enjoys the outdoors and being on the trail with her wonderful husband and their young daughters. Service opportunities are important to them as they volunteer at church and abroad as her husband works for a non-profit building schools in the developing world. Together they go on projects all over the globe with Be The Change Volunteers.
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Manager, Veterinary Medicine and Professional Services and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline/SafetyCall International. She has been with the organization since 2013 during which time she has had the opportunity to lead the team of veterinarians that span across the country and contribute to veterinary outreach and daily operations of Pet Poison Helpline. Dr. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture/Animal Science as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
While at Pet Poison Helpline, Dr. Schmid has managed over 25,000 cases involving animal poisoning and has presented on leadership and various toxins at both state, regional and national conferences as well as national webinars. Dr. Schmid has published scientific book chapters on the topics of thyroid supplements, diuretic drug intoxication, xylitol intoxication, general poisoning therapy, strychnine toxicosis, Compound 1080 toxicosis, anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning, toxicities from human drugs – cardiovascular and poisonous plants: house plants and ornamentals. Dr. Schmid has also published peer-reviewed scientific articles on intermediate syndrome after suspected organophosphate poisoning in a dog, xylitol and mirabegron poisoning in dogs, as well as anesthesia induction in cats (Schmid et al. Suspected intermediate syndrome in a dog after organophosphate poisoning, JVECC. Schmid et al. Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion and Schmid et al. Mirabegron Toxicosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study, both in Journal of Medical Toxicology. Schmid et al. Comparison of anesthetic induction in cats by use of isoflurane in an anesthetic chamber with a conventional vapor or liquid injection technique, JAVMA). Most recently, Dr. Schmid has joined the Editorial Advisory Board for DVM360.
Erica Brandt (Mattox) CVT, VTS (ECC) is the Clinical Manager of Surgery and Anesthesia at WestVet in Boise Idaho. Erica passed her VTS exam in 2009 to become 1 of the first VTS (ECC) in Idaho. She served as the president of the Idaho Society of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants for 10 years. She is passionate about emergency medicine, anesthesia, surgery, feline medicine, and the profession of Veterinary Technology in general. When not helping pets, teaching, or mentoring her amazing team, she enjoys anything outdoors with her husband Curtis, and her 2 children Sean and Alexandra.
Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, completed her bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University and graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. She then completed a small animal internship at Purdue University. Upon finishing her internship, she accepted a residency position with the Animal Dermatology Clinic’s Tustin, California, location in 2011. She became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2014. Bourgeois moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2016 to help expand the company. She is an owner within the company and on the board of directors. She has a strong interest in autoimmune skin diseases, allergies, and ontology.
In her leisure, Bourgeois enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and watching sports. She and her husband stay busy with their daughter, their son, and their rescue terrier mix. Bourgeois is passionate about educating veterinarians in dermatology and work-life management through her podcast and social media presence (@theDermVet).
Dr. Smith graduated in 2008 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Cornell University. She has worked as a small animal associate veterinarian and relief emergency medicine veterinarian. Dr. Smith is also a speaker and writer who has contributed articles to well-known veterinary and medical websites such as KevinMD and Dr. Andy Roark and has spoken at vet schools and prominent conferences including AVMA and Western Veterinary Conference. She is the creator of The Vetitude, a website and social media presence that promotes improved client-veterinary relationships through empathy, healthy boundaries, and emotional intelligence.
Dr. Doug Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist and has been a veterinarian for nearly four decades. He is an internationally recognized speaker, has written three best-selling medical textbooks, numerous book chapters and scientific publications. He has had long standing pet columns in the Long Beach Press Telegram, Reptiles magazine, and the Key West Citizen. Dr. Mader is the recipient of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Conservation Award, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Achievement Award, and the Fred L. Frye Lifetime Achievement Award for Veterinary Medicine. He is a seven-time winner of the North American Veterinary Community Speaker of the Year award and a four-time winner of the Western Veterinary Conference Educator of the Year award. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom. Dr. Mader is Human Animal Bond Certified and practiced in California for many years, but today lives and works in the Florida Keys.
DR. RENEE ALSARRAF has created four different veterinary oncology practices and led three veterinary radiation facilities. She has performed numerous veterinary clinical trials, co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, and has lectured both locally and on the national level. She completed a medical oncology residency in New York City at The Animal Medical Center. She lives in Montclair, New Jersey, and is married to a veterinary ophthalmologist. They have one son, whom she cherishes, as well as Dusty, her beloved, bossy, six-year-old female boxer.
Dr. Meghan Vaught obtained her doctorate from St. George University in May 2013 after completing her clinical rotations at the University of Pennsylvania. In June 2014, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties hospital. Dr. Vaught completed a three-year Emergency and Critical Care Residency at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2017. Later that year, she earned board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.
Dr. Vaught’s clinical and research interests include but are not limited to respiratory disease/mechanical ventilation, sepsis, polytrauma and severe acid/base or electrolyte disorders. Dr Vaught’s priority is to provide the highest quality of care and medicine to each patient and their family. In her free time, Dr. Vaught enjoys spending time with her husband, their young daughter and their kitty.
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Manager, Veterinary Medicine and Professional Services and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline/SafetyCall International. She has been with the organization since 2013 during which time she has had the opportunity to lead the team of veterinarians that span across the country and contribute to veterinary outreach and daily operations of Pet Poison Helpline. Dr. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture/Animal Science as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
While at Pet Poison Helpline, Dr. Schmid has managed over 25,000 cases involving animal poisoning and has presented on leadership and various toxins at both state, regional and national conferences as well as national webinars. Dr. Schmid has published scientific book chapters on the topics of thyroid supplements, diuretic drug intoxication, xylitol intoxication, general poisoning therapy, strychnine toxicosis, Compound 1080 toxicosis, anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning, toxicities from human drugs – cardiovascular and poisonous plants: house plants and ornamentals. Dr. Schmid has also published peer-reviewed scientific articles on intermediate syndrome after suspected organophosphate poisoning in a dog, xylitol and mirabegron poisoning in dogs, as well as anesthesia induction in cats (Schmid et al. Suspected intermediate syndrome in a dog after organophosphate poisoning, JVECC. Schmid et al. Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion and Schmid et al. Mirabegron Toxicosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study, both in Journal of Medical Toxicology. Schmid et al. Comparison of anesthetic induction in cats by use of isoflurane in an anesthetic chamber with a conventional vapor or liquid injection technique, JAVMA). Most recently, Dr. Schmid has joined the Editorial Advisory Board for DVM360.
June Long, DVM, has been a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgeon for more than 6 years. She graduated from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and was formally trained at the ASPCA’s Spay/Neuter Alliance in 2016. She routinely performs approximately 30 to 40 surgeries a day and has completed approximately 30,000 sterilization surgeries during her career. Over the years, she has become very comfortable performing more difficult surgeries and has mentored many veterinarians and veterinary students. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with veterinary professionals and is the creator of the online course "The Six Minute Spay," a RACE-approved, 100%-online course that uses extensive video content to teach HQHVSN techniques. Long has been married for 11 years and has 3 daughters, 1 son, and 3 spoiled senior dogs.
Dr. Neal Mauldin
National Specialty Director of Radiation Oncology at Thrive Pet Healthcare Medical Director of PetCure Oncology
A leader in the field of veterinary radiation oncology, Dr. Mauldin is one of the only triple-boarded veterinarians, certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. He has treated more than 2,000 pets with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) since 2010. A veterinary radiation oncologist for more than three decades, Dr. Mauldin's professional career has included clinical leadership positions at VCA Canada Western in Calgary, Canada, the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and Louisiana State University, where he serves as an associate professor and section head, therapeutic radiology for eight years. As Medical Director of PetCure Oncology since 2015, a Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner, Dr. Mauldin provides remote treatment planning and telemedicine for facilities throughout PetCure's network of 8 radiation oncology care centers across the country.
June Long, DVM, has been a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgeon for more than 6 years. She graduated from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and was formally trained at the ASPCA’s Spay/Neuter Alliance in 2016. She routinely performs approximately 30 to 40 surgeries a day and has completed approximately 30,000 sterilization surgeries during her career. Over the years, she has become very comfortable performing more difficult surgeries and has mentored many veterinarians and veterinary students. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with veterinary professionals and is the creator of the online course "The Six Minute Spay," a RACE-approved, 100%-online course that uses extensive video content to teach HQHVSN techniques. Long has been married for 11 years and has 3 daughters, 1 son, and 3 spoiled senior dogs.
Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM, has spoken with students, pet owners, and other veterinarians about effective communications, marketing and the roller coaster that is private practice. She has a social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and enjoys interaction with others about her passions, animals, and communication. She is owner, founder, manager, and chief veterinarian at Applebrook Animal Hospital, opened in 1998. She obtained her CVPM in 2019 and is the world’s first Fear Free-certified professional. She has been on the Fear Free Advisory Panel since 2016 and hosts 2 popular podcasts, Nine Lives with Dr Kat and Dr Kat Gone to the Dogs on Pet Life Radio. She recently joined the Editorial Advisory Board for MJH Life Sciences™/dvm360®. Dr Primm is a Registry of Approved Continuing Education-approved national conference speaker, appearing at well-known venues like Fetch dvm360Ⓡ, VMX, Fear Free Symposia and New England Vet Conference. Dr Primm also wrote a book for pet lovers, Tennessee Tails: Pets and Their People, published in 2013. She is a blogger and media personality, granting interviews to Woman’s Day, Prevention, Health, and Forbes magazines.
Art Markman, PhD is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology, Human Dimensions of Organizations, and Marketing and Vice Provost of Continuing and Professional Education and New Education Ventures at the University of Texas at Austin. He has written over 150 papers on topics including reasoning, decision making, and motivation. Art brings insights from cognitive science to a broader audience through his blogs at Psychology Today and Fast Company and his radio show/podcast Two Guys on Your Head. He is the author of several books including Smart Thinking, Smart Change, Brain Briefs, and Bring Your Brain to Work.
Dr. Jess is the Chief Veterinary Officer of Anipanion, a leading veterinary telehealth platform. After working in general practice, urgent care, and house call settings across northern California, she started working with veterinary startups in 2016. She now advises veterinary startups in addition to providing telehealth consulting to private practices. When she’s not working, Dr. Jess is painting, woodworking, hiking with her dog, reading with her cats, or hanging out with her husband and fellow veterinary entrepreneur, Dr. Rob Trimble.
Matt McGlasson is a passionate, customer-focused leader in the Animal Health industry with over 17 years of experience in leading multiple hospitals through creative clinic management, professional development, and quality improvement. He has a successful track record of establishing innovative care systems, mentoring programs, and social media marketing initiatives to boost brand awareness and humanize Veterinary Medicine.
Matt brings a versatile skill set that allows him to transform any role he steps into. His collection of experience also differentiates him because he has led and grown other professionals in a variety of different environments. Within his current role as Chief Medical Officer & Medical Director, he built and rolled out a mentoring program to help the transition for first-year doctors, including effective goal-setting, communication skills, financial advising from a CFP, doctor best practices, and other personal and professional development topics.
Dr. McGlasson is a Certified Fear Free Practitioner, Certified “Cat Friendly Veterinarian” by AAFP, and a member of the AVMA, VHMA, and AAFP. He currently serves as the Northern Kentucky Representative on the Executive Board of the KVMA, serves on the Veterinary Advisory Board for BasePaws, and the editorial advisory board for DVM360. As a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, he represents a group of fewer than 40 DVMs in the United States with the CVPM certification. His articles have been featured in DVM360 magazine and he has spoken at national veterinary conferences on the topics of practice management, practice culture, social media utilization, and finding joy in veterinary medicine.
