2022 Fall Town & Country Call Newsletter

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

MARTY BETTS, DVM

Dear Colleagues:

I hope this note finds you well and that you had an enjoyable summer. The VVMA has a busy fall and winter slate of events planned for you and the association.

In October, we will host the annual mentor day at the veterinary college. If you have not attended before, this is always a well attended event by both mentors and students. This year's event will be held on Thursday, October 20 evening and Friday, October 21 morning.

Our annual legislative day will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 10am-1pm. This is a free event for members (that includes lunch!). Participants are informed about proposed or pending legislation that affects our profession and the VVMA develops a position on each issue. We then contact our respective legislators to discuss the legislation and voice our professional opinion. There are always several important issues being proposed that deserve our concern and attention.

February 2023 brings our annual meeting and the Virginia Veterinary Conference. The annual meeting will be held via Zoom and the membership will receive the notice and meeting information in January. The Virginia Veterinary Conference will be February 16-18, 2023 and will be held at the Hotel Roanoke; we have two full days of quality continuing education planned. Please join us for great CE, visit with your colleagues and enjoy the wonderful food and venue!

Most of us are aware of and are experiencing the shortage of Licensed Veterinary Technicians in Virginia. I am in the process of working with veterinarians and LVTs in attempt to identify all of the factors that have led to this shortage and then develop solutions. It is not a simple problem nor will it be resolved quickly. While income expectation for students considering veterinary technology is certainly an important factor, LVTs are just as concerned about their work environment and how much they are being allowed to perform the duties that they are trained to do. We are still very early in this process and if any of you have thoughts on this issue and especially any proposed solutions, please feel free to contact me through the VVMA office.

I hope to see you at some of the events we have planned this Fall/Winter.

ATTENTION 2013-2019 GRADUATES!

FPOWER 10 LeadershipProgram

ATTENTION 2016-2022 GRADUATES!

The VVMA is looking for 10 participants who would like to:

better themselves in their practice, community & personal life

connect with peers to discuss and better approach career challenges such as client/inner team communication and compassion fatigue

develop fundamental leadership skills, personal branding and emotional intelligence

learn from industry leaders and partners about financial management, practice ownership and leadership in the association and profession

This is a year long commitment from February 2023 February 2024 where we will have a mixture of five/six in person and virtual meetings Specific meeting topics will be chosen based on the group's suggestions and preferences

Please make sure your employer is supportive of your participation, as you will likely need to miss a few days of work to attend P10 meetings.

1, 2022.

The VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2026's White Coat Ceremony was on August 19. The veterinary students received their official lab coats, their stethoscopes, and a welcome to the profession from the VMCVM Alumni Society, the Virginia VMA, and the Maryland VMA.

picture provided by VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine

Weareallawareoftheextraordinaryresponsibilitythepracticeofveterinarymedicineentailsand VVMAwantstoemphasizetheimportanceofutilizingourmemberassistanceprogram(MAP);thisMAP isinplacetohelpourmemberswithpersonal,financial,and/orwork lifeissuesthattheymayface We areexcitedtoshareanopportunitythatwillextendassistanceprogramservicestootherveterinaryteam andstaffmembers

VVMAwillcontinuesponsoringMAPservicesforourmembersbutNOWpracticesmaysignupand offeranEmployeeAssistanceProgram(EAP)totheirstaff technicians,assistants,kennelstaff, officestaff,etc.andreceivethesamediscounted,grouppricingthatVVMAisoffered.Currentpricing offersALLoftheseservicesfor$0.90/person/month.Oncewehitagrouptotalof1,999+,the pricingisloweredto$0.67/person/month.VVMAcurrentlypaysfor1100+memberssowe’renot toofaroff!

Weaskthatyoupleasesharethiswithmanagementinyourpracticesothatmoreindividualsinthe veterinaryfieldhaveachancetonavigatewhateverchallengesmayariseintheirpersonalorprofessional lives Again,ifenoughveterinarypracticestakepartinthisprogram,yourmonthlypricingwilldecrease Ifyourpracticeisinterestedinofferingthisprogram,GreggHunteratMcLaughlinYoung, ghunter@mygroup.com,canassistyouinsettingupyourpracticeaccount.Greggmayalsobereached at704 285 7944.

