Veterinary leadership is important for directing practices and organizations toward improved outcomes and maintaining a functional work environment. Effective leaders in veterinary medicine are responsible for managing teams, fostering innovation, and maintaining standards of patient care. By carefully managing resources and addressing industry challenges, veterinary leaders help sustain the operations and growth of their practices and organizations.

Several veterinary organizations have recently appointed new leaders. The following individuals are among those advancing in their careers:

Joe Venezia, chief revenue officer, Petco

Joe Venezia, chief revenue officer, Petco. (Photo courtesy of Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.)

Joe Venezia recently joined Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. as its new chief revenue officer. In his new role, Venezia will work to increase revenue and develop strategies to ameliorate the customer experience. He will also spearhead areas that play an integral part of driving the company’s growth, like pet care centers, pet and veterinary services, real estate, and customer success capabilities.

“Petco has a strong brand and a highly differentiated footprint with a significant opportunity to drive profitable growth," Venezia said in a company release.

 "I look forward to working with Joel [Anderson, chief executive officer], the rest of the executive leadership team, and all of our Petco partners as we focus on improving our performance to create lasting value for our customers and shareholders."

With more than 25 years of retail experience, Venezia has held leadership positions at Bridgestone Retail Operations, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble, with his most recent role being chief operating officer of stores at Michaels.

Chanel Berns, DVM. (Photo courtesy of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center)

Mariel Covo, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM). (Photo courtesy of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center)

Robin Doherty, DVM, DACVIM (Photo courtesy of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center)

Chanel Berns, DVM; Mariel Covo, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM); Robin Doherty, DVM, DACVIM; Schwarzman Animal Medical Center

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York, New York welcomed 13 new senior veterinarians to their veterinary teaching hospital. These newly welcomed professionals will be joining more 140 veterinarians in more than 20 specialties. Among those who recently joined are Chanel Berns, DVM; Mariel Covo, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM); and Robin Doherty, DVM, DACVIM.

At AMC, Berns will be specializing in surgery, having completed her DVM from Texas A&M in 2019, a rotating internship at the University of Georgia, and a surgery residency at Texas A&M. She conducts orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries, and focuses on minimally-invasive techniques such as arthroscopy and laparoscopy.

A native of New York City, Covo obtained her veterinary degree from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Covo pursued internal medicine, completing a rotating internahip and residency in internal medicine at AMC. Covo’s interests include immune-mediated diseases, hematology, and gastroenterology.

With a concentration in interventional radiology and endoscopy, Doherty’s passions include endoscopic interventions, gastroenterology, lower urinary tract disease, and diabetic management. She completed her degree at the University of Minnesota and underwent a rotating internship at the University of Pennsylvania. Doherty also completed a specialty internship in interventional radiology/endoscopy at AMC and a residency in internal medicine at the University of Minnesota.

Jared Vestal, MBA, chief customer and marketing officer, Independence Pet Holdings

Jared Vestal, MBA, chief customer and marketing officer, Independence Pet Holdings. (Photo courtesy of Independence Pet Holdings)

Independence Pet Holdings (IPH), a pet insurance company, appointed Jared Vestal at its first chief customer and marketing officer. In the new role, Vestal will oversee IPH’s multi-brand portfolio and will be in charge of creating an all-encompassing customer growth framework to improve customer acquisition, experience, and loyalty.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jared to IPH and believe he will play a pivotal role in advancing IPH's alignment with evolving customer expectations and further establishing the company as a leader in the pet care and insurance space," Kirk Haggard, CEO of IPH, stated in a company release.

Vestal has a 2-decade history in marketing. In 2023, he was named in AdAge’s 40 under 40. Moreover, he has spearheaded initiatives at GEICO, Salesforce, FreshDirect, and Omnicom Media Group.

