Veterinary Views - Fall 2023 by mkstrategies

VETERINARY VIEWS

A publication for members of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association

FALL ISSUE 2023

NVMA board of directors recognizes the importance of communication with our members. We want to ensure everyone has access to NVMA updates, our leadership team, and each other. With busy schedules making it difficult to interact in-person, the NVMA is providing a virtual option to connect an NVMA COFFEE BREAK. The monthly Coffee Break will consist of a one-hour chat with NVMA leadership, staff, and members. Each month we will highlight current NVMA activities and provide a time for members to share whatever is on their mind. Grab a cup of coffee or beverage of choice and join us at your leisure.

C HEC K T H E C AL EN DAR OF E V EN TS FO R THE M O NTHLY INVITE - W W W.NVMA . O R G

KEY MEMBER BENEFITS Advocacy 24/7/365 involvement in NE veterinary, animal and small business issues in Lincoln. Beneﬁts and Services Savings and discounts designed to assist individuals and practices. Career Assistance Employment resources to build veterinary careers. Continuing Education Cutting edge CE featuring the latest advances in veterinary medicine and practice. Health Insurance Program NVMA members, their employees and family members are eligible for a group health insurance program. News and Resources Up to the minute news and access to veterinary and client resources.

Together we can make a difference. SCAN TO RENEW

"Embracing Change” The fall season is a refreshing reminder that change can be a beautiful thing. The hot, humid summer days are replaced with crisp mornings and sun-drenched evenings. Leaves take on the transformation of color and paint the landscape while combines hum in the background. It is a fitting time for us to reflect on the theme of change in our profession and within our association. Change is an inevitable part of life, and in the field of veterinary medicine, it is no exception. One change to our veterinary education is the addition of five new veterinary students in the PPVM program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. I had the opportunity to meet with 30 first year students a few days before classes began in August. When we presented each student with a new stethoscope, they admitted they were excited and nervous to begin their veterinary school career. Conversations included how to manage debt during and after veterinary school, what their ultimate career goals look like, and how they can become more involved with organized veterinary medicine. Change was staring them in the face. I, along with other NVMA members and University of Nebraska leadership, have been directing our energy towards rural Nebraska veterinary recruitment and retention concerns. Rural communities have changed significantly in the last 20 years, and it is no secret that veterinary medicine is constantly evolving as well. We will be looking for input from the Nebraska veterinary community in hopes of better understanding the current climate of rural veterinary medicine in our state. Also, we will have an opportunity at the 2024 Winter Convention to hear what steps have been taken by our Kansas colleagues in hopes of sparking discussions within our membership. Save the date for January 25-27, 2024.

enhancing our educational offerings, and advocating for the interest of our profession and the well-being of our community. Over 80 members and guests traveled to Deadwood, South Dakota for our first Destination CE event in June. Mornings were spent learning from excellent speakers while our afternoons and evenings were opportunities for networking and enjoying Deadwood. The steak fry was a highlight of the convention, and we again thank Merck Animal Health for their sponsorship of the event. Be watching for details for our next Destination Event in Summer 2024. Dr. Fitzwater and her committee have been diligently working on revising our NVMA bylaws to reflect our commitment to embracing change and adapting to the needs of our association. A summary of proposed changes is printed in this newsletter, and I encourage you to read through them thoroughly. A membership vote will be required to implement any bylaw changes. Change can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity for growth and improvement. I encourage each of you to embrace change in your practices, seek out new knowledge and experiences, and continue to provide the exceptional care that our patients deserve. Together, we can navigate the ever-changing landscape of veterinary medicine and ensure a brighter future for our profession. Thank you for your dedication to the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. I look forward to the exciting changes that are ahead in our association and our profession.

Within the NVMA, change has also been a constant force. We have grown and evolved over the years,

Dr. Lindsay Waechter Mead

Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead, 2023 NVMA President Dr. Waechter-Mead may be reached at lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu

MEMO TO: NVMA Members FROM: NVMA Board of Directors DATE: November 2023 RE: NVMA Bylaws The NVMA President appointed a committee to review the bylaws of the Association. At the recommendation of the committee, the board of directors approved the proposed changes to be presented to the membership per Article XIII of the Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws, with marked changes, is available on-line for NVMA members or you may request a printed copy from the NVMA office. Active members will be able to vote at the Winter Conference, January 24 and 25, 2024. All ballots will be counted and reported at the 2024 NVMA Membership Meeting on Thursday, January 25 at the luncheon. A summary of proposed changes 1. Changes to Executive Officer positions and elections a. Change name of Secretary/Treasurer to Treasurer (lines 109, 154, 186, 200, 207, 209, 211, 222, 247, 249, 253, 271, 279, 282). The Executive Director now takes meeting notes and fulfills many duties of Secretary. b. Extend Treasurer term to three years (lines 204, 210). This would allow more continuity in this office for financial planning and oversight. c. Treasurer is not automatically nominated for President-Elect at the end of their term (211-213). d. Change number of members Nominating Committee shall identify for open Treasurer or President-Elect positions to “one or more” from “two” (lines 207, 208, 213, 214). e. Change procedure for independent nominations (222-224). i. Current: independent nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the summer business meeting. ii. Proposed: by written nomination, with approval from the candidate, to the Board of Directors by September 1. Self-nomination is allowed. f. Change timeline for appointing nominating committee from “prior to Summer Meeting” to “By July 1”. 2. Remove the requirement for a Summer Business Meeting. (Lines 114, 118-119, 122, 124, 132, 137, 138) a. One critique of the summer conference was in the number of CE hours available. b. Summer meeting is less commonly used for association business than the winter meeting. c. If business needs to be conducted, the President would retain the right to call a special meeting held at a summer conference. 3. Changes to Article III Section 3: disabled member a. Remove sentence “Throughout the disability, the member must be under a doctor's care and not working at a gainful occupation”. Attempting to define “gainful occupation” and “under a doctor’s care” would require careful legal oversight to avoid discriminatory practices. It is already outlined that the disability is preventing the member from practicing veterinary medicine. b. Add method of approval for which a member may be excluded from paying dues (lines 50-51). 4. Changes that aligned things that did not agree with other parts of Bylaws a. LVT members can hold vet tech BOD position (lines 77-78) b. Mail in ballots are allowed for election of officers (140-141) 5. Grammar, clarity changes (lines 13, 90, 97, 115)

A P ICT URE IS WO RT H A T HO U SA N D WO R D S a gl i mp s e o f t h e 2 02 3 S u m m e r C o nf e re nc e in D e a dw o od, S D

A beautiful night and stunning location for the annual Steak Fry - sponsored in part by Merck Animal Health

Adventure in the Black Hills brought to you by Cambridge Technologies!

While weather put a damper on the golf tournament, several attendees decided they wouldn’t pass up the chance to golf Spear Fish Canyon.

Attendees enjoyed the Trial of Jack McCall local production. Crowd participation was “encouraged”.

High quality CE, full conference rooms, rounded out the wonderful event!

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE WEDNESDAY - JANUARY 24

- Exhibit Hall Set-up [5:00 pm - 10:00 pm] - Legislative Committee Meeting - [7:00 pm - 8:00 pm] - NCSF Membership Meeting/Board Meeting - TBD - CE Committee Meeting - [8:00 pm - 9:30 pm] - Hospitality Room - [9:00 pm - 11:00 pm]

FRIDAY - JANUARY 26

SCAN TO REGISTER

THURSDAY- JANUARY 25

- Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall [7:00 am - 8:30 am] - Exhibit Hall Opens [7:00 am - 5:30 pm] - Educational Breakout Sessions [8:00 am - 5:30 pm] - Small Animal Medicine - Ultrasound and Cardiology - Large Animal Medicine - Pharamacology - NVMA Membership Luncheon [11:30 am - 1:00 pm] - CVM Alumni Reception [5:30 pm - 7:00 pm] - Group Dinners - Hospitality Room - [9:00 pm - 12:00 am]

- Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall [7:00 am - 8:30 am] - Exhibit Hall Opens [7:00 am - 5:30 pm] - NE BVMS Meeting [7:00 am - 9:00 am] - General Session [8:00 am - 8:50 am] - Educational Breakout Sessions [9:00 am - 5:30 pm] - Small Animal Medicine - Neurology - Large Animal Medicine - Bovine Reproduction - Veterinary Technician - Diagnostics - NVMA Celebration of Veterinary Medicine Luncheon [12:30 am - 2:00 pm] - NVMA President’s Reception & Student Event [5:30 pm - 10:00 pm] - Hospitality Room - [9:00 pm - 12:00 am]

SATURDAY - JANUARY 27

- Breakfast [7:30 am - 8:30 am] - NVMA Board of Directors Meeting [7:00 am - 8:30 am] - Opioid General Session [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW | 2023 2023 was a productive year of public policy work for the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. A key highlight for the year was a successful NVMA Legislative Day at the State Capitol. Newly elected Governor Jim Pillen, DVM, met with NVMA members in the capitol to discuss workforce challenges, disease management measures, and big-picture policy priorities for his new administration. He also graciously hosted members in his office for a tour and joined NVMA for their lunch with lawmakers. Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton, State Veterinarian Roger Dudley, Health and Human Services Committee Chair Senator Ben Hansen, and Agriculture Committee Vice Chair Senator Teresa Ibach also addressed the group. On the legislative front, NVMA was successful in advocating for an amendment to exclude

Notable bills passed:

veterinarians from a prescription refill bill that posed concerns and helped to stop legislation that would have weakened state licensure standards for veterinary technicians. The 2023 session was very challenging and contentious marked by a months-long filibuster that extended debate into a record number of late nights and resulted in much fewer (but much bigger) bills being considered. While only 33 bills were passed, many were omnibus packages with many measures amended in. The packaging of bills resulted in passage of nearly 300 of the 812 bills introduced, a number more in line with past legislative sessions. The first session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die on June 1, 2023.