Throughout Matt's career, he also seeks to bring personality and fun to the animal health industry. He has redefined methods for content development and education within the industry by operating engaging veterinary-themed social media accounts and amassing over 500,000 followers with well over 70 million video views. Matt's work and insights have been featured on 22 Words, KaleSalad, Chewy’s Social Media Sites, The Daily Mall, The Dodo, VetCandy, VetXInternational, Inspiremore.com, Cuddly, and many other prominent social media accounts. Matt has also been featured on the "Making Sense of Pets" Podcast, VetCandy Podcast, and has conducted multiple TV & Radio interviews celebrating the human-animal bond.
Matt is passionate about growing and supporting the future leaders of our profession. He believes that veterinary professionals will thrive if given the opportunity to be a part of a healthy culture and have continuous opportunities to grow. The work that we all do in this profession has a life-changing impact on those we serve and deserves to be celebrated.
Karen Fine, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian and writer who operated a house call practice for 25 years and practices integrative medicine. Her memoir, The Other Family Doctor: A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life and Mortality is forthcoming in March 2023 from Penguin Random House. She is also the author of the textbook Narrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice from CRC Press, published in 2021. Fine, a Tufts graduate, practices in Central Massachusetts. Her website is www.karenfinedvm.com.
Andy Anderson, DVM, MBA, Executive Chairman, CityVet, Inc. attended Texas A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He attended Harvard University and received a Master of Business Administration Degree. Anderson worked in the corporate finance industry and private equity for eight years at firms including Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Goldman Sachs. Dr. Anderson served on the Board and Executive Committee of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and was the organization’s Treasurer from 2009-2015. Anderson co-founded multiple veterinary related entities. These entities were merged into BluePearl Veterinary Partners which now operates a network over 80 hospitals nationally. Anderson leads the controlling investment group in Goodside Health, a leading provider of clinic based and telehealth to pediatric patients. The Company’s SchoolMed Division provides telehealth through school nurse’s offices to districts representing over 1,000,000 Texas and Florida K-12 school children.
Anderson is the Vice Chairman of Texas Biomedical Research Institute, one of the leading infectious disease focused research campuses in the nation. Dr. Anderson resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife Kim and two dogs, Gunny and Tillie. The Andersons attend Christ Episcopal Church.
Katie Krothapalli, DVM, MBA, is the Director of Healthcare Education for Edcetera, a leading provider of continuing education, exam prep, and licensing programs. Krothapalli and her team are passionate about developing tools and resources for veterinary and human healthcare professionals to help them reach their career goals. Katie is originally from Montgomery, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010 and worked as a small animal clinical practitioner, civilian veterinary medical officer for the Army, and poultry veterinarian before transitioning to the education space. She completed her MBA in 2021 at University of North Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, hiking, other outdoorsy activities, and art. She lives in North Alabama and has quite the collection of pets, including 2 dogs and a large collection of fish.
Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years. Angela owns and operates Fire Flake Farm, her animal rescue farm, as well as her two locations of a natural pet salon and shop, Beautify the Beast, and is co-founder of CBD Dog Health, which offers high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets
Gaemia Tracy, DVM, DACVIM, (Neurology) attended veterinary school at Ohio State University and then completed a one-year rotating small animal internship at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte, North Carolina. He joined the VRC team in 2020. Tracy's special interests include IVDD treatment and management, atlantoaxial instability management, management of inflammatory CNS diseases, and seizure management.
Dave Lasus is the CEO of Heart + Paw. He is a dedicated, collaborative, and entrepreneurial executive with extensive experience strategically and aggressively scaling business operations, footprint and financial results for rapidly growing companies.
Lasus employs a dynamic background in QSR, Veterinary, Multi-site retail/service, Consulting and Real Estate Development companies to craft both efficient and profitable systems. He's adept at multifunctional oversight, capability building, performance management and data-driven decision making. He have a strong record of success identifying, navigating and resolving business challenges to accelerate outcomes.
Most notably, Lasus has:
• Driven more than 600% EBITDA growth for a QSR chain.
• Facilitated expansion by up to 25 new stores per year.
• Innovated new product opportunities that have delivered double digit percentages of total sales.
His colleagues and co-workers describe him as thorough, enthusiastic, passionate and responsive. He's best known for maintaining a keen pulse on all aspects of operations and fostering agile responses to market trends.
Gianluca Bini, DVM, MRCVS, DACVAA, graduated from the University of Perugia, Italy. He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he completed two internships, one in anesthesia and one rotating, at Dick White Referrals, one of the largest referral centers in Europe. After completing his residency at North Carolina State University, he is currently an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Paul Kline, DVM, received his doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University in 1986. After 9 years of private veterinary practice, Paul pursued an opportunity to work in community development in Central Asia where he spent 8 years living and working in Mongolia. Initially he served as a field worker, training Mongolian veterinarians in new medicine and surgery techniques, herd health management, and the development of private practice models. He was later appointed as the Executive Director of a diverse team of over 100 people from 21 different nationalities and was responsible for overseeing the implementation of more than 20 programs in a variety of sectors, including health, education, agriculture, and business. He has participated in facilitating development programs with such partners as the United Nations, the World Bank and a number of government and non-government agencies. He also was awarded a National Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University in 1999.
Marcy A. Bliss, is the CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy, the leading compounding pharmacy for animals in the US. She is responsible for all aspects of the pharmacy operation and for leading the delivery of extraordinary business results. In 2018 Wedgewood Pharmacy acquired Diamondback Drugs, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Formerly the executive vice president of Business Operations and Marketing, Bliss began her career with Wedgewood Pharmacy in early 1999. Over the years, she assumed positions of increasing responsibility, many with a significant emphasis on pharmacy growth, the building of infrastructure, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and regulatory compliance. She leads the company's public affairs and issues-management programs, and is frequently seen on Capitol Hill, protecting patient and prescriber access to compounded medication.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. George Melillo, VMD, Co-founder & Chief Veterinary Officer, brings more than 35 years of veterinary experience to Heart + Paw.
In 2018, he co-founded Heart + Paw, bringing to life his lifelong commitment to animals and the people who serve them. Heart + Paw is now one of the fastest growing veterinary care, grooming, and dog daycare center groups in the country, with a mission to become partners in pet parenthood, helping four-legged family members to live a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Central to Heart + Paw's mission is the dedicated team of veterinarians and team members who maintain the highest quality of care for Heart + Paw's patients, led by Dr. Melillo. Often described as the "heart" of Heart + Paw – he is committed to the health, wealth and mental well-being of those that serve this community.
In 2021, Heart + Paw grew from 10 to 23 locations, covering nine states from Tennessee to Rhode Island, with nine current locations in the Philadelphia region, where Heart + Paw is based. The company anticipates nearly doubling locations by the end of 2022.
Dr. Melillo is frequently interviewed by media and has been featured in media including CNN, Los Angeles Times, iHeartRadio, Reader’s Digest, PureWow, Daily Paws, and more.
Currently Dr. Melillo serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of Animal Care of Pennsylvania and enjoys life with his wife, five millennial children, two grandchildren and his 10-year-old rescue Jack Russell terrier, Pancho.
Valerie Marcano, DVM, PhD, is a poultry veterinarian in the Carolinas as well as the co-founder and CEO of Pawsibilities Vet Med, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that aims to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups to the veterinary profession. She is the chair of the first ever Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) and a member of the AVMA/ AAVMC Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission. Marcano received a Bachelor of Science at Cornell University, and her DVM and PhD degrees from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
Seth Andrews, PhD, is a process engineer with Precision BioSciences. He completed a post-doc at the University of Georgia after earning his PhD in Biological Engineering from the University of Georgia in 2019. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Cornell University. Over the course of his graduate work, Seth has mentored numerous high school and undergraduate students. He also served as the president of the University of Georgia’s Engineering Graduate Club.
Patricia White received her BS degree from the University of Georgia in 1977 and her DVM from Tuskegee University's School of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. After graduation, she completed a 13-month small animal internship at Michigan State University then returned to Tuskegee's School of Veterinary Medicine where she served on the small animal medicine faculty for 3 years. She completed a three-year dermatology residency training and Master's degree program at The Ohio State University in 1990, then was awarded a two-year Merck, Inc. research fellowship, which allowed her to continue clinical fatty acid research initiated during her residency.
White is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. She has authored numerous articles for both veterinary journals and lay publications, and enjoys lecturing nationally and internationally. In her spare time, Dr. White enjoys traveling, scuba diving, gardening, working with clay, and clay work designs.
White can be reached at shantiwhitecoaching@gmail.com
Jessica Lowe DVM, MBA, BSc, graduated from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to that, Lowe attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned her first degree. She has a diverse background, working in small animal medicine, emergency veterinary medicine, exotic medicine, lab animal medicine and public health veterinary medicine for over 10 years. Lowe has a special interest in feline medicine and internal medicine. She has 2 cats at home and enjoys outdoor biking and traveling. Lowe joined FirstVet in 2021.
Elliot Garber, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, is a specialist in Veterinary Preventive Medicine and a graduate of Tufts University and the University of Virginia. He is Vice President of Growth at Instinct Science. Garber led and trained teams in clinical practice for 8 years while in the military, including 3 years as veterinarian to the Navy SEALs and their working dogs. He built and sold an 8-figure ecommerce and marketing agency before joining Instinct to launch the veterinary industry's first electronic prescribing software.
Shadi J. Ireifej DVM DACVS graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (2001, Magna cum laude). He then attended Cornell University where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2006, DVM).
After completing his studies at Cornell, Ireifej participated in an intense one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angel Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts (2007), followed by 2 rigorous one-year small animal surgical internships at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, New York (2009).
Ireifej achieved his board certification in small animal surgery by completing a three-year small animal surgery residency at LIVS (2012), and subsequently became a Diplomat for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS). After operating for almost 10 years at LIVS, Dr. Ireifej elected for warmer weather, and transplanted to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016.
In Las Vegas, Ireifej became a staff surgeon at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC). In 2017, he began flying across the United States, performing surgeries at a number of emergency and specialty hospitals in need of surgical assistance. This was followed by a Chief of Surgery position at United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in Silicon Valley, California. Managing their 3 locations, Ireifej and his team successfully cared for dogs and cats in the Campbell, Mountain View, and San Jose areas.
In 2018, Ireifej joined TrueCare for Pets in the Los Angeles, California area as Chief of Specialty, where he was instrumental in morphing the after-hours and weekend emergency hospital to a successful 24-7 emergency and multi-specialty veterinary hospital. While the size of the hospital tripled, Ireifej instituted hospital-wide protocols, managed the surgery, internal medicine, and oncology departments, and became a leading force on social media platforms.
In 2020, Ireifej changed gears in his already illustrious career, finding a novel and state-of-the-art means of reaching concerned pet owners and their ill pets worldwide, VetTriage. Dr. Ireifej currently serves as their Chief Medical Officer. He has been published in scientific and medical journals and enjoys lecturing to a variety of audiences. He is known for being a positive force and energetic force, both professionally and personally.
Jackie Dueñas, DVM is an associate veterinarian at the dynamic Sunset Animal Clinic in Miami, Florida. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts. She then returned to the Sunshine State to attend the University of Florida to complete her clinical studies. Following graduation, there was no doubt that Dueñas would return home to practice in Miami.
Her love for her work shows in everything she does. Dr. Dueñas was featured on the discovery+ series Pop My Pet, where she performed life saving surgeries to pets in need. She also likes to share her life as a veterinarian on her social media channels, garnishing her a large following and a platform to bridge the gap between veterinarians and pet parents. Dr. Dueñas is most passionate about her role as a mom and finding balance between motherhood and vet med. She and her husband are the proud parents of two little boys.
Jess Trichel, DVM joined the Suveto team as Vice President of Ownership Opportunities. In this role she helps veterinary team members explore and navigate the variety of ownership opportunities the Suveto network has to offer as well as supporting them on their path to becoming owners.
Trichel has dedicated her career to discovering ways to combine her veterinary training with her passion for business education. She has spent the last 8 years at Live Oak Bank building educational programming to help students and industry professionals understand the realities of veterinary financing and ownership. Prior to that, she graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and practiced equine medicine for a short period of time in the Pacific Northwest.
