Keystone Veterinarian Volume III

advancing animal welfare and human healthwhile ensuring the vitality of the profession

veterinariankeystone

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

VOLUME III, 2013www.pavma.org

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pvmaAssure Insurance Agency, Inc. is the official in-house, full-service insurance agency created

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an integral part of PVMA’s continuing promise to deliver the highest level of service and loyalty to

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pennsylvania veterinary medical association

8574 paxton streethummelstown, pa 17036

phone: 888.550.7862fax: 717.220.1461

email: [email protected]: www.pavma.org

2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Kenton Rexford, VMDPresident

Sherrill Davison, VMD, MS, MBA, DACPVPresident-Elect

James Holt, VMDVice President

Ronald M. Kraft, DVMSecretary-Treasurer

Robert P. Lavan, DVM, MS, MPVM, DACVPMImmediate Past President

Mary A. Bryant, VMDAVMA Delegate

Charlene Miller WandzilakExecutive Director

advancing animal welfare and human healthwhile ensuring the vitality of the profession

pvmap e n n s y l v a n i a v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n

in this issue5 PVMAAnnouncesNewly-ElectedOfficers2014Leaders

7 Seize the Opportunity to Spread Veterinary Medicine at the 98th Pennsylvania Farm Show

11 InsideVetGirl…AnInterviewwithDr.JustineLee

16 CustomizedPatientCare:PuttingYourPlansIntoPractice

17 AnInsideLookat2013BusinessBehaviorsintheMid-AtlanticRegion

22 MeettheWinnersthePVMA's2013MemberAwards

25 PVMAFactSheet:PreventiveCare

26 ALookBackat2013'sLegislativeDayandFriendsofVeterinaryMedicine

what’sfeatured14 IncreasePatientVisitsWithMonthlyPaymentPlans

20 6th3RiversVeterinarySymposiumReturnstoPittsburgh

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6 Observations byHeatherBerst,VMD “AreThereTooManySchoolsandNotEnoughJobs?”

8 ThePresident’sTwoCents byKentonRexford,VMD "BrushingUponChangesintheRabiesLaw”

10 FromWhereISit byCharleneWandzilak “CreatingaWellnessPlanforYourPractice”

12 PracticePearls byBySherryEverhartBS,RVT,andDavidMcCormick,MS "TopFiveCostliestBusinessMistakes”

18 InsidePADLS byDeepTewariBVSc,PhD,DACVM "BovineViralDiarrhea(BVD)inCattle:PADLSTestingOptions”

28 PennVetNews "NewAcupunctureServicesAvailableatPennVet'sNewBoltonCenter”

30 MemberNews "PracticeSpotlight:HopeVeterinarySpecialists”

38 What’sHappening “EventsandEducation”

40 TheGrandFinale “ADog'sDailyRoutine”

AdvertisingIndex37 AlliedVeterinaryCremation

27 AVMA-PLIT

24 BenefitHub

35 Burzenski&Company,PC

15 CommunicationSolutionsForVeterinarians

IRC Highmark

37 NateLynch&Associates,LLC

4 On-HoldSpecialists

7 Pet Memorial Services

3 PNCBank

IFC pvmaAssureInsuranceAgency,Inc.

29 SimmonsVeterinaryPracticeSalesandAppraisals

28 StandardProcessVeterinaryFormulas

RC TotalPracticeSolutionsGroup

39 VetCor

7 VeterinaryLoans.com

5,7 VeterinaryManagementConsultation

33 Zoetis

36 Classifieds

QuarterlyColumns

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2013 Board of Trustees(A= Alternate Trustee, T=Trustee)

District IAdam Hoover, VMD, TrusteeBeth Piersol, DVM, Alternate

District IILloyd Reitz, Jr., DVM, Trustee

Stacia McMahon Gilbert, DVM, Alternate

District IIIMary-Lynn McBride, DVM, TrusteeDawn Fiedorczyk, VMD, Alternate

District IVMichael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, Trustee

John Showalter, DVM, TrusteeAmanda Glass, DVM, Alternate

Sean Smarick, VMD, DACVECC, Alternate

District VDan Zawisza, VMD, Trustee

Alternate—Vacant

District VIAndrea Honigmann, DVM, Trustee

John Simms, VMD, TrusteeNathan Kapp, VMD, Alternate

Jeff Steed, DVM, Alternate

District VIIHeather Berst, VMD, Trustee

Christina Dougherty, VMD, TrusteeCasey Lynch Kurtz, VMD, Trustee

Theodore Robinson, VMD, TrusteeKimberley Hershhorn Galligher, VMD, Alternate

Kim Kovath, VMD, AlternateSteven Prier, VMD, Alternate

Tom Garg, VMD, Alternate

District VIIISusan Ackermann, DVM, Trustee

Ferdinand Visintainer, VMD, TrusteeMeg Alonso, VMD, Alternate Carlos Hodges, DVM, MS, PC

AVMA Alternate DelegateMike Topper, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Academic Veterinarian At-LargeColin Harvey, BVSc, ACVS

Veterinary Student At-LargeVacant

Production Animal Practice Veterinarian At-Large

Darcie Stolz, VMD

Equine Veterinarian At-LargeVacant

Public and Corporate Practice Veterinarian At-Large

Jules Benson, BVSc, MRCVS

Veterinary Technician At-LargeJOY ELLWANGER, CVT, BS, AAS

Editor: Heather Berst, VMDStaff Editor & Graphic Designer: Lori RaverStaff Editor: Charlene Wandzilak

Editorial CorrespondenceLetters to the Editor should be sent to PVMA, Attn: Lori Raver, 8574 Paxton Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036, fax 717.220.1461, or by email at [email protected].

Advertisingkeystone veterinarian is published quarterly by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. Inquiries about display advertising should be directed to Lori Raver at the address and phone number listed above. Advertising information is also available on our website, www.pavma.org. Contracts and insertion orders should be sent to the address listed above by the appropriate submission deadline.

Submission DeadlinesAll articles, classifieds, and display advertisements must be received by the deadlines listed to be considered for inclusion in the respective issue:

Volume IV, 2013—October 1, 2013

Subscriptionskeystone veterinarian is mailed to all PVMA members at no charge as a member benefit. Subscriptions are available to non-members for $30 a year or $10 for a single issue.

Notice to ReadersNeither this publication nor PVMA assume responsibility for material contained in articles and advertisements published, nor does publication necessarily constitute endorsement or approval of the advertiser, product, service, or author viewpoint by the keystone veterinarian, its editors and publishers, or the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, neither this publication nor PVMA guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any facts, views, opinions, recommendations, information or statements contained within this publication.

Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the permission of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.

Copyright 2013: Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.

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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 5keystone veterinarian VOLUME III 2013

OnAugust17,thePennsylvaniaVeterinaryMedicalAssociationannouncedtheresultsofthe2014electionfortheorganization’s

officers.TheseindividualswilltakeofficeonJanuary1,2014,intheirnewcapacities.

Sherrill Davison, VMD, MS, MBA, DACPVSherrillDavison,VMD,MS,MBA,DACPV,ofKen-nettSquare,Pennsylvania,currentlyservesasthePresident-ElectandwillautomaticallyassumethePresidency.Dr.DavisonreceivedaBachelorofArtsinBiologyfromtheUniversityofPennsylvaniain1979,aveterinarydegreefromtheUniversityofPennsyl-vaniain1983,aMasterofSciencedegreefromthe

UniversityofPennsylvaniain1988,andaMasterofBusinessAdmin-istrationfromtheWhartonSchoolin2004.SheiscurrentlyResidentDirectoroftheNewBoltonCenterPennsylvaniaAnimalDiagnosticLaboratorySystem,DirectoroftheLaboratoryofAvianMedicineandPathology,andanAssociateProfessorofAvianMedicineandPatholo-gy,UniversityofPennsylvania.PriortoherAssociateProfessorship,sheheldthepositionsofAssistantProfessor,LecturerandResidentattheVeterinarySchool’sLaboratoryofAvianMedicineandPathology.Priortoherworkattheuniversity,shewasapractitionerinasmallanimalhospital.Dr.DavisonalsoholdsaspecialtycertificateasaDiplomateoftheAmericanCollegeofPoultryVeterinarians.SheisamemberoftheLegislativeandRegulatoryAffairsCommitteeandSecretary-TreasurerofthepvmaAssureInsuranceAgency,Inc.

Jim Holt, VMDJimHolt,VMD,ofGlenmoore,Pennsylvania,waselectedtoserveasthePresident-Elect.HecurrentlyservesasVice-President.Dr.Holtshowedaninter-estinanimalsbeginningatanearlyageandhasbeenanavidhorseridersincehewas9-years-old.Whileridinghuntersandjumpers,thehighlightofhisridingcareerwaswhenherodeinaGrandPrixatage16.Dr.HoltattendedtheUniversityofPenn-

sylvaniaandgraduatedin1991.Uponcompletionofhiseducation,hewashiredonatMorgantownVeterinaryClinic,amixedequine/bovinepracticethatservicednorthernChester,Lancaster,andBerksCounties.In1993,Dr.HoltdecidedtoopenhisownmixedpracticecalledBrandy-wineVeterinaryServiceswhichhestillownstoday.Currently,heworksthreedaysperweekastheveterinarianforNewHollandSalesStablesinNewHolland,PA,workingpredominantlywithcowsandhorses.TherestofDr.Holt’stimeisspentinamoretypicalmixedequine/bovinepracticedoingpre-purchaseexams,treatingequinelameness,offeringsecondopinions,overseeingimportsandexports,anddealingwithanimalwelfareissuesastheyrelatetohowanimalsaretreatedatsalesandequinerescuefacilities.Dr.HolthasservedastheTrusteefortheBrandywineVeterinaryMedicalAssociationandasaDistrictVIITrustee.HehasalsoservedastheEquineChairontheScientificPro-gramCommitteeandamemberoftheCoalitionfortheCare,Custody,andWelfareoftheUnwantedHorse.HecurrentlyservesontheLegisla-tiveandRegulatoryAffairsCommitteeandisamemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofpvmaAssureInsuranceAgency,Inc.

Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVRMichaelQ.Bailey,DVM,DACVR,ofExport,Pennsylvania,wasoneoftwocandidatesforthepositionofVice-President.Hewonthe2014electionandwillassumetheVice-PresidencyonJanuary1.Agraduate

PVMA Announces Newly-Elected 2014 LeadersofRutgersUniversitywithaBachelorofScienceinAnimalScience,Dr.MichaelBaileywasaUSDAextensionagentwiththestateofNewJerseypriortoattendingTuskegeeUniversity,SchoolofVeterinaryMedicinewherehereceivedhisveterinarydegreein1982.Dr.BaileycompletedamedicalsurgicalinternshipandthenadiagnosticandtherapeuticradiologyresidencyatMichiganStateUniversity,CollegeofVeterinaryMedicine.

HewasonfacultyatMichiganStateUniversity,TuskegeeUniversityandwastenuredfacultyatTheOhioStateUniversitypriortoleavingacademiatoenterprivateradiologypractice.Dr.Baileyhasauthoredmorethan32articlesinreferredjournals,haspresentedatnumerousveterinaryandhumanhealthcareprofessionalmeetings,andwasanAVMA/AAAScongressionalfellowwhereheworkedasalegislativeaidetoaseniormemberofCongressintheareasofhealthcare,agriculture,andeducation.HeistheheadradiologistforBanfieldPetHospitals.Dr.BaileyiscurrentlytheDistrictIVTrusteeonthePVMABoardofTrustees.Dr.Bailey’swife,Terri,isapediatricnursepractitioner,andtheyhavetwosons,Jon,aparamedicfirefighterandQuinton,apoliceofficer.

RonKraft,DVM,ofNorristown,Pennsylvania,willcontinueastheSecretary-TreasurerandDr.KentonRexfordofPittsburgh,Pennsylvania,willsucceedtoImmediatePastPresident.

Congratulationstothenewlyelectedofficers!l

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WWW.PAVMA.ORGVOLUME III 2013 keystone veterinarian6

observations

Are There Too Many Schools and Not Enough Jobs?ByHeatherBerst,VMD,Editor

A saveterinarian,ifyouhaven’treaditorheardaboutit,youmustbelivingunderarock.Isawitfirstposted byaclassmateofmineonFacebook.ItwastheFebruary2013New York Timesarticletitled“HighDebtand

FallingDemandTrapNewVets”.Ihadmultiplenon-veterinaryfriendsforwardthistome.Thearticlewasdisturb-ingandhasstartedmanylivelydiscussionsabouttheveterinaryprofessionincludingmanyaboutthenewlyaccreditedveterinaryschools.

Ifyouhaven’treadit,thearticlehighlightsthefactthattherearetoomanyveterinariansandnotenoughjobs.Thenewgraduatesarecarryingahighdebtload.Hereisakeyquotefromthearticle:"Classsizeshavebeenraisingatnearlyeveryschool,insomecasesbyasmuchas20percentinrecentyears.Andthecostofvetschoolhasfaroutpacedtherateofinflation.Ithasrisentoamedianof$63,000ayearforout-of-statetuition,feesandlivingexpenses,accordingtotheAssociationofAmericanVeterinaryMedicalColleges,up35percentinthelastdecade.Butstartingsalarieshavesunkbyabout13percentduringthesame10-yearperiod,ininflation-adjustedterms,to$45,575ayear,accordingtotheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation."Thearticlealsohighlightssomestrugglingnewveterinaryschoolgraduates.

Ithinkthereisatendencyto"blame"thenewlyaccreditedveterinaryschoolsbybringingthissubjectup.key-stone veterinarianmaygetaslewofletterstotheeditor.Myopinion(notPVMA’s)isthatnomatterhowmuchpeoplefightoropposetheaccreditationofnewveterinaryschools,theywillcontinuetobeaccredited.Itisinevitable.Ibelievetheprofessionneedstoadaptratherthanwastingenergyopposingthem.

TheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(AVMA)doeshavearesponsetowhatisgoingonintheprofession.AVMA'swebsitehighlightstheNationalResearchCouncil’s2012reportthatexpressedconcernsaboutthesus-tainabilityoftheveterinaryprofessionandaneedfortheprofessiontoevolvetomeetchangingsocietalneeds.TheAVMAstatesthatitwantstobeproactivetoimprovethewell-beingofveterinariansintheUnitedStates.Whatshouldbedone?

ThemajorityofmyclassmatesattheUniversityofPennsylvania,SchoolofVeterinaryMedicine(PennVet)inthegraduatingclassof2000wereinterestedinsmallanimalprivatepractice.Wegraduated,hungoutourname-plates,andstartedworking.Thosedaysaregone.Theprofessionneedstohighlightandselectforincomingstudentsthatareinterestedinalternativecareerpaths.

Ithinktherearesomestepstomovetheprofessionforward.Aveterinarydegreeisveryversatile.Youcanbeinvolvedinacareerwithpublichealth,research,military,industry,academia,teaching,orgovernment.PennVethastheOneHealthInitiativethatcanreallyopenyoungveterinarian’smindstothinkmoreglobally.

So,ifyouarementoringaprospectiveveterinarystudentasmanyofusdo,whynotmentiontheversatilityofaveterinarydegreeandalltheroutesthatyourcareercantake?Myownpersonalcareerhastakenafewtwistsandturns.IendedupinaplaceinmycareerthatIamextremelyhappyinbutneverwhereIimaginedtobewheninveterinaryschool.l

Letter to the EditorInVolume2,2013,inThePresident'sTwoCents,Dr.Rexfordsayslicenseesshouldcompleteatleast16hoursofcontinuingeducation.Thatisthecorrectnumberofhoursforcertifiedveterinarytechnicians.Thecorrectnum-berofcontinuingeducationhoursrequiredforbiennialrenewalofthelicenseofaveterinarianis30.

Teresa Lazo, Assistant Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Harrisburg, PA

98th Pennsylvania Farm Show

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WeinviteyoutohelprepresentveterinarymedicinebyhelpingtostaffthePVMA/PVTA/PVFboothduringthe98th Pennsylvania

FarmShowtobeheldJanuary4-11,2014,attheFarmShowComplexinHarrisburg.Thefarmshow,renownedforitshigh-qualityanimalexhibitionsanddeliciousfood,attractshundredsofthousandsofvisitorseachyear.WhatbetterwaytoimpressuponthepublictheimportanceofveterinariansinPennsylvania,notjustforfoodanimalsandlivestock,butforcompanionanimalstoo,thantobetheregreetingpeopleandanswer-ingquestions.Becauseofthepublicnatureoftheshow,manyguestshavequestionsaboutgettingapetoraboutapettheyalreadyhave.

HowdoIsignup?Visit http://doodle.com/etdsxbatkywqmadmorscantheQRcodeatthebottomofthepagewithyourmobiledevice.Simplyclickthebuttontoexpandallselectionsandjustclickontheshiftsthroughouttheweekwhichsuityourschedule.Weneed2-3peoplepershiftsodon'tskiponejustbecauseitsalreadybeenchosen.

WhatdoIget?Volunteerswillreceivedirectionstothefarmshowcomplex,anexhibitorparkingpass,andothermaterialsrelatedtoyourshift.Mealexpensesarecoveredduringyourshift.

WhocanIbring?Ifyouhavechildrenwhoareinterestedinveterinarymedicineoranimalsandwholiketointeractwiththepublic,weencourageyoutobringthemalong.Likewise, we encourage you to bring your pet if they are good with people. We'd like to have at least one animal each day.

[email protected] or888.550.7862.l

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the president’s two cents

Brushing Up on Changes in the Rabies LawByKentonRexford,VMD,President

the president’s two cents

Rabiesisatopicthatgeneratesmuchconcernandmanyquestions.Iwilladdresssomeoftheseissuesinthisarticle.

PrevalenceAsofAugust,238animalshavetestedpositiveforRabiesinPA–109Raccoons;55Bats;25Foxes;24Cats;17Skunk;4Groundhogs;3Cows;1Deer.Rabiespositiveanimalshavebeenidentifiedinallregionsofthestate.

Asveterinarians,wehaveanappreciationforthesignificantpublichealthriskRabiesrepresents.OurLegislaturealsorecognizesthisrisk-asisevidencedbythepassageofAct65of2013(previouslySenateBill155),thisActisanamendmenttothe1986RabiesActallofwhichisineffectasofSeptember7,2013.

NewRabiesLawHighlightsSomeofyoumayhaveheardabouttherecentlysignednewRabiesAct,a.k.aPASenateBill155.TherewillbenewrabiesregulationstoaccompanythenewAct,buttheyhavenotyetbeencompleted.Atthistime,youshouldjustbeawarethattherewillbesomesignificantchangestothePennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgriculture’srabiesregulationsforthefirsttimeinseveraldecades,sostaytunedforthoseadditionalupcomingchanges.IwilltrytogiveyouthekeypointsofthenewRabiesAct,mostofwhichtookeffectonSeptember7,2013.

