Kevin Costner, the Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer, took center stage to deliver his keynote address and kickoff VMX 2025 in Orlando, Florida. Costner drew parallels between his life’s journey and the calling that drives the work of veterinary professionals with an inspiring speech about finding and embracing your purpose.

Costner began by reflecting on his career and the struggle to discover his path. He shared how his upbringing in a blue-collar family shaped his work ethic and worldview but left him searching for something deeper. “I was probably going to be a manual labor guy. I'm not that smart,” he said. “But I would play piano. I was raised in a church, [and] I sang in the choirs. I wrote poetry and I didn't tell anybody about that. I just did it. I don't know why.”

He continued: “At one point, I started getting a little desperate. I still hadn't [found my calling], but all I had to do was look back at the breadcrumbs of my life, and I started to understand that I was a storyteller, a daydreamer.”

This realization didn’t come easily. Costner spoke candidly about the challenges of aligning his passions with his professional life. Even after making it as an actor and becoming famous, he was determined to not less promises of money or success get in the way of his love for making art he felt strongly about. “I've used my own money to chase my own dreams,” he said. “Because once I found my heart, I wasn't going to let anybody take it away from me, no matter how much money was on the line.”

In “finding his heart,” Costner drew parallels to the veterinary profession, in which so many are driven to as a calling. In his eyes, it’s that passion and purpose that define a person.

“You come out of school, and they call you a vet,” he said. “[When] you’re an actor, you’re a bum on the corner until you start to make money. But I wasn't concerned about money as much as I was concerned about my journey. And when I knew and I admitted to myself that…I was going to be a storyteller, my life changed.”

Costner also acknowledged that following that passion is not an easy path. With it comes moments of doubt and immense pressure, especially when dealing with emotional situations involving animals and their owners. In a parallel between actors and veterinary professionals, he acknowledged that it’s even harder to stay strong when you’re under a microscope and people are counting on you, but persevering is worth it and what ultimately defines who are you: “People are watching you…For me, I have taken big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big bites out of me…Who cares about the easy moments? How are you in the toughest?”

On showing strength in the most difficult situations, one of the more poignant moments of Costner’s keynote came when he shared his personal experience of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. “There comes a moment when we know it’s the beginning of the end” he said. “I’ve had to put my dog down. There was one of 

, and I didn’t even know your name. You were sitting on the ground, on a blanket right beside me, watching me, even crying. [You were] a stranger that became important…That’s what you do. You’ve helped me, and I just thought you should know about it.”

Costner’s take-home message was that discovering and embracing your purpose requires self-reflection, hard work, and resilience. For veterinary professionals, their profound impact on the lives of others lies not just in their technical skills but in their compassion and ability to guide others through emotional moments, making their purpose a cornerstone of their professional and personal legacy.

Costner K. VMX Kickoff with Kevin Costner, Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Presented at: VMX 2025; January 25-29, 2025; Orlando, Florida

Articles

At VMX 2025, Kevin Costner shared heartfelt stories about animals, purpose, and perseverance in an inspiring opening-day keynote address

Kevin Costner at VMX 2025: Finding your heart

Tasha McNerney , BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesethia), discusses her upcoming VMX lecture that discusses some human medicine concepts that can be applied to animal health

Building an analgesic protocol

interview, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia), director of training and staff development at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey, and a founder of the Anesthesia Nerds organization, discusses her upcoming continuing education lecture for veterinary technicians at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida. She plans to address some human medicine concepts that can be applied to animal health with VMX attendees, during her talk. The session—

Practical Pain Management: More Than Opioids

—will be held 12 pm to 1 pm at the Rosen Centre. 