• The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association worked successfully with Senator Hansen to seek an exception from a bill he introduced on prescription drug refills that was included in LB227. Senator Hansen introduced LB181 to authorize a pharmacist to use professional judgment to a) continue to refill a prescription issued by a practitioner that has previously authorized refills; b) continue to fill a prescription issued by a practitioner for a controlled substance listed in Schedule II, III, IV, or V of Section 28-405 with a delayed fill date noted at the time of prescribing; or c) provide a one-time emergency refill of a prescription issued by a practitioner for up to a 90-day supply of maintenance medications, including controlled substances listed in Schedule III, IV, or V of Section 28-405, in cases in which a practitioner is no longer in practice, for any reason, including death, extended illness, retirement, relocation, or suspension or revocation of the credential by the appropriate board. Under the introduced bill, the definition of practitioner included veterinarian. Upon NVMA’s request and presentation of concerns, Senator Hansen presented an amendment that was adopted to exclude veterinarians from the bill. • Senator Ballard’s LB296, Pet Insurance Act, adds consumer protections to the growing pet insurance market, based upon a model act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners with input from the American Veterinary Medical Association to create a comprehensive legal framework for the sale of pet insurance in Nebraska. Key elements of the legislation include consumer protections related to issues such as policy renewals, waiting periods, benefit schedules, preexisting conditions, disclosures, and training requirements for insurance producers. • LB754 reduces the state’s top individual and corporate income tax rates gradually to 3.99% by tax year 2027. (The current top rate is 6.27%, set to decrease to 5.84% under a bill passed last session.) The provision will provide an estimated $700 million in annual tax relief when fully implemented. • The budget (LB814) includes new funding for career and technical education ($5.216 million in each of the next two years), as well as $10 million to the Department of Labor for recruitment and retention of workforce, including veterinarians.

• A Judiciary Committee package (LB157) includes a provision that allows for pets to be included in domestic abuse protection orders. The bill specifies, “The petitioner shall not permanently transfer, sell, or dispose of a household pet placed in the petitioner's possession without prior court approval, except that court approval shall not be required in cases where humane euthanasia of a seriously ill or injured household pet is recommended by a licensed veterinarian.”

2024 Session Preview

The second session of 108th Legislature will convene on January 3, 2024. There are 60 scheduled legislative days in the second year of the biennial session. Legislation not acted upon in the 2023 session will carry over into the 2024 session and be eligible for further consideration. There are several bills of interest to NVMA that will be carried over, including occupational licensure reciprocity (LB16), which would require Nebraska licensing boards to utilize “universal recognition” for people moving into the state and to support second chances for individuals with past criminal convictions by allowing them to petition a board for pre-determination. The Platte Institute has led similar legislative efforts in past years without success, but as demands for workforce and the list of occupations excluded from the bill grow and support for licensure board autonomy erodes, this bill has become more popular. The Association requested that licensed veterinary technicians be removed from the bill since the standards for licensure vary from state to state. NVMA presented this request again at the hearing, providing information on veterinary technicians’ role and standards for licensure in Nebraska. Other opponents included the Nebraska Medical Association and massage therapists. In 2024, legislation is anticipated to establish a student loan repayment program for veterinarians providing livestock services in rural areas, address veterinary technician duties, and reduce property taxes by increasing sales taxes on services (including veterinary services). Zulkoski Weber is honored to work on behalf of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, and we welcome your input and questions at any time. Katie Zulkoski – katie@zulkoskiweber.com Michelle Weber – michelle@zulkoskiweber.com

ABOUT THE NVMA LOBBYING TEAM

Zulkoski Weber is a client-focused Nebraska lobbying firm centered on building trust and getting results. We are attorneys specializing in Nebraska lobbying and government affairs. We have the experience you want, with the fresh ideas and energy you demand. We hail from south central and north central Nebraska so we understand and care deeply about rural Nebraska. We know the success of our state depends on policies that build businesses and industries across the entire state. Zulkoski Weber works with associations, businesses, and interest groups to create and inform compelling public policies. Our goal is to craft strategies and achieve outcomes that work for you. We create lasting relationships between you—the client—and the key decision makers on your biggest issues. When you work with Zulkoski Weber, you work with a team specializing in strategic solutions to health care, agriculture, and business issues.