OnesectionofthenewRabiesActtookeffectbackinJuly,anditrelatestoboardingkennels,soifyouownoroperateone,thismaybeofinteresttoyou(paraphrasingfromthenewact):

Youmustnowrequiretheownerofeachdogyouareboardingtoprovideproofofup-to-daterabiesvaccina-tionwhenthedogentersthekennel.Theproofofvaccinationmustbekeptonfileatthekennelfor7daysafterthedogleavesthekennel.Ifthereisadogattackataboardingkennel,allrabiesvaccinationrecordsandownercontactinformationmustbeprovidedtotheownersofalldogsinjuredintheattack.

Herearesomeoftheother“highlights”ofthenewRabiesAct:a. Dogsandcats(nochangeinthedefinitionofcat—theystillareonlyrequiredbylawtobevaccinatedifthey

spendtimeinsideaninhabitedresidence)willberequiredtobevaccinatedagainstrabiesforthefirsttimewithin4weeksaftertheyattain12weeksofage(i.e.between12and16weeksofage).ThisisahelpfulchangesincethewaytheoldActwasworded,theseanimalswererequiredtobevaccinatedat3monthsoldwithnowindowoftimeinwhichtogetthatdone.

b.Dogsandcatsmustreceiveasubsequentrabiesvaccinationbetween12-14monthsafterthedateoftheinitialrabiesvaccination,regardlessoftheageoftheanimalatfirstvaccinationunlessthelabelinstructionsspecifi-callydirectotherwise.ThatdoesNOTmeanthatyoucannotadministeradditionalrabiesvaccinationssoonerifyouwishtodoso.

c. Ongoingrabiesvaccinationwillthenbeaccordingtolabelinstructions.ThisisgoodbecauseitallowsfortheActtoremainflexibleasnewvaccinesornewlabelinstructionsareapproved.Forexample,ifyouusetherabiesvaccinelabeledforevery4yearadministrationincats,youcanwriteacertificatefor4years.

d.RabiesvaccinationmedicalexemptionisnowpermittedinPennsylvania.Allthisexemptionmeans,however,isthattheownerofanexemptdogorcatwouldnotbeacriminal(notabletobecited)forhavingtheircatordognotvaccinated.Theseexemptanimalsare,ofcourse,stillunvaccinatedandwouldthereforenotbeabletobeboardedinalicensedkennel,andwouldstillhavea6monthquarantineifexposedtorabies,etc.

Tobeabletograntanexemptionforadogorcat,alicensedveterinarianmustexaminetheanimalandde-terminethatitwouldbemedicallycontraindicatedtovaccinate.Theveterinarianmustwriteanexemptionstatementandsignitandhavetheanimalownersignit.Thereisnoofficialformforthisstatement,butitmustcontainthefollowinginformation:• Thesignatureandlicensenumberoftheveterinarian• Thedate• Thenameandaddressofthevetpractice/office/clinic• Anexplanationofthemedicalreasoncontraindicatingvaccinationagainstrabies• Adescriptionofthedogorcatincluding:breed,sex,age,colorandmarkings,whetherornottheanimalis

intact,neuteredorspayed,andthecurrentlicensenumberofthedogincludinganypermanentidentificationifapplicable(e.g.tattooormicrochip)

• Thesignatureoftheownerandtheiraddress.Iftherearemultipleownerswithseparateaddressesatwhichtheanimalmaybehoused,thenboth/allownersmustsignandprovideaddresses

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Theseexemptionswilllastoneyearonlyandtheanimalmustbere-examinedandanewcertificateofexemptionissuedeachyearifappropriate.

Thesignedexemptionformstaysinthemedicalrecordoftheanimalandtwocopiesofitaremadebytheveterinarianandprovidedtotheowner.TheownermustsaveonecopyandsendtheothercopytothePDA—OfficeofDogLawEnforcement,2301NorthCameronSt,Har-risburg,PA17110(yes,evenforcats).

Licensed Veterinarian—Rabiesvaccinationmustbeadministeredbyalicensedveterinarianorunderthedirectsupervisionofalicensedvet-erinarian."Directveterinarysupervision"occurswhenaveterinarianisonthepremisesandhasgiveneitheroralorwritteninstructionstoacertifiedveterinarytechnicianornoncertifiedemployeeandiseasilyandquicklyavailabletoassistthecertifiedveterinarytechnicianorthenoncertifiedemployee.

Rabies Certificate and tag—VeterinariansarerequiredtoprovidethepetownerwithaCertificateofVaccinationandametalRabiestagbearingtheyearofvaccination.TheCertificatemustbesignedbyalicensedveterinarianandmustprovidealloftheinformationrecom-mendedbytheNationalAssociationofPublicHealthVeterinarians(NASPHV)(www.nasphv.org).

ExceptionforKennels—CertainapprovedLicensedKennelOwnersmayvaccinateanimalsthatareownedbyandhousedatthekennel.Ifananimalissoldorgivenaway,itmustberevaccinatedimmediatelybyalicensedveterinarianorunderhis/herdirectsupervision.

ReviewofRabiesSituationProtocolsSomeofthesemaychangewhenthenewregulationscomeout.

WildAnimalsWildanimalsshowingabnormalbehaviorshouldbereportedtothePAGameCommission.Ifhumansordomesticanimalsareindanger,contactPoliceorAnimalControl.

HumanExposureConcernsaboutpotentialhumanexposuretorabiesshouldbereferredtothehumanhealthdepartment(eitherthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealthorthemunicipalhealthdepartmentfortheperson’sjurisdic-tion),oraphysician.

IfyouaredealingwithananimalthathasBITTENaperson:

• IfapersonisbittenbyadomesticanimalnotsuspectedofhavingRabies:1.ReportthebitetotheHealthDepartment2.Confineanimalfor10daysforobservation—athomeorat practice

3.Ifanimaldiesoriseuthanizedwithin10days,testforRabies

• IftheanimalisshowingsignsofRabiesandhasbittenorotherwiseexposedaperson,thenitmustbeeuthanizedandtestedforRabies.

RabiesSuspectsandSuspectedExposures• IfyouaredealingwithadomesticanimalsuspectedofhavingRabies

1.MustbereportedtoPADepartmentofAgriculture(PDA)RegionalOfficeiftheanimalisnotimmediatelyeuthanizedandsubmittedfortesting.

2.EuthanasiaandRabiestestingORPDAquarantine(locationofquarantinevariesdependingoncircumstances)

IfyouaredealingwithadomesticanimalthathasbeenorissuspectedofhavingbeenexposedtoRabies:

• DomesticanimalwithcurrentRabiesvaccineexposedtoconfirmed-knownRabidanimal1. 90dayPDAquarantinetoowner’spropertyOReuthanasiaif

owner chooses2. Ifquarantineischosen,thenadditionalRabiesvaccinationemay

beadministeredatthediscretionofthepractitioner

• Domesticanimalwithexpired,extra-label,orveryrecentfirstRabiesvaccinationexposedtoknownRabidanimal1. 180dayPDAquarantinetoowner’spropertyOReuthanasia—the

choice is the owner’s2. Ifquarantineischosen,oneormoreRabiesvaccinationsmaybe

administeredatthediscretionofthepractitioner(fordogsandcatsrequiredtobevaccinated,onevaccinationisrequiredtobringthemintocompliancewiththevaccinationrequirement)

• DomesticanimalwithunknownvaccinationstatusexposedtoknownRabidanimal1. EuthanasiaisrecommendedOR180dayPDAquarantineto

owner’sproperty—thechoiceistheowner’s2. Ifquarantineischosen,oneormoreaRabiesvaccinationsemay

beadministeredatthediscretionofthepractitioner

• DomesticanimalofanyvaccinationstatusbelievedtohavebeenexposedtoRabiesbutwithoutconfirmatorytesting(e.g.dogseenfightingwithraccoon,butraccoongotaway)1.VeterinarianmustreportRabiesexposuretoPDA2. Rabiesvaccinemaybeadministered3.OrEuthanasiamayberecommended,dependingonthe

circumstances.

As veterinarians, we have an appreciation for the significant public health risk Rabies represents.

continued on page 27

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from where I sit

Creating a Wellness Plan for Your PracticeByCharleneWandzilak,ExecutiveDirector

T hisissueisdedicatedtowellnessplansandtheimportanceofpreventativecareforpets.Iwouldencourageyouandyourpracticetoadoptthissameapproachwhenexamininghowyoupracticeasateamandthe

clientandpatientexperienceyouprovide.Aswegetreadyfortheholidayseasonwhichquicklyleadsinto2014,Irecommendyoureevaluatehowyouaredoingthingsandresolvetodothingsthataren’tworkingwelldiffer-ently.

Intoday’sworld,peoplehavedifferentexpectations.Theeconomyhasmadepeoplemorecarefulwithexpen-ditures,theexplosionoftechnologyhasmadethemmoretechnologicallysavvyandtheyhavemoreoptionsforknowledgeandpurchases.Thisrequiresadifferentapproachtohowyouchoosetogoaboutdoingbusiness“asusual”anditrequiresveterinarypracticestotakechargeoftheirsuccess.Herearesomeexamplesofwaysthatyoucanstartmakingadifferenceonhowyouapproachyourteam,yourclients,andyourpractice’ssuccess.

ConsiderIntroducingWellnessPlansIntoYourPracticeThe2011BayerVeterinaryCareUsageStudy1statedthatoneofthemosteffectivewaystoincreaseclientvisitsistointroducepetwellnessplans.Theyprovideavarietyofpreventativecareandencourageclientstogetthecaretheyneedfortheiranimals.Theycomeinallshapesandsizesandcanbetailoredtoyourpractice’sneeds.Thereareexamplesofapproachesinthisissue.WendyMyersoffersadviceonincreasingpatiencevisitswithmonthlypaymentplansonpage14.AccordingtotheBayerVeterinaryCareUsageStudy,44%ofpetownerssaidveteri-narianscouldincreasepatientvisitsiftheyprovidedwellnessplanswithmonthlybilling.Onpage28,AnimalHospitalofDauphinCountyillustrateswhattheyhavedonetocreateawellnessplanfortheirpractice,andonpage16,AndyBursteingivesyoupointersonthe“HowTo’s”andthingstoconsider.ThePartnersforHealthyPetswebsite,www.partnersforhealthypets.org,hasanumberofresourcesandexamplesonPreventativeHealthcarePlansforPetstooandothervaluableinformation.

Market,Market,MarketLonggonearethedayswhereyoucanbeguaranteedthatclientswillreturntoyouorthatnewclientswillbebangingdownyourdoors.Lowcostservices,internetpharmacies,bigboxstores,andthesluggisheconomymakepracticechallengingtosaytheleast.Itisincrediblycrucialtomarketyourpracticeeffectively.Therearenumerousresourcesthatcanassistyouwiththis.PVMA’snewpartnershipwithCommunityVeterinaryPartners’(CVP)AffiliateMemberNetworkofferspracticesagreatopportunitytohaveanexperthelpyouaccomplishyourmarketinggoalsonline.Socialmediaisanexcellentwaytodevelopyourpractice’smarketingabilitiesandtogeneratebuzzaboutwhat’sgoingoninyourpractice,putacaring“face”towhatyoudobyshowingpicturesofpatients,welcomingnewpatientsandstaff,recognizingaccomplishments,andeducatingyourclienteleonanimalhealthandpreventativecare.CVPalsooffersassistancewithwebsitedevelopmentforitsAffiliateMembers.Itissaidthatyourwebsiteisthenew“frontdoor”ofyourbusiness.Websitesareoftenoverlookedasimportantandthisisadisservicetoyourpractice.Takethetimetoinvestinmakingyourwebsiteattractive,user-friendly,andbeneficialtokeeppeoplecom-ingbackandtomakeagreatfirstimpressionwhenpeopleareshoppingforveterinaryservices.

EvaluateHowYouAreDoingLaterthismonth,PVMAwillbeunveilingitsnewbenchmarkingservice.Thisservicewillhelpyourpracticeevalu-ateyourfeestructure,theclientexperience,andbenchmarkyourpracticeagainstotherpracticesinthestate.However,evenifyoudon’tuseourservice,Ihighlyrecommendyouincorporatesometypeofbenchmarkingandclientsatisfactionevaluationtoolsintoyourbusinesstomakesureyouarewhereyouneedtobetoensuresuc-cessandprofitability.

UtilizeTechnologytoImproveClientRelationsUsethevastarrayoftechnologicaladvancementstoallowyoutoconnectwithyourclientsmoreeasily.Utilizeblast,customizableemailstoofferamonthlyorquarterlye-newslettertobuildrapportwithclients.Useitasawaytopromotespecials,events,pethealthtopicsthatareseasonal,andpreventativecareguidelinesasareminderthattheyshouldbeschedulingtocomeseeyou!Utilizeemailandtexttosendremindersofappoint-mentstoincreasecompliance.Allowclientstoscheduleappointmentsonlineororderproductsforhomedeliv-ery.Today’scustomerisaboutconvenience,usetechnologytohelpmakelifeeasierforbothofyou!

InvestinYourTeamOneofthethingsthatIdoeveryyearishaveastaffretreat.Thisisagreatwaytogetoutofyournormalenviron-mentanddiscusswhatyouhaveaccomplishedandfigureoutwhereyouneedtogoasateaminthenewyear.


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PVMA Members Receive a Discount on a VetGirl Supscription

PVMAMemberscanusediscountcode PVMAVETGIRL15 toreceivea15% discount.

VetGirl Standard subscription:• Over50-60podcasts/year(rangingfrom

3-5minuteslong)thatprovideclinicaltipsandupdatesin veterinary literature

• Upto4hourofRACE-approvedCE• $99/year

VetGirl ELITE subscription:• Over50-60podcasts/year• Anadditional12hoursofRACE-

approvedwebinars• Upto16hoursofRACE-approvedCE• $199/year

Ifyouhavebeentoanationalveterinarymeetinginthepastfewyears,youmayhaveseenJustineLee’snameonthesched-uledlistofspeakers.Herlecturesaregener-allyfocusedonemergencyandcriticalcareortoxicology.Iwasmorethanabit“star-struck”to have made contact with her in the sum-merof2012andsecureherasaspeakerforthePVMA’sKeystoneVeterinaryConference(KVC)inHershey.IpreviouslyheardherspeakattheNorthAmericanVeterinaryCommunityConference(NAVC)inOrlandoandremem-beredherasbeingaverydynamic,engag-ing,andinformativespeaker.AsthechairofPVMA’ssmallanimalsectionoftheScientificProgrammingCommittee,securingherforthismeetingwasahugeachievementandawinfortheattendeesoftheconference.

AcoupleweeksbeforeheadingtotheHersheymeeting,Iemailedhertoseeifshewouldbeupforaninterviewduringthelunchbreak.Iwantedtodiscusshernewesten-deavor,VetGirl,asubscription-basedpodcastservicethatoffersupto16hoursofRACE-approvedveterinarycontinuingeducation(CE).Shewasfullyon-boardwiththeidea;cueagainmyamazement.IwasactuallygoingtositdownandchatwithJustineLee,DVM,DACVECC,DABT!

Itwastheseconddayofthemeeting,andafterpickingupourlunchitems,wefoundaspotoutsidetotalk.Thefirstquestion,ofcourse,waswhatexactlyisVetGirl?Dr.Leeandherpartner,Dr.GarretPachtinger,DACVECC—whopracticesinLevittown,PA,andisaPVMAmember—designedVetGirltobeawayforveterinarianstoreceivehighqualityCEinaformatthatisportable,conve-nient,andquick(seethesidebarforthetwotypesofmembershipoptions).ThecartoondrawingofVetGirlshowsaveterinarianwithrunningsneakerson,andthatreflectssomeofthebackgroundofthestart-up(e.g.,beingableto“learnontherun,”whilerunningaroundbusilyinclinics!).Thename?Dr.Leeadmitsthatshe’s“VetGirl”andthevoicebehindit.WhileVetGirlisrunbyafemaleveterinarian,thenameisactuallyinspiredfromasimilarsiteofferingpodcastscalledGrammarGirl,offeringquickanddirtytipstoimproveone’swriting.

Dr.Leecameupwiththeideaapproximately10yearsagowhenshewasstudyingforheremergencyandcriticalcareboardexam.She

Inside VetGirl …An Interview with Dr. Justine LeeByAndreaHonigmann,DVM,Lititz,Pennsylvania

feltguiltyforgoingforadogwalkorarun,andfeltthatsheneededtobestudyingallthetime.ShehaddreamsofbeingabletostudyandtakeintheinformationsheneededthroughherWalkman,whilepoundingthepavement.Shefeltthattherehadtobeabetterwaytodothisandwantedtoleavetheguiltbehindthatcamewithtakingtimeawayfromherstacksofjournalsandbooks.

Withthatinmind,VetGirlisdesignedforveterinarians,veterinarystudents,andveterinary technicians who want to learn “on therun,”whetheritiswhileyou’rerunningoutside,walkingthedog,oratthegym.PopapairofheadphonesintoyouriPhone,Droid,orotherinternetcapabledevice,andoffyougo!Insteadofsiftingthroughthepilesofjournalsonyourdesk,somegatheringdustorservingasaplacetosetyourcoffeemug,youcanstreampodcaststhatprovideup-to-date,relevantclinicalinformationinminutes.WithVetGirlELITE($199/year),membersreceiveanadditional12hoursofRACE-approvedwebinarCEalso,foratotalof16hoursperyear.Thisgivesyouagreatoptionifyou’relookingtosaveyourselfsomeexpensesandtraveltimetoaconference.Dr.LeefeelsthatVetGirlisdefinitelyaimedatanyonewithasmartphone,especiallygenerationXandYveterinarians.

InadditiontoVetGirl,IposedsomeotherquestionstoDr.Lee(outsideofthetypicalbiographyquestions:she’sa1997graduateofCornellUniversity’sCollegeofVeterinaryMedicineandfinishedherresidencyandfellowshipatUniversityofPennsylvania)duringourlunchtoallowourmemberstogettoknowherbetter.AlthoughIamnolongerconsideredanewgraduate,Iaskedherwhatherbestadvicewasfornewgraduates.Sherespondedbysayingthatitisimportanttofindagoodmentorandworkhard.Shefeelsthattheearlystagesofone’scareerarewhenyouaremostimpressionableandwanttode-velopstrongmedicalhabits.Inthoseforma-tiveyearsofone’sveterinarycareer,Dr.Leeemphasizesthatitisimportanttoestablishawork/lifebalancewhilesimultaneouslywork-ingtobuildyourselfandyourclinicalskillsasaveterinarian.

