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A Message from the President
Step Outside Your Species Comfort ZoneFeel like you are in a rut? If you have
to give the “flea talk” one more time, are you going to pull your hair out? Take one more call about diarrhea and you’ll need pepto bismol yourself? It may be time to step back, take a deep breath and re-energize your career.
One of the nice parts about being a veterinarian is that there is rarely anything routine about our day. No two days are alike in our world. As frustrating as this can be, it is also a small blessing. Compared to so many professions where the tedious becomes monotonous, veterinary medicine affords the opportunity for variety, change, and surprises. Some are pleasant, some not so pleasant. But, they keep us on our toes and prevent the day from becoming boring.
Another nice thing about our profession is the versatility of our degree. No other degree opens such a spectrum of opportunities. By virtue of the three letters after our name, we can choose to work in any number of realms. With a little extra training, we can expand or change our career path without necessarily going back to school.
Trying to add a little variety to this career spice, I find myself taking small dabbles outside my species comfort zone. A few years ago, I attended a seminar on bats; a year later it was a lecture on camelids. I had so many questions I drove the lecturers nuts! Alpacas are fun to watch but how to draw blood was not in my repertoire. Dr. Steve Metz and I worked to relocate a pair of emus a few years ago; who knew they could be so dangerous? Recently, bees have caught my attention. Beekeepers are very passionate about their brood, and bee colonies function in sophisticated ways. A few weeks ago, I rode with a classmate who is a boarded equine surgeon in Tennessee. What a treat that was,
although a bit embarrassing to admit how much I had forgotten about P3 rotation and lactate levels. (It also made me realize how glad I am to practice on small animals; dashing hooves is getting a little
harder with these old hockey knees!) Surprisingly, these little ventures outside my world of dogs and cats have revitalized my interest in veterinary medicine. Each time I found myself excited to learn something new. Colleagues report the same phenomenon when they too venture outside their normal species of practice.
I know it is hard to allow yourself the flexibility at a conference to attend a lecture that is not necessarily going to be related to everyday practice. However, it can ALL be related to everyday practice. Expanding your horizons will keep your mind fresh and strengthen the analytical process of a diagnostic dilemma. The opportunity to interact with new colleagues expands your professional network. Studying an unfamiliar species opens an entirely new subject that may come in handy at the PTA meeting when someone asks about an animal other than the one you normally treat. It can be a great conversation starter, and closes the gap on the “six degrees of separation” between clients and friends.
It’s very easy to get into a routine of doing morning household chores, going to work, trudging forward to try to get through the day of appointments, phone calls, prescription requests, and staff issues, only to go home and start it all over again the next day. Along with taking a little time each day for yourself to refresh, look for opportunities to step outside your career “wheel house”. Select an alternative species, then read an article, attend a lecture, listen to a webinar, and talk to a colleague about this species. I’m sure you’ll find your interest being piqued and starting to feel
some of that old familiar wonder at just how special our profession is. You may not be ready to suit up and tackle a calf dystocia or open a bee hive to inspect for mites, but you will have a whole new appreciation for the surprises in our everyday practice. Our profession is fun, no matter which species you play with!
On a final note, I’d like to thank the VVMA and its membership for the privilege of serving all of you. It has been an honor, and a lot of fun. I am grateful to all the wonderful people in the Leadership for their dedication and compassion for our profession. The Vermont Veterinary Medical Association and its members around the state make this Association uniquely special. Very few VMAs around the country enjoy such a supportive, collegial atmosphere. I cherish this, and brag about it every chance I get! Passing the gavel to Sara White this summer as she assumes the Presidency will be bittersweet, but I know the VVMA is in excellent hands, and there are great things to come! Thank you!
Spring 2017 NewsletterKathy Finnie, Executive Director / 88 Beech Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452802-878-6888, [email protected]
IN THIS ISSUEMillie Armstrong, DVMPetit Brook Veterinary [email protected]
Welcome New Members ....................2Member Benefits ...............................2Committee Reports ........................3-7Emerging Leader Report ....................8VVMA Foundation News .....................8License Renewal Info .......................9Online Learning ................................9Dr. Tom Stuwe in Yankee Magazine ......9Promoting Cat Visits ........................10Loan Repayment Program Awards 10Winter Meeting Roundup ..................10Proposed By-Laws Changes ..............11Vermont Bat Center .........................13First Veterinarian Appointed to UVM Board .................................13Honey Bees ....................................14Charitable Care Reimbursement .......15VVMA Summer Meeting ........back cover
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*Kyle Bushee – Aeolus Animal and Equine HospitalOlivia Cashman – Burlington Emergency and Veterinary SpecialistsMeagan Coneeny – Walpole Veterinary HospitalAmy Cook – Newbury Veterinary ClinicNeena Golden – Rutland Veterinary Clinic and Surgical CenterAndrew Hagner – Hill’s Pet NutritionAmber Goodwin – VT Large Animal ClinicAnnie Kluetmeier - Burlington Emergency and Veterinary SpecialistsPaul Kotas – Green Mountain Veterinary HospitalAlice McCormick – Petit Brook Veterinary ClinicMeghan Morrell – VT Large Animal ClinicCarrie Olson – Vergennes Animal HospitalChristopher Spooner – Oxbow Veterinary Clinic*Emily Sullivan – Riverside Veterinary Care and Dental ServicesBradley Temple – Springfield Animal Hospital
President – Millie Armstrong 802-878-3713 – [email protected] – Sara White802-356-6783 – [email protected] President – Hailey Gentile802-334-2655 – [email protected] – Ron and Gail Veenema802-254-5422 – [email protected] at Large – Adrienne Snider802-878-3713 - [email protected] Delegate – Rick Baum802-375-9491 – [email protected] Alternate Delegate – Ruth Blauwiekel802-656-0459 – [email protected]
Animal WelfareRebekah DeBolt – Chair
Government RelationsDavid Hyde – Chair
Large Animal Health and EducationJennifer Hull – Co-ChairPhil van Harreveld – Co-Chair
Media RelationsErin Forbes – Chair
New MembersGreg Dowd – Chair
Nominating Sara White – Chair
One HealthEileen Wolfe – Chair
Small Animal Health and Education Carrie Olson - Chair
Budget Ron Veenema – Chair
Responsible Use of Medicine on FarmsKristin Haas - Chair
Vermont Food Animal Veterinary Education Loan Repayment ProgramJennifer Hull – Chair
If you’re interested in serving on a Committee or a Task Force, please contact the Chair or VVMA Executive Director Kathy Finnie.
