, Lindsey Braun, vice president of research and operations for the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), and Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA, join our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, for the first show of 2026! In the episode, the trio takes a closer look at the results of a recent survey conducted by the HABRI to gain a better understanding of current trends surrounding the human-animal bond (HAB), how Chewy Health is working to bridge the gaps between clients and veterinary teams, and more. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity.

From recording the highest-ever [HAB] score to uncovering what drives client satisfaction, what stood out to you most in the findings? And why are these results important for veterinary teams and the broader pet care landscape?

We measured the [HAB]—the strength of it—using our HAB score, which is a 14-statement scale that gets at the 4 different dimensions of the bond: attachment, humanization, commitment, and integration. The highest possible score you can get is a 70, and we saw an average of 60 across these respondents. That's actually the highest average we've ever seen. We've done a number of surveys that include this measure, really indicating that the bond is stronger than ever. Maybe it's really no huge surprise. We know, even just asking the respondents, 97% of them indicated their pet was like family, [and] 90% reported health benefits resulting from having their pet. But the surprising thing wasn't that the bond is strong; it's actually that there are significant differences in terms of the strength of the bond. 

We kind of grouped pet owners into strong, stronger, [and] strongest based on their responses. If you look at it on the chart, it's not a bell curve…folks are really clustered toward the top. But in terms of things like behavior [and] vet visits, those with the strongest bonds are more likely to visit the vet more often. Willingness to spend on pets is different, [as is] how they experience challenges. Those with the strongest bonds didn't necessarily experience more challenges related to pet care, but the challenges they did experience, they experienced more deeply and acutely. Then [regarding the] willingness to uptake technology, when it comes to addressing certain challenges through technology, they're more likely to be interested and already utilizing tech tools. 

This matters to teams. Maybe it comes [as] no surprise, but understanding a client's bond can really help [you] be more effective in the care you deliver…not only the care recommendations but [also] what you offer in terms of tech solutions, for example. Understanding the bond can really help you deliver more effective and responsive care.

I can't get over that it's 60 of 70. That's huge. I mean, I'm not surprised, and…I go back and forth on that number, because I was like, “Wow, that really is higher than I anticipated,” which is good…. But is there anything in there about our pets being our “Velcro” pets?

…Well, their attachment is one of the dimensions. We'll get into a little bit about pet owners wanting to spend a lot more time with [them].

 Let's talk about the emotional toll because, my goodness…I know that's important. But [there’s a] knowledge gap in pet health. Dr Tiffany, this is interesting. The survey showed that 82% of pet owners struggle to understand their pet’s health needs. So from a veterinary perspective, how does this knowledge gap impact care, and what role can veterinary teams play in closing that?

 As a shelter veterinarian myself and a community educator, [I] see this a lot. So this, from our side, doesn't surprise us. When you think about where we are in veterinary medicine, we're very strong at what we do best, which is diagnosing, treating, and fixing animals. But the gap with what people know just about basic stuff…it's really difficult. 

They don't know where to go for resources, and we have to remember [that] not everybody is a scientist, so they don't understand how to dissect what's good [and] what's bad information. Sometimes the best speaker or the best writer may be the winner of that. So as veterinary professionals, this is a huge area where we can impact not just veterinary care but [also the] human perspective. I mean, this is One Health medicine right here, right? So utilizing your veterinary teams, that's No. 1. So, how do we do that? Teach pet parents what good resources [are]….

Listen to the full episode to hear the rest of this conversation, and more!

Podcasts

Explore the latest insights on the human-animal bond and veterinary care trends with experts from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and Chewy Health. 

The bond factor: Why stronger connections are driving technology adoption in veterinary care

On December 14, 2025, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) shared that a dairy herd became the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Wisconsin. Days later, on December 17, 2025, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories completed a whole genome sequencing, which confirmed that the virus detected in the Wisconsin dairy herds was H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1 and indicated that this detection is a “new spillover event from wildlife into dairy cattle separate from previous events.”

The virus was confirmed in the herd of 500 cows through the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), but the USDA disclosed that there is currently no reason for concern regarding the safety of commercial milk supplies or consumer health, as the products are pasteurized before entering the market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also stated that the health risk to humans for this virus is currently low.