Beingdouble-boardedinemergencymedi-cine/criticalcareandtoxicology,IaskedDr.LeeabouthermostmemorableERcase.She


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Top Five Costliest Business MistakesBySherryEverhartBS,RVT,andDavidMcCormick,MS, SimmonsMid-Atlantic,Boalsburg,Pennsylvania

Everyyearthetopbusinesspublica-tionsprinttheirtop8,10,15or

morefactorsthathavecontributedtosmallbusinessesfalteringintoday’seconomy.Althoughthesearebasedonthebroadspectrumofsmallbusiness,there are common themes that do re-latetotheveterinaryprofession.Herearethetopfactorsthatwebelievecancontributetoveterinarypracticefailureoratleastsignificantproblems

andheadachesifyouarenotpayingattentiontothem.

FailuretoactivelymanagepersonnelThisshouldnotbeasurprisetoanyone.Whatdoessurprisemanypracticeownersishowchallengingitistomanageastaff‘well’.Itistooeasytounderestimatethetime,resourcesandmanagementskillsnecessarytokeepemployeesproductiveandsatisfied.

Researchstudiesshowthatbeingpoorlymanagedremainsoneofthetopreasonsforemployeeresignations.Itoftenrankshigherthansalarydissatisfaction.Belowarekeyareasthat,whenleftunresolved,canresultinhighcostsassociatedwithemployeeturnover,poorperfor-mance,inadequateclientserviceandsometimeslegalissues.

Inadequate structureSometimesthisisaconsciencechoicebytheownerswho,infavorofamorerelaxed‘family’environmentfortheiremployees,resistimplementingmanypersonnelpolicies.Inreality,mostemployees

practicepearls

todaystronglydesirestructureintheformofemployeemanuals,jobdescriptions,trainingmaterials,performancereviews,etc.Theyarehappierknowingtheemployer’sexpectations,therules,andtherewardsrightupfront.

Lack of continual investmentThemajorityofemployeeswanttheopportunitytogrowprofes-sionally.Whilemanypracticeownersplanfortherequiredcontinu-ingeducationneededbydoctorsandtechnicians,theysometimesoverlooktheimportanceinprovidingprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesfortheirreception,assistantandkennelstaff.Thisre-sultsinalargeportionofthestafffeelingunsatisfiedandatastandstill.Withoutgrowth,thereisstagnation.

Assuminganopendoorpolicywillkeepyoufullyinformedofpersonnelissues.Thisisnotlikelytohappen.Toooftenbythetimeanemployeegetsthenervetoapproachtheiremployeraboutanissue,ithasalreadyescalatedtoalevelwheretheresolutionisdestinedtoconsumeexcesstimeandresourcesthatcould’vebeenspentfocusingonclientandpatientneeds.Themosteffectiveadministratorsmanagebywalkingaroundandengagingwithem-ployeesateverylevelprovidingthemtheopportunitytointervenequicklywhentheysenseproblemsamongstaff.

FailuretobudgetorplanManypracticeownersfailtobudget,notbecausetheydon’tknowhow,butbecausetheydon’tseethetremendousvalueincreatingone.

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practicepearls

Awell-developedbudgetisaoneyearprofitplan.Itinvolvesassessingallthefinancialneedsofthepracticeandcreatingastrat-egytomakesureallbillsgetpaid,alltheemployeesgetpaychecks,andthebusinessmeetsitearningstarget.Includingtheprofitsinthebudgetisquitesimply,planningtobesuccessful.

Abudgetisnota“onetime”forecastthatgetsfiledawayafteritscompletion.Itseffective-nessliesincontinuallycomparingitagainstactualincomeandexpensesallowingearlydetectionoftroubleareasoradjustmentsforunforeseencircumstances.Thisallowsownersandmangerstokeeptheearningslevelintactratherthandiscoverattaxpreparationtimethatthebusinesshadn’tperformedaswellashoped.

TooImmersedinIndustryOneofthemostcommonmistakesbusinessownersmakeistofocusonlyonideasthathavebeencreatedfromwithintheirindustry.Unfortunately,thisresultsinlittlemeansofdifferentiatingtheirserviceandclientexperi-encefromthecompetition(whoareusingthesameideas!)Thiscreatesacultureofjust“keepingup”.

Greatideascancomefromanywhereandfromanyone.Challengeyourselfandyourstafftobeawareofandidentifyelementsinanybusinessyoufrequentthatmakethatbusinessstandoutandinspirecustomerloyalty.Itcouldbeahotel,acarrepairshop,anonlineretailer,thelocalfarmer’smarket,anything.Seeifyoucanbringthoseelementsintoyourpracticeforyourclients.

LackofSelfPromotionGenerallyspeaking,wehavefoundthatmanypracticesarehighlyuncomfortablewiththeideaofself-promotion.Instead,theyassume(ordesperatelyhope)thatgreatworkwillre-sultinsatisfiedandloyalcustomerswhowillactivelytellalltheirfriends.Thisreliesontheassumptionthattheclientactuallyperceivedthattherewasgreatworkdone.

Unfortunately,therearemanystudiesthatshowagapbetweentheserviceproviders’andtheclients’perceptions.Theyhavedif-ferentperceptionsofthevalueoftheactualserviceprovided.Asaresult,relianceonwordofmouthadvertisingasasolemarketingstrategybecomesariskyventure.

Itisnotnewnewsthatyouneedtobepar-ticipatingindigitalmarketing.Ataminimum,allpracticestodayshouldhaveawebsite.ThenextstepisaFacebookpresence.Whenem-ployedcorrectlythesecanbebothaconduitfornewclientsandameanstobuildyourbondwithcurrentclients.

Still,simplyhavingadigitalpresenceisnotacompleteandeffectivemarketingstrategy.It’sbesttoutilizemultiplemethodstoreinforcecurrentrelationshipsandreachthepotentialnewones.

Hereareafewadditionalmethodsofpromo-tionthatareoftenoverlookedorundervalued.

Answering the telephone, properlyHavingawelltrained,courteous,genu-inelycaringindividualansweringyourtele-phone(andnotputtingthecallerdirectlyonhold!)isoneofthemosteffectivewaysofpromotingyourpracticeanditsservices.Ifpracticeownersandmanagersdisregardthestaff’sroleinpromotingthepractice,sowillthestaff.

Community participationThinkofthisasaneasywayofcoldcalling.Itmightbesponsoringachildren’ssportsteam,havingaboothatalocalcommunityevent,hostinganinformativetalkonpethealthissuesatalocalvenue,orhavingacommunitywebsiteblog.Communitymemberswilloftenrewardbusinessesactiveintheircommunitywiththeirpatronage.

Email marketing and communicationItcontinuestobesurprisinghowmanypracticesdonotcollectanduseclientemailaddresses.Mostpracticemanage-mentsoftwarecanhelporganizeclientandpatientdatasothatspecificgroupscanbetargetedforinformativee-mailingssuchasanoteaboutmedicaladvancements,newequipment,ornewservices.Asimpleclickallows your clients to pass these emails on toafriendthatmightnotyetknowwhatavaluableresourceyouare.

Anddon’tforgettocrosspromote!AdvertiseeventsandprogramsonyourwebsiteandFacebook.Advertiseyourwebsiteatyoureventsandonallprintedcommunicationma-terials.LinkyourwebsiteandyourFacebook.

ClingingtoaShrinkingMarketNicheOffering“onlywhat’sexpected”isn’tworkinganymoreforthegeneralveterinarypracti-tioner.Largeportionsofrevenuesfromspay/neuterservices,thepharmacy,andoverthecountersalesaregoingtooutsidecompeti-tors,notallofwhomareotherveterinarians.

Arenewedfocusonexpandingservicesisamustformanypracticeownerstodaytoremainfinanciallyhealthy.Knowingwhatchangeswillbestbenefitthepractice’sbot-tomlineisarealchallenge.Areastoexploremightincludetheadditionofalternativetherapies,expandingservicestoincludeex-oticpatientsorspecialtycare,becomingmore

felinefriendly,orrevampingcurrentpreven-tivecareprotocolstothosethatcatermorespecificallytodifferentagegroups,speciesorbreeds.

Practiceownersneedtobeproactiveinmoni-toringtheshiftingneedsoftheirclientsusingcustomersurveys,discussionsintheexamroom,orthroughthesimpleobservanceofclientbehaviorsandanawarenessofchangesintheacceptanceofservices.Toomanyprac-ticeownerswaitforincometodeclinebeforetakingaction.

Savvybusinessownerswillalsotakenoticeofwhichclientsaren’tcomingtoseethem.Ifyourpractice’sbusinessmodelhasbeentailoredtomeetingthedemandsofbabyboomers,theremaybeanentiresegmentofconsumersthathavenotrealizedyouexist.Knowingthedemo-graphicsoftheconsumersandpetownersinyoursurroundingcommunityshouldplayakeyfactorinthepractice’songoingbusinessmodel.Thisincludesitsmarketinginitiatives,com-municationstyle,servicesavailableandquitepossiblyeventhehoursthepracticeisopen.

ConclusionMostifnotall,smallbusinessesstrugglewiththeaboveissues.Thesolutionsarenot“onesizefitsall.”Iftheywere,everybusinessineverymarketwouldbesucceeding.Makingthetimetolearnabouthowthesemaybeimpactingyourpracticewouldbetimewellspent.l

SherryEverhartandDavidMcCormickareveterinarypracticeappraisersandpracticemanagementconsultantsatSimmonsMid-Atlantic.Theycanbereachedat888.881.7084andbyemailatSEverhart@TMcCG.com and [email protected].

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Increase Patient Visits With Monthly Payment PlansByWendyS.Myers,Owner,CommunicationSolutionsForVeterinarians,HighlandsRanch,Colorado

A tage12,Kodiwasdiagnosedwithcancer,addingtohismultiplemedicalproblems.

WhenveterinariansatUnionLakeVeterinaryHospitalinWaterford,Mich.,wantedtoperformultrasound,bloodwork,andx-rays,Kodi’sfamilyeasilysaidyes.Kodihasbeenenrolledinaseniorpreventivecareplanforfouryears,whichhasunlimitedexams,vaccines,heartwormtest,in-testinalparasitescreens,deworming,EKG,blood

pressurecheck,tonometry,abdominalultrasound,chestandabdomi-nalx-rays,andseniorpreventivebloodwork(www.unionlakepets.com/about-us/pet-wellness-plans.html).Becausecoremedicalservicesareonmonthlypayments,Kodi’sfamilycouldaffordthelevelofcancertreatmentsthattheirdogneeded.

“Kodiisprobablysurvivingcancermuchbetterbecausewediagnoseditearly,”saysAnnetteEngler,LVT,CVPM,CCRP,hospitaladministrator.

Overfouryears,Kodi’spreventivecareplanhassavedthefamilyanestimated$1,000andcementedtheirloyaltytothenine-doctorprac-ticenestledintheheartoftheBigThree—GeneralMotors,FordandChrysler.DecadesofeconomicdownturnintheDetroitareaoftenhadclientsrequestingmonthlypayments,Englersays.Nowpreventivecareplansdeliverthestandardofcarethatveterinarianswant,whilegivingclientsfinancialsolutions.Afterfouryears,600clientshaveenrolledwithnumbersswellinghighereachyear.Revenueisup10%thankstoincreasesinspays,neutersanddentistrycoveredbyplans.

Earlyadoptersofwellnessplansareseeingincreasesinpatientvisitswhilealsoboostingcompliance.Herearebenefitsthathospitalshavediscoveredduringthekickoffyearsofwellnessplans:

Increasepatientvisits.Morethan44%ofpetownerssaidveterinarianscouldincreasepatientvisitsiftheyprovidedwellnessplanswithmonthlybilling,accordingtothe2011BayerVeterinaryCareUsageStudy.1

AtUnionLakeVeterinaryHospital,doctorsstrivetoseepatientstwiceayearforexams.Planholdersexceedthestandard,averagingthreetofiveexamsperyear,Englersays.ImprovedpatientvisitsatUnionLakeVeterinaryHospitalechoresultsthatBanfieldfound,whichhas1.4mil-lionpetsonwellnessplans.AmongBanfieldplanholders,catsaveraged3.67veterinaryvisitsperyearwhiledogshad2.86visitsannually.2 Plan holdersvisitedtwiceasoftenasnon-planusers.“Preventivecareplansgiveclientsawaytoreceiveunlimitedexamswhilealsoincreasingvalueandcompliance,”Englersays.

Eliminate“Doyouwant?”conversations.During20-minuteexams,howmuchtimedoyouspendnegotiatingwhichservicesandproductsclientswillaccept?“Thereisnobackandforthbecausewedowhatwerecommendforthepet,”saysHaroldPearce,DVM,ownerofLeesvilleAnimalHospitalinRaleigh,N.C.,whohasbeenofferingwellnessplansforoneyearthroughPartnersinWellness(www.partners-n-wellness.com/clinic).“Mostseniorpatientsneedbloodworkanddentistry.Seniorpatientsneedcarenow,andwellnessplansareawayclientscansayyesnow.”

Clientspay$47permonthplusaone-time$50enrollmentfeeforaseniordogwellnessplanwitharoutinedentalcleaning.Ifpurchasedseparately,clientswouldpay$783forthesameservices,asavingsof$169.Asanaddedperk,planholdersarerewardedwitha10%dis-countonmicrochipsandflea/tickandheartwormprevention.

“Smartclinicsadditemstotheirplansthatcostthemverylittle—suchasnailtrims—buthavehighvaluetoclients,”saysDavidGoodnight,DVM,MBA,presidentandchiefoperatingofficerofPartnersinWell-ness,anAAHApreferredproviderinSanAntonio,Texas.“Peopleloveunlimitedexamsbecausethey’renotafraidtocomein.”

WhenemployeessellplansatPowellBoulevardVeterinaryClinic&DentalCenterinPortland,Ore.,theycomparecostsfortoday’svisitwithwellnessplanpayments.Staffmayaskclients,“Insteadofspending$430today,wouldyouliketosignupforawellnessplan?Youwouldpay$99.90todayandthenmonthlypaymentsof$29.95.”Clientspayaone-timeenrollmentfeeof$69.95perpetandmonthlypaymentsof$29.95fortheadultwellnessplan.Theplanincludesuptofourexams,corevaccines,monthlynailtrims,analglandexpression,deworming,twointestinalparasitetests,andpreventivebloodwork(www.powellvet.com/online-forms).

“Makeyouradultplansthesamepriceaspediatricplansoralittleless,”advisesDeniseSaxon,hospitalmanager,whohasofferedplansfortwoyears.“Makesureyourplansautoreneweveryyearwitha60-daycancellationperiod.”


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Planholderscangraduatefrompuppy/kittentoadultplans,andthenontoseniorplans.AtUnionLakeVeterinaryHospital,70%ofplanholdersrenew.

Performmoredentistry.LeesvilleAnimalHospitaloffersplansthatincluderoutineden-tistry.Whenadvancedoraldiseaseispresent,clientspayforextractions,dentalx-raysandotherservicesatthetimeoftheprocedure.“Noquestion,dentistryisaneasysell,”Dr.Pearcesays.

Financesmaylimitsomeclientsfromaccept-ingdentistry.AtPowellBoulevardVeterinaryClinic&DentalCenter,havingwellnessplanswith dental add-ons has increased compli-ance.“Wepracticegreatmedicinebutalotofpeoplecan’tpay$600to$700fordentistry,”saysSaxon.“Splittingitinto12paymentsgivesusmorepotentialforextraearningswhilealsoimprovingpatientcare.Nowclientscanaffordextractions,dentalx-raysandadvancedcare.”

Providemorediagnostics.Whenstructur-ingplans,mosthospitalsincludepreventive

Free Webinars on Wellness Plans

Herearelinkstomytwofreewebinarsonwellnessplans:

“PromotingPreventiveCareWithWellnessPlans,”AAHAwebconferenceon-demandat www.aahanet.org/Education/WebCon-ference.aspx?key=A993724D-F687-4E59-9CF2-9ECAC211CDDC

“IntroducingWellnessPlanstoYourCli-ents,”sponsoredbyPartnersinWellness,www.dvm360.com/wellnesswebinars

bloodworkforadultandseniorpatients.“Ourplansincludework-upsforearlydetec-tion,”saysEngler.“Wewanttoaddressmedi-calconditionsbeforetheybecomeseriousproblems.”

AtLeesvilleAnimalHospital,itsseniordogplanincludesdiagnosticsofheartworm/ticktest,intestinalparasitescreen,bloodwork,thyroidtest,urinalysis,tonometry,andblood-pressurescreening.Bundlingdiagnosticsintowellnessplanshasupgradedpatientcare,Dr.Pearcesays.

Whendecidingwhetherwellnessplansarerightforyourclinic,haveagoalinmind.UnionLakeVeterinaryHospitalhadfourgoalsforitsplans:1)Bondclientstothepractice,2)Increasespaysandneutersbeinglosttolow-costproviders,3)IncreaseGrade1den-tistry,and4)Increasediagnosticsforseniorpatients.

“Beforeyoutrytoimplementpreventivecareplans,askwhatareyoutryingtoachievebyofferingthem?”advisesEngler.“Areyoudo-ingwellnessplansbecauseeveryoneelseis?That’snotagoodreason.Mymaingoalwastoprovidebetterpatientcare.Asaresultofwellnessplans,wealsogrewrevenue.”l

1 2011BayerVeterinaryCareUsageStudyconductedbytheNationalCommissiononVeterinaryEconomicIssues,BrakkeConsultingandBayerAnimalHealth.http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/10.2460/javma.238.10.1275

2 AVMA,Sep.15,2011.BurnsK.“ReversingtheDeclineinPatientVisits,”https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/110915o.aspx

Payment Planscontinuedfrompage14

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Customized Patient Care

Putting Your Plans Into PracticeByAndyBurstein,CEO,VetJump,LLC,BalaCynwyd,Pennsylvania

T hereisnoshortageofarticles,conferenceworkshopsorwebsitesmakingtheargumentforcustompatientcareplansand/orwellness

programsandputtingtheseprogramsintopracticecanbechallenging.Everyhospitalhasdifferentpatientdemographics,varyingprotocols,andindi-vidualopinionsaboutwhatisandwhatisn’tthebeststandardofmedicine.

Butonceapracticeteamhasmadethedecisiontoadoptspecialpricingorplansforpreventivecare,thejobisnotover…infact,ourexperienceshowsthatthehardestworkisjustbeginning.Youcanchoosetheperfectprogramforyourpractice,butifyoudon’tfindawaytoeffectivelycreatestaffsupportandcommunicatetoyourclients,youreffortswon’tsucceed.