Improve Your Bottom LineThe VVMA has business alliances with companies offering discounts to VVMA
members. Contact our partners today and begin to SAVE MONEY!
Retail Council Services Corporation – credit and debit card processing, check acceptance services: Michele Coons – 1-800-442-3589 or [email protected]
American Profit Recovery – debt collection services: Dale Erickson – 1-800-711-0023 or [email protected]
RX Security – 15% discount on tamper resistant prescription pads and paper: 1-800-667-9723 or www.rxsecurity.com/vvma.html
Staples Business Advantage - discounted corporate pricing on a wide selection of office products: Ted Brunson – 1-888-224-3784 extension 4586 or [email protected].
Pastore Financial Group – financial planning services: John Pastore – 1-800-228-4067 or www.pastorefinancialgroup.com
Welcome to the following new members...
2017 VVMA Officers
VVMA Member Benefits
VVMA Committees:
Task Forces:
AVMA Representatives:Rick Baum – DelegateRuth Blauwiekel – Alternate Delegate
Join us on Facebook! We have two Facebook pages, one is the closed group for members only, and the other is our VVMA public page which is used to help educate the public on all things related to veterinary medicine. It’s a great way to get involved with the organization and each other. AND you can repost anything from our public Facebook page onto your own.
* Drs. Bushee and Sullivan are past recipients of scholarships from the VVMA Foundation. We are very glad they have returned to Vermont to practice!
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Animal Welfare CommitteeDr. Becky DeBolt, ChairPetit Brook Veterinary Clinic - [email protected]
The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) ended 2016 with the survey to small animal
practitioners asking for their opinion and input on the VVMA Complimentary Wellness Exam Coupons offered to shelters and non-profit rescues in the state. We had tremendous response from our members – thank you!! The coupons will be available to the shelters and other 501(c)(3) rescues that have received them in the past. We saw from the survey that many members would like to work with rescues so we developed two lists of resources: one for rescues and a second for veterinarians working with rescues. These documents are available in the Public Information/Animal Welfare section of the VVMA website.
At the beginning of 2017, the past chair, Dr. Virginia Clarke, and Dr. Heather Hoyns met with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife about trapping. From this meeting, a position statement was developed and released. Please find it on
the VVMA website. Next, the committee considered
promoting legislation that would ban Breed Specific Legislation (legislation that restricts or names certain breeds). The VVMA chose not to actively promote this legislation, but we do support the bill that is before the legislature this session.
Out of the Breed Specific Legislation discussion came interest from the committee to learn more about dog bite prevention initiatives. Dr. Lisa Nelson researched the Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Association’s (MVMA) dog bite prevention program. While the VVMA and AWC are not in positions to take on an intensive training like the MVMA’s, it did raise the question about the prevalence and distribution of dog bites in Vermont. This information is not tracked on a statewide level so we are currently investigating it.
At the VVMA Winter Meeting, Virginia Clarke, the past chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, was
Dr. Virginia Clarke, Richmond Animal Hospital2017 Dave Walker Award recipient
awarded the Dave Walker Award. This award is presented in honor of the principles, devotion, commitment and spirit of the highly respected Vermont veterinarian, Dave Walker. The award is not presented annually. It is reserved for those who have served the Vermont veterinary community and professional organizations in the same spirit as Dr. Dave Walker. Congratulations to Dr. Virginia Clarke and a sincere thank you for your many years of service to the VVMA and our members!
The Animal Welfare Committee will be meeting in early May and we are always happy to have new members. Please let me know if you are interested in joining!
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Government Relations Committee
Greetings and happy spring from the VVMA Government Relations Committee (GRC). We
have had a busy season following several issues both outside and inside the State House.