Petco names Joe Venezia chief revenue officer. News release. Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. November 13, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petco-names-joe-venezia-chief-revenue-officer-302304933.html

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Welcomes Over a Dozen New Senior Veterinarians in New York City, Adding to a World-Class Medical Team Working Across 20+ Specialties. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. November 1, 2024. Accessed November 1, 2024. [email]

Independence Pet Holdings expands executive team, announces Jared Vestal as first chief customer and marketing officer. News release. Independence Pet Holdings. November 18, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independence-pet-holdings-expands-executive-team-announces-jared-vestal-as-first-chief-customer-and-marketing-officer-302307854.html

Articles

Check out the latest news in the veterinary industry with these 5 recent position promotions

Paws and profits: New leadership in the veterinary industry

 editorial team is counting down our Top 20 news stories and articles of the year, from January 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Rank was determined by measurable audience interest and engagement.

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 18 on this list:

Animal health company sentenced for drug misbranding

Covetrus North America LCC pleaded guilty to causing the introduction and delivery of veterinary prescription drugs that were misbranded into interstate commerce and has been sentenced to 1 year probation by a federal court in Abingdon, Virginia. As part of the agreement, Covetrus—based in Portland, Maine—must also pay more than $23 million in criminal forfeitures and fines.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia takes the distribution of misbranded prescription drugs seriously,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said in a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Virginia.

“Covetrus shipped over $20 million in prescription drugs to unauthorized end-users in violation of federal laws that are designed to ensure prescription drugs are kept within a controlled chain of distribution and to prevent diversion and inappropriate use.”

According to the release, the company shipped prescription drugs between March 2019 and December 2021 to multiple Covetrus nonpharmacy locations within the United States and to end-users who were not authorized to receive the drugs. Because these shipments were from nonpharmacy locations to nonauthorized end-users or locations, the shipments were deemed as misbranded.

The case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Virginia State Police, with help from the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

, a Covetrus spokesperson said the company cooperated with the investigation.

"Covetrus North America resolved a criminal investigation that was conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia regarding the distribution of misbranded prescription veterinary medication," a Covetrus spokesperson told 

For information on this story, including more about Covetrus’ sentence, references, and more, continue reading the full article: 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/animal-health-company-sentenced-for-drug-misbranding

dvm360 is counting down the Top 20 news stories and articles from 2024 with this series of spotlights

2024 veterinary news in review: #18

Neurology therapies

Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, director of integrative and rehabilitative medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, in New York City, New York, discusses effective therapies for neurologic recovery in pets. She highlights innovative modalities like pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy while offering empowering advice for veterinarians treating non-ambulatory patients.

Hi, I'm Dr Leilani Alvarez. I'm the director of integrative and rehabilitative medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City.

For neurologic patients, there are several modalities that can be really helpful to improve their recovery. Probably my favorites are pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. I actually did a study on this at the Animal Medical Center, and what it's shown to be particularly helpful for is reducing the use of pain medications, particularly when the patients are going home. It's really great for improving pain management in dogs with back pain.

Another modality that I really like to use, especially for lumbosacral (LS) disease, is extracorporeal shockwave therapy. There’s now a non-sedated probe available, which is an electrohydraulic machine called the PulseVet, and I find that it's very well-tolerated for my LS patients.

You can also use laser therapy, although the latest studies show that you should shave the area to get good penetration. Some people don’t like to shave their pets, but lasering over the painful area in the back can still be a great modality.

A lot of vets who see non-ambulatory neurologic patients, especially, can feel really overwhelmed. These cases can seem daunting because the patients may appear to have a poor prognosis. Owners are often very stressed when their dogs lose the ability to walk, and I find that many veterinarians would prefer to refer those patients rather than treat them themselves.

However, in my lecture today, I focused on empowering veterinarians to implement simple strategies that can make a big difference in improving the recovery of neurologic patients. These patients can, surprisingly, do really, really well. Owners are often absolutely over the moon, delighted with their pet's recovery, and you’ll have the most loyal clients when you help a dog recover from a severe spinal cord injury.

