IN SHORT
NEWCASTLE SPREADS TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
A viral disease deadly to poultry spread to at least one chicken in Northern California, according to state health authorities.
On March 15, California Department of Food and Agriculture officials said they received confirmation a chicken from Alameda County, which is on the east side of San Francisco Bay and includes Oakland, was positive for virulent Newcastle disease. The chicken was the only known infection in the region, but state authorities were searching for other infections.
The chicken's owner had brought the bird to a veterinary clinic.
Since May 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has documented infections at 403 sites in California and one in Utah. Three of California's infections were in commercial egg facilities.
As of Feb. 27, CDFA officials banned movement of poultry anywhere in Los Angeles County and parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties and ordered destruction of poultry in 15 areas.
STUDY: PIGS SPREAD FMD PRIOR TO ILLNESS
A pig that catches foot-and-mouth disease can spread the virus about a day before showing clinical signs, according to study results.
An article published this January in Scientific Reports indicates pigs inoculated with FMD virus had viremia within 24 hours and fever and vesicular lesions at 48 hours. The article estimates the typical subclinical infectious period would be 21 hours.
Pigs that transmit FMD before visible signs of infection could spread the disease through animal movement and indirect contact with other animals before a producer notices a health problem in the herd, the article states.
The authors are from the Department of Agriculture, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, and the University of Minnesota. The open-access article is available at https://jav.ma/FMDpigs.
NIH FUNDS SERVICE DOG RESEARCH AT NC STATE
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.5 million grant to Dr. Margaret Gruen of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for a five-year study of the traits that make certain puppies candidates to become service and companion dogs.
The project focuses on the emotional and cognitive development of working dog puppies during different growth stages to get a better understanding of how service dog traits develop, announced the university this February.
Various assessments, including measuring plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations as well as heart rate variability during daily activities, will be used with 30 puppies each year for the five years of the research. The study will also look at how different types of training strategies influence development of service dog skills and characterize the psychological mechanisms service dogs rely on or are hindered by when helping people.
Dr. Gruen is an assistant professor of behavioral medicine at NC State's veterinary college and a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. Her research collaborator is Brian Hare, PhD, a professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University.
Please send comments and story ideas to JAVMANews@avma.org.
SAVMA went down to Georgia
Symposium, hosted by UGA, prepares students for life after graduation
By R. Scott Nolen
Members of the Student AVMA House of Delegates and Executive Board (Photo by Abbey Sharp)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
For half a century now, veterinary students have been coming together to better themselves professionally as well as personally. Over 1,300 Student AVMA members, veterinary college faculty, and leaders of the veterinary profession gathered in Athens, Georgia, for the 49th annual SAVMA Symposium, held March 9–11 at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
The three-day event featured an exhibit hall, wet labs, and lectures on personal wellness and professional success.
The symposium's keynote speaker was Dr. Ernie Ward, a 1992 UGA alumnus who has gained international recognition for his work in small animal practice and pet obesity. Dr. Ward has authored three books, including “Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter,” and was for several years the resident veterinarian of “The Rachael Ray Show.”
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
The My Veterinary Life educational track featured presentations from Dr. Kristin Wuellner, veterinary digital education specialist with Hill's Pet Nutrition, and Dr. Marci Kirk, assistant director for recent graduate initiatives for the AVMA, about life after graduation. They offered strategies for overcoming challenges and setbacks, both professionally and personally.
Jen Brandt, PhD, the AVMA's director of member well-being and diversity initiatives, explained how feedback affects personal well-being and demonstrated how to ask for, receive, and give feedback effectively. Bridgette Bain, PhD, associate director of analytics for the AVMA, spoke about veterinary student debt and starting salaries across various practice types.
The AVMA's legislative activities were covered in another track, with presentations on why and how to advocate for veterinary medicine and the importance of veterinarians in the policy-making process.
During the business portion of the symposium, speakers addressed the SAVMA House of Delegates on such topics as the federal government's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, governance of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the AVMA Political Action Committee, and issues facing veterinary students outside the United States.
AWARDS
SAVMA leadership recognized a number of faculty members for their work with the organization. Dr. Erin Malone, a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, received the SAVMA Supporter of Student Wellbeing Award. Dr. Emily Walz, a researcher with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, received the SAVMA Faculty and Community Outreach Award. And Dr. Kristen Messenger, an assistant professor at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, received the SAVMA Teaching Excellence Award.
Outgoing SAVMA President Sarah Neuser awarded the John Pitts Distinguished Service Award to Tianna Chin, a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, for “going above and beyond in service and dedication to the veterinary profession.”
The AVMA Student Initiatives Team awarded SAVMies in recognition of student chapter achievements. Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine won the award for most improved percentage of student membership for 2018. Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine took top honors for its International One Health Day Competition. And for the third year in a row, the SAVMie for the school with the most symposium attendees went to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
OFFICERS
The following SAVMA officers were installed for 2019–20: Kyre Larrabee, Oklahoma State University, president; Danielle Schuld, University of Wisconsin, secretary; Grace Zhang, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, treasurer; Kim Koenig, Washington State University, communications and public relations officer; Perry Koehler, Cornell University, international exchange officer; Nikki Dowgos, University of Georgia, editor-in-chief; Sarah Marnin, Iowa State University, global and public health officer; Katelyn Behm, Ross University, veterinary economics officer; and Alex McFarland, Colorado State University, cultural outreach officer.
Thalita Leite, president of Ross University's Student AVMA chapter, poses for a photo with Georgia Mae, a dog belonging to Dr. Anna Reddish, an assistant director for student initiatives at the AVMA. (Photo by Dr. Reddish)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Additionally, the SAVMA House of Delegates elected the following students for 2020–21: Marie Bucko, University of Wisconsin, president-elect; Kayla Hoenert, Purdue University, communications and public relations officer-elect; Collin Kramer, Colorado State University, international exchange officer-elect; Laura Venner, Ohio State University, global and public health officer-elect; and Kelsey Deaver, Iowa State University, veterinary economics officer-elect.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine will host the 2020 SAVMA Symposium March 14–16. Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine was selected to host the 2021 SAVMA Symposium.