Early this year we were contacted by the State Tax Department who wanted to overhaul the sales and use tax code for small animal practitioners. We had little to no forewarning of this change but were able to muster a good showing for a hearing on January 9 about the changes. With some great testimony from our member veterinarians and help from our lobbyists, we were able to put the proposed changes on hold.
Currently, we are waiting for further communication from the Tax Department
Dr. David Hyde, ChairRyegate Small Animal Hospital – [email protected]
this session. You can view a list of bills and our current positions on the VVMA website.
We will be watching the end of the session
carefully to see how much of the legislation we support goes forward into law. It’s always an interesting and somewhat unpredictable process. As always, we will keep you updated on any important developments which concern our members and the animals and clients they serve.
Finally, I am pleased to report that our VVMA legislative coffee event which took place on March 23rd was a big success. Members of the GRC and the VVMA Executive Board were there to meet with lawmakers over coffee and pastries in the morning. We were also pleased to welcome Sargent David Roos from the Vermont State Police and his canine partner Tori to the event. Tori was a great ambassador for us and charmed many legislators during the morning. We plan on doing the event next year.
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns. If you are interested in government or the legislative process and want to be more involved with the VVMA, please join our committee! We would love to have you and no experience is needed. Have a great summer!
and have reached out to them indicating our interest in working with them to help structure tax policy changes. Stay tuned for any new developments.
Many bills were proposed at the beginning of the session but only a few have made it past the crossover deadline. We are actively following a few bills as the session gets close to closing out for the year.
2017 ushered in a new FDA mandate for large animal practitioners in the form of Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs). The GRC has been working hard to bring Vermont’s Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) into compliance with the new federal regulations. We are also helping to craft language changes which would define the veterinarian of record (VOR) which is needed for a smooth transition to VFDs. The language changes have been added to the Office of Professional Regulations bill which is expected to pass this year.
The animal sheltering bill (H.218) was introduced by Representative and VVMA member Dr. John Bartholomew and is currently awaiting passage in the Senate. This bill would clarify the minimum standards of care for the sheltering of dogs and cats. The bill was created out of the Animal Shelter Working Group in 2016. VVMA member Dr. Lisa Nelson was a key part of the group that crafted the bill. We hope to see the successful passage of H.218 this year.
Changes have been proposed to the Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program (VSNIP) which would allow for a non-private contractor to run the program if needed. The VVMA feels the changes are important to have because if no private contractor can be found to administer VSNIP, it will cease to exist. The language changes will allow the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to run the program again if needed.
Several other animal related bills have been proposed which we are monitoring
Sgt. David Roos and Tori making friends at the VVMA Legislative Coffee
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Large Animal Health and Education Committee
Dr. Jennifer Hull, Co-ChairNorthwest Veterinary Associates [email protected]
We would like to thank all attendees of the VVMA Winter Meeting for an
excellent turnout for Dr. Tom Divers from Cornell who shared all the latest updates in equine and bovine internal medicine.
The Large Animal Health and Education Committee (bovine section) is very excited to announce that the VVMA Summer Meeting on June 23rd will be Phase 2 of the Food Armor Program. Those that participated in Phase 1 at the previous VVMA meeting will be able to become Phase 2 certified. At publication time, we may be offering a Phase 1 training for those who missed our training several years ago.
This program is a huge step in the right direction for food safety and drug residue avoidance in both meat and milk products. The co-operatives that purchase your clients’ milk are starting to really support this program and encourage their members to become Food Armor
Certified. I encourage you all to attend the Meeting, not just for certification purposes, but to gain more insight into the rules and regulations involved with antibiotic residue avoidance. The consumers are really behind programs like this, as well as lawmakers. We owe it to our clients to be as informed as we possibly can. This will enable us to educate our clients and provide them with the information they need to make their co-operative, consumers, and cows happy!
We will be having an equine speaker
at our 2018 Winter Meeting. Meanwhile, we will send a survey to all VVMA members shortly with questions regarding Meeting topics/speakers/suggestions. We urge all of you, whether you attend our Meetings regularly or not, to respond to this survey so that your VVMA Large Animal Health and CE Committee can serve you even better than we already are. Looking forward to seeing you all on June 23rd at the Summer Meeting!
Dr. Phil van Harreveld Co-ChairVermont Large Animal Clinic – Equine Hospital [email protected]
One Health CommitteeDr. Eileen Wolfe, Chair Orleans Veterinary Service - [email protected]
World Veterinary Day is celebrated this year on April 29 with the theme
“Antimicrobial Resistance – From Awareness to Action.” On April 25, Governor Phil Scott signed a proclamation (written by Committee member Dr. Ruth Blauwiekel) to celebrate the day. Thank you to the VVMA members who were able to make the trip to Montpelier for this.
Have you been hearing about ducks and pigs onboard planes? Or seen dogs being taken into restaurants and grocery
stores? And you’ve wondered just what is going on? Stay tuned, as the One Health Committee plans this year to bring you information on the distinctions between service animals, emotional support animals, and animals involved in animal-assisted intervention. Each of these categories has definitions, and the animals involved in each may (or may not) be entitled to specific legal rights or protection.
