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To refer a client or consult with a specialist, please call 610-647-2950, email reception@vrcmalvern.com, or visit our website at vrcmalvern.com.
VRC is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and innovative treatments in chemotherapy, oncologic surgery, immunotherapy, supportive care, and radiation therapy. Specialists utilize a collaborative approach, tailoring each treatment plan to the specific needs of the patient and family.
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Please note in our print edition of Keystone Veterinarian, Fall 2022, page 40: The headline of the obituary article should read: Obituary in
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The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association is dedicated to ensuring the vitality of the veterinary profession by promoting excellence in veterinary medicine, advancing animal health and welfare, and protecting and enhancing human health.
8574 Paxton Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036
717.220.1437 | Info@PaVMA.org | PaVMA.org
President: Dawn Fiedorczyk, VMD
President-Elect: Thomas Munkittrick, MS, DVM
Vice President: Rhett Proctor, VMD
Secretary/Treasurer: William Croushore, DVM Board Chair: Marisa Brunetti, VMD AVMA Delegate: Tina Dougherty, VMD
On the cover: Photo courtesy of John Donges/University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Western Region Trustee: Andrea Honigmann, DVM
North Central Region Co-Trustees: Jody Kull, DVM & Andrea Carr, DVM
South Central Region Trustee: Gary Brummel, DVM
Metro Philadelphia Region Trustee: Marisa Brunetti, VMD
Equine Veterinarian At-Large: James Holt, VMD
Production Animal Veterinarian At-Large: Robert Cloninger, VMD
Certified Veterinary Technician At-Large: Ashley Elliott, CVT
AVMA Alternate Delegate: Kate Boatright, VMD
Student At-Large: Roxy Ackerman
Editor: Kate Boatright, VMD
Editorial Assistant: Julie Myers
Design Assistant: Corinne Tolan
PVMA is in the final stages of choosing an association management company to partner with to help continue the day-to-day operations of the organization. This will allow your elected leadership to focus on topics and events that are important to you—our members. We realize that we have not been as present over this past year. The past two years have seen numerous changes within the organization’s leadership and staffing. We are constantly being challenged as to what are the best and most productive activities to benefit our members and profession. We are constantly looking for the best process to work with our constituents.
This past year has been a fine dance of keeping the PVMA functioning and retaining our current staff. We have asked our few remaining staff to go above and beyond to perform tasks they were not initially hired to do and never meant to undertake on their own. We have expected our volunteer executive board members and Board of Trustees to spend countless hours volunteering their time to perform duties that would normally be done by staff members. Everyone has come together in honor of the organization and our members. We all hope for a bright future with better things on the horizon.
The above trials and tribulations sound similar to the unfortunate events that are occurring in veterinary clinics around the country. Our ideal of the workplace is being challenged. Our concept of the boss-employee relationship is evolving. As much as we are fatigued by mention of the pandemic, it has been the first time in recent history that we have been forced to stop. Many were mandated to stay home or at the very least, reimagine and reinvent the day-to-day they once knew. This shift in routine combined with an already brittle profession resulted in the swinging of the pendulum of values towards quality of life over financial gain.
We are in unprecedented times with severe shortages of both experienced veterinarians and support staff. We are being forced to manage a much larger volume of patients with, often,
a much smaller, less experienced staff. New graduate veterinarians are being left alone for shifts and with cases that they are doing their best to manage with little to no mentorship.
We often forget that we are all fighting the same battles in our profession. We often forget that it would be easier if we worked and communicated better as a team within our practices. If we broke down the boundaries within our profession, our lives would be so much easier. Kindness and camaraderie go a long way when we are all in the struggle. Taking the time by reaching out and communicating to your fellow associates, your new CVT, your head receptionist, the ER clinician who took care of your favorite client, etc., can mean the world to that person.
As we challenge ourselves intellectually, we are also forced to do so medically. Medicine is in constant flux. The statement that it is a practice and not an exact science is so accurate in that the way of yesterday is not necessarily the way of tomorrow. Offering best practice medicine and techniques for animals should be everyone’s goal. We of course need to manage our aspirations within the confines we have been given to work. But whether it be a client’s budget, facility budget, board recommendation, or other factor, we should always be striving for what is best practice to advance care for that animal. Veterinary medicine would never evolve if we did not continue to educate ourselves and those involved with the care of animals.
Education is the topic of this volume of the Keystone Veterinarian. Education can easily be dismissed as a topic for students; but it is, in fact, the life blood of all fields of medicine. It helps us to mentor future veterinarians in techniques and concepts to continue our work. It attempts to help pet owners understand the cause and treatment for their dear companion. It helps us to work with farmers to maintain the safety of our food chains. Education is all encompassing and our mentorship and inclusion of our future generations, colleagues, veterinary teams, communities and the like are needed to ensure the success and progress of the veterinary profession.
PVMA Staff interviewed Dr. Christina “Tina” Dougherty (TD) to offer a perspective of current trends in veterinary education, how education has changed over the last 30 years, and provide a glimpse of the current graduating veterinarian’s mindset.
PVMA: With the explosion of virtual communication, has there been a change in what you teach or is it just a different format?
TD: It’s a little bit of both. Telehealth has certainly become more popular, particularly during the pandemic. The first visit with an animal and its owner is ideally in person, because in truth, pretty much every medical professional would rather be hands-on with patients. But there are benefits to virtual platforms, like being able to offer triage, to determine if a patient can wait or must be seen now, or whether it may even need to be referred to an emergency hospital. It could also be useful as a tool to conduct a follow-up examination, because you don’t necessarily need to have an animal come into your facility that is otherwise ok, and where the owner is simply able to report on the animal’s status (e.g., routine post-operative rechecks). This can be a tool to better the compliance rate of follow-up appointments.
Recent graduates were forced to learn in the virtual world, so they are naturally more comfortable using telemedicine. Education courses on legal issues, wellness, communications, and fiduciary responsibility are effectively taught virtually. One area we have focused on both at Lincoln Memorial and Penn is offering communication skills on a virtual platform. Unfortunately, reading body language on a 3" x 5" screen where you only see the client’s head, and then making a true connection with a new client and/or getting to know a new pet, is extremely difficult, but certainly better than nothing. In general, though, I feel that telemedicine is not the primary way veterinarians want to see patients, but it has its place.
PVMA: Has the information taught over the years changed or is it generally the same, just with different applications?
TD: Science is Science. Of course, there will always be advancements in what needs to be taught, whether in pharmacology, surgery, or medicine, but the basic principles are the same as in years past. However, as more information is
discovered and as more innovations are implemented, there is more to be educated on in the three years these students are in their pre-clinical period, as they are getting exposed to the principles of veterinary medicine – and some things are no longer emphasized as much.
Here’s an interesting example of something relatively new. With the evolution of federal directives about antibiotic availability over the past few years, more recent graduates also are more likely to get involved in apiary care, since beekeepers are only able to obtain certain medications from veterinarians. Overall, there are a lot more discussions about the growing scope of feed directives for other species, too, especially for meat and milk withdrawal in the beef and dairy cattle industries, thus securing the safety of our food supply – the vets oversee all that. One final area that has come to the forefront with new graduates in recent years is awareness of the One Health concept, especially since COVID, and the concern of how our profession must work with human medical professionals and others to take care of the health of all life and resources on this planet.
Today there is more emphasis being placed on the development of professional skills, being able to communicate better, perhaps presenting themselves more professionally (which seemed to kind of fall by the wayside for a while, but which is definitely making a comeback).
Additionally, animal owners have evolved over time. In the past 20 years, the idea of “pet parenting” has grown much stronger. So how do veterinarians then relate to the animal owners better? Many schools didn’t have communications programs until the last decade. The AVMA only made it mandatory in the last 6 years or so to have some kind of communications training built into the curriculum to help with the relationships vets must build with clients. It definitely nurtures better relationships with the owners.
PVMA: What advice do you have for a veterinarian who has been in the profession for 30 years, who may be looking for an associate or someone to take over the practice? How can they appreciate the mindset of the new graduate coming out of school who may be looking for those employment opportunities?
TD: Students seem to have a much keener interest in newer trends with practice and treatment options, such as fear-free techniques, integrative medical modalities like acupuncture and laser therapy, rehabilitation, and of course better pain management protocols. Another area of high interest to many new graduates is the opportunity to work with exotics, wildlife, and aquaculture – in other words, they often like the idea of being able to treat species other than traditional companion animals. Introducing some of these initiatives in a practice (if they are not already in progress) can help make a site more appealing to a prospective associate.
There is a great need overall for veterinarians. The equine specialty has been particularly hit hard with veterinary shortages. Many practitioners retiring from equine practice can’t sell their practices because not as many young people are interested in equine work. We have known for years about an overall shortage of vets focusing on livestock, swine, and both beef and dairy, especially with a lot of more seasoned veterinarians in those fields going into retirement.
PVMA: Salaries and debt are significantly different for a 2022 graduate than someone who completed their degree 30 years
ago. And there may be a lack of understanding on the part of an experienced professional who doesn’t want to pay the high salary per year that a new associate is asking for, which may be too similar to what the experienced veterinary associate is making after years in the profession.
TD: Absolutely! Tuition 30 years ago was probably less than $10,000 a year, even at a private school, and cheaper still at a state school where there was more subsidizing by the state government. In today’s environment, tuition is in the realm of $50,000 - $70,000 a year at a private school – maybe even more. From a ratio point of view, the cost of tuition has gone up way higher than the compensation which a new graduate coming out of vet school is offered, even though it appears a new vet is being paid tons of money. BUT, relative to their vet school costs AND their debt levels, they are in way worse shape than “we” were 30-ish years ago. And there is a philosophical difference in this generation – these grads don’t want to work nights and weekends, and there is an increase in corporate veterinary practices that can fulfill that desire. They are often so desperate for a practitioner that they will hire new associates with big bonuses and a variety of different perks on top.