SAVMA president keeping her options open
Kyre Larrabee has a knack for connecting with others, leadership
By R. Scott Nolen
Kyre Larrabee learned at an early age about the importance of caring for animals. Having grown up on a cow-calf operation in southwestern Kansas and lived with a veritable menagerie of animals, including chickens and potbellied pigs, Larrabee says she can't recall a time when she didn't know what she wanted to be.
“I guess you can call me an early identifier because I've always wanted to be a veterinarian. I asked my mom the other day if I ever wanted to be anything else, and she said no,” Larrabee said sheepishly.
“Maybe that makes me boring, but that's always what I've wanted to do,” added Larrabee, who is finishing up her third year at Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Another word that comes to mind is driven.
Larrabee was installed as Student AVMA president during the annual SAVMA Symposium on March 10 in Athens, Georgia. As SAVMA president, she will spend the coming year attending meetings of the AVMA Board of Directors and AVMA House of Delegates as the SAVMA representative.
While an undergraduate student at Oklahoma State, Larrabee took every opportunity to make herself the ideal candidate for veterinary school, participating in extracurricular activities in various areas of animal science. “One of the best pieces of advice I got was from a professor who told me to keep my blinders off. I kept active in areas of animal agriculture, especially in research, in case I wasn't able to get into veterinary school,“ she said.
Kyre Larrabee
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
As a first-year veterinary student, Larrabee told herself she would focus more on her studies and cut back on all the rest. She couldn't help herself, however. On a whim, Larrabee ran for and was elected junior representative for Oklahoma State in the SAVMA House of Delegates.
It was during the 2017 SAVMA Symposium, hosted that year by Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, when Larrabee fully understood the value of SAVMA. “I was introduced to this whole other world with all these people who loved veterinary medicine. I just knew I had to be part of something bigger than myself,” she said.
Larrabee aspired to serve on the SAVMA Executive Board but lacked the confidence to run. Dr. Jeff Olivarez, SAVMA president at the time, gave his fellow Oklahoma State student the push she needed.
“I encouraged Kyre to run because saw how she interacted with her classmates,” Dr. Olivarez said. “This will come as a shocker to no one, but veterinary school is a very high-stress environment. Most people easily get caught up in that deluge, but Kyre didn't. She handled everything with dignity and grace.
“People turned to her, without any prompting, seeking guidance. She has that innate leadership style that just attracts people.”
Larrabee wants to use her platform as SAVMA president to raise one-health awareness in the human medical profession by collaborating with student members of the American Medical Association. She also wants SAVMA to continue representing the interests of veterinary colleges and veterinary students as well as remain a resource for students with financial or mental health struggles.
As for Larrabee's career plans after graduation, she's keeping her options open and the blinders off. Whatever the future holds, Larrabee expects she won't wander far from her rural roots.
“There's a good chance that one day you'll find me working on horses and cattle,” she said with a laugh.
APVMA helps undergraduates realize their future
AVMA working more closely with preveterinary organization to make connections
By Malinda Larkin
Dr. Lester C. Griel, professor and program coordinator in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, instructs students during a wet lab at the 2019 American Preveterinary Medical Association Symposium. The two-day event brings together prospective veterinary students from all over the country for an opportunity to learn more about the field of veterinary medicine. (Photos courtesy of APVMA)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Veterinarians often choose their career at an early age, but a lot has to happen between the start of undergraduate studies and the end of veterinary college for them to reach their goal. The American Preveterinary Medical Association wants to be part of the process for more students looking to join the veterinary profession.
The APVMA is a national organization of undergraduate students whose goals are to promote and stimulate interest in the field of veterinary medicine, provide communication between preveterinary clubs and organizations nationally, provide resources to students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, and hold the annual National APVMA Symposium.
GATHER ROUND
The APVMA recently wrapped up its 2019 National Symposium, held March 8–9 at Pennsylvania State University. It drew more than 600 attendees. Organizers said this was the first time since the symposium began in 1985 that the meeting was held on a campus without a veterinary college.
Kristen Rose Kohler, a preveterinary major in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, chaired this year's symposium committee after previously attending three APVMA symposia. “It's my favorite weekend of the year throughout undergrad,” she said. “Especially as a younger student when you're taking more general classes like chemistry and biology, it's a good reminder of why you are taking those classes and gives you something to look forward to.“
Staff from the PennVet Working Dog Center assist in a hands-on demonstration of cardiac auscultation. Respondents to post-symposium surveys say the meeting gives them a greater understanding of veterinary medicine and veterinary college prerequisites while promoting connections with fellow preveterinary students.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
A hands-on necropsy laboratory had students analyzing a deer carcass, while other students toured a dairy barn. Additional laboratories had students perform physical examinations on dogs and diagnostic tests on blood samples.
Dr. Peter Ostrum gave the keynote address. He starred as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” then went on to become a large animal practitioner after graduating in 1984 from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Ostrum discussed qualities that make a great veterinarian, using the Willy Wonka movie as his theme. For instance, in talking about the importance of being modest, he contrasted that behavior with the character of Augustus Gloop. He also discussed his own experiences and how his unique background led him to where he is today, Kohler said.
Other popular lectures included those from Dr. Jason Brooks, a faculty member at Penn State and veterinary pathologist who works in the Animal Diagnostics Laboratory and spoke about veterinary forensic pathology and his role in helping solve crimes against animals, and Dr. Erica Ward, head veterinarian and academic director of Loop Abroad, who talked about her time in Thailand as a full-time veterinarian at an elephant sanctuary.
“I hope everyone took away the same things I have” from previous years, Kohler said. “I hope they formed friendships, found interests they didn't know they had, or maybe learned about a school and want to apply there. (The symposium) reinforces the excitement of how great all our futures will be.”
The 2020 APVMA National Symposium will be held at Virginia-Maryland.
STRONGER TIES
The APVMA continues to grow. Every year, it adds about two to three clubs, with each club having about 40 students, said Kayla Marie Radtke, a preveterinary student at Purdue University and APVMA treasurer. In all, the APVMA has 93 clubs and 140 individual members. Depending on the school, animal and dairy science or animal health science departments house the preveterinary clubs. Not all preveterinary clubs are affiliated with the APVMA.