The One Health Committee also has one ongoing project and has extended one project from 2016. One Health Day
2016 was celebrated on November 3, 2016. The One Health Committee sponsored a project called One Health Comes to the Library in which collections of eight One Health-themed books were provided to participating public libraries throughout
the state for circulation. At this time, the book displays have concluded at nine libraries, are ongoing at four, and are scheduled to open at three more. Talks or Q&A sessions have or will be given by Committee members at four libraries, and one library has already held a book club discussion on one of the book titles.
The World Rabies Day 2016 project found new life as the rabies infographic was sent out in January to towns for inclusion in town reports for Town Meeting Day 2017. The infographic was sent to nearly 200 towns in the ten Vermont counties that have had high numbers of rabies cases and/or the most consistent presence of rabies over the last six years. Did you see our infographic in your town report this year? If so, we’d love to know that! Contact Eileen Wolfe [email protected] for this or any other One Health related suggestions.
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Small Animal Health and Education CommitteeDr. Carrie Olson, ChairVergennes Animal Hospital – [email protected]
The VVMA Summer CE Meeting is scheduled for Friday June 23rd, 2017, and we are excited to have
Dr. Emily McCobb from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University coming to speak about Anesthesia and Pain Management. Her CE will review the basics of assessing individual patients and designing a safe protocol for them. It will
also cover avoiding and addressing the most common anesthetic complications. There will be plenty of time for discussion and practitioners are encouraged to bring questions. In addition, she will review newer anesthetic and analgesic drugs and techniques. We are happy to have Zoetis sponsoring this event, and we look forward to seeing many people there!
Meet Dr. Carrie Olson!I am excited to join the VVMA team as the new Chair of the Small Animal Health and Continuing Education Committee. Since
I’m new to Vermont, I’ll tell you a little bit about how I ended up here. I grew up in New Jersey with a variety of pets and an early interest in veterinary medicine, and I fell in love with New England after attending college at Tufts University. I received my DVM from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2010, then moved out to Seattle where I completed a year-long internship in internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine. I spent several years in the Seattle area working in both emergency medicine and general practice. Last year my husband and I decided to move back home to the East Coast to be closer to family, and we are very happy to be in Vermont.
I’m currently an associate veterinarian at Vergennes Animal Hospital, and I am enjoying working with the wonderful team there. I love the variety of general practice, from helping keep new puppies out of trouble to taking care of crotchety old cats in their golden years. When not working, I like to explore the beautiful Vermont outdoors with my dog, and I’m enjoying the local food scene as well. I’m looking forward to getting to know more people in the Vermont veterinary community through the VVMA. If you have suggestions for future small animal CE speakers or topics please feel free to contact me.
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RESPONSIBLE USE OF MEDICINE ON FARMS TASK FORCE
Dr. Kristin Haas, ChairState Veterinarian, Vermont Agency of [email protected]
Education Regarding Judicious Use of Antibiotics Continues
The Responsible Use of Medicine on Farms Task Force, comprised of Drs. Wadsworth, Smith,
Tobey, Barlow and myself and supported by Kathy Finnie, has been busy since the last newsletter. The Task Force was contracted to complete a scope of work in accordance with an FDA grant obtained by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM), including the implementation of the Food Armor program in Vermont. Many of you will remember the Phase One Food Armor training that was offered during the 2015 VVMA Summer Meeting, and we are gearing up to offer more veterinary training at the 2017 Summer Meeting. Additionally, we have taken your feedback to heart. Many of you let us know that you would benefit from our direct outreach to Vermont farmers regarding judicious use of antibiotics on farms, thereby freeing up your time to work directly with your clients under customized VCPRs without having to spend billable hours explaining the generic importance and benefits of responsible veterinary drug use on farms.
The Task Force has partnered with St. Albans Cooperative to do just that. I presented information on judicious on-farm use of veterinary pharmaceuticals to dairy producers at three co-op meetings around the state, and Dr. Wadsworth met with the Cooperative’s Young Cooperators group to do the same. Other advancements on this front include the development of a password-protected dairy farmer chat site where producers can share on-farm best management practices with one another (going live soon), publication of a related series of articles in Agriview (VAAFM’s publication of record that now is distributed to every Vermont dairy farmer) on responsible
drug use, and distribution of information on the same directly to dairy farmers through the Cooperative’s newsletter. If you have other ideas for outreach, please let one of the Task Force members or Kathy Finnie know.
Here are a few things for you to keep in mind:
• If you would like to hold a meeting for your clientele to discuss or present information on judicious use of veterinary pharmaceuticals on farms, please contact me at [email protected]. There is available funding that can cover the cost of speakers, meeting room rental fees and supplies.
• If you have not yet received Phase 1 Food Armor training and would like to do so, please let me know ASAP. There is the possibility for us to offer this immediately prior to the Phase 2 Food Armor training scheduled for the VVMA Summer Meeting on June 23.
• If you are aware of farmers who would benefit from one-on-one technical assistance on this topic, please contact me. The VAAFM animal health specialists
and state veterinarians can provide this to your clients at no charge to them.
• If you have other suggestions for effective types of outreach to your clientele, please let me know; we can help with that.
To learn more about the Food Armor program, please visit www.foodarmor.org. Thank you for the work you do with your clients on this topic, and please remember to reach out to members of the Task Force if you need assistance on this front.