She is currently based out of Wilmington, NC, where she balances her time enjoying life with friends and family, eating good food, reading interesting books, and going on adventures with her Australian Shepherd, Charles, and horse, River.
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Manager, Veterinary Medicine and Professional Services, Pet Poison Helpline and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline/SafetyCall International. She has been with the organization since 2013 during which time she has had the opportunity to lead the team of veterinarians that span across the country and contribute to the management of the daily operations of Pet Poison Helpline. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture/Animal Science as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
While at Pet Poison Helpline, Schmid has managed over 25,000 cases involving animal poisoning and has presented on leadership and various toxins at both regional and national conferences. Dr. Schmid has published scientific book chapters on the topics of thyroid supplements, diuretic drug intoxication, xylitol intoxication, general poisoning therapy, strychnine toxicosis, Compound 1080 toxicosis, anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning, toxicities from human drugs—cardiovascular and poisonous plants: house plants and ornamentals. Schmid has also published peer-reviewed scientific articles on xylitol and mirabegron poisoning in dogs, as well as anesthesia induction in cats (Schmid et al. Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion and Schmid et al. Mirabegron Toxicosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study, both in Journal of Medical Toxicology. Schmid et al. Comparison of anesthetic induction in cats by use of isoflurane in an anesthetic chamber with a conventional vapor or liquid injection technique, JAVMA).
Charles E. Short, DVM, PhD, DACVA, DECVAA established the programs in veterinary anesthesiology at the University of Missouri and then at Cornell University during his 64 year career as a veterinarian. He received his DVM from Auburn University in 1958. Dr. Short is an international speaker and meeting organizer on anesthesia and pain management and has provided over 700 invited lectures. In addition, he completed over 350 publications including coeditor of the textbook, "Animal Pain". He, with 6 colleagues, founded the ACVAA as a specialty in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. He was a cofounder of the IVAPM. His passion included sharing his expertise with others.
Jennifer Johnson, VMD, CVPP has been a small animal veterinarian for 28 years, working as an associate, then owning and operating a busy 6-doctor practice in the Philadelphia suburbs. Pain management education is her passion, and Dr. Johnson has spent the last 15 years teaching colleagues about multimodal pain management options. Her special interest is the use of photobiomodulation (laser therapy) and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as non-pharma approaches to pain management. In 2012, she achieved Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) qualification through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). Now relocated to Arizona and a full-time educator, Dr. Johnson speaks nationally on pain management and digital thermal imaging, stressing the importance of pain identification in general practice. She has published numerous articles and blogs, most recently authoring the chapter on pain management for Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (Wiley 2017). Dr. Johnson is the Immediate Past-President of the IVAPM. She consults for multiple veterinary medical advisory boards and is also a board member of eagleYcondor, providing children’s education and veterinary care to rural communities in Ecuador.
This episode is sponsored by Nationwide
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP, graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in companion animal practice before transitioning into academia. Previously she was a clinical instructor of the Community Practice Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, an assistant professor as founding faculty at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, and an assistant professor at Kansas State University. In 2020, Englar joined the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor. She leads the clinical and professional skills curriculum, which includes designing and refining the standardized client encounters for student training in clinical communication. Her active areas of research examine how clinical communication drives relationship-centered care. Englar is passionate about advancing education for generalists by thinking outside the box to develop new course materials for hands-on learners. She has published 4 textbooks as sole author in the content areas of companion animal medicine and clinical communication. Her students fuel her desire to create. They inspire her to develop the tools that they need to succeed in clinical practice. When Englar is not teaching or advancing primary care, she trains in ballroom dancing and competes nationally with her instructor, Lowell E. Fox.
June Long, DVM has been a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) surgeon for more than 6 years. She graduated from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and was formally trained at the ASPCA’s Spay/Neuter Alliance in 2016. She routinely performs approximately 30 to 40 surgeries a day and has completed approximately 30,000 sterilization surgeries during her career. Over the years, she has become very comfortable performing more difficult surgeries and has mentored many veterinarians and veterinary students. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with veterinary professionals and is the creator of the online course "The Six Minute Spay," a RACE approved, 100%-online course that uses extensive video content to teach HQHVSN techniques. Long has been married for 11 years and has 3 daughters, 1 son, and 3 spoiled senior dogs.
April Bays, CVT, VTS (ECC) is a certified veterinary technician with more than 20 years of experience. She became a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care in 2013 and a Veterinary Cannabis Counselor in 2021. She enjoys teaching emergency topics and the art of critical care and critical thinking. She created Elevative Veterinary Training Solutions in 2020 to share her passion for excellence and emphasize technician empowerment and utilization. When she’s not eliminating pain or writing proceedings, you can find her supporting the many local breweries, backpacking, and getting lost in the wilderness. Literally.
Paul Diaz is a US Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of corporate recruiting experience in several industries. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to build and lead high performing teams capable of achieving incredible results. He formed Hire Power Consulting to help other companies realize their recruiting team's full potential.
Ivan Zak, DVM, MBA, is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for the well-being of veterinary professionals. Twelve years as an ER vet inspired Ivan to create SmartFlow, a first in the industry workflow optimization system later acquired by IDEXX. In 2019, Zak founded Veterinary Integration Solutions, an executive consulting firm where he helped veterinary groups systemize acquisitions integration and improvement of practices with special attention to burnout prevention. Along the way, he obtained an MBA degree in International Healthcare Management with a thesis in implementation of Lean thinking to improve the employee experience, pursuing his goal to make a sizable impact on the veterinary profession. Zak took the lead in Galaxy Vets, a new veterinary healthcare system co-owned by its employees with burnout prevention as a strategic priority.
Rachel Teichberg graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a BS in biology. In 2019, she became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and achieved her Certified Veterinary Business Leader in 2021. She is also a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, Certified Workplace Mediator, and a Certified Trainer in Workplace Conflict Resolution. She has worked in both general and specialty practices and though she has a deep love for pets, she has found her true passion is working with the people in veterinary medicine. With hands-on experience at all levels of veterinary practice, as well as management in small animal/exotic and specialty practices, Rachel brings over a decade of industry experience to her current position.
Shawn McVey holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and dual masters’ degrees in political social work as well as marriage and family therapy. He also has a distinguished career in Veterinary Health Care Administration. Before becoming a partner and the CEO of Pathway Veterinary Management, he served as an industry consultant and speaker. He is recognized around the world for his unique management style and his experience in building successful veterinary practices. Shawn was the CEO of Eye Care for Animals, a veterinary ophthalmology company, as well as the Hospital Administrator at The Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado. He is also the founder and owner of Veterinary Specialists in Private Practice (VSIPP) and served as the first non-DVM Board Member of the American Animal Hospital Association.
Annika VanNoy, PhD, is a learning strategist fueled by compassion, curiosity, and dissatisfaction with the current state of adult learning in the veterinary industry. In her PhD work she combined her passion for both teaching and learning while investigating the possibilities that modern cognitive psychology models provide to adult learning. During her graduate work, VanNoy followed another one of her passions: the love and care for animals. She started working at a general practice in Austin, TX and quickly began to see the wide array of opportunities for improving veterinary continued education and the opportunities for all people to expand their careers in veterinary medicine. VanNoy is passionate about developing and supporting emotionally healthy and internally motivated teams to drive success in professional and personal development.
Laila Proença, DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM, is the founder and CEO of VETAHEAD, and has always been passionate about veterinary medicine. She is the first South American to become a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine, with an emphasis on zoological companion animals. She is the coeditor of the 2015 Exotic Endoscopy issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America and has been actively participating in the zoological medicine community, leading wet labs and giving national and international lectures, courses (including on endoscopy), and masterclasses.
Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, is an Ohio native and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. While attending Cornell, she earned numerous awards, including the Dermatology Service Award for her aptitude in clinical dermatology and her research on Malassezia otitis externa. After graduation, she completed an internship at VCA Berwyn and Aurora Animal Hospitals in Chicago where she was awarded the Intern Abstract Award for her presentation on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Griffin returned to Cornell University in 2007 for a residency in dermatology and, after completing her residency-training program, served one year as an instructor of dermatology teaching fourth-year clinical students as well as lecturing to underclassmen on bacterial, fungal, and immune-mediated skin diseases.
Griffin became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) in August 2010 and joined the Animal Dermatology Group. She has a special interest in fungal and immune-mediated skin diseases as well as feline and equine dermatology. She enjoys lecturing to fellow veterinarians, mentoring residents, and teaching the veterinary students who extern with her. Griffin also stars in the Nat Geo WILD television series, “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya,” which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology.
Amelia Knight Pinkston, VMD, cVMA, INHC, is happily breaking the norm as a health coach and veterinarian. She's a graduate from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and then University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She's also a certified in veterinary medical acupuncture through CuraCore, she has worked in small animal general practice and urgent care, and now does relief work through IndeVets in order to balance both careers.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband and 2 adorable dogs, Woodford and Jameson. In her free time, she loves to stay active experiment in the kitchen, spend time outdoors, connecting with family and friends, and travel.
Mary Gardner, DVM, Co-Founder and CIO of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia. After graduating from the University of Miami, she began working as a trainer for an enterprise-wide order management software. After learning the intricacies of the software and the variety of ways different businesses used it, she moved into a Business Architect role where she led the design of new software initiatives. Her innate talent for understanding logistics in a client-centric organization developed a unique skill set for a veterinarian. After 10 years in software, she found herself longing for something different and more meaningful. The path she selected was to become a veterinarian. She completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 from the University of Florida. She worked in general medicine at a veterinary clinic in south Florida for two years before discovering her niche in end-of-life care. Gardner is a published author for many articles and a textbook, speaks all around the world on geriatrics and end of life care and was voted 2020 VMX Small Animal Speaker of the year.
Coleen Ellis founded Pet Angel Memorial Center, Inc, the United States’ first stand-alone pets-only funeral home. Now a well recognized thought-leader on the subject of pet death-care by organizations such as the National Funeral Directors Association and the International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association, her work within the pet death care industry has begun to span the country as others who share in her passion for pets and their respectful treatment in death desire to open their own care centers. In response to consulting demand, Coleen founded Two Hearts Pet Loss Center, to guide those people who also wish to provide death care services in their communities, as well to be an educational resource in the pet grief discipline. Most recently, Coleen was awarded the first Death and Grief Studies Certification specializing in Pet Loss Companioning by Dr Alan Wolfelt, at his Center For Loss in Ft Collins, Colorado.
Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM, graduated veterinary school from CSU in 2004, completed a small animal rotating internship at Cornell in 2005 and completed a small animal internal medicine residency at OSU in 2008, at which time she obtained Diplomate status. She enjoyed a rewarding clinical practice as an internist and medical director of a multi-specialty/ER hospital until joining Thrive Pet Healthcare in January of 2018. Cairns currently serves as Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education for the 400+ hospitals in the Thrive Pet Healthcare family. She lives in the Chicagoland area with her 3 children (7, 10, and 12 years old), husband, 2 cats and very sweet but poorly mannered great Dane/lab mix! When not engaged with her Thrive family or corralling her personal family, she enjoys personal fitness/running, the science of home brewing the perfect cup of coffee and sleep (or the pursuit thereof).
Christopher Shapley, DVM, CVA, is a specialist in veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine. He has 2 pet dogs at home, Carrie and Bogey. In his spare time, Shapley enjoys Kung Fu, surfing, camping, and archery.
Shapley attended Montclair State University where he studied biology. He graduated from the Western University of Health Medicine in Pomona California and received his CVA from Chi University. Shapley has worked in large and small animal medicine with a special focus in Eastern Medicine since graduation.