The following is a transcript of the video:

Tasha McNerney , BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia)

: At VMX, I am doing a 90-minute session on Sunday, [January 26, 2025], which is going to cover how can we build a good, solid analgesic protocol; an anesthetic protocol that is not going to rely heavily on opioids. Now, that's not to say 

, but we're going to use some of the concepts from the human medicine protocols, which is known as ERAS—enhanced recovery after surgery. And we're going to look at how can we use some of those protocols in our veterinary medicine cases and utilize less opioids; so things like, how can we prevent post-operative nausea and vomiting? How can we utilize more local anesthesia in our patients' protocols? How can we get away from just heavy use of opioids and look at things like more adjunctive analgesics and things that we can send home with our patients that are going to provide analgesia, again, without a heavy reliance on opioids. So, that's going to be the Sunday session.

Videos

In this CE session preview at VMX, Tasha McNerney , BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia), discusses her upcoming lecture that discusses some human medicine concepts that can be applied to animal health

VetRec, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant for veterinarians; and Bond Vet, a veterinary clinic group dedicated to improving the human-animal bond, recently announced a new collaboration. The partnership will combine VetRec’s technology with Bond Vet’s “modern approach” to veterinary medicine in an effort to improve pet care and the veterinary experience for pets and clients, according to both organizations.

VetRec uses AI to generate clinical notes for veterinarians. With its technology, the scribe can provide subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) notes for veterinary practices. To use VetRec, veterinary professionals first record the consultation. After the session ends, VetRec processes the consultation while allowing veterinarians to create their own SOAP template or use one of VetRec’s built-in templates. After 30 seconds, the notes are ready for review and incorporation into practice management systems (PiMS).

The AI can summarize up to 1500 pages of patient history, including handwritten notes and lab results, according to VetRec.

 Additionally, professionals can use a built-in AI assistant for help with research tasks, questions, and more.

Founded in 2019, Bond Vet has more than 55 locations nationwide and offers wellness exams, vaccinations, specialty surgeries, dental cleanings, and more. “By integrating VetRec's proprietary AI technology, Bond Vet is set to further elevate its exceptional standard of care,” wrote Bond Vet and VetRec in a news release.

"Bond Vet is dedicated to delivering exceptional care available when owners need it most, delivered by a team that is healthy, happy, and empowered," Renee McDougall, DVM, MPH, DACVS (Small Animal), vice president of Bond Vet and head of medicine, said in the release.

 "VetRec's remarkable AI-powered technology enhances our ability to provide compassionate care by reducing administrative burdens, enabling our staff to focus on what truly matters—strengthening the human-animal bond."

According to Bond Vet and VetRec, VetRec’s AI has been used by the medical team at Bond Vet in 8000 clinical cases. The technology has transformed the way SOAP notes, discharge instructions, rDVM letters, and medical record summaries are created, the companies said.

"Technology should empower veterinary professionals, not replace their expertise," said David De Matheu, co-founder of VetRec said.

 "Our platform is designed to complement the skill and compassion of veterinarians by streamlining workflows and providing actionable insights, enabling providers like Bond Vet to scale their impact while maintaining the highest standards of care."

VetRec and Bond Vet partner to revolutionize veterinary care across 55+ locations. News release. VetRec and Bond Vet. January 22, 2025. Accessed January 24, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vetrec-and-bond-vet-partner-to-revolutionize-veterinary-care-across-55-locations-302356621.html?tc=eml_cleartime

AI powered clinical notes for veterinarians. VetRec. Accessed January 24, 2025. 

Bond Vet and VetRec announced a new collaboration

Veterinary clinic group partners with AI veterinarian assistant, Bond Vet and VetRec to team up

Clinical year is the year veterinary school students all look forward to but are simultaneously terrified of. This is the time to apply what we learned, get a sneak peek at the doctors we are about to become, and develop habits that will follow us for years to come. The reality of clinical year sets in as we are getting our rotation schedules while questions and stress begin to brew in our minds. 

How do I prepare? What am I going to be asked to do? Will I know enough?

 Luckily, we have those who went before us to rely on to give us some insight on what to expect walking into clinics that first day.