Thereisamethodforintroducingsomethingnewintoapracticeandthismethodcanbeappliedtomanyinitiativesincludingwellnessplans,referralprograms,newmedicalservicesorevenbillingprocedures.Bytakingyourtimeandwalkingthrougheachoftheeightoperationalstepslistedbelow,youcanincreasethelikelihoodofanyprogrambe-ingembracedbyyourstaffandyourclients.

Step1:IdentifyaProgramCoordinatorandFindaSimpleMessageIdentifyaprogramcoordinatorinyourpracticewhocantakeownershipofthisproject–someoneoutgoingandrespectedbytherestofthestaffwithatleastabaseoftechnicalknowledge.TheCoordinatorcanserveasasinglepointofcontactforimplementingeachstepoftheprocessalongwithfunctioningasthekeyresourceforstaffandclientquestions.Onceyouhavedecidedonthebestprogramforyourpractice,workwithyourprogramcoordinatortocreatea“PlatformDocument”thatcansuccinctlycommunicatethestructureofyourwellnessprogram-bulletpointsofkeyfeatures,prices,andclientmessagingpoints.

Don’tforgettokeepthemessagesimpleandtothepoint.TheBayerStudyonVeterinaryMedicineconcludedthatonly53%ofpracticeclientsagreewiththestatement“MyveterinariancommunicateswithmeinlanguageIunderstand”Themorewelayeronadditionaltechnicalmessaging,thehigherthelikelihoodofourkeypointsbeinglostinthemessage.

Step2:InvolveTheEntireTeamManypracticeprogramsandinitiativesarerolledoutinthelunchtimestaffmeetingwherethereisoftendistractionorincompleteattention.

Foranyprogramtoworkeffectively,wemusttakethetimetocommuni-catethemintherightforumandtotherightpeople.

Inanymeetingthatintroduceschangeintothepractice,it’salwayshelpfultohavethepre-existingsupportofafewkeyteammembersalreadyinplace(staffdoctors,leadtechnicalstaff,programcoordinator).Introduceyourpro-graminperson,atatimewhenallteammemberscanattendandquestionscanbeaddressedasateam.Takethetimeandfullyintroducetheidea,theprogram,andthepathforputtingyourideasintoeverydaypractice.

Assumethatanyquestionsyourteammayhavewillalsobesharedbyyourclients.It’snotuncommonforaPlatformDocumenttoundergoseveralrevisionsfromthetimeit’sfirstauthoreduntilit’sofficiallyacceptedasthestandardcommunicationdocument.DennisMcMi-chael,PracticeManageroftheAnimalHospitalofDauphinCounty,says“thebiggestchallengewithintroducinganyinitiative,likeawellnessprogram,ismakingsuretogetbuy-infromtheentirestaff.Eventheslightesthesitationwillunderminetheefforts.”

Step3:TrainingOneofthesimplestandmostoftenunusedwaystotrainyourstaffaboutthenewprogram(oranynewofferthatyouhave)isthroughrole-playofcommonscenarios.ThiscanbeeasilyaccomplishedthroughtheProgramCoordinatororadoctorcreatingascenarioinanexamroomwhereeachstaffmemberischallengedtoeffectivelydescribetheprogramandanswercommonclientquestions.Createabulletpointscriptthatyourstaffcanuse.Theywillultimatelychoosetosayitintheirownwords,butyou’llhavetheconfidencethattheyareallkeepingtothesamebasicscript.

Practicingcommonscenariosreinforcestheimportanceofeachideatoyourstaffaswellascreatesanopportunityforstaffdevelopment.Role-playenablesstaffthatmaybeshyoruncomfortabletofeelmoresecurecommunicatingkeymessagepoints,andidentifycreativewaysofexplainingmessagingpoints.

Step4:LearnfromyourclientsWeallhavelong-termclientswhowouldjumpattheopportunitytosup-portourpractices.Onceyou’veestablishedaconsistentmessagewithinyourstaff,reachoutto3or4goodclientsandinvitethemintoreviewyourinroommessagingandmarketingtools.Mostclientslovetheop-portunitytohavetheirvoicesheardandtofeelpartofthepractice.

Step5:HaveYourSystemsinPlaceWhilewemayusedifferentsoftwareandtechniquesforourrecordkeeping,it’simportanttohaveasysteminplacetosupportyourprogramrollout.Ensuretheprocessesandproceduresareestablishedforpatientrecords,reminders,invoicingandbilling,aswellasregularcompliancereportingfromyourPracticeManagementSystem.

Step6:CommunicationandMarketingMarketingCommunicationswillplayaprominentroleinsupportingyourinclinicandphonemessaging.Yourmessagingshouldn’tonlylistthecomponentsoftheprogram,butitshouldalsofocusonhowtheclient&petbenefitfromthisprogram.Physicaltoolscanrangefromabrochuretoasimpleflier.Online,themessagingshouldbesharedonyourwebsite,Facebook,Google+,Twitteraswellasemailedtoall


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An Inside Look at 2013 Business Behaviors in the Mid-Atlantic RegionByTravisMeredith,DVM,MBA,DACT,CommunityVetPartners,Royersford,Pennsylvania

The2013BusinessBehaviorsSurveyismadepossiblethroughthesponsorshipofCommunityVeterinaryPartners,andthesupportoftheDelawareValleyAcademyofVeterinaryMedicine,DCAcademyofVeterinaryMedicine,PennsylvaniaVeterinaryMedicalAssociation,andtheNorthernVirginiaVeterinaryMedicalAssociation.

Introduction

Manystudieshavebeenpublishedinrecentyearsdescribingthechallengesfacingtheveterinaryprofession.However,mostfail

tocaptureeconomicissuesrelatedtospecificgeographicareas.Inanefforttoaddressthislackofinformation,the2013BusinessBehaviorsstudywasdesignedwiththegoalofprovidingpractitionersintheMid-Atlanticregionamoredetailedviewoftheprevailingissuesandbestpracticesamongourpeers.

RespondentDemographicsSurveyswerereceivedfrommorethan200practicesintheregionwithEasternPennsylvaniaandNorthernVirginiabeingthehighestrepre-sentedlocalmarkets.Datadistributionbypracticesize(bynumberofdoctors)isconsistentwithpreviouslyreportedstudieswith47%ofrespondentscomingfrompracticeswith2orlessfulltimedoctors.

MarketOutlookPositive Growth in 2012Mostrespondentsreportedobservingmildtomoderaterevenuegrowthduring2012.Sixtythreepercent(63%)reportedgrowthabovethepaceofinflationwhile27%reportedflatornochanges.Only10%ofrespon-dentsreportedadeclineinrevenuesfor2012.Overall,thesefindingsareencouragingaspracticesarelookingtoreturntoapatternofgrowthfollowingseveralyearsofunpredictablefinancialperformance.

Optimism in 2013Mostrespondentslookto2013tocontinuethegrowthobservedin2012.Seventysevenpercent(77%)areplanningongrowthabove2%

thisyear,while19%feelgrowthwillcontinuetostagnate.Only4%ofre-spondentsanticipatetheirpracticeswillseeadeclineinrevenuein2013.

Pharmacy Under ThreatThein-housepharmacyandthependingchallengestothissegmentofthebusinesscontinuetobeahottopic.Pharmacy(59%)wascitedfarandawayasthemostthreatenedsegmentofpractice.Surgery(15%)andannualpreventivecare(17%)werealsocited.Theveterinarypharmacywillexperiencecontinuedpressurefromonlinechannels,traditionalpharmacies,aswellaslargeretailchains.

Growing CompetitorsWhenaskedtoconsiderthemostsignificantoutsidecompetitivethreatstotheirpractice,33%ofrespondentscitedonlinepharmacieswhilenon-profitveterinaryfacilitieswerecited22%ofthetime.Inaddition,practicesacknowledgethegrowingcompetitiveimpactofBigBoxretail-ers(16%)aswellasincreasedcompetitionfromexistingpractices(15%).

Management ChallengesWhenaskedaboutthemostsignificantoperationalchallengesaffectinghospitaloperations,responsesvariedwidelybetweensegments.Threeofthetopfouroperationalchallengescitedwererelatedtocommuni-cationchannels.Mostrespondents(26%)citedpatientcomplianceasakeychallenge,followedbystaffissues(23%),acquiringnewpatients(16%),andmarketing(12%).

Opportunities for GrowthMostrespondentscitedgrowthactionsasthemostsignificantopportunitiestoimprovethefinancialhealthoftheirpractices.Addingnewclients(65%)andnewservices(21%)werementionedmostfrequentlywhilecostcontrolpracticesonfunctionssuchasinventory(8%),staff(5%),andbenefits(1%)werementionedsignificantlylessoften.Thesefindingssuggestthatmostrespondentsbelievetheyareeffectiveincontrollingkeyoperationalcosts.

HospitalOperationsOperational Practices and PoliciesRespondentswereaskedtocommentontheirpracticesandpoliciesinmanagingspecificday-to-daytasks.Fortasksrelatedtohuman


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inside padls

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) in Cattle: PADLS Testing OptionsByDeepTewariBVSc,PhD,DACVM,PennsylvaniaVeterinaryLaboratory,Harrisburg,PA,andDaveWolfgangVMD,DABVP,PennStateUniversityVeterinaryExtension,StateCollege,Pennsylvania

Bovineviraldiarrhea(BVD)isanimportantcattlediseaseandcausessignificanteconomiclossestoboththedairyandbeefindustries.

ThediseaseiscausedbyapestiviruswithintheFlaviviridaefamilyandresultsinclinicalsignsrangingfromsubclinicaltosevereorfatalmuco-saldisease.Viralinfections,resultinginacutedisease,oftenmanifestsastransientepisodesofdiarrheaorpneumonia.Inmanycases,clinicalsignsmaygounrecognized.Infectionsofpregnantcattlecancause

earlyembryonicdeath,abortions,stillbirths,congenitaldefects,orapparentlynormalcalves.Aproportionofcalvesborntoinfecteddamsbecomepersistentlyinfected(PI).SymptomsinPIanimalscanrangefrombeingunthriftyandweaktoshowingnosymptomsatall.PIani-malsactlike“TyphoidMary’s”inspreadingtheinfectiontosusceptibleanimals.Theyarearisktoherdmatesandcanspreadtheinfectionveryefficientlythroughtheherd.TransmissionofBVDvirusmainlyoccursfromcontactwithexcretionsandsecretionsofinfectedanimalseitherbyingestionorinhalation.

OneofthemostimportantmethodsforreducingBVDincidenceisidentificationofthePIanimalsintheherd.Otherimportantcontrolmethodsincludetheimplementationofgoodbiosecurityandanef-fectivevaccinationplantoprotectagainsttheinfectionchallenge.ForidentifyingBVDinfections,thePennsylvaniaAnimalDiagnosticLabSystem(PADLS)offersseveraltestchoices(SeeaccompanyingTable).Availabilityoftestoptionsincludepoolingofserumorearnotchesanduseofbulktankmilktesting,therebyofferingaffordabletestchoicestoourclients.OnceBVDinfectionshavebeenidentifiedbothacuteandpersistentcasesoftheinfectionrequireidentificationandmonitoring.ToeliminatethevirusfromaherdallpositivePIcalvesmustbeidenti-fied.Alongwiththis,rigoroustestingshouldbeconductedtofindanyorallothersourcesofinfectedanimals.Routinesurveillanceshouldbeimplementedtochecknewbornsandotherentrantsintotheherds.Thistypicallyinvolvestestingtheentirecropofcalvesfollowinganoutbreakoverthenext9to12months.

BVDVisclassifiedintotwomaingenotypesBVDVtypes1and2.SomestrainsofBVDVtype2havebeenfoundtobeveryvirulentcausinghemorrhagicsyndromes,entericdisease,highfeversandsuddendeath.However,otherBVDV-2strainscauselessobviousdiseaseandbehavemoreliketheclassicsubclinicalBVDV-1.AvailablelaboratoryassayscandetectbothBVDVgenotypessuccessfully.PADLScurrentlydoesalsoof-ferBVDgenotyping.Manyvaccinelabelsclaimtooffercross-protectiveimmunityforboththegenotypes.Practitionersshouldcarefullyevalu-atelabelsandlabelclaimsaspartoftheirvaccineprotocolinherdsexperiencingBVDproblems.Besidesofferingtestingservices,PADLSthroughitsoutreachservicesalsoprovidesaccesstoanetworkoffieldinvestigators.Theseveterinariansareavailableforconsultationwithprivatepractitionersforassistanceindealingwiththedifficultherdhealthproblemsrelatedtomanagement,vaccinationandbiosecurityissues.

ListedbelowaresomeoftheimportantsuggestionsfromtheNationalBVDworkingGroupforBVDelimination:• Determineifyourherdisathighorlowriskforhavingpersistently infected(PI)cattle.• IdentifyandeliminateanyPIsfromyourherd.• PreventotherPIsfromenteringyourherd.• Vaccinatetoreducetheriskofthedisease.• MonitoryourherdforthepresenceoftheBVDvirus.• Don’tsellPIanimalsexceptforslaughter.• Don’tmixpurchasedpregnantcattlewithyourherduntiltheyand theircalveshavebeentestedforexistenceofPIs.• Don’tbuybredheifersunlesstheytestPI-negativeandareproperly vaccinated.• Don’tuseanimalsofunknownBVDstatusasembryotransfer recipients.• Don’trelyonvaccinationaloneforBVDcontrol.l

PADLS Laboratory LocationsPenn State University Animal Diagnostic LaboratoryOrchardRoad,UniversityPark,PA16802Phone:(814)863-0837;Fax:(814)865-3907 [email protected]

Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory2305NorthCameronStreet,Harrisburg,PA,17110Phone:(717)787-8808;Fax:(717)[email protected]

New Bolton Center Veterinary Laboratory382WestStreetRoad,KennettSquare,PA,19348-1692Phone:(610)925-6211;Fax:(610)[email protected]

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PADLS TEST CHOICES FOR BVD TESTING

Test/TAT/LabVirus Isolation or Microplate-PI test

5-12dayTAT(setonMonday)

(senddirectlytoPSUwithnextdaydeliverynumber)

Immunohistochemistry(IHC) of skin

5-10dayTAT

(availablethroughPVLandNBC)

Antigen – capture ELISA for serum

1–5dayTAT

(availablethroughPSUandPVL)MilktestingatPVL

Antigen – capture ELISA for skin or ear notch

1-5dayTAT

(availablethroughPSUandPVL)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

1-5dayTAT

Individualserum,pooledserum,andindividualearnotch(availablethroughPSUandPVL)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Ear notch

1-5dayTAT

Earnotchpooledtesting(availablethroughPVL)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- Milk

1-5dayTAT

BulkTankMilk(BTM)testing(availablethroughPVL).

Fee*$5.00

$5.50

$5.50

$5.50

$35forsingleserum sample blood,ortissue

$60forpooledtestingofserumupto30samples($20forpooling10sera)

$20forpooledear-notch test-ingforupto20samples

$35forBTM

Advantages• TheGoldstandardforBVDVdiagnosis

• Highspecificity• Virusisavailableforstudyat

a later date

• Highsensitivity• Usuallyidentifiespersistentinfections(PI)only

• Highsensitivity

• Highsensitivity• Usuallyidentifiespersistentinfections(PI)only–tran-sientlyinfectedanimalstestnegative

• Highsensitivity

• Highsensitivity

• Goodsensitivity

Disadvantages• Slowlabturnaround• Labor-intensive• Specimensmustbeshippedonicetokeepvirusviable

• Potentialfalsenegativefrom interferencebymaternalantibodies

• TodistinguishbetweenPIand transientinfections(TI),mustretestpositives

• Labor-intensive• Formalinusage•Willgenerallynotidentify transientlyinfectedanimals

• Potentialfalsenegativedueto interferencebymaternalantibodies

• Todistinguishbetweenpersistentandtransientinfections,mustretestanimalin3weeks

•Willgenerallynotidentifytransientlyinfectedanimals.Retestingisadvisedin3weeks.

• TodistinguishbetweenPIandTI,mustretestpositivecattlein3weeks.

• Ifvaccinatingwithmodifiedlivevaccineavoidsubmissionfor3weeksduetofalsepositives.


• Ifsuspect/positive,allanimalsinthepoolmustbeindividuallytestedtofindinfectedanimals.


• Ifpositive,allanimalsinthestringmustbetraceableandindividuallytestedorwithpoolstofindinfectedanimals.

Specimens• 1mlsterile(redtop)serum• Sendininsulatedcontainerwithcoldpacks

• Age:calves>3mo

• Skinsamples(1/4-1/2”)usuallytakenwithanearnotcher

• Sendin10%neutralbufferedformalin

• Samplescanbeheldinformalinforseveralweeks

• Serum1mlormilk10ml• Sendininsulatedcontainerwithcoldpacks

• Age:calves>3mo

Skin–(1cmx1cm)• usuallytakenfromearwithanearnotcher.

• Sendininsulatedcontainerwithcoldpacksinredtoptube.

• Donotallowtodryout–canfreezesamplesifnecessary.

• Serum(2-3ml)ortissue,Wholeblood(7-10ml),ortissueSendin insulated container with cold packs.

• CleanSkinsamples–usuallytakenfromearwithearnotcher.(1cmx1cm)

• Sendininsulatedcontainerwithcoldpacks.

• Donotallowtodryout–canholdsamplesbyfreezing

• 100mlsentonice• Recommendedherdsize-200animalsforabulktankorastringsample.