Most preveterinary clubs have weekly meetings and invite veterinarians or individuals who have done internships or traveled abroad to talk about their experiences. They also may hold hands-on laboratories and events with high school students interested in preveterinary medicine as well as volunteer and social events.
Radtke's preveterinary club at Purdue is one of the largest, with more than 100 members. North Carolina State University and Auburn University also have some of the largest preveterinary clubs.
“A lot of universities with veterinary schools have their own preveterinary clubs, but a lot don't as well. We are trying to get people to start more,” she said. Another goal for the APVMA is enhancing communication between the national organization and the clubs. The association is working to create a position in every club for an APVMA liaison who will communicate with the national association and promote the symposium. The APVMA is also trying to encourage schools to have more regional symposia.
Meanwhile, the AVMA has been working closely with the APVMA to build a stronger relationship between preveterinary students and organized veterinary medicine. Currently, the AVMA provides need-based sponsorship in the form of three $1,000 student scholarships awarded on the basis of leadership and involvement in the club and community as a preveterinary student.
Dr. Anna Reddish, an assistant director in the AVMA Membership and Field Services Division, said this year's winners will be announced in late May.
Dr. Peter Ostrum gave the keynote address. He starred as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” then went on to become a large animal practitioner. Dr. Ostrum had hidden a golden ticket under one of the chairs; the winner won a signed painting created by his wife, Loretta, who is an artist.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
The AVMA has also supported the APVMA's symposium for years, Dr. Reddish said, and with the expansion of the Membership Division's Student Outreach Team, the team has been able to build up the relationship even more.
“We want to help (APVMA students) continue their involvement in organized veterinary medicine through (the Student AVMA),” Dr. Reddish said. “What we can provide at the AVMA is not only connecting them to resources we have for current veterinary students and getting them aware of those early on, but also connecting them to AVMA members to increase their experience before veterinary school and connecting them to the profession.”
She mentioned resources such as www.MyVeterinaryLife.com, which has information on financial health and well-being, in addition to background on career opportunities.
The APVMA “has experienced a lot of growth. It's a great time for the AVMA and SAVMA to continue to build a relationship with the APVMA,” Dr. Reddish said, noting that the SAVMA House of Delegates currently has three junior delegates who are former APVMA officers. “We're already seeing students actively involved with the APVMA now involved in SAVMA, and potentially they'll be leaders with us at the AVMA, too.”
THE SOCIAL DVM: HOW TO SAFEGUARD YOUR REPUTATION ONLINE
By Kaitlyn Mattson
Dr. Caitlin DeWilde, founder of the Social DVM, a social media consulting company for veterinarians, hosted an AVMA webinar on Feb. 28 to discuss key strategies veterinarians can use to protect themselves online and how to respond to complaints.
“Eventually, there will be a problem like a bad review, but if you take proactive steps, hopefully we can minimize the incident,” she said. Dr. DeWilde's responses have been lightly edited.
Q. HOW CAN VETERINARIANS USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
A. Veterinarians can use social media to broadcast who they are to potential and current clients.
Q. CAN YOU DEFINE SOME KEY TERMS SUCH AS ONLINE REPUTATION AND CYBERBULLYING?
A. An online reputation is everything that includes your brand online.
Cyberbullying is bullying that can happen online and can include texts, emails, online and offline rumors, fake social networking profiles, and embarrassing photos and videos.
For veterinarians, the majority of cyberbullying is experienced on Facebook and usually involves disputes about a patient's care or disputes about the cost.
Dr. Caitlin DeWilde, founder of the Social DVM (Courtesy of Dr. DeWilde)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Q. CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF AN ONLINE ATTACK?
A. An online attack can look like negative reviews, threats of physical or financial harm, and threats of complaint against a medical license.
Seven of 10 online attacks are from former clients or staff, according to data from the AVMA.
Q. HOW CAN SOMEONE PREVENT AN ONLINE ATTACK?
A. First and foremost to prevent online attacks, you need to be aware of your social media presence and monitor your social media channels.
The following tips are also the best way to prevent attacks:
Make sure you have access to your online review accounts by claiming your Yelp and Google business pages.
Set up email or text notifications for every social media channel.
Set up proper administration access to online social and review accounts for yourself and trusted employees, and keep a list of passwords or use an app like LastPass so you can access them.
Schedule time to regularly monitor your social media accounts.
Develop a protocol to deal with complaints or bad reviews.
Q. IS THERE A GOOD WAY TO RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS?
A. It depends on the type of complaint, but you should determine whether responding online or via phone is more appropriate.
If the review is a legitimate and balanced complaint, respond with the three C's of crisis communication: competence, confidence, and compassion. Make sure to review the patient case history and reread, or have a third-party read, your response before posting.
If the review is unbalanced, use the three C's but also encourage some offline discussion. However, it is important to make an effort to publicly resolve the problem so other clients can see the results.
If a problem persists, make sure to let your team know about the problem so they can prepare themselves for potential calls or further issues. You can consider involving a crisis management professional or local authorities if you feel it is necessary.
It is important to note that you don't have to respond to every review and you don't have to interact with everyone.
You can follow this AVMA flowchart to determine how to proceed with a complaint: https://jav.ma/socialmediaflowchart.
Q. ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER?
A. You have put a lot of work into your social media channels, so don't take your page down even when things seem hard—it will get better.
AVMA TOOL CAN HELP INFORM PRACTICES' BUSINESS PLANNING
AVMA members now have access to a tool that makes it easier to estimate the potential size of their local companion animal veterinary market and to estimate the share of that market they serve. The new AVMA Market Share Estimator tool, which debuted in mid-March, can be used to support business planning, including by tracking a practice's performance over time or identifying whether a practice is over- or underperforming.
The Market Share Estimator is a downloadable worksheet, available at https://jav.ma/MarketShare, that walks users through how to calculate market share and the potential veterinary business in their area. The formulas provided in the worksheet take into account the specific location of the clinic and the animal species that it treats.
The tool was developed on the basis of AVMA research on pet ownership patterns, including the spending habits of pet owners, which also appears in the 2017–18 edition of the AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. The worksheet goes through the following steps:
Identify the practice's service area.
Estimate the number of households in the area.
Estimate the total number of pets, by species.