TikTok: @dr.christophers74
Instagram: @christophershapleydvm
TEEF for Life combines the fundamentals of microbiology and molecular nutrition to improve the oral microbiome and promote dental health in a safer, revolutionary way. Emily Stein, Ph.D. (CSO), researched and developed a solution to oral dysbiosis after her grandmother and her senior rescue dog both experienced life-threatening health issues caused by their dental disease. Her company, Primal Health, LLC, is focused on developing innovative products (TEEF for Life brand) that safely target the root cause of dental disease so pets and people can live healthier, longer lives. In 2008 she first began developing Selective Microbial Metabolism Regulation Technology (SMMRT)®, which is focused on using metabolic influencers to rehabilitate diseasecausing bacterial biofilms in favor to improve outcomes for dental and overall health.
Emily spent 7 years as a research fellow at Stanford University in Rheumatology and Immunology focused on the neuro-endocrine-immune axis in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California at Berkeley where she studied inter- and intra-cellular signaling pathways involved in stress response and community development in bacteria and received her B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa where she studied the interaction between M. tuberculosis and innate immune cells. She is a leading subject matter expert/key opinion leader in microbiome-related science and research and presents on the topic worldwide.
James Barr, DVM, DACVECC, is chief medical officer (CMO) at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital. Barr holds undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Louisiana State University. He was a staff criticalist at Florida Veterinary Specialists (BluePearl’s original hospital), then left to teach at Texas A&M University in 2009, returning to BluePearl in 2017 to serve as a group medical director and then CMO. As CMO, he oversees the medical operations of BluePearl’s 100+ practices, supporting more than 1300 veterinarians.
Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) is regional vice president, medicine, at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, supporting over 30 hospital teams from Texas to Michigan. He practiced medicine and served as hospital medical director until 2018, when he took on the role of group medical director. He has also led BluePearl’s biosecurity and infection control committee for several years He completed his veterinary training and internship at Texas A&M University and completed an internal medicine residency at The University of Georgia.
Dianne McGill founded Pet Peace of Mind in 2015 to ensure hospice and palliative care patients have the support they need for their animal companions. She is a former CEO and Executive Director of the Banfield Charitable Trust, a public benefit charity. She joined the organization in 2006 and guided the charities expansion to develop and launch of Pet Peace of Mind and Meals on Wheels, pet care assistance programs, among several others.
During her tenure, the charity was thrice awarded charity navigators 4-star rating for operational transparency and financial stewardship in 2013 and 2014. Charity Navigator also named the charity to its national top 10 list of impact-to-income public charities. Prior to her role with Banfield Charitable Trust, McGill was the resource development director for a higher education nonprofit. She has also served as an officer and director for 7 nonprofit boards of directors and currently devotes a portion of her time to nonprofit management consulting for other leadership roles including senior level positions with the Associated Press, McClatchy Company, and Gannett.
McGill graduated summa cum laude with a BS in management and organizational development. She also holds certificates in community mediation and organizational training.
Emily C. Abraham, DVM, CVA, attended the University of Miami from 2006 to 2009, receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in 2009 with a major in Biology and double minors in Chemistry and Classics. She was the president of the UM Pre-Veterinary Society, where she organized dog walks, baths, and shows to raise money for local pet rescue organizations.In 2013, Abraham graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She also studied at The Chi Institute and is a certified veterinary acupuncturist. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), and she is certified with the USDA, enabling her to authorize animal health certificates for traveling needs.Her veterinary interests include surgery, clinical pathology, dermatology, and acupuncture. She has a special interest in neonatal and geriatric care. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, dominoes and rock climbing with her friends and family. Abraham rescued her “kids,” Yogi, an adorable 14 year old yorkie, Minnie, an energetic and loveable 12 year old Pomeranian; Ziggy, a water loving 5 year old Pomeranian; and Ellie Zen Kitty, a sassy 3 year old tabby cat. Abraham has also rescued squirrels and helped nurture them until they can be released back into their natural environment. Abraham is married to her best friend, Carlos, and they have a 10 month old son named Mateo.
Cory Penn, DVM, received his DVM from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine after receiving his Bachelor of Science from Eastern Illinois University. He is currently the Senior Veterinary Diagnostic Platform Lead for VETSCAN IMAGYST with Zoetis Global Diagnostics.
This episode of The Vet Blast Podcast is sponsored by Zoetis.
Cathy Meeks, MS, DVM, DACVIM, started her veterinary career as a veterinary technician while getting her master’s degree in veterinary medicine with a focus on forensic toxicology. After veterinary school, she did an internship and then a residency in internal medicine. Her specific interests in internal medicine include immune mediated diseases and endocrinology.
In 2012, Meeks took on a lead veterinary role in a private practice as a medical director while continuing to practice internal medicine. In 2015, she became a Group Medical Director for Bluepearl, working with the hospitals in the Northeast. Until 2019 when she was promoted to Regional Vice President of Medicine where she managed 15 hospitals in the Northeast. In 2021 she joined Antech as the Vice President of Medical Operations providing medical leadership throughout various areas in the company including clinical and anatomic pathology, quality assurance and internal consulting.
In her spare time, Dr. Meeks enjoys running and water activities such as paddle boarding and swimming. She has 2 rescue dogs, Scrappy (Jack Russell) and Lainey (Doberman).
Sponsored by Antech Diagnostics
Shawn Wilkie is the CEO of Talkatoo, Inc, a one-button healthcare dictation software meant to make charts and medical records simpler and less time consuming.
Sari Lieberman, LVT, started her career as a veterinary technician after a 20-year career as a vocalist performing with various bands in various venues, traveling throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.
She received her AA from Harcum College after completing her practicum at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s small animal hospital in Philadelphia, and large animal facility in Kennett Square, PA. After receiving her LVT, she has worked exclusively in referral practices. She is currently employed at Animal Surgical and Orthopedic Center, previously known as Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle.
Her disciplines include anesthetic protocol, pain management, patient care, and she holds a special interest in radiology. She has presented CE on the subject of obtaining “Rad Rads.” She was also a blogger, social media, and website manager for the clinic.
Sari developed the Doppler Band after years of witnessing the trepidation of her co-workers and experiencing, firsthand, the frustration of trying to secure a Doppler to a patient for monitoring BP, especially during lengthy surgical procedures.
Since the Doppler Band was first introduced in 2018, it has been used internationally, in general, emergency, surgical, dermatology and dental clinics, and zoos. It is also being used as an educational tool at technical colleges and vet schools, here in the US and abroad.
Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Byers works as a teleconsultant in emergency/critical care and small animal internal medicine for VetCT. He is the Co-Editor of the textbook, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and has published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Byers also publishes a blog called CriticalCareDVM.com with goals to educate pet owners and promote the triad of care.
Sari Lieberman, LVT, started her career as a veterinary technician after a 20-year career as a vocalist performing with various bands in various venues, traveling throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.
She received her AA from Harcum College after completing her practicum at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s small animal hospital in Philadelphia, and large animal facility in Kennett Square, PA. After receiving her LVT, she has worked exclusively in referral practices. She is currently employed at Animal Surgical and Orthopedic Center, previously known as Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle.
Her disciplines include anesthetic protocol, pain management, patient care, and she holds a special interest in radiology. She has presented CE on the subject of obtaining “Rad Rads.” She was also a blogger, social media, and website manager for the clinic.
Sari developed the Doppler Band after years of witnessing the trepidation of her co-workers and experiencing, firsthand, the frustration of trying to secure a Doppler to a patient for monitoring BP, especially during lengthy surgical procedures.
Since the Doppler Band was first introduced in 2018, it has been used internationally, in general, emergency, surgical, dermatology and dental clinics, and zoos. It is also being used as an educational tool at technical colleges and vet schools, here in the US and abroad.
Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, and Ryan Hart return to The Vet Blast Podcast!
Hale is Destination Pet’s chief medical officer and a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her MBA from St. George’s University. Dr Hale is a member of the AVMA and Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She shares her home with 7 pups and her husband, Chuck.
Jennifer Vitucci, DVM, CCRT, graduated magna cum Laude from John Carroll University with a biology degree. She obtained her DVM from The Ohio State University in 2007. After graduation, Vitucci moved to the St. Louis, Missouri, area and practiced at a small animal general practice for 2 years, before purchasing County Animal Hospital with her husband in October 2009. Dr. Vitucci began her rehabilitation training in 2019 and obtained her canine rehabilitation therapist certification through the Canine Rehab Institute in 2021. Synergy Veterinary Rehabilitation opened within County Animal Hospital in 2019. After selling their practice and moving to the Florida panhandle, Vitucci joined PulseVet Technologies as the small animal business manager in May 2021.
Podcast sponsored by PulseVet, a Zomedica company
Grant Gilbert is a fourth-year (2023) veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and a dvm360® Student Ambassador.
He has interests in cardiology, endocrinology, autoimmune diseases, and exotic companion animals. He plans to attend a 1-year rotating internship in pursuit of further specialty training. He earned his BS in Animal Science at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Ivan Zak, DVM, MBA, is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for the well-being of veterinary professionals. Twelve years as an ER vet inspired Ivan to create SmartFlow, a first in the industry workflow optimization system later acquired by IDEXX. In 2019, Zak founded Veterinary Integration Solutions, an executive consulting firm where he helped veterinary groups systemize acquisitions integration and improvement of practices with special attention to burnout prevention. Along the way, he obtained an MBA degree in International Healthcare Management with a thesis in implementation of Lean thinking to improve the employee experience, pursuing his goal to make a sizable impact on the veterinary profession. Zak took the lead in Galaxy Vets, a new veterinary healthcare system co-owned by its employees with burnout prevention as a strategic priority.
Bill Miller, DVM, DACVO, graduated from Louisiana State University in 1982 and an internship in small animal surgery and medicine at Auburn University in 1983. There he participated in an ophthalmology residency and Masters of Science degree program. He became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 1986. He started his specialty practice, Advanced Animal Eye Care, in Memphis, TN, in 1986. He currently serves the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists as chair of the Governance Committee.
Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT, LMVT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC), currently practices as a relief veterinary technician, trainer, and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has authored articles and textbook chapters and is a co-editor of Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (Springer Nature) and the upcoming 2nd edition of the Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses textbook (Wiley).
Currently, Hughston is President of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, Co-Founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy, an Administrator of the Not One More Vet Support Staff group, Credentialing Committee Chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of dvm360.
Hughston is dedicated to advancing veterinary technology, technicians, and assistants through training, mentorship, and advocacy both within and outside the veterinary profession.
Staci Scolavino, VMD, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary of Medicine. Prior to veterinary school, she worked as a research technician at Harvard Medical School, and co-authored three novel scientific publications.
After graduation, Scolavino completed an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital and then practiced as an associate veterinarian at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. To pursue her passion for nutrition and research, Scolavino joined Royal Canin as a scientific services veterinarian. She worked primarily with their diet lines by developing scientific reasoning for vets, stakeholders and the general public. Currently, she is working with Virbac US as Nutritional Technical Manager to help develop and brand the new pet food line.
Content sponsored by Virbac
Zachary Tooley is a third-year veterinary student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a masters program at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He received the Army Health Professional Scholarship Program and was commissioned into the Army Veterinary Corps as a second lieutenant. After veterinary school, he will complete a rotating externship at one of the Army’s sites, followed by 3 years of active duty. He is the current Student AVMA president.
Dr. Charles E. Short established the programs in veterinary anesthesiology at the University of Missouri and then at Cornell University during his 64 year career as a veterinarian. He received his DVM from Auburn University in 1958. Dr. Short is an international speaker and meeting organizer on anesthesia and pain management and has provided over 700 invited lectures. In addition, he completed over 350 publications including coeditor of the textbook, "Animal Pain". He, with 6 colleagues, founded the ACVAA as a specialty in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. He was a cofounder of the IVAPM. His passion included sharing his expertise with others.
