IN SHORT
New listings in AVMA Veterinary Clinical Trials Registry
The AVMA’s Veterinary Clinical Trials Registry—formerly the AVMA Animal Health Studies Database—has undergone revisions and debuted with a new look in February. Below are some of the most recent veterinary clinical studies listed in the registry. Information about participation in the studies is available at veterinaryclinicaltrials.org.
VCT22005459: “Preclinical comparison of two hypomethylating nucleosides in tumor-bearing dogs,” Colorado State University; University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Purdue University
VCT24005789: “Combination radiation and immunotherapy for advanced cancer,” University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Care’s small animal hospital
VCT24005790: “The safety of the combination of local radiation, systemic monoclonal antibody, and intratumoral cytokine in dogs with melanoma,” University of Wisconsin-Madison
VCT24005787: “Assessing the effectiveness and safety of Verdinexor for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs,” University of Wisconsin-Madison
VCT20005123: “Canine osteosarcoma clinical trial,” Center for Image-Guided Animal Therapy at Johns Hopkins University
VCT22005507: “Evaluating blood clotting in dogs with idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia,” Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
WOAH celebrates 100th anniversary
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as the OIE) recently celebrated 100 years as the global authority on animal health.
The centennial anniversary took place on January 25, with WOAH hosting a an online event to commemorate the history, evolution, and vision for the future of animal health and welfare worldwide.
WOAH began as a united effort by nations to fight rinderpest—a contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals—in the early 1920s. The disease was causing devastating losses to animal populations, primarily cattle and buffalo, and severely disrupting economies, particularly across Africa, Europe, and Asia. This initiative laid the foundation for WOAH’s leading role in protecting international animal health and welfare.
WOAH has missions of ensuring transparency in the global animal disease situation, safeguarding world trade by publishing health standards for international trade of animals and animal products, and encouraging international solidarity in the control of animal diseases, in particular by improving the legal framework and resources of national veterinary services.
The organization, which is headquartered in Paris, has since grown to 183 member countries. Formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties, it was renamed the World Organization for Animal Health in 2003, while at the same time retaining the historical acronym OIE. In May 2022, the organization underwent a comprehensive rebranding campaign and OIE was dropped in favor of the new acronym, WOAH.
Covetrus to pay $23M in fines for misbranded drugs
Covetrus’ North American subsidiary pleaded guilty in federal court on February 12 to introducing and delivering misbranded veterinary prescription drugs into interstate commerce. As part of the agreement, Covetrus will serve up to three years of probation and pay more than $23 million in criminal fines and forfeitures.
The global animal health company, based in Portland, Maine, provides pharmacies services for companion, equine, and large animal veterinary markets.
Covetrus shipped more than $20 million in misbranded veterinary prescription drugs from March 2019 to December 2021 from its wholesale locations to end users in states where such shipments were illegal, according to the United States Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Virginia.
The shipments in question from Covetrus failed to include adequate directions for use and, therefore, were misbranded. The prescription drugs were also distributed to unauthorized customers, according to court documents. No information was given on the types of drugs that were sent, their quantity, or who the unauthorized recipients were, though, they included personal accounts.
Number of NAVLE test takers increase as overall scores decrease
In response, ICVA implementing a new retake policy and introducing additional testing windows
By Malinda Larkin
Each year, thousands of veterinary students and graduates take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) before they begin their careers.
The number of NAVLE candidates has been climbing in the past few years. While a great majority pass, not all do, or at least not on their first try. In fact, the ultimate performance passing rate has been on the decline in the past four cycles. This rate indicates passage of the test by the time of graduation for senior students from veterinary colleges accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (AVMA COE).
At the same time, the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) recently announced some changes it is making to better accommodate test takers as well as limit how many times someone can retake the test.
More test takers
The NAVLE has been administered by the IVCA since 2000 and is a requirement for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in all licensing jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.
A total of 2,357 candidates took the NAVLE during the April 2023 testing window, which is an increase of 676 from the April 2022 window, according to the ICVA.
Overall, during the 2022-23 testing cycle, 8,230 candidates took the NAVLE, showing a 17.2% increase from the 7,019 candidates who tested during the 2021-22 cycle. The ICVA says there has been a 33.3% increase in the total number of examinations taken in the past five years.
Results from the 2023-24 cycle will be available on the ICVA website in September, after completion of the April administration and roster verifications from the AVMA Council on Education–accredited veterinary colleges.
The increase in tests taken is multifactorial. For one, the number of first-year students at U.S. veterinary colleges increased an average of 3% per year from 2019-23, or by about 15% total, from 3,456 to 4,047. Overall enrollment for U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine hit 15,157 for the 2022-23 academic year.
These growing numbers come not only from existing veterinary colleges growing their class sizes, but also from new veterinary colleges as their inaugural classes approach graduation.
The University of Arizona graduated its first class in 2023. The inaugural class at Long Island University (LIU) College of Veterinary Medicine in Brookville, New York, will graduate this coming spring. And Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine’s inaugural class will graduate in May 2025.
In addition, there have been increasing numbers of candidates from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) and Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) educational equivalency programs.
Continued growth
This trend of more candidates seems it will continue an upward trajectory. The Ana G. Méndez University-Gurabo School of Veterinary Medicine in Puerto Rico received a letter of reasonable assurance from the AVMA COE this past December.
Among more established veterinary colleges, Dr. Willie Reed, dean of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, told Hoosier Ag Today recently that his institution plans to increase its class size from 84 to 120. Additionally, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine will boost its incoming classes from 100 to 125 veterinary students per year after receiving approval in the state budget this past September.
In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced a plan on February 12 to have the state provide $50 million in funding toward Colorado State University (CSU)’s new Veterinary Health and Education Complex. The CSU System Board of Governors has already approved a $230 million upgrade and expansion of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, allowing the university to add 30 veterinary students to its incoming class in the fall of 2026, increasing the class size from 138 to 168.
To accommodate this growth, Dr. Heather Case, CEO of the ICVA, said that over the past few years, the nonprofit organization has continued to expand the testing windows each year from their pre-COVID timing of a four-week window in November and December and a two-week window in April. For the 2023-24 testing cycle, the ICVA has over six weeks of testing during the November-December window and almost four weeks of testing in April.