Estimate the total number of patients, veterinary visits, and revenue potential for the service area.
Calculate the practice's estimated share of the potential market.
The tool produces an estimate of market share on the basis of national averages. With this information, owners or managers can then assess their practice's current share of the market and identify areas for improvement.
MILITARY GROUP CALLS FOR WORKING DOG TRAUMA REGISTRY
U.S. Army Specialist Dominic Rhodes gives water to his working dog, Sgt. Tigo, in a 2017 photo taken near western Mosul, Iraq. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi McClintock/U.S. Army)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Military health care providers are calling for a trauma registry for military working dogs.
In the November-December 2018 issue of Military Medicine, members of the Military Working Dog Trauma Registry Strategic Planning Group wrote a commentary that, while dogs save lives at high risk of trauma and death, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command is not funding research that could give them better medical care. Research funded through the command's Combat Casualty Care Research Program has helped save human lives, especially by mitigating hemorrhage, but those treatments may not work in dogs, the commentary states.
Creating the registry could provide data needed to raise questions for veterinary researchers and, as a result, help improve practices and training for veterinarians and others who care for working dogs, according to the commentary. The group has plans for data collection and a trauma registry, but the group lacks money to make the plans possible.
The authors, who work in veterinary and human health, cite previous research in noting that at least 92 dogs died in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001–13. Those deaths are out of 2,600 dogs deployed.
The research cited comes from an article in the September-October issue of Military Medicine, which indicated 71 of those deaths came from injuries, including 29 from gunshot wounds; 24 from explosions; and nine from heat stress. That article also described a lack of a single source of information, missing records, and inconsistent documentation.
Training a typical military working dog, abbreviated in the commentary as MWD, costs $42,000, and advanced training has reached $283,000, the commentary states.
“Because canine war wounds are unique, civilian veterinary research, even on police dogs, cannot always inform care for MWDs injured on the battlefield,” the commentary states. “Historically, the academic veterinary centers have looked to the MWD experience for guidance on canine trauma management. Thus, military-specific research on MWD combat casualty care is needed.”
The working group members include representatives from the Army Veterinary Corps, Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Services, and other military veterinary and public health groups. They are to create a registry that can capture data on working dog battlefield injuries across military branches and provide data that can improve medical care.
UK VETERINARY SCHOOL TO DOUBLE ITS INTAKE IN RESPONSE TO WORKFORCE SHORTAGE
By Kaitlyn Mattson
The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, in Nottingham, England, announced a plan to change its admissions systems by nearly doubling its intake of students starting this year.
The new process is a dual-intake system that will bring in 150 undergraduate students in September this year and a second cohort of 150 students in April 2020. The increase, which will continue for the foreseeable future, is in response to a veterinary shortage in the United Kingdom and the fear that the shortage will worsen with the British exit from the European Union. The veterinary school currently accepts 165 students annually.
“There are a number of reasons that make this the right decision at this time, including the pull of the manpower shortage and the push of the number of applicants to veterinary medicine, coupled with a drive to further expand the outstanding student experience offered at Nottingham,” said Karen Braithwaite, PhD, director of operations at the veterinary school.
About 2,000 veterinarians are added to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' register in the U.K. every year, but the overall number of registrations has proved insufficient, at least with current rates of retention. The industry estimates there is an 11 percent shortage of veterinarians at present, Dr. Braithwaite said. Measures are underway to boost retention rates in the profession, particularly through the Vet Futures project (www.vetfutures.org.uk).
Moreover, data from the British Veterinary Association show that 32 percent of nonnative veterinarians who graduated from veterinary colleges in the European Union are considering a move back home and 18 percent are actively looking for work outside the U.K., indicating Brexit will exacerbate these shortages and providing further incentives for the growth in student numbers.
“Any reduction in the number of vets migrating to the U.K., or an increase in the number leaving the U.K. because of Brexit, will have a destabilizing effect on the veterinary workforce. This will impact on already over stretched staffing levels across the profession, putting at risk animal health, animal welfare, public health and international trade,“ according to a BVA statement.
The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in Nottingham, England (Courtesy of University of Nottingham)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
The University of Nottingham took in its first class of students in 2006 and was accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2011. It is pursuing accreditation by the AVMA Council on Education. A consultative site visit was held Dec. 3–7, 2017.
“With 300 places, there is potential for us to admit more international students,” Dr. Braithwaite said. “We have asked for a comprehensive visitation from the AVMA, which will subject us to attaining accreditation and allow us to welcome American students to Nottingham—and other international students who would value the accreditation statuses we would hold.”
The veterinary school will also be increasing its staff, including adding a number of new clinical roles, so that it can continue to maintain small class sizes, according to the University of Nottingham press release.
AVMA STATEMENT ON DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP
The AVMA House of Delegates, during its regular winter session in 2018, discussed the concept of the AVMA offering discounted membership to veterinarians who work for corporate entities. The HOD recommended that the AVMA Board of Directors study membership models that are based on practice size and ownership, including the financial impact of such membership models on member services.
As an update, AVMA leadership provided the following statement on discounted membership:
“AVMA is committed to continuously adding value to membership for all veterinarians. Primary areas of focus relate to advocacy on the local, state, and national levels and the services we provide to the profession specifically in partnership with our state and allied veterinary medical associations. We also have new tools, resources, and policy guidance on relevant topics such as economics of the profession, cannabis, opioids, and telehealth in veterinary medicine. Additionally, there is the exciting work being done to provide additional services through association health plans, digital education, and more efficient access to information with our upcoming www.avma.org website redesign.
“For several years, AVMA has worked with a growing number of large national practices to provide centralized billing and payment of membership dues for their veterinary staffs. The AVMA Group Pay program offers the ability to pay one invoice for as many as hundreds of members at one time, as opposed to paying for multiple memberships on an individual basis or by reimbursing the doctors. That efficiency is what drives the value of the program, rather than a discounted price per member. This program has grown each year, and now includes nearly 30 groups and more than 4,000 members.
“A 2018 AVMA House of Delegates recommendation focused on investigating how large national practices value AVMA. AVMA conducted a thorough research study among our membership and large practice partners, industry, and veterinary colleges to better understand their current and future needs as it relates to AVMA membership and beyond. Key drivers for them include access to insurance, educational opportunities, staffing resources, and more. AVMA continues to explore how to best partner with various organizations to meet those needs in the most effective way possible.”