Officials believe the dairy herd in Wisconsin was infected during a spillover event caused by wildlife. Keith Poulsen, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM), director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, also explained that no cattle were moved on or off the affected farm and that nonclinical signs were noted in the herd. For this dairy herd, no other H5N1 cases were detected through the NMTS, cow movement testing, or other required testing for exhibition or sale within Wisconsin. APHIS disclosed that there are no additional dairy herds identified as infected in association with this event.

Federal officials confirm Wisconsin’s first case of bird flu in a dairy cattle herd

Poulsen explained that the predominant H5N1 strain affecting dairy cattle in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nebraska, and Texas is B3.13 clade and was the result of a single spillover event in Texas in late 2023.

"Before the second week of December 2025, we thought that spillover risk was limited to desert areas where migratory birds may share water and feed sources. Midwestern dairies typically do not have waterfowl flying around the free stall barns, and there is plenty of food and water in the natural waterways,” Poulsen said.

"Having a D1 pop up in the upper Midwest, even if it is a one-off event, gives us pause, and we may need to rethink long-term management strategies. As long as HPAI is in global migratory flyways, we are going to have to think about spillover to dairy cows and domestic poultry."

The affected farm, located in Dodge County in the southeastern part of the state, is under quarantine as the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection conducts an epidemiological traceback to ensure no further spread occurs. The state will also resume monthly surveillance for the NMTS, a federal order implemented in December 2024 that requires raw milk sampling from silos across the US.

"Biosecurity is not a magic bullet for protection," Poulsen said,

 "but it will reduce the time the herd is affected and in quarantine, increase the time to infection, and have fewer negative health effects for the herd."

Update: genetic sequencing results for Wisconsin dairy herd detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza. News release. APHIS. December 19, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/update-genetic-sequencing-results-wisconsin-dairy-herd-detection-highly

Nolen RS. Wildlife likely spread H5N1 to Wisconsin dairy herd. American Veterinary Medical Association. December 31, 2025. Accessed January 6, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/wildlife-likely-spread-h5n1-wisconsin-dairy-herd

Articles

A genetic analysis found that the recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza resulted from a wildlife-to-cattle transmission.


Wildlife linked to H5N1 spread in Wisconsin dairy farm

Copy of Video-Interview_Thumbnail (6).png

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), discusses whether a separation anxiety case warrants medication in this interview with dvm360.

Is medication necessary for dogs with separation anxiety?

In this video highlighting his Fetch dvm360 conference session, “Prescribing for separation anxiety,” Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), discusses the role of medication in managing canine separation anxiety. Pachel explains that while medication is not always required for improvement, any experience of panic or acute anxiety in a patient can hinder progress, particularly when the goal is to condition a sense of safety and emotional well-being. For dogs that must be left home alone, he notes, medication becomes a relevant consideration.

The following is a transcript of the video, lightly edited for clarity and cohesion:

My name is Dr Chris Pachel. I am a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon.

How should veterinarians decide whether a separation anxiety case warrants medication?

I think there's a couple of things to think about here. The first one, just as you phrased it: does a case warrant medication usage? And I will say that separation anxiety is one of the diagnoses that this conversation is probably even more relevant for than perhaps the majority of other conditions.And the reason for that is, if we have a dog who needs to be left home alone for any length of time and they're experiencing a level of panic or emotional distress, medication is relevant.

I'm not saying medication is needed or medication is necessary for progress to occur, but we recognize that any experience of that panic or acute anxiety can absolutely slow down the progress a dog is making and potentially make it really challenging for them to improve, especially when we're trying to condition a sense of safety and emotional well-being under those very specific conditions.

So, I will say that the opportunity to consider medication is there for every dog with separation anxiety for whom the owners do need to leave that dog home alone at least some of the time—which, at least in my experience, is the majority of them.

Videos

At Fetch Long Beach, a presentation by Laila Proença, DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM, focused on 2 clinical topics many clinicians find intimidating: parrot radiograph interpretation and rabbit cheek tooth extraction. Below are distilled, practical takeaways from that conversation.

Sedation is the key to better bird radiographs

 Q&A has been lightly edited and consolidated from a verbal interview to better fit a written format while retaining the substance of the original conversation.