Would you like to get involved in veterinary medicine advocacy? Contact Dr. Jessika Benes - jessikabenesdvm@gmail.com

The NVMA Centennial Scholarship Foundation is a charitable organization established to solicit, invest, and administer a perpetual endowment, and to distribute the earnings to deserving students to support the growth of veterinary medical education for the benefit of future generations. Invest in the future by becoming a Sustaining Member, contribute to the Pet Memorial Program, or establish an Endowed Scholarship.

DONATE TODAY!

Speak the Same Language: Strategies to Help Clients Understand Recommendations by Wendy Hauser, DVM

Author Wendy Hauser, DVM is the founder of Peak Veterinary Consulting and has practiced for 30+ years as an associate, practice owner and relief veterinarian. Frequently published, she is the co-author of “The Veterinarian’s Guide to Healthy Pet Plans.” Learn more about Peak Veterinary Consulting at https://peakveterinaryconsulting.com/

What role does communication play in clients’ acceptance of pet care recommendations? Effective communication is not about exchanging data, it’s about sharing information. What are some ways that veterinary team members can share information in a manner that increases client understanding about recommendations? Compliance versus Adherence Veterinary care is often measured in terms of ‘compliance’, defined as the degree to which the client’s behavior aligns with the veterinarian’s recommendations. This definition implies a control-oriented, veterinarian-centered relationship, where the client’s voice is diminished.

contributed 19% toward pet preventive care. Because pet owners are looking for a more holistic meaning of preventive care that aligns with their perspectives, is it any wonder that they are turning to other sources such as on-line resources, breeders, trainers, groomers, and day care providers for advice about how to keep their pets healthy?

Adherence is “the extent to which the client’s behavior matches the agreed recommendations from the prescriber”1, which in this case is the veterinarian. The term ‘adherence’ implies an interactive, collaborative relationship between the veterinarian and the client, who work together to create positive, proactive behaviors that benefit the patient.

How do veterinarians become the preferred partner of owners in providing veterinary care for their pets? It begins with perspective, understanding what our clients tell us they value and effectively sharing information that matters to them.

The differences in the meaning of these terms identifies the first step in helping clients understand recommendations: the need to partner with the pet owner by including their perspectives, beliefs, and values in all proposals. This co-created approach makes it easier for clients to accept and adhere to veterinary advice.

Create Relationships How veterinary teams interact with clients strongly influences their willingness to accept recommendations. There are two primary ways that these interactions occur: transactionally or relationally.

Perspective Perspective, as defined in Cambridge Dictionary Online2 is a particular way of considering something. When we attempt to answer the question “Do our clients value the things we think they value?”, perspective becomes critically important. An example of differing perspectives is illustrated by the 2015 Banfield State of Pet Health report3, where researchers set out to answer the question “What is preventive care”? To understand the client perspective of preventive care, researchers performed “on-line anthropologic research” of over 2 million pet owner on-line conversations found in blogs and social forums. Pet owners believed that preventive care was what they fed their pet, how they exercised them, and the love and daily attention that they provided. In stark contrast, when veterinarians were asked “What is preventive care?” the response was all things medical: regular physical examinations, vaccinations, wellness diagnostics, dental care, neutering and parasiticides. Pet owners were asked who was responsible for preventive care? They responded that pet owners were responsible for 81% while veterinarians only

A transactional interaction is devoid of a personal connection and occurs when the person involved is merely going through the necessary motions to complete the encounter. It is an economical, short-term interaction that is focused on treating people as a task to be done, depersonalizing them. The team member is not invested in building a relationship. In a veterinary hospital, a transactional interaction might occur when a client asks a question and receives a reply that doesn’t acknowledge the client as an individual. There is no attempt to establish common ground and typically no attempt to identify the client’s needs, beyond a superficial level. Clients feel underwhelmed, unimpressed, and disregarded. A relational interaction is formed when the team member builds rapport with the client. The needs of the pet owner are identified by eliciting their perspective. The client feels that the team member, and by extension the hospital, truly cares about them and their pet. They feel validated in their decision to interact with the hospital and experience a sense of connection, which leads to trust. This sense of belonging is a critical component in bonding clients to your hospital.