Asareminder,thecoveredmemberANDtheirimmediate,householdfamilymembershaveaccessto:

•professionalcounseling

•experttaxservices

•financialadvice

•discountedlegalservices/representation

•promotionalsavingscenter

•alcoholanddrugabusetherapy

•marital/familydifficulties

•andmuchmore!

Whilethestigmaonceassociatedwithmentalhealthhasfaded,someindividualsstillfaceobstaclesin seekinghelpthattheyareentitledto.Let’slookoutforeachotherandmaketheseservicesreadily availabletoourfriendsandcolleagues Ifyouhavequestionsabouttheassistanceprogram,donot hesitatetocontacttheVVMAofficeat804 346 2611oremailinfo@vvma.org

Virginia Veterinary Awards

Please submit before DECEMBER 1, 2022

Paul F. Landis Veterinarian of the Year

(In memory of Dr Paul Landis who served as VVMA President, 1965 1966 and AVMA President, 1982 1983 )

This is the highest VVMA award, recognizing a member of the association who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine

Veterinarians who have exerted outstanding leadership in the building of a strong local and/or state association and who have contributed significantly to veterinary medicine in Virginia

Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian Award

Nominees should be individuals who, by their actions, bring recognition to veterinary medicine in Virginia Also, nominees should be outstanding community leaders For example, an individual might be considered for outstanding work with the Special Olympics or other community projects

Veterinary Service Award

This award is designed to honor an individual who has been an excellent representative of the profession through active community involvement and/or veterinary service This includes involvement in veterinary and/or non veterinary groups and associations.

Friend of the VVMA

2023 This award is given to a non veterinarian who is being recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession of veterinary medicine in Virginia.

Recent Graduate Leadership Award

Nominee must be a recent graduate and a member of the VVMA Nominees should have made contributions to the profession through service to the association, such as service on a committee

Veterinary Team Member of the Year

This award was created to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions and dedication by a non veterinarian, staff member in the practice. The selected person goes above and beyond expectations in their role and has shown professional dedication to their work and/or has supported the practice’s mission through service contributions

Commercial Representative Award Animal Hero Award

This award is given to a representative from a company that provides outstanding service to Virginia veterinarians. Also, the representative should promote the profession through liaisons with the association, veterinarians, and the profession in general.

This award is presented to an animal that has performed an individual act of service or heroism, or in performing his or her daily duties, has provided such an outstanding service to humans that he would qualify as an Animal Hero

Each year, the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession of veterinary medicine Selected recipients will be recognized at the Virginia Veterinary Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 17 in Roanoke, VA.

TO

AN ONLINE NOMINATION, VISIT WWW.VVMA.ORG/VAVETAWARDS

CompassionateLeader AdvocateforVeterinaryMedicine

Asadedicatedadvocate forourprofession,Iam honoredtorunforthe positionofAVMADistrict2 Chair.Istrivetosupport theemotionaland physicalwell beingofall membersoftheveterinary community,andpromise torepresentourDistrict withintegrity,pride,and graceduringmyterm.

aboutme

endorsements

Having had the privilege of working withDr.ErinCasey,Iknowthatsheisa provenforward thinkingleaderatthe stateandnationallevel. Shewillbe fully engaged and focused while representing District II on the AVMA BoardofDirectors

MikeTopper,DVM,PhD,DACVP

AVMAPast President

Erin has been active in the Virginia VMAfor6+years,servingasbothan alternate delegate and delegate of the VVMA to the AVMA She has served with remarkable dedication and represented the VVMA with exceptional professionalism and commitment

MartyBetts,DVM VirginiaVMAPresident

Dr. Casey is one of the kindest and most dedicated people I have ever met.Sheisapproachable,diplomatic andpassionateaboutallaspectsof veterinary medicine. She is the definition of a conscious, servant leader.