Image Credit: © danilobiancalana | stock.adobe.com

For rabbit cheek teeth extraction, what are the absolute minimum diagnostics and steps you require before attempting extraction?

: You must have imaging. That means skull x-rays or CT [scans], or sometimes both. Imaging before the procedure is essential, and imaging after extraction is also required to confirm that you removed the entire tooth. Even if the camera view looks clear, blood and soft tissue can hide fragments, so postprocedure imaging prevents future problems.

Can a general practitioner do rabbit cheek tooth extractions? What instruments should they have?

: Yes, general practitioners can do this. Most of the skills are adaptations of what you already do for dogs and cats. A must-have is a camera or rigid scope. The mouth is small, and the camera [provides] a view you cannot get with the naked eye. Good light and a scope make the procedure feasible. Many high-quality scopes and cameras are affordable today and connect to a phone or tablet, so your phone becomes the monitor. You do not need expensive gear to get started.

How do you handle retained tooth fragments? When do you reimage or reenter?

: Fractured fragments happen. These teeth are diseased and break easily. Use the camera to search the tunnel and dig out fragments. If you cannot see a fragment but post-op imaging shows one, go back in and remove it. Removing the entire tooth reduces the chance of repeat disease and future procedures.

What common mistakes do you see with equipment choices?

: A common mistake is relying on loupes. Loupes magnify but do not give the needed end tunnel view for cheek teeth. A rigid scope or small camera provides the angle and view that loupes cannot. Another mistake is thinking you need very expensive equipment. You can outfit a functional setup for under a thousand dollars, depending on your choices, and many items are available on common marketplaces.

What about anesthesia for rabbits? Do people mask instead of intubating and why is that a problem?

: Many clinicians skip intubation because they are afraid of it and [opt for a] mask instead. That is ironic because extracting cheek teeth is a complex procedure, but some clinicians avoid tube intubation. Masking a rabbit for a [lengthy] procedure causes instability and prevents ventilation, and it exposes the staff to anesthetic gas. You can use the same scope to help intubate. Proper intubation is safer for the rabbit and the team.

For parrot radiographs, what is the single best step to improve image quality?

: Sedation. Sedation stops motion and allows proper positioning. Poor positioning raises more questions than answers because obliquity and motion create artifacts and superimposition. Sedation is usually safer than the stress of struggling for positioning when done correctly.

What quick checks do you perform every time on a ventrodorsal parrot view before interpreting organ size?

: First, check that the keel is aligned with the spine. Second, make sure the legs are extended and parallel. Third, check that the wings are opened and level. If those 3 [positions] are correct, you can start to evaluate organ size.

Any common pitfalls for bird radiographs?

: Holding the bird for radiographs exposes people to radiation and is a major mistake. Other pitfalls are makeshift restraint methods that seem to save time but increase movement. Using proper sedation and positioning devices reduces stress and improves images. Avoid "MacGyver" solutions that add steps and still allow motion.

You mentioned a soapbox about terminology. Can you explain?

: I prefer the term zoo med rather than the word exotics. Exotic implies something utterly different that needs a completely separate medicine. Zoo med is more like dog and cat medicine with different anatomy and nuances. If a procedure sounds crazy when you replace the species with a dog, then it is a red flag that the approach is unsound. Trust general medical principles, study the specifics, and practice zoo med rather than treating it as a mysterious, separate discipline.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit 

’s dedicated site for conference coverage at 

https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach

Laila Proença, DVM, PhD, MV, MSc, DACZM, explains practical steps for rabbit cheek tooth extraction, how to get diagnostic quality bird radiographs, and why accessible tools and safe anesthesia matter in zoo medicine. 

Q&A: Use cameras and imaging to improve zoo medicine outcomes

Ticks and other parasites are on the move. Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM (Parasitology), discusses the role of climate change and animal movement in expanding parasite ranges and explains practical steps clinicians can use to protect pets and people. He also makes the case for year-round use of isoxazolines and for keeping parasites on the differential list even for indoor pets.

Why year-round isoxazolines are important for flea and tick protection

Are ticks expanding their territory, and should clinicians be worried?