D.r Jennifer Johnson has been a small animal veterinarian for 28 years, working as an associate, then owning and operating a busy 6-doctor practice in the Philadelphia suburbs. Pain management education is her passion, and Dr. Johnson has spent the last 15 years teaching colleagues about multimodal pain management options. Her special interest is the use of photobiomodulation (laser therapy) and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy as non-pharma approaches to pain management. In 2012, she achieved Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) qualification through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM). Now relocated to Arizona and a full-time educator, Dr. Johnson speaks nationally on pain management and digital thermal imaging, stressing the importance of pain identification in general practice. She has published numerous articles and blogs, most recently authoring the chapter on pain management for Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (Wiley 2017). Dr. Johnson is the Immediate Past-President of the IVAPM. She consults for multiple veterinary medical advisory boards and is also a board member of eagleYcondor, providing children’s education and veterinary care to rural communities in Ecuador.
Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, Destination Pet’s chief medical officer, is a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her MBA from St. George’s University. Dr Hale is a member of the AVMA and Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She shares her home with 7 pups and her husband, Chuck. Hale is joined on this episode by Ryan Hart.
Seth Wallack, DVM, DACVR, is a board-certified veterinary radiologist, founder and CEO of Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego. His work in radioiodine (I-131) therapy for treating feline hyperthyroidism resulted in a new protocol for treatment dosing, and he lectures on this topic regularly at seminars and meetings around the country. He also started the American Association of Veterinary Radiologists (AAVR), an online veterinary radiology education resource for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and is the founder and president of Vetology. He has published numerous professional journal articles and book chapters and is the author of The Handbook of Veterinary Contrast Radiography.
Click here to learn more about Vetology.ai.
Sign-up here for a radiology consultation with Vetology.
Paul Bloom, DVM, DACVD, DABVP (Canine and Feline), obtained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree with high honors. He was board certified with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 1984 and the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) in 2001. He became an Elite Fear Free Certified practitioner in 2018 and completed the Cat Friendly Certificate Program in 2020. Currently, he is the staff dermatologist at Allergy, Skin, and Ear Clinic for Pets and an adjunct professor at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine in East Lansing.
Dr Bloom has lectured locally, nationally, and internationally on all aspects of veterinary dermatology and has extensive experience in diagnosing and managing chronic ear and skin diseases, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius/multidrug-resistant infections. He serves on the ACVD scientific program committee and is a reviewer for the professional journals Veterinary Dermatology, The Veterinary Journal, Irish Veterinary Journal, Journal of Small Animal Practice, Veterinary Sciences, JAVMA, and Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.
In 2019, Dr Bloom was honored to be selected for the Distinguished Veterinary Alumni Award – Practitioner and the Philanthropist of the Year award from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
When he's not working, Dr Bloom spends his time playing hockey or relaxing at home in rural Northfield Township, Michigan, with his wife and “menagerie,” which currently includes 3 horses, 2 miniature donkeys, 1 goat, 2 sheep, 2 cats, and 1 dog.
Lynn Hendricks, DVM, CHPV, is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Veterinarian and owner of Beloved Pet Mobile Vet. She was an author of the 2013 IAAHPC guidelines for best practices in animal hospice and palliative care. She is founder of the Facebook group, the Veterinary Palliative Medicine Group. She has also founded the World Veterinary Palliative Medicine Organization in 2018 and is the author of Animal Hospice and Palliative Medicine for the House Call Veterinarian.
Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR, is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She's a professor of working dog sciences and sports medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She's also the Director for the PennVet Working Dogs Center at of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT, LMVT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC), currently practices as a relief veterinary technician, trainer, and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has authored articles and textbook chapters and is a co-editor of Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (Springer Nature) and the upcoming 2nd edition of the Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses textbook (Wiley).
Currently, Hughston is President of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, Co-Founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy, an Administrator of the Not One More Vet Support Staff group, Credentialing Committee Chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of dvm360.
Hughston is dedicated to advancing veterinary technology, technicians, and assistants through training, mentorship, and advocacy both within and outside the veterinary profession.
Emily Shiver, CVPM, CCFP, CVBL, is a certified veterinary practice manager that has been working in practice for more than 18 years. Emily's passion is creating and maintaining positive, successful workplace cultures as well as helping practices increase revenue and improve the client experience. She enjoys every aspect of inventory and strives to help practices meet and exceed their inventory goals.
Jill Clark, DVM, returns to The Vet Blast Podcast to talk about CSR education in the veterinary profession.
Clark founded IGNITE in 2016 with the singular goal of elevating the knowledge of veterinary teams to enhance their wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of the patients and clients they serve. Her nearly 30-year career in veterinary medicine has been dedicated to the constant improvement of veterinary outcomes and operations and has created many opportunities for the professional growth of the incredible people who make up our profession.
David Hall is co-founder of GeniusVets. In 2021 Hall was named a Top 100 Marketing and Advertising Influencer by MARsum and invited by Forbes to join its prestigious Agency Council. He now works with veterinary practices across the country to better achieve their business goals. David can be reached via email at: david@geniusvets.com
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM is the Staff Veterinarian at 4J Conservation Center, an instructor for FEMA/DHS courses, and a Regional Commander for the National Disaster Medicine System Team. She graduated from Texas A&M University's CVM and has pursued emergency medicine and zoo medicine throughout her career. She owned 2 emergency clinics and has been the Senior Veterinarian in a zoo. She completed fieldwork in Madagascar and South America and continues to explore new areas of medicine as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine for more than 10 years.
Chatfield is a Medical Reserve Corps member and developed the "Veterinary Support to Zoological Animals in a Disaster" for the National Veterinary Response Teams training curriculum. She has chaired the Florida Veterinary Medical Association's (FVMA) One Health Committee and co-chaired FVMA's Disaster Response Committee.
Brian Beale, DVM, DACVS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He received his DVM and completed his residency at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After his board certification, he joined Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in 1992 and practiced there until 2019. He also appeared in 2 seasons of the television show Animal ER on National Geographic Wild.
This episode of The Vet Blast Podcast features a recent graduate from the class of 2021 at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Harris Fitzgerel, DVM, shares his experiences with going through vet school during a pandemic. He and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, discuss the ups and downs of learning during lockdown with limited hands-on experience, plus tips for other veterinary students or those looking to join the profession. Fitzgerel is also a blogger and self-described fitness and pop music enthusiast.
Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, is a board-certified Veterinary Behaviorist of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. His work has garnered him international recognition as a thought leader, and coveted keynote speaker and educator. Pachel has traveled the world, headlining international conferences and teaching inspiring lessons about animal aggression, animal behavior, and industry trends.
Tracy Richards lives near Cleveland, Ohio, with her family including 5 dogs and three cats. Tracy’s animals are the heart of her life, especially her dog Asha, an 11 year old Double Merle Australian Shepherd who was born deaf and blind. Asha also has epilepsy and experiences severe anxiety. Tracy has spent the last eleven years working with Family Veterinarians, Behavioral Veterinarians, Chinese Medicine Practitioners, Acupuncturists, Animal Communicators and anyone else who could provide options to ease Asha’s unrest. She met Pachel when Asha was 10 months old and in him found a touchstone that would allow for peace amidst the chaos. Asha has been Tracy‘s biggest challenge, greatest joy and most relentless teacher. She is writing a book about their life together. Asha: Lessons in Hope and Life will be published in Fall of 2022. Her website is http://tracyrichards.co/.
Byron L. Blagburn MS, PhD, DACVM Hon (Parasitology), holds the appointment of Distinguished University Professor at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is past president of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, the Southern Conference on Animal Parasites, the Southeastern Society of Parasitologists, and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). He has served as an associate editor for the Journal of Parasitology and has served on the editorial boards of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Therapeutics, The International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Blagburn is a recipient of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitiologist’s Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award, the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence (1987 and 2010), and the Auburn University Student Government Association “Teacher of the Year” Award. (Sponsored by Vetoquinol)
Julia E. Miller, DVM, DACVD, graduated from Cornell's vet school and began her career as a large animal veterinarian. After completing a large animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Georgia, she went on to mixed animal practice in North Carolina, followed by South Carolina. She then pursued her love of surgery at a high-volume, high-quality surgery center before turning her attention back to her true love, dermatology. She completed a dermatology residency at Cornell and stayed on as faculty after. When she's not prescribing steroids, she loves all things related to horses, bully breeds, and singing. (Sponsored by Vetoquinol)
Bob Murtaugh, DVM, MS, joined Thrive Pet Healthcare in 2015 as chief medical officer. In his current role as chief professional relations officer, Murtaugh is responsible for developing strategies to further establish and coordinate Thrive’s meaningful partnerships with veterinary schools, including residency and internship programs. He is a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist and a board-certified specialist in veterinary internal medicine. He is a pioneer in specialty veterinary medicine and paved the way for emergency and critical care to become an American Veterinary Medical Association–recognized specialty in 1989.
Sarah Barrett, DVM, PhD, DACVP, is a native of Southwest Virginia and completed her BS in Biology and DVM at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech (’99 and ’05, respectively). She practiced emergency medicine and critical care, followed by small animal day practice in Houston and Central Texas, before returning to Virginia Tech for a combined clinical pathology residency, culminating in board certification (2014) and a PhD in autoimmune glomerulonephritis (2015). She spent the next 5 years as a clinical assistant professor with a joint appointment at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, before transitioning to digital pathology and joining Zoetis in 2021. When not working in the office she spends her time wrangling her many animals and working on her lavender farm. (Sponsored by Zoetis)
Lori Harbert, LCSW, and a social worker for more than 20 years, specializes in mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, crisis counseling, grief and bereavement counseling, and leadership building. She developed and launched BluePearl’s first health and well-being program that provides resources and support to more than 6000 associates.
Sonja Olson, DVM, graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on exotic animal and conservation medicine. Her professional path led to over 25 years of practicing clinical small animal and exotic emergency medicine in both private and corporate practice environments in Virginia and in Florida. Olson’s full-time role currently is as Health & Well-being Educator for the BluePearl Health & Well-being Team, working alongside licensed veterinary social workers. She is certified as a Mental Health First Aid Trainer and as a Compassion Fatigue Educator through The Figley Institute. She completed her 2-year Mindful Meditation Teacher Certification in February 2023. Her upcoming book Creating Well-being and Building Resilience in the Veterinary Profession: A Call to Life will be released in March 2022.
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, is board certified by the American Veterinary Dental College and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He is the current president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. Bellows practices veterinary dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida. He is also the author of Small Animal Dental Equipment Materials and Techniques, 2nd Ed and Feline Dentistry, 2nd Ed.
Steve Dale, CABC, writes for veterinary professionals and pet owners, hosts 2 national radio programs, and has appeared on TV shows ranging from Good Morning America to Oprah. He is on the dvm360® Editorial Advisory Board as well as the boards of the Human-Animal Bond Association and EveryCat Health Foundation. He appears at conferences around the world. Visit stevedale.tv.
Dr. Kash Kuruppu received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. Subsequently, she completed her graduate studies in epidemiology using big data technologies and machine learning to identify and predict risk factors for diseases in animal populations. Most recently, she was the cofounder and chief medical officer at a technology startup supporting veterinarians to deliver personalized care for companion animals. She is currently the chief veterinary officer at Basepaws, helping advance human and animal health through the study of their genetics.
A small animal veterinarian for 16 years and a mom for 15, Emily Singler is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and a transplanted Floridian. She has worked in shelter medicine and private practice and now does relief work with IndeVets and writes in her “spare time.” She has strong interests in public health, preventive medicine and the human-animal bond. She is passionate about supporting veterinary professionals who are or will be parents. She is both fear-free and human-animal bond certified, and she also speaks Spanish. When she’s not working or chasing after her 4 kids, 3 pets, and 1 husband, she enjoys horseback riding, sewing, running, collecting all things llama and alpaca, and eating chocolate. She is also writing her first book! Check out her blog at https://vetmedbaby.com/
Ane Uriarte is a diploma holder of the European College in Veterinary Neurology (ECVN). She started her studies in Spain but graduated as a veterinarian in Paris, where she did her general internship and neurology residency.
After obtaining her ECVN diploma, she worked for 8 years in a private hospital on the outskirts of London before she moved to Massachusetts in 2017, where she was an assistant professor in neurology and Neurosurgery at Tufts University. During her stay in the United States, Uriarte created the free iOS and Android app called My dog's epilepsy accessible to all owners and veterinarians. She has recently returned to London where she is the head of the Neurology service at Southfields veterinary specialist.