PVMA: What are students looking for upon graduation?
TD: (A) From a small animal practice perspective, more bells and whistles in a practice, including digital dental radiography and ultrasonography. Students don’t get enough experience in school with these tools but they know enough about them that
continued from page 7
they want their employer to have them in the practice, because they know it will benefit the care they give their patients.
(B) Another draw is the option of payment plans for clients, and the potential to offer low/no interest money borrowing plans to them. This generation is very cost conscious and understands how this impacts client compliance.
(C) “Incremental Care” is a growing concept, whereby instead of one expensive estimate being the only option for a client, this type of plan outlines the most important treatment option first with fewer initial tests and (therefore lower costs) which can be added to as needed until a diagnosis is reached. Employers need to keep in mind that these graduates WANT to be able to help EVERY pet; maybe they can’t help them all to the same extent but at least they can help all of them at some level with the support of the practice owner and a financial plan. Again, this is a different mentality. The result is often pet owner loyalty because they don’t have the perception of being gouged.
PVMA: Let’s talk about externships/mentor opportunities a potential employer can participate in, and when to start investigating these opportunities with plenty of time to be competitive in hiring.
TD: At my current institution, and from the 4th year student’s perspective, rotations are arranged at private hospitals all across the country; to them, it’s almost like having multiple four-week job interviews at their host practices throughout their clinical year. Our students often accept job offers from these sites. I therefore highly encourage practitioners to get involved with externship programs offered by one or more veterinary schools. These experiences allow an employer to work with the students, and students benefit by learning the culture of the practice, of the clientele, and the specialists/referrals in that area.
Students have a high awareness of shelter medicine with concerns about population control and infectious disease. Currently, many practices align themselves with shelters, which enables students more hands-on practice of skills in turn resulting in better veterinary skills, better associates. It may be worth nurturing relationships with these organizations because it can be attractive to students (who may become future associates), and the public service work is very rewarding.
Additionally, it will also help to ask if there is an online job board available at the various veterinary colleges where you can post employment opportunities. One final thing would be to sign up for and participate in any Career Fairs these sites may have.
PVMA: Are there specialty trends you have noticed?
TD: There is a desperate need for Emergency/Critical Care specialists on the small animal side. The problem is that most board certification processes require internships and residencies, so folks must endure a high stress position with long hours which is not very attractive when coupled with financial challenges. There is a lack of Board Certified specialists. Some of the setbacks are because of the lack of specialty programs,
internships and residencies, but again money talks and this is hugely cost prohibitive.
PVMA: What are your final thoughts from your perspective as an educator?
TD: Stretch your comfort zone! When hiring new grads/ associates, give them a lot more time in surgery to feel comfortable. Challenge them with urgent cases, NOT to the detriment of the health of the patient, but allow growth in learning. Don’t jump to turn over to a specialty hospital by default. It is about growing abilities to give quality care within the scope of your experience, taking care of your clients to the utmost before referring out. If new associates aren’t challenged to grow in the breadth of the cases they feel comfortable seeing, if they don’t experience this soon after graduation, they will lack confidence to take tougher cases and will more likely farm out everything. This could impact the client’s faith in the general practitioner, and subsequently the finances of the practice.
About the Author: Dr. Christina (Tina) Dougherty has had a varied career in Veterinary Medicine. Over the last 30-plus years since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, she has practiced in mixed animal, small animal, and exotic animal hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, completed a small animal surgery and internal medicine fellowship in Hungary, and spent time on the regulatory and pharmacovigilance side of the pharmaceutical industry with Pfizer Animal Health/Zoetis.
As of February 2019, Tina joined the faculty at Lincoln Memorial University’s School of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Relations Lead Veterinarian and Assistant Professor, and remains an adjunct professor at her alma mater, UPenn, where she had also been on staff teaching 4th year students in their Community Practice service.
Her passion is in teaching and coaching veterinary communications skills. While in industry, Dr. D developed a keen interest in Veterinary Communications, and became trained as a Veterinary Communications coach and master coach at Colorado State University under Dr. Jane Shaw. She is DiSC certified in behavioral analysis, and is a certified adult trainer through Langevin Learning Services, as well.
Dr. D has been involved in various roles within organized veterinary medicine for over a decade, having completed the Presidential cycle of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s Executive Committee and remains on the Board of Trustees. Tina still stays involved in the concerns of the profession as the delegate for Pennsylvania to the AVMA’s House of Delegates.
Tina lives with her husband and 3 four-legged children outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while her 3 two-legged children are either studying for a master’s degree, working in politics, or deployed overseas with the Army. She enjoys music, reading books, and learning languages.
By Erin Luley, VMD, MPH, DACVP
When the vets at Millerstown Veterinary Associates saw something unusual on a beef herd, they knew exactly who to call. The case was a 7-year-old Hereford cow that had developed ulcerative lesions on her muzzle and udder. Dr. Jim Osborne initially saw the case, and after conferring with colleague Dr. Jim Lawhead, they elected to call up the Animal Diagnostic Lab at Penn State.
Pennsylvania is home to the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS), a tripartite lab with locations strategically distributed across the state. Each lab offers the same core services, including necropsy and histopathology for both mammalian and avian cases, bacteriology, and molecular diagnostics, while also individually having areas of specialization. The Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, located in Harrisburg, does a large percentage of the regulatory tests such as PCR testing for Johne’s disease and serology for brucellosis. The diagnostic lab at the New Bolton Center, the Kennett Square campus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, is the home to all toxicology testing for the three labs as well as the Wildlife Futures Program. The Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Penn State offers a vast array of molecular diagnostics, especially for bovine and poultry pathogens, and whole genome sequencing. One common purpose across all three labs is the shared mission to provide unparalleled diagnostic expertise to veterinarians and livestock producers throughout the state.
Millerstown Veterinary Associates has a long-standing relationship with PADLS. As their practice is located mid-way between Harrisburg and State College, some of their clients may prefer one lab over the other based on proximity. Dr. Osborne initially collected samples from the affected tissues on the cow’s muzzle and shipped them to ADL. Based on the initial presentation, a viral dermatitis caused by infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpesvirus 1) or a related virus was considered a differential diagnosis.
Dr. Lawhead forwarded results of a blood chemistry panel as well as pictures of the lesions on the muzzle and udder. This helped to differentiate the lesions from vesicles, which would have prompted a different set of differentials, and raised the possibility of photosensitization as the underlying cause of the skin lesions as several liver enzymes were slightly elevated. Initial testing on the submitted tissue was negative for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis by PCR and bovine mammallitis (bovine herpesvirus-2) by virus isolation. Unfortunately, the animal’s condition continued to decline, and she was euthanized about two weeks after the initial submission. At that point the producer transported the animal to the Animal Diagnostic Lab for a complete necropsy.
At necropsy, the liver was found to be small, firm, and pale. The skin lesions had significantly worsened since the initial pictures were taken and were confined to non-pigmented areas with little hair coverage. Histopathology confirmed that there was extensive acute hepatic degeneration and necrosis. All of this information was incorporated to achieve a final diagnosis of hepatogenic photosensitization. The underlying cause of liver disease was speculated to be a hepatotoxic substance, potentially a plant, though was not definitively identified. This case represented an excellent example of collaboration between the referring veterinarians and resources at the diagnostic lab to achieve a diagnosis for the producer.
Situations that warrant a call to the diagnostic lab include high morbidity or mortality on a farm, an unusual presentation of a disease or more rapid progression of signs, or cases where a more definitive answer is needed. Cases where a transboundary disease is suspected necessitate a prompt call to a state animal health official prior to moving any samples from a premise.
So, what do you need to do if you have a case that you would like to submit? First, reach out to the lab closest to you or your client to ensure that the lab is able to accommodate your submission. You will have the opportunity to speak with the on-call pathologist at the lab to discuss the case history and any specific testing requests that you might have. Submission forms for all the labs can be found on their respective websites. The main PADLS website contains information about available testing and fees. Ensuring that the specimen arrives at the lab with the correct paperwork is extremely helpful in providing the most information to you and your client. The great thing
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about submitting to one lab is that you get the offerings and expertise of all three. In the case of the Hereford cow, a sample of liver tissue was forwarded to the NBC lab for toxicology testing to rule out any heavy metal intoxications as a cause of liver damage.
Our goal is to work with you and your client to provide comprehensive testing to improve animal and human health. So, the next time you have a case that you need help getting to the bottom of, please call your state diagnostic lab!
Contact information:
New Bolton Center Diagnostic Lab – 610-444-5800, https://www.vet.upenn.edu/veterinary-hospitals/NBChospital/diagnostic-laboratories/new-bolton-center-padls Penn State Animal Diagnostic Lab – 814-863-0837, https://vbs.psu.edu/adl
Pennsylvania Veterinary Lab – 717-787-8808, http://padls.agriculture.pa.gov
About the Author: Erin Luley, VMD, MPH, DACVP, is a pathologist at the Penn State Animal Diagnostic Lab. A graduate of Penn Vet, she returned to her undergraduate alma mater in 2017 to complete a residency in pathology after spending several years in practice in central PA. She can be reached at ehl5008@psu.edu or 814-865-9981.
By Anna Massie, DVM, DACVS-SA
Research is critical to advancing veterinary medicine, and students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine are eager to “dip their toes in the water.” Some students enter veterinary school with a plethora of research exposure, while others use their summers to expand their understanding of this arena by joining one of the ten renowned research centers in the college. Students get to develop research ideas, prepare research proposals, perform biomedical research, and present the results in written, poster, and oral formats. Additionally, students participate alongside their mentors in extracurricular activities such as presenting case studies.
Andrew Dunlap entered veterinary school as a dedicated learner with the goal of contributing to groundbreaking advances in the field. As an economics major with broad academic interests, he utilized his multifaceted background and problem-solving skills to become a pivotal team member in orthopedic oncologic research. As a thirdyear veterinary student, he perseveres to understand the art of medicine to become a veterinary surgeon and provide animals with state-of-the-art care.