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6th 3Rivers Veterinary Symposium

November 2-3, 2013OmniWilliamPennHotel

Pittsburgh,PA

12hoursapprovedcontinuingeducationcredit

COMPANION ANIMALSurgeryMichael Conzemius, DVM, PhD, DACVS

Sponsoredby

• CanineCruciateDisease-NewDiagnostics,Treatmentsand EvaluationMethods

• DiagnosisandTreatmentofPerioperativePain• NewTreatmentsforOsteoarthritis• ElbowDysplasia–ReviewofRecentTreatments

Emergency/Critical CareDaniel Fletcher, PhD, DVM, DACVECC

• Shock:PathophysiologyandDiagnosticApproachShock:Treatment• TraumaticBrainInjury• ManagementofSevereAcuteSeizures• RespiratoryDistress–AnApproachforRapidDiagnosisand

Treatment• CPR–WhatEveryVeterinarianandTechnicianShouldKnowAbout

theNew2012Guidelines• CPRWetLab

Featured Speakers DentistryJohn Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC

Sponsoredby

• ProfessionalDentalCleaning• InterpretingDentalRadiographs• ComplicationsofExtractionsandAvoidingThem• FelineExtractionTechniquesWetLab

Krista Mendoza, DVM, DAVDC

• CommonOralPathology• FelineDentistry• ExtractionTechniquesinDogsandCats• FelineExtractionTechniquesWetLab

Internal MedicineRobert Washabau, VMD, PhD, DACVIM

• G.I.MotilityDisorders:Pathogenesis,Diagnosis,andTherapy• DifficultVomitingDisorders:Pathogenesis,Diagnosis,andTherapy• CanineInflammatoryBowelDisease:TheEightComponentsof

Therapy• FelineExocrinePancreaticDisease:ADiagnostic&Therapeutic

Challenge• FelineHepatobiliaryDisease:What’sNewinDiagnosisandTherapy?• FelineDiarrhealSyndromes:CommonandNot-So-CommonDisorders

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PRACTICE MANAGEMENTWendy Myers

Sponsoredby

• CreatingtheClientExperience:Before,DuringandAftertheExam• PhoneSkillsforVeterinaryTeams• HowtoSayIt:TalkingWithPhoneShoppers• ReminderSystemsThatGetClientsBack• PromotingPreventiveCarewithWellnessPlans

Donald Shandler, PhD• TurningGenerationalConflictintoCollaboration• TurningGenerationalConflictintoCollaborationWorkshop• TransitioningIntoTechnicalLeadership:HelpingTechnicalExperts• BecomeEffectiveLeaders

VETERINARY TECHNICIANEmergency/Critical CareAmy Butler, DVM, MS, DACVECC• PracticalTransfusionMedicinePracticalCoagulationTesting• APracticalApproachtoHeadTrauma• IntralipidsforAcuteToxicityCriticalCareMonitoring—AClinical

SignsBasedApproach• AnestheticDeath–WhattoDoWhentheWorstHappens

Exotics CareJenni Jenkins-Perez, LVT, CVT, AA, BAS(VT)• ReptileandAvianHematology• TheReptilePhysicalExam• ReptileNursingCare• ReptileParasitology

EQUINEHarold Schott, II, DVM, PhD, DACVIM• OldShaggyHorses:DiagnosisofPituitaryParsIntermedia

Dysfunction• PituitaryParsIntermediaDysfunction:ManagementandTreatment• Fat,FounderedHorses:WhatisEquineMetabolicSyndrome?• EquineMetabolicSyndrome:ManagementandTreatment• EquineThyroidDisease:FactorFiction?• EquineEndocrineCaseDiscussion

SMALL RUMINANTDavid Moran, PhDTopicstobeannounced

BOVINEMenno Jager, DVMTopicstobeannounced

USDA NVAP REACCREDITATION MODULESSponsoredby

Enzo Campagnolo, DVM, MPH• Module10:PersonalProtectiveEquipmentforVeterinarians• Module4:PreventingDiseaseIntroductionandSpread

Michael Kornreich, DVM• Module9:InterstateandInternationalHealthCertificatesfor

Category1Animals• Module21:Animals’FitnesstoTravel

Karen Martin, VMD• Module3:ForeignAnimal,Program,andReportableDiseases• Module13:AquaticAnimalHealthRegulationsandHealth

Certificationl

HANDS-ON WET LABSCPR Wet LabThisisahighlyinteractiveCPRlab,allowingparticipantstopracticebasicandadvancedlifesupportskills,basedontherecentlypub-lished,evidence-basedRECOVERveterinaryCPRguidelines.Participantswillperformanddiscusscrucialpatientmanagement,crisisdecision-making,andteamcommunicationskillsinarealistic,real-time,high-stakessimu-lationenvironment.

Feline Extraction Techniques Wet LabFelineextractionsdon’tneedtobedifficult.Dr.LewisandDr.Mendozawillteachbasictenetsoforalsurgeryincatsthatwill allowyoutoformulateanappropriatediag-nosisandtreatmentplan,followedbyskillfulextractionoffelineteeththroughopenoralsurgicaltechniquesusingfelinecadavers.

WET LAB ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED—SO REGISTER TODAY!

HOTEL RESERVATIONSAblockofdiscountedroomsisavailableattheOmniWilliamPennHotelfor3RiversVeterinarySymposiumattendees.Tomakeyouronlinereservation,pleasevisit www.pavma.org,orcallthehoteldirectlyat1.800.THE.OMNIandreferencePVMAtoob-tainthediscountedrates.Roomreservationsaremadeonafirstcome,first-servedbasisuntilOctober 4, 2013,afterwhichroomsmaybereservedonaspaceandrateavail-abilitybasisonly.Thediscountedratesare:

$169–Single/DoubleOccupancy$189–TripleOccupancy$199–QuadrupleOccupancy

For a map and directionstotheOmniWilliamPenn,visitwww.omnihotels.com/Pittsburgh or scan the codeattherightwithyourmobiledevice.

HOW TO REGISTERRegisteronlineatwww.pavma.org or scanthecodebelowwithyourmobile device.Prefertoregisterbymail? Downloadaprint-ablecopyofthe registrationformatwww.pavma.org.

WHAT DOES YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDE?• Topnotchcontinuingeducation(upto

12hoursavailable)• Admissiontotheexhibithall• Receptionintheexhibithallon

Saturdayafternoon(complimentary horsd’oeuvresanddrinkprovided)• Continentalbreakfast,refreshment

breaks,andlunchonSaturdayandSunday

• Onlinelecturenotes

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Meet the Winners of PVMA's 2013 Member Awards

EachyearduringtheKeystoneVeterinaryConferenceinAugust,PVMAhonorssomeofitsoutstandingmemberswithPVMA

MemberAwards.Theawards,whichhonorservicetothepublicand/orveterinarycommunityhighlightthebroadrangeoftalentswhichourmemberspossess.Hereisalookbackatthe2013winners.

Dr.A.WayneMountanMemorial Media AwardNewspaper Category: Deborah WeisbergThe2013recipientoftheDr.A.WayneMountanMemorialMediaAwardisDeborahWeisberginInrec-ognitionofhertalentedcontributionsto the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in whichsheeducatesthepubliconadvancesinveterinarycareandinno-vativetreatmentoptions.Deborahwritesextensivelyaboutwildlifeandtheenvironment,aswellaspetsandthehuman-animalbond.In2003,shewashonoredtoreceivetheDr.A.WayneMountainMemorialAwardforanarticleaboutfelinekidneytransplantsthatwaspublishedinthePittsburgh Post-Gazette,andwashonoredtoreceivethisyear’sawardforher Pittsburgh Tribune-Review storyaboutlasertherapy.

TheWodanAnimalHeroAwardK-9 ZekeTheWodanAnimalHeroAwardwascreatedin2001torecognizethecoura-geousandheroicactsofPennsylvania animals in the preservationandprotectionofanimalorhumanlife.The2013WodanAnimalHeroAwardispresentedtoZeke,aK-9OfficerfromtheCityof

Harrisburg,inrecognitionandappreciationofhisselflessactofbraveryandheroismbyplacinghimselfinharm’swaytoprotectandsavethelivesoffellowpoliceofficersonMarch15,2013. Zekewasshotandseri-ouslyinjuredintheneck,includinghisjugularvein,whenasuspectwhowasbeingchasedbypoliceshothim.ZekewasairliftedbyPennStateHersheyMedicalCenter’sLifeLionhelicoptertoRossmoyneAnimalER/TraumaCenterinLowerAllenTownshipwhereDr.MarkMeyerhoffandhisteamsavedhislife.Zekeisnowfullyrecovered.

VeterinarianoftheYearAwardMark Meyerhoff, DVMTheVeterinarianoftheYearAwardispresentedannuallytoamemberofthe Pennsylvania Veteri-naryMedicalAssociationforanoutstandingachieve-

mentinveterinarymedicinewithinthepastyear.The2013recipientisMarkMeyerhoff,DVM,inrecognitionofthelifesavingmeasuresheprovidedtoZeke,theHarrisburgCityK-9officer,andforhiscreationoftheAnimalEmergencyFundtohelppetsgetthecaretheyneed.Dr.MeyerhoffstabilizedZekeuponarrivaltohisclinicandperformedlifesavingsurgerywhichrepairedhisdamagedjugularvein.

PublicServiceAwardofMeritNikki Wright, V’14ThePublicServiceAwardofMeritispresentedannuallytoamemberofthe Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Associationforanoutstandingactorachievement outside the veterinary profession.The2013recipientisNikkiWright,V’14,inrecognitionofherworkwithPouSante:AmarHaitiandherdedicatedeffortstoimproveani-malhealthandwelfareandincreasetheknowledge,productivity,andprof-itabilityofthepeopleofHaiti.

NikkifirstvisitedHaitiwithaWorldVetsteaminanefforttoprovidelivestockproductionconsultingandmedicalcaretoruralvillageinHai-ti.Shewasstruckbythedichotomybetweenthebeautyofthecountryanditsprofoundculture,andbeganworkingwiththeiFFoundationaswellasherPennVetclassmatesandfacultymentorstobuildasustain-ablerelationshipthatwouldenableAmericanveterinaryprofessionalstoprovidetechnicaltrainingandveterinaryconsultingtosmallholderfarmerstoenhanceproductionandprovideopportunitiesforeconomicgrowthandindependence.

DistinguishedVeterinaryServiceAwardDonald Caslow, VMDTheDistinguishedVeterinaryServiceAward is presented annually to a memberofthePennsylvaniaVet-erinaryMedicalAssociationforanoutstandingactorachievementtotheveterinaryprofessionoveraperiodofyears.The2013recipientoftheDis-tinguishedVeterinaryServiceAwardisDonaldCaslow,VMD,inrecognitionofhismanyyearsofdedicatedandcaringservicetopatientsandtheirowners and his commitment to the bettermentoftheprofessionthroughmentorship,externships,andjobshad-owing.Dr.Caslowhasdonecountlesstoursofhishospitalwithchildrensgroupsfromlocalschools,CubScoutsandGirlScouts.Hehasallowedeveryonewhohasaskedtospendtimeshadowinghimandhasdonemanycareerdaysatthelocalhighschool.Atleasttenofhisformeremployeeshavebecomeveterinarians.

AnimalWelfareAdvocacyAwardLarry Gerson, VMDTheAnimalWelfareAdvocacyAwardrecognizesaPVMAmemberwhohasdemonstratedoutstandingcompassionand/ordevelopedpro-

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gramsforthewelfareofanimals.The2013recipientoftheAnimalWelfareAdvocacyAwardisLarryGerson,VMD,forhisextensiveworktoimprovethelivesofdeservinganimalsinneedthroughtheAlleghenyAbusedAnimalReliefFund(AAARF)andTheLastChanceFund(TLC)ofthePenn-sylvaniaVeterinaryFoundation(PVF).LarrycurrentlyistheChairofthePennsylvaniaVeterinary

Foundation(PVF)whichisthecharitablearmofPVMA.HeisactiveintheFoundationandworkstogeneratemoneyforveterinarystudentscholarshipsaswellasPVF’sotherendeavors.Dr.GersonalsoisthePresidentoftheAlleghenyAnimalAbuseReliefFund(AAARF!)whichhasraisedover$1,000,000forabusedandneglectedanimals.

LifetimeAchievementAwardRobert Orsher, VMD, DACVSThePVMALifetimeAchieve-mentAwardisgiventoamemberofthePennsylvaniaVeterinary Medical Associa-tionwhohasdemonstratedalifetimeofselflessdedicationtoveterinarymedicine,thehealthandwelfareofanimals,and

thebettermentoftheprofession.The2013recipientofthisawardisDr.RobertOrsher.Dr.OrsherdesignedandbuiltVSEC’sfirstlocationinLanghorne.Hisvisionwastobringboardcertifiedspecialistsformmultipledisciplinestogetherunderonerooftopracticeasacohesivegroup.Thisvision,alongwithastrongcommitmenttoexcellentpatientcare,education,andservice,providedtheframeworkforsustainedpracticegrowth.ExpandingthisvisioninFebruary2013,VSECopeneditssisterhospital,bringingtheVSECbrandofunwaveringcommitmenttopets,petownersandprimarycareveterinarianstoSouthPhiladel-phia.

GeorgeB.WolffLegislativeLeadershipAwardRobert Graybill, VMDTheGeorgeB.WolffLegislativeLeader-shipAwardisgiventoaPVMAmemberveterinarian or veterinary student who hasshowndedicatedleadershipinleg-islativeadvocacyatthestateorfederallevel.The2013recipientisDr.RobertGraybillinsincereappreciationandrecognitionofhisdedicatedeffortsasasteadfastleaderandpassionateadvocateforPennsylvania’sveterinaryandagriculturalcommunitiesduringhismanyyearsofserviceasVice-Chairand

memberoftheAnimalHealthDiagnosticCommission,pastChairandcurrentmemberofthePVMALegislativeandRegulatoryAffairsCommit-tee,andveterinaryrepresentativetonumerousorganizations.

VeterinaryIndustryPartnerAwardCharles Godfrey, Ceva Animal HealthTheVeterinaryIndustryPartnerAward is presented to a Veterinary IndustryPartnermembertorecog-nizehisorhersteadfastcommit-menttoensuringthevitalityofthePennsylvania Veterinary Medical Associationandtheveterinarypro-fession.The2013recipientoftheVeterinaryIndustryPartnerAwardisCharlesGodfreyofCevaAnimalHealthinrecognitionofourappreci-ationforhisyearsofcommitmenttothePVMAandtheveterinaryprofessionasawhole.Charlesdevelopedhissalesterritoryfromthegroundup,workingtobuildcloserelation-shipswithveterinarians,distributors,aswellasstateVMAs.

PVTAVeterinaryTechnicianoftheYearAwardCindy Esgro, CVTTheVeterinaryTechnicianoftheYearAwardofthePennsylvaniaVeterinaryTechniciansAssociationispresentedannuallyforoutstandingachievementinveterinarytechnology.The2013recipientoftheVeterinaryTechnicianoftheYearAwardisCindyEsgro,CVT,inrecognitionofhercommittedeffortstocontinuallyimproveherknowledgeandexpertiseinherfieldandforbeingachampionfortheveterinaryprofession.Shethinksofworkasherplaytime;sheloveswhatshedoes!Herhusbandtellseveryone“heneversawsomeonetrulyenjoywant-ingtogotowork”.She’sapatientperson,havinglearnedtobeevenmorepatientwithbecauseofhertwosonsanddog.

PVTAVeterinaryTechnologyScholarshipCarolyn LawrenceTheVeterinaryTechnologyScholarshipofthe Pennsylvania Veterinary Technicians Associationisawardedannuallytoassistastudentduringtheireducationtobecomeacertifiedveterinarytechnician.CriteriaforthescholarshipisbasedoncumulativeGPA,academicachievements,plansforthefuture,andfinancialneed.The2013recipi-entofthescholarshipisCarolynLawrence.Havinggrownuponadairyfarm,shehasworkedwithanimalsherwholelife.CarolynattendedtheveterinaryassistantprogramatLancasterCountyCareerandTechnologyCenter.ThisiswhatpromptedhertoattendWilsonCollegetobecomeacertifiedveterinarytechnician.

PVMA President’s AwardThePresident’sAwardsaregiventohonorandrecognizeanachievementoractivityofanyindividualorcompanythatdeservesmorethanaletterofcommendationbutdoesnotqualifyforanyexistingPVMAaward.


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ManydogsandcatsintheUnitedStatesdonotgettheregularpreven-tivecarecheck-upstheyneedtostayhealthy.Thistrendbeganlongbeforetherecenteconomicdownturn.Pets

shouldreceiveaveterinaryexami-nationatleast annuallyand—forsomeanimals—morefrequent

visitsmaybeappropriate.

What is Preventive Care About?Preventivecare,orageneralwellnessvisit,isaproactiveapproachtohealthcare.Justlikechangingtheoilinyourcarcanpreventad-ditionalproblems,regularcheck-upswithyourveterinarianforyourpetcancatchproblemsearlyorpreventthemaltogether.Depend-ingontheageandhealthofyourpet,yourveterinarianmayevencreateacustomizedplanofpreventivecarewhichistailoredtoyourpet’sspecificneeds.

Regularcheck-upsarealsoimportantbecauseyourpetcan’ttellyouwhenitdoesn’tfeelwell.Unlikehumans,animalshidepain,sotheremaynotbeanyoutwardsignsthatsomethingiswrong.Regu-larcheck-upsallowyoutobesurethatyourpetisingoodhealth.

Check-upsnormallybeginwithageneralhealthevaluation.Thisincludesathoroughhistoryaboutapet’sbreed,age,lifestyle,behavior,anddiet.Thereisalsoaphysicalexaminationtocheckweight,temperature,pulse,andbreathing.Allofthisinformationisgatheredtoassesswhetherapetmightbesick.Themouthisalsoexaminedtoseeifthereisanygumdiseaseororalproblems.

Theveterinarianwillalsoasktheownerquestionsaboutthepetsinceitslastvisit.WhatareyoufeedingFido?Hashebeeneat-inganddrinkingnormally?IsFidostillasactiveasnormal?Hasherecentlylostorgainedweight?

Theremainderofawellnessvisitisusuallydedicatedtopreventivecarewhichcanbebrokendownintoafewmaincategories:•Diagnostics(heartwormtesting,FELV/FIVtesting,fecal

pvma fact sheet

Preventive Care

pvmapennsylvaniaveterinarymedicalassociation

advancinganimalwelfareandhumanhealthwhileensuringthevitalityoftheprofession

ThePennsylvaniaVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(PVMA)isanAssociateMemberofPartnersforHealthyPets.PartnersforHealthyPetsisthefaceofthePartnershipforPreventivePetHealthcare™,acommitteeofthenon-profitAmericanVeterinaryMedicalFoundationthatwascreatedtoensurethatpetsreceivethepreventivehealthcaretheydeservethroughregularvisitstoaveterinarian.Thisallianceofmorethan20leadingveterinaryassociationsandanimalhealthcompaniesiscommittedtoavisionofimprovedoverallhealthforpets.

examinations,etc.)•Parasitecontrol(heartworms,externalparasites,andintestinal parasites)•Vaccinations(rabies,caninedistemper,canineparvovirus,etc.)• Identification(microchipping)•Reproductivecounseling(spay/neuter)•Aplanforfollow-upandthenextscheduledvisit

What Are the Benefits of a Preventive Care Plan?•Petsgetbetter,morecomprehensivecareinsteadofahit-or- missapproach.Thepetownerandtheveterinarianboth committothehealthcareplanandpetsgetthecaretheyneed whentheyneedit.•Petownerslikehavingaplanwithpaymentstheycanworkinto theirbudget.Peoplewanttotakegoodcareoftheirpets,but noteveryoneunderstandsthatpetsgetbettercareandlive healthierliveswhentheygototheveterinarianregularly,not justwhensomethingisobviouslywrong.•Regularvisitsalsoprovideyourveterinarianwithabetter knowledgeofyourpetshabits,generalhealthandtemperament, andcanreducethestressofanofficevisitonyourpet.