“We’re pleased to share that we are targeting a shift within the next two to three years to introduce additional NAVLE testing windows, spaced more evenly throughout the year,” Dr. Case said.
Overall test scores
Meanwhile, the ultimate performance passing rate, which indicates passage of the test by the time of graduation for senior students from AVMA COE–accredited schools, for the past five testing cycles has seen a downward trend in the past few years, which is as follows:
94% for 2018-19
95% for 2019-20
92% for 2020-21
90% for 2021-22
86% for 2022-23
The NAVLE is a rigorous, nationally standardized test that consists of 360 clinically relevant multiple-choice questions. In addition to being a requirement for licensure, it is a North American standardized test designed to assess entry-level private clinical practice.
Historically, the pass rate on the NAVLE among graduates of AVMA COE–accredited veterinary medical schools has averaged over 90%. It’s unclear exactly what has contributed to the drop in scores.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused some difficulties for candidates trying to find nearby testing locations with available dates. But, Dr. Case said, veterinary medicine was immediately recognized as a critical part of health care, and so testing for the NAVLE resumed quickly that year.
“During those first few months, we made some changes to our operations, such as releasing scheduling permits earlier, expanding the testing windows, and releasing scores in batches, to make the process easier for the candidates,” she said. As far as the impact on the scores themselves, “ICVA continues to monitor these data as part of our ongoing quality control measures. This includes monitoring the differences in ultimate performance passing rate variance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not yet attributable to any single source or cause,” according to the ICVA.
New retake policy
The ICVA is likely also seeing an increase in NAVLE retakes. The numbers in its noncriteron category—which encompasses veterinary students in their final year at AVMA COE–accredited institutions who had previously taken the NAVLE or took the NAVLE with test accommodations or are graduate veterinarians from accredited veterinary colleges—are as follows:
1,067 for 2018-19
1,132 for 2019-20
1,260 for 2020-21
1,589 for 2021-22
2,135 for 2022-23
The ICVA announced last November that it is changing its policy on how many times someone can retake the NAVLE, starting with the November-December 2024 administration. The first change is that candidates can take the test up to five times, including incomplete attempts. All attempts made before the effective date are counted toward the five-attempt limit.
In the past, while the ICVA recommended a maximum of five attempts in five years, it allowed licensing boards to have their own NAVLE retake policy with their own limits or to have no limits at all.
The second change is that candidates may file an appeal with the ICVA board of directors for permission to undertake the NAVLE beyond the five-attempt limit. This includes the candidate securing verification from a licensing board that they will accept the candidate’s NAVLE score if the candidate passes on that attempt.
The ICVA said in the announcement, “This policy follows assessment best practices by limiting the number of attempts made, which enhances test security while simultaneously providing a more accurate measure of a candidate’s knowledge level. It is also in line with the current retake policy for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE), providing more clarity for applicants and licensing board personnel.”
Education Department issues loan forgiveness for certain borrowers, extends recertification deadline
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced on February 21 that it will forgive $1.2 billion in loans for nearly 153,000 eligible borrowers.
This applies to borrowers enrolled in a Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan who have made at least 10 years of payments and have originally taken out $12,000 or less for college.
The administration has been contacting eligible borrowers if they qualify for this forgiveness, and they will not need to take any further action. Loan servicers have been processing the forgiveness and borrowers will see this reflected on their accounts.
Currently, 7.5 million borrowers are enrolled in the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment (IDR) plan that replaced the Revised Pay as You Earn (REPAYE) plan.
The SAVE plan is part of the White House’s approach to forgiving educational loans since the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration’s student loan debt relief plan in June 2023. The court ruled that the Secretary of Education did not have the authority to establish a forgiveness program that would have canceled about $430 billion in student debt.
The DOE then took a different approach, applying account adjustments to all qualified IDR plan borrowers, an estimated 804,000 people, at the end of last year.
In addition, new benefits to the SAVE plan went into effect in summer 2023. These included lower payments through increased income exemption, interest benefit to keep a borrower’s balance from growing, and excluding spousal income for borrowers who are married and file taxes separately.
The Department of Education has been emailing borrowers who can become eligible for this forgiveness if they switch to SAVE. Borrowers who think they meet these criteria can sign up for the SAVE plan online. Borrowers are also encouraged to research all available repayment options based on their loan types in order to make an informed decision.
The DOE will implement the remaining full benefits of the SAVE plan in July, which will reduce a borrower’s monthly payments from 10% of their discretionary income to 5%.
The Pay as Your Earn (PAYE) plan will sunset on July 1. Borrowers already using PAYE will not be affected, but new borrowers will not be able to re-enroll. For borrowers who want to switch to a SAVE plan, their unpaid interest will not capitalize.
In addition, the deadline for student loan borrowers to recertify their income annually to remain in an IDR plan has been extended, according to an announcement from the department in late February. These student loan borrowers now have until late September at the earliest to update their income and family size to meet the new November 1 deadline, depending on their official IDR annual recertification date.
“Normally, borrowers are required to provide their updated income and family size annually to remain enrolled in an IDR plan. During the COVID-19 payment pause, we paused the requirement for you to provide us with your income and family size information in order to keep your IDR plan up to date. We are now announcing the end date of this pause as part of our continued support for borrowers as they return to repaying student loans,” the announcement states.
Those who have not recertified but were supposed to by March might have seen their monthly payment increase and the department is working to revert their monthly payment to its previous amount until the new recertification deadline., Those whose payments increased after recertification will also be reverted to their previous payment amounts.
SAVMA president leads with attitude of gratitude
By Coco Lederhouse
Tara Fellows Barron always wanted to be a veterinarian but didn’t think she could make it.
But then halfway through attending business school, Barron reevaluated her occupation working in operations for a large corporate retailer. She was doing well at the company but felt unfulfilled. Seeing how successful she was in business gave her the confidence to pursue her passion.
Tara Fellows Barron
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 5; 10.2460/javma.262.5.611
“That’s when I was like, ‘You know what, I’m smart enough. I can do this,’” Barron said.