Phone consultations for you, referral appointments for your clients and patients, excellent and honest care for all.
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VVMA Emerging Leader – Insight on the AVMA VLC
Dr. Laurie Schneski – VVMA Emerging LeaderBrattleboro Veterinary Clinic – [email protected]
This past January I was fortunate to experience the AVMA Veterinary Leadership
Conference held in Chicago, Illinois. The conference consisted of a combination of functional AVMA meetings/caucuses as well as various workshops. As someone who has not seen the AVMA policy machine at work, it was interesting to see the governmental steps that are involved in introducing and passing policies that affect our profession. I learned how issues and concerns that we, as AVMA members, present to the AVMA are investigated, discussed, and converted into policies and resolutions. While this may seem to be pretty dry stuff, its value becomes clear when you consider that the AVMA is a respected source that guides our profession as well as helping to direct state and national legislation.
Specifically, the House of Delegates debated on topics such as the unlicensed
practice of veterinary medicine and telemedicine. There was also acknowledgement of how the AVMA works with and for veterinarians. One pertinent example is the issue of cyberbullying. The AVMA has contracted with Bernstein Crisis Management to establish a hotline for veterinarians to contact for assistance in dealing with cyberbullying. For those interested in preventative measures, AVMA members have access to a discounted rate for DVM Reputation Guard, a service that monitors reviews of our businesses and alerts us if negative activity is occurring.
On a more personal level, the Veterinary Leadership Conference allowed me to attend workshops about topics such as client/team communication and personal wellness. The conference also provided an exceptional opportunity to get to know others in the veterinary field. Their conversations, experiences, and
advice were invaluable. Overall I came away from the conference with a better idea about how the AVMA functions as well as feeling refreshed and empowered.
Thank you to the many VVMA members who contributed to the VVMA Foundation (VVMAF)
this year, and a special thank you to Dr. Adrienne Snider for coordinating the Silent Auction at our Winter Meeting! If you haven’t already contributed to the VVMAF, there’s still time!
The VVMAF is accepting applications for our scholarship program to support Vermonters attending veterinary school. We have asked veterinary schools to pass along our scholarship application to Vermonters attending their school. Please forward this information and application to any potential applicants you may know of. We would like to
make this opportunity available to as many Vermonters as possible. We will be making scholarship awards in the summer to be applied to their 2017/2018 academic year.
Please consider making a contribution online TODAY! With an average
VVMA Foundation News
educational debt of $167,535 and with over 20% of them having at least $200,000 of debt, these Vermonters need your help! Thank you.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VETERINARY LICENSE RENEWAL
Your veterinary license expires on May 31. Online renewals are available now, and an e-mail has been sent to you from the Office of Professional Regulation in the Secretary of State’s Office. The e-mail included instructions for renewing online as well as your user id and password. The renewal fee is $200 (down from
$250 previously) and must be paid online by either credit, debit or checking account withdrawal. All renewals must be completed online unless you have a conditioned license (they will be mailed a paper renewal), or are reporting convictions or discipline. Correction: Uploading your CE certificates when you renew your license is NOT required, but is strongly recommended. If you have not received your renewal notice you should e-mail the renewal clerk at [email protected].
The VVMA provides CE certificates in registration packets for the programs we offer, and we hope you keep them in a safe place! Please check your files to be sure you have the certificates well in advance of May 31.
VVMA Offers Members Online Learning
If you find yourself a little short of the required 24 hours of CE credits, the VVMA offers members RACE approved online learning that will be accepted by the Vermont State Veterinary Board. If you haven’t already signed up to study
with us online, please read on!VVMA members can study online from a wide range of RACE accredited CE
according to their needs. A large number of courses are available for free, with others available at a cost. Because these courses are RACE approved, they will be accepted by the Vermont Board of Veterinary Medicine as long as you include an examination or completion requirement from your online course. See 3.9 Criteria and Limits for Individual Course Approval
VVMA members are provided with a free Education Tracker which automatically records all learning activity on the portal and enables members to record all other CE activities, thereby creating one central record of their CE studies. Summary reports can be created by you and supplied to the Vermont Board of Veterinary Medicine.
To start learning online, login to the VVMA website here, and you will be connected to the VVMA online learning portal where you will set up an education account and have access to the courses. Please contact Executive Director Kathy Finnie ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
ALSO, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association is holding their Spring CE program on May 10. Click here for more information.
Dr. Tom Stuwe in Yankee Magazine!
Don’t miss this wonderful article on Dr. Stuwe from the February 14 issue of Yankee Magazine! https://newengland.com/yankee-magazine/living/farmers-best-friend/
“A Farmer’s Best Friend”When tending to patients that weigh at least a ton, a country vet must practice patience and kindness – and that’s just with their owners.
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Vermont Food Animal Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program
We are pleased to announce that Drs. Thomas Linden and Elizabeth Brock of Northwest Veterinary Associates received nearly $20,000 in our second round of awards in November. More information is available at
www.vtvets.org
VVMA Partnership to Encourage Veterinary Visits for Cats
Thanks to the generous support of Vetri-Science of Essex Junction, the VVMA was able to provide copies of the brochure “Why Your Cat Needs a Yearly Exam” to Vermont Humane Societies for them to include in their cat adoption
packages. We hope the information will help cat owners understand the importance of preventive care, result in longer, healthier lives for their cats and increase visits to your practice. If you’d like some brochures for your clinic, please contact the VVMA office.