Videos

Integrative therapies like pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and shockwave therapy are game changers for pets recovering from neurologic injuries, according to Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR


Innovative therapies for neurologic recovery in pets

2024 Fetch Long Beach highlights

The 2024 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Long Beach, California, is over but it continues to be informative. Our ongoing news coverage provides continuing education session recaps, reporting on special events, and video interviews with industry thought leaders.

View the photos captured by Walter L. Brown Jr, BS, RVTg, VTS (ECC), to relive or discover Fetch Long Beach in action, watch the videos for expert insights, and read the articles for information to put into practice. Highlights from Fetch Long Beach including the following:

In this Day 1 keynote address, Mary Gardner, DVM, and Eric Garcia shared 7 facets of a successful friendship. Their “friendship creed,” which helps them bond and make the friendship a great one, includes the following value: “brutal” honesty; “crushing” work, or putting in effort; laughing harder; fueling the fun; accountability; continuous learning; and having an inner circle.

Using experiences to guide dermatologic care

In an education session at Fetch Long Beach, presenter Brittany Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD, discussed how patient, client and veterinary care providers all contribute to improving outcomes for pet with skin conditions.

The role nutrition plays in veterinary ophthalmology

Fetch faculty Jennifer Sheahan, DVM, DACVO, discusses dietary indiscretions, such as feeding a dog fatty foods, that can be mistaken for cataracts and other eye diseases, during an interview with 

Unveiling unpopular truths in shelter medicine

During her Day 3 keynote address, Kris Otteman, DVM, ABVP, CAWA, shared with attendees multiple perspectives in shelter medicine. Throughout the lecture, Otteman helped attendees tackle uncomfortable truths and the status quo to help them be better prepared for the tough cases that walk through the clinic doors.

Session presenter Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD, shared with the Fetch audience how to approach itchy feline patients in your practice, and what tools veterinary teams can utilize to get to the bottom of these dermatological conditions and improve patients quality of life.

Veterinary Heroes honored at Fetch Long Beach

A dozen care providers and industry professionals were recognized as Veterinary Heroes on the Day 3 of the conference. Nominated by their colleagues, the 12 honorees were introduced to Fetch attendees and presented with their awards during a special luncheon at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The role of whole food diets in managing food allergies in dogs

Laura Wilson, DVM, DACVD, lectured on using whole food diets to address adverse food reactions and other dermatologic issues in dogs. She covered the rapidly growing role of whole food nutrition in managing canine health, especially in cases where traditional diets may fall short.

On Day 2, keynote presenter Kwane Stewart, DVM, shared the path his career took to land him where he is today. He took attendees on the journey through his career from first patient he treated through his street medicine work that earned him CNN’s title of 2023 Hero of the Year.

The 4 P’s of controlled substance compliance: people, processes, paperwork, and products

At the conference, Kelley Detweiler and Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, gave 4 lectures on controlled substance compliance for veterinary practices. In a pre-conference interview with 

, the pair shared how focusing on "the 4 P's"—people, processes, paperwork, and products—practices can have a simplified framework for remaining compliant and avoiding DEA violations.

Attendees were provided with a variety of clinical and practice management tracks, while aspiring veterinarians received hands-on learning from the stars of television's Critter Fixers: Country Vets.

Highlights of the 2024 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Long Beach

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is important to keep pet owners informed about the risks that feeding pets holiday food can carry. In the United States, the holiday season leads to thousands of veterinary visits every year for sick pets.

 At the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, Virginia, veterinarians experience a rise in emergency visits during this time.

 The Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman, Washington has also observed a similar trend, with an increase of cases of cats and dogs with vomiting and diarrhea during the holidays.

With this in mind, what seasonal dangers should clients be aware of?

Chocolate poses a serious risk to pets, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, a racing heart rate, and seizures.

 In 2023, December alone accounted for 19% of Nationwide’s toxicity claims for pets, according to the insurance company.

 The estimated cost of treatment for chocolate toxicity is $830 based on 30 days after diagnosis and 80th percentile of claims received.