Veterinary association created to counter corporate influence
Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association dedicated to independent practice
By R. Scott Nolen
The ongoing corporate consolidation of veterinary practices has spurred the formation of a new organization representing the interests and needs of veterinary entrepreneurs.
The Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association was created with a mission of providing programs and services that promote the independent ownership of veterinary practices, promote the business success of veterinarian members, and preserve the professional independence of veterinarians, according to IVPA founder Dr. Don Woodman.
“Our vision is a world in which independent veterinary practitioners can acquire, own, and manage veterinary hospitals so that independent ownership of practices remains a viable and rewarding option, and where veterinarians remain at the center of leadership throughout the veterinary profession,” explained Dr. Woodman, owner of a small animal practice in Safety Harbor, Florida.
Established in the spring of 2017, the IVPA is in the process of incorporating as a 501(c)(6) organization. The current membership consists of nearly 180 veterinarians plus 20 paraprofessionals and four veterinary students.
Association leadership is negotiating with potential partners to provide members with management services and employee benefits, negotiate cost savings on supplies, and develop exclusive e-commerce solutions to compete with online pharmacies, according to Dr. Woodman.
He said the IVPA is neither anti-corporate ownership nor anti-AVMA. In fact, Dr. Woodman envisions the association one day sitting alongside other veterinary organizations in the AVMA House of Delegates.
What Dr. Woodman worries about is corporate practices having an outsized influence within a historically entrepreneurial industry and putting privately owned practices at a competitive disadvantage within the veterinary marketplace.
The number of veterinary practices in the U.S. ranges from 28,000 to 32,000, according to the 2017 AVMA Report on the Market for Veterinary Services. Brakke Consulting, which tracks corporate purchases of veterinary clinics, estimates around 3,500 practices are corporately owned.
Dr. Woodman is also concerned about corporate influence within organized veterinary medicine, noting how many state VMAs offer discounted memberships to veterinarians who work for corporate entities. “We worry such agreements will have the unintended consequence of maximizing the voice of corporate interests within a VMA to the disadvantage of independent practitioners,“ he said.
Ralph Johnson, CEO of the Veterinary Medical Association Executives and former head of the Colorado VMA, says discounted VMA memberships are neither new nor limited to corporate practices.
“Many state VMAs have for years extended discounts on memberships to various groups on the basis of passing along administrative savings when a group of memberships is renewed with one transaction,” Johnson said. “For example, as an incentive to enroll all doctors at a practice, many state VMAs discount the dues, provided all the membership paperwork is processed in a batch and with one payment.
“This same mechanism has been used by many state VMAs to enroll veterinarian faculty members at colleges of veterinary medicine.” The AVMA has provided managerial services for the VMAE since January 2018. In addition to his role with the VMAE, Johnson is director of special projects for the AVMA.
It has been suggested that the AVMA should follow the VMAs and start discounting memberships. To date, AVMA leadership has not adopted such a policy (see sidebar for the AVMA's response). “We commend the AVMA for this and hope that they continue to treat independent veterinarians and corporate veterinarians equally in the future,” Dr. Woodman said.
Dr. Woodman is also concerned that the trend toward corporate consolidation will lead to a commoditization of the veterinary degree.
“We believe that the public should have viable options,” he said.
“Ultimately it will be the public that chooses between a corporate practice and a private practice and all that comes with each experience.”
2019 AAHA DENTAL CARE GUIDELINES FOR DOGS AND CATS RELEASED
To help veterinary practitioners navigate the complex and changing world of veterinary dentistry, the American Animal Hospital Association has released an update to the 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
“The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats outline a comprehensive approach to support companion animal practices in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline patients,” according to the abstract.
The 2019 guidelines include the following new information:
An expanded and updated discussion of commonly performed veterinary dental procedures, supported by photos that illustrate oral pathology and therapeutic techniques.
Criteria for periodontal disease staging.
The importance of addressing pain and stress in dental patients.
Client communication tips for explaining the importance and rationale behind specific dental and oral procedures.
“Regular dental care is one of the most powerful ways we can improve the quality of life of our patients,” said Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, AAHA CEO, in a March 8 announcement about the new guidelines. “AAHA continues to support the use of general anesthesia in dental procedures to promote appropriate diagnostic capabilities and decrease patient stress, injury, and risk of aspiration. Because home care is crucial in the support of a healthy, pain-free mouth, client communication and education remain central to these guidelines.”
This figure from the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats illustrates the sequence for a dental cleaning and periodontal treatment. (A) Plaque- and calculus-laden right maxillary fourth premolar tooth. (B) Placement of the ultrasonic scaler tip against the crown before activation. (C) Activation and tuning of the ultrasonic scaler to deliver a cooling irrigation mist. (D) Removal of plaque and calculus. (E) Removal of plaque and calculus from the developmental groove. (F) Cleaned tooth. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Jan Bellows)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
The guidelines cover dental terminology; anatomy and pathology; strategies for prevention of dental disease; patient assessment, evaluation, and documentation; dental procedures; considerations for anesthesia, sedation, and analgesia; how to address pain; the role of veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants; requirements for facilities, equipment, and operator safety; and client communication and education. The guidelines are available in the March-April issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association or at www.aaha.org/dentistry.
PUBLIC HEALTH CAREERS ON DISPLAY FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS AT CDC EVENT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted the 2019 Veterinary Student Day seminar Jan. 13–14 at its headquarters in Atlanta. The event featured scientific lectures and hands-on activities designed to increase the awareness of current veterinary students and faculty about careers in public health, including opportunities in research and regulatory medicine. This is the sixth time this event has been held at the CDC since 2006. Veterinarians from across the CDC helped plan the event; some had previously attended when they were veterinary students.