What are some ways that veterinary teams can create relational interactions? 1. Personalize the interaction Asking for and using both the client’s name and their pet’s name throughout all conversations individualizes the interaction. It creates acknowledgment that the client and pet are unique. This begins to create a relationship. 2. Use of open-ended questions Open-ended questions are those that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. They usually begin with words such as ‘how’, ‘what’, and ‘tell me’. These are powerful tools in building relationships because they invite the client to share their perspective about the topic being discussed. 3. Express Empathy Called the building block of compassion, empathy is “the awareness of others’ feelings, needs, and concerns”4. Empathetic statements are those that express empathy by connecting “the ‘I’ of the veterinarian” (or team member) and “the ‘you’ of the client”5, usually by verbally acknowledging the client’s situations or feelings. Expressing empathy to clients is a three-part process5: • Gaining an understanding of and appreciation for another person’s situation or feelings • Communicating that awareness back to the person in a reassuring manner • Pausing for a few seconds to allow empathy to be felt by the other person. 4. Active listening Active listening requires the listener to be fully present in the moment, and hear what the client is saying, rather than thinking about their next question. By eliciting the client’s perspectives and giving them space to express their thoughts, the team member is conveying a sense of interest and caring. When active listening is combined with pausing, accomplished by allowing a couple of seconds to pass after the client has spoken before responding, the outcomes are deeper and more meaningful interactions. Price versus Cost When a treatment option is declined, veterinary team members often believe that cost is the reason. A study6 found that only two out of ten clients refused care because of cost. Rather, clients said ‘no’ because they didn’t understand how the treatment recommendations would benefit their pet, they were confused, or were uncertain about why the suggestion was made. There is a distinct difference between the “Price of Care” and the “Cost of Care”, which directly relates to how we discuss recommendations with our veterinary clients. The ‘price of care’ is the transaction of a fee for a service. The ‘cost of care’ considers the impact of a declined recommendation or treatment to the health and well-being of the animal. It is best conveyed to clients by describing the treatment options in terms of the benefit to the pet and the pet owner. Provide Recommendations in a Client-Friendly Way Multiple studies have found that clients want the value of the recommendation explained to them. In one study7, the differences in clients’ preferences and

veterinarians’ actions in presenting treatment options was eye-opening. Veterinarians tended to discuss treatment options, and the cost of care, in terms of measurables such as the time it took to perform the service, the specialized training or equipment and additional labor. Owners were not interested in these tangibles, focusing instead on how the service or diagnostic would help their pet, both in the short-term as well as later in life. Veterinarians and veterinary teams that fail to convey the value of the recommendation, in terms of both the benefit and cost to the pet, will have lower adherence rates. Veterinary team members that share information in a way that increases client understanding about recommendations have learned how to speak the same language as the clients and pets they serve. Pet owners that understand the ‘why’ behind the recommendation are better informed and empowered to make the best choices for their pets. When veterinary team members work to build partnership with clients, outcomes are increased trust, better understanding, higher client satisfaction and better patient care.

References 1. Bell JS, Airaksinen MS, Lyles A, et al. Concordance is not synonymous with compliance or adherence. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2007;64:710-711. 2. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/perspective 3. http://www.banfield.com/veterinary-professionals/resources/soph-infographic 4. Goleman D. Working with Emotional Intelligence. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group.2008 5. Adams CL, Kurtz S. Skills for Communicating in Veterinary Medicine. New York, NY: Dewpoint Publishing 2017 6. Lue TW, Pantenburg DP, Crawford PM. Impact of the owner-pet and client-veterinarian bond on the care that pets receive. JAVMA, Vol 232, No. 4, February 15, 2008. Pgs 531-540 7. Coe JB, Adams CL, Bonnett BN. A focus group study of veterinarians’ and pet owners’ perceptions of the monetary aspects of veterinary care. JAVMA, Vol 231, No. 10, November 15, 2007. Pgs. 1510-1518.