At age 28, she was accepted at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Now in her third year of veterinary college, Barron was recently installed as the 2024-25 Student AVMA (SAVMA) president at the 2024 SAVMA Symposium, held March 14-17 and hosted jointly by Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Read more about the symposium at jav.ma/2024SAVMA)
She acknowledges her path to becoming SAVMA president wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of her family, friends, school, and peers. Barron says that’s why she intends to spend her year in the position leading veterinary students with a focus on teamwork and gratitude.
Support system
Because Barron was so capable in the corporate world, her family was surprised when she decided to go to veterinary school, but they always supported her.
Barron’s mom, Gina Fellows, who lived in Canton, Georgia, was delighted her daughter would be attending school in a nearby state. She was diagnosed with stage four small-cell carcinoma during Barron’s first month of veterinary school. She died in November 2023.
“It was definitely a difficult time, but it gave me a deeper understanding of compassion and love,” Barron said.
Between her husband, James, and family, Barron has received a lot of encouragement, not to mention from her group of friends who never miss an event and the veterinary faculty at LMU who have championed her since day one.
When Barron struggled with her first anatomy examination, she found mentorship from Dr. Ismael Concha, an associate professor of veterinary anatomy. With Dr. Concha’s help, Barron improved her grades in the course and even served as an anatomy teaching and research assistant for multiple semesters.
Dr. Lucinda Dixon, a former assistant professor of veterinary anatomy, and Dr. Michael Center, a clinical skills and anatomy assistant professor, were two other mentors for Barron. She says they have made her feel at home and gave her guidance academically on her journey to becoming SAVMA president.
SAVMA involvement
Barron was encouraged by an older student mentor to become a SAVMA delegate. Two years later, Barron helped coordinate the 40 veterinary students who attended the 2023 AVMA legislative fly-in. This made her realize she had a gift for advocating for her peers. So, she ran for the president-elect position.
“I’m so happy I did, because I love being able to meet other students and hear perspectives from different schools,” Barron said, adding that her peers are enthusiastic and never fail to reignite her passion for veterinary medicine.
Barron aims to have a tangible impact on the happiness and wellbeing of students during her tenure as SAVMA president.
“I would like to set the future generations up for success,” she said. “At the end of the day, we’re here because we love it and we should be happy when we go to sleep at night, not stressed.”
Barron wants veterinary students to know that building connections with classmates in veterinary school and supporting one another is crucial. She said her class at LMU is great at helping each other out. Barron recalled her classmates sending her course materials and study guides when her mom was sick.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “Your classmates are there for a reason. You’re all going to get through this together.”
HPAI identified in US dairy cattle
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), specifically avian influenza virus type A H5N1, had been identified in U.S. dairy cattle for the first time.
As of April 11, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed that HPAI has been confirmed in dairy cattle in eight states: 10 herds in Texas, five in New Mexico, three in Kansas, two in Michigan, and one each in Idaho, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Dakota.
The viral strain found in Michigan, New Mexico, and Idaho cows is very similar to the strain confirmed in Texas and Kansas, which appears to have been introduced by wild birds (H5N1), according to the USDA.
The affected Ohio dairy operation is known to have received cows from a Texas herd later confirmed to be infected with HPAI. And while the Michigan and Idaho dairy herds received cows from states with HPAI-infected cattle, it is not yet known whether these imported cattle originated from infected herds. Spread of clinical signs among cows in the Michigan herd and other findings indicate that transmission of avian influenza virus type A H5N1 between cattle cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, at least 17 states have issued restrictions on the importation of dairy cattle as of mid-April: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.
APHIS does not plan to issue federal quarantine orders, nor is the agency recommending any state quarantines or official hold orders on cattle, the agency announced April 2.
If cattle must be moved, then APHIS strongly encourages “extreme diligence” by producers, veterinarians, and animal health officials to ensure only healthy cattle are moving and to ensure the validity of interstate health certificates.
While avian influenza virus type A H5N1 is associated with high morbidity and mortality in birds, this hasn’t been the case in dairy cattle. Common clinical signs in affected cows have been reduced milk production and low appetite. Affected animals have recovered after isolation with little to no associated mortality reported.
Infection with HPAI type A H5N1 also has been confirmed in three sick cats on a Texas dairy farm and one dairy farm worker in an area of Texas where the virus has been found in dairy cattle and wild birds. Eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis) was their only symptom, which they developed around March 27, according to the CDC. The patient was told to isolate and received an antiviral for flu.
Federal and state agencies continue to conduct testing of clinical samples from sick animals, including viral genome sequencing. Initial testing has not found changes in the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans.
The case of HPAI type A H5N1 in a person who had contact with dairy cattle does not change the health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which the CDC continues to consider low. People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals or their environments are at greater risk of infection. The CDC issued a series of public health recommendations on April 9 that covers several areas, including preventing exposures to HPAI viruses, the use of PPE, antiviral treatment, patient investigations, and use of antiviral chemoprophylaxis of exposed persons. These are available at jav.ma/CDCandHPAI.
The USDA, FDA, and CDC continue to state they have no concerns about the safety of the commercial milk supply because milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so it does not enter the human food supply. In addition, products are pasteurized before entering interstate commerce for human consumption.
The FDA recommended that the dairy industry refrain from selling raw milk or unpasteurized cheese products made from milk from cows showing signs of illness.
Visit jav.ma/avianflu for the latest information on this evolving story.
Home delivery, autoship important offerings for veterinary clients
Brakke survey says veterinarians may offer online options, but pet owners aren’t aware
By Malinda Larkin
For many customers, if it’s not extremely convenient, then it’s inconvenient, says Richard Hayworth, a senior consultant with Brakke Consulting.
In an online, convenience-focused, post-pandemic world, people can make purchases from their phone instantly, so that is now the expectation. Generation Z, in particular, prefer ordering online and home delivery. But so do elderly and chronically ill people, along with those who have social anxiety or can’t easily leave their homes, such as new parents.
Hayworth says veterinary practices are in a good position to serve these customers if they would just promote their online services more.