Winter Meeting Roundup
Dr. Thomas Divers gave updates on Bovine Medicine A-Z on Saturday and Practical Updates in Equine Internal Medicine on Sunday. As a return speaker, he continued to receive very positive reviews from our registrants. “Great talk! Dr. Divers was very knowledgeable and great at answering questions.”
Our free early morning presentations included Dr. Joel Russo who provided Accreditation Training on Saturday, and Dr. Don Hoenig who gave a great
presentation on why bees need a veterinary prescription under the Veterinary Feed Directive.
Thank you to Merial, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill’s, AVMA PLIT, Zoetis and Elanco for sponsoring our speakers. Merial also sponsored a fun reception at the Hilton following our Saturday program, and thanks to Mary Kathryn Edwards for making that possible!
Thanks also to Drs. Amy Cordner (BEVS), Jennifer Hull (Northwest Veterinary Associates) and Phil van Harreveld (Vermont Large Animal Clinic) for their efforts in securing the speakers and the sponsors.
We were very pleased to present Dr. Virginia Clarke (Richmond Animal Hospital) with the David Walker Award for her countless contributions to animals and the veterinary profession! Congratulations and thank you, Virginia!
Thank you to the 270 people who attended the VVMA Winter Meeting! One of our largest
ever! We were pleased to provide an opportunity for everyone in your clinic to learn ways to improve communication and client service by attending Dr. Andy Roark’s program. 115 veterinarians and support staff attended his presentation and saw why he has a national reputation as an exciting, entertaining and motivating speaker. “Thank you for providing such a dynamo! I loved how he always related the topics to real life situations within our practice.”
Dr. Anthony Pease spoke to a full house about small animal radiology and Dr. Donnell Hansen, speaking at the same time as Dr. Roark, still attracted nearly 100 people to her small animal dentistry talk. “Fantastic, engaging speakers! I learned so much!”
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By-Law Changes ProposedThe VVMA Executive Board proposes two changes to Article VI in the By-Laws, as outlined below, indicated in red. Voting on these
proposals will take place during the business meeting to be held Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, VT. All VVMA members are hereby warned of the upcoming vote and are encouraged to contact Kathy Finnie at [email protected] or 802-878-6888 with any questions or comments.
1) VVMA Committee Members: Over the years, the VVMA has had an unwritten rule allowing non-members to sit on committees. While we value our relationships with and the input of external groups and individuals, it is the Executive Board’s recommendation, based on VVMA member responses to a survey, that our By-Laws be changed to reflect that only VVMA members may serve on committees. Non-members are welcome to participate in non-voting, advisory capacities only, and not sit as official members of a VVMA committee.
2) Change in Nominating Committee Chair: It is proposed that the responsibility of the Nominating Committee Chair be transferred to the Immediate Past-President, rather than the incoming President-Elect. Given that the Immediate Past-President will have served four years on the Executive Board, this officer will likely be in a better position to perceive the needs of vacancies in the leadership as they arise and to match qualified applicants to these needs.
Article VI. COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. Each committee, except Nominating, shall consist minimally of a Chairperson (or two Co-Chairs) as selected by that committee. All committee members must be members in good standing of the VVMA.
SECTION 2. Each committee may have non-members serve in a non-voting advisory capacity.
SECTION 3. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of the Immediate Past-President, the President, the President-Elect, and the Treasurer. The President-Elect Immediate Past-President shall serve as the non-voting Chairperson of the Committee. a. The Nominating Committee shall submit to the membership biannually a slate of officers to be elected by the membership. b. The Nominating Committee shall also present a candidate to the membership for election as the AVMA Alternate Delegate every four years. c. The Nominating Committee shall recommend to the Executive Board candidates to be considered for special awards. d. Annually, the Nominating Committee may appoint a Member-at-Large to the Executive Board.
SECTION 4. Each committee shall submit regular reports to the Executive Board and provide further reports upon request.
SECTION 5. The Standing Committees and their duties will be determined by the Association need as directed by the Executive Board. SECTION 6. Ad-hoc Committees and task forces to handle specific tasks may be created by motion of the Executive Board. The Chairperson of an existing ad-hoc committee and task force shall submit regular reports to the Executive Board. An ad-hoc committee or task force may become a standing committee upon a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.
SECTION 7. Any committee or task force may be retired upon a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.