NVMA CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Associate Veterinarian [Aurora, NE] The Aurora Veterinary Clinic is seeking a full time associate veterinarian to join our team. We are a growing mixed animal practice currently with three full time veterinarians. We service approximately 50% small animal, 30% food animal, and 20% equine. We provide our clientele with a full line of Abaxis blood machines, digital radiographs, ultrasounds, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, companion animal and equine dentistry, herd/individual health care for cow/calf and feedlot, equine reproduction, and much more. A competitive salary based on experience (new grads welcome to apply), paid vacation, health insurance package, liability insurance, continuing education, state & national memberships, professional licenses, pickup with vetbox, and cellphone will be provided. On call duties will be shared among all veterinarians. Aurora is a progressive community with great schools, churches, and other businesses. Aurora provides an opportunity to live in a rural community (4600 population), but only a short drive for shopping and other large city amenities, 20 miles from Grand Island and 70 miles from Lincoln. Please send your resume or contact us: Aurora Veterinary Clinic, PO Box 224, Aurora, NE 68818 AVC@hamilton.net, (402)694-2134 Veterinarian [Gotthenburg, NE] Veterinarian needed for a growing, family friendly, mixed animal practice located in Gothenburg, Nebraska. We are currently a four doctor practice, looking to expand to five veterinarians. Gothenburg is an extremely clean and progressive town located in west-central Nebraska, directly on Interstate 80. It has a very proactive business environment, good schools, newly expanded hospital, and lots of area recreation. We have a nationally ranked golf course, a YMCA, a new child care center. We are located near numerous lakes with countless outdoor opportunities. Our practice currently is approximately 60% large animal and 40% small animal with the bulk of the large animal being cow-calf. We have up to date facilities with multiple hydraulic chutes, hydraulic calf cradles, portable AI barns, in house blood machines, a digital x-ray system, multiple ultrasound machines, and orthopedic capabilities. The position can be shaped to fit the individual interests of a qualified candidate. Competitive salary, 401-k, CE, and other benefits available. On call duties shared equally among all veterinarians. If you are a positive, hard working individual, we encourage you to apply. If interested, please contact Taryn Vonderschmidt at 308-537-7549 or at taryn@eastsideanimalcenter.com. You can also visit our website at www.eastsideanimalcenter.com to see more detailed information about our practice. Veterinarian Alliance, NE] Alliance Animal Clinic is a privately owned mixed-animal practice located in the Nebraska Panhandle. We are currently seeking an associate that is primarily interested in small animal and equine services, with a willingness to work with all species. Individuals with any level of experience are welcome to apply, as we will gladly mentor a new graduate. The clinic aims to offer high-quality care in a small-town setting. The clinic offers in-house bloodwork, digital radiography, and ultrasound. We routinely perform soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, as well as acupuncture and cold laser therapy. We operate in a new, 20,000 square foot facility, with separate areas for small animal, equine and food animal work. Compensation includes a competitive salary based on experience, as well as a signing bonus, vehicle allowance, profit-sharing plan, apparel allowance and health insurance allowance. The clinic also covers the cost of malpractice insurance, DEA registration, and state or national organization memberships. We encourage interested individuals to contact us to schedule a time to visit the clinic. Veterinarian [Lincoln, NE] Highlands Animal Hospital in Lincoln, NE is looking for a part or full time DVM to join our busy, 2 doctor practice. Well equipped practice. Salary and benefits negotiable. Please send resume to Highlandvet@aol.com LVT [Kearney, NE] Beebout Veterinary Medical Center, located in Kearney Nebraska, is looking for a licensed vet tech. BVMC is a progressive medical center that is expanding its services this summer. BVMC not only specializes in small animals but we also provide quality care to our exotic friends as well. The right person for this position will have a license in good standing in the State of Nebraska as a Vet Tech, possesses great animal care skills, is a fast learner, loves animals and willing to commit to a team that is doing extraordinary veterinary medicine. If interested, please call 308-236-5912 and ask for Ros or you may send a resume to beeboutpm@gmail.com.

Associate Veterinarian [O’Neill, NE] We are in need of a full-time DVM to fill our team! The O’Neill Veterinary Clinic in north central Nebraska is a mixed animal practice. It is located in one of the top 3 beef cow counties in the nation. O’Neill is a beautiful town on the edge of the Sandhills. It is a thriving community and is a commercial hub for the surrounding area. Our practice sits a few miles north and west of O’Neill. Our clinic breakdown is 80% cow-calf work and 20% companion animal and equine work. We also service a small number of small ruminant clients. Please see our website for an up-to-date list of services. All services including food animal herd and individual, equine, and companion animal are performed at both haul-in and remote locations. We have a range of equipment including digital radiographs, Zoetis CBC and chemistry blood machines, Cardell monitor and gas anesthesia machine, ReproScan ultrasound units for bovine pregnancy diagnosis, power float for equine dental procedures, cold laser therapy machine, and Avimark software. Our clinic currently consists of a full-time and part time veterinarian and a full support staff. This individual would be offered the following: One day off per week, Paid vacation days, Paid membership in two professional organizations, Stipend for continuing education events, Cellular phone or phone stipend, Pickup with vet box, Portable Daniel’s chute, 401K with matching fund up to 3%, Monthly health care stipend, The opportunity to be part of an extremely flexible, open, and exciting work environment. We are looking for the following duties from applicants: Perform on-call services and work Saturday mornings every THIRD week, Willingness to practice medicine on all species, but applicant is encouraged to specialize in certain areas if desired, A positive attitude and a desire to learn and to teach, as we all benefit in a team-oriented environment!, and The desire to buy into or own a practice is encouraged but not required. Please visit our Facebook page and website, oneillvet.com, to get a better sense of our practice. Please contact our practice at 402-336-3883 or email oneillvet@gmail.com for more information. Licensed Veterinary Technician [Arlington, NE] Arlington Pet Hospital is a well-established, progressive, fast paced three doctor small animal practice located in Arlington, Nebraska. We’re looking for: - Knowledge in preventative care, surgical procedures, and hospital flow - Ability to restrain pets in a low-stress and safe manner - Proficient in sample collection to include blood samples, urine, fecal, and skin - Proficient in anesthesia and surgical monitoring We offer: Comprehensive Benefits, health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life insurance, PTO, sick time and CE allowance. To learn more about this position visit https://rb.gy/cici11 Mixed Animal Veterinarian [Hastings, NE] Full time Mixed Animal Associate Veterinarian | Salary: Competitive and experience based Benefits: Health insurance, 401k, profit sharing, paid vacation, 4 day work week, sick days, paid maternity, equal call rotation, paid CE, state/national dues & membership. Our practice is a mixed animal practice with about 60% small animal and 40% large animal medicine. We currently have 4 full time veterinarians, 4 full time technicians, and multiple support staff. We are proud to serve multiple communities in the south central part of Nebraska, covering not only Adams county, but Clay, Webster, Nuckolls, Kearney, and many others. Small animal work is consistent and includes but not limited to surgery, dentistry, routine vaccinations and exams, lab work, ultrasound, digital radiographs, and client communications. Large animal work is mostly seasonal and includes but not limited to preg checking, processing at all life stages, obstetrical work, general surgeries, breeding soundness exams, post postmortems, and consultation. Most of our work is primarily bovine centered but we care for all small ruminants and swine as well. We also provide swine consultation and herd health visits to various swine farms throughout the state. Equine work is more limited than other areas but we do provide general wellness and routine vaccinations, lameness exams, castrations, minor hospitalization, and dental work. We are equipped for equine radiographs and will refer if necessary. We are open to adding specialties, and incorporating areas of interest. You can view our full ad on our website, http://www.animal-clinic.org/careers–opportunities.html Please send resumes to schwenka@gtmc.net