“They can win—and better compete for online pet medicine sales,” he said. “Pet owners would overwhelmingly buy from their veterinarian if price and convenience was the same.”
Hayworth gave the presentation “Home Delivery of Pet Meds: Winning the Future” on January 14 at the Veterinary Meeting and Expo in Orlando, Florida, and on February 19 at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. His talks were based on a recent Brakke Pet Medicines Home Delivery Study that included interviews with 1,000 pet owners and 300 veterinarians. The survey looked at consumer preferences and behaviors in pet medicine purchasing, customer satisfaction with different channels and service expectations, and the competitive landscape among the five major online pet medicine retailers.
Customer satisfaction and compliance
The first online pet prescription retailer, 1-800-PetMeds, came on the scene in 1996, selling prescription and nonprescription pet medication and supplements. The company, now just PetMeds, has since lost market position with the entry of competitors with significant market power, including Chewy, PetSmart, and Walmart.
These companies understand that home delivery and autoship greatly matter for business. He noted that 75% of Chewy’s sales came from its autoship program in the first two quarters of 2023, which the company acknowledges drives long-term customer loyalty.
“At the end of the day, I think that home delivery, whether it’s through a veterinarian or not, helps with stickiness for the customer. They are making it more convenient by getting it delivered, and don’t really have to think about it,” Hayworth said. “Why do you think Chewy pushes autoship so much? Because they know once (customers) get on it, they’ll stick.”
Veterinary clinics can offer autoship and home delivery, which deliver benefits for pets, their owners, and veterinary practices.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 5; 10.2460/javma.262.5.611
But the Brakke study results showed that veterinarians don’t generally advertise that they offer autoship, suggesting a lost opportunity in meeting the needs of pet owners.
According to the Brakke survey, three-quarters of veterinarians said they have an online pharmacy and a majority said they actively promote it; however, half of responding pet owners didn’t know that their veterinarian had one. Further, most veterinarians surveyed don’t think or don’t know if home delivery helps with compliance, but a large majority of pet owners surveyed said it does.
Finally, both veterinarians and pet owners thought online orders would grow slightly over the next one to two years. However, average sales for veterinary clinic online stores doubled from 2017-21, and then doubled again from 2021-23, gains that were mainly driven by consumer demand.
Omnichannel offerings
Hayworth says veterinarians have one thing these online companies don’t have: trust. Pet owners trust their veterinarians implicitly, he said, and what veterinarians do with that relationship is up to them.
Survey results also showed pet owners preferentially would buy from their veterinarian if all things were equal.
“Every purchase behind initial purchase is replenishment, whether it’s dog food or heartworm medication, all of those are up for grabs. Their next purchase could be anywhere. If you don’t have (clients) on autoship, if you don’t have some stickiness there, then those purchases can go elsewhere,” Hayworth said.
“You can capture a lot of revenue if you just proactively communicate,” he continued. “Doing a couple little things can make it stickier (for them) at the veterinary clinic rather than having a replenishment order elsewhere.”
He cited a study Walmart conducted on its pet product customers, which showed they are willing to buy from multiple channels and that one channel will likely not dominate with a pet owner. Still, animal health companies and veterinarians should keep an eye on businesses such as Walmart and potentially Amazon in the long term because of their omnichannel capabilities that provide a seamless shopping experience across all channels, including in-store, mobile, and online. Chewy just recently announced it will be opening brick-and-mortar veterinary clinics this year.
These retailers are crossing traditional boundaries by expanding into veterinary services to increase profitability and pet owner trust.
“Veterinarians have (that trust), so if they can have veterinarians in stores, that’s huge,” he said.
For information on how to purchase the Brakke survey or for questions, email hayworth@brakkeconsulting.com.
FSIS veterinary position created to improve retention
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has created a higher-graded position for veterinarians in response to long-standing challenges in the federal veterinary workforce.
Dr. Kis Robertson Hale, chief public health veterinarian and deputy assistant administrator of the Office of Public Health Science within the FSIS, announced at the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in January that the agency has a new district veterinary medical officer (DVMO) position that is more focused on veterinary duties.
“We are making more use of the veterinarian skill set without putting strain on veterinarians with tasks that are undesired,” she said.
This position serves as primary contact for all veterinary duties associated with food safety, animal welfare, foreign animal disease surveillance, ante-mortem and postmortem procedures, and export certification at slaughter plants.
Previously, the primary position for veterinarians at FSIS was the role of supervisory public health veterinarian. But over the years, the agency received feedback that combining veterinary specific duties with supervision poses difficulties in achieving work-life balance and is one of the top reasons for attrition in this position. The hope is the new position will help address the agency challenges in hiring and retaining veterinarians by providing improved job satisfaction.
“(Supervisory duties) present staffing challenges and personnel issues that can get in the way of the technical work veterinarians are tasked with doing. It can be a lot to address,” Dr. Robertson-Hale said.
The DVMO position will provide an improved work experience that leverages veterinarians’ skills, she said, focusing on science and public health versus supervisory and administrative-related duties. These veterinarians will oversee more than one slaughter plant based on their geographic area and replace the need for supervisory veterinarian positions in certain locations.
The new position is at the GS-13 level, offering both higher pay and an extension of in-plant promotion potential to FSIS veterinarians, addressing two issues the agency has heard about from veterinarians. The base salary range is advertised as $103,409 to $147,934 per year based on the duty station.
Dr. Robertson-Hale thanked the National Association of Federal Veterinarians (NAFV) and the AVMA for their support and for providing input in developing the new position.
The FSIS employs 8,700 people. About 7,600 are frontline positions, including inspection personnel, laboratory employees, and investigators. FSIS says its employees inspected 161 million head of livestock, 9.8 billion poultry carcasses, and 2.7 billion pounds of liquid, frozen, and dried egg products in fiscal year 2023.
Better integrating the robust veterinary technician skill set into practice
By Coco Lederhouse
Credentialed veterinary technicians are versatile members of the veterinary care team, expertly tackling responsibilities in nursing, imaging, laboratory procedures, pharmacology, anesthesia, and more. In all, the entry level credentialed veterinary technician is required to master more than 200 tasks.