One method in which students can conduct summer research is through a scholarship sponsored by the NIH and Boehringer Ingelheim. The NIH/Boehringer Ingelheim Summer Research Program is designed to expose students in their first or second year of veterinary school to all phases of biomedical research. Students apply by outlining a research project they will work on under the supervision of a faculty member. Being interested in surgery, Andrew approached Dr. Anna Massie, an assistant professor of small animal orthopedic surgery at the Ryan Hospital. After discussing
“The NIH/Boehringer Ingelheim Summer Research Program allowed me to work alongside prominent clinical researchers and correlate the didactic veterinary curriculum to deepen my understanding of fundamental small animal diseases.
I am honored to be part of this groundbreaking research team, which aspires to develop an imaging modality for enhanced accuracy of canine osteosarcoma tumor margin detection to provide an applicable, spontaneous, large animal translational model for human limb-sparing procedures.”
— Andrew Dunlap
her research projects, Andrew decided to join an ongoing clinical trial using near infra-red imaging to evaluate the margins of osteosarcoma in dogs. He was accepted into the NIH-BI summer scholarship program and performed fulltime research during June, July, and August. Throughout the summer, he participated in weekly seminars covering various facets of clinical research. At the end of the summer, he presented his work at the program’s annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. To culminate the program, he will exhibit his research at the Penn Veterinary Student Research Day in March 2023.
Over the summer of 2022, Andrew joined the clinical team at Ryan Hospital while pursuing his research project. He participated in rounds and shadowed surgical cases while being involved in the clinical trial. As data was collected, Andrew discovered that the process for interpreting infrared imaging is not well-defined, which led him to delve into computer programing and “training” to interpret near infrared margins while accounting for ambient light and other confounding factors. Through this, he developed connections and mentors through the school of veterinary medicine and extended collaborations with the arts and sciences schools.
Andrew concurrently started a project evaluating the methods of hand sanitation used by veterinarians in practice and those taught at veterinary institutions. The PVMA assisted in distributing this questionnaire to veterinarians in the state, as did multiple other states’ Veterinary Medical Associations, allowing Andrew to collect data from across the country, including various practice types, sizes, and locations. While this data is continuing to be collected, it will be invaluable in shaping the education of future veterinary students to best match what is used in practice.
Andrew’s experience is just one of many veterinary students who seek to further their education through exposure to research projects. Other students worked in laboratories, farms, industries, and practices around the country to develop research skills to help advance education and science.
In many of these cases, including Andrew’s, exposure to research helps to shape their career in potentially unforeseen directions. Andrew is now considering pursuing a Master’s Degree in translational medicine, as the work he is completing in near infra-red imaging of osteosarcomas could influence imaging in other disease processes cross-species.
About the Author: Anna Massie, DVM, DACVS-SA, is a native of Illinois and completed her DVM at the University of Illinois in UrbanaChampaign. Following graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Purdue University, a small animal surgical internship at North Houston Veterinary Specialists, and a surgical residency at the University of California-Davis. She remained at the University of California as an orthopedic surgery staff veterinarian and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2019. She then joined faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2019 as an Assistant Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Massie’s research interests include bone quality assessment and translation of the animal model to human implant design, specifically the unique properties of osteoporotic and brittle bone. Clinically, she enjoys angular limb deformity, joint resurfacing procedures, and fracture repair.
On November 30, 2022, the 20212022 session of the Pennsylvania Legislature ended on the heels of a highly anticipated election cycle. We all watched historic events unfold with anticipation. The Office of the Governor will continue to be held by a Democrat, Josh Shapiro. What is more surprising is the uncertainty about which party will control the Majority in the House of Representatives, which remains unclear as I write this update. While the Democrats currently have a 102101 advantage in the chamber based on election results, other events have come into play, such as the passing of Representative Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny) and resignations of legislators as they assume other offices. We are truly in an unprecedented time in our history so stay tuned for more to come.
In any case, as we move quickly into the 2023-2024 legislative session, Senate Bill 907 will need to be reintroduced. As noted above, Pennsylvania operates on a two-year legislative session calendar. Therefore, all bills that did not pass the General Assembly by midnight, November 30th will have to be reintroduced in the new session. Senate Bill 907 is the bill put forward by PVMA LRAC and Leadership, championed by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), which would create an animal welfare task force in the Commonwealth. As we enter the new legislative session, our lobbyist, Patricia Mackavage, of Duane Morris Government Strategies, will be working with Senator Yaw to reintroduce the bill. Additionally, she
will work with our friends in the Legislature to advance the Bill. I urge you to continue to support this important PVMA-sponsored legislation, which seeks to harmonize all laws in the Commonwealth that affect our animals, including Animal Welfare, Consumer Protection, and a strong Dog Law. Please stay tuned, as PVMA will continue to need your grassroots support.
For the last seven years, serving as Chair of the vital Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee (LRAC), I have given it my all every session, for the profession and the patients that you and I hold so dear. We have successfully protected the veterinary profession at every turn, making sure that we were exempted from the State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and from civil liability for reporting abuse within families. In July 2022, I accepted the position of Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs with the Animal Health Institute in Washington, DC. As such, I am not able to continue as LRAC Chair. As I reflect on all the PVMA LRAC has achieved over the last decade, I want to give my thanks for being given the opportunity to accomplish so many positives. Thank you, PVMA Board, mentors (you know who you are) and friends.
Respectfully submitted,
MJ McNamee, JD, VMD
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· Opportunity to create and live the lifestyle you desire
· Have the capability to control your schedule
· Finances flowing to pay off student debt more quickly
· Control of your medicine & how your prac�ce is operated
· Unlimited income potential versus a limited salary
David McCormick, MS, CVA888.881.7084 • midatlantic@simmonsinc.com• www.simmonsinc.com
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Check out these upcoming PVMA events!
Veterinary OSHA Compliance ABCs: Easy As 1, 2, 3
February 15:
Part 1. Compliance as You Start Your Practice, Virtual, 11:00 am
March 1:
Part 2. Safety as a Priority in Your Practice, Virtual, 11:00 am
March 15:
Part 3. Leadership + Recordkeeping = Compliant, Virtual, 11:00 am
May 24-25: Spring Clinic (It’s finally back!), Penn Stater
August 17-20: Keystone Veterinary Conference, Hershey Lodge
November 4-5:
3 Rivers Veterinary Symposium, DoubleTree
Hilton Pittsburgh - Cranberry
Obtaining vitals on all patients, regardless of their presenting complaint, is paramount to facilitating the best possible outcome for all of our veterinary patients. It is an essential starting point for monitoring the dynamics of a patient’s status from presentation to discharge. Moreover, obtaining vital signs accurately is an underrated skill that all veterinary nurses should be able to perform both efficiently and accurately.
Vital signs that should be focused on during the patient’s initial rapid assessment should include temperature, heart rate, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time (CRT), and respiratory rate at a minimum. The sum of these parameters should serve as a guide for the veterinary team on how to proceed. Review the case presentation below and consider how you and your team would respond.
Albus, a 7-year-old castrated male domestic short hair feline, presents to the clinic with a client complaint of being lethargic, not eating breakfast normally, and one episode of vomiting. He is indoor only. Historically, he is a diabetic on insulin.
He presents laterally recumbent in his carrier and is immediately taken into the treatment area for rapid assessment. Vital signs are obtained and reveal that he is hypothermic at 97 degrees and bradycardic at 120 beats per minute. His mucous membrane color is a pale pink, they feel tacky, and his CRT is slightly prolonged at 2.5 seconds. Albus’s respiration is counted at 10 respirations per minute. Mentally, he appears dull but is looking around.
How do you respond as a technical team?
The vital signs obtained show severe abnormalities, including bradycardia, hypothermia, and decreased respiratory rate. The veterinary team should be working together to stabilize this patient rapidly. Ideally, someone should be working on obtaining IV access and obtaining a blood sample to check a blood glucose level. Meanwhile, a second team member should be documenting the timeline of the vitals and responding to them appropriately:
• hypothermia should prompt the team to start heat support.
• bradycardia and decreased respiration should prompt the placement of monitoring equipment, such as an ECG and pulse oximetry.
• flow-by oxygen can be provided.
While your monitoring equipment is running, a team member should constantly reassess the patient’s status and vital signs as if you were running anesthesia. Every 5 mins you should be manually re-measuring your primary vital signs and responding accordingly.
A team member is able to obtain IV access with a peripheral catheter and obtain a blood sample. The blood sample was used to obtain an initial blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL on a glucometer reading, showing that Albus is hypoglycemic.
Under the direction of a veterinarian, the team works together to give an appropriate dextrose bolus IV and institute a dextrose CRI. Simultaneously, the technician reassessing vital signs communicates any and all parameter changes that are happening. For example, while on heat support, is the temperature rising or continuing to fall? These changes should be noted on a timeline and the actions taking to respond to them should be recorded as well.
Albus’ body temperature steadily rises and heat support is discontinued once he becomes normothermic. Over time, the ECG shows a heart rate of 180 beats per minute, which is confirmed through auscultation. The respiratory rate increases to 32 breaths per minute. Within an hour of arriving, the patient is sitting sternal and appears to be more alert and mentally appropriate.
Originally, these abnormal vital signs were most likely secondary to the patient’s hypoglycemic episode. Although it was essential to address the hypoglycemic crisis, the patient’s recovery would have been prolonged if the vital signs were not obtained and responded to simultaneously. Having a strong veterinary team that recognizes the importance of vital signs, responds to abnormalities quickly, and maintains good communication is essential to successfully stabilizing a patient.