Before walking into a clinic, you want to be as prepared as possible for anything that comes your way. We cannot predict everything, but we can set ourselves up for success with some important resources and planning. Prior to your first day, make sure you have all the necessities packed: notebook, lunch or snacks, water, and most importantly, your stethoscope!

Helpful resources can provide us with the support we need in clinics. Some student I talked to who are currently in their clinical year recommend these textbooks:

Ettinger’s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine 

Along with these reading materials, your school’s library may have other specialty-specific textbooks. Primary literature and personal lecture notes can be key as well when discussing and researching specific topics that may be asked of you by your clinical advisor.

There have been several clinical resources that have become available to students and even clinicians that can be easily accessible while you are running around on the floor of your clinic. These can include:

Thompson’s Medical Differential Diagnosis

Dr Yin’s Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook

Gwenevere Lockrey, a veterinary student at Western University, recommended reading relevant consensus statements and even outlining 5-10 of the most common pathologies associated with that specific specialty. These are all resources that will be crucial to have during your clinical year to maximize your efficiency, success, and they can even be beneficial for The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) studying as well.

Establishing expectations and a line of communication with the doctors you will be working with is key in having a successful and smooth transition into clinical rotations. Ahead of rotation, it may be ideal to touch base with your point of contact to discuss what you may need to bring, attire requirements, and overall schedule expectations. This can ease first day jitters as it will give you an idea of what your day may look like. Each rotation may vary depending on how much hands-on experience you may get but it is crucial to have that discussion before diving deep into your clinics.

Morgan Brems, VMD, reflected on the importance for students to discuss their current skill sets and what competencies or specific tasks you may need accomplished. It is important to be proactive and be willing to help where needed but always be open about your comfort level and confidence on the tasks at hand.

Maintaining professionalism is vital as many of these doctors are future colleagues, so building a positive reputation can be helpful for the future. William Scherrer, DVM DACVS, has highlighted the importance of students being early: “if you can’t be on time, be early.” He recommended treating every client, pet, and staff interaction as if you are the consulting clinician, because soon enough, you will be. Many clinicians expect students to follow the pattern of asking for permission, NOT forgiveness. Remember that you are representing yourself as a future clinician as well as your school.

Your clinical year is a stressful one filled with new experiences and NAVLE anticipation. Many students start studying anywhere between 3-6 months prior to their anticipated date. The balance of clinics and studying can be challenging to maintain, and many clinical students have done board prep between appointments, assignments, or even on the way to their rotation destination. When it comes to diligently studying for boards, it is crucial to set daily goals and stay consistent, “have a schedule and stick to it,” stated Joseph Awada, a Western University veterinary student. Along with this it may be important to implement study breaks throughout your schedule.

Many students question the ability to implement self-care with constant schedule changes, on-call shifts, etc. Self-care is something that is critical in maintaining a positive mental and physical health status and performing your best in clinics. Scheduling these moments of self-care is a good way to make sure you fit them in—whether it is going to the gym, reading a book, or anything that brings you joy! Maintaining a somewhat normal routine is important to keep you feeling sane and maximizing your energy in clinics.

Although we are focused on what to prepare for clinics, textbooks to read, and our schedules, we must remember that clinics require more of us than just our intellectual knowledge. Clinics can be intimidating but "everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so don’t compare yourself to anybody but yourself,” said Katrina Billote, a student from Western University. It is easy to compare yourself, but it can be detrimental. Hannah Huff, a veterinary student at the University of Georgia, emphasizes the idea that becoming comfortable with admitting what you don’t know is key! You will not know everything, and clinicians will not expect you to.

As you brave your way into clinics in the upcoming years, remember: “never forget why you wanted to become a vet—this is the best job in the world, but it is absolutely a hard job,” said Scherrer. You can do this, and we cannot wait to welcome you as our future colleagues!

