Issuu

Epitome Fall 2026

A publication of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association

IN THIS ISSUE

9 Ways to get ready for convention Protecting Your DEA Registration During Practice Transitions ISVMA’s 144th Convention Information Rethinking "Crate Rest" for Dogs with IVDD

CHAMPIONING

YOU,

YOUR PRACTICE, YOUR FUTURE

Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association 1121 Chatham Road Springfield, IL 62704 Tel: (217) 546-8381 Fax: (217) 546-5633 info@isvma.org ISVMA Mission Advancing the well-being of veterinary medical professionals, animals, public health and the environment. Staff Debbie Lakamp, CAE Executive Director debbie.lakamp@isvma.org

Epitome Contents

President's Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Dean's Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 Executive Director’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

Alicia Davis-Wade, MA, CAE Assistant Executive Director alicia.daviswade@isvma.org Sherrie Leezer Administrative Assistant sherrie.leezer@isvma.org

ISVMA’S 144th Convention Information . . . . . . . . . . 12-30 9 Ways to Get Ready for Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-33 Protecting Your DEA Registration During 35-41 Practice Transitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Who Will Shape the Future of Vet Med? . . . . . . . . 42-47 Rethinking “Crate Rest” for Dogs with IVDD . . . . . 49-51

Lobbyists Maureen Mulhall Matt Maloney Terry Steczo (Emeritus) Published in-house, July 2026. Volume 14 Issue 2-2026

ISVMA’S 145th Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

More Than CE: Why Convention Matters

As veterinarians, our days are busy. Between appointments, surgery, management responsibilities, staffing challenges, client communication and the many demands that come with practicing veterinary medicine, it can be difficult to step away from the clinic. That is exactly why I hope you will make plans to join us for the ISVMA Annual Convention, November 6–8 at the Westin Chicago Lombard.

Yes, convention is an excellent opportunity to earn continuing education. With up to 21 hours of CE available, you can spend the weekend learning from high-quality speakers and exploring topics that can immediately benefit you, your patients and your practice. Whether you attend for a single day or take advantage of the full 21-hour program, there is an opportunity to make your time away from the clinic worthwhile. But I believe convention offers something even more important: connection.

Reconnect With Your Colleagues Veterinary medicine can sometimes feel surprisingly isolated. We work alongside our teams every day, but we may go weeks or longer without seeing colleagues who understand the unique challenges of our profession. Convention gives us the opportunity to change that. Take time to have coffee with an old classmate. Sit down with a colleague you haven't seen in years. Introduce yourself to someone you've only known through email or social media. Share a challenging case. Talk about what is working, or not working, in your practice.

Some of the most valuable conversations at convention don't happen in a lecture hall. They happen in the hallway, over a meal, at a social event or while catching up with a colleague in the exhibit hall. Veterinary medicine is a community, and that community is stronger when we make the effort to be together.

Explore the Exhibit Hall The convention exhibit hall is another important part of the experience. It provides an opportunity to connect directly with vendors and industry partners, learn about new products and technologies, explore services that can benefit your practice and put faces to the companies you work with throughout the year. Our exhibitors are an important part of the veterinary profession, and convention gives us the chance to have meaningful conversations with them. These conversations are not just about products but about the challenges facing veterinary practices and the ways they can help us meet those challenges. Take some time between sessions to walk the exhibit hall, ask questions, discover something new and support the companies that support veterinary medicine and our association.

Be Part of Your Association Convention is also an opportunity to learn about your ISVMA. Our Annual Meeting provides members with an update on the association, its activities and the work being done on behalf of veterinary professionals throughout Illinois. It is a chance to understand where your association is headed, what issues we are working on and how your membership helps strengthen the profession.

But membership is more than receiving information or benefits. An association is only as strong as the involvement of its members. If you have ever thought about becoming more involved with ISVMA, I encourage you to start at convention. Attend the Annual Meeting. Take some time and meet the members of the Board. Ask questions and share your ideas. Find an area that matters to you and get involved! You don't have to make a huge commitment. Sometimes involvement starts with a conversation. The future of veterinary medicine in Illinois will be shaped by those who are willing to participate, speak up and work together.

Make Time for Your Profession I know that taking three days away from your practice is not always easy. But I would encourage you to think of convention not simply as time away from the clinic, but as an investment in yourself, your practice and your profession. Come for the CE. Stay for the conversations. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Get to know your association. And, most importantly, be part of the veterinary community you want to see thrive. I hope to see you in Lombard this November. Let's learn together, reconnect with one another and strengthen the future of veterinary medicine in Illinois— together.

November 6–8, 2026 Westin Chicago Lombard Lombard, Illinois For the full convention program, registration information and additional details, visit ISVMA.org.

ISVMA PRESIDENT

Kate Brucker, DVM Meet Dr. Kate Brucker, Associate Veterinarian at Albin Animal Hospital and County Veterinarian for Douglas County/Douglas County Animal Shelter. With 16 years of experience in veterinary practice, Dr. Brucker’s heart is dedicated to both shelter work and general practice. She’s especially passionate about population control through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and loves fostering bottle baby kittens (we can’t blame her!).

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS DEAN'S COLUMN

Illinois Opportunities Foster Zoo/Wildlife Careers By Peter Constable, Dean

Dr. Matt Allender, lower right, poses with a turtle friend and many volunteers during a box turtle health assessment field day.

It may not be intuitive when you consider our geographic location, but the Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine plays a prominent role in the field of zoological medicine. Last year nearly 500 people attended the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri. About one-fourth of them had an Illinois tie as a current or former DVM graduate, trainee, or faculty member, according to Dr. Matt Allender, who holds appointments on our faculty and at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Additionally, current Illinois faculty, trainees, and students contributed dozens of presentations and posters at the meeting.

GOING WILD

GOING WITH THE FLOW

As founder and director of the Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory, Dr. Allender himself plays a prominent role in creating opportunities for Illinois veterinary students to explore wildlife and conservation medicine. His lab offers summer training fellowships in which veterinary students develop and lead a research project. Student volunteers can participate in an annual health assessment, conducted in May and July, where they track free-ranging box turtles in Illinois and gather data. Students who work in the lab during the school year take part in cutting-edge clinical research that identifies novel treatments for reptile diseases.

Rotations within our teaching hospital’s zoological medicine service provide exposure to routine and advanced diagnosis and treatment of more than 1,200 client-owned exotic pets each year. This service boasts five credentialed faculty members—Drs. Michelle Borsdorf, Judilee Marrow, Mariana Sosa-Higareda, and Emily Vincent (part-time) along with Dr. Lewis—and four house officers. Veterinary students on the zoo ambulatory rotation assist faculty on weekly health visits to three regional accredited zoos. Fourth-year students can also take a for-credit rotation in the Wildlife Medical Clinic during summer months or apply for a rotation spot at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, working with our faculty member Dr. Jen Langan, or our Zoological Pathology Program in Chicago, led by Dr. Karen Terio.

Another Illinois program that our alumni know well is the Wildlife Medical Clinic. This program, 47 years strong, empowers veterinary student volunteers to participate in every stage of patient care, from triage and diagnostics to anesthesia, surgery, and husbandry, under the supervision of faculty. In a supportive, hands-on environment, more than 130 students cultivate not only clinical and decision-making skills but also leadership and communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers. Currently led by Dr. Stephany Lewis, the clinic cares for around 2,300 ill, injured, and orphaned wild animals, representing over 120 species, every year.

Our curriculum also provides a path for students interested in zoo/wildlife. The zoo/wildlife elective stream includes courses on advanced medical and surgical skills focused on pet birds, caged mammals, fish, reptiles, and wildlife as well as a course on conservation and ecosystem health. Extracurricular activities in this field abound at Illinois, which makes sense given our many zoo- or wildlifeinterested students. The NonTraditional Species Club (NTS) serves as the umbrella organization encompassing student chapters of national associations for avian, exotic mammal, reptile and amphibian, and zoo veterinarians. These and other clubs arrange wet labs and lectures to augment the standard curriculum. 6

GOING GLOBAL

Last spring we introduced the One Health Intensive Experience in Kenya, a two-week professional development course available to fourth-year students just before graduation. Dr. Katie Delk, a Brookfield Zoo Chicago veterinarian with an adjunct faculty appointment in the college, facilitated course creation and helps teach along with Dr. Terio and Dr. Laura Frazier, who heads the community medicine program.

Illinois students learn beside senior veterinary students from the University of Nairobi, navigating the complexities of wildlife conservation medicine as it intersects with community medicine and domestic animals. Activities include engaging with the animals and staff at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, hosting a spay/neuter and rabies clinic for pet owners in the region, and vaccinating livestock.

The One Health rotation headquartered at Ol Pejeta Conservancy engaged with the caretakers of the only two living northern white rhinos.

Dr. Peter D. Constable, BVSc (Hons), MS, PhD, DACVIM is the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, where he has led since 2014. An internationally renowned scholar, his research spans multiple species and disciplines, and he is the lead author of Veterinary Medicine, the most heavily cited veterinary textbook. With over 270 peerreviewed articles, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Kirk Award for Professional Excellence.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN

Your Membership Is More Than a Renewal Let’s Talk About Engagement By the Executive Director, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association When we talk about membership in organized veterinary medicine, the conversation often starts—and sometimes ends—with dues. But membership is so much more than paying an annual invoice. A strong professional association is a community of people who are willing to share their experience, speak up about the issues affecting their profession, learn from one another and help shape what comes next. That is engagement. And as veterinary medicine continues to change, engagement has never been more important.