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158 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495 P: 802-878-2022 F: 802-878-1524 email:[email protected] www.peakveterinaryreferral.com
Vermont Veterinary CardiologyDon Brown, DVM, PhD, Diplomate
ACVIM - CardiologyJenny Garber, DVM
Internal MedicineMarielle Goossens, DVM, Diplomate
ACVIMTim Bolton, DVM, Diplomate
ACVIM
OncologyKendra Knapik, DVM, Diplomate
ACVIM - OncologyNoelle Bergman, DVM, Diplomate
ACVIM - Oncology
Physical RehabilitationNancy Zimny PT, CCRT
Vermont Veterinary Eye CareSarah Hoy, DVM, MS, Diplomate
ACVO
NeurologyPhil March, DVM Diplomate
ACVIM - Neurology
SurgeryKurt Schulz, DVM, MS, Diplomate
ACVSKristian Ash, DVM
BehaviorPam Perry DVM, Practice Limited to
Behavior
DermatologyEd Jazic, DVM, Diplomate ACVD
COMPASSION EXPERTISE
TRUST
13
It’s that time of year again when bats are making appearances across the state. While they are wonderful little
creatures and great for the environment, they can instill fear and confusion in people. If you or your clients come across a bat that is acting strangely, appears injured, or is caught inside the house, there are people who can help you. The Bat Center in Milton, VT is a non-profit organization run by Barry Genzlinger and his wife Maureen. Barry has permission from the state to handle this rabies vector and has spent countless hours
researching and studying their husbandry, behaviors and care. He built a dedicated temperature/humidity controlled room in their home and a rehabilitation fly cage in their back yard. Barry also raises his own meal worms to feed the bats!
The Genzlingers are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about everything related to bats. If you have any questions, find an injured or sickly bat, or know someone who needs a bat “rescue,” please contact them: 802-891-6667 or email http://www.vermontbatcenter.org/
Also, follow them on Facebook for
updates on their patient with white nose syndrome, and cool videos on how they “wake the bats up” from hibernation in preparation for release into the wild. Donations to their cause are always welcome!
For questions regarding animal contact with a rabies vector, or what to do if a bat is found in a room with a human present, please contact Bob Johnson at the Vermont Department of Health for rabies vaccine recommendations: [email protected]
VVMA Member Appointed to UVM Board of Trustees
John Bartholomew, DVM has been appointed to the University of Vermont Board of Trustees.
According to the University records, Dr. Bartholomew is the first veterinarian to serve in this capacity. He has represented Windsor District 1 as a member of the Vermont House of Representatives since 2011 and currently is the ranking member of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee. This legislative session, he is the author and sponsor of H.218, a bill to clarify the minimum standards of care for the sheltering of dogs and cats. The VVMA has worked closely with Dr.
Bartholomew on this and many other animal related bills. His term as a new UVM Trustee began on March 1 and he will attend his first regular full board meeting on May 19-20.
Dr. Bartholomew served as Chief of the Research Animal Management Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health from 1990 to 2005. He was head of Laboratory Animal Medicine from 1986 to 1990 for an operations and technical support contract at the Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center (part of the National Cancer Institute). He also served in the U.S. Air Force as Base Veterinarian at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and in the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where he received his specialty training in laboratory animal medicine.
Dr. Bartholomew attended the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, where he received his BS in 1980 and DVM in 1981. He serves on a number of local boards. He is married to Julianne Harden and they have one daughter.
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14
Honey Bees: They’re All the Buzz!
For those veterinarians interested in bee medicine, we are fortunate to have an active beekeeping
community in Vermont. From backyard hobbyists to larger commercial production facilities, Vermont is “buzzing” with bee activity. I recently met with a group of beekeepers in Franklin County and they echoed the sentiments of beekeepers across the state: they are anxious to form connections with veterinarians, and are more than willing to help us learn about bees, their husbandry, and honey production.
If you are interested in working with beekeepers, please remember that a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship is required. Also, some medications used by beekeepers will require a Veterinary Feed Directive. It will be essential that you familiarize yourself with VFDs and how to complete them before you issue a prescription for antibiotics for bees. At the VVMA Winter Meeting, we heard about Veterinary Feed Directives as they relate to beekeeping from Dr. Don Hoenig, former State Veterinarian from Maine. His notes are available to VVMA members in the member’s only section of the website www.vtvets.org
The VVMA is directing inquiries from beekeepers looking to connect with a veterinarian to our Find a Vet section of the VVMA website. Please be sure to update your profile if you would like beekeepers to be able to find you.
The Vermont Beekeepers Association has a lot of information on their website.
For more information about bees, resources, a calendar of events, including the semi-annual continuing education meeting in July in Rutland, visit: http://www.vermontbeekeepers.org/
There are several beekeeping clubs located throughout Vermont and they often hold open hive visits for visitors to come and observe how to inspect hives, recognize common hive issues, honey extraction, etc. For a list of local beekeeping clubs throughout Vermont, visit: http://www.vermontbeekeepers.org/resources/beekeeping-clubs/vermont-beekeeping-clubs Feel free to contact them and attend their local meetings to introduce yourself, ask questions, and observe local bees in motion.
For information on workshops sponsored by the Vermont Beekeepers Association, visit:
http://www.vermontbeekeepers.org/workshops These are open to the public and veterinarians are encouraged to attend. There are several workshops scheduled this spring. Visit http://www.vermontbeekeepers.org/calendar/year.listevents/2016/ for a list of dates and times. Attending these workshops and visiting local hives will be the best way to learn more and gain hands-on experience in the world of bees.