TalyaGeorge VirginiaVMAAssociateDirector

RELIEF

VETERINARIANS

Deann Ashby Mitchell, DVM

Licensed to practice in VA & WV; Available: Tue Sat, regular working hours 70 miles from Bluemont, VA 9 yrs of experience USDA accredited, good productivity, huge believer in effective client communication, DEA licensed 352 871 7776 | ashbyvet@gmail com

Kim Danoff, DVM

Available weekdays & weekends. 1999 UF Grad; Internship trained at Tufts. Dogs, cats, birds, and some exotics. Northern Virginia, Prince William, Loudoun, & Fauquier Counties Current Virginia & DEA Licenses 571 212 5024 | kimdanoff@gmail com

Matthew W. Kelcourse, DVM

Southeastern VA/Hampton Roads. 1992 Tufts Graduate. Experience in: general/preventive medicine & routine surgery and complicated soft tissue & orthopedic surgery, Virginia & DEA license. Mon Sat: 6 to 9 hour shifts. Long term (2 3 weeks): considered; based on availability & location 941 416 8992 | vvrs2020@yahoo com

James D. Meister, DVM

Available 7 days/week for short or long term in the Shenandoah Valley. Available for both small animal or equine work. Private practitioner for 25 years. NC State graduate. I hold Virginia, USDA and DEA licenses. 847 344 0069 | prairiedvm@aol.com

Tosha Starke, DVM

12 years in practice. Personable; Available Monday Saturday in Northern VA; Current DEA license; Licensed in VA; Professional references available; www.allfourpawsvetrelief.com (540) 239 8714 | info@allfourpawsvetrelief.com

Katrina (Kitti) Tadema Wielandt, DVM

Waynesboro & 100 mile radius; Available for long and short term relief; 20+ years experience in small animal medicine including emergency (540) 943 5731 | 1987uivet@gmail.com

Veterinary Sales Tax Exemption FAQs

HB 551 and SB 517 exempt veterinarians from sales and use tax on the purchase of prescription medicines and drugs that are administered or dispensed to patients within a veterinarian client patient relationship (VCPR) This legislation, brought forth by the VVMA, repeals provisions of current law that provide that a veterinarian dispensing or selling medicines or drugs on prescription shall be deemed to be the user or consumer of all such medicines and drugs.

What does this mean to your practice?

Virginia governor signs VETERINARY SALE TAX EXEMPTION

effective July 1, 2022

This new law will mean more equity for veterinarians. It exempts veterinarians from paying and charging sales tax on schedule II-VI medications. Human pharmacies filling these same medications for pets, are already exempt. The Virginia Department of Taxation will add this to their list of sales tax exemptions once the legislation goes into effect July 1, 2022.

When does this take effect?

Beginning July 1, 2022 prescription medicines and drugs purchased by veterinarians and administered or dispensed to patients within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship as defined in § 54.1-330 will not be subject to sales tax.

What is the difference between “use tax” and “retail sales tax”?

“Use tax” is the tax currently paid to the vendor or distributor when you purchase prescription drugs or prescription pet food for administration or dispensing to patients.

“Retail sales tax” is the tax you charge clients for retail or over-the-counter products, food or drugs that are not prescription.

What drugs or food are considered prescription medications and therefore are exempt from use or retail sales tax?

All schedule II-VI drugs (drugs that require a prescription by law (FDA)) are exempt from tax and this includes oral flea and tick medication. Similarly, prescription pet foods are currently treated as prescription medication by Virginia Department of Taxation. Since they require a prescription, they would also be exempt from tax.

When do we charge clients “retail sales tax” for medications/drugs or food?

Veterinarians are required to charge clients retail sales tax on all drugs/medications and non-prescription pet foods that can be purchased over-the-counter. For example, this includes nutraceuticals like joint supplements and probiotics as well as EPA regulated flea and tick medications like Frontline and Vectra. Currently Virginia TAX treats medicated shampoos as prescription even though they are not FDA regulated. The general rule of thumb is if you can buy it at Walmart or Amazon without a prescription then you need to charge retail sales tax.

Advise your colleagues and clients of this change in law! Let your clients know of the savings they will receive when filling prescriptions with your practice.

Make sure your colleagues know of the magnificent work VVMA is doing day in and day out before the VA General Assembly, saving an estimated $7.6 million in 2022 for patients and their owners by extending this benefit to cover domestic animals a fraction of the human medical prescription drug tax exemption of $494 million!

Veterinarians should also make note to update their systems for billing and look for updated guidance from the Virginia Department of Taxation closer to the effective dates of July 1, 2022.