What Does Engagement Mean to You? Engagement does not have to mean serving on a committee, attending every meeting or spending hours volunteering. Those are important ways to participate, but they are not the only ways.

Engagement can be as simple as responding to an ISVMA advocacy alert when an issue affecting veterinary medicine comes before the legislature. It can mean attending one educational program, participating in a discussion, sharing an idea with the ISVMA staff or Board, encouraging a colleague to become involved, or taking a few minutes to tell us what you need from your professional association. It can also mean showing up when your profession needs you. There are many voices influencing veterinary medicine today. Some come from within the profession, while others come from business, government, technology, advocacy organizations, investors, consumer groups and other sectors. Many of those voices bring valuable ideas and expertise. But they do not live the day-to-day reality of veterinary medicine. You do. You know what works in your practice. You know what creates challenges for your team. You know what your clients need. You understand the responsibilities that come with caring for patients and protecting public health. That perspective is essential when decisions are being made about the future of veterinary medicine.

Your Voice Makes the Association Stronger ISVMA can monitor legislation, communicate with policymakers, provide continuing education, develop resources and create opportunities for members to connect. But our ability to do those things effectively depends on hearing from you. If we do not know what is happening in practices across Illinois, it is harder to identify emerging issues. If members do not respond to advocacy requests, our collective voice is quieter. If veterinarians and CVTs do not step forward to serve on committees or participate in leadership, fewer perspectives are represented. And if members do not tell us what they value—or what they wish ISVMA offered— we may miss opportunities to make membership more meaningful. Engagement is a two-way relationship. Our responsibility is to create meaningful opportunities for you to participate. Your feedback helps us understand which opportunities are useful, what information you need and how we can better connect with you.

Engagement Can Provide Value Beyond Your Dues There are many ways to get more out of your ISVMA membership without making a major time commitment. Advocate. Respond when ISVMA asks for grassroots action. Your voice as a practicing veterinary professional can be incredibly powerful with legislators and policymakers

Participate. Join a committee, task force or other volunteer opportunity that connects with an issue you care about. You do not have to make a long-term commitment. Start with one opportunity.

Connect. Attend a convention, regional meeting or other ISVMA event. Meet colleagues outside your own practice and build relationships that can become valuable professional connections.

Share your perspective. When ISVMA asks for feedback, respond. When you see an issue that deserves attention, let us know. Your experience can help identify problems before they become bigger ones.

Learn. Take advantage of CE opportunities and educational programming—but also learn from the people around you. Some of the best professional education happens through conversations with colleagues.

Lead. Consider serving in a leadership role or encouraging a colleague to become involved. The future of organized veterinary medicine depends on developing the next generation of leaders.

We Also Want to Know How You Want to Hear From Us One of the most important parts of engagement is communication. There is more information available today than ever before, and everyone has different preferences for how they receive it. Some members may rely on email, while others get much of their professional information through social media, colleagues, publications, podcasts or other online resources. We want to make sure ISVMA is reaching you where you are—with information that is useful, timely and relevant. So, rather than assuming we know what works best, we're asking.

One Final Thought Organized veterinary medicine is strongest when it reflects the people it represents. ISVMA is your professional association, and the experiences, ideas and perspectives of veterinarians and CVTs across Illinois help shape the work we do. You don't have to attend every event, serve on every committee or respond to every request to be an engaged member. There are many ways to participate, and the right level of involvement will look different for everyone. Maybe it's attending an educational program when your schedule allows. Maybe it's responding to an advocacy alert, sharing an idea with us, connecting with a colleague at convention or simply taking a few minutes to complete a member survey like the one above. Every interaction helps us better understand what matters to you and where ISVMA can provide the greatest value. As veterinary medicine continues to evolve, we want to make sure ISVMA evolves with it —and that the direction we take reflects the needs and priorities of the professionals we represent. Thank you for being a member, for supporting organized veterinary medicine and, in whatever way works for you, for being part of the conversation about the future of our profession.

We look forward to hearing from you.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deborah Lakamp, CAE serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Communications & Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has extensive experience in association leadership, communications, and member engagement. Deborah is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), the highest professional credential in association management. Fewer than 5% of association executives worldwide hold this prestigious designation, recognizing her commitment to leadership and professional excellence.

Plan Now to Attend Your ISVMA’s th 144 Annual Convention!

ISVMA’S 144

ANNUAL CONVENTION November 6-8, 2026 Host Hotel

The Westin Chicago Lombard Room rate: $143 Reservation Code: ISVM25

Click Here To Book

70 Yorktown Shopping Center Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 719-8000

CE Opportunities What You Need to Know! All educational sessions will take place at The Westin Chicago Lombard.

How Many CE Hours Can I Earn? Friday: 6 Hours + 6 p.m. CE Reception = 7 hours Saturday: 6 hours + 7 a.m. CE Breakfast = 7 hours Sunday: 5 hours + CE Luncheon = 6 hours Total Convention CE Hours = 20 hours Note: The CE Reception, CE Breakfast, Keynote Session, CE Luncheon are included in your conference registration fee but do require preregistration as they are ticketed events. If you are unclear about how much CE credit you will receive based on the sessions you plan to attend, please contact the ISVMA Convention Desk for assistance. It is your ethical responsibility to attend the entire session of every CE hour for which you will receive credit.

Training Sessions Offered USDA Module 34: Veterinary Export Health Certification System USDA Module 41: New World Screwworm: A 21st Century Perspective USDA Module 8: International Movement of Horses Please see page 26 for complete descriptions of each module.

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USDA Accreditation Training Courses There are no additional fees to participate in the training, and enrollment is open to all. However, pre-registration by accredited veterinarians is mandatory for training credit. The class maximum for each course is 60.

USDA Accreditation Program Training Courses - Part of this Year’s Convention Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) revised National Veterinary Accreditation Program, accreditation status expires every three years. As a requirement of renewal, each participating veterinarian must complete the mandated three or six hours of continuing education provided specifically by the USDA. The training/educational materials can be presented live or found online. When completed at the ISVMA Annual Convention, the participating veterinarian receives credit for completing the necessary CE for renewal of his or her accreditation status. This CE also counts toward DVM license renewal.

Special Events Daily Scheduled Special Events Friday, November 6 CE Reception-Ticketed Event Anna Reuter, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) 5:45-7:00 p.m. When the Patient Hits the Floor: A Cardiology Perspective on Syncope Workup and Treatment By the end of this session, participants will feel more confident recognizing high-risk patients and developing an evidence-based plan for managing syncope in dogs and cats.

Saturday, November 7 DEI CE Breakfast-Ticketed Event Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP 7:00-7:50 a.m. Neurowhatsity - Understanding Neurodiversity This talk will provide an overview of what neurodiversity is, its history, as well as some common types of neurodivergence and their relevance in the veterinary clinic. We will also cover strategies that do and don’t work for neurodivergent employees, easy workplace accommodations and the benefits of a neurodiverse team (neurodiverse and neurotypical).

Senior Veterinary Networking Lunch-Ticketed Event 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Are you retired from veterinary practice or an ISVMA life member? The Senior Veterinary Lunch gives you an opportunity to reconnect and visit with current or past colleagues. Dr. Kate Brucker, ISVMA President, and Debbie Lakamp, ISVMA Executive Director, will provide you with updates on the association and address challenges and opportunities currently facing the veterinary profession in Illinois.

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Annual Meeting/Awards Presentation/Keynote SessionTicketed Event ISVMA Leadership and Fred Wininger, VMD MS DACVIM (Neurology) 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wired for Connection: Why Communication is and Always Will be the Gold Standard in Therapeutics Technology has changed how veterinary medicine is practiced, but it hasn't changed how it's felt. This session makes the case that communication and empathy remain the most powerful tools in the exam room, whatever advances arrive around them. Drawing on real cases and hard-won lessons, this talk challenges veterinary professionals to reconnect with the human side of practice, the side no algorithm can replace, and reconsider what it means to truly listen to the families on the other side of the conversation.

University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Alumni Reception 5:30-7:00 p.m. Empire Burgers & Brew 94 Yorktown Mall Dr. Lombard, IL Join this free, social event from the College of Vet Med. Enjoy drinks and appetizers where alums can gather and catch up with former classmates!

Sunday, November 8 Non-Denominational Religious Service Ticketed Event 6:45-7:45 a.m. Join us for breakfast and a non-denominational worship service before the day begins. Start your morning with fellowship, encouragement and reflection before heading to class.

From Statues to Stethoscopes: Understanding Veterinary Legislation’s Impact on Practice - CE Luncheon Ticketed Event 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Stay informed on key legislative issues shaping the future of veterinary medicine in Illinois. This ticketed CE luncheon offers expert perspectives on policy, advocacy and regulatory development.

Registration Information Register by Friday, October 23 for Best Rates! Register online at www.isvma.org or complete and return the registration form included on pg. 24 and 25. Payment by personal or business check, VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or Discover credit/debit card is required with completed form. Registrations must be received by Friday, October 23, 2026 via email, mail, online or by fax, and if you require special registration accommodations please email info@isvma.org. Save on Registration Fees! Option 1: Early Bird Discount. Substantial discounts are provided when your registration is received by Friday, October 23, 2026. Option 2: Member pricing is available to all ISVMA members. (If you are coming from outside Illinois and are currently a member of another state veterinary medical association, you can register for attendance at ISVMA member rates with verified membership. Please email the ISVMA at info@isvma.org or call 217-546-8381 to advise staff of your out-of-state VMA membership.) Convention Fees Full convention attendance: Each paid registrant gains access to all educational sessions, Exhibit Hall, President's Welcome Reception, Annual Meeting Reception, keynote session/awards presentation, breaks and lunches. Two-day attendance: Each paid registrant gains access to all educational sessions, Exhibit Hall and any receptions/ sessions/ presentations, breaks and lunches on the days in which they register. Friday only: Each paid registrant gains access to Friday educational sessions, CE reception (preregistration required), Exhibit Hall, breaks, lunch, President's Welcome Reception. Saturday only: Each paid registrant gains access to Saturday educational sessions, CE breakfast (pre-registration required), Exhibit Hall, breaks, lunch. Pre-registration required for annual meeting/awards presentation/keynote; this is a ticketed CE event.