This year's theme, “A League of Extraordinary Veterinarians,” was chosen to highlight the role of veterinarians as public health leaders in a variety of work settings including federal service, according to the CDC. The event included welcoming remarks by CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, MD, followed by Dr. John de Jong, AVMA president, and Rima Khabbaz, MD, director of the CDC National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Following the opening speeches, CDC veterinarians gave presentations on their latest investigations, according to a CDC press release. Some of the disease outbreaks highlighted were outbreaks of anthrax, brucellosis, Seoul virus, and Zika virus. Veterinary students also received information about the work of CDC veterinarians who provide medical care to laboratory animals through a talk about the CDC Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Program. Veterinarians from state agriculture departments, state health departments, and the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service also participated in the day as panelists providing information about their work protecting the health of humans and animals, according to the release.
During a special session, veterinary faculty heard about the many opportunities for students interested in spending time at the CDC through the CDC Epidemiology Elective Program, Epidemic Intelligence Service, and Laboratory Leadership Service—opportunities that allow students and early-career professionals to explore, experience, and pursue a career in public health. The faculty session also provided attendees an opportunity to discuss collaborating with CDC scientists with similar research interests.
The highlight of the day was a hands-on experience for veterinary students to try their skills as a public health veterinarian. The students participated in a mock outbreak investigation involving lettuce contaminated with Escherichia coli. Students worked in groups to identify the food that caused the outbreak and worked to trace the implicated ingredient all the way back to the farm of origin. Students also learned about the importance of public communication during outbreak investigations by holding a mock press conference during which they answered questions about the investigation and potential concerns that the public might have.
Dr. John de Jong, AVMA president, was among those who spoke at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2019 Veterinary Student Day. (Courtesy of CDC)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
In all, more than 300 veterinary students and faculty attended.
Co-sponsors of the CDC Veterinary Student Day included the AVMA, Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, Department of Homeland Security, National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, and American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
“Planning this event was a team effort. We collaborated across CDC and with external partners to make this event a success. The best reward was seeing how engaged the students were during the mock outbreak,” said Dr. Megin Nichols, a veterinarian with the Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch of the CDC Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Enteric Diseases, who attended the event when she was a student.
‘We do one thing, and one thing only’
ASPCA tackles pet overpopulation with training program devoted to high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter
Story and inside photos by R. Scott Nolen
A participant in the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Spay/Neuter Alliance Veterinarian Training program learns more efficient techniques to spay a shelter dog while her instructor watches.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance, located in Asheville, North Carolina, consists of four buildings housing a dozen surgical suites, kennels, cages, classrooms, and a dormitory. Each of the six training programs the alliance offers covers best practices for working in a mid- to high-volume spay-neuter environment. Topics range from low-stress handling and infectious-disease control to surgical techniques and operating a high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter clinic modeled after the alliance.
Roughly a thousand people have participated in training programs at the Asheville campus or off-site.
On average, 100 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens are sterilized at the alliance campus each day. The animals come from shelters throughout western North Carolina or from pet owners making use of the alliance's low-cost spay-neuter clinic. More than 25,000 animals were sterilized by the alliance in 2018.
“We do one thing, and one thing only,” said Dr. Chip Saxton, medical director of the alliance's student externship program. “When you do one thing over and over again, you're going to become pretty good at it.”
HUMANE ALLIANCE
When Bill McKelvy was shelter director during the 1980s for Buncombe County, North Carolina, staff euthanized more than a dozen cats and dogs daily to make room for the next day's group of homeless animals. “After having to kill 15 animals a day that were perfectly healthy, adoptable animals, I said this is ridiculous. There's got to be a better way,” McKelvy recalled.
In 1994, he started Humane Alliance, a nonprofit animal welfare organization with a single purpose. “The only way I saw to stop the killing of animals was to stop the breeding of animals, and the only way to stop the breeding of animals is spay and neuter,” McKelvy explained.
Dr. Karla Brestle has been with the Humane Alliance for two decades. She currently serves as senior director for strategic medical operations. McKelvy told Dr. Brestle when she joined the alliance something that has stayed with her. “He said to me, ‘If we could spay and neuter as many animals in a year as were euthanized at the shelters, then we would start seeing euthanasia numbers decrease,‘” she said.
Humane Alliance's impact on the unwanted animal population in the region is evident. In 2000, Buncombe County shelters took in around 16,000 animals and euthanized about 15,000. By 2014, those numbers had dropped to 6,300 cats and dogs taken in and just over 1,100 euthanized. When the ASPCA acquired the Humane Alliance the following year, the organization was already regarded within the animal shelter and welfare organizations as a model for high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter programs.
UNWANTED ANIMALS
Quantifying the size of the nation's homeless animal population is practically impossible because of a lack of reliable data from government agencies and humane organizations. The ASPCA estimates approximately 6.5 million animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide annually, representing roughly 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. The ASPCA further estimates 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats are euthanized by U.S. shelters each year, for a total of 1.5 million animals.
In its veterinary guidelines for spay-neuter programs, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians describes high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter programs as the best approach for reducing shelter impoundment and euthanasia of cats and dogs. “By engaging in this rapidly developing practice area, veterinarians can play vital roles in alleviating overpopulation and decreasing untimely euthanasia of cats and dogs, while providing HQHVSN services to cats and dogs that would otherwise be unlikely to receive such care,” the guidelines state.
The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance operates a low-cost spay-neuter clinic for pet owners in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Dr. Cristie Kamiya is chief of shelter medicine for Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas, California, and a member of the ASV board of directors. She says communities with access to spay-neuter services tend to have lower shelter intake and higher adoption rates, compared with rates for communities with little to no access to spay-neuter services. “It's these areas where you have higher shelter intakes,” Dr. Kamiya said.
Jennifer Lyons, a fourth-year veterinary student at Auburn University and ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance extern, waits for a surgery patient.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Income is also a factor in pet overpopulation. A report published by the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition in 2018 stated that households with income less than 138 percent of the poverty level were less likely than higher-income households to own sterilized cats and dogs. Moreover, low-income pet owners more often acquired their animals as strays, which typically aren't spayed or neutered. In contrast, pets owned by households with income higher than 250 percent of the poverty level were more likely to be sterilized and obtained from pet stores, breeders, animal shelters, and rescues. Purchasing or adopting a cat or dog from these sources is often contingent upon spaying or neutering the animal.