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A Look Back at 2013's Legislative Day and Friends of Veterinary Medicine Reception

PVMAonceagainhelditsannualLegislativeDaywhichinvitesPVMAmemberstotraveltoHarrisburgtolearnmoreaboutadvocacyand

howPVMAisworkingforPennsylvania'sveterinariansattheCapitol.Duringthefirstpartoftheday,PVMAlobbyistStacyGromlichspokeonthebestwayofbuildingarelationshipwithyourlegislatorandwhyit'simportanttodoso.Afterward,PVMALegislativeandRegulatoryAffairsCommitteeChairDr.TomGarggaveanupdateoncurrentlegis-lation,andTeresaLazo,Esq.,counseltotheStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicine,gottheattendeescaughtuponthecurrenthottopicsintheprofession,andMinorityChairoftheSenateAgricultureandRuralAf-fairsCommitteeSenatorJudithSchwankgraciouslytooktimeoutofherbusydaytospeakabouttheimportanceoftheveterinaryprofessionandagricultureinPennsylvaniaandwhatitmeanttoher.

Followingthelectures,PVMAmembersheadedtotheCapitoltomakescheduledlegislativevisitstoRepresentativesandSenatorsfromtheirrespectivehomedistricts.SomePVMAmembersalreadyhadanexist-ingrelationshipwiththeirlegislatorsandsomeweremakingvisitsforthefirsttime,butallexpressedthedesireofPVMAtobeago-toresourcewhenissuesarisetohelpprovidedascientifically-balancedview.

Followingthevisits,PVMAmembersandstaterepresentatives,sena-

tors,andstaffattendedtheFriendsofVeterinaryMedicineRecep-tion—co-hostedbytheUniversityofPennsylvania,SchoolofVeterinaryMedicine(PennVet)—whichwasheldintheCapitolRotunda.Here,guestswereabletomingleinacasualenvironment.Duringtherecep-tion,LouisSallie,PennsylvaniaFarmBureauAdministrativeSecretary,receivedtheDistinguishedServiceProclamationfrombothPVMAandPennVetforhislife'sdedicationtorepresentingandleadingagricultureinPennsylvaniaandforchampioningtheveterinaryprofession.

LegislativeDayisagreatwaytokeepyourrelationshipwithyourrep-ResentativesandSenatorsgoingortogetyourfeetwetifyouhaven'tbegun.WeencouragePVMAmemberstolearnabouttheissuesfacingveterinarymedicineinPennsylvaniaandtogetinvolved,eitherathomeorinHarrisburg.IfyouwouldliketojointhePVMALegislativeandRegulatoryAffairsCommittee,contactExecutiveDirectorCharleneWandzilakatcwandzilak@pavma.org.l

Topleftphoto:froml-rareBillEvans,ExecutiveDirectorfortheDemocraticMembersoftheSenateAgCommittee,PVMALegislativeandRegulatoryAffairsCommitteeChairDr.TomGarg,MinorityChairoftheSenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeSenatorJudithSchwank,andPVMAPresidentDr.KentonRexford.Toprightphoto:froml-rarePennVetDeanJoanHendricks,DistinguishedServiceAwardwinnerLouisSallie,andPVMAPresidentDr.KentonRexford.

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TestingPDA Regional OfficesSpecimenscanbetakentothefollowingregionalDepartmentofAgricultureofficesforshipmenttoourlaboratorybutyoumustcallaheadtoensurethatsomeonewillbeavailabletoreceivethespeci-men:Meadville,Altoona,Montoursville,Tunkhannock,andGibsonia.Inmanycases,itiseasierandfasterforveterinarianstosubmitthespecimensfromtheirofficebyusingthecourieroranothermethodofsubmission.

Laboratories in the Commonwealth Performing Rabies Diagnostic WorkPennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealth,BureauofLaboratories110PickeringWay,Exton,Pennsylvania19341610.280.3464Specimensareaccepted7daysaweek24hoursaday.

Theycanonlyacceptverysmallanimalswhole(bats,kittens—upto3lbs).Mediumsizedanimalssuchasraccoons,skunks,dogsandadultcatsmustbedecapitatedwithonlytheheadsubmitted.LivestockmusthavethebrainremovedpriortosubmissiontoLionville(orofcoursetheycanbesubmittedtothePennsylvaniaVeterinaryLabinstead).Preferred for all human exposure specimens except Philadelphia and Allegheny County. (seebelow)

Human and Non-Human Exposure Specimens From Anywhere in PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgriculture,StateVeterinaryLaboratory2305NorthCameronStreet,Harrisburg,Pennsylvania17110717-787-8808Preferred for all human exposure specimens except Philadelphia and Allegheny County. (seebelow)

Human Exposure Specimens From Within PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaDepartmentofHealthLaboratory500SouthBroadStreet,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania19170215-685-6740or215-685-6748

SpecimensoriginatingfromwithinthecitylimitsofPhiladelphiacanbesubmittedtothislaboratoryortothePennsylvaniaVeterinary LaboratoryorthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealthLaboratory.

Human And Non-Human Exposure Specimens From Within Allegheny CountyAlleghenyCountyDepartmentofLaboratories3441ForbesAvenue,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania15213412-578-8070

ThislaboratoryprovidesrabiesdiagnosticsservicesforAlleghenyCountyonly.

ResourcesContactyourregionalRegionalPDAVeterinarian• www.agriculture.state.pa.us• www.cdc.gov• www.portal.health.state.pa.usl

Rabiescontinuedfrompage9

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penn vet news

AcupuncturecanbeusedonallspeciestreatedattheUniversityofPennsylvania'sNewBoltonCenter,althoughitismostcommonly

usedinhorses.Theservicecanbehelpfulintreatingbackpain,lamini-tis,nerveproblems,reproductiveproblems,andmanyothermedicalconditions.

MichelleHarris,VMD,DACVIM,anEmergencyandCriticalCarespecial-ist,completedacupuncturetrainingattheChiInstituteofChineseMedicineinFloridaandwillperformacupunctureservicesatthehospital.

“ManyclientsofNewBoltonCenterarefamiliarwithacupunctureandwanttotrydifferenttreatmentsfortheirhospitalizedanimals,”saidCorinneSweeney,DVM,AssociateDeanofNewBoltonCenter.“Weareexcitedtoofferthisnewservice.”

Forthepastthreeyears,MeaganSmith,DVM,DABVP(EquinePrac-tice),hasofferedacupuncturetoNewBoltonCenter’sEquineFieldServiceclients.LizArbittier,VMD,CVA,whojoinedtheFieldServicelastmonth,addstotheteam’sabilitytoofferacupuncture.Drs.SmithandArbittieralsoweretrainedattheChiInstitute.

“Acupunctureisespeciallyusefulforpainmanagement,tohelpgetthehorsethroughtheworstoftimes,”Dr.Smithsaid.“Itcanbeagreatadjuncttoanytherapytoincreasecomfortandlessenrecoverytime.”

AtNewBoltonCenter,acupunctureisnotusedtocureadiseaseorreplaceWesterntreatment,buttoprovideadditionaltherapythat

New Acupuncture Services Available At Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center

caneasepainandimprovetheanimal’squalityoflife.Insomecases,acupuncturecandecreasetheneedforcertainmedications.

AcupuncturedatesbackthousandsofyearsinChina.Thetechniquesusedonanimalsaresimilartothoseusedonhumans.NewBoltonCen-terwillofferdryneedletherapy,aquapuncture,electroacupuncture,andmoxabustion.

PennVetisoneoftheworld’spremierveterinaryschoolsandistheonlyschoolinPennsylvaniagraduatingveterinarians.Foundedin1884,theschoolwasbuiltontheconceptofManySpecies,OneMedicineTM.Thebirthplaceofveterinaryspecialties,theschoolservesadistinctlydiversearrayofanimalpatientsatitstwocampuses,fromcompanionanimalstohorsestofarmanimals.

Thelarge-animalfacility,NewBoltonCenter,inKennettSquare,PA,includestheGeorgeD.WidenerVeterinaryHospitalforlargeanimals;diagnosticlaboratoriesservingtheagricultureindustry;andresearchfacilitiestodeterminenewtreatmentanddiagnosticmeasuresforlarge-animaldiseases.InPhiladelphia,onPenn’scampus,aretheMat-thewJ.RyanVeterinaryHospitaloftheUniversityofPennsylvania(RyanHospital)forcompanionanimals;classrooms;researchlaboratories;andtheSchool’sadministrativeoffices.Formoreinformation,visitwww.vet.upenn.edu.l

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Practice Spotlight: Hope Veterinary SpecialistsByDennisBurkett,VMD,PhD,DACVECC,DACVIM(Cardiology),HopeVeterinarySpecialists,Malvern,Pennsylvania

InNovember2004,theAnimalCriticalCareandSpecialtyGroup,Inc.,doingbusinessasHopeVeterinarySpecialists(HopeVS)since2012,joinedtheVeterinaryReferralCenter(VRC)and

openedthefirst24-houremergencyandcriticalcarefacilityintheareastaffedbyboardcertifiedspecialistsinemergencyandcriticalcaremedicine.Duetospaceandcapacityconstraintsandseekingamoresimplifiedandunifiedapproachtopatientcare,HopeVSdecidedtoleaveVRCattheendofDecember2012andoperatefromanewly-constructed,state-of-the-artfacilitylocatedwithintheThreeTunBusinessParkat40ThreeTunRoad,EastWhitelandTownship,ChesterCounty,PA.

Atthepresenttime,theHopeVSEmergency/CriticalCaredepartmentconsistsofthreeAmericanCollegeofVeterinaryEmergencyandCriticalCare(ACVECC)diplomateswhoassistwithemergencyreceivingandoverseetheemergencystaff.Theyalsohaveprimarycaseresponsibilityandoffercon-sultationonotherin-housespecialtycases.Wecurrentlyemploythreefull-timeemergencycliniciansinadditiontoourdiplomates.TheEmergency/CriticalCaredepartmentisalsosupportedbycertifiedtechnicians,manywithadvancedtrainingandcertificationinemergencyandcriticalcarenursing.

HopeVSistheregion’sleaderinadvancedveterinarymedicalcarefordogsandcats.Ourotherspecialtiesincludeanesthesiaandpainmanagement,cardiology,dermatology,internalmedicine,neurology,oncology,radiationoncology,radiology,andsurgery.Includingoursixemergencyandcriticalcaredoctors,ourtotalnumberofdoctorsis21.

Ourteamofspecialistsandexperienceddoctorsworkcloselywitheachotherandourreferringveterinarianstoensurethatwecanconsistentlyofferthehighestlevelofcaretoeachandeverypatient.HopeVSprovidesemergencyandcriticalcareservicestoareaveterinariansonareferralbasisandthegeneralpubliconawalk-inbasis.Byemphasizingeducation,investingincutting-edgetechnologyandfocusingonthetotalclientexperience,HopeVSisdevelopingintoarenowned

Hope Veterinary Specialists24/7Emergency&PatientCare

40ThreeTunRoadMalvern,PA19355610-296-2099PH610.296.2444FXhttp://hopevs.com

membernews

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specialtypracticethatwillcontinuetoexpandinthefuture.Ourpracticenotonlyfeaturesstate-of-the-arttechnologiesbutalsoanabsolutededicationtotheartaswellasthescienceofveterinarymedicine.Wearecommittedtoexcellenceinveterinarymedicine,blendingthelatesttechnologywithgoodold-fashionedpatientcare.HopeVScurrentlyemploysapproximately80full-timeandpart-timestaff.HopeVSisopentoreceivepatientsinneed24hoursaday,7daysaweek,and52weeksayear(24/7/365).

HopeVSbelieves“theveterinaryemergencyandcriticalcarecentersofthefuturewillbecomposedofveterinarycareteams.Theseteamswillbecomposedofoutstandingveterinarians,veterinarynurses,andmanagerswhowillsetthestandardforcompassionandexcellence,armedwiththerighttoolsandinformationtomeetthechallengesofourpatientsandclients.”Morethanjustcompetentmedicineandpa-tientcare,peopleneedhopeandencouragementfromcompassionateandcaringstaff.HopeVSrecognizesthisandiscommittedtoprovidingittoeverypatientandeveryclient,everytime.Ourphilosophy,simplystatedhere,willhopefullyprovideinsightregardingthelevelofcarewestrivetoofferandthedegreeofcommitmenttowhichweaspire.

Questions&AnswersWhat prompted you to create Hope Veterinary Specialists? AsIapproachedmyretirementfromthepharmaceuticalindustry,Iyearnedtogetbackintoclinicalmedicineforthepetowningpublic.Fromthissmalldesireandanopportunitythatpresenteditself,itjustseemedliketherightthingtodo.Surroundingmyselfwiththerightpeopleandstaffseemedtometobethekeychallengeinthisnewendeavor.Afterassemblingakeyteamofindividuals,mostofwhomarestillwithHopeVStoday,pursuingmy(really,our)dreamjustseemedlikethelogicalnextstep—andherewearetodaystillpursuingthatdream.

How did you come up with the layout/design for your state-of-the-art building? Thisturnedouttobealaboroflovebutalotofworktoo.Beforeactu-allystartingtheactualplanningofthenewhospital,Ivisitedliterallyhundredsofveterinaryhospitalsandveterinaryschoolsacrossthecountry.EverywhereItraveled,iftherewasaveterinaryschooloraspecialtypracticenearby,Ivisitedit.IalsoperusedasmanybooksonhospitaldesignandfloorplanningasIcouldgetmyhandson,butprobablythemostimportantpartregardingourfloorplanwasinterac-tionswithmypeersandstaffregardingwhatwethoughtwouldworkbestforournewhospital.ThiswascriticaltoourmissionandIthinkwewentthrough10-15floorplandesignsbeforewefinallysettledontheonewehave.Thiswasthekeyingredientinmyopinion,gettinginputfromourstaffastohowtheyactuallyusethespace.Whatflowsmorenaturally,whataidsefficiencyand—basically—howdowework.Noth-ingnew,justoftenoverlooked,formfollowsfunction,nottheotherwayaround.Ohyes,andgetyourselfagoodarchitect.

What is your vision for the practice as you continue to grow? Thisisbestexemplifiedbyourvisionandmissionstatements:Vision: Wherethehopesfortomorrowresidetoday(themeaningbehindourname).Mission:Improvingthequalityoflifeandhealthofourcommunity,ourclients,ourpatients,ourstaff,andourselves.

Sinceweallrecognizethatitiseasytoputwordsonpaper,wedecidedtooutlinejusthowweplantoworktowardmakingthisarealityeachandeverydayforourselves,ourclients,ourpatients,andbydefault,ourhospital.Toliveoutourvision,HopeVShasidentifiedthefollowingtofocusonandtodemonstratetothebestofourabilitydaily.

• Leadership:leadbyexample,bemindfulofwhatyouleavebehind(wakeeffect).

• Change:embracechangewhenappropriate,becomea“changemerchant”whenneeded(flexibility).

• Possibilities:considerall,recognizetheyarelimitless(openness).• Expectations:reachhigh,challengeyourselfandothers(embrace

knowledge,keeplearningandgrowing).• Communication:“connect”withothers.• Relationships:create,nurture,developandcherish.Thisisthe

throughwayforeffectivecommunication(honesty,trustworthinessandcompassion).

• Teamwork:1+1>2(sometimesknownassynergy)(collaboration).• Develop Peripheral Vision:learntoseearoundcorners,become

moreawareofyouractionsandwhatisgoingonaroundyou,antici-patewhat“could”happenbasedonyouractions(awareness).

• Choose happy:ifyouarehappy,happythingswillhappentoyou.l

membernews

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membernews

Welcome New MemberspVMAwelcomesthefollowingnewmembers

andthanksthemforjoiningPVMA!(July31,2013–September23,2013)

Do you have a marriage, a birth, or other event in your life or practice you want to share? Tell us! We love to

share member news within the PVMA family. Email Lori Raver

at [email protected].