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Sunday only: Each paid registrant gains access to Sunday educational sessions, breaks and ticketed CE lunch (pre-registration required) in the Exhibit Hall. DVM and CVT Student Members Students attending the ISVMA Annual Convention are welcome at any of the sessions presented. Students may attend one Annual Convention at no charge once during their veterinary school career. To attend at no charge, contact the ISVMA Office at (217) 546-8381 to register. A credit card number or a check is required for students who are taking advantage of their complimentary registration. The ISVMA will hold all forms of payment. Credit Cards will not be charged; checks will not be cashed. If the student does not check-in at convention registration, all forms of payment will be processed. No-shows will be charged.

Cancellation Policy 1. Cancellation Deadline: Registrations for the ISVMA Convention can be cancelled until 5 p.m. CST on September 26, 2026. 2. Refund Details: a. Cancellations made by 5 p.m. CST on September 26, 2026: Full refund minus a $50 processing fee. b. Cancellations after 5 p.m., September 26, 2026 and by 5 p.m. CST on October 23, 2026: 50% refund of registration fee minus a $50 processing fee. c. Cancellations after 5 p.m. on October 23, 2026: No refunds will be issued. 3. Substitution Policy: Registrants may substitute another person from the same company or organization by notifying us in writing at least 15 days before the event. 4. Exceptional Circumstances: In cases of documented medical reasons, family death or family emergencies, refunds considered on a case-by-case basis.

Registration Information

Exhibit Hall Highlights

5. Cancellation Procedure: To request a cancellation, please notify the ISVMA Office in writing. You can email your cancellation request to info@isvma.org.

Visit the Trade Show to learn about new veterinary products and solutions for your daily practice problems. Plus, plan to make your supply and equipment purchases at the ISVMA Annual Convention to take advantage of exhibitor show specials. You are sure to find some great values!

6. Refund Processing: Refunds, if applicable, will be processed within 30 business days after the receipt of your cancellation request. 7. Contact Information: For any questions regarding cancellations or refunds, please contact the ISVMA Office at (217) 546-8381. 8. Liability Disclaimer: The association is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by attendees or their property during the event. Please note that this policy is subject to change, and it is recommended to check the ISVMA website or contact the office directly for any updates or clarifications.

Hours Friday, November 6: 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7: 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Events Be sure to attend the President's Welcome Reception, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6. Hors d'oeuvres and one drink ticket provided! Enjoy complimentary beverages and lunch on Friday and Saturday in the Exhibit Hall while you network with exhibitors and fellow attendees.

Recordings/Photography

Additional CE Opportunity at Sunday's Lunch

Please note that you may be electronically recorded or photographed while attending convention sessions or at special or general events by ISVMA staff, or communication vendors hired by the ISVMA. All negatives, prints, digital and audio reproductions shall be the property of the ISVMA.

This is a ticketed event. There is no cost to attend, but RSVPs are required on the registration form.

Attending the Annual Convention implies consent allowing the ISVMA to use your image or likeness, unless you provide written notice that permission is not granted.

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IVMF Silent Auction The Illinois Veterinary Medical Foundation (IVMF) is hosting a silent auction in the Exhibit Hall. Bidding opens on Friday, November 6 at 9:15 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. Continue the bidding war throughout Saturday, November 7 in the Exhibit Hall from 8:00 am. until 1:00 p.m. The auction will conclude at 1:00 p.m. and all winning bids will be finalized. Bidders need to be present to win, and items can be picked up onsite from the auction table from 1:50-2:30 p.m. If the winner is unable to pick up the item(s) and prior pick-up/mailing arrangements have not been made with ISVMA staff, it will go to the next highest bidder. To make a silent auction donation, please contact the ISVMA Office at (217) 546-8381, or click on this link for an online form to complete: IVMF Silent Auction Donation Form

Confirmed Exhibitors

MWI Animal Health National Veterinary Associates - General Practice Nutramax Laboratories PerioVive

As of July 13, 2026 AVMA Insurance Services Banfield Pet Hospital Boehringer-Ingelheim

Rose Micro Solutions RWE Scratch Synchrony Veterinary Cardiology The Animal Neurology Center

Central Illinois X-Ray

Veterinarian Partners

Christian Veterinary Mission

Veterinary Diagnostic Centers

Cislak Manufacturing, Inc.

Veterinary Medical Political Action Committee

Hill's Pet Nutrition Hometown Veterinary Partners Illinois State Medical Foundation Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association InTouch Practice Communications Indical Bioscience MedXwaste Midwest Anesthesia Consulting Veterinary Services

Planning Committee Brenda Burnham, DVM

Amanda Hampton, DVM

Joanne Carlson, DVM

Ellen Helmers, DVM, CHPV

Erika Eigenbrod, DVM

Nicole Johnson, DVM

Valerie Eisenbart, DVM, MPH, Chair

Jennifer Ostrom, DVM

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Olivia Rudolphi, DVM

Devon Hague, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

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Thank You to Our 2026 Convention Sponsors! The ISVMA thanks the companies listed below for their generosity in sponsoring the 144th Annual Convention. Please thank representatives of these companies when visiting them in the Exhibit Hall. (The list is reflective of companies that had committed by July 13, 2026.)

Platinum Gold

Silver

Boehringer-Ingelheim

InTouch Practice Communications

Whitney Veterinary Hospital PerioVive The Animal Neurology Center

Bronze Care Credit Feline Veterinary Medical Association

Contributing 4 Paws For Ability AVMA Insurance Services Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants Illinois Department of Agriculture USDA-APHIS-VS University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Virbac

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Keynote Speaker This year’s ISVMA’s Annual Convention features a full neurology track and a keynote address from Fred Wininger, VMD MS DACVIM (Neurology). Dr. Wininger is a board-certified veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon and the founder of the Animal Neurology Center in St. Louis, a single-specialty hospital built around a modern model that integrates advanced clinical care, education, and innovation. He is adjunct professor at the University of Missouri and owner/operator of 3D Veterinary Printing LLC. His primary interests are MR neuroimaging, spinal stabilization and the interface of primary care veterinarians and specialists, bridging the knowledge and collegiality gaps through pragmatic approaches to complex topics. Known for his expertise in diagnostic imaging and surgical treatment of complex neurologic disease, he has a reputation for making the unfamiliar understandable and helping clients and colleagues face frightening, complex conditions with clarity and confidence. He is deeply committed to education, training veterinary students from multiple universities, founding the novel hybrid neurology residency with the University of Missouri, and creating immersive continuing education experiences for practicing veterinarians at the ANC. Dr. Wininger often says he went into veterinary medicine because he loves animals, but fell in love with the profession because of the people who care for them. He also advises colleagues building independent practices grounded in integrity and staff fulfillment, while partnering with industry to help bring the next generation of veterinary diagnostic and therapeutics through converting human technologies into clinical practice.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS DACVIM, (Neurology) Veterinarian & Educator

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ISVMA CONVENTION 2026 FEATURED SPEAKERS

Dr. Petra Černá PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP (Feline), MANZCVS

Feline Medicine

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)

Kemba Marshall, DVM, MPH, SHRM-CP

Jill Brecklin, CVT, CVPM

Neurology

Diversity, Inclusivity and Culture

Practice Management

PLUS CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, ONCOLOGY, DENTISTRY, MARKETING, WILDLIFE, LABS AND WORKSHOPS & MORE!

NOVEMBER 6-8, 2026 WESTIN CHICAGO LOMBARD 70 YORKTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, LOMBARD, IL 60148

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!

Volunteers Welcome: Seeking Moderators The ISVMA welcomes dedicated volunteers. Enhance your convention experience by moderating program sessions! Contact Sherrie Leezer at (217) 546-8381 or sherrie.leezer@isvma.org.

www.ISVMA.org

Convention Schedule Friday, November 6 Small Animal A

Small Animal B

Large Animal (Equine)

The Itchy and Scratchy Show: How to Confidently Manage Canine Atopy in a World with so Many Choices!