Uriarte has published numerous articles in international journals, as well as neurosurgery chapters in reference books. She is constantly teaching in the form of webinars, congresses, and social media. She posts daily neurology cases on instagram, youtube, and facebook on @ane.neuro.
Kathleen Cooney, DVM, MS, CHPV, CCFP, has been practicing advanced end-of-life care since 2006. She is well-known for her work in companion animal euthanasia and has authored two books on the subject. Dr. Cooney has collaborated in euthanasia training for the AVMA, AAHA, IAAHPC, HABRI, the Fear Free program, and is Founder and Director of Education for the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). The core certificate program is Dr. Cooney's design and is based around the The 14 Essential Components of Companion Animal Euthanasia. She is a strong advocate for best practices in all aspects of end-of-life care and speaks nationally and internationally on such topics.
Stephanie Messick’s passion for advancing missions which elevate end-of-life pet care began in 2012. Stephanie worked in animal welfare in Florida, then transitioned to pet aftercare service in 2015 when she joined The Pet Loss Center. She partnered with veterinary teams across the states of Florida and Colorado to elevate their practice’s end-of-life care by providing world class cremation and pet loss services with the utmost dignity, honor and respect. In 2016 Stephanie completed the Two Hearts Pet Loss Center certificate program in Pet Loss & Grief Companioning. During that time she presented continuing education curriculum to veterinary hospitals, veterinary medical associations and in 2018 at the Peter Piper Memorial Conference for Caloosa Veterinary Medical Society.
Mita Malhotra is the Vice President of Chewy Health at Chewy, Inc. She joined the company in 2018. As vice president and general manager, Mita leads Chewy’s journey to delivering a world-class healthcare experience to pets, pet parents, and partners through a customer-focused approach. Malhotra is a seasoned leader who brings over 15 years of retail and e-commerce experience to Chewy. She has a proven track record of leading teams to success and growth. Before joining Chewy, Malhotra was a Category Leader at Amazon for Amazon-owned devices and accessories business. Under her leadership, the category doubled year-over-year growth for Amazon Devices and claimed the #1 spot for market segment share across multiple categories. Prior to that, she spent eight years at Dell, where she was responsible for growing Dell’s PC business through traditional retail and e-commerce channels. Malhotra holds a Master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Geotechnical Engineering and a B.E. from Punjab Engineering College. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her 6-year-old daughter and Shih Tzu named D.
Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant, and professional speaker who works with veterinarians to foster happier hospital cultures and more resilient teams. A citizen-scientist in the fields of neurology, neuroplasticity, and positive psychology, she gives individuals tools they can begin using right away to create more personal success and happiness. Her avocation is dog sports—she's an AKC judge and is owned by a Siberian Husky and a Standard Poodle.
Brendan Lynch has focused his career on redefining what’s possible. He is an innovator and brings his strategic and operational experience to his work. He has a track record of successfully starting, growing, and operating new ventures and divisions for Fortune 1,000 companies. For the last 8 years, he has brought his enthusiasm and leadership to VCA Animal Hospitals. He is currently the VP of Innovation where he pioneers new ways of doing business for clients, patients, Associates, and for the future of veterinary medicine.
Prior to joining VCA, Lynch has diverse entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial experience ranging from starting and selling a global action sports film distribution company to launching multiple digital businesses for Procter & Gamble. Additionally, Lynch has launched the digital division for a leading veterinary communications and analytics company and headed marketing for a venture capital-funded online pet services start-up.
He enjoys exploring the world with his family, capturing life’s moments through photography, searching for the perfect wave, carving new paths through nature’s snowy terrain, and seeking new adventures that involve being surrounded by nature.
Barbara Powers, DVM, DACVP, worked as a pathologist and researcher in cancer and radiation pathology at Colorado State University before becoming Director of CSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. At CSU, she and her colleagues validated an ELISA for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervids and established one of the country’s largest CWD testing centers. During the more than 30-year stint at CSU, she was also president of Colorado Veterinary Medical Association from 2003-2004 and president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) from 2006-2007.
Barbara E. Kitchell, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. Dr. Kitchell completed an internship at the University of Minnesota, then residencies in Small Animal Medicine and Oncology at UC Davis from 1981-1985. She received her PhD (emphasis in Cancer Biology) from the Department of Comparative Pathology at UC Davis in 1994. She is the Director of Residency Training Programs for VCA, as well as staff oncologist at Vet Care. Kitchell is an ACVIM Diplomate in the specialties of Internal Medicine and Oncology. She is past president of the Veterinary Cancer Society and Past Chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Mary L. Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS (Dentistry), is a charter member of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Microbiology at South Dakota State University, an associate’s degree in Laboratory Animal Science at Redlands Community College, and another associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College. She received her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Dentistry in 2006.
For nearly three decades, Berg worked in research, where she specialized in products aimed at improving the oral health of companion animals. She has also served as the practice manager and dental specialist at a general practice. She teaches veterinary technology, and she is president of Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education — a veterinary dental consulting service. Berg is actively involved in NAVTA, tAVDT and KVTA, and she has served on committees for the AVMA and AAVSB. She has authored or co-authored over 70 publications.
Jove Jacob is a member of the dvm360® Student Ambassador Program and a fourth-year veterinary student from the Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Jaipur located in India. Jacob received his professional certification for animal physiology from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Jacob was elected as outstanding delegate for the Continous Crisis Committee (CCC) under International Model United Nations where young delegates share their innovative ideas against global crisis or emergency situations. It is partnered with UN organizations like UNDP, UNESCO.
Additionally, he has published his work in the dvm360® Magazine, along with having published review articles in one of the NAAS rated journals. With a passion for equine medicine, he aspires to work as an equine veterinarian in the United States upon graduation.
Janice Huntingford, DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT, CAVC, is a 1984 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, in Guelph, Ontario. She is certified in chiropractic, acupuncture, rehabilitation, and pain management. Huntingford is the owner and medical director of the Essex Animal Hospital, Canine Rehab and Fitness in Essex, Ontario Canada. In 2015, she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and in 2018 she received her Masters in Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine.
Huntingford is a consultant for the VIN Rehab/Sports Medicine/Chronic Pain Board and lectures nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including rehabilitation, pain management, and geriatric medicine. She has co-authored several textbook chapters on rehabilitation and published a number of peer-reviewed manuscripts. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time on her farm/winery with her chef husband, Harold, her pugs, cats, and horses, a few adult children, and her beautiful new granddaughter, Alina!
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Ashley Wood, PhD, director of research and development at Zomedica, talks with Dr Christman about the application of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) technology to veterinary diagnostics, and how a new in-clinic biosensor testing platform is utilizing this technology to provide reference lab accuracy at the point of care.
Nick Nelson, DVM, MBA, has over 2 decades of experience within the veterinary industry. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a Master's in Business Administration from Washington State University.
At BluePearl, Nelson is responsible for operations of 100+ specialty and emergency practices across the United States focusing on balancing the fiscal needs of running a national organization and the needs of 7,000+ veterinary professionals. He is excited about the plethora of associate-focused initiatives the company is offering including health and wellbeing, EI&D, and career pathways.
Additionally, Nelson has served as Regional Medical Director for VCA Animal Hospital and CMO and President of Pet Partners.
Megan Bendtzen, founder and CEO of a company called LifeBacon, is a motivational trainer, speaker, and life and business coach. She worked in the veterinary field for 14 years while studying leadership, communication, personal growth concepts, and relationships for over 18 years. Bendtzen has worked with thousands of people and delivered hundreds of impactful seminars on a variety of related topics.
Monique Y. Wells, VMD, MS, entered the University of Pennsylvania at the young age of 16, and Penn’s Veterinary School at 20. She completed this program by age 24, then proceeded directly to graduate school at The Ohio State University, earning a Master’s degree in veterinary pathobiology at the age of 28.
Now, as a resident of Paris since 1992, veterinary pathologist and toxicologist, world traveler, entrepreneur and arts enthusiast, Wells' understands the vast need to expose minorities to educational and cultural opportunities that will allow them to have a richer, more rewarding life.
Additionally, Wells' work within fast-paced academia has taken her around the globe. She has spoken at events in China, Germany, India, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Visit https://wellsinternationalfoundation.org/ for more information.
Nick Nelson, DVM, MBA, has over 2 decades of experience within the veterinary industry. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a Master's in Business Administration from Washington State University.
At BluePearl, Nelson is responsible for operations of 100+ specialty and emergency practices across the United States focusing on balancing the fiscal needs of running a national organization and the needs of 7,000+ veterinary professionals. He is excited about the plethora of associate-focused initiatives the company is offering including health and wellbeing, EI&D, and career pathways.
Additionally, Nelson has served as Regional Medical Director for VCA Animal Hospital and CMO and President of Pet Partners.
Suzanne Ellis, DVM is a New Jersey shore native who knew since she was 8 years of age that becoming a veterinarian was her passion.
About four years ago, Ellis proposed the idea to her clinic about offering a house call service, and became the primary doctor in the practice going out to clients’ homes for routine office visits, and, of course, euthanasia. It was during this time that she began to really appreciate helping families say goodbye to their beloved pets in the privacy of their own homes.
These experiences have brought Ellis to the decision of dedicating her work to end-of-life care and creating a personalized and peaceful experience for pets and their families.
Emily Dozeman, DVM, DACVECC is a board-certified emergency and critical care doctor. She is one of the managing partners and codepartment head of the emergency and critical care service at Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency.
Dozeman is experienced in all aspects of emergency medicine and critical care with a particular interest in the management of polytrauma patients, sepsis, and transfusion medicine.
When not treating patients, Dr. Dozeman enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her husband, Brett, and being active. She has two rescue French bulldogs and a cat named Petry
Vernard Hodges, DVM, is a proud graduate of Fort Valley State University and the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Hodges is the founder of multiple successful veterinary hospitals, but he practices primarily at Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, Georgia. Hodges and Critter Fixer became so successful that they caught the attention of the National Geographic Channel and now star in a television show, currently in second-season production, called Critter Fixers: Country Vets on National Geographic Wild and Disney+.
In addition to his businesses, he started the Hodges It Takes A Village Charity Foundation in 2011. He enjoys spending time with his 3 dogs and watching sports with his 16-year-old son, VJ.
Antonio L. Bowens, DVM, is the owner of Bowens’ Locum Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery Services. Bowens earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology, cum laude, in 1997 from Tuskegee University and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. He completed a neurology neurosurgery fellowship, as well as a private practice specialty internship in 2005. Bowens has been practicing in the field of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery as well as emergency medicine since 2005.
George Robinson, DVM, MSPH, is the founder and former CEO of Heartland Veterinary Partners, a Chicago-based veterinary support organization. He has over 30 years of veterinary industry experience, holding numerous clinical, business operational, and senior management roles throughout his career.
Steve Dale, CABC, writes for veterinary professionals and pet owners, hosts 2 national radio programs, and has appeared on TV shows ranging from Good Morning America to Oprah. He is on the dvm360® Editorial Advisory Board as well as the boards of the Human-Animal Bond Association and EveryCat Health Foundation. He appears at conferences around the world. Visit stevedale.tv.
Billie Groom works exclusively with dogs over the age of 6 months to address anxiety, aggression, and behaviors associated with adolescent and adopted dogs. Groom is also the creator of UPWARD Dogology, a scientifically proven formula adhering to the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Christopher Shapley, DVM, is a specialist in veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine. He has 2 pet dogs at home, Carrie and Bogey. In his spare time, Shapley enjoys Kung Fu, surfing, camping, and archery.
Shapley attended Montclair State University where he studied biology. He graduated from the Western University of Health Medicine in Pomona California and received his CVA from Chi University. Shapley has worked in large and small animal medicine with a special focus in Eastern Medicine since graduation. Currently, he is working at Brick Town Veterinary Hospital and is an instructor for the Veterinary Assistant Course at OCC.