 Yes, ticks are expanding. They are remarkably well designed and have not changed much over millions of years. Their range was limited by ice ages in the past, but climate change is opening up new areas for them. Movement of wildlife and birds also carries ticks long distances. Many ticks do not move far in their lifetime, so who they attach to determines where they end up. As deer populations expand, we see Lyme territory expand, too. We even have millions of foreign ticks being introduced into the US every year.

What about all the pathogens beyond Lyme?

 Lyme is on a lot of people’s radar because humans know the name, but other veterinary pathogens are less recognized. Ticks in their nymph or larval stages are tiny and easy to miss. A lot of owners do not realize their pet is hosting ticks until someone finds one in a surprising place. Clinicians should be talking to clients about year-round protection, especially with products that reliably kill ticks. If you are in the US, putting patients on an effective product year-round makes detection and prevention much easier.

You mentioned fleas in houses and human risk. How do you approach that with clients who are used to seasonal protection?

 Flea infestations are often driven by juvenile stages in the home. Once established, it can take weeks or months to control. I explain to clients that prevention is not only for the pet but also for them. In Southern California, we have had human outbreaks like typhus linked to fleas. I know somebody who developed severe disease after a single flea bite and was hospitalized. If pets are on year-round isoxazolines and a flea exposure occurs, those fleas are killed quickly, and the risk to people falls dramatically. Waiting until there is a visible problem often means months of household exposure.

Are isoxazolines also helpful for ticks and mosquitoes?

 Isoxazolines have strong activity against fleas and ticks. Many clients use over-the-counter repellents, thinking that is enough. Some repellents can stun or knock ticks down, only for them to recover later and then seek a new host, including people. For mosquitoes, keeping dogs and cats on isoxazolines reduces the number of biting insects that survive contact with the pet. That lowers the chance of mosquito-borne disease, and it reduces nuisance biting.

What about indoor pets that never go outside? Do they need parasite protection?

 Yes. The world is smaller than we think, and nature brings pests to our door. Cockroaches, flies, rodents, and other vectors carry parasites and pathogens into homes. Indoor pets can still be exposed via those routes. I treat indoor animals as candidates for prevention and keep parasites on the differential list when they have compatible signs.

Do you have any memorable messages you use to get clients to adhere?

 I use simple, sticky messages. One that resonates is calling pets “indoor bug zappers” when they are on isoxazolines. That image helps clients understand the personal and household protection they gain. Short, memorable phrases often drive better adherence than long lectures.

Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, DACVM (Parasitology), explains why ticks and other parasites are expanding their range, why year-round isoxazoline use matters, and why indoor pets still face parasite risk.

Q&A: Why parasite risk looks different than it did 15 years ago

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

 published an article last year to take a deeper look at radiation safety understanding in veterinary medicine. The researchers, led by Lisa Carstens, RVT, Erik Fausak, MSLIS, RVT, and Mathieu Spriet, DVM, MS DACVR, DECVDI, used decades worth of published literature on occupational radiation exposure during PET/CT imaging with the radiotracer 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in PET scans, according to an organizational release from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The research titled “A scoping review measuring occupational exposure for personnel conducting whole-body scans in small animal veterinary practice and human medical practice using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography,” screened 643 studies, which were then narrowed down to 32 which met stringent inclusion criteria.

Within the studies that met the criteria, 5 were for veterinary patients which highlighted a significant gap in veterinary special data. Clearer safety guidance for professionals working with PET/CT technology in animal hospitals was shown to be needed based on those findings.

“As veterinary medicine embraces advanced imaging modalities such as PET/CT, we have a responsibility—not only to our patients, but to our colleagues—to ensure that radiation exposure remains as low as reasonably achievable,” said Carstens.

“This review shows that veterinary technicians are most often the ones at the front lines of imaging procedures. By recognizing and measuring our exposure, we can advocate for safer workflows, improved protocols, and appropriate protections for everyone involved,” she continued. 

Occupational radiation doses reported across studies in animal and human medicine fell within the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission limits. But for veterinary professionals, they often spend more time in close contact with patients before and after radiotracer administration compared to human medicine because veterinary patients tend to require sedation or general anesthesia.

 This