NVMA CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Associate Veterinarian [Arlington, NE] Arlington Pet Hospital is a well-established, fast-paced, 2.5 doctor practice in Arlington, NE. We are a small animal GP clinic with caring, friendly, and informative staff! We serve our community with excellent pet care by offering services such as orthopedics, ultrasound, soft-tissue surgery, cold laser therapy, dental prophylaxis, digital x-ray, and more. Join us to practice big city medicine with small town charm! Visit our website - https://www.arlingtonpet.net/meet-our-team.pml! Apply at: https://smrtr.io/cp-TC. Large Animal Veterinarian [Red Oak, IA] Omaha/Red Oak Livestock Market is looking for a large animal DVM, interest in a unique partnership opportunity. The ideal candidate for this position would have a strong understanding of sale barns and a desire to help producers. Our DVM would be required to work weekly livestock sales. This is a new opportunity with the ability to adapt to a person’s individual vision and preferences. For more information, please contact Pat at 712-623-2531. Full Time Veterinarian [Lincoln, NE] Ehlers Animal Care is seeking a full-time veterinarian, experience preferred but welcome recent graduates or early career DVMs. The benefit package includes healthcare, 401K w/ match, CE allowance, paid license renewal, membership fees, and more! We offer a variety of services including, extensive list of soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, oncology, and chemotherapy. We operate out of a beautiful 6,300sq ft facility and are well-equipped with a new digital radiology system, ultrasound, a comprehensive in-house lab, and more! We take a personalized approach to veterinary medicine and focus on caring for people through their pets. Apply today via email: mpieper@ehlersvet.com Associate Veterinarian [Curtis, NE] Medicine Valley Veterinary Hospital is seeking: - Associate Veterinarian-licensed DVM with interest in bovine/equine medicine and reproduction – New Grads welcome to apply. - Compensation: competitive, commensurate with experience - Benefits: medical, individual life insurance, CE, PTO, Association dues, Vehicle, Business phone - Located Curtis NE - Technologies include digital x-ray, ultrasound, laser, fiberoptic scope, and thermography - Mixed Practice- 45% cow/calf, 45% Equine, 10% small animal Send Resume to: Medicine Valley Veterinary Hospital | PO BOX 127 | Curtis NE 69025 ATTN: Steve Krull DVM or email: mvvhosp@gmail.com Associate Veterinarian [York, NE] York Animal Clinic has an opening for a full time veterinarian. We are a five doctor, mixed animal practice and need an individual that is primarily focused on small animal medicine and surgery but is also comfortable with large animal work. Our small animal caseload has been growing consistently, year after year. While we embrace the growth of our small animal business, we also take pride in our role of keeping our large animal clients profitable into the future. We enjoy mentoring new graduates but also appreciate veterinarians that have previous experience. The most important thing for us is finding an applicant that truly cares about providing excellent service. Our support staff is experienced, works hard, and has fun together. The clinic is equipped with 2 anesthesia machines, dentistry, digital DR radiology, ultrasound, and Heska lab. We have a mobile working cattle chute as well as a tilting silencer hydraulic chute at the clinic. The weekly work schedule typically consists of 4 days with one weekday off. Weekend and evening emergency duty rotates between the doctors. Compensation includes a competitive salary, three weeks vacation, continuing education, health insurance, liability insurance, retirement, association dues, professional licenses, and a pickup and vetbox. Student loan forgiveness/sign on bonus is also available. York is an excellent place to live (pop ~8000). We have tremendous schools, churches, healthcare, and restaurants; and we are only an hour from Lincoln. Thanks in part to York being a thriving community, York Animal Clinic is a growing practice. For more information, contact Dr. Ryan Koch at (402) 366-3798. Send resumes to 1529 Lincoln Ave., York, NE 68467.