1. What is a cat’s normal heart rate when presenting to the veterinary clinic?
a. 160 -180 beats per minute
b. 120 -150 beats per minute
c. 220 -250 beats per minute
d. 80 -120 beats per minute
2. What is a cat’s normal temperature when presenting to the veterinary clinic?
a. Between 99 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit
b. Between 89 and 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit
c. Between 75 and 100.2 degrees Fahrenheit
d. Between 101 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit
3. What is a cat’s normal respiratory range?
a. 5 -15 breaths per minute
b. 20 -25 breaths per minute
c. 30 -45 breaths per minute
d. 20 -30 breaths per minute
4. What is the standard 50% dextrose dose to give as a bolus to stabilize a cat undergoing a hypoglycemic crisis?
a. 1-2 mL/kg; diluted 1:2-1:4 in a sterile fluid and administered slowly as bolus (usually over 5 minutes).
b. 2-4 mL/kg; diluted 1:2-1:4 in a sterile fluid and administered slowly as bolus (usually over 5 minutes).
c. 0.5 -1 mL/kg; diluted 1:2-1:4 in a sterile fluid and administered slowly as bolus (usually over 5 minutes).
d. 0.1-0.2 mL/kg; diluted 1:2-1:4 in a sterile fluid and administered slowly as bolus (usually over 5 minutes).
5. Calculate how much 50% dextrose would you place into a 500 ml bag of LRS to make a 2.5% solution.
a. 25 ml
b. 50 ml
c. 100 ml
d. 5 ml
References for quiz:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/cat-care/healthcare/normal-cattemperature-and-checking-vital-signs
https://app.plumbs.com/drug-monograph/q9r5NvdiFsPROD?source=se arch&searchQuery=dextrose
Koenig A. Hypoglycemia. In: Silverstein D, Hopper K, eds. Small Animal Critical Care Medicine. St. Lous: Elsevier Saunders; 2008:295-297.
About the Author: Lauren Campion currently works at a small animal emergency hospital in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She has a strong passion for veterinary emergency medicine and has been working in the field for the past 10 years. Lauren obtained her CVT in 2019 through the Penn Foster programs. She also has a BA in Biology from Widener University.
By Roderick J. Gilbert (He, Him)
The necessity of institutions of higher learning and businesses creating and protecting equity of opportunity for individuals from historically excluded or oppressed groups and communities should not be understated. However, I am very grateful that the narrative of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has evolved to be recognized as a tool of development, community/individual wellness, and mission achievement. Specifically, institutions of higher learning are seeing the value in educating students, faculty, and staff to make others feel included, valued, accepted, and connected on campus.
This requires academic and extracurricular engagement, particularly to wield perspective of the experiences of underrepresented or marginalized groups and communities as we endeavor to serve all communities. When delivered effectively, DEI curriculum can be a community rebuilding catalyst and professional development tool for incoming or current veterinary clinicians and staff as we all re-emerge out of social isolation from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Hanover Research’s Senior Higher Education Research Advisor Dr. Amy Kurfist, “One of the primary goals of DEI in higher education is to create a learning environment where all students succeed and thrive. When students experience a sense of belonging on campus, their academic, health, and engagement outcomes improve. It’s imperative for colleges and universities to shift more focus to inclusion and belonging, even as they continue other DEI efforts.”1 The key to accomplish this shift or balance in focus is DEI education, particularly embedded within core curriculums.
Some institutions treat DEI education exclusively as an optional training anecdote to ensure litigious risk aversion, or perhaps as compliance to accreditive standards (not necessarily a bad thing) instead of an essential skill connected to development and intertwined with a core curriculum. At the University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), we have taken on the task of making DEI education one of many central drivers of our mission to train the next generation of veterinary leaders to advance healthcare outcomes and access, ensure global health, bolster sustainable agriculture, support interdisciplinary career paths, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Creating socially conscious educational and work environments—as well as removing barriers to equity and inclusion—are imperatives for veterinary professionals…Veterinarians, team members, and students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of all clients and create welcoming environments for all co-workers. Education plays a pivotal role in the pursuit for more diverse and inclusive workplaces. AVMA is committed to providing tools that empower veterinary professionals to advance their education on these issues.”2 To this I would add it is an absolute imperative that institutions of higher learning provide the standard of how to educate to inclusively meet the needs of our diverse communities, and also serve as a resource for businesses that desire to do so but may not yet possess the expertise.
With that said, at Penn Vet, we are providing our students (as well as faculty and staff) with a robust DEI education that has been embedded into our Hippiatrika course as part of our newly redesigned core 1st and 2nd year curriculum. The new Hippiatrika course allows DEI to be paired with other vital topics such as population medicine, One Health, communication, professionalism, and wellness. The new curriculum design was led by our Associate Dean of Education, Dr. Kathryn Michel. The embedded DEI curriculum is called “The Penn Experience: Racism, Reconciliation and Engagement.” This course was created in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s (Penn) Dr. Beverly Crawford of the School of Dental Medicine
and Dr. Amy Hillier from Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice in 2020 and has since added content in collaboration with six other schools at Penn: Carey Law School, School of Nursing, Perelman School of Medicine, the Wharton School, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Vet.
The Penn Experience course was inspired out of an awareness Penn needed to establish common language and concepts on campus to facilitate difficult conversations about race, racism, and difference in the classroom and beyond. It contains a total of six modules, using video interviews, presentations, short readings, and podcasts, culminating in about 20 hours. There is a distinct focus on the topics of implicit bias, microaggressions, free speech, restorative justice, intercultural communication, re-examining gender identity, forms of oppression, allyship, disability rights, racism, contextualizing racialized literacy & identity, global perspectives, and equity & access in healthcare (for Penn Vet students we have provided a lecture about the intersection of animal and human social determinants of health). The course also highlights the significance of Penn’s and Philadelphia’s history of racism and other forms of oppression, Penn’s evolving relationship to West Philadelphia, and Penn’s efforts toward greater engagement and inclusion on campus and off.
Additionally, we firmly believe DEI education as a skill set is something that must be developed peer-to-peer as well as faculty-to-students. Our students will leave Penn Vet with the ability to lead and engage in complex discussions as well as facilitate programming. Student clubs have all made a commitment to hosting at least one DEI program annually. The programming consists of inviting guest lecturers, hosting book readings, service events, or exploring additional resources from topics in the Penn Experience course. Faculty have also taken the initiative to use the Penn Experience curriculum for their own development, however, we will soon implement a structured format for departments to include this formally as part of their continuing education and development.
Having been in DEI at academic medical institutions for nearly two decades, I believe I can speak on behalf of Penn Vet’s leadership team in expressing how proud and encouraged we are with how our students and faculty have responded to this approach with DEI education. Our peers across the country are also discovering innovative ways to make sure DEI education is fully embedded in their academic and cultural identity as schools. With this momentum, the future for the veterinary industry is bright.
About the Author: Roderick J. Gilbert (He, Him), is the inaugural Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Mississippi native and brings over 17 years of DEI experience and success from his various DEI leadership and management roles with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Boston University Medical Center, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Penn State College of Medicine. pennvet.odei@vet.upenn.edu
References:
1 Kurfist, B. A. (2022, April 29). Student belonging: The next dei frontier in higher education. Hanover Research. Retrieved December 18, 2022, from https://www.hanoverresearch.com/insights-blog/studentbelonging-the-next-dei-frontier-in-higher-education/#:~:text=One%20 of%20the%20primary%20goals,health%2C%20and%20engagement%20 outcomes%20improve.
2 Diversity, equity, and inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2022, from https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/diversity-and-inclusionveterinary-medicine
There are a ton of things to do!
Here are just a few...
Golfing
Bryce Jordan Center
Arboretum at Penn State
Entire Penn State Campus
Penn State Creamery
Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
Tussey Mountain
Palmer Museum of Art
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park
Discovery Space of Central PA
Penn State All-Sports Museum
Center for the Performing Arts
East Broad Top Railroad
Nittany Valley Symphony Penn State Centre Stage
Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra
A limited block of discounted rooms is being held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel for Spring Clinic attendees. To make your reservation, please visit pshs.psu.edu or call the hotel directly at 800.233.7505 and reference PVMA’s Reservation
Identification Number PAVE23A to obtain the discounted rate of $142 per night for rooms that can sleep 1-4 people.
Room reservations are on a first-come, firstserved basis until April 22, 2023, after which rooms may be reserved on a space and rate availability basis only. QUESTIONS? Email Info@Pa VMA .org or call 888.550.7862.
By Ashley Mase, CVT
The CVPM, or Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, distinction is the result of the realization that there was a need in the veterinary field for a program that would standardize everything that practice managers needed to know and do in order to effectively run a practice successfully. The CVPM offers professional recognition, even internationally!
So you want to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM)? In order to do so, there are several steps to take:
You must submit an application prior to taking your exam. The application consists of documents supporting your qualifications to becoming a CVPM. The VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association) CVPM Application is a 30-page document to be completed accurately that outlines your experience, education, continuing education, and references.
One of the experience requirements to become a CVPM is that you must be actively employed as a veterinary practice manager performing job duties that would be defined as those belonging to a practice manager for at least three of the previous seven years. There is also a list of thirty duties that are considered to be veterinary practice manager duties and you must be able to identify that you have performed twenty-six of them for at least three years in order to qualify to sit for the exam.
It is also a requirement that a transcript is submitted to prove that you have completed a minimum of 18 semester/credit hours in courses pertinent to management. These include courses such as accounting, economics/finance, computer science, marketing, management, labor relations/human
relations, and law/taxation. This is to fulfill the education component of the application process. Continuing Education is another important component of the application process, as well as the recertification process later on. In order to submit the CVPM application, you must have documented 48 hours of continuing education courses that are specifically devoted to management topics and are within the preceding three years. A minimum of 24 hours of those hours must be from live, face-to-face events and no more than 10 hours can come from instruction and/or writing. Acceptable forms of continuing education include:
• Face-to-face classes
• Conferences
• Meetings, seminars, and symposiums (that are management-related topics)
• Live webinars and videoconferences
• Workshops, panel discussions, and roundtable discussions sponsored by an acceptable CE provider in a formalized setting
• College or university courses taken for academic credit at an accredited academic institution (In this case 1 credit/ semester hour earns 6 CE hours)
• CVPM question writing sessions sponsored by the CVPM Board
• Self-paced study which has an interactive component (quizzes, tests, etc., that demonstrate learning comprehension)
• E-learning also with an interactive component to demonstrate learning comprehension
• Instruction – 1.5 hours of CE will be accepted for every hour of presentation time for each course/workshop that is instructed. Credit is accepted only once per program/topic.