Active-RecentGraduateZacharyGoodrich,VMD,Monroeville,PAJenniferBurroughs,DVM,Lititz,PACaseyPawl,DVM,Reedsville,PA

AcademicActiveAnnBarr,CVT,PennFosterCollege,Scranton,PAEugeneLengerich,VMD,Hershey,PA

ActiveKellyLongenecker,VMD,TheVillageVeterinarian,Bangor,PABradyBeale,VMD,VeterinaryReferralCenter,Malvern,PADanielleYoung,DVM,StFrancisAnimalHospital,Tamaqua,PADavidKrehl,DVM,Martinsburg,PAElenaShockman,VMD,York,PASadfMnbvcxz,Col,OH

AssociateJamesDorney,DVM,SummitDog&CatHospital,Summit,NJRonaldTyler,DVM,AmericanVeterinaryPathologyAssociates,PLLC, Blacksburg,VARobertoTorres-Diaz,DVM,PatrickSprings,VA

GovernmentAnilThakur,BVSc,Mandi,India

IndustryPartnerDanielLuchanskyChesapeakeWasteSolutions,Inc.,Manheim,PALeeannMacWilliams,MedicalDentalBureauofYork&AdamsCounties,York,PA

PracticeManagerSuzanneKrause,CVT,NewHollandVeterinaryHospital,NewHolland,PA

StudentKatharine,Sharon,Landenberg,PAMicheleDickey,Philadelphia,PAElizabethAntzis,Philadelphia,PAGretchenLandin,Philadelphia,PAAshleyMoyer,Philadelphia,PAAlexandraSt.Pierre,Philadelphia,PACaitlinHunter,Philadelphia,PAKristenKoepsell,Phoenixville,PAEmilyShea,Philadelphia,PACarolineMaguire,Philadelphia,PAJulianneSangimino,Philadelphia,PAAidanChambers,Philadelphia,PALizzyBairstow,Philadelphia,PAHanChia,GlenBurnie,MDSarahColmer,Neptune,NJJonathanFerrari,Ambler,PAFionaInglis,PhD,Philadelphia,PAMeredithLancaster,Philadelphia,PAMatthewLanza,Philadelphia,PASamanthaLauro,Philadelphia,PA

MeganLongstreet,Mechanicsburg,PARachaelNelson,Philadelphia,PACarolineNeville,Philadelphia,PARogerRengert,Philadelphia,PANoelleSchoettle,Philadelphia,PAMarvinSchuldenfrei,Philadelphia,PARachaelSirois,Philadelphia,PALuigiTopacio,Philadelphia,PAAlyssaCodes,Philadelphia,PASamanthaFanelli,Philadelphia,PAGregoryKaiman,Philadelphia,PAJenniferMasucci,Philadelphia,PAResaMcLellan,Philadelphia,PAMeghanaPendurthi,Philadelphia,PAJaredRisser,Blacksburg,VTBenjaminDonati,Philadelphia,PAKatinaPangakis,Philadelphia,PAZacharySmith,Philadelphia,PAAshleyCherry,Philadelphia,PAKristenConniff,Philadelphia,PACaitlinDoran,Easton,PAEvaJacobs,Philadelphia,PAGraceNebzydoski,Philadelphia,PAJosephO'Hara,Kingston,PAAnneliseMyers,Clarksville,MDRachelSclarsky,Philadelphia,PANathanSquire,Philadelphia,PAChristinaMontalbano,Philadelphia,PAKatherineVery,Philadelphia,PAJessicaMitchell,Philadelphia,PASarahBye,Holicong,PAl

PVMA Says Goodbye to Dr. Matthew Murphy

MatthewMurphy,DVM,bornJanuary15,1958,passedawaySeptember22,2013.HewasaresidentofScotland,PA,andownertheKeystoneMobileVeterinarian

Service.Heissurvivedbyhiswife,Brenda;hischildrenMatthew(spouseSusan),Jarred(spouseLindsey),andAnna;aswellasgrandchildrenMcKenna,Matthew,Jacob,Emma,Abriel,andKatelyn.FriendswerereceivedatOpenDoorChurch,600MillerStreet,Chambersburg,PA,onSeptember28.Inlieuofflowers,donationsmaybemadetoChambersburgBaptistChurchBuildingFund.PVMAwishestheMurphyfamilyitsdeepestsympathies.l

Staffvaluethetimeawaytogetherandthefactthatyouletthemhavearoleincreatingagreatpractice.Anotherwaytoinvest,istodostrategicplanningsothatyouhaveclearlydefinedgoalsandactionstepstoensurethatitisdone.Thisisanothergreatthingtodowithyourteambecauseforaplantobesuc-cessful,everyonemustbeonboardandsup-portit.Itisalsobeneficialtohaveafacilitatortohelpyouhaveanobjectiveperspective

From Where I Sitcontinuedfrompage10

asyouidentifygoals,lookatstrengthsandweaknesses,anddevelopaplan.

IfPVMAcanassistyouwithanyofthesetop-ics,[email protected],itisimportanttoresolvetodothingsdifferently.That’sagreatfirststeptoanywellnessplan.l12011BayerVeterinaryCareUsageStudyconductedbytheNationalCommissiononVeterinaryEconomicIssues,BrakkeConsultingandBayerAnimalHealth.http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/10.2460/javma.238.10.1275

We want to know!

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Lauren Aldinger, VMD, &Yoon Chay, VMD

PVMAmembersLaurenAldinger,VMD,&YoonChay,VMD, tiedtheknotonJuly20,2013,atTrinityMemorialChurchinCenterCityPhiladelphia.CongratulationsLauren&Yoon!

©OrangeRosePhotography

Nathan Kapp, VMD, &Valerie Bollinger

PVMAmemberNathanKapp,VMD,andValerie BollingertiedtheknotonJune29,2013,inLititz.

CongratulationsNathanandValerie!

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resources,includingnewhirepaperwork,administeringemployeebenefits,andemployeehandbooks,mostrespondentsmanagethesetasksinternally.Otherthanbookkeeping,mostpracticesutilizeoutsideproviderstomanagefinancialtaskssuchaspayrollandaccounting.

Formanypractices,theday-to-daytasksrelatedtomarketingstillfallonthepracticeteamtocomplete.Outsideofwebsitehosting,themajorityofrespondentsstillinternallymanagetasksrelatedtopatientreminders,websitecontentcreation,andsocialmediacommunica-tions.

Operational EfficiencyRespondentswerethenaskedtoassesshoweffectivetheirpracticeteamswereatcompletingtheoperationaltasksreferencedinprevi-ousquestions.Themajorityofthosesurveyedfelttheirteamswereeffectiveinmanagingtasksrelatedtosupplycosts,staff,andpayroll.Conversely,50%ormoreofrespondentscitedmarketingactivitiesasaburdenorsourceoffrustration.

FinancialBehaviorsPricingWhilevariationdidexistinthefrequencyofpricechanges(43%onceyearlyvs.23%twiceyearly),mostrespondentsreferencedselectivelyincreasingserviceandproductpricescomparedto“acrosstheboard”changes.Ofspecificinterestwerethe10%ofrespondentswhohavenotincreasedpricesinmorethan1year.

Financial TransparencyContrarytootherbusinessenvironments,financialtransparencyisstilluncommoninmostveterinarypractices.Only21%ofrespondentssharepracticefinancialinformationwithassociatedoctors,while33%regularlyreviewpracticeperformancemetricswiththepracticemanager.Twentyone(21%)percentofrespondentssharefinancialinformationwiththeentirestaff.Inaddition,51%ofrespondentssaythatthedisseminationoffinancialinformationisaninfrequentbehaviorintheirpractice.

What Budget?Onesurprisingfindingofthestudyishowfewpracticesutilizeabudgetinthemanagementoftheirbusiness.Only27%ofrespondentsutilizeaformalbudgetthattheymonitorregularlywhile19%makeanattempttolimitexpensestothatofthepreviousyear.Ofsignificantnoteisthat37%ofrespondentsdon’toperateoffofabudgetand17%ofrespon-dentsdon’tevenknowiftheirpracticehasabudget.

StaffManagementEmployee BenefitsParticipantswereaskedwhatbenefitstheyprovidetopracticestaff.Morethan70%ofrespondentsofferstaffatleastpartialfundingofhealthinsurancebenefitsandparticipationina401korretirementplan.Thirtythreepercent(33%)ofthosesurveyedofferdisabilityinsur-anceand21%offerlifeinsuranceforstaff.

Training StaffOnly20%ofthosesurveyedhaveanestablishedprotocolfortrainingnewhiresateachpositionwithinthehospital.Fiftytwopercent(52%)trainnewemployeesbyshadowingprotocoland18%admittotrainingnewemployeesthroughlearningonthejob.

Managing Performance IssuesWhenitcomestostaffdevelopmentandconflict,48%ofrespondentsacknowledgethattheresponsibilityfallsprimarilyonthepracticeman-ager.In23%ofpractices,thepracticeownerretainsresponsibilityformanagingtheseissues.In11%ofthosesurveyed,conflictmanagementisnotproactivelymanaged.

MarketingThe Role of MarketingAsalsoreferencedinotherstudies,practicesthatareactiveinmarketingtopetownerstendtobemoresuccessfulthanthosewhodonotengagetheirclientbase.Ofthosesurveyed,44%ofpracticesareproactiveinmarketinginmultiplechannels.Ofthosewhoarelessactive,15%stillengageinwordofmouthonlyand12%don’tactivelymarkettheirpractice.

Tracking Customer SatisfactionMeasuringcustomersatisfactionisakeymarketingtoolthatisoftenoverlooked.Only24%ofrespondentsuseanoutsideproviderfortrackingcustomersatisfactionwhile30%useprintsurveysatorshortlyfollowingdischarge.Mostpracticestrackcustomersatisfactionprimarilytoidentifyunhappyclients.Sixtypercent(60%)ofpracticesreachouttoknowndisgruntledclientsand55%regularlymonitoronlinereviewsites.

Competing in a New Online WorldThirtyonepercent(31%)ofpracticessurveyedhaveevolvedtopriori-tizeonlinecommunicationwithclientswhile25%seehavingawebsiteassufficienttomeettheirmarketingneeds.Thirtyonepercent(31%)ofrespondentsacknowledgetheimportanceofonlinecommunications,butdon’thavethetimetoeffectivelymanagethesetasks.Surprisingly,13%ofpracticesinthissurveystilldonothaveanonlinepresenceofanykind.

Making Social Media WorkSuccessfulapplicationofsocialmediaasamarketingtoolcontinuestobeanenigmatomanypractices.Twentyeightpercent(28%)ofrespon-dentsseesocialmediamarketingasimportantanddedicatesignificantinternalresourcestomanaging.Thirtyeightpercent(38%)acknowl-edgesocialmediaasausefulbutdon’thavethetimeorresourcestoeffectivelymanage.Ninepercent(9%)ofpracticesacknowledgetakingthetimetocreateaFacebookpagebutarenotactiveand16%don'tutilizesocialmediaatall.

ConclusionChallenges and OptimismTheregionalveterinaryclimateappearstobeacombinationofcau-tiousoptimismandconcernovergrowingcompetitivethreatstotheaverageveterinarypractice.Mostrespondentsseetheirpracticesgrow-ingin2013andbelievethegreatestopportunitiesforgrowthwillcomefromexpandingtheirservicesandclientbase.Thepharmacycontinues

Business Behaviorscontinuedfrompage17


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tobeperceivedasthemostsignificantrevenuesourcethat’sunderat-tackfromonlinepharmaciesandretailers,althoughnon-profitentitieshaveemergedasagrowingsourceofconcern.

Thesurveyrevealednumerousobservationsthatshouldbeofinteresttotoday’spracticeowner/manager.

•Whilemostrespondentsdependontheirpracticeteamstomanagethedailytasksrelatedtomarketing,morethan50%citemarketingasafrustrationorburden.

• Fewerthan1/3ofsurveyrespondentsreadilysharefinancialperfor-manceinformationwithallorevenpartoftheirpracticeteam.

Business Behaviorscontinuedfrompage34

relatesthatsheexaminedadognamed“Stoli,”a13-year-oldblackLab-radorRetriever.Hewasgivenasingletherapeuticdoseofketoprofen,butthatsingledosewasenoughtosendhimtotheERashedevelopedaseveregastriculcerwhichresultedincardiopulmonaryarrestandhemorrhagicshock.AfterbeingrevivedintheERandfailingtorespondtomedicalmanagement,hewenttosurgery.Throughhisstayinthehospital,hereceived40unitsofbloodproducts!Tothisday,Dr.Leeisstillintouchwiththoseowners.

Dr.Leerecognizesthatthefaceoftheprofessionhaschangedinthecourseofthelasttwodecades.Shenotesthatwiththeincreasein

Dr. Justine Leecontinuedfrompage11

• Only27%ofrespondentsutilizeaformalbudgetthattheymonitorregularlywhile19%makeanattempttolimitexpensestothatofthepreviousyear.

• Only20%ofthosesurveyedhaveanestablishedprotocolfortrainingnewhiresateachpositionwithinthehospital.

•Mostpracticestrackcustomersatisfactionprimarilytoidentifyunhappyclients.

• Surprisingly,13%ofpracticesinthissurveystilldonothaveanon-linepresenceofanykind.

• Ninepercent(9%)ofpracticesacknowledgetakingthetimetocre-ateaFacebookpagebutarenotactiveand16%don'tutilizesocialmediaatall.l

womeninveterinarymedicine,she’dlovetoseemorewomentakeonaleadershippositionsorsmallbusinessownershipwithintheprofes-sion.Nowbeingasmallbusinessownerherself,sheunderstandstheimportanceofcontinuingtoemphasizethework/lifebalance,andhopesthatmorewomenwilllearntobebetternegotiatorsandseekoutleadershiproles.

OutsideofherverybusylifeoflecturingandrunningVetGirl,Dr.LeeisactiveinplayingultimateFrisbee,icehockey,running,andhiking.Dr.Leesharesherhomewiththreerescuedpets:apitbull,Milo,andtwocats,LilyandSeamus.l

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Classified AdsVeterinariansFULL-TIME OR PART-TIME veterinarian:Emancipateyourself!Beyourownboss!Beappreciated!CompassionateHeartisdedicatedtotheprovisionofgentle,humaneeuthanasiaforterminallyillcompanionanimalsinthecomfortofhome.Wearelookingtoworkwithcompassionate,empatheticveterinarianswhoareinterestedinnurturingthehumananimalbondinPennsylvania.Thisisagreatopportunitytofreeyourselffromaclinicalsetting!In-homeeuthanasiaisahighlyvalued,personalservice.Flexiblepart-timehours(orfull-time,ifmotivated).Ifinterested,pleasecontactDr.AliciaHarris.Welookforwardtoworkingwithyou!Email:[email protected]:www.mycompassionateheart.com.

HUMANE SOCIETY ManagementServices,headquarteredinReading,Pennsylvania,seeksveterinarianstojointheexpandingveterinarypracticesmanagedbyourorganizationinBerks,ChesterandLancasterCounties.Fullandpart-timepositionsareavailableandofferthebestofboththeprivatepracticeandanimalwelfareworlds.Allpositionsoffercompetitivesalaryandbenefits,andnewgraduatesarewelcomed.HumaneSocietyManagementServices,LLCisanEqualOpportunityEmployer(EOE.)Pleaseforwardcoverletter,resumeandsalaryrequirementsto:KarelMinor,President/CEO,HumaneSocietyManagementServices,LLC,1801N11thSt,ReadingPA19604,fax610.921.5833,or email [email protected].

PART-TIME ASSOCIATE neededforsmallanimalhospitalinsouthernChesterCounty.Wehaveterrificclientsandaverydevotedstaff.Helpisneededfor3afternoons(2to6pm)and2evenings(4to8pm)perweekalongwith2Saturdays(8amto12noon)permonth.Totalhoursareapproximately20to24perweek.Pleasevisitourwebsite:www.pennanimal.comtolearnmoreaboutus.PleasecontactourofficemanagerRussbyphoneat610.869.3033oremail at [email protected].

FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE veterinarian—buy-inpotential.3-doctor,full-servicesmallanimalhospitalinscenicBerksCounty.Practiceshigh-qualitystandardofcare.Exceptionaldoctor/supportstaffratio.Excellentbenefitandcompensationpackage.Visitwww.antietamvet.com.Emailresumetoavah@dejazzd.comorfaxto610.779.6079.

PracticeConsultantPRACTICE SALESandappraisals—Whypay8-10%incommissionstohelpyousellyourpractice?Ourcompanyhastheknowledgeandexperiencetoproducesignificantsavingsforyou.Calltoinquireaboutourrates.Noobligation.Practicevaluationsstartingat$2500.ArkBusinessConsulting.AlanGlassman,VMD;DavidCherst,CPA,MBA.610.283.3476.

Veterinary TechniciansWE CURRENTLYhaveanopeningforanexperiencedveterinarytechnician.Thepracticeincludes2busyofficeswithup-to-dateequipment.Thepracticeisstrictlysmallanimal—primarilycatsanddogs.Thefocusofthepracticeispreventiveandgeneralmedicineandgeneralandorthopedicsurgery.Experienceinsurgery/anesthesiaisaplus.Mustbe

willingtoworksomenightsandweekends.Schedulewillinvolvesomehoursinbothoffices.Youmayemail your resume to [email protected] or mail it to JeniCleveland12043Route287,MiddleburyCenter,PA16935.Nophonecallsplease.

ANIMAL HOSPITALofMountPoconoandAllPetsDentalCareandOralSurgeryislookingforacertifiedveterinarytechnicianorequivalent.Weareaonedoctorgeneralsmallanimal/exoticpracticeplusaveterinarydentalreferralpractice.Candidatemustbeexperiencedinthetypicaldutiesofaveterinarytechnicianwithaspecialinterestinlearningandexcellingindentistry.Weareasmallpracticewithapleasant,lowpressureworkenvironment.CompensationDOE,plusvacation,401K,productionbonus,healthinsurance,CEandotherbenefits,plusnoemergencyshifts.AllcandidatespleaseemailJenniferatahmp@verizon.net.

CENTRAL ANIMALHospital,asmallanimalAAHAhospitallocatedinScarsdale,NY,seeksanexperiencedlicensed veterinary technician to complement our veterinaryhealthcareteam.Seekinganindividualwhoenjoysspeakingwithclients,workingwithothersandindependentlyutilizingalltheirtechnicianskillslikedentistry,venipuncture,catheterplacement,ultrasonography,cystocentesis,radiology,anesthesiamonitoring,patientassessment,surgicalpreparation,assistingpatientrecovery,andmore.Offeringcompetitivecompensation,comprehensivebenefitspackageincludingmedicalinsurance,2weekspaidvacation,paidprofessionaldues/licenses,profitsharing/401Kplans,uniforms,andgenerouspersonalpetcarecourtesies.Meetourhealthcareteam/[email protected]/orcallCookieWoltzat914.723.1250. www.bestvets.net.

ReliefVeterinariansRELIEF VETERINARIANneededforbusy,state-of-the-art,6-doctorsmallanimalgeneralpracticeinBucksCounty,PA.Practicehasdigitalradiographs,ultrasound,fullin-houselaboratory,electronicmedicalrecords,andexperiencesupportstaff.PractitionermustbeaskilledsmallanimalclinicianwithexcellentcommunicationskillsandbelicensedinthestateofPennsylvaniaandcarryAVMA-PLITinsurance.PleasecontactDr.Woodatdr.wood@newtownvet.netformoreinformation.

INTERNSHIP-TRAINED VETERINARIAN availableinPittsburghandthesurroundingarea.Experienceinaspecialtyhospitalandemergencysettingfor5+years.Availableforonetimeorshorttermreliefworkaswellasextendedperiodsifneeded.Pleaseemail [email protected].

ENERGETIC VETERINARIAN relocated to the area lookingforpart-timeorreliefworkinsmallanimalpracticesinLancaster,Berks,andLebanonareas,aswellasportionsofDauphin,York,Schuylkill,andLehighcounties.Comfortableprovidingbothroutineandemergencycaretosmallanimals,includingbirdsandpocketpets.AvailableanywhereinPAforoneweektolongerperiodstocovervacations,illness,andshorttermneeds.Experienced,integrity,detailed.ItreatyourpracticelikeIownit!Recentreferencesavailable.PleasecontactDavidJ.Henzler,DVM,PhD,at717.341.4357,[email protected].

SMALL ANIMAL reliefveterinarianneededforoursmallanimalpracticelocatedinbeautifulSouth

CentralPA.WearecurrentlyaoneDoctorpracticewhoisseekingaReliefVetforabout6monthsbeginninginSeptember2013.Ifinterestedpleasecontactusat717-573-4569oremailyourCVtoneedmorevet@frontiernet.net.