Jill Clark, DVM, founded IGNITE in 2016 with the singular goal of elevating the knowledge of veterinary teams to enhance their wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of the patients and clients they serve. Her nearly 30-year career in veterinary medicine has been dedicated to the constant improvement of veterinary outcomes and operations and has created many opportunities for the professional growth of the incredible people who make up our profession.
Jessica Hirsch received her B.S. in Animal & Poultry Sciences and a B.S. in Psychology at Virginia Tech University.
She is a current veterinary student at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Hirsch shares her unique story about navigating through veterinary school with disabilities, empowering others to never give up on their dreams.
Have you ever considered doing a career change within vet med? Dr. Priscilla Bowens joins me and shares her experience as an attorney, veterinarian, and a master's degree in public health. We also talk about diversity concerns in veterinary medicine and her contribution to our Fetch faculty. Be sure to check out her session at our upcoming virtual Fetch conference 5/13-5/15. Register at www.fetchdvm360.com
Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, is the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of EVT (Empowering Veterinary Teams), where she oversees the content development, clinical skills training, and overall vision of the company. She cofounded EVT to provide training programs, materials & coaching/learning opportunities for veterinary practices, as well as content development and training directives for veterinary industry service providers. The EVTeam consists of veterinary professionals, industry leaders & coaches.
Our profession has had major technological advancements over the past decade. Genomic sequencing is one of those technologies that allows both the veterinarian and pet parent to provide us with the necessary tools to work together in preventive medicine. Join me as we speak to Lindsey Kock, DVM, market development manager for companion animal genomics at Neogen. Learn more about genomic sequencing and how it pertains to everyday practice here: https://www.neogen.com/igenity-canine-wellness/
Christian Capobianco is a second-year veterinary student at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, he is interested in pursuing a career in zoological, wildlife, and exotic animal medicine. He is also passionate about education and has a background in both formal and informal instruction. Christian has gained relevant clinical and research experience at institutions including Zoo Miami, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. He currently works at a number of local veterinary emergency clinics as a relief ER / ICU assistant and has been featured as a veterinary student extern on the hit television show, "Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER" on Nat Geo Wild.
Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, received his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 2002 and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2010. He has operated both house-call and office-based behavior practices and is currently the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Pachel lectures regularly throughout the United States as well as internationally, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools in the United States, and has authored several articles and book chapters on topics such as intercat aggression and pet selection for animal-assisted therapy. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal cases involving animal behavior and is also a vice president of veterinary behavior on the executive leadership team for Instinct Dog Behavior & Training, providing positive reinforcement behavior modification and board/train services within a franchise-based business model.
Ryan Joseph is cofounder and CEO of GoodVets. Ryan founded GoodVets in 2016 to radically shift the perception of corporate veterinary medicine and create a best-in-class customer experience.
Ryan’s industry experience spans across many sectors, from Hollywood entertainment to online consumer tech. Immediately before founding GoodVets, Ryan served as the COO and CFO of PEAK6 Best Marble, an Italian based, luxury-grade marble excavation and wholesale distribution business.
Matt Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, is a native New Yorker, having grown up in New York, New York. He received his BS in animal science from Cornell University in 2000 and his DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St Kitts, graduating in 2004. He received his certification in rehabilitation in 2008 from the University of Tennessee Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program, and now teaches for that program. He completed the practice experience pathway for the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) in 2017 and passed ACVSMR boards in January 2018. As an ACVSMR diplomate, he believes in a big-picture, practical approach to his patients and enjoys both orthopedic and neurological cases. When not at work, he enjoys running with his dog Penny.
Our profession has so many opportunities to educate and inspire. More specifically, we love to teach and educate children about animals and the careers involved in veterinary medicine. Meet veterinarian, and author of the children’s book “The Doggy Doctor and The Upset Tummy," Jacqueline Johnson, DVM. Learn about her passion in writing and how this incredible story came to fruition!
Neil Shaw,DVM, DACVIM was the medical founder of BluePearl Veterinary Partners and served as the first Chief Medical Officer for Mars, Inc. Following a brief retirement, Neil founded SignalPET, proving the vision that independent primary care veterinarians can harness artificial intelligence to seamlessly expand their range and depth of care.
Legend Thurman is a third-year DVM Candidate at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. Catholic University of America graduate, originally from Washington, PA and Washington, DC.
Thurman aspires to be a full-time governmental veterinarian after graduation, advocating for change in veterinary medicine in legislation, public policy, and advocacy. Over the past three years she has served as the Junior and Senior Delegate for RVC on National SAVMA’s House of Delegates, National SAVMA’s Governmental Affairs Committee Chair and now, advisor, and is currently the RVC SAVMA Chapter President.
During this time, she formed a COVID-19 Hardship Grant for students and helped write new legislation alongside other students for the National SAVMA By-Laws to alter membership guidelines for student chapters who have been affected by various disasters. Currently, she is focusing on advancing exposure to students on issues such as well-being, DEI, organized medicine, one health, and relationships in the field along with a charity drive for the Veterinary School in Afghanistan.
Steve Dale, CABC, writes for veterinary professionals and pet owners, hosts 2 national radio programs, and has appeared on TV shows ranging from Good Morning America to Oprah. He is on the dvm360® Editorial Advisory Board as well as the boards of the Human-Animal Bond Association and EveryCat Health Foundation. He appears at conferences around the world. Visit stevedale.tv.
Join us as he talks about the importance of addressing dental disease to your clients, especially during National Dental Month, and what behavioral signs to look out for!
Michael Lucroy, DVM, MS, DACVIM (oncology), graduated from Purdue University, and went on to do a small animal internship at University of Saskatchewan. From there, Lucroy went to UC Davis to complete a medical oncology residency and graduate school, where he was a post-grad researcher at the Center for Companion Animal Health.
He moved on up, starting a private speciality practice in central Florida, followed by a stint at Oklahoma State University as an associate professor and endowed chair, before returning to Purdue University as an Associate Professor and Chief of Clinical Oncology.
After leaving academics, Lucroy worked in a private specialty practice at the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center in Indianapolis, before joining the R&D Team at Elanco Animal Health. Prior to joining Torigen, he was Director of Clinical Studies for MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets overseeing research in over 20 specialty hospitals. He is board-certified in medical oncology, and author of over 40 peer-reviewed publications. Lucroy is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Torigen.
Pam Hale, DVM, MBA, is the Chief Medical Officer for Destination Pet’s and a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her master of business administration from St. George’s University. Dr Hale is a member of the AVMA and Georgia VMA. She serves on the Dean’s Counsel for Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Liability Insurance Trust. She shares her home with 7 pups and her husband, Chuck.
Veterinary students are not only inspiring, but resilient as well with their overriding passion for veterinary medicine. Stacey Thomas is no exception, embarking on her new journey as a first-year veterinary student (Class of 2023) at the University of Arizona.
Her path to veterinary medicine like most veterinary professionals is not linear, starting on the human side of medicine for many years previously. Sharing what sparked her new career path, (listen to find out!) Thomas gives us inspiration and hope as she enters the next chapter of her professional career.
Co-owner of Florida Veterinary Advisors and financial advisor, Tom Seeko, offers up a few tips on how to improve your clinics net worth. Seeko began his focus in the veterinary field in 2014, along with becoming approved to provide continuing education in the state of Florida in 2017.
In early 2018, Seeko became an approved RACE provider through the AAVSB. As of now, Seeko and his team are involved within several associations in the state of Florida, VetPartners, and the VBMA (Veterinary Business Management Association) that provides students in the Veterinary field with resources and access to professionals to help them with solid advice to jump start their career.
Kash Kuruppu, DVM, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. Subsequently, she completed her graduate studies in Epidemiology using big data technologies and machine learning to identify and predict risk factors for diseases in animal populations. Most recently, she was the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at a technology startup supporting veterinarians to deliver personalized care for companion animals. She is currently the Chief Veterinary Officer at Basepaws, helping advance human and animal health through the study of their genetics.
People, processes and problems have changed drastically with the pandemic. Join me as I chat with Maureen Joseph, Chief People Officer of GoodVets about culture, values and what it means to the Chief People Officer of an organization.
Maureen Joseph is the Chief People Officer of GoodVets, and an experienced HR leader and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working across industries. Maureen joined GoodVets in 2019 because of the opportunity to have a positive impact on people and people processes in the veterinary industry, an industry whose professionals are too often mistreated and under-appreciated.
We’ve all been there. “Did I send enough?” “Did I write enough?” “Oh I’ll just let them figure it out.” Learn easy things to make you and the life of your pathologist way easier when collaborating with your patients! Establish a good relationship with them and it will make for effective communication. Listen as I chat with my wonderful friend, colleague and veterinary pathologist, Veronica King, DVM.
Shawn Messonnier, DVM, is the owner of Paws & Claws Holistic Animal Hospital. He is also the author of the award-winning “The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats” and, “The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, and Breast Choices for the Best Chances: Your Breasts, Your Life, and How YOU Can Win The Battle!“ Dr. Messonier’s interests includeChinese/Western Herbology, Homeopathy, Homotoxicology, Nutritional Therapies, and Acupuncture. He serves on the dvm360® editorial advisory board.
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, is board certified by American Veterinary Dental College and American Board of Veterinary Practitioner. He is the current president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. Dr. Bellows practices veterinary dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida. Bellows is also the author of "Small Animal Dental Equipment Materials and Techniques, 2nd Ed" and "Feline Dentistry, 2nd Ed." Check out some awesome insight as he offers helpful tools in improving veterinary dentistry at your practice.
Kash Kuruppu, DVM, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. Subsequently, she completed her graduate studies in Epidemiology using big data technologies and machine learning to identify and predict risk factors for diseases in animal populations. Most recently, she was the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at a technology startup supporting veterinarians to deliver personalized care for companion animals. She is currently the Chief Veterinary Officer at Basepaws, helping advance human and animal health through the study of their genetics.
As the the co-hosts of Vet Med After Hours Podcast and founders of the #vetyoumatter Campaign, Alec Failor and Tracy Sands, DVM, discuss their efforts in creating a work-life balance environment.
Dr. Tracy Sands is the practice owner of Healing Paws Veterinary Care & Pet Resort in Pennsylvania and Alec Failor is the Practice Manager and Clinic Wellness Coach. Tracy is a mom who loves kayaking and yoga and owns a small flock of sheep while Alec is a professional disc golfer and a mega cat lover.
Dr. Phil Tucak, BSc., BVMS, is the Veterinary Business Professional of the Year for 2020. Phil is an Australian veterinarian, communications manager and veterinary journalist. As the Wildlife Outreach Vet, he works to share the conversation about conservation. Phil works in clinical practice at Cottesloe Vet in Perth, along with working as a writer and communications manager for several veterinary businesses and science and conservation organizations. He regularly writes content for the Australian Veterinary Association and various publications. Phil has previously worked as Communications Manager for the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Communications and Interpretation Coordinator for Perth Zoo, as a journalist for SBS News, and as a television producer and presenter, and radio producer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Anya Babbitt is the CEO & Co-Founder of Mella Pet Care. Her shih tzu mix, Mella, is the namesake for the company. As an entrepreneur, Anya has built and exited multiple startups across industries and her work has been recognized by the United Nations, Wall Street Journal, and more. Her specialty is strategic partnerships, deal closing, and team building. Ben Seidman is the COO & Co-Founder of Mella Pet Care. Having studied entrepreneurship at Michigan, he loves building things and collaborating with his team. His puppy, Biggie, is the namesake for Mella's second product. He is resourceful, a door opener, and a team player.