The Mysterious FIP Part 1: Diagnosis

Restoring Health Through Diet: Feeding Protocols for Underweight Horses

Time

8:00-8:50 AM

Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

9:00-9:50 AM

No Butts About It: Anal Sacs, Tail Glands, and Fistulas, Oh My! Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

Petra Cerna, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP, MANZCVS

The Mysterious FIP Part 2: Treatment and Management Petra Cerna, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP, MANZCVS

9:50-10:30 AM

The Anesthetized Oral Exam and Charting Heidi Olivier, CVT, VTS (Dentistry),

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Restoring Health Through Diet: Feeding Protocols for Overweight Horses

Periodontal Disease in Practice: What Every Veterinary Technician Should Know

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Heidi Olivier, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)

Special Interest

Practice Management

Service Dogs in Veterinary Practice

Veterinary Business Insurance 101: Protecting You and Your Practice

Ruth Keller, DVM

Jennifer Frey, DVM

Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Animals, and Service Dogs Ruth Keller, DVM

Are You Protected? Understanding Your Professional Liability Policy Jennifer Frey, DVM

BREAK Exhibit Hall

10:30-11:20 AM Pus-Filled Ear? Never fear! How to Tackle Difficult, Exudative Otitis Externa Cases with Confidence Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

Unique Cats Feline Behavior and Cat Friendly Handling Petra Cerna, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP, MANZCVS

11:30 AM 1:00 PM

ISVMA’S 144

Technician

The Top 10 Supplements Equine Practitioners Should Know About Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis: Recognition, Management, and Technician Impact Heidi Olivier, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)

The Why, When, What, and How of Behavioral Medications for the Anxious Dog Fiia Jokela, DVM, DABVP, (Canine/Feline)

Your Next Client May Never Search Google: How AI is Changing the Way Pet Owners Choose Veterinarians Bill Schroeder

LUNCH Exhibit Hall

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Convention Schedule Friday, November 6 Small Animal A

Small Animal B

Large Animal (Equine)

The Allergic Catastrophy How to Confidently Work Up and Manage Allergic Cats

Keep Calm and Carry on: A Comprehensive Approach to FLUTD

Exploring The Equine Gut Microbiome

Time

1:00-1:50 PM

Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

Petra Cerna, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP, MANZCVS

Listen Up! Let’s Work on Preventing Otitis Externa Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

Kimberly Knap, MVS, CVT, CCRP, CCSC

Better Finding the Conversations, Spunk in Your Better Geriatric Outcomes: Patient Communication Strategies for Kimberly Knap, Petra Cerna, PhD, Equine MVS, CVT, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, Practitioners CCRP, CCSC Approach to Vomiting & Diarrhea in Cats

DABVP, MANZCVS

3:30-4:20 PM

Foundations in Companion Animal Rehabilitation

Special Interest

Practice Management

The New You Can't Veterinary Touch Me: Marketing Sedating the Ecosystem: Severely FearWhy Websites, Aggressive Content, Video, Dog for Reviews, and Veterinary Paid Ads Matter Care More Than Ever Fiia Jokela, DVM, DABVP, Bill Schroeder (Canine/Feline)

BREAK Exhibit Hall

1:50-2:30 PM 2:30-3:20 PM

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Technician

Don’t Dread the Diet Trial! Demystifying Food Allergies and How to Accurately Diagnose Them

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Stephen Dullard DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)

Rabies Certification for Illinois CVTs Presentation by ISVMA

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

The Visibility Gap: How to Score Your Practice, Your Market, and Your Competitive Position in the AI Era Bill Schroeder

The Best New Equine Research Studies of the Past Year

Therapeutic Exercise and Conditioning Home Exercise Plan Basics

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA

Kimberly Knap, MVS, CVT, CCRP, CCSC

Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD

Rabies Certification for Illinois CVTs Presentation by ISVMA

The AI-Ready Practice: A Strategic Playbook to Protect, Prepare, and Grow in the Next Era of Veterinary Marketing Bill Schroeder

4:30-5:30 PM

PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION EXHIBIT HALL

5:45-7:00 PM

CE RECEPTION: When the Patient Hits the Floor: A Cardiology Perspective on Syncope Workup and Treatment Anna Reuter, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology)

ISVMA’S 144

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Convention Schedule Saturday, November 7 Small Animal A

Time

7:00-7:50 AM

Small Animal B

Large Animal

Special Interest

Practice Management

Medical Math Mentality – M³

Humans as Resources

Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE

Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP

Vision, Mission and Values Your Foundation

Stabilization, Stat!

The Veterinary Business Case for Belonging

Location, Lenders and Layout

Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP

Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA & Dan Markwalder, DVM

One Health Lessons in Pet Retail

Technician Utilization

Technician

CE BREAKFAST Neurowhatsity (Understanding Neurodiversity) Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP

8:00-8:50 AM

Can You Treat it? Yes You Can! Wildlife Rehabilitation Medicine Edition Sarah Reich, DVM

9:00-9:50 AM

If It Hurts You, It Hurts Them - Analgesia, Sedation, and Anxiolysis in Wildlife Species Sarah Reich, DVM

Frenchie Fanaticism: How One Breed Has Changed an Entire Specialty

USDA Training: Module 34 Veterinary Export Health Certification System

Fred Wininger, VMD MS DACVIM (Neurology)

Janelle Bols, DVM USDA-APHIS

Step-by-Step Seizure Management

USDA Training: Module 8 International Movement of Horses

Fred Wininger, VMD MS DACVIM (Neurology)

Lynsee Melchi, DVM USDA-APHIS

BREAK Exhibit Hall

9:50-10:30 AM Contagion Common Infectious Diseases of Wildlife Species

10:30 AM 11:20 AM

The Gait Game Fred Wininger, VMD, MS DACVIM (Neurology)

Sarah Reich, DVM

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

ISVMA’S 144

Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE

Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA & Dan Markwalder, DVM

ANNUAL CONVENTION

USDA Training: Module 41 New World Screwworm

EVTriage Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE

Jennifer Gravely, DVM USDA-APHIS

Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP

Elizabeth Stark, CVT, FVTE, BA, MBA

LUNCH Exhibit Hall

Convention Schedule Saturday, November 7 Small Animal A

Time

1:00-1:50 PM

Small Animal B

Large Animal (Equine)

Pain Is Practical Field Knock ‘em Inevitable, Fluid Therapy in Down & Wake Suffering Is Livestock ‘em Up Optional: Managing the Restraint, Brian Aldridge, Alyssa Mages, Painful Patient BVSc, MS, PhD, Exam, and BS, CVT, FVTE Beyond AntiBandaging of Dip ACVIM Wildlife Species Inflammatories (Large Animal), MRCVS Fred Wininger, Sarah Reich, VMD, MS DVM DACVIM (Neurology)

Wildlife Wetlab (Part 1)

Wildlife Wetlab (Part 2)

2:00-2:50 PM

Restraint, Exam, and Bandaging of Wildlife Species Sarah Reich, DVM

Know When to Hold ’Em, Know When to Fold ’Em: The Who, What, and When of the Neurology Referral

Beyond Disease Prevention: Strengthening Immune Resilience in Livestock Systems

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS DACVIM (Neurology)

Brian Aldridge, BVSc, MS, PhD, Dip ACVIM (Large Animal), MRCVS

Special Interest

Practice Management

Inclusivity Above All

Difficult Conversations

Technician

Kemba Marshall, Elizabeth Stark, MPH, DVM, CVT, FVTE, BA, SHRM-CP MBA

Phamiliar Pharmacology

The Cost of Culture

Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE

Kemba Marshall, MPH, DVM, SHRM-CP

2:50-3:30 PM

BREAK Exhibit Hall

3:30-5:30 PM

ISVMA Annual Meeting and Keynote Address

Generational Differences in the Workplace Elizabeth Stark, CVT, FVTE, BA, MBA

Wired for Connection: Why Communication is and Always Will be the Gold Standard in Therapeutics Fred Wininger, VMD, MS DACVIM (Neurology), The Animal Neurology Center

University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Alumni Reception @ Empire Burgers & Brew 94 Yorktown Mall Drive, Lombard, IL 60148

5:30-7:15 PM

ISVMA’S 144

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Convention Schedule Sunday, November 8 Small Animal A

Time

6:45-7:45 A.M

Small Animal B

Special Interest

Practice Management

Non-Denominational Worship & Breakfast

8:00-8:50 A.M

9:00-9:50 A.M

Avoiding "Garbage In, Garbage Out" by Maximizing Your Cytology Sample

Taking a Bite out of Rabies: Response to a Dog Testing Positive in Chicago

Finding your Passion Career Options for Veterinary Technicians

Amy Schnelle, DVM, MS, DACVP

Janna Kerins, VMD, MPH & Megan Carolan, DVM

Mary Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), FVTE

Pardon? Optimizing Communication Between Practitioner and (Clinical) Pathologist

What Matters, What Doesn't, and Why: Practical Abdominal Ultrasound

How to Get to Yes Treatment Plan Creation and Delivery

Amy Schnelle, DVM, MS, DACVP

Mark Howes, DVM, DACVR

Mary Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), FVTE

Coop to Clinic: A Field Guide to Small-Flock Medicine & Husbandry Blayne Mozisek, MS, DVM, MAM, DACPV

From Hatcher to Hen House: The Medicine Behind Starting a Successful Flock Blayne Mozisek, MS, DVM, MAM, DACPV

Onboarding New Employees: How to Set Our New Hires up for Success Jill Brecklin, CVT, CVPM

Incorporating Fun into the Workplace: A Retention & Engagement Strategy Jill Brecklin, CVT, CVPM

BREAK South/North Pavilion

9:50-10:30 AM

Free Beer and Other Radiation Related Topics

10:30-11:20 AM

Kim Selting, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR (Radiation Oncology)

ISVMA’S 144

Technician

The Gastrointestinal Tract: Reading Beyond Wall Thickness Mark Howes, DVM, DACVR

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Controlled Substances What Technicians Really Need to Know

Fowl Play: The Common Diseases Behind Most Backyard Flock Calls

Leveraging Your Injectable Pharmacy in Today’s Instant Gratification Society

Mary Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), FVTE

Blayne Mozisek, MS, DVM, MAM, DACPV

Jill Brecklin, CVT CVPM

Convention Schedule Sunday, November 8 Small Animal A

Time

11:30 AM-1:00 PM

1:00-1:50 PM

2:00-2:50 PM

Small Animal B

Special Interest

Practice Management

CE Luncheon - Ticketed Event From Statues to Stethoscopes: Understanding Veterinary Legislation’s Impact on Practice ISVMA Legislative Team