Making the most of a credentialed veterinary technician’s knowledge can enhance efficiency by freeing up time for veterinarians to diagnose, prescribe, and prognose.
Yet, according to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America’s (NAVTA) 2022 Demographic Survey, published in January 2023, the top barriers to better utilization are lack of trust and confidence by the veterinarian in the veterinary technician’s skill set, training uncredentialed staff to do credentialed veterinary technician tasks, and not allowing veterinary technicians to handle tasks that they are licensed to perform.
One in every five respondents (20%) said they do not feel fully leveraged to their fullest potential at their workplace. The same percentage of respondents said nothing is being done at their practices to attempt to improve veterinary technician utilization.
“Veterinary technicians deserve to be elevated and utilized based on their education and experience, with the understanding that with proper mentorship and support the experience portion will continue to flourish,” said Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, associate director and primary staff support to the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA CVTEA). “It’s important for a credentialed veterinary technician to speak up when they have experience and qualifications to perform a skill or task.”
The veterinarian and veterinary technician should be in partnership, both supporting the other to improve patient care. The development of standard operating protocols within a practice can empower the veterinary technician while following the standard of care established by the veterinarian overseeing animal care.
“If we train tomorrow’s veterinarians to trust veterinary technicians and model the best ways the veterinary health care team works, we’ll have better teams in practice,” Dr. Thompson said.
The AVMA CVTEA’s Veterinary Technology Student Essential and Recommended Skills List is not only a resource for veterinary technology programs to use for curriculum development and an accreditation monitoring tool for the committee, but also something for practice leaders to use when onboarding veterinary technicians and undertaking role and task reviews.
The list is broken down into skills, tasks, and decision-making abilities that all credentialed veterinary technicians should have the prerequisite knowledge to carry out.
Credentialed veterinary technicians have extensive training in the following categories:
Office and hospital procedures, client relations, and communication
Pharmacy and pharmacology
Nursing
Anesthesia
Surgical nursing
Laboratory procedures
Imaging
Laboratory animal procedures
Avian, exotic, and small mammal procedures
Credentialed veterinary technicians bring a wealth of knowledge to veterinary clinics, and when effectively onboarded and integrated into the team, can be an irreplaceable asset.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 5; 10.2460/javma.262.5.611
Further, by referring to this list, veterinarians can feel confident in a CVT’s abilities and design systems for effective delegation and feedback.
Creating safe spaces for communication, too, can help support and empower everyone on the team.
“Taking time to allow feedback and discussions is difficult in busy settings but can be the key to being a part of a successful team,” Dr. Thompson said. “Onboarding should be a working partnership from the start to assess and entrust clinical skills performed by the veterinary technician.”
Updated guidance on canine leptospirosis reflects better understanding of disease
New testing, treatment, vaccination guidance issued from ACVIM expert panel
By R. Scott Nolen and Malinda Larkin
All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, no matter where they live, their breed or age, whether they mostly stay indoors, or the time of year, according to the most recent guidance on the disease. Given that every dog is at risk, an expert panel has recommended that all dogs are vaccinated for leptospirosis annually rather than every three years.
Late last year, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) published an update to its 2010 consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs. The revised guidance for veterinary practitioners incorporates more than a decade’s worth of new information about Leptospira spp, including the epidemiology and pathophysiology of the zoonosis since the statement’s release more than a decade ago. It is available at jav.ma/leptostatement.
The ACVIM statement touches on clinical and laboratory criteria to confirm leptospirosis in a dog; treatment options, including antimicrobial and extracorporeal kidney support therapies; supportive care; and prognosis. There is also guidance on vaccine protocols and public health implications, such as protecting veterinary staff from Leptospira infection.
Dr. Jane Sykes, lead author of the consensus statement and a professor of small animal medicine at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, provided an overview of the guidance document during a presentation at the 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo on January 16 in Orlando, Florida.
DISEASE RISK
Rodents are the most important reservoir for Leptospira spp, especially rats, “in which a worldwide prevalence of infection of 30% has been identified, with prevalences exceeding 80% in some regions,” according to the statement. However, they are not the only source of infection. Spread through the urine or body fluid of an infected animal, the bacteria can survive in water or soil for weeks to months. Infections occur when Leptospira bacteria are brought into contact with skin abrasions or mucous membranes of human and animals, such as following ingestion of contaminated water or predation.
Dr. Sykes said increased rainfall in an area can allow leptospirosis to build up on substrates in the environment, especially muddy soil or water, likely because particulate matter allows it to build up as a biofilm.
“We know it does replicate in the environment, especially water-logged soil, and that’s important to its ability to persist in the environment,” she said, noting that the bacteria can survive freezing.
Human leptospirosis occurs primarily in subtropical climates such as those found in Sri Lanka, which has the highest number of human cases. Yet, as the ACVIM consensus statement explains, outbreaks of leptospirosis in dogs have been reported in regions with a large variety of climate conditions, including Arizona, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Wyoming. The recent appearance of outbreaks in association with boarding facilities has raised concern for dog-to-dog transmission or rodent infestations in such facilities, she said.
Leptospirosis is most commonly seen in the fall in the Northeast, wintertime or early spring in California, and year-round in the South. Regardless, the updated document says, “All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of signalment, geographic location, lifestyle, and the time of year.”
Diagnosis and treatment
Although the most prominent signs of leptospirosis infection in dogs are acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and liver dysfunction, the disease is multisystemic and affects many other organs, the statement authors wrote.
This means it can range greatly in clinical presentation and affect various organs, including the pancreas (pancreatitis), heart (cardiac arrhythmias), eyes (uveitis, conjunctivitis, and retinal hemorrhage), and lungs (pulmonary hemorrhage).
Leptospirosis can be devastating if not addressed early, she added. When considering a diagnosis, the updated consensus statement says, “Because leptospirosis can progress rapidly to acute kidney injury (AKI), the disease should be considered in dogs with acute onset of febrile illness, especially if unvaccinated for leptospirosis. The owners of such dogs should be informed that clinical re-assessment and biochemical testing are recommended should their dog’s condition fail to improve within 24 hours.”