Remember what your hospital was like before COVID-19? That chapter is in the books and we need to find creative ways of keeping team members employed, engaged and useful as we adapt to the changes in place. Erin Potts from Veterinary Hospital Association (VHA) shares with us how the pandemic impacted veterinary employees. She also offers some great tips for employees who need to work from home. Yes, it can be done! VHA is a proud not-for-profit association that has been serving and supporting veterinary professionals and practices for over 35 years by offering solutions that enable them to grow, learn, and succeed. You can learn more about VHA and the services they provide by visiting www.veterinaryha.org
Veterinarian and board member of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI), Dr. Rebecca Steers, discusses her journey into veterinary medicine. She also touches on leadership and the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative. Do you think leaders are born, or developed? Or possibly, a combination of both? We would love to get your input!
Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVS, Diplomate ACVSMR creates personalized treatment plans for dogs with or at-risk of arthritis. These plans typically include: physical rehabilitation, intra-articular therapies, or surgery; but they always include comprehensive pain management, weight loss (if indicated), regular exercise, and wholesome nutrition. She is also an educator, teaching other veterinarians how to properly diagnose and manage arthritis in their patients.
As a consultant, Dr. Kirkby Shaw works with Animal Health companies to develop new solutions for treating arthritis in pets. Resources such as these are part of the benefits of CARE membership. Check out her episode on canine rehabilitation and various resources to use!
Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, Founder, Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network, Owner/CEO of Veterinary Care Logistics, shares how she became a veterinary inventory manager and covers the top 5 ways veterinary hospitals can reduce cost of goods!
Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, is a veterinary oncologist and Chief Science Officer for Ethos Veterinary Health. Khanna is also a two-time recipient of the NCI Distinguished Mentor Award and was the 2010 recipient of the NCI award for outstanding Research. He has maintained a strong connection to the field of veterinary oncology and animal health. He continues to be an active clinician within his referral oncology practices, The Oncology Service, based in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He is also the founder of Animal Clinical Investigation a contract research company, involved in complex medical problems seen in pets. Make sure to listen in on some updates for Canine Hemaniosarcoma!
Dr. Laura Catena graduated from The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a small animal relief veterinarian and entrepreneur. Dr. Catena developed The ArmOR Hand Animal Handling Gloves after an injury she endured while working emergency medicine. Her injury resulted in extensive surgery and months of physical therapy to regain use of her hand. ArmOR Hand is a compassionate glove, designed to allow for proper and safe restraint technique, without the use of force. The glove is used to safely handle animals, reduce injuries to humans, improve animal welfare, and advance the cause of wildlife and pets. Dr. Catena is a medical advisor to 2 veterinary supplement companies, Medterra and Reggie. She is the mother to 2 young boys, Hudson and Holden, and their family dog, Beans.
Marlaina Hrosch is a licensed veterinary technician and technician training manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. She love all things emergency medicine, especially trauma and toxicity cases. Her focus is on training veterinary technicians to understand the "why" behind everything they do. Hrosch recently sat for her veterinary technician specialty exam in emergency and critical care, and is anxiously awaiting the test results! Email her any questions at mhrosch@veg.vet
Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, chief medical officer of Rx Vitamins, has made it his mission to educate veterinary professionals about the importance of integrating nutraceuticals in traditional veterinary medical protocols. Dr. Silver is an active member of the Cannabis Clinicians Society, vice president of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medical Association, and former president of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association. He is a 1982 graduate of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Register for his free live webinar airing tomorrow, 10/14 at 8pm EST here.
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, is board certified by American Veterinary Dental College and American Board of Veterinary Practitioner. He is the current president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. Dr. Bellows practices veterinary dentistry at All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida. Bellows is also the author of "Small Animal Dental Equipment Materials and Techniques, 2nd Ed" and "Feline Dentistry, 2nd Ed." Check out some awesome insight as he offers helpful tools in improving veterinary dentistry at your practice.
With years of experience, Steve Pustela and Derrick Ossi know a thing or two when it comes to financial planning. Working as financial advisors, the duo assist many young veterinary professionals struggling with student loan debt. Be sure to tune into this episode as they offer up some invaluable nuggets that can help shape the financial future of your veterinary career!
On this episode, Jack DeWees shares his voyage into the veterinary field through his bandage art. Originally working on the human side of the medical world, DeWees started by making 3-D figures out of coband for pediatric patients as a way to make them smile during challenging times. Follow his art journey on his Instagram page @bandageartists and listen for more on how this amazing concept sparked a new art movement for veterinary patients alike.
Check out his website as well: https://www.bandage-art.com/
Mariacamila Garcia Estrella is currently a second-year Veterinary Student at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. As an upcoming participant in the Diversity Panel for the November Fetch conference, Garcia Estrella discusses the mental resilience it takes to navigate through the veterinary medical field as a Latinx student. Listen to learn more on her inspiring story.
As the creator of Teef! (https://www.teefhealth.com/site/), Microbiologist, Dr. Emily Stein shares some helpful nuggets on defining what a microbiome is, along with different treatment modalities for preventative care against the development of dental disease in both humans and animals alike. Take a listen!
Dr. Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, has extensive clinical training in all aspects of veterinary neurology/neurosurgery with a neurosurgical certification from the ACVIM. His special interests include advanced MRI neuroimaging techniques and minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. Wininger is also the founding and current treasurer of Veterinary Neurosurgical Society, an organization committed to uniting veterinary surgeons and neurosurgeons in discovering the best therapy for pets. He is the founder of 3D Veterinary Printing LLC as well! Tune in and listen to some great advice on canine neurology!
Check out my conversation with Andrew Luna, who is the head of sales (North America) at Vetstoria. Vetstoria is the world’s #1 veterinary appointment booking engine. Driving millions of bookings annually in 20 countries and funneling hundreds of millions in revenue for our partnered clinics. Listen for some awesome information on how to use Vetstoria at your practice!
On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, I got a chance to speak with Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, veterinary surgeon and dvm360 editorial board member, Dr. David Dycus. His areas of particular interest are in fracture traumatology, fracture biomechanics, osteoarthritis, total joint replacement, and stifle stabilization. Tune in to learn more about the incredible story of his veterinary career, along with some great tips to follow for those of you that are veterinary students!
Meet Dr. Antonio L. Bowens, owner of Bowens' Locum Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery Services (BLVNS). Learn more on his inspiring story as he shares his journey in veterinary medicine and finding his niche in the veterinary neurology world.
This week I chat with founder of Flourish Veterinary Consulting, Josh Vaisman. Josh is a certified compassion fatigue counselor. He believes all veterinary professional deserve to feel fulfilled by their work, each and every day. Through his company, Flourish Veterinary Consulting, he combines more than 20 years of veterinary expertise, a master's in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology and an education in positive leadership and positive organizational scholarship to help individuals do just that. To find out more info, head to www.flourishveterinaryconsulting.com.
This week I have the honor in chatting with Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, DACVS, Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. We chat about an integrative and multi-modal approach to managing dogs with osteoarthritis.
For further questions for Dr. Jaffe, Email: mhj95@msstate.edu. Enjoy the show!
Welcome Clint Latham J.D., founder of Lucca – a veterinary data security platform – as he discusses the growing need for cybersecurity due to the current rise in cyber threats since COVID-19. Learn what steps to take and what to look out for in order to protect your practice, clients and patients! Visit www.lucca.vet for more on this cybersecurity platform and the meaning behind the name!
As the host of two nationally syndicated radio shows and as an acclaimed pet journalist, animal behavioralist Steve Dale, CABC, shares some breakthrough feline research and offers a sneak peek at some of his upcoming Fetch talks that he will co-present with WSAVA One Health Committee Chair Michael Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM).
Welcome Dr. Kristin Welch to todays episode as she breaks down 5 constructive tips to help in emergency and critical care. Dr. Welch not only is the CEO of DVM Stat Consulting, but her substantial training, credentials and experience in emergency and critical care has allowed her efforts at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC), to become the only Level I-certified emergency care center in the Southeast, as designated by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). So be sure to tune in and listen!
Dr. Valerie Parker, DVM, DACVIM, (SAIM), DACVN is a clinical associate professor in the Small Animal Internal Medicine and Nutrition division at Ohio State University. She will be presenting at the upcoming fetch conference, speaking on the following topics: Nutritional Management of the Comorbid Kidney Disease Patient, Nutritional Approach to Chronic Enteropathies I: What Diet is Best?, and Nutritional Approach to Chronic Enteropathies II: More Than Ingredients. Listen for more details!
My colleague, Dr. Allen Schoen, is a holistic integrative veterinarian who is the father of holistic veterinary medicine. Dr. Schoen is the host of his show, "Awakening With Your Animal Family" on Awake TV. Find out what it means to be a CALM pet parent and a veterinarian who embraces it!
Dr. Ashley Bourgeois and Dr. Chris Pachel share their experiences as being a veterinary dermatologist and veterinary behaviorist, respectively. We also get to tease out an incredible LIVE virtual event for their talk at our upcoming Fetch Virtual Conference 8/26/20-8/31/30. Register at www.fetchdvm360.com for details!
Be sure to check out the wonderful Carolyn Shadle, PhD, and her husband John Meyer, PhD, in our upcoming virtual fetch conference happening August 26-31st! Between Shadles contributions towards interpersonal communications and her extensive background on the human-animal bond, paired with Dr. Meyers gift in communications, allowed both to share with us valuable insight within the veterinary field. Listen till the end for a hidden surprise as well!
Tune in and listen to Dr. Jacqueline Whittemore, from the University of Tennessee, as she will be answering those burning digestive tract questions in veterinary medicine (specifically companion animals) in our upcoming virtual fetch conference! Dr. Whittemore graduated from the University of California, Davis College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After two years in small animal general practice, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a Ph.D. in Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University. Visit www.fetchdvm360.com today to register for fetch virtual!
Head over to www.fetchdvm360.com to register for our virtual fetch conference! It's a mega one that keeps growing! Here I chat with veterinary dermatologist, Dr. Ashley Bourgeois & veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel! We tease out their virtual live event on feline behavior -vs- feline dermatology? There's a gray zone between. . is it OCD? Is it atopic dermatitis or something else? Find out more when they give their live RACE approved talk at our virtual fetch conference!
I have the honor in chatting with pro pet blogger, social media influencer and president of Dog Writer's Association, Carol Bryant. Carol has been a pet parent advocate for years. She has been featured on Oprah radio, has received numerous awards and is the founder of Wigglebutt Warriors, the fundraising arm of her company, Fidose of Reality. She is an avid Cocker Spaniel lover and I am proud to chat with her all things dog! Check it out!
In this episode, I have the privilege in speaking with my colleague, Dr. John Geller. We talk about street veterinary care, a growing service that is in much need of help and education. Dr. Jon Geller is an emergency veterinarian and hospital director at the Veterinary Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo. He is board-certified in Canine and Feline Medicine. He is also the co-founder and President of the Board of Directors for two non-profits, The Ladybug Fund and The Street Dog Coalition. In addition, he was active in the field of wildlife animal welfare issues as a committee member for the inaugural Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for the National Park Service.
Dr. Geller is also a Certified Veterinary Journalist (CVJ), and writes regular columns for his regional newspaper and other pet periodicals.
His current areas of interest are providing veterinary care to the pets of indigent clients, and investigating feedlot ecology.
I chat with CEO, Emily Dong, of SnoutID. Find out how integrating technology such as this offers a touchless curbside check-in and efficient patient intake process. Visit www.snoutid.com
Our journey into vet school is different for everyone and inspirational to all. Meet 2nd year veterinary student from Virginia-Maryland Regional Veterinary School, Christopher Hollingsworth. His journey is an incredible one and I am proud to call him a friend and colleague. Be sure to check in with Chris at our virtual fetch conference at the end of August. He will be moderating an incredible panel discussion on the importance of diversity in veterinary medicine!
In this podcast, I chat with Marie Bucko, President of SAVMA, and 4th year veterinary student at University of Wisconsin. We chat about COVID-19 briefly and resources for veterinarians to obtain the latest information on COVID-19.
I can't imagine what it must be like going through veterinary school during this pandemic.
In this episode I'm inviting you into my life and showcasing what the show will be about. Remember there are so many avenues within the veterinary profession to pursue! I can attest to that personally!