Cancer Clinical Trials – Comfort with the Unknown

Thoracic Radiographs: Beyond Bronchointerstitial

Kitten Intake 101: Tiny Patients, Big Decisions

Kim Selting, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR (Radiation Oncology)

Mark Howes, DVM, DACVR

Rachel Dorney, CVT

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing to Refer to an Oncologist

CT: What We Miss on Radiographs

From Nose to Tail: Identifying Congenital Abnormalities in Kittens

Mark Howes, DVM, DACVR

Kim Selting, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR (Radiation Oncology)

ISVMA’S 144

Technician

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Rachel Dorney, CVT

Worms, Mites & Things that Bite! Hunting the Parasites of Backyard Flocks

Leading Through the Chaos: Veterinary Management in Real Life

Blayne Mozisek, MS, DVM, MAM, DACPV

Jill Brecklin, CVT CVPM

The Last Exam: Backyard Chicken Necropsy & the Anatomy Every Vet Should Know

Be the Clinic Everyone Talks About: Unique Services + Referral Magic Jill Brecklin, CVT CVPM

Blayne Mozisek, MS, DVM, MAM, DACPV

Convention Pricing DVM Registrant

ISVMA Member

Non-Member

$610

$675

Two days

$530

$585

One day

$450

$500

Full Convention/three days

$740

$820

Two days

$650

$725

One day

$560

$625

ISVMA’S 144

Early Bird (on/before Oct. 23)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

$375

$425

Two days

$345

$380

One day

$300

$330

Full Convention/three days

$450

$500

Two days

$400

$440

One day

$350

$385

ISVMA Member Specials: DVM Retired nonworking and life comp members only Retired DVM

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

CVT Registrant

ISVMA Member

Early Bird (on/before Oct. 23)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

$445

$490

Two days

$385

$425

One day

$325

$360

ANNUAL CONVENTION

Convention Pricing 2025 and 2026 Graduates

DVM

CVT

$425

$470

Two days

$380

$420

One day

$335

$370

Full Convention/three days

$350

$385

Two days

$315

$350

One day

$285

$320

Early Bird (on/before Oct. 23)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

$375

$425

Two days

$345

$380

One day

$300

$330

Student

DVM (One-time attendance FREE) / CVT (One-time attendance FREE)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

Practice Personnel

ISVMA Member

Early Bird (on/before Oct. 23)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

$135

$150

Two days

$105

$115

One day

$75

$85

Guest

Early Bird (on/before Oct. 23)

Late (after Oct. 23)

Full Convention/three days

$255

$280

Two days

$220

$245

One day

$180

$200

ISVMA’S 144

ANNUAL CONVENTION

2026 Convention Registration Form Register one person per form. For additional registrants, please copy form. Please print. Full name:

Credentials:

(Print name as you want it to appear on your name badge.)

(i.e., DVM, CVT, DACVR, etc.)

Business name: City:

Address: State:

ZIP:

For Veterinarians and CVTs:

Phone:

For Students:

College:

Year of Graduation:

DVM Owner

DVM Faculty or Academic

DVM Student

DVM Industry

DVM Other

CVT Student

DVM Associate

CVT

*Students attending the ISVMA Annual Convention are welcome in any of the sessions presented. Students may attend one Annual Convention at no charge once during their veterinary school career. To attend at no charge, contact the ISVMA Office at (217) 546-8381 to register. A credit card number or a check is required for students who are taking advantage of their complimentary registration. The ISVMA will hold all forms of payment. Credit Cards will not be charged; checks will not be cashed. If the student does not check-in at convention registration, all forms of payment will be processed. Noshows will be charged.

DVM Retired

All Attendees: Please tell us how we can ensure your attendance at the Annual Convention is an inclusive experience. Check the appropriate box if you require assistance, need special arrangements and/or if you have a dietary restriction. We will contact you to discuss accommodations/options, if needed.

Practice Staff Attendees:

Disability/Limitation:

Practice Manager

Dietary Restriction/Request:

Practice Personnel

Other

Guests

Special Events

Days Attending

There are no additional fees for the following, however, you must indicate your attendance for CE Credit. A ticket will be issued allowing your participation.

Friday, November 6

Full Convention

Friday-Sunday

Two Days Only

Friday-Saturday

Saturday-Sunday

Friday-Sunday

One Day Only

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

I will attend.

I will NOT attend.

4:30-5:30 p.m. - President's Reception

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - CE Lunch, From Statutes to Stethoscopes: Understanding Veterinary Legislation’s Impact on Practice (RSVP mandatory for food/CE)

I will NOT attend.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Lunch in Exhibit Hall

5:45-7:00 p.m. - CE Reception (RSVP mandatory for food/CE)

7:00-7:45 a.m. - Non-Denominational Religious Service

I will attend.

7:00-7:50 a.m. - Exploring Neurodiversity CE Breakfast (RSVP mandatory for food/CE)

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunch - Exhibit Hall

Sunday, November 8

Saturday, November 7

I will attend.

I will NOT attend.

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Senior Veterinary Networking Lunch (Past President, Life & Life Comp Members.) 3:30-5:00 p.m. - Annual Meeting/Awards Presentation, Keynote Presentation, Dr. Fred Wininger (RSVP mandatory for CE)

Registration Fees Participant's First/Last Name. Please print:

USDA Accreditation Sessions

Saturday, 10:30-11:20 a.m., Food Animal

Pre-registration mandatory to receive accreditation education hours. No additional fee required. A ticket will be included in registration packet for attendance.

Module 41: New World Screwworm: A 21st Century Perspective (Max capacity: 60)

Saturday, 8:00-8:50 a.m., Food Animal Module 34: Veterinary Export Health Certification System (Max capacity: 60) This session covers signs of New World Screwworm, its life cycle, control measures and reporting methods. It also covers the potential animal, human and financial impacts associated with an incursion of New World Screwworm.

This module provides the accredited veterinarian with information about the functionality of the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). It demonstrates the extent to which it can be used and describes how to access and use the VEHCS.

Saturday, 9:00-9:50 a.m., Food Animal Module 8: International Movement of Horses (Max capacity: 60) This module describes the economic importance of the U.S. equine industry and the impact of international travel of horses on global spread of equine diseases. The process for proper completion of health certificates for movement, both temporary and permanent, is illustrated through an interactive scenario following the export of a horse to an international destination. Emphasis is placed on the role and responsibilities of the accredited veterinarian, isolation procedures, required laboratory tests, and accurate completion of an international health certificate.

Registration Fees Total

My USDA Accreditation Number is:

Registration Fee (Total from pgs. 24-25)

Convention Proceedings Flash Drive ($40)

Questions?

TOTAL DUE

Call the ISVMA Office at (217) 546-8381.

Method of Payment Check enclosed.

Visa

MasterCard

Card number: V-code (on card back):

AMEX

Cardholder name (Please print):

Expiration date:

Signature:

Zip Code:

Date:

Please mail this completed form with payment to:

Discover

Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association 1121 Chatham Road, Springfield IL 62704

Fax credit card information and registration forms to (217) 546-5633. (If you fax, you do not need to mail this form).

9 Ways to Get Ready for ISVMA Convention By Wendy S. Myers, CVJ Communication Solutions for Veterinarians Before you travel to the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association Convention this November, here are nine ways to make the most of the experience. You’ll head to the conference prepared and excited—and return with goals that stick. 1. PACK THE RIGHT CLOTHES. Bring a cardigan sweater, blazer, or light jacket that you can layer. Temperatures can swing between meeting rooms, hallways, and exhibit hall. Comfortable shoes can help you walk every aisle of the exhibit hall and get to your must-attend CE sessions without sprinting. Even when I’m speaking, I wear dressy tennis shoes between sessions and slip on my kitten heels for presentation time. When I’m back in my hotel room, I treat my feet to non-slip fuzzy slipper socks. Happy feet are everything! 2. BRING YOUR TECH Take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, and a power bank charger. Use your cell phone to scan QR codes from speakers and exhibitors, take photos with speakers and at conference events to post on social media, and capture images of equipment or presentation slides. Take notes and build your to-do list on your tablet or laptop during sessions. If your practice uses AI scribe tools for medical recordkeeping, consider its use beyond exam rooms. AI scribe tools can listen to lectures and summarize information so you can enjoy more engaging learning.

4. MAKE A LIST OF MUST-VISIT EXHIBITORS. Whether you’re seeking new equipment, software, or financial services, come with a list of your top 10 exhibitors to visit. You can browse every aisle after you’ve visited your high-priority exhibitors. If you’re considering a big investment in equipment or services, plan your budget and get spending approval before you go. Many vendors offer show specials with expiring deals. Coming with pre-approved purchases is valuable for practice managers, medical directors, and corporate practice leaders. Be decisive at the conference. If you’ve got the funds and tingle with excitement over the equipment purchase, buy it today in the exhibit hall. Deciding now lets you redeem show specials and delight your team when you return and explain, “I bought a new dental unit at the conference, which will arrive Friday!”

3. SELECT YOUR CE SESSIONS IN ADVANCE When choosing your must-see lectures in medicine and management, think of skills you want to grow, emerging trends, and topics that are relevant to your practice. Note speakers who you want to talk with and prepare questions in advance.

5. BE READY TO NETWORK. Pack a box of business cards—yes, an entire box. I also have a digital business card that’s a QR code people can scan with their phones and instantly add me to their contacts (https://dotcards.net/). Share your contact information with prospective job candidates if your practice is hiring, speakers, exhibitors, and other interesting attendees who you meet over the weekend. Attend the alumni reception and President’s Welcome Reception on November 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall. Connect with old and new friends.