S. RAE BRAUDAWAY, DVM.OSU2007,internshiptrained(UniversityofMinnesota),4+yearsinsmallanimalreferralemergencypractice.Availableforreliefandpart-timeworkinsmallanimalclinicswithin100milesoftheWilkes-Barre/Plainsarea.Competentmedicalandsurgicalskills,practicesprogressivehigh-qualitymedicine.517.599.1221,[email protected].

RAJU KACHAM BVSc,veterinarianwith5yearsofexperienceinsmallanimalmedicineandsurgery.LicensedandavailableforreliefveterinarianservicesinbothPennsylvaniaandNewJerseystates.Pleasecontactmeat484.560.7714(cell)[email protected].

SAFI CHAND, DVM.Compassionate,productivesmallanimalveterinarian,stronginterpersonal,medicalandsurgicalskills,>5yearexperienceinreferral/ER,exotics,availableweekends,weekdaysandnights.413.636.9209;[email protected].

EXPERIENCED, SURGICALLY-COMPETENT veterinarianavailableforreliefemployment.York,Adams,Lancaster,Dauphin,Cumberland,andFranklinCounties.AllanHill,VMD,717.723.6559.

BONNIE J. MILLER DVM.Veterinarianwith25+yearsexperienceinsmallanimal,pocketpets,avian,reptileandexotics.LicensedinMDandPA.APHIScertifiedandhaveacurrentDEAcertification.Proficientinsurgeryaswell.York,Lancaster,Gettysburg,Harrisburg,andsurroundingareasinPA.NorthernBaltimoreCountyandsomepartsofHartfordandFrederickCounties.717.739.8400.

DONALD W. STREMME, VMD.Experiencedveterinarian(35+years)availableforsmallanimalandexotic(birds,pocketpets,reptiles)reliefworkinPhiladelphiaareaandSouthJersey.Willconsiderotherareaswherelicensed,too.Licensed(includingDEAandUSDA-APHS)inPA,NJ,NY,FLandCA.Emailto [email protected].

KATHRYN WEST, DVM,UF‘94.Smallanimalandexotic/non-traditionalpetwork,[email protected].

EXPERIENCED VETERINARIAN,1987Penngradseekspart-timeemploymentwithin30-45minutesofthePottstown/Quakertownarea.Specialinterestsinsurgery,diagnosticimaging,exotics.Professional,reliable,neatappearance.CallJacquelineBurke,VMDat610.754.1155oremail [email protected].

LOOKING FOR relief:VeterinarianneededforTuesdayandorThursdayevenings.Approximatehoursare4hourweeklywithopportunityforfurtherrelief(vacations)Contact:ProvidenceVeterinaryHospital,Chester,PA.215.620.2407.

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MJ POTTER, UP 97.Experienceinsmallanimalinternalmedicine,criticalcare,oncology,andgeneralsurgery.AvailableforlongorshorttermreliefinDelaware,Chester,Lancaster,[email protected].

WILLIAM KEER, DVM,Wisconsin‘99Providingveterinaryreliefservicesandimprovingcolleagues’qualityoflifeineasternPennsylvania.Pleasecontactmeviaemail at [email protected].

THE VISITING VET!ExperiencedreliefveterinarianavailableforqualitycoverageinChesterCounty,NorthernDelaware,southernLancasterCountyandsouthernNewJersey.Smallanimalandpocketpets.Softtissuesurgeryandemergencycoverage.LicensedthreestatesandDEAcurrentcertificate.Onedayorregularshort-termpart-time.Referencesavailable.Contact:SandraFargher,VMD'91,[email protected].

HOW DOyouspellrelief?JerryGodfry,DVM!Ihavebeenaveterinarianfor38yearsandhaveownedmyownpracticeinChesterCountyforthepast30years.IhavesoldmypracticerecentlyandIamcurrentlyavailabletoworkasareliefveterinarianinPhiladelphiaandthesurroundingareas.Iamanexperienced,reliabledoctorthatwouldfityourneeds.Myexperiencerangesfromcatsanddogstobirdsandreptiles.IamlicensedandaccreditedinPAaswellasfederally-accredited.Iworkwellwithnewstaffandamabletoworkabusyschedule.AvailablefordayandeveningshiftsinadditiontoSaturdaysandsomeholidays.Willtravel45-1hourifneeded.Pleasecontactifinterested.610.506.6494.

EquipmentForSaleCENTRAL BUCKS COUNTY: new 56-stall equine training/rehab facility on 58 unpreserved acres with indoor and outdoor riding arenas, ADA compliant main barn with $300K sprinkler system and 7 drive-in, roll-up doors for easy access. Features include multiple paddocks, 1 acre pond, 1.5 mile training track along

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october2013October 27, 20134th Annual Bark in the Park 5k Run & 1 Mile Dog Walk CityIsland,Harrisburg,PAFetchyoursneakers,dog,anddogleashorcomealoneandrun!Ifyouandyourdogarebothabletocomfortablygothedistance,dogsarewelcometojointheirownersonthe5krun.GetpledgespriortoracedaytobenefitTheLastChanceFund(TLC)ofthePennsylvaniaVeterinaryFoundation.TheTLCFundprovidesfundsforthecareofabusedorneglectedunownedcompanionanimals.Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavail-ableatwww.pavetfoundation.org/BITP.aspx.

november2013November 2-3, 20136th 3 Rivers Veterinary Symposium OmniWilliamPennHotel,Pittsburgh,PA12HOURSOFCONTINUINGEDUCATIONCREDIT

3RiversVeterinarySymposiumwillreturntoPittsburghinNovem-ber.Theprogramwillincludethefollowingtracks:companionanimaldentistry,criticalcare,orthopedic,surgery,internalmedicine,bovine,equine,veterinarytechnician,andpracticemanagement.Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavailableatwww.pavma.org.

december2013Friday, December 6, 2013, 1:00-2:00pmManaging the New WorkforcePresenter:DonaldShandler,PhD

Fourgenerationsnowcharacterizestheworkforce.Theyrepresentacohortofpeoplebornwithinaparticularperiodoftime—usu-allyduringaninterval20yearsinlength.Andwhileeachgeneration[Traditionals-b.(1925-1942);BabyBoomers(b.1943-1960);GenerationX(b.1961-1981);GenerationY/Millennials(b.1982-2002]bringtheiruniquevalues,needs,preferencesandbehaviorstoworkplacetheyalsobringchallenges.Thechallengesareoftenunresolved.Thefourgenerationworkforcehasdifferentexpectationsonhowtheyareman-aged,motivated,rewarded,trainedandeducated.And,oftentheseexpectationsarenotmetandconflictsdevelopbetweenmultigenera-tionalteamsandbetweeneachgenerationandtheirmanagers.Orga-nizations,managersandprofessionalshaveanopportunitytodevelopresponsivestrategiestoturngenerationalconflictintocollaboration.WebinarsarefreetoPVMAmembers.Registerathttp://www.cvent.com/d/fcqtn7/4W.

february2014Saturday, February 8, 201410th Annual Winter ConferenceACEConferenceCenter,LafayetteHill,Pennsylvania

9HOURSOFCONTINUINGEDUCATIONWILLBEOFFERED

The10thAnnualWinterConferencewillreturntothePhiladelphiaareain2014.Multipletrackswillbeoffered,includingcompanionanimal,equine,practicemanagement,bovine,veterinarytechnician,andmore!Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavailableatwww.pavma.org.l

Events & Educationwhat’shappening

perimeter, wash bays, tack rooms, offices, additional outdoor stalls and pastures. Other uses could include rescue operation, camp, boarding. Land is sub-dividable or can be preserved. Website: http://4506newhope.epropertysites.com/indexGo2.htm. For more details contact Linda Emerson, Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors, 186 Main Street, Hellertown, PA 18055. Office: 610-838-0440; Cell: 610.291.3841; or [email protected].

PracticesForSaleBUILT IN 1919,theWerntzMemorialAnimalHospitalistheoldestcontinuingoperatingveterinaryhospitalinthePittsburgharea.Itissituatedon1.7acresandwasrecentlyprofessionalappraisedfor$100K.Whilethefacilitiescurrentlyserveadequately,renovationorrebuildingwouldenhancethecapabilitiesofthepractice.Workinga25to30hourweekwithampletimeaway,thepracticegrossed$400Kin2012.Ourdedicatedclientelehavea99.9%payrateanddeserveaveterinariantowhomtheycantransfertheirloyalty.Beingsemiretired,Iamwillingtomakethispracticeavailableforaveryreasonablefiguretotherightindividual.412243-2401.

SMALL ANIMAL practiceforsaleinnorthwesternPA.2400sq.ft.withroomtoexpland.Locatedonapproximately2acres—nicefacilitydesignedandbuiltasaveterinaryhospital.Ownerhaslimitedopenhoursandservices.Largeanimalpotential(someequipment).Practice,equipment,inventory,computersystemandrealestateoffered.PleasecontactBrianLangdon,DVM,at814.333.1313.

PRACTICES FOR SALE nationwide:CovingtonCounty,AL:SA,3,000sfon+1acre;CollierCounty,FL:SA,2-examroomsw/roomtogrow;ManateeCounty,FL:Well-established,SoloSAw/RE;NorthwestFlorida:SAonlake.3,500sfw/RE;DawsonCounty,GA:SA,3,200sfw/RE.2-examrooms;YorkCounty,ME:SA2,600sfw/RE.3-examrooms;OnondagaCounty,NY:ProfitableER3-examrooms;PiedmontArea,NC:SA,4,000sfw/RE,4-examrooms;WinstonSalem,NC:Start-Up.5,500sfw/RE;OklahomaCounty,OK:SA,4,500sfw/RE.2-examrooms;ElPasoCounty,TX:SA,2,500sfw/RE,3-examrooms;CabellCounty,WV:SA.3-examroomsw/RE;PSBROKER,INC.1.800.636.4740,PSBROKER.COM.l

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ofyourclients.Assumethatyouwillneedtoreinforcethemessageperiodicallythroughseasonalemailsorpracticenewsletters.

Step7:TheAskTobesuccessfulyourmessagemustreacheveryclient,everyvisit,everytime.Fromthetimeaclientschedulesanappointment,tothefrontdeskcheckin,intheexamroom,andthroughdischarge,theentireteammustbeableto“Ask”fortheclient’sbusiness.Makingthe“Ask”mandatorysometimescreatesadiscomfort,butafterafewtimes,themessagewillbecomeeasierandeasier.Itisimportantmakethe“Ask”withconfidence—ifyoudon’tbelieveinwhatyou’recommunicating,neitherwillyourclient.

Step8:Review&ReviseTrackyourprogressthroughperiodiccompliancereportingfromyourPracticeManagementsystemandmakechangestoyourprotocolsandproceduresasnecessarytomaketheprogrammoreeffective.ContinuetoaddquestionsandmodifytheanswersonyourFAQpage.Atstaffmeetingsmakeitmandatoryforfewofyourstaffmemberstoshareastoryaboutaclientwhohassignedupaswellasaclientwhohaspassedontheinformation.Somestaffmemberswillbemoresuccess-fulingettingtheclientstoparticipatesoletthemproudlysharetheirapproachsothatthestaffcanlearnfromeachother.

InConclusionCustomizedPatientCareisauniqueopportunitytobuildyourpracticewhilehelpingyourclientsandtheirpets.Byusingthestepsabovetooperationallysupportandmarketyourprogram,notonlywillyourpro-grambemoresuccessful,you’llbedevelopingamethodologyforthefutureintroductionofotherprograms,promotionsandservices.l

Customized Patient Carecontinuedfrompage16

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Bash Halow, LVT, CVPMThefirstrecipientofa2013President’sAwardistheBashHalowinrecognitionoftheenthusiasticpartnershiphehascultivatedwithPVMAandhispassion-atecommitmenttoempoweringveteri-narypracticesacrossPennsylvania.Mr.HalowisregularlyrecruitedbyMerial,Vetstreet,Zoetis,Merck,andAntechDiagnosticLaboratoriestoprovidehelp-fulseminarsineffectivecommunicationandbasicveterinarypracticefinancialoversight.HeisaproudmemberoftheInnovationCommitteeoftheVHMA,andamemberoftheAmericanAnimalHospitalAssociation(AAHA),PVMA,NewJerseyVHMA,andtheNewJerseyVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(NJVTA).

Teresa Lazo, Esq.Thesecondrecipientofa2013Presi-dent’sAwardisTeresaLazo,Esq.,inrecognitionofthededicatedcommit-ment she has demonstrated in her significantrolewiththeStateBoardofVeterinary Medicine and her valued partnership with PVMA to improve Pennsylvania’sveterinaryprofession. Ms.LazohasservedaslegalcounseltothePennsylvaniaBoardofVeterinaryMedicinesince1999andisalsocounseltotheStateBoardofMedicine.Ascoun-seltotheBoardofVeterinaryMedicine,she presides at disciplinary hearings, writesopinionsasdirectedbytheBoard,defendsBoardactionsonappeal,draftsregulationsandrecom-mendationsonproposedlegislation,andservesasaliaisontootherstateagenciesandtheGeneralAssemblyonissuesrelatedtotheBoard.

The Honorable Judith SchwankThethirdrecipientofa2013President’sAwardisTheHonorableJudithSchwankinrecognitionofherwillingnesstopart-nerwithPVMAandhertirelessworktoraiseawarenessaboutagriculturalandanimalissueswithinDemocraticCaucusandthePennsylvaniaGeneralAssembly.

JudySchwankrecognizesthattheneedsandconcernsofresidentsofthe11thSenatorialDistrictarenotlimitedbyitsboundaries.Herachievementsingovernment,educationandnonprofitrealmsreflectherinterestinandadvocacyforsustainablegrowthandprosperity,bothlocallyandstatewide.

AformerBerksCountyCommissioner,JudyhasbeencommittedtoservingthepeopleofBerksCounty.Herpassionforpromotingsustain-ablegrowth,prosperityandpreservingagriculturalintegrityhasbeenexemplifiedthroughhermanyaccomplishmentsinpublicservice. l

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thegrandfinale

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

finalwordsofwisdomIfatfirstyoudon'tsucceed,trytohideyourastonishment."

—Harry Banks, Scottish soldier

A Dog's Daily Routine

Thedayisdividedintotwoimportantsections:theall-important mealtime,andeverythingelse.

I.Mealtime1. Justbecausetheredoesnotseemtobeanythingvisiblearoundto

eatcertainlydoesnotmeanthereisnothingaroundtoeat.Theactofstaringattheundersideofatableorchaironwhichsomeoneelseiseatingsetsinmotionachainofeventsthateventuallyresultsinfood.

2. Itgoeswithoutsayingthatyoushouldcarefullycheckthelowerthirdofanyspaceforedibles.Mouth-sizedthingswhichcannotbeidentifiedbysightorsmellareconsideredgum.

3. Whenyouactuallyreceiveameal,submergeyourheadintoitasyouwouldashower.Never,neverlookupagainuntilaminimumofatleastfifteenminutesaftertheobviousfoodisgone.Thisisimportant.Justbecauseyourdishisemptydoesnotmeanthatitistimetostopeating.

4. Rememberthatallfoodispotentiallyyoursupuntilthetimethatitisactuallyswallowedbyanother.Thelengthypathapieceoffoodwilltakefromaplatetoamouthviaahandisasgoodatimeasanytostakeyourclaimtoit.

5. Whenitcomestoselectinganappropriatebeverage,locationandpackagingmeannothing.Thereareabsolutelynoexceptionstothisrule.

6. Ifyoureallyseesomethingyouwant,andallyourotherattemptsatgettingithavefailed,itisonlyrighttogrovelshamelessly.Asasecondtactic,stareintentlyattheobjectofyourdesire,allowinglonggelatinousdroolstoleaklikeiciclesfromyourlowerlip.

II.EverythingElse1. Therearereallyonlytwoimportantfacialexpressionstobother

with:completeandoverwhelmingjoyandnothingatall.2. Anytimethatisnotmealtimeispotentiallynaptime.Thebesttime

totakeanapiswhenyouhearyournamebeingcalledrepeatedly.Thebestlocationforanapisdeadcenterofanystreetordriveway.Themostrelaxingpositionisonyourside,allfourlimbsparallel.

3. Themostpracticalwaytogetdryistoshakeviolentlynearafullyclothedperson.Asecondeffectivemethodistostandonalight-coloredpieceoffurniture.

4. PersonalSafety• Atthefirsthintofanyirregularnoise,runfromroomtoroombarkingloudly.Ifsomeoneactuallycomesintothehouse,rushovertothemwhetheryouknowthemornot.Thenkissthemsoviolentlythattheylosetheirbalanceorhavetoforceyouawayphysically.

• Thegreatestunacknowledgedthreattolifeaswehavecometoknowitissquirrels.Nomatterwhatyoumustdo,makesuretherearenoneinyouryard.

5. RecreationandLeisure• Ball:Therearetwoequallyamusingsetsofrulesyouwillwanttoknow.TheCommonForm,inwhichyoureceiveathrownballandreturnit.ThePreferredForm,inwhichyoureceiveathrownballandeatit.

• Car:Asyouknow,anyopencardoorisaninvitationtogetin.Onceinside,youronlygoalistotrytogetout.

6. Health:Intheeventofatriptothedoctor,alwaysbeonyourguard.Ifyouarevaccinated,urinateonthephysician.l

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You can’t help but smile with pvmaAssure’s dental plan! We offer a statewide dental program through United Concordia which offers excellent coverage at affordable rates.

For under $400 a year or approximately a $1.00 a day, you can enjoy comprehensive individual dental coverage which includes some of these benefits:• 100% coverage for all diagnostic and preventive services including cleanings, X-rays, and exams• 100% coverage for basic services like fillings, simple extractions, endodontics, and oral surgery• 70% coverage for major surgical and non-surgical services• 50% coverage for inlays, crowns, prosthetics, and repairs• 50% coverage for orthodontics

In addition, there is no medical underwriting or waiting period for benefits to become effective.

To check out more information on specific coverages and rates, scan the QR code with your mobile device or go to www.pvmaassure.com and click on “Products” and select “Dental Insurance.”

To talk with one of our representatives about getting started on a quote or to answer any questions, please contact [email protected], call 1.888.612.7659, or visit www.pvmaassure.com and click on “Request for More Information.”

Affordable Rates and Great Coverage!

pvmaAssure’s dental plan gives you something to smile about

13_Vol_3_cover.indd 3 10/3/2013 9:28:30 AM

PRSRT STANDARDUS POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 533

PVMA8574 Paxton StreetHummelstown, PA 17036

PRSRT STANDARDUS POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 533

PVMA8574 Paxton StreetHummelstown, PA 17036

Keystone Veterinarian Volume III

Documents

Transcript of Keystone Veterinarian Volume III