: Thank you to the following professionals who assisted with this article: Morgan Brems, VMD; Cecilia Wolf, DVM; 

William Scherrer, DVM, DACVS; Joseph Awada; Jacob Ruiz; Gwenevere Lockrey; Hannah Huff; Steph Yopp; Katrina Billote; and other fellow students.

 year Western University veterinary student from Maryland. She will be entering small animal general practice after her graduation in May. She is passionate about preventative medicine and providing health care to underserved communities. She has 2 cats of her own—Farley and Lincoln.

One of dvm360’s student ambassadors shares how veterinary students can prepare themselves for clinical year

How to survive and thrive in your clinical year

and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode.

In this podcast, Dr. Michelle Evason will discuss topics related to spectrum of care and feline care, and practical tips for communicating with pet owners about these topics.

Understand spectrum of care and how to communicate to pet owners

Learn about new research on feline Giardia and its emerging zoonotic aspects, and how to apply this to clinical management

Discuss current management of common feline infectious disease cases, e.g. ringworm, endoparasites, etc. and their implications for preventive care across the spectrum

Michelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS, serves as Global Director, Veterinary Clinical Education for Antech (MARS). She has worked in general practice, academia, specialty clinical practice, and in the animal health industry. Michelle has published on numerous infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, nutrition, spectrum of care, veterinary- and pet-owner education related topics. She enjoys ferrying her two-legged (and four-legged) children to various activities and fulfilling most ‘Canuck’ stereotypes.

Podcasts

Michelle Evason, Bsc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS, sits down with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to talk about what spectrum of care means especially in the world of feline care. 


Podcast CE: Spectrum of care and feline care

Extracorporeal therapy (ECT) is a method of blood purification performed to remove a pathogenic substance, or 

, from the body. In this procedure, blood is removed from the patient and circulated through an extracorporeal circuit, which purifies the blood before it is returned to the patient.

Hemoperfusion (HP) is a type of extracorporeal blood purification therapy aimed at removing exogenous or endogenous toxins from the bloodstream. Other common types of ECT include renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis [HD], hemofiltration) and therapeutic plasma exchange.

 Advanced procedures are especially beneficial when traditional decontamination techniques fall short.

Toxicities: Traditional medical management

Acute toxin exposure is a common and potentially life-threatening emergency in dogs and cats. Traditional decontamination techniques include induction of emesis, gastric lavage, activated charcoal, cathartic or intravenous (IV) lipid emulsion (ILE) administration, IV fluid therapy, and antidote administration, if applicable.

 Few toxins have a specific antidote available, so therapy is predominantly aimed at decreasing gastrointestinal absorption of the toxin. If the protein is heavily lipophilic, then ILE administration may be considered to reduce clinical signs associated with intoxication and enhance the clearance of the toxin. IV fluid therapy is often employed for patients presenting with acute toxin ingestion, often at high rates, to encourage diuresis and more rapid clearance of the toxin. However, there is limited evidence to support the theory that IV fluid diuresis enhances toxin clearance, and for highly protein-bound toxins such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), it has minimal positive effects.

Organ damage and life-threatening clinical signs may still develop despite traditional decontamination techniques because of the high ingested dose, rapid absorption of many toxins, and the inherent delay that precedes presentation for veterinary care.

 Extracorporeal toxin removal (ECTR) provides a vital bridge whereby the toxin can be removed from the blood after it has undergone partial or complete absorption through the gastrointestinal tract, but often before it has had time to cause significant organ damage.This can reduce the morbidity and mortality related to acute toxin exposure and shorten the time required in the hospital for acute decontamination and monitoring.

During HP, a machine continuously withdraws blood from a dual-lumen dialysis catheter and circulates it through an extracorporeal circuit containing a specialized filter known as an HP column. HP columns contain a large surface area of adsorbent media that can remove various pathogenic solutes. The HP column removes the pathogenic solute from the blood, and the purified blood is returned to the patient. HP columns must remove the pathogenic solute without extracting or affecting standard blood components.