In communities where the population of unwanted cats and dogs can reach crisis levels, targeted spay-neuter programs that are free or low-cost are desperately needed, according to Dr. Kamiya. She says the ASV guidelines, originally published in 2008 and updated in 2016, establish standards for high-volume spay-neuter programs to help maximize efficiency and provide high quality evidence-based care (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2016;249:165–188).
“The quality of care probably runs the gamut from poor to high quality and a lot in between,” Dr. Kamiya said about the multitude of spay-neuter operations, but a majority of them are getting it right. The ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance falls in the high-quality category, she added.
MISSION FOCUS
More than 1,500 veterinarians from the U.S. and around the world have participated in the Veterinarian Training program at the Spay/Neuter Alliance since 2009. For four days, trainees work with a veterinary instructor on safe and efficient spay-neuter procedures and techniques that they can use in private practice or when working with rescue organizations or animal shelters.
Dr. Lindsey Henschel oversees veterinary training at the alliance along with the low-cost spay-neuter program for the public. Typical trainees begin the program able to spay a cat within 45 minutes. When they finish, they know how to cut their surgery time in half.
“You want the surgery to be as efficient as possible so you're not wasting any time. You want it to be quick because that's less time the animal's under anesthesia. And the quicker you work, the more animals you can perform surgery on,” Dr. Henschel explained.
“The fact is, you can be efficient and gentle at the same time,” she continued. “We're talking about soft tissue handling, so many of those skills we teach here can be applied to other soft tissue surgeries.”
Dr. Henschel says some veterinarians take the surgery program for reasons other than alleviating animal overpopulation. They want to increase practice productivity by performing more surgeries in the same amount of time. Or they are transitioning from large animal medicine to companion animal practice and want to brush up on their small animal surgery skills.
“Their goals may not always be the same as ours, but we want to teach them, and we want them to take these techniques with them,” Dr. Henschel said.
Dr. Chip Sexton, medical director of the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance student externship program, says students have different motivations for joining the program, but they all come away with a new confidence in their surgical skills.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
The motivations of the veterinary students who participate in the externship program also vary. Students from every AVMA Council on Education-accredited veterinary college have come through the two-week program since its creation in 2010, with more than 1,731 participants to date.
Jennifer Lyons plans for a career in companion animal medicine after she graduates from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine this year. She saw the externship as an opportunity to get more surgery time.
“We just don't get a lot of surgery experience as students,” Lyons said. “I think a lot of the veterinarians looking to hire, they ask ‘How are you with surgery? What's your experience?‘ I think my time here will help them feel more confident in me and, vice versa, more confident in myself.”
Dr. Sexton, who oversees the extern program, says students occasionally balk at the singular focus on spay-neuter procedures and techniques. “We get some patients with skin conditions or some such condition, and the students want to stop and treat it,” she explained. “I tell them we'll notify the shelter, and the shelter can consult their regular veterinarian, because if we stop to treat that condition, that's six cats we probably won't spay today.”
People
OREGON VMA
EVENT
Oregon Veterinary Conference, March 1–3, Corvallis
AWARDS
Veterinary Service Award
The Portland Animal Welfare Team won this award, recognizing an individual, group, or organization promoting the veterinary profession or the well-being of animals. The team provides services to animals belonging to individuals who cannot afford to pay for basic veterinary care. It conducts weekly clinics, offering vaccinations, parasite treatment, medications, food, and supplies. The team also supports surgeries, including dental procedures, mass removal, and amputations.
Animal Welfare Award
Dr. Brian Reister (Kansas State '82), Leaburg. Dr. Reister owns East Lane Veterinary Hospital. He volunteers at a monthly food pantry in Leaburg, where he provides free services and products including examinations, vaccinations, nail trims, and flea control and deworming medications. Dr. Reister also offers no-cost or low-cost services for major issues at his clinic, where he has established an angel fund to help regular clients meet unexpected expenses.
Dr. Brian Reister
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Leon Pielstick (Colorado State '73), John Day. Dr. Pielstick is the founder and former owner of Harney County Veterinary Clinic. During his career, he has also served as liaison for the county's animal control and animal shelter. Dr. Pielstick participated in the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's Bighorn Sheep Capture and Relocation Project. He is a past chair of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Board and a past member of the Oregon VMA's board of directors.
Dr. Leon Pielstick
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
President's Award
Dr. Sue Tornquist (Colorado State '85), Corvallis. Dr. Tornquist is dean and a professor of veterinary pathology at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Sue Tornquist
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 254, 9; 10.2460/javma.254.9.1013
BUSINESS
Discussions were held and updates were provided on the issues of compounding and access to office stock; scope of veterinary practice, or laypeople practicing veterinary medicine; oversight of animal rescue groups and the transport of dogs into Oregon; and the Oregon Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
OFFICIALS
Drs. Connie White, Portland, president; Jay Fineman, Newport, treasurer; and Dr. Amelia Simpson, Portland, immediate past president
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation welcomed nine new diplomates following the board certification examination it held Feb. 6–8 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The new diplomates are as follows:
CANINE SPECIALTY
Tisha Harper, Urbana, Illinois
Serge Sawaya, Marcy-l'Étoile, France
EQUINE SPECIALTY
Mariana Castro Martins, Neston, England
Kylie Huxford, Cambridge, New Zealand
Sherry Johnson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Fernando Marques, Madison, Wisconsin
Sybille Molle, Viterbo, Italy
Jessica Morgan, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Tena Ursini, Knoxville, Tennessee
VIRGINIA VMA
EVENT
Virginia Veterinary Conference, Feb. 21–23, Roanoke
AWARDS
Paul F. Landis Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. John “Jack” Sexton (Georgia '78), McLean. Dr. Sexton owns McLean Animal Hospital, a small animal practice. He is a past president of the Virginia and Northern Virginia VMAs. Dr. Sexton has served on the Fairfax County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and volunteers at the shelter.
Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian
Dr. Tripp Stewart (Pennsylvania '00), Charlottesville. Dr. Stewart owns Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital. He is president of the Jefferson Area VMA.
Veterinary Service Award
Dr. Nathaniel Burke (Virginia-Maryland '11), Luray. Dr. Burke practices large animal medicine at Luray Clinic of Veterinary Medicine. He represents the Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practitioners on the Virginia VMA's board of directors.
