VMAE is delighted beyond measure to announce that the fall conference will be held in person, and contract negotiations are underway with a familiar conference property.  The Board of Directors carefully considered conference program delivery options and decided that the conference can safely be held in person on November 11-13, presuming that positive trends in public health continue and that federal, state, and local regulations will continue to allow in-person gatherings of VMAE’s group size.  The board favored a West-coast location in an agricultural county – stay tuned for details...

The future of employer-sponsored retirement plans in America and the AVMA Trust Retirement Plan Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 12:05-12:55 PM MTN Join us for a webinar for a closer look at the current retirement landscape, featuring speakers Adrienne Robertson and Deb Rubin of Transamerica. As noted authorities on retirement plans, Adrienne and Deb will provide insights on: How current legislation may affect employer-sponsored plans and retirement savings for Americans What’s new for association retirement plans The AVMA Trust Retirement plan: how it works and its benefits to members REGISTER FOR JUNE 17...

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recently announced the latest recipients of the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential – and a tip of the hat is in order to VMAE member Eric Boehm, executive director of the El Paso Veterinary Medical Association.  Eric is now able to include CAE along with PMP (Project Management Professional) and MNM (Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management) in his signature block.  ASAE notes that the CAE credential – attained by fewer than 10% of ASAE members – “is the marker of a committed association...

Veterinary students from North Dakota and Wyoming who receive state subsidies on their out-of-state tuition are free to practice anywhere without having to repay the cash, thanks to a pair of recent legislative actions.  The article published by VIN News Service policy advocacy accomplishments by both the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association and the Wyoming Veterinary Medical Association – perfect examples of commitment by VMAs to address the veterinary debt issue.  Read more....

We are stronger together and that’s why the VMAE joins the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and the rest of the veterinary community in proudly celebrating #PrideMonth2021 in June....

Pride celebrations take a variety of forms from marches to parties to protests and most recently, virtual community events. Since the start of what is considered by many the modern LGBTQ+ liberation movement in the 1970s, hundreds of independent Pride events have sprung up in cities worldwide, each tied distinctly to local energy and priorities and linked in some way to the foundational Stonewall Riots that occurred on June 28, 1969. With this backdrop, the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) and its student-led arm the Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community...

AVMA is offering free training in suicide prevention to all veterinary professionals. The free training – known as QPR gatekeeper training, short for “question, persuade, refer” – teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide, establish a dialogue, and guide the person to seek professional help. While not a substitute for professional assistance, it can be a critical tool to save lives – and it's something that any veterinary professional can learn to do.  Read more....

According to experts in economics, the way veterinary practices approach pricing is a critical part of business success. Price is one of the main reasons nearly 50 million animals don’t see a veterinarian at least annually, with more than 50% of owners (whose pets don’t receive regular care) indicating they don’t see the value in regular veterinary care. With a value-based model, the price of products and services is set according to their value to the customer, rather than the cost to the veterinarian. AVMA provides this article on pricing...

Amid the ongoing global CoVID 19 Pandemic, the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS) hosted their first in-person symposium in over a year. In April nearly 100 VECCS members gathered at a safe distance to devour four days of progressive educational sessions focused on fluid therapy, ultrasound, communications, and wellbeing. The VECCS staff curated this innovative symposium, keeping safety top-of-mind by following CDC and local guidelines, taking the necessary precautions and communicating them to attendees and guests. VECCS CEO Dr. Chris Gray noted that “It was fantastic to be back...

After years of warnings about too many dogs come worries about too few. In some ways, it is the long-dreamed-of outcome: shelters and rescues with few pets in need of homes. However, what seems like a situation to celebrate has some animal welfare advocates worried. Some believe breeders and shelters will have to work together to figure out where dogs will come from to meet the demand, and how to produce them humanely. Read more.  (Source: VIN News Service)...