HP can be performed alone or in series with HD (

). In-series HP/HD is performed in small animal patients using a machine designed for renal replacement therapy in humans. The circuit requires a dialyzer to be placed in series with the HP column. Stand-alone HP is mainly performed using a veterinary-specific machine that does not require a dialyzer in the circuit, such as AimaLojic ReVive.

. Schematic of an in-series HP/HD circuit (Images courtesy of ImmutriX Therapeutics, Inc

The most common HP columns in veterinary medicine include activated carbon (AimaLojic) and synthetic polymer (CytoSorbents) devices. Activated carbon HP devices contain synthetically derived activated carbon beads that are smooth and uniform (

). The carbon beads are activated by superheating them with carbon dioxide, creating many microscopic transport channels within the activated carbon beads, resulting in a massive surface area that is available to bind solute. In contrast, activated charcoal is a naturally derived product that is irregularly shaped with rough edges. Activated charcoal HP columns were previously used for ECTR; however, they have fallen out of favor because of concerns related to hemocompatibility, leaching, and column saturation.

 Photomicrograph of synthetically derived activated carbon beads


 SEM illustrating smooth surface area and uniformity of activated carbon beads


. Activated carbon bead with surface stripped off, revealing 3000-nm pore size inner structure

Newer activated carbon HP columns have an improved safety profile and increased surface area, offering a far superior option to earlier activated charcoal HP columns. Activated carbon removes solute from the blood via adsorption. During adsorption, atoms, ions, or molecules adhere to the surface of an adsorbent through van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding, and covalent bonding. Toxins with a high affinity to bind to activated charcoal will bind to activated carbon.

 The following list includes toxins that can be removed with activated carbon HP

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and novel toxins have the potential to be successfully removed with activated carbon HP (

). Knowledge of the toxin characteristics (molecular weight, protein binding, volume of distribution, half-life) is vital in guiding the decision to pursue ECTR.

 When presented with severe intoxication, the veterinary clinician should research the toxin characteristics to determine whether referral for ECTR should be recommended.

NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, carprofen, naproxen, meloxicam) are among the most common toxins accidentally ingested by dogs, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal ulceration; renal disease like acute kidney injury; and central nervous system toxicosis. There are veterinary data

 to support that activated carbon HP successfully removes NSAIDs from the bloodstream, greatly enhancing their clearance from the body and reducing the severity of toxicosis. A patient who has recently ingested a renal toxic dose of an NSAID should be offered a referral for ECTR if referral is feasible given the geographic location of the patient, patient characteristics, and pet owner wishes. Asymptomatic patients that undergo ECTR for massive NSAID ingestion are often able to be discharged after 24 to 36 hours, which may be financially comparable if not advantageous to intensive care hospitalization for 72 hours for traditional medical management or prolonged hospitalization due to treatment of acute kidney injury.

. Patient undergoes activated carbon hemoperfusion after massive meloxicam ingestion. The patient has a dual-lumen dialysis catheter in the right external jugular vein connected to the AimaLojic ReVive hemoperfusion machine.

When should hemoperfusion be considered for my patient?

If ECTR is promptly initiated, it may prevent, if not minimize, the extent of organ damage experienced secondary to the intoxication. Generally, only a single HP treatment is required for acute toxin removal. Initiating HP early following acute toxin exposure can decrease patient morbidity and mortality and shorten hospitalization time.

 If your patient meets specific indications, a referral for ECTR should be offered. Indications for ECTR are as follows

The toxin is likely to result in significant organ dysfunction/injury (eg, acute kidney injury, acute liver failure, respiratory failure) or death.

Extracorporeal clearance will exceed endogenous clearance.

A lifesaving antidote is unavailable or ineffective in preventing toxicosis (eg, ethylene glycol).

It is recommended that you call to consult with your nearest ECTR center before referral to ensure that your patient is a suitable candidate for ECTR and determine the modality of ECT that should be performed. If you are unsure whether a referral is indicated, contact your nearest ECTR center for consultation.