Please note that if you are planning on working with bees, it is advisable that you provide your own safety wear, including at least a helmet/face shield and jacket/sleeve protector. There are several styles and types available. A favorite supplier among beekeepers is www.BetterBee.com
To ensure the health of honey bee colonies and native pollinators, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets implements an Apiary Inspection Program. Staff in the Apiary Program provide technical assistance and education, in addition to regulatory activities focused on compliance with state regulations. Staff perform varied
activities within this program including:• Providing technical assistance
to beekeepers to maintain healthy and productive hives;
• Inspecting bee hives for the presence of diseases and pests;
• Assisting VT beekeepers in getting State and Federal approval of new mite control materials;
• Providing judging for honey and honey products;
• Assisting fruit and vegetable growers with securing honey bees to pollinate crops;
• Working with apiculture officials in other states and at the federal level on honey bee related issues;
• Issuing Health Certificates to beekeepers moving bees out of state;
• Providing information to beekeepers, schools, and civic groups about honey bees and pollination;
• Enforcing 6 V.S.A. Chapter 172 – Vermont Apiary Law;
• Ensuring all hives are registered with the Agency; and
• Responding to complaints involving bees, beekeeping, and honey.
If you have any questions about the Apiary program, contact the Vermont State Apiculturist, Dave Tremblay, at [email protected]. Please visit the Agency’s Apiary website http://agriculture.vermont.gov/food_safety_consumer_protection/apiary for resources and upcoming seminars on bee health and beekeeping.
The AVMA has produced new resources on veterinary feed directives, covering VFDs for honeybees and aquaculture. Members of the AVMA may access a 56-page document, “Honey Bees: A Guide for Veterinarians,” and three webinars on “Honey Bees, Antimicrobials and the Role of the Veterinarian.” A fourth webinar is in development. Visit https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Pages/Honey-Bees-101-Veterinarians.aspx.
Dr. Millie Armstrong, Petit Brook Veterinary ClinicVVMA President
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The men and women of the veterinary profession are known for their compassion.
Accordingly, one of the most difficult conversations a veterinarian may experience is when a client shares his/her inability to afford the treatment recommended for their beloved pet.
Through the AVMF Veterinary Care Charitable Fund®, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) supports veterinarians by serving as their umbrella 501(c)(3) organization, accepting donations in support of a veterinary practice. Donated funds can be used to assist clients facing personal hardships, and to provide care to neglected, abused and abandoned animals. This can also help to reduce your practice’s costs of care for those cases.
How the Program Works: » Enroll your practice in the AVMF
Veterinary Care Charitable Fund® » Inform your clients, family, and
friends » Promote giving to the fund » Provide medical care for animals » Submit a simple online form for
reimbursementThe AVMF will provide:
» Free enrollment for AVMA members, with no annual fee » A listing on the AVMF website as a
participating veterinary practice » Promotional materials to share and
display in your hospital » Donation envelopes for your clients » A digital “donate” button for your
website » A sample press release to distribute
Get Reimbursed for the Charitable Care You Giveto local media » A sample email to share with clients,
family, and friends » Fundraising webinars for your staff » Opportunities to share your
charitable care stories with a national audience » Acknowledgement/tax letters for
donors » Secure online tracking of donations » Reimbursement for the charitable
care you giveEnroll today at www.AVMF.org/CARE.
For more information, contact the AVMF at (847) 285-6747 or [email protected]
www.veterinaryfinancialadvisors.com
Burzenski & Company understands the veterinary business. We’ve been providing specialized financial and business consulting services to veterinary practices nationwide since 1983. Our operational consulting, accounting, and bookkeeping services allow you to take care of animals while we take care of business.
Find out how well we understand your business. Contact Gary I. Glassman, CPA at [email protected] or 203.468.8133.
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88 Beech Street, Essex Jct, VT 05452
2017 Summer CE Meeting SpeakersFriday, June 23, 2017
Burlington Hilton Hotel - Pet Friendly Hotel!
Review of Small Animal Anesthesia and Pain Management: Strategies for SuccessEmily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAAClinical Associate Professor for AnesthesiaDirector of the Shelter Medicine ProgramCummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University
This CE will review the basics of assessing individual patients and designing a safe protocol for them. It will also cover avoiding and addressing the most common anesthetic complications. There will be plenty of time for discussion and practitioners are encouraged to bring questions. In addition, we will review newer anesthetic and analgesic drugs and techniques.
WVMA Food Armor™ HACCP for Proper Drug Use Program – Phase 2 Katie Mrdutt, DVM, Food Armor Outreach SpecialistKimberly Pokorny, Executive DirectorWisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Food Armor™ Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association HACCP for Proper Drug Use is a proven, six-step on-farm program to ensure food safety (of both meat and milk) and responsible medication use on dairy farms. This program identifies potential risks (hazards) and provides the know-how and action plan to implement safeguards and management practices (critical control points), creating an achievable HACCP - Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points plan. We presented Phase 1 at our 2015 Summer Meeting. Phase 1 covered the “what” (knowledge) and Phase 2 will cover the “how” (implementation). You must have attended a Phase 1 training in order to attend Phase 2. If you haven’t attended Phase 1, and are interested in attending Phase 2, please contact the VVMA ASAP. With enough interest, we may offer Phase 1 the day before.
More information and registration will be available shortly.