• Writing – an hour of CE will be accepted for each published
article (published in an industry professional journal, magazine, and newsletter), chapter or book. Credit is accepted only once per article/topic. Article must have a minimum of 500 words.
There are also requirements for submitting seminars and CE from conferences to ensure they are accepted as well. These must be documented appropriately with the speaker’s name, subject, and supporting documents. CE must be sponsored by a state, national, or international organization in order to be recognized.
The last part of the application process is the references. Each applicant must submit four letters of recommendation. There are specifications for each in order to get a well-rounded sampling for the candidate. One letter must be from a person who is actively involved in the field of practice management and is familiar with you as a practice manager and can speak on how you are as a manager, such as a fellow manager from another practice you work with or practice consultant. A second letter must be from a past or present employer for whom you’ve been employed as a practice manager or from a peer who can speak on your management of a practice you have owned. The final two letters have to come from peers who have a professional association with you and can verify your character and integrity, such as a practice consultant, a vendor representative, or an associate VMD. You cannot count someone you supervise as one of your peers when considering someone to write a letter on your behalf.
Each person submitting a letter of recommendation must submit a Recommendation Form within 90 days of the application signed date.
Once your application is complete, you triple check it for accuracy and completion and submit your check for your examination fee so that it can be scheduled. The examination fee is $675 for Veterinary Hospital Managers Association Members or $825 for non-VHMA Members. Once approved, your application is active for two years and you have those two years to pass your exam until your application expires and at that point you would have to reapply.
The exam is offered at approved proctored testing sites all over North America. It is not available in a remote format. The CVPM examination is only offered four times per year. These are the following examination dates and associated application deadlines for 2023:
• 1st Administration: Monday - Saturday, January 23-28, 2023
Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• 2nd Administration: Monday - Saturday, April 17-22, 2023
Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
• 3rd Administration: Monday - Saturday, August 21-26, 2023
Application Deadline: April 1, 2023
• 4th Administration: Monday- Saturday, November 13-18, 2023
Application Deadline: June 1, 2023
Ashley Mase, CVT, is the practice manager at the Animal Hospital of Chester County, located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the 2021 PVMA Practice Manager of the Year and is a current member of the PVMA Board of Trustees, serving as the CVT At-Large. She has had a well-rounded career in numerous areas of veterinary medicine including academia, general practice, and specialty and emergency medicine. Her current focus is on building team relationships and growing as a leader.
By Evaristo
Americans are saving more these days.1 Especially millennials. We know why to save: for emergencies, for retirement, to afford big-ticket dreams like home ownership or opening a business. But how to save is another matter.
Great-aunt Sally used to stash her money under the mattress. So, what are the best ways today to protect and grow your savings? How can you sleep better tonight and have greater financial confidence in the morning? See if any of these scenarios sound familiar.
Retirement should be a time to enjoy the life you imagined, and annuities that grow tax deferred can create a guaranteed fixed stream of income for life.2 The payout is partly cost basis and partly gains. The gains portion of the income is typically taxed.3
The stock market may be appealing, especially for younger investors. Your investments will fluctuate, but over the long term, may provide potentially higher returns.
Besides the important guaranteed death benefit a whole life insurance policy provides, it can also offer tax-deferred
accumulation of cash value.4,5 In addition, a whole life policy allows access to cash, taxfavored, throughout your lifetime to help realize your dreams—like college for the kids—or to supplement your income during retirement.6
There are many ways to structure a balanced portfolio that can help reduce exposure to market risk, especially as your age increases and risktolerance diminishes.7
You work hard for your money. A retirement account can help your money work hard for you. With a 401(k) retirement plan, you invest pre-tax dollars and your employer may even match your contribution. A Roth IRA can be considered for young professionals.8 You’re taxed on the money you invest, but can typically withdraw your earnings tax-advantaged in retirement, a time when your tax rate may be higher.
Investing for maximum growth and minimum risk takes a strategy. And it depends on many variables—your age, family circumstances, lifestyle, goals and priorities, and income level, to name a few. A financial professional can help you make sense of the possibilities and put together a strategy to help realize your dreams.
“AT 3 AM, I’M AWAKE WORRYING ABOUT THE KIDS’ EDUCATION.”
1. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/americans-are-better-atsaving-58-percent-have-more-money-than-they-owe.html
2. All annuity guarantees are based on the strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
3. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.
4. All whole life policy guarantees are based on the payment of all required premiums and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
5. Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by Guardian’s Board of Directors. Some whole life polices do not have cash values in the first two years of the policy and don’t pay a dividend until the policy’s third year. Talk to your financial representative and refer to your individual whole life policy illustration for more information.
6. Policy benefits are reduced by any outstanding loan or loan interest and/or withdrawals. Dividends, if any, are affected by policy loans and loan interest. Withdrawals above the cost basis may result in taxable ordinary income. If the policy lapses, or is surrendered, any outstanding loans considered gain in the policy may be subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy is a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC), loans are treated like withdrawals, but as gain first, subject to ordinary income taxes. If the policy owner is under 59 ½, any taxable withdrawal may also be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty.
7. All investments contain risk and may lose value.
8. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-2018-pensionplan-limitations-401k-contribution-limit-increases-to-18500for-2018
About the Author: Evaristo “Ever” Gonzalez, CLU, CFP, RICP, WMCP, is a Financial Advisor with Financial Growth Partners. He has a passion for guiding veterinary professionals and has served PVMA members for many years. Prior to joining FGP, Ever worked as Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering with Graham Packaging where he oversaw 6 manufacturing facilities and headed an engineering team of 16, focused on the $190 million Personal Care Market. As a result, Ever brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to his personal and business clients. Ever graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Naval Architecture and from Bellevue University with a Master’s Degree in Business. Ever resides in York, PA, where he lives with his wife, Karen, and their children Ever and Mikaelie. Ever is a competitive triathlete and coaches for the York Suburban High School Swim Team and is involved with the York Jewish Community Center. He can be reached at ever.gonzalez@yourfgp.com.
It’s hard enough these days to find good candidates for employment. It’s even harder to find qualified individuals that are certified or have significant experience. Education is extraordinarily important, it’s the “why” in what we do and provides an excellent understanding for a certified technician/ nurse to make individual decisions and help bring top-notch quality care to pets and enhanced revenue for the practice.
Veterinary medicine is suffering significantly, but it does not give us an excuse to provide a lower standard of care. We need to continue to provide gold standard medicine with qualified individuals on our teams. When we empower these individuals, they have a great sense of belonging and provide a more stable team. The team members who are happy and feel utilized in turn stay in the profession longer and will typically find satisfaction and return it to future students or employees. These individuals also create a powerful impact in our communities and pave the way for professional veterinary growth opportunities.
Is it fair that we have the young lady down the street who is a manager of the local donut shop be hired at a veterinary practice and be called a veterinary technician with zero education? In human medicine, we would never substitute someone and call them a registered nurse. Do you want someone who has zero veterinary-related education taking care of your pet while it’s under anesthesia?
We are in a time in this world when education is more accessible. There are online programs and there are more reputable veterinary schools, technician schools and assistant programs popping up throughout the United States. Why are we using excuses to hire these individuals without the correct skill sets? Do clients know the skill set of your employees? Why would you want your veterinary practice to have that type of reputation?
Practice owners and practice managers need to practice self-discipline when it comes to hiring individuals without certification or underlying education. Some states do have laws in place under their practice act that enforce these things. According to Today’s Veterinary Nurse magazine, there are 41 states that have established licensure whether it be in the realm of registration, licensing, or certification.1 We need to push forward with this as educated professionals, as we dedicated ourselves to adhere to the Veterinary Technician Oath. Pennsylvania needs to get on board and push for the positive change.
I’ve witnessed an individual giving themselves the title veterinary technician, attempt to monitor anesthesia without understanding the equipment, understanding planes of anesthesia or the patient and due to their lack of training and education, the animal woke up during the surgery with its intestines out. Horrified by the incompetence, I rushed over to intervene. That individual should not have been in that position in the first place. I should not have been put in that situation either. Is it to save money paying a salary? The pet’s life is worth more than that.
Finally, this is why creating guidelines across the state and nation for veterinary technicians/nurses to graduate from an AVMAaccredited program will be the biggest foundation in having consistent skill sets and training.
Reference:
1. Today’s Veterinary Nurse Journal Volume 5, Number 1 Winter Edition 2022.
About the Author: Jennifer Lettich-Snyder, CVT, CCRP, Fear Free Certified Professional.
Since entering the veterinary field in 2003, Jennifer has held a variety of roles in the profession. Her experience and motivation led her to find her many passions for canine rehabilitation, client education, patient care, improving the veterinary field and mentoring. Jen is currently a part of the Anthracite Animal Clinic and Sunbury Animal Hospital team.
Jen has completed the Canine Rehabilitation Program offered through the University of Tennessee, June 2013. She also has completed the Fear Free Certification Program. Jen continued on and attended the Veterinary Practice Management Program at Penn Foster College in 2019. She completed the PVMA’s Power of 10 Leadership Academy in 2022. Jen has a strong devotion to the profession. Jen is happily married with 9 dogs, 2 rabbits, chickens and 1 horse. She also enjoys volunteering in the community and is involved with the fire department. She is a K-9 handler for Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue, Middle Creek Search and Rescue and SCPASAR with her dogs, Charlotte, Penelope, and Dingo. She is a member of PVMA, HSVMA, NAVTA and PSWAF. Her passion is teaching, helping others, and bettering the veterinary profession.