6. BRING COMFORTS FROM HOME.

I always travel with my insulated water bottle, thermal coffee mug, and sleeping mask. Stay hydrated, caffeinated, and well rested. 7. REVIEW NOTES AT THE END OF EACH DAY. You will pick up new medical knowledge, efficiency ideas, and revenue growth strategies at the convention. Without implementation, these gems are worthless. At the end of each day, dedicate 20 minutes in the quiet of your hotel room to list the top three ideas you will implement when you return to your practice. When determining goals, ask these questions to prioritize which choices will have the greatest impact on your practice: How will this idea improve client experiences? How will this idea enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction? How will this idea improve patient care? How will this idea increase hospital revenue? Ask, “What’s the next step I need to take to move toward this goal?” Goals should inspire you to populate your daily task list with action steps.

8. MAKE FOLLOW-UP PLANS Write notes on business cards about your conversations and follow-up actions. At the end of each day, put a note on your calendar or digital planner with a reminder to follow up on a specific date. Send follow-up emails when most conference goers will have been back at work for two days. Your email should include who you are, what you discussed at the convention, and suggest next steps such as setting up a meeting, connecting with a colleague, or buying a service or product. If your follow-up conversation merits a call or virtual meeting, book a date and time with your colleague before leaving the conference. Let’s say you’re a practice owner and meet an associate veterinarian candidate during seminars. Grab dinner together at the conference or schedule a post-conference Zoom meeting for a job interview. Because many practices are hiring, quality prospects may get snatched up quickly.

9. SHARE WHAT YOU LEARNED. Upload conference proceedings along with your notes on a shared drive or practice server where other doctors, technicians, assistants, and client service representatives can study the information, too. If doctors decide to update a protocol or introduce a new service based on what they learned at the conference, schedule a staff meeting to discuss details with employees. Explain the “why” behind the protocol change, share a written standard operating procedure, and create scripts of what to tell clients. Getting everyone on the same page before you roll out a new service or protocol will ensure its success. Whether you attended sessions on medicine, management, or client service, knowledge gained needs to be shared. Your practice invests time and money when you attend a conference. Set aside time to write goals and engage your team in understanding and implementing ideas. Your strategic approach will pay rich dividends on continuing education.

GUEST AUTHOR Wendy S. Myers, CVJ Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, trains veterinary teams to communicate with clarity and confidence, inspiring client trust and better medical care. Founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches proven skills through online courses, conferences, and consulting. Myers’ experience as a partner in a specialty and emergency hospital gives her insight into practice challenges. Explore her online training at CsvetsCourses.com.

Listen Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

Protecting Your DEA Registration During Practice Transitions By Dr. Peter Weinstein & Kelley Detweiler

For many veterinarians, a Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) registration is simply a tool of the trade —a routine requirement for daily practice. However, when a DEA registration is used to order and maintain a controlled substance inventory (as opposed to only prescribing controlled substances), as an individual DEA registrant you are 100% responsible for everything that happens with your controlled substance inventory. Whether you are selling your practice, accepting a Medical Director position requiring the use of your personal practitioner DEA registration to order controlled substances on behalf of a practice, retiring, or transitioning between roles, periods of transition can significantly increase your liability as a DEA registrant if your controlled substance inventory is not properly handled. Too many veterinarians leave their DEA registrations active, neglect to update their primary location of record with the DEA or agree to be the DEA registrant of record for a practice or facility at which they no longer actively oversee operations. Often times, this happens due to pressure during business purchases (aka national corporations). This is a critical error. The DEA does not care who owns the business; they care who is registered to order and maintain the controlled substance inventory. Under federal law, the DEA registrant of record is the responsible party!!

If you are ordering controlled substances using a personal DEA practitioner registration, you are 100% responsible for everything that happens with your controlled substance inventory; including ensuring that all associated requirements that come with a DEA registration are met. Your top priority as an ordering DEA registrant is to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances.1 Those responsibilities also include (but are not limited to) the following: 1. Secure and proper storage of controlled substances; 2. Ensuring adequate physical security and access controls at your registered location; 3. Maintaining all required records per 21 CFR 13042; 4. Effectively vetting any individuals being authorized to work with your controlled substance inventory; 5. Proper wasting, disposal and destruction of controlled substances; 6. Secure storage of any DEA Form-222s and/or DEA Controlled Substance ordering System (CSOS) credentials and prescription pads;

Selling Your Practice: YOU Own the Controlled Substance Inventory A dangerous misconception in veterinary practice sales is that the controlled substance inventory "belongs" to the purchasing individual or business entity after the sale. This is not the case. Under federal law, the DEA registrant is the legal owner of all controlled substances ordered under their DEA registration number regardless of who paid for them. If controlled substances were purchased under an individual DEA practitioner registration, the individual named on the DEA Form-222 Certificate of Registration legally owns the inventory. Do not be intimidated by employers or buyers who may suggest otherwise. Federal law is very clear: when an individual practitioner DEA registration is used, controlled substance inventory ownership and responsibility rests entirely with the individual DEA registrant whose registration was used to order controlled substances; not an employer, corporation, business owner, landlord or any other person or entity other than the named individual on the DEA registration.3

7. Adhering to DEA and state reporting requirements (theft/loss reporting, prescription drug monitoring programs as applicable etc.); and 8. Ensuring your controlled substance inventory is properly managed during any transitions involving changes to your existing capacities as an ordering DEA registrant. Professional transitions are inevitable. The key is understanding how to mitigate risk when navigating these transitions.

It does not matter if you signed an employment agreement stating that you acknowledge any controlled substances paid for by the company are the property of the company. If your personal practitioner DEA registration was used to order them, they are your legal property, not the property of the company. It does not matter if your employment agreement includes a clause stating that if your employment capacity with the employer terminates you agree to transfer any remaining controlled substance inventory prior to leaving. Any decisions to conduct a transfer are at the discretion of the DEA registrant who legally owns the inventory and cannot and should not be influenced by another party. Employment agreements and company policies cannot supersede federal law. If you are selling your practice and have an existing controlled substance inventory, keep the following in mind: A DEA registration is not delegable! If you have a personal practitioner registration, the DEA granted YOU the individual privilege of ordering controlled substances. You cannot abdicate or delegate any aspect of your DEA registrant responsibilities or privileges to any person or entity. Discontinuing your ordering capacities as a DEA registrant does not remove responsibility or liability. You cannot simply leave your controlled substance inventory behind at a facility or walk away from a role wherein controlled substances were being ordered under your DEA registration. Your responsibilities as a DEA registrant do not end when you sell your practice. Similarly, your controlled substance inventory is not part of the sale and must be handled separately. Just as a DEA registration cannot be delegated, DEA controlled substance inventory cannot be “sold”. During a sale, DEA registrants must properly “transition” any remaining controlled substance inventory in one of three ways: 1. Transferring 2. Reverse distributing (destruction) 3. Taking them to your new DEAregistered location

If you are transferring, transfer correctly: Controlled substances may only be transferred between DEA registrants. If you choose to conduct a transfer, you must request written approval from the DEA to do so before initiating a transfer4. If the DEA does not deny your request, you may proceed with the transfer to another DEA registrant. A word of advice controlled substance transfers are multifaceted and involve a myriad of steps and documentation, all of which must be correctly completed and maintained by both the transferring and receiving DEA registrants. If you are destroying, use a DEAregistered reverse distributor: “DEAregistered” is key here. Not all pharmaceutical return services are DEA-registered. “Reverse distributor” is a type of DEA registration based on the activity being performed, i.e., destruction of controlled substances on behalf of another DEA registrant. If you do not know if a pharmaceutical return company is DEA-registered, ask. Do not “waste” your remaining controlled substance inventory. Use a DEA-registered reverse distributor who will provide you with a “Certificate of Destruction” to officially close out your DEA records. 37

If you take your inventory with you, update your address of record: If you practice in a state that requires a separate state controlled substance license, you must update the address on your state license BEFORE updating your DEA registration and the addresses must match. Every DEA registration is tied to a valid state license. If you try to update your DEA registration first the address you enter will not match what is reflected on your state controlled substance license and cause your DEA address change to get denied.

Document everything! Whether you transfer, destroy, or take your controlled substance inventory to a new registered location, remember to thoroughly document everything. Regulations require DEA records to be retained at the registered location in a “readily retrievable” manner for the current two-year period. Before you transition out of an ordering DEA registrant capacity, make sure your original DEA records are accurate, complete, properly organized, and separated out from all other records at that registered location.5,6

The "Nominal" DEA Registrant Trap Do not be surprised if an employer, business owner, or management pressures you to keep your DEA registration active at a practice or facility you are transitioning out of, even if you are no longer there or aren't involved in day-to-day operations. If you practice in a state that requires a veterinarian to be listed on a facility premises permit, do not be surprised if you are asked to have your name listed as a “Managing Licensee” on a premises permit for a facility you do not actively oversee or work at. You can say no: You are under no obligation to allow an employer or business to use your personal DEA registration for their ordering needs. You are also not required to be a named party on a premises permit (exceptions would include this being a stated requirement as part of a buyerseller agreement).

Recognize the pressure: If you are being threatened or pressured to take on these roles, proceed with extreme caution. Be wary of bribery or coercion; prioritize your license to practice veterinary medicine over a business owner's convenience.

Beware of "Pay-to-Play": While you may be offered compensation to be the DEA registrant or permit holder, understand exactly what you are selling. You are selling your professional accountability. If diversion occurs, or if logs are missing, the DEA will come after the name on the registration, not the business owner who paid you to be the proxy.