Understanding the risks and contraindications

ECT has been available for small animal patients since the 1970s, and there has been extensive advancement. Although there is minimal risk in a safely prescribed HP treatment, benefits and risks for the individual patient should be considered. Risks associated with HP include the following

Periprocedural: hypotension (due to extracorporeal circuit volume, which generally should not exceed 10% to 15% of patient blood volume), hypothermia, hemorrhage (excessive heparin effect), thrombosis (inadequate anticoagulation), allergic reactions (rare, secondary to dialyzer/filter), hypocalcemia (if using citrate anticoagulation), or transfusion reactions (if blood products are required for circuit priming).

Postprocedural: catheter thrombosis, infection, or hemorrhage (minimal as the catheter is only used for 1 treatment).

In patients with massive and life-threatening intoxications, generally, the most significant risk is the development of organ dysfunction, injury, or death if ECTR is not performed; thus, the benefits far outweigh the risks in most cases. Depending on how quickly the patient is referred for ECTR, there is a variable risk of toxicosis despite ECTR. The sooner the patient is referred for ECTR, the better.

Before proceeding with HP, traditional decontamination techniques (eg, induction of emesis, activated charcoal administration) and baseline diagnostics (eg, baseline renal values for NSAID ingestion cases) should be performed as appropriate for your patient. If referring a patient for ECTR, do not use the jugular veins for venipuncture, as these vessels are required for dialysis catheter placement.

Contact an ECTR center early if HP is a potential treatment for your patient. In the setting of intoxications, early referral is vital for a successful outcome, as there is a time-sensitive window in which HP can help with acute toxin removal. Once you have collected a toxin history (toxin ingested, maximum potential ingested dose, time of ingestion, potential for coingestion, patient comorbidities, etc), assessed your patient, and instituted traditional decontamination techniques where appropriate (eg, activated charcoal administration), it is recommended to promptly contact your nearest extracorporeal center to discuss referral for ECTR.

HP offers an innovative blood purification treatment that helps remove toxins from the bloodstream in animals, particularly following acute toxic exposures. This method reduces the risk of organ damage and the length of hospital stays for affected animals. ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals - Los Angeles, in Culver City, California, provides this innovative treatment, which has already successfully supported the recovery of several animals experiencing severe toxic ingestions.

Amanda Spillane, MS, BVSc (Hons), DACVECC, 

f Queensland, Australia, with a degree in veterinary medicine. After a small animal rotating internship in Queensland, she completed an emergency and critical care residency at the University of Illinois. In 2022, she achieved diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Spillane then completed a fellowship at The Ohio State University in extracorporeal therapies, where she developed a deep passion for nephrology. Currently, she is advancing her specialization as one of the inaugural residents of the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology. In October 2023, Spillane joined ACCESS - Los Angeles, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, to lead the nephrology and extracorporeal therapies department.

Foster JD. Extracorporeal therapies in the emergency room and intensive care unit. 

. 2020;50(6):1215-1236. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.07.014

Groover J, Londoño LA, Tapia-Ruano K, Iacovetta C. Extracorporeal blood purification in acutely intoxicated veterinary patients: a multicenter retrospective study (2011-2018): 54 cases. 

. 2022;32(1):34-41. doi:10.1111/vec.13100

Barnes J, Cowgill LD, Diaz Auñon J. Activated carbon hemoperfusion and plasma adsorption. 

. 2021;2:131-142. doi:10.1016/j.yasa.2021.07.010

Her J, Gordon D, Spillane A, Finstad J, Langston C. Outcomes of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicosis treatment with carbon hemoperfusion in dogs. Presented at: International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium; September 7-11, 2024; St Louis, MO.

Spillane A, Langston C. Extracorporeal Blood Purification. In: Cohn L, Côté E, eds. 

Cote’s Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats. 

Using this advanced decontamination procedure can help improve outcomes 