When it’s time for veterinary students to learn about how to examine and treat cattle, there are two choices: The students can go to the cows, or the cows can be brought to the students.
After many years of the first option, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine recently facilitated the second option and brought the cows, quite literally, to its back doorstep.
This past fall, students in large animal courses at Virginia Tech’s veterinary college in Blacksburg, Virginia, didn’t have to drive 20 minutes over mountainous roads to reach a university-owned dairy farm. Instead, they could walk across a parking lot at the veterinary school to a modern facility for instruction and practicum on the physiology and medical care of cows.
“Just to have the cows right on our own campus is great, and it’s our own teaching herd that the vet students can use,” said thirdyear veterinary student Josh Smith of Syracuse, New York, and president of the Food Animal Club, who aspires to be a dairy-
farm veterinarian. “More time to practice our skills and prepare for our careers.”
While the college also has a Clinical Skills Lab with life-sized models of both large and small animals for students to practice on, there is nothing like the real thing that might kick and squirm—and will defecate and urinate—as students don the long gloves to learn the various aspects of physiology and medicine.
“We absolutely need cows to teach veterinary students with,” said Dr. Sierra Guynn, clinical assistant professor of production management medicine in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the college.
This year’s herd of 30 cows was borrowed from the university’s agricultural college, but the veterinary school will be obtaining its own cows from regional dairy farms in the future. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has different regulatory standards for cows used by a veterinary college, so the college needs its own herd and facilities to maintain those standards.
Instructors will be looking for cows of different ages to better simulate what students are likely to find in clinical practice.
The cows on campus benefit students in each of the first three years of the four-year DVM program. The fourth year is dominated by various clerkships at shelters, clinics, and hospitals.
“We have the teaching herd for about two months in the fall and two months in the spring,” Guynn said. “All three of the years will use the herd starting with the ‘normal animal’ course in
year one, then the ‘breathing and circulating’ and ‘eating and eliminating’ in year two, and then the third-year students will use them in food animal theriogenology.”
Under the guidance of faculty, students will learn handling, restraint, and basic husbandry as well as how to put cows into a chute for health checks and shots. As they progress through the curriculum, students will learn how to assess milk quality and how to perform diagnostic techniques such as rectal palpation.
The Animal Care for Education (ACE) team on campus is responsible for maintenance and well-being of the herd, providing an early educational opportunity for some students not yet on the DVM track.
“All of the husbandry is provided by the ACE team, which is employed by staff and wage positions, in addition to myself,” said Dr. Virginia Edwards, collegiate assistant professor and service chief for the Animal Care for Education program. “Some of the wage positions include pre-veterinary students, so those students have a chance to interact with and provide husbandry care to the cows now that they are located at the veterinary college.”
Edwards said having the cows behind the veterinary college also allows the Food Animal Practitioners Club easy access for its weekend palpation labs.
“Additionally, if we have a cow that needs to be evaluated by our production management medicine clinical medicine team, which includes students, the cows are quite literally across the parking lot, which streamlines care and follow-up visits performed by PMM,” Edwards said. “Do we need a medication from the pharmacy? Now no one needs to drive an hour. We
210 Andersontown Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA. 30 minutes from the State Capitol
The lovely granite has been purchased and is on the property awaiting the ground preparation to erect the wall. The wall will have a dozen 30.5”X22” plates depicting those we honor and memorialize – working animals! Varied sizes of plates are available for businesses and individuals to show their support for Police, Military, Search & Rescue, Service and Therapy Animals.
(website may be under reconstruction briefly) FACEBOOK @PSWAFMBG
info@pswaf.org • (833) 779-2326 for plaque purchase/information
Mission statement: Our mission is to recognize, honor and memorialize working animals throughout the Commonwealth.
have all the medications we could possibly need within walking distance to the herd.”
Students are pleased with their new campus dwellers because of the time it saves them, which helps them in all their educational pursuits at the veterinary college.
“The ability to come from class in the morning, to jump out here real quick, to go to class in the afternoon without 40 minutes of driving is a big advantage,” said Smith.
“It’s nice to be near the school because all of our supplies are here,” said third-year student McKenzie Kyger of Ocean City, Maryland. “So if we need another clinician, they’re right there. If we need more ultrasounds or palpation sleeves or anything like that, it’s close by.”
Faculty feel similarly about the campus cattle. “For us it’s a huge time saver,” said Dr. Jamie Stewart, assistant professor in Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “Now we can come down from our offices, put our stuff on, and get over here without having to rush. It gives us a little bit of extra time to do the other things we need to do.”
Stewart sees a greater intangible value to having the cows at the backdoor and not having students and instructors scattered on the roads driving to the dairy barn: “It brings a little bit of more community, because I feel the students are more connected to us when we’re all right here.”
By Kate Boatright, VMD
Panelists:
Hayley Springer, DVM, MS, PhD
Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH
Lauren Forsythe, PharmD, DICVP
The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is not new, but it is more important than ever due to the fact that development of new antimicrobial agents is decreasing.
Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH, Founder and CPH of ELTD One Health Consulting LLC, shared current estimates that by 2050, 10 million people could die from previously treatable infections, highlighting the importance of antimicrobial resistance as a threat to global health.
Hayley Springer, DVM, MS, PhD, Extension Veterinarian at Penn State Extension, shared that AMR has developed in settings including healthcare and community. Ultimately, a multi-pronged approach from a One Health front is needed. Veterinarians have a core responsibility when it comes to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) efforts because we can intervene on the farm, in the veterinary office, with wildlife, fruit crops and pollinators, and more. “We must find meaningful ways to reduce our need for antibiotics,” shared Springer. “This will allow us to promote antimicrobial stewardship and keep our animals healthy.”
Both the AVMA and CDC have guiding documents to promote antimicrobial stewardship (see Box on page 32). The CDC’s four principles closely mirror several of the
principles of AMS from the AVMA,1 which include:
● Commit to stewardship
● Select and use antimicrobials judiciously
● Evaluate antimicrobial drug use practices
● Educate and build expertise.
Lauren Forsythe, PharmD, DICVP, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, shared that when it comes to drug development, antibiotics do not generate large profits for drug companies. Since 2000, less than 20 new antibiotics have been approved. Only four of these had novel mechanisms of action. “Our antibiotic options have decreased tremendously,” shared Forsythe, necessitating health care professionals in both human and animal medicine to preserve the drugs we currently have.
Springer notes that the AVMA has a fifth core principle, which is to “advocate for a system of care to prevent common diseases.”1 She stated, “This is where we as veterinarians have incredible power, when it comes to advocating for disease prevention. Advocating for prevention allows us not just to reduce antibiotic use but reduce antibiotic need.”
Springer reviewed that stewardship and disease prevention will look different in each area of veterinary medicine and many of the species-specific veterinary associations, such as the AAAP and AABP, have their own statements regarding AMS. She continued on to discuss that when it comes to livestock, another layer of AMS involves the producers. There are several initiatives in the livestock industry to reduce antimicrobial usage. While these are voluntary, a large proportion of the pork, beef, and dairy industries participate in these programs.
Tramuta-Drobnis feels that veterinarians can continue to do better when it comes to AMS. “As an emergency clinician, I often see cases with inappropriate antibiotic use,” she shared. She reminds veterinarians to think critically about what conditions they are treating with antibiotics, noting that many cases of feline interstitial cystitis and postoperative dental prophylaxis do not require antibiotic use. Additionally, she discussed the controversial use of doxycycline to treat asymptomatic Lyme positive dogs. Tetracyclines are considered a critically important antibiotic in human medicine so judicious use should be a priority to minimize the development of resistance. Overuse of antibiotics in veterinary medicine is documented. In one veterinary teaching hospital study, 40% of canine patients prescribed antibiotics had no evidence of infection.2
Forsythe reminds veterinarians that there are numerous guidelines on antimicrobial usage available to help practitioners navigate their cases (see Box on page 32 for resources). As the daughter of two veterinarians, Forsythe
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understands the pressures veterinarians are sometimes faced with when it comes to antimicrobial use. “You have clients who think their pet needs an antibiotic, but you don’t,” she said. “There is a need to make sure our clients have a good perception of service and feel we have cared for their pet effectively.”
In order to do this, Forsythe recommends employing a strategy called watchful waiting. This involves communicating with the client that you do not feel antibiotics are indicated at this time, but may be indicated if certain conditions are met, such as duration of illness or change in clinical signs. Providing written instructions to clients can help them to know what to monitor for and help them to feel heard in their concerns for their pet.
The panel expressed that veterinarians are a key part of the response to emerging antimicrobial resistance and have seen veterinarians already doing their part. Ultimately, it will be up to us to continue judicious use of antibiotics as well as promote disease prevention practices, which we are uniquely qualified to do. Springer reminded the audience that we must not just use fewer antibiotics but work to need fewer antibiotics.
REFERENCES:
1. AVMA. Antimicrobial stewardship definitions and core principles. Available at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/ antimicrobial-stewardship-definition-and-core-principles. Accessed January 12, 2023.
2. Fowler et al. A survey of veterinary antimicrobial prescribing practices, Washington State 2015. Vet Rec. 2016 Dec 24; 179(25):651
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/index.html
https://arsi.umn.edu/as-resources
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Veterinary-Checklist-Antimicrobial-Stewardship.pdf
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/AntimicrobStewardshipDef_CorePrinciplesFlyer_052318.pdf
https://www.iscaid.org/guidelines
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/pdfs/aaw/Watchful-Waiting-Prescription-Pads_large-P.pdf
continued from page 33
PVMA’s Hall of Fame Awards were celebrated on November 13, 2022, with a luncheon during the 3 Rivers Veterinary Symposium in Mars, PA. The Awards Selection Committee thanks all who thoughtfully submitted nominations.