Medical Directors: Understanding the Burden Stepping into a “Medical Director” role often comes with the expectation that by doing so you agree to use your personal DEA practitioner registration to order controlled substances on behalf of a facility. In these circumstances, do not accept a role with this type of obligation blindly. Understand the scope: Know exactly what happens to the inventory when you eventually leave. Get compensated: If you are assuming the liability, you must be compensated for that specific risk. Never assume the legal burden of a DEA registration for free or as a generic "part of the job."

Your Checklist for Leaving a Practice

Plan your exit: When you take the job, plan how you will disassociate yourself from the inventory and processes when your tenure ends.

1. Stop ordering immediately: Do not allow the practice to place a single order under your DEA once you are on your way out.

When your time at a practice ends, your DEA responsibilities do not automatically sunset. You must be proactive prior to the transition process

2. Contact distributors: Notify every supplier, update your accounts, and remove your name. 3. Secure the paperwork: Take any remaining DEA Form 222s with you. Ensure all CSOS access is revoked for staff members who hold Power of Attorney (POA) for your registration. 4. Transfer or Distribute: Finalize the transfer or reverse distribution of all controlled substances that were registered under your name. 5. Disassociate: Completely remove yourself from the drug ordering, logging, and security processes.

The Bottom Line An individual DEA practitioner registration is a personal registration granted to you, not to a business or facility (unless “hospital/clinic” is listed as the “Activity” on your DEA Form-223 practitioner registration, which is a different type of registration). An individual DEA practitioner registration means the DEA has granted you the personal privilege of a DEA registration. You retain all rights related to that registration and have a federal legal obligation—to ensure that your registration, and any controlled substance inventory associated with it, are secured at all times and never misused. No one can tell you how to handle your controlled substance inventory during a transition. You are the legal owner of your controlled substances, and all decisions regarding that inventory are yours and yours alone. If you are no longer in a position to oversee your controlled substance inventory, you are no longer in a position to be the ordering DEA registrant of record. If you change facilities, the address on your DEA registration needs to change to reflect your new practice location. If you are not immediately relocating to a new practice location but do not want to terminate your registration, DEA regulations do not prohibit individuals …from using their home address.7 In closing, anytime your role as a DEA registrant transitions, make sure to properly transition your controlled substance inventory so that when you leave, you leave the liability behind.

[REFERENCES] Security Requirements Generally. 21 CFR 1301.71(a). Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/part-1301/section-1301.71#p-1301.71(a). Published September 21, 1971. Accessed: July 2, 2026. Part 1304. Records and Reports of Registrants. Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/part-1304. Published April 6, 2009. Accessed: July 2, 2026.

Persons required to keep records and file reports. 21 CFR 1304.03(a). Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/part-1304/section1304.03#p-1304.03(a). Published: April 24, 1971. Accessed: July 2, 2026. Termination of registration; transfer of registration; distribution upon discontinuance of business. 21 CFR 1301.52(d). Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1301/subject-groupECFRc6cb43f99a0592d#p-1301.52(d). Published September 21, 1971. Accessed: July 2, 2026. Maintenance of records and inventories. 21 CFR 1304.04(f)(2). Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1304#p1304.04(f)(2). Published April 24, 1971. Accessed: July 2, 2026. 21 CFR 1304.21. General requirements for continuing records. Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part1304/subject-group-ECFRed220d26113f6a5/section-1304.21. Published: April 24, 1971. Accessed: July 2, 2026. Separate registrations for separate locations. 21 CFR 1301.12 Code of Federal Regulations website. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part1301/subject-group-ECFR0f5a129834f0129/section-1301.12. Published March 24, 1997. Accessed: July 2, 2026.

Kelley Detweiler is a DEA and regulatory compliance specialist who provides controlledsubstance solutions to veterinarians through her partnership with Dr. Peter Weinstein in Simple Solutions For Vets. She is the DEA compliance CE content provider for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Let’s Talk Drugs columnist for Today’s Veterinary Business, the co-author of Safeguarding Controlled Substances, published by AAHA Press, and the 2024 recipient of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association’s President’s Award. She may be emailed at kelley@simplesolutionsforvets.com

Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-yearold kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the E-Myth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free-thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who is a recent graduate from veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future. 41

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Who Will Shape the Future of Veterinary Medicine? A Call for Engagement in Organized Veterinary Medicine By President Kate Brucker, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association

Veterinary medicine is changing. The changes are happening quickly—and they are coming from many directions. Consolidation and new models of practice, evolving technology, workforce challenges, changing client expectations, expanding roles for veterinary technicians, corporate and investment interests, regulatory changes, and new approaches to delivering veterinary care are all influencing what veterinary medicine looks like today and what it may become tomorrow. Many of the people and organizations influencing these changes have good intentions. They may be trying to improve access to care, strengthen business operations, address workforce shortages, advance technology, or make veterinary medicine more sustainable

But there is an important question we must continually ask: Who is shaping the future of veterinary medicine—and how much are the people actually practicing veterinary medicine involved in that process? That is where organized veterinary medicine matters.

OUR PROFESSION NEEDS A VOICE THAT COMES FROM THE PROFESSION Veterinarians and Certified Veterinary Technicians understand veterinary medicine in a way that no outside organization can fully replicate. We understand what happens in an exam room, in surgery, in an emergency hospital, in a rural practice, in a shelter, in academia, in industry and in every other setting where veterinary professionals serve animals and the public. We understand the realities behind the policies. We know what it means when a regulation changes how we practice. We know how staffing challenges affect patient care. We understand the responsibilities that accompany a veterinary license and the importance of maintaining professional standards. And we know that the relationship between a veterinarian, a CVT and the rest of the veterinary team is central to quality care. That perspective must have a seat at the table. The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association exists to help make sure it does.

ISVMA represents more than 1,800 veterinary professionals, including veterinarians, veterinary students and Certified Veterinary Technicians, and serves as a statewide voice for the profession. Our advocacy work monitors legislation and regulatory developments that affect veterinary practice, licensure and the veterinary medical profession. (ISVMA) But an association can only be as strong as the profession behind it. Our influence comes from you.

MEMBERSHIP IS MORE THAN PAYING DUES It is easy to think of professional association membership as another annual expense. In a busy practice, another renewal notice can feel like just one more thing on the list. But organized veterinary medicine is different from purchasing a product or service.

When you join ISVMA, you are not simply buying access to CE, resources or member benefits. You are helping create the collective voice that represents veterinary professionals when decisions are being made about our profession.

THE DANGER OF LETTING OTHERS DEFINE OUR PROFESSION

Your membership says:

That is a good thing.

I want veterinary professionals involved in decisions about veterinary medicine. And when thousands of veterinarians and CVTs say that together, elected officials, regulators, policymakers and other decision-makers hear something very different than they hear from an individual practitioner alone. That collective strength matters. It matters when legislation affecting veterinary practice is introduced. It matters when regulations are being considered. It matters when the scope and recognition of veterinary professionals are debated. It matters when policymakers need to understand the practical consequences of a proposal. Recent ISVMA advocacy provides a good example. Advocacy helped clarify Illinois CVT title rules, resulting in enhanced title protection effective January 1, 2026. That kind of outcome demonstrates why having practitioners engaged in the policy process matters. (ISVMA) But advocacy cannot be left exclusively to association staff, lobbyists or elected leaders.

The most powerful advocate for veterinary medicine is a veterinary professional who is willing to speak.

There is no shortage of people who care about animals and want to improve veterinary medicine.

But caring about veterinary medicine is not the same as practicing veterinary medicine. Decisions about our profession can be influenced by policymakers, business leaders, investors, technology companies, advocacy organizations, consumer groups and many others. Their perspectives may be valuable. In many cases, they bring expertise that veterinary professionals need. But their priorities are not necessarily the same as those of the people who are responsible for diagnosing, treating and caring for patients every day. If veterinarians and CVTs disengage, the vacuum will not remain empty.

Someone else will fill it. And that is the central reason organized veterinary medicine matters in this moment. We should welcome good ideas from outside the profession. We should listen, collaborate and learn. But collaboration is strongest when veterinary professionals are actively participating—not when decisions about the profession are being made on their behalf. We cannot complain about the direction of veterinary medicine if we are unwilling to participate in determining that direction.

ENGAGEMENT IS WHERE MEMBERSHIP BECOMES MEANINGFUL Membership is the foundation, but engagement is what gives that membership its power. And engagement does not have to mean spending hours every month in meetings or taking on a major leadership position. There are many ways to participate.

1. Be an advocate Pay attention when ISVMA asks members to contact legislators or respond to an important issue. Read the advocacy alerts. Know what is happening in Springfield. Contact your legislators. Share your experience. A policymaker may hear from an association representative about the impact of proposed legislation. But imagine the impact when that same policymaker also hears from five, 10 or 25 veterinary professionals in their district explaining how the issue affects their patients, their teams and their practices. Your personal story is one of the most powerful advocacy tools we have. ISVMA's Veterinary Medical Political Action Committee also provides another avenue for supporting advocacy and helping open doors for conversations with legislators and their staffs. (ISVMA)

2. Volunteer, serve on a committee or take on a leadership role You do not have to be on the Board of Directors to influence the profession. ISVMA has committees and task forces focused on areas including legislation, CVTs, education, membership, member relations, student engagement and other priorities. These groups provide opportunities to contribute expertise, build relationships and directly influence the association's work. (ISVMA) Perhaps you have an idea for improving veterinary education. Perhaps you are passionate about the role of CVTs. Perhaps you have experience with practice management, workforce issues, public policy or professional wellness. Bring that experience to the table. Associations are strongest when they reflect the diversity of experiences within the profession.