PRACTICES FOR SALE Small Animal Practice [Blair, NE] Just 20 miles North of Omaha. Modern facility just over 2200sq ft. 1- Veterinarian, 1-LVT. Office Manager. Experienced friendly staff. Could easily accommodate a 2nd Veterinarian. We are well established and growing. Over 32 years in same location. Excellent community reputation. Digital radiograph, cutting and therapeutic lasers, full in-house Idexx Lab. Recently remodeled. 2022 Gross $742,00 and on track to exceed that this year. For pictures Google Search: Blair Small Animal Clinic, click on more photos for a tour of the inside of the building. Website: www.blairsmallanimalclinic.com email: blairsmallanimalclinic@gpcom.net Phone 402-533-2722

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Vet Clinic Closed – Equipment/Supplies for Sale: Amalgamator, Anesthesia Machine, Autoclave, Bloodpump, Centrifuge, Dental Suite, Electrosurge, Glaucoma Tonevet; Grooming Table, Pet Heating Pads, HM5 Hemolizer CBC Machine, Incubator, Kennel Fan/Dryer, Kennels, Patient Monitor, Pet Bath Unit, Platform Scale, Stainless Steel Exam Table, Surgery Table, Sullivan Blow Dryer III, Surgery Lights (2), Ultrasonic Cleaner, X-Ray Apron, Brown’s Medical Imaging X-Ray Machine, Brown’s Imaging X-Ray Tube, Miscellaneous Vet and Grooming Supplies. If interested Call Malori at 402 992-5966. Although no sale would be final without approval of Midwest Bank, they have asked Malori to help get a fair market value on the items.

RELIEF VETERINARIANS Bill Burdett, DVM Small animal, cattle, small ruminants, and equine Available for practices in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado 308-379-3261 Mark Tracy, DVM Large animal, mixed Available for practices in NE and KS 308-962-6445 Nathan Kotschwar Small animal, Large animal, Mixed animal, Emergency Available for practices in Nebraska 308-379-3261 Lacey Warning DVM Small Animal, Soft tissue Surgery, Emergency medicine Available for practices in Nebraska 308-293-6354 Emily Murray, DVM Large and small animal Available for practices in Nebraska and Kansas 785-541-1007 or mpvetrelief@gmail.com

NVMA OFFERS TWO GREAT WAYS TO ADVERTISE NVMA Classifieds and the Veterinary Career Center

The NVMA Classifieds provide a complimentary posting for members to advertise position openings, practices for sale and equipment for sale. The listings are intended to be posted for 90 days or until the positions have been filled or practices and equipment has been sold. Non-members are allowed to post in the NVMA classifieds for a fee. Another way for members to advertise open positions is through the Veterinary Career Center. The Career Center provides an opportunity for members to advertise on a nationwide, searchable on-line website. Advertising costs due apply however NVMA members receive a discount. As a part of the Veterinary Career Network, your Association receives a commission for each advertisement an NVMA member places. These non-dues revenue opportunities assist in program development and added member benefits. Do you provide relief services and would like to be added to the list? Simply visit nvma.org/career-center/relief-veterinarians/ and click on “add your name as a relief veterinarian” tab and the NVMA staff will do the rest. Relief veterinarians will be listed in the Veterinary Views each publication.

CELEBRATE VETERINARY MEDICINE

In memoriam...

The NVMA has a long history of friendships, collegiality, and respect among our membership and we want to recognize and remember members who have passed.

We are instituting a moment of silence and remembrance for any NVMA member or friend of the NVMA who has passed. Please email the NVMA staff (nvmaorg@gmail.com) if you are aware of the passing of a friend or colleague so we may share the news with the membership. The NVMA Centennial Scholarship Foundation awards a scholarship in the name of NVMA members who have passed. If you would like to contribute to a designated fund in honor of a friend or colleague, please mail contributions to NCSF, Inc., PO Box 296, Alliance, NE 69301.

Memorial notifications from 2023 include: Dr. Frank Andres, Mrs. Joanne Rice, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Sears, Dr. Lloyd Taber, and Dr. Raymond White

MEETINGS, COMMITTEES, & EVENTS NVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

January 27, 2024 | 7:00 am | Kearney, NE

NVMA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

NVMA CE COMMITTEE January 24, 2024 | 8:00 pm | Kearney, NE NVMA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE January 24, 2024 | 7:00 pm | Kearney, NE NVMA CENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE January 24, 2024 | 7:00 pm | Kearney, NE