The 2022 winners are…
This Public Service Award is presented for a long-serving animal hero or a single heroic act by an animal in the past year.
On a cold December night, Bentley Siek answered the call to work. As a trained Search and Rescue canine, he and his owner/handler, Tracy, searched for a missing distressed individual. Bentley gave the appropriate information to Tracy to locate the missing person. Another life saved!
Bentley, a spry 10 years young, is a mixed breed who was himself rescued as a pup from doggie death row at a South Carolina shelter. Siek adopted him and started his SAR career at 4 years old. Bentley is dual certified in Live Find with NASAR, and Human Remains Detection with AWDA and PSARC. Together they are working towards a water certification. This team has had the opportunity to work with the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI to aid in searches all over Pennsylvania. Congratulations, Bentley!
Felicia Hansen, CVT
A PVMA Member who has provided outstanding performance in veterinary technology.
“Dedication, perseverance, and trail-blazing” are qualities displayed by Felicia Hansen in her Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital in Shrewsbury, PA. As Technician Team Coordinator, she was instrumental in building the training manual which provides the framework for young adults entering the veterinary profession to grow in skills and knowledgebase within the hospital. One colleague commented, “When on the floor with her, it’s a renewing love for what we do. Our profession is hard everywhere, and can be especially taxing in emergency, our hours are long, our case load is high and unpredictable, but Felicia is making a difference, not only for herself, but also for the future nurses in our profession.”
Felica finds fulfillment in teaching skills and providing current education to the team as well as introducing brand new tools and techniques to ensure the gold standard of care for her patients. She models a healthy work-life balance and enjoys the great outdoors. This work-life balance helps her to succeed with the rigors of the veterinary profession and sets a good example for young technicians in trying to find that balance. Congratulations, Felicia!
A PVMA Member who has demonstrated outstanding compassion and/or developed programs for the welfare of animals.
Dr. Dan Zawisza is a native Pennsylvanian who has focused his medicine practices on animal pain management, livestock handling and stockmanship, and producer training. He has grown the cattle practice in their area, focusing on the FARM program and meeting and exceeding industry standards for animal welfare. Dr. Zawisza is also a member of PA Team Beef, promoting beef as a healthy protein source. He cares about the success of his producers, both beef and dairy, and small ruminants.
Dr. Zawisza and his wife, Bethany, have four young sons, Jacob, Gabriel, Dominic, and Elijah. In addition to being a constant source of inspiration in his daily life, they also serve as a constant reminder to be empathetic in veterinary practice. He remains committed to advocating for the animals we are tasked with stewarding. Congratulations, Dr. Zawisza!
A PVMA Member who has provided outstanding public service involving the veterinary community.
At the PA Department of Agriculture, Dr. Aliza Simeone managed the agriculturally diverse multi-county southeast Region 7, was instrumental in several EHM quarantines and helped New Bolton Center develop their biosecurity and EHM protocol, and oversaw the PA Veterinary Accreditation Program, making sure PA Veterinarians desiring accreditation were trained and entered into the system.
Dr. Simeone was intimately involved in protecting PA from HPAI. She helped in several capacities of the outbreak, from depopulation late into the night to serving as a case manager providing support, guidance and information to the poultry company personnel and assisting them navigate the difficult road from quarantine to depopulation, clean-up work, viral elimination, and getting off quarantine. She walked with compost team members to inspect compost piles, reviewed disposal plans, and carefully inspected the inside and outside of large layer complexes to make sure they were ready for their virus elimination and testing. Dr. Simeone attended to every detail to assure the farms were carefully managed and monitored. Congratulations, Dr. Simeone!
A PVMA Member who has selflessly dedicated to veterinary medicine, the health and welfare of animals, and the betterment of the veterinary profession over a period of years.
Dr. Joseph R. Itle has been dutifully serving the veterinary and farming communities of Pennsylvania for 50 years as a food animal veterinarian. Growing up on his family farm they raised chickens, swine, potatoes and dairy cattle, and had a milk processing plant. “I spent most of my time feeding and milking the cows whereby I became interested in the health care of the animals,” said Itle. “When I was sixteen I took a course on artificial insemination of dairy cattle and started breeding our own cattle.”
His current practice has expanded in the radius of the coverage area in addition to the new technology of ultrasound use, embryo transfer, laboratory microbiology and blood analysis. Dr. Itle is constantly advocating for agriculture to anyone willing to lend him their ear and is unabashed in contributing important insight and opinions to governmental leaders concerning agricultural affairs. He has mentored countless veterinary students as well as college and high school students over his career.
His passion for this profession did not stop at students. All three of his children are engaged in the agriculture industries. His daughters, Dr. Kendra Itle and Dr. Amber Itle, are practicing veterinarians, and his son, Neil, is a regional director for the Southwest Division of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. A colleague stated, “I personally feel that his mentorship has challenged me to be the very best veterinarian I could be.” Congratulations, Dr. Itle!
We are not a corporate practice. You can practice medicine at your own pace while using your own style. We believe strongly in mentorship and cutting-edge care. If you practice already but are looking for a change, we would love to talk with you. Our AAHA-accredited practice has focused on the best patient care since 1965. We continuously upgrade our equipment and medical knowledge to stay on the cutting edge of medicine and surgery. Our veterinarians partner with skilled, experienced team members and utilize the latest in diagnostic equipment all focused on offering our patients the finest of care and our clients the best in service. Our facility has 6 large exam rooms, 30 plus employees, digital radiology, pharmacy, lab, ultrasound room, treatment room with lift tables, isolation ward, and dentistry area. Please call Christine Martinec at 814-4375768 or email cmartinec1234@gmail.com.
We are a small rural cat and dog hospital in the heart of picturesque Lancaster County with a terrific team and amazing clients. We are seeking a full time veterinarian to join us in providing compassionate and affordable veterinary care to the members of our community. We offer terrific benefits and work-life balance! Please call Cary Moran, Practice Manager, at 717-721-9890 and/or email cmoran.pkah@gmail.com.
The Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic is looking for veterinarians to join us in our new location in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. Located in Honesdale, PA, the veterinarians at Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic are committed to pets’ health. Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic is a full-service small animal AAHA-accredited animal hospital whose mission is to provide the highest standard of veterinary care for pets. We provide friendly, informative, and supportive services for clients and their pets, while maintaining a superior working environment for our employees. Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic offers the local community an array of veterinary services.
Please call Katie at 570-253-2402 and/or email krothrock@cherryridgevets.com.
Blair Animal Hospital | Full Time / Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Our hospital in beautiful central Pennsylvania is looking to add another part- to full-time veterinarian to our team. We are currently comprised of two full-time veterinarians and one part-time veterinarian, along with an amazing support staff. Blair Animal Hospital is a cat and dog exclusive hospital, but our clientele and team would be happy to open our doors to exotics and/or pocket pets if there is an interest in this area. We look forward to mentoring a new graduate or learning from an experienced applicant that is looking to work within a team to care for our patients and clientele. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Camboro Veterinary Hospital | Full Time / Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Camboro Veterinary Hospital, located near Erie, PA, is seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join our practice. Part-time or Full-time hours available. Our 7,000 square foot modern hospital provides primary, referral and limited emergency services. There are 6 modern exam rooms, a large hospital waiting and reception area, retail, and pet discharge areas all for the convenience of our clients, and much more! Formal Mentorship Program Available. Excellent benefits and incentives. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/ or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Butler Veterinary Associates, Inc. and Emergency Center | Full Time / Butler, Pennsylvania Butler Veterinary Associates is looking to hire an Associate DVM. We are a large group practice that provides general practice as well as emergency services in the Butler/North Pittsburgh area. We get many challenging cases to keep your diagnostic, medical and surgical skills sharp. All this in a strong team-based environment. We see ourselves as a step between most general practices and board-certified specialists in what we can offer clients diagnostically, medically and surgically. If you want to be a part of a dynamic team reach out today! Excellent mentorship for new grads. Please call Kelli
Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Paw Prints Veterinary Clinic | Full Time / Morgantown, West Virginia
Join Our Expansion! We currently built a brand-new facility and therefore, looking to add more doctors to our GP small animal hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. Paw Prints Veterinary Clinic’s new (additional building) opened in the Summer of 2022. We are currently a four-doctor practice. We have the capacity to do bone plating, TTA and TPLO surgeries. Our new facility will be equipped with a CT scanner. We have Storz laparoscopic and arthroscopic equipment. This is an excellent opportunity for a new grad or experienced Veterinarian. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/ or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Pittsburgh Premier Veterinary Care | Full Time / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Premier Veterinary Care & Rehabilitation is located on Frankstown Road in Pittsburgh. We are a fullservice veterinary and rehabilitation hospital that welcomes dogs and cats but open to exotics as well. Holistic and alternative wellness options welcome. As a Veterinarian at our hospital you will be responsible for routine exams to sick visits to physical therapy. Hours are 9-5pm or 9-6pm; 40 hours per week. No weekends or on call. Limited ER. Equipment includes under water treadmill, digital x-ray, ultrasound and many therapeutic options including cold laser, PRP, Fitness, Electro, and Hydrotherapy. Excellent benefits and extra incentives. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
North Versailles Veterinary Care | Full Time / North Versailles, Pennsylvania
North Versailles Veterinary Care located in North Versailles, Pennsylvania is a fullservice animal hospital that welcomes both emergency treatment cases as well as pet patients in need of routine medical, surgical, and dental care. We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Veterinarian to help us continue to grow. Relief, PT, FT, and Managing opportunities available.
North Versailles Veterinary Care stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care in every check-up,
procedure, or surgery. All levels of experience welcome to apply! Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Holiday Park Animal Hospital | Full Time / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Holiday Park Animal Hospital located on the Golden Mile Highway is a full-service animal hospital providing comprehensive healthcare services. Our facility includes inhouse testing for accurate diagnosis, digital x-ray, ultrasound, surgical suite, dental suite, pharmacy, and more. We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Veterinarian to help us continue to grow. Our ideal candidate has strong communication skills, is team-oriented, and excited to help our vibrant practices excel in our community. If you want a place where your passion and skills are valued, where your feedback, input, and ideas are heard, then apply today! Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@ nva.com.