3. Attend CE and professional events —but engage beyond the lecture

5. Tell ISVMA what you need

Continuing education is an obvious benefit of association membership, but the value extends beyond the number of CE hours earned.

Engagement also means giving us feedback.

Go to a regional meeting. Attend the annual convention. Introduce yourself to someone you have never met. Ask another veterinarian how they are handling a challenge in their practice. Talk with a CVT from a different practice setting. Find someone whose career looks different from yours and learn from them.

Tell us what is not.

Some of the most valuable professional education happens in the conversations between sessions. ISVMA provides CE opportunities throughout the year, including regional programming and its annual convention. (ISVMA)

4. Mentor someone—or ask someone to mentor you Veterinary medicine is a profession built on knowledge passed from one generation to another. If you are an experienced veterinarian or CVT, consider sharing what you have learned. If you are early in your career, ask questions and seek people who can help you navigate the profession. Mentorship strengthens individuals, but it also strengthens the profession.

Tell us what is working.

Tell us what keeps you awake at night. Tell us what your practice needs. Tell us what your team needs. Tell us what you believe policymakers misunderstand about veterinary medicine. A member-driven organization should not simply talk to its members. It must listen to them. Your feedback helps determine what issues we address, what programs we develop and where we focus our resources.

THE FUTURE SHOULD BELONG TO THOSE WHO PRACTICE THE PROFESSION There is no question that veterinary medicine will continue to evolve. Some changes will be welcome. Some will be difficult. Some will create opportunities we cannot yet imagine. Others will challenge long-held assumptions about how veterinary care is delivered. We do not need to resist change simply because it is change. But we do need to make sure that change is guided by people who understand veterinary medicine from the inside. Veterinarians and CVTs should have a meaningful voice in defining what the profession becomes. That requires more than membership. It requires participation. It requires showing up.

It requires answering the advocacy alert. Attending the meeting. Joining the committee. Sharing an idea. Mentoring a colleague. Talking with a legislator. Voting. Volunteering. Providing feedback. Bringing another veterinary professional into the conversation. Most importantly, it requires recognizing that organized veterinary medicine is not someone else's job.

It is our profession. ISVMA can provide the infrastructure, relationships, resources and advocacy. Our staff can monitor legislation, educate policymakers and create opportunities for engagement. Our Board can establish priorities. Our committees can do the work.

But the voice belongs to the members. As veterinary medicine changes, the question should not be whether outside influences will shape the profession. They inevitably will. The question is: Will veterinary professionals be equally engaged in shaping it? I believe the answer must be yes. Because the future of veterinary medicine is too important to leave to anyone else.

Join. Engage. Speak up. Lead. Not simply because you are a member of ISVMA. But because you are a veterinarian or CVT —and this is your profession.

ISVMA PRESIDENT

IVMF Donations – Pet Memorials The Illinois Veterinary Medical Foundation (IVMF) welcomes contributions to celebrate or honor the life of a pet as well as to memorialize a loss. Download a donor form from the ISVMA website at www.isvma.org/illinois-veterinary-medical-foundation/ to submit your memorial. Please indicate whom you are honoring on the form, and give an address where the memorial notification can be sent. In Memory The IVMF thanks the following veterinary clinics for its contributions in memory of the following pets: Heartland Animal Hospital – Bartlett IL: Lexi Bailey Targa Sophie 48

Rethinking “Crate Rest” for Dogs with IVDD By Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) | ISVMA Keynote Speaker

Believe it or not, much of what we do in medicine is not built on high-level clinical evidence. Often, it is based on theory, experience, and traditions passed from one generation of doctors to the next. That is not necessarily a flaw—it is simply the reality of practicing medicine in fields where perfect data are limited.

Evidence-based medicine is something we should always strive toward. But if we only treated conditions where definitive studies existed, progress would stall. Instead, medicine advances by constantly refining best practices as new research confirms some assumptions and challenges others. The move from evidence based to guideline based.¹ One of the most longstanding examples in veterinary neurology is the recommendation of strict crate rest for dogs recovering from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). WHAT IS IVDD? IVDD is especially common in chondrodystrophic breeds such as Dachshund, French Bulldog, Beagle, and others predisposed to premature disc degeneration. “Chondrodystrophy” literally refers to abnormal cartilage development. In these breeds, the normally gelatinous center of the disc (the nucleus pulposus) degenerates early in life. Over time, that disc loses its shockabsorbing capacity and may rupture through the outer shell (the annulus fibrosus), sending disc material upward into the spinal canal.

The result can be: Severe back or neck pain Loss of coordination Weakness Paralysis Treatment may involve surgical decompression or conservative management depending on neurological status, severity, finances, and family goals. THE DOGMA OF CRATE REST For decades, one of the most common at-home recommendations after IVDD has been 6 weeks of strict crate rest— limited movement outside of bathroom breaks. The logic is understandable: if a dog moves too much, perhaps more disc material could extrude and worsen spinal cord compression.

THE DOGMA OF CRATE REST (CONT’D)

But while logical, logic alone is not evidence. We also have to ask: what are the costs of prolonged confinement? Muscle atrophy Reduced flexibility Deconditioning Anxiety and frustration Delayed return to function Reduced opportunity for neuroplastic recovery Barking Weiner dogs driving their pet parents CRAZY! Have you or a loved one had back surgery? Did they lay in bed for 6 weeks? NO! They are up and moving-And there is significant evidence to support that post-operative care. Are our pets all that different?

WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SAY? Believe it or not, there is NO evidence to support the value of crate rest! In fact, an oft forgotten study evaluating conservative treatment of thoracolumbar disc disease found no correlation between the duration of cage rest and outcome or quality of life.² That does not prove crate rest is harmful— but it certainly challenges the certainty with which it has often been prescribed. NEWER LIFESTYLE DATA RAISE MORE QUESTIONS A recent large-scale JAVMA study examining 43,517 companion dogs in the United States evaluated demographic and lifestyle factors associated with owner-reported IVDD.³

AMONG THE FINDINGS, LIFESTYLE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED ODDS OF OWNER-REPORTED IVDD INCLUDED:

Higher daily active time

Feeding a commercial diet

Regular use of stairs

Yes—you read that correctly. Regular staircase use was associated with lower, not higher, odds of IVDD.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VETERINARIANS At the Animal Neurology Center, we do not promote reflexive, rigid crate rest for every IVDD patient. Instead, we favor individualized recovery plans that often include: Controlled leash walks Frequent low-impact activity Structured rehabilitation principles Pain control That does not mean we want a recovering French Bulldog launching off the couch or a Dachshund hurdling furniture. It DOES mean recovery is usually better served by thoughtful movement than blanket immobilization.

THE BIGGER LESSON Sometimes medicine must rely on experience. But when evidence arrives, we should be willing to adapt. The goal is not to defend tradition. The goal is to help dogs walk better, feel better, and live better. 1. Tricoci P, Allen JM, Kramer JM, Califf RM, Smith SC Jr. Scientific evidence underlying the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines. JAMA. 2009;301(8):831–841. 2.Levine JM, et al. Evaluation of the success of medical management for presumptive thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation in dogs. Vet Surg. 2007;36(5):482-491. 3. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics impact lifetime prevalence of owner-reported intervertebral disc disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025;263(5):1-9.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) Dr. Fred Wininger is a board-certified veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon and the founder of the Animal Neurology Center in St. Louis, a single-specialty hospital built around a modern model that integrates advanced clinical care, education, and innovation. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri and owner/operator of 3D Veterinary Printing LLC. His primary interests are MR neuroimaging, spinal stabilization, and the interface of primary care veterinarians and specialists, bridging the knowledge and collegiality gaps through pragmatic approaches to complex topics.

QUICK TIP Can a hospital generating $3M in revenue only be worth its tangible assets? The short answer is YES! And hereʼs why… The value of a profitable hospital is largely driven by the profit it generates. You have probably heard that a practice is worth X times its profit or EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). Generally, its value will be between 3-6 times the EBITDA and more commonly 4-5 times. What happens when there is no profit, in other words, the hospital is operating at a net loss? A negative profit figure (net loss) times 4-5 is going to be an even bigger negative number. Obviously, a negative value is invalid because there are assets that can be seen and touched (tangible assets). HospitalA Profit Multiple Value

HospitalB

$200,000

NetLoss

-$50,000

4.5

Multiple

$900,000

Value

4.5 ???

When the hospital is operating at a net loss, the value becomes Asset Value – the value of its tangible assets. Tangible assets are the inventory and equipment. The equipment is valued at its current used state, not what was originally paid for it. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see hospitals with high revenues, like $3M, operating at a net loss. This is how the value of a hospital grossing that much ends up being tangible asset value. Be proactive! Donʼt wait until you are ready to sell to find out your hospital is in this situation. Let us help you now by educating you on the current value of your hospital. We will coach you on corrections that can be made to increase your profits. This will allow you to maximize your sale price when it is the right time for you to sell. Contact us today so we can help you find your freedom!

Current Listings: 1. SOLD!! Champaign area, 2 PT DVMs (1 FTE), Small Animal, Leasehold

**Visit our website for additional details on our listings**

Nikki Nitz, CPA, CMA Simmons Midwest * 877-322-6465 Simmons@SimmonsMidwest.com www.SimmonsInc.com

Save the Date!

ISVMA’s 145th Annual Convention Friday, Saturday, Sunday November 5-6, 2027 (Tentative Dates)

Tinley Park Convention Center 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477