Recent Graduate Leadership Award
Dr. Angela Kargus (Kansas State 13), Chesterfield. Dr. Kargus is an associate veterinarian at Mechanicsville Animal Hospital, a small animal practice. She has participated in the association's Power of 10 Leadership Program.
Mentor of the Year
Dr. Sherri Field Gard (Illinois '16), Virginia Beach. Dr. Gard practices equine medicine at The Oaks Veterinary Clinic Equine & Farm Services in Smithfield. She has participated in the association's Power of 10 Leadership Program.
OFFICIALS
Drs. Kelly Gottschalk, Richmond, president; Jay Margolis, Chantilly, president-elect; Terry Swecker, Blacksburg, vice president; Martin Betts, Charlottesville, secretary-treasurer; and Jason Bollenbeck, Leesburg, immediate past president
Obituaries: AVMA MEMBER | AVMA HONOR ROLL MEMBER | NONMEMBER
FRANK L. BOUDINOT
Dr. Boudinot (Cornell '61), 87, Richmond, Virginia, died Feb. 24, 2019. He practiced small animal medicine at Afton Animal Hospital in Williamsville, New York, prior to retirement. Dr. Boudinot was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Elaine; a son, daughter, and two stepsons; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 39, Ithaca, NY 14853, or Berea Baptist Church, 310 Chestnut St., Berea, KY 40403.
WILLIE L. CHAPMAN JR.
Dr. Chapman (Auburn '57), 89, Athens, Georgia, died Oct. 7, 2018. He retired in 1993 as professor emeritus of pathology from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, Dr. Chapman established a small animal practice in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1963, he earned a master's degree in radiology from Colorado State University and subsequently joined the veterinary faculty of the University of Georgia as a small animal clinician in the Department of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Chapman went on to serve as a professor in the Department of Pathology and Parasitology and as head of the Department of Medicine and Surgery. During his career, he earned his doctorate in pathology and radiology from the University of Wisconsin and was appointed a special fellow at the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Chapman was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, and Georgia VMA. He was also a veteran of the Army. Dr. Chapman is survived by his wife, Betty Ann; two daughters; a grandchild; and a brother.
JOHN GARTH CUMMINGS
Dr. Cummings (Cornell '11), 35, Grand Rapids, Michigan, died Nov. 30, 2018. He practiced dairy medicine in the Grand Rapids area. Dr. Cummings is survived by his wife, Heidi; two sons; his parents; and a brother. Memorials, toward the Garth Cummings Memorial Fund to benefit his sons' education, may be sent to Grand River Bank, 4471 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418.
DANIEL H. NIELSEN
Dr. Nielsen (Cornell '63), 78, New Berlin, New York, died Nov. 6, 2018. He practiced mixed animal medicine in New Berlin for 45 years prior to retirement in 2011. Earlier, Dr. Nielsen worked in Cherry Valley, New York, and served in the Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of captain.
A member of the New York State VMS, he chaired the association's Wildlife Conservation Committee and served on its Government Relations Committee. In 1995, Dr. Nielsen received a NYSVMS Merit Award for his service. He was active with the Upstate New York Killifish Association, American Killifish Association, and Central New York Aquarium Society.
Dr. Nielsen is survived by his wife, Elsa; two daughters; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to the Chenango Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815, or Tackle Kids Cancer, c/o Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, 160 Essex St., Suite 101, Lodi, NJ 07644.
RICK L. RODGERS
Dr. Rodgers (Purdue ‘76), 68, Knightsville, Indiana, died Oct. 12, 2018. He began his career working at Bratt Animal Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, subsequently buying the practice. In 1977, Dr. Rodgers also established Rodgers Veterinary Hospital in Knightsville, where he initially practiced mixed animal medicine, switching later to small animal practice. He served as president of the Clay County Board of Health for more than 35 years and was a member of the Indiana VMA. Dr. Rodgers' wife, Janet; three sons; and a brother survive him. Memorials, toward the In Memoriam Fund, may be sent to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Development Office, Lynn Hall Room 1177A, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
WES G. SCHROEDER
Dr. Schroeder (Minnesota '64), 82, Minnetonka, Minnesota, died Jan. 27, 2019. Following graduation, he established an equine practice in Wayzata, Minnesota. In 1972, Dr. Schroeder co-founded Minnesota Equine Associates in Maple Plain, Minnesota, serving the area for nearly 48 years.
Active in organized veterinary medicine, he was a past president of the Minnesota VMA and founded the Minnesota Equine Practitioners Association. In 1981, the Minnesota Horse Council honored Dr. Schroeder as Horseman of the Year. He participated in endurance and competitive trail riding in the upper Midwest, mentored equine veterinary students, and taught horse health management classes in the region.
Dr. Schroeder was a veteran of the Army. He is survived by a daughter, three sons, six grandchildren, three sisters, and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Minnesota Horse Council Foundation, P.O. Box 96, Monticello, MN 55362, or Strike Zone “Striker” Memorial Equine Scholarship, University of Minnesota Foundation, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
HORACE A. SMITH
Dr. Smith (Texas A&M ‘66), 83, Brenham, Texas, died Feb. 18, 2019. He practiced equine medicine in Brenham for 30 years prior to retirement. Dr. Smith subsequently served as track veterinarian for the Texas Racing Commission for 18 years. He helped formulate the strategic plan for the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences' Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and served on the college's Development Council.
A member of the Texas VMA, Dr. Smith was named Equine Practitioner of the Year in 1996. In 2006, the Texas A&M veterinary college honored him with a Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Smith was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Active in his community, he was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, and Rotary Club, and he served on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County. Dr. Smith was a veteran of the Navy.
His wife, Judy; two sons; six grandchildren; and a brother and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, 1700 E. Tom Green St., Brenham, TX 77833; Bread Partners of Washington County, 1008 Higgins St., Brenham, TX 77833; or Texas A&M Foundation for Dr. H.A. “Bud” Smith Veterinary Endowed Scholarship, Dean's Office, Mail Stop 4461, College Station, TX 77843.
Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the JAVMA News staff via a toll-free phone call at 800-248-2862, ext. 6754; email at news@avma.org; or fax at 847-925-9329.
For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the date of death.