The following foods should also be avoided

Onions, garlic, and chives, which can lead anemia in dogs and cats.

Grapes and raisins, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs

Spices like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, onion and garlic powder, and paprika can cause stomach upset or create a toxic reaction

Xylitol, which can be found in sugar-free food and gum, can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels and liver failure

Bones and corn cobs can splinter while being chewed or cause a blockage in the stomach and intestines

Additionally, fatty foods like ham, dark meat turkey, turkey skin, and gravy can lead to pancreatitis, which can cause vomiting and lethargy. Depending on how severe the case is, treatment for pancreatitis in animals can cost approximately $1400.

Unbaked yeast dough also poses a risk to animal companions, as this product can cause painful gas and “potentially dangerous bloating.”

"Pets are naturally curious, especially around food and beverages, but certain holiday treats are particularly bad for them," Emily Tincher, DVM, chief veterinary officer at Nationwide, said in a company news release.

 "Many pet owners are unaware that even small amounts of festive staples can lead to illness, from mild stomach upset to more serious toxic reactions, causing discomfort for pets and unexpected stress for the family during the holidays."

To prevent animals from potentially eating table scraps and consuming toxic food, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends pet owners clear food from their table, counters, and serving areas once they have finished using them. Pet owners should make sure to dispose of carcasses, bones, and any materials used to wrap or secure the meat—such as strings, bags, or packaging—in a covered, tightly sealed trash bag, and place it in a closed trash container outdoors or in a place that cannot be reached by the pet.

Holiday meals and pets. Washington State University. November 1, 2023. Accessed December 13, 2024. 

https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2023/11/01/holiday-meals-and-pets/

Mann A. The 12 tips of pet safety: A holiday guide. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. December 1, 2024. Accessed December 13, 2024. 

https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/12/vetmed-pet-holiday-safety.html#:~:text=Veterinarians%20at%20the%20Veterinary%20Teaching%20Hospital%20in,turn%20festive%20celebrations%20into%20unexpected%20veterinary%20visits

Holiday hazards to avoid, how to keep your pets safe this season. News release. Nationwide. December 2, 2024. Accessed December 13, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holiday-hazards-to-avoid-how-to-keep-your-pets-safe-this-season-302319777.html

Winter holiday pet safety. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed December 13, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety#:~:text=Bones%20can%20cause%20choking%20or,gas%20and%20potentially%20dangerous%20bloating

Clients should be made aware the dangers these holiday foods can pose

Seasonal food dangers for pets

 readers! We loved getting to see all of you at our Fetch Long Beach conference last week. Although that is a wrap on Fetch conferences for 2024, Fetch Charlotte is right around the corner and will be here before you know it! You can check out all our 2025 Fetch conferences, including a new location, and register 

Here is what was popular this week on dvm360.com:

 columnists Marc Rosenberg, VMD, shared his final installment of his monthly column, 

, to provide readers with the 5 most significant recommendations he would like to pass on to the veterinary industry after spending over 50 years as a veterinarian.

In the latest installment of Pet Poison Helpline’s (PPH) 

Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine, 

 why clients should not be taking their pets medication, despite sounding and appearing the same as their human medications.

, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Jessica Vogeslang, DVM, CVJ, to discuss the role telemedicine and social media play in the current veterinary medicine landscape.

A member of the Provincial Parliament in Ontario, Canada, 

 the introduction of The Captive Wildlife Protection Act, which would require licensing for zoos, ban the use of wildlife for certain activities, and more as a way to fill the gap in provincial regulations of wildlife animals living in a zoo setting.

, Kelley Detweiler and Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, shared the latest developments for xylazine regulation in the United Kingdom, and the implications this could mean for the veterinary profession.

 found that microRNAs can be useful for identifying myxomatous mitral valve disease in canine patients. The research collected serum and plasma profiles from 123 dogs and focused on 15 specific miRNA markers. 