The document goes on to say that specific diagnosis of leptospirosis should be based on clinical suspicion along with results of serologic assays and organism detection tests, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), because all available diagnostic tests have their own unique limitations.
“To optimize sensitivity of NAATs, specimens should be collected before administration of antibiotics. Also, both blood and urine should be submitted,” the updated statement says.
According to the statement, doxycycline treatment of acutely febrile dogs suspected to have leptospirosis based on history—lack of vaccination and other factors that raise suspicion for leptospirosis—could be considered, given the implications of delays in treatment on kidney function, “but more evidence is needed to support the latter recommendation to optimize antimicrobial stewardship.”
Other species
There is widespread serologic evidence of infection of domestic cats by Leptospira spp., Dr. Sykes said, but cats are considered disease resistant compared with other animal species.
Pathogenic leptospires have been detected in the urine of up to 20% of apparently healthy cats using PCR and culture, and thus, cats may act as reservoir hosts, according to the ACVIM statement. However, other studies have shown lower prevalence of leptospires in the urine (0% to 5%), even in free-roaming cats.
“Cats may be an under-recognized source of pathogenic leptospires in some regions and should be considered in One Health investigations that employ sequence typing methods to advance knowledge of disease epidemiology,” the statement reads.
Leptospirosis continues to be prevalent in dogs, including in small breeds from urban areas, puppies as young as 11 weeks, geriatric dogs, dogs in rural areas, and dogs that have been inadequately vaccinated, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine’s recently revised consensus statement on the disease.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 5; 10.2460/javma.262.5.611
Dr. Sykes previously co-authored a Currents in One Health article, “A global one health perspective on leptospirosis in humans and animals,” (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022;260:1589–1596) that emphasizes the importance of physicians, veterinarians, and public health experts maintaining a high index of suspicion for the disease and to work together to understand outbreaks and implement appropriate control measures.
Leptospirosis is a quintessential One Health problem, Dr. Sykes said, explaining that the Leptospira spp bacteria can infect a wide variety of mammals. It has been estimated that the global burden of human leptospirosis is more than 1 million cases each year, and of those, roughly 60,000 are fatal, she added.
Dr. Sykes suspects the actual number of cases worldwide is much higher, however.
“Leptospirosis is a nonspecific illness with flulike symptoms and can resemble COVID, so the frequency of disease is likely to be much higher than the figures given,” she said.
That said, evidence suggests that getting leptospirosis from an infected dog is low as they don’t shed many organisms. For example, an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that examined people heavily exposed to dogs with leptospirosis during an outbreak in Arizona found no evidence of seroconversion.
ACVIM consensus
The revised consensus statement came about after the ACVIM Board of Regents voted in 2021 to approve revisiting the topic of leptospirosis in dogs.
After identification of core panelists, a multidisciplinary group of six experts from the fields of veterinary medicine, human medicine, and public health was assembled to vote on the recommendations. A draft was presented at the 2023 ACVIM Forum, and a written draft posted on the ACVIM website for comment by the membership before submission to the editors of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Assemblies
American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians
The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) held its 66th annual meeting from October 12-18, 2023, in National Harbor, Maryland. It was held jointly with the United States Animal Health Association, drawing more than 1,200 attendees. The AAVLD officials are Drs. Keith Poulsen, Madison, Wisconsin, president; Tanya LeRoith, Blacksburg, Virginia, president-elect and program chair; Ashley Hill, Davis, California, vice president; Kristy Pabilonia, Fort Collins, Colorado, secretary-treasurer; Eric Burrough, Ames, Iowa, immediate past president; and David H. Zeman, Brookings, South Dakota, executive director.
American College of Veterinary Radiology
The American College of Veterinary Radiology welcomed new diplomates following the board certification examinations held from February 28-March 1, 2023, and August 29-30, 2023, in Las Vegas, and virtually from August 30-September 1, 2023.
Missouri VMA
The Missouri VMA (MVMA) held its 132nd annual convention from January 25-28, in Columbia. The convention drew more than 600 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice staff members, and veterinary students. More than 60 continuing education lectures were offered to the participants. New officials are as follows: MVMA—Dr. Kacie Ulhorn, Hermann, president; Dr. David Wilson, Columbia, president-elect; Dr. Lynn Martin, Columbia, vice president; Dr. Shelia Taylor, Springfield, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Matt Silvius, Riverside, board chair; and Julie Braun, Jefferson City, executive director. Missouri VMA Academy—Drs. Jessica Gardner, Kearney, president, and Laura Moon, Fayette, vice president. Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation—Dr. Philip R. Brown, Springfield, board co-chair; Dr. Scott Fray, Boonville, board co-chair; Dr. Marcy Hammerle, St. Charles, board vice chair; and Bruce Addison, Fayette, secretary-treasurer.
Ohio VMA
The Ohio VMA (OVMA) held its Midwest Veterinary Conference from February 22-24 in Columbus. The OVMA officials are Drs. Diana Cron, Cincinnati, president; Michelle Harcha, Grove City, president-elect; Amanda Wagner, Anna, vice president; Tina Stonecypher, Xenia, secretary; Kevin Corcoran, Xenia, treasurer; Ryan Zimmerman, Fremont, assistant treasurer; Eric Gordon, Marysville, immediate past president; and AVMA delegate and alternate delegate—Drs. Liesa Stone, Columbus, and Ellen Yoakam, Mansfield.
United States Animal Health Association
The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) held its 127th annual meeting from October 12-18, 2023, in National Harbor, Maryland. The meeting, held jointly with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, drew more than 1,200 attendees. Ray Starling, Raleigh, North Carolina, presented the keynote address, based on his book, “Farmers vs. Foodies.” The presentation took a look at outside forces forging the future of farming and food and evaluated food production and consumer preferences. Twenty-one resolutions were approved. They are available in the resolutions section of the USAHA website, usaha.org/usaha-resolutions. The USAHA officials are Dr. Steve Crawford, Concord, New Hampshire, president; Dr. Peter Mundschenk, Las Vegas, president-elect; Dr. Charles Broaddus, Richmond, Virginia, first vice president; Dr. Justin Smith, Manhattan, Kansas, second vice president; Dr. Kathryn Simmons, Washington, D.C., third vice president; Dr. Beth Thompson, Pierre, South Dakota, treasurer; and Steve Rommereim, Alcester, South Dakota, immediate past president.
Visit avma.org/news/community to read the full reports, including awards and the names of new diplomates.
In Memory
Raymond T. Abel
Dr. Abel (Iowa State ’59), 89, Burlington, Iowa, died January 18, 2024. Following graduation, he served two years in the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Abel subsequently became a partner in a mixed animal practice in Mediapolis, Iowa, retiring in 2000. In retirement, he served as a relief veterinarian in the southeast Iowa area. Dr. Abel was a member of the Iowa, Eastern Iowa, and Southeast Iowa VMAs. He was active with the Des Moines County Cattlemen, Mediapolis City Council, and local 4-H club. Dr. Abel’s wife, Patricia; three sons; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren survive him. Two sons, Drs. Steven Abel (Iowa State ’85), and John Abel (Iowa State ’88), are also veterinarians. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.
James D. Adams
Dr. Adams (Illinois ’01), 55, Chicago, died November 17, 2023. He practiced small animal medicine in Chicago and Gurnee, Illinois. Earlier, Dr. Adams served as a paratrooper in the Army. He was a member of the Illinois State VMA. Dr. Adams is survived by his parents and a sister. Memorials may be made to the Lurie Children’s Cancer Research, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, jav.ma/Lurie.
Angela K. Baysinger
Dr. Baysinger (Missouri ’92), 57, Bruning, Nebraska, died March 8, 2024. Following graduation, she moved to Sutton, Nebraska, where she practiced at Sutton Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Baysinger subsequently earned a master’s in epidemiology from the University of Nebraska and worked as a swine technical services veterinarian for Alpharma and Boehringer Ingelheim, was a swine consultant, served as a health assurance veterinarian for Pig Improvement Company, and was vice president of on-farm food safety and animal welfare with Farmland Foods. She then joined Merck Animal Health as a technical service veterinarian, becoming the company’s animal welfare lead for North America.
Active in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Baysinger was the newly appointed president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), having also served on several of its committees, including the AASV Pig Welfare, Pharmaceutical Issues, and Membership and Public Relations committees. She was a past chair of the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee and Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) and represented the AASV on the AVMA Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee and AVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutic Agents. Dr. Baysinger also served as a co-chair of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture Sustainability Council, was a past member of the welfare committees of the National Pork Board and North American Meat Institute, and was active with the International Poultry Welfare Alliance and Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
In 2021, she received the Feather in Her Cap Association’s Feather in her Cap Award, a special recognition of women leaders in the animal health industry. That same year, the AASV honored Dr. Baysinger with the Meritorious Service Award. In 2022, she was awarded the PAACO Service Award. Dr. Baysinger is survived by her husband, Jerry; two sons; her parents; and a sister and a brother.
Raymond J. Bienko
Dr. Bienko (Auburn ’77), 87, Evans, Georgia, died December 28, 2023. He practiced equine medicine in Ocala, Florida, prior to retirement. Dr. Bienko is survived by his wife, Patricia; a son and a daughter; and three grandchildren. His daughter, Dr. Marie Vernon (Florida ’96), is also a veterinarian.
Grover C. Blair
Dr. Blair (Missouri ’71), 77, Marshall, Arkansas, died October 31, 2023. He owned Searcy County Veterinary Service, a mixed animal practice in Marshall for 52 years. Dr. Blair served two terms on the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board. He volunteered his services to the Searcy County Fair, was active with the Marshall chapter of the National FFA Organization, served as a Searcy County election commissioner, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Dr. Blair’s wife, Elaine; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Marshall Methodist Church, c/o Sharon Daniel, 301 Dogwood Blvd., Marshall, AR 72650; Calf Creek Masonic Lodge, c/o Michael Horton, P.O. Box 748, Marshall, AR 72650; or Dongola Cemetery, c/o Pat Neel, 1786 Punkin’ Flat Road, Marshall, AR 72650.
John J. Brennan
Dr. Brennan (Cornell ’52), 94, Guilderland, New York, died January 18, 2024. Following graduation, he served two years in the Air Force, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. Dr. Brennan subsequently established Guilderland Animal Hospital in Altamont, New York. He also served as veterinarian for Albany County. Later in his career, Dr. Brennan was appointed track veterinarian for the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.
He chaired the veterinary examining board for the New York State Education Department and served on the Cornell University Council. Dr. Brennan is survived by two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the John J. Brennan Sr./John J. Brennan Jr. DVM Scholarship, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 37334, Boone, IA 50037, or Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084.
Theresa M. Digiulio
Dr. Digiulio (Pennsylvania ’69), 80, Coventry, Connecticut, died November 1, 2023. She served as an attending veterinarian and consultant in Connecticut at Hartford Hospital, the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and Trinity College for 20 years prior to retirement. Earlier in her career, Dr. Digiulio practiced in the state at West Hartford, Middletown, Colchester, Farmington, Manchester, and Glastonbury. A past secretary of the Connecticut VMA, she was named CVMA Veterinarian of the Year in 1995. Dr. Digiulio was active with the Storrs Regional and Mattabasset chapters of the National FFA Organization. She is survived by her husband, Daniel, and a daughter.
Meda L. Doffermyre
Dr. Doffermyre (Auburn ’84), 70, Wilmington, North Carolina, died January 8, 2024. During her 30-year career in Wilmington, she owned Azalea Coast Animal Care, Holistic Animal Healthcare, and Pets at Peace. Dr. Doffermyre previously worked in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her husband, Art; two children; and a brother survive her. Memorials may be made to Monty’s Home, a non-profit organization sponsoring pet education, pet loss grief support, and canine rescue-prison training programs, and sent to P.O. Box 821, Burgaw, NC 28425, montyshome.org, or Skywatch Bird Rescue, 3600 Lynn Ave., Castle Hayne, NC 28429, jav.ma/SkyWatch.
Ralph W. Grogan
Dr. Grogan (Texas A&M ’53), 93, Wister, Oklahoma, died June 27, 2023. He practiced at Acadia Veterinary Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Grogan served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a longtime member of Rotary International, serving as president of the local chapter. Dr. Grogan is survived by two children, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to Rotary International, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693.
William M. Harvey
Dr. Harvey (Purdue ’71), 78, St. Louis, died January 7, 2024. Following graduation, he joined Lemay Animal Hospital in St. Louis, where he practiced for 15 years. In 1986, Dr. Harvey established Lemay Plaza Veterinary Clinic in St. Louis. He was a life member of the Missouri VMA. Dr. Harvey is survived by his wife, Donna; two daughters; three grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Open Door Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 870, House Springs, MO 63051, jav.ma/ODAS.
Lindsey V. Heard
Dr. Heard (Georgia ’75), 72, Macon, Georgia, died September 4, 2023. He was the founder of Wesleyan Animal Hospital in Macon. Dr. Heard also established a mobile veterinary practice in the state. His wife, Becky; five children; two grandchildren; and a brother and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to All About Animals Rescue, 101 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA 31201, or Emory Healthcare, 1364 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Charles R. Hilbers
Dr. Hilbers (Colorado State ’54), 92, Camp Verde, Arizona, died October 22, 2023. He owned a practice in Camp Verde. Earlier in his career, Dr. Hilbers served two years with the U.S. Coast Guard, practiced in California, and worked at several locations in Arizona prior to establishing his practice in Camp Verde. His wife, Donna; three daughters and a son; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren survive him.
Paul L. Huff
Dr. Huff (Kansas State ’66), 82, Peyton, Colorado, died December 3, 2023. He practiced small animal medicine in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for more than 50 years prior to retirement. Dr. Huff served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War. He received several honors, including a Bronze Star for his service. Dr. Huff is survived by his wife, Judith; three daughters and a son; 16 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Rustic Hills Baptist Church, 1927 N. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915.
Kersten B. Johnson
Dr. Johnson (Auburn ’03), 49, North Palm Beach, Florida, died December 23, 2023. She practiced veterinary neurology in North Palm Beach. Dr. Johnson is survived by her husband, Eric, and a son.
Elizabeth (Betsy) R. Kalkwarf
Dr. Kalkwarf (Washington State ’49), 99, Kennewick, Washington, died February 7, 2024. She practiced small animal medicine in Oregon at Salem, Springfield, and Beaverton, focusing on avian medicine during the latter part of her career. Dr. Kalkwarf retired in 1986. She was a member of the Oregon VMA. Memorials may be made to Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
John C. Pickett Jr.
Dr. Pickett (Purdue ’69), 81, West Lafayette, Indiana, died November 3, 2023. A small animal veterinarian, he owned what is now known as the VCA-Lafayette Animal Hospital prior to retirement in 2008. Dr. Pickett was a past president of the Indiana VMA. In 1993, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine named him a Distinguished Alumnus. A master gardener, Dr. Pickett was also active with the Boy Scouts of America and Kiwanis International. He is survived by his wife, Ann; two sons and a daughter; six grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to the Purdue DVM General Scholarship Program, Dauch Alumni Center, 803 Westwood St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, jav.ma/PurdueScholarship.
Felix C. Pryor
Dr. Pryor (Florida ’97), 53, Pinetta, Florida, died December 14, 2023. He began his career at Lake Veterinary Clinic in Mount Dora, Florida, becoming a co-owner of the practice in 2012. Dr. Pryor retired in 2019. He was a member of the Florida VMA. Dr. Pryor volunteered at public schools in Mount Dora. His five sisters and five brothers survive him.
Henry F. Richter
Dr. Richter (Auburn ’60), 94, Sarasota, Florida, died November 9, 2023. He owned a practice in Palmetto, Florida, prior to retirement. Dr. Richter was an Army veteran of the Korean War, attaining the rank of captain. He is survived by five sons, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Charles T. Robinson
Dr. Robinson (California-Davis ’56), 94, Santa Rosa, California, died October 25, 2023. Following graduation, he worked in California at Richmond and Ukiah before moving to Santa Rosa, where he established Lakeside Pet Hospital. Dr. Robinson also helped establish an emergency veterinary clinic in California’s Sonoma County. He is survived by three sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Earle Baum Center for the Blind, 4539 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401; National Glaucoma Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871; or Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
David W. Rosberg Jr.
Dr. Rosberg (Texas A&M ’70), 76, Mason, Texas, died January 27, 2024. Following graduation, he practiced in Wichita Falls, Texas, for a year. Dr. Rosberg subsequently served two years in the Air Force Veterinary Corps. He received an Air Force Commendation Medal for his service. In 1973, Dr. Rosberg established Hill Country Veterinary Hospital in Mason. He also consulted for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
Active in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Rosberg served on the board of directors of the Texas VMA and was appointed to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for a six-year term. In 1990, he was named Texas VMA Food Animal Practitioner of the Year. Dr. Rosberg is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters and two sons; six grandchildren; and a sister. One son, Dr. Andrew D. Rosberg (Texas A&M ’04), is also a veterinarian.
C. Patrick Ryan
Dr. Ryan (Michigan State ’68), 80, Traverse City, Michigan, died August 21, 2023. During his career, he worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Dr. Ryan is survived by his family.
George D. Schoonmaker
Dr. Schoonmaker (Cornell ’68), 88, West Melbourne, Florida, died December 4, 2023. Following graduation, he practiced in Gloversville, New York, before establishing Manheim Veterinary Clinic in Manheim, New York. In 1996, Dr. Schoonmaker sold his practice and served as a relief veterinarian until 2004. He was a member of Phi Zeta. Dr. Schoonmaker is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; a son and a daughter; two grandchildren; and a brother.
William K. Theus
Dr. Theus (Kansas State ’14), 47, Boerne, Texas, died October 14, 2023. He served as a relief veterinarian in the San Antonio area. Earlier in his career, Dr. Theus practiced at several small animal clinics in San Antonio. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he coordinated efforts to rescue hundreds of stranded pets. Dr. Theus also donated his services to pets belonging to women at shelters in San Antonio. He is survived by his mother and a sister. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Grace Episcopal Church, 20955 W. Tejas Trail, San Antonio, TX 78257.