Murrysville Veterinary Associates | Full Time / Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Murrysville Veterinary Associates, located in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburbs, is looking for a veterinarian. We are a recently expanded AAHA-accredited hospital that was designed by Animal Arts, the pioneers in the Fear Free hospital concept. Our four doctors practice small animal medicine in a friendly, collaborative environment that encourages professional development through peer mentorship. The clinic is equipped with digital radiology and ultrasound, a two-table surgery suite, electrocautery, therapeutic laser, isolation, in-house laboratory, and a fully equipped two-table digital dental suite. Our 4-day work weeks with rotating Saturdays reflect work/life balance and flexible schedules for our staff. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Animal Medical Hospital of State College
| Full Time / State College, Pennsylvania Animal Medical Hospital of State College, Pennsylvania is seeking an Associate Veterinarian. Currently comprised of one full-time veterinarian and one part-time veterinarian, we are seeking another part or full-time veterinarian to join our amazing team. We are a primary veterinary care facility that delivers quality wellness and preventive care, progressive medical
care, soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery, comprehensive dental procedures, and diagnostic ultrasound. Our patients include canines and felines with some exotic species care. Full-time employees (30 hours or more per week) enjoy a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including: Offering a generous signing bonus of $25,000. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
The Animal Hospital on the Golden Strip | Full Time / Williamsport, Pennsylvania
We are looking for an experienced doctor to be a part of our well-established small animal practice. We treat dogs, cats and some exotics. We feel we do many things well but if we had to highlight a few it would be the ability of being very capable. Our technician team is out of this world and make our doctors’ lives very manageable throughout the day. We also handle end of life care impeccably and care deeply about our community. Enjoy 4-day work weeks with no on call, but are flexible. We serve the Lycoming and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania. Please call Kelli Dowhaniuk at 818-309-3709 and/or email Kelli.Dowhaniuk@nva.com.
Buckingham Animal Hospital | Full Time / Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Seeking full-time veterinarian in beautiful Central Bucks County for Buckingham Animal Hospital, a privately-owned five-doctor practice. Veterinarians are supported by our highly trained and friendly staff within our well-equipped, bright and spacious stand-alone building. We are seeking a kind team member with excellent interpersonal and communication skills –sense of humor is a bonus! The owner is a 2003 Penn Vet graduate with experience mentoring new veterinarians. Generous salary and benefits. Schedule averages 35-40 hours/week, no after-hours emergencies. Close to the charming towns of Doylestown and New Hope and driving distance to Philadelphia and NYC. Please email Brad Kube, VMD, at buckah1950@gmail.com.
Best Friends Animal Hospital | Full Time / Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Best Friends Animal Hospital is seeking a compassionate veterinarian to join our progressive small animal practice. At Best Friends Animal Hospital, we are committed
to supporting learning and growth as well as providing mentorship. The ideal candidate for this role would be able to perform surgery, evaluate emergent patients, perform annual examinations, order appropriate tests and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. As a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Hospital you will enjoy a three to four-day flexible schedule with one rotating Saturday per month and limited on call hours. Sign-on Bonus, Retention Bonus, Relocation Assistance, and Student Loan Assistance. Please email leah.smith@nva.com.
Dover Area Animal Hospital | Full Time / Dover, Pennsylvania
Small animal hospital in South Central PA located Northwest of York is seeking veterinarian. We are currently a 7-doctor practice with a recently expanded and upgraded hospital. We are a high-volume busy clinic with experienced veterinarians who are willing to teach and mentor new graduates. Our well-equipped hospital includes surgical and cold laser, digital x-ray, ultrasound, paperless records, boarding and grooming facilities. You can expect a diverse medical and surgical caseload in a laid-back atmosphere. We are offering competitive salaries and flexible work hours with a full benefits package. Please email leah.smith@ nva.com.
Confederate Woods Veterinary Hospital | Full Time / Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Confederate Woods is an AAHA-accredited hospital seeking an Associate Veterinarian who shares our passion for pets and their families. Our mission is to provide outstanding medical and surgical care to our patients and excellent client experience. For over 40 years, our staff has helped thousands of pets, including dogs, cats, and pocket pets, live healthier, longer-lasting lives. We focus on work, life, and family balance, with no on-call duties as after-hours emergencies are referred to a local ER. Your day-to-day will include; well and non-well case work-ups, spay/neuters, dentistry, appointments, and general practice. Please email leah.smith@nva.com.
Leader Heights Animal Hospital | Full Time / York, Pennsylvania
Leader Heights Animal Hospital located in York, the heart of South Central
in placing a classified ad? Visit PaVMA.org/Classified-Ads for information on all classified ad placement opportunities.
classified ads continued from page 37
Pennsylvania, is hiring a passionate and self-motivated Associate Veterinarian to join their growing practice. As an Associate Veterinarian at Leader Heights Animal Hospital you will have the opportunity to enjoy a 4-day work week, with Sundays off and every other Saturday (until noon). Leader Heights is most proud of their commitment to a work-life balance, by allowing doctors to make their own schedules and respecting what areas of medicine the doctors are most interested in practicing. Please email leah.smith@nva.com.
Greenfield Veterinary Hospital | Full Time / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Small animal DVM wanted for private practice – new grads and less experienced DVMs welcomed! Generous base salary, can discuss the option of production bonuses. Our benefits package includes options for health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, CE, PTO, Simple IRA with company match, professional membership dues, licensing, etc. Full time associates will work 4 days per week with rotating Saturdays. Ideal candidate is someone with strong communication skills, sound knowledge of canine and feline medicine and surgery, a robust work ethic and a tortile sense of humor. Please call Carey at 412-422-7755 and/or email info@greenfieldvethospital.net.
Lancaster County Career & Technology Veterinary Technology Program | Full Time / Willow Street, Pennsylvania
The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center has an anticipated vacancy for an Attending Veterinarian at the Willow Street Campus beginning with the 2023-24 school year. The Attending Veterinarian is responsible for the wellbeing and clinical care of animals used for teaching in the Veterinary Technology Program. This responsibility extends to monitoring and promoting animal wellbeing at all times during animal use, and during all phases of the animal’s life. The program of veterinary care will uphold the highest standards of care and ethics. The veterinarian will be involved in the teaching curriculum of the veterinary technology program. Please call Jodi Schuler, Human Resources Manager, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center. Phone: 717.464.7050 ext. 3139
Canisteo, Steuben County, NY
It is almost my time to retire. There has been a practicing veterinarian in the village of Canisteo, Steuben County, NY, for 100 years. Come and be the next one! Don’t let the tradition end!! Purchase just the real estate and equipment. This is a THRIVING one, with the potential for two, veterinarian small animal practice. Sadly, new clients are turned away daily. 2021 gross was 750K. Contact Dr. Grant Seaman at 607-769-5319.
Cherry Hill, NJ
Continental X-ray 100kv 100ma.
Lead Apron x2, Glove x2. Shore Line Stainless liftable, tiltable surgery table.
Hydraulic Stainless lift examine table with weight scaler.
Shore Line stainless steel cage 28”D 30”W 30”H, Metal cage 28”D 22”W 28”H x 3 34”W x2.
Fugi Film FCR Prima.
Please call Young 856-979-7890 or email ykimdvm@gmail.com.
Thompson, PA
Free Veterinary Reference Books including small animal, large animal, and laboratory animal. Local pickup/delivery only (100mile radius) or recipient can pay for shipping. Please email Laurie at lormargian39@gmail.com.
Penn Hills, PA
Excellent opportunity for someone interested in a one-doctor practice situated in eastern suburb of Pittsburgh. For sale is a 4 acre property, a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house with separate small office on a welltraveled road. Doctor works 32-35 hour week with a gross of $380k. Gross revenue could easily be increased as our prices for some services are low and increased hours and diagnostics would also contribute. Property is for outright sale. Practice sale can be negotiated separately. Email for more info/pics. Priced to sell! Please email Puttens-kippies@verizon.net.
Kennett Square, PA
Hardly used dental scaler and cartmounted dental unit: basic high-speed,
low-speed, water/air flush syringe. May require some refurbishing. FREE. Like new Wall mounted non-folding peninsula SS exam table. Reasonable offers considered.
Like new Vanguard 4 objective lab microscope. Reasonable offers considered. Like new Vet Tec lift table with scale. $1,500.
Please email gyro_vet@verizon.net.
Erin K Murphy, DVM
Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, and Schuylkill Counties
Outgoing, energetic, and professional veterinarian in search of small animal practices where I can utilize my 24 years of clinical experience. I enjoy surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, wellness visits, and participating with the human-animal bond. Excellent communication skills, active listener, compassionate, and empathetic. Email ekhj07@gmail.com.
Michael Reese, VMD, MS
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties
Small animal veterinarian practicing in Philadelphia and the surrounding region. 13 years’ experience working in hospitals in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. I am knowledgeable, efficient, and personable, and I enjoy and highly value client education. I am also flexible and readily able to adapt to various hospitals’ protocols and procedures. Please let me know if I can be of help in providing short- or long-term relief services to your practice. Thank you! Email reeseveterinary@gmail.com.
Jacqueline Burke, VMD
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Monroe, Montgomery, Philadelphia
1987 Penn honors grad seeks relief work within 30-60 minutes of the QuakertownPottstown area. Fast and proficient in surgery. Very dependable, professional appearance and manner. See website at jacquelineburkevmd.com. Call 610-7541155 or email at jacquib1018@gmail.com.
Dr. Julie Compton
Dr. Zeev Schwartz DVM, MS, DACVS-SA DVM, MS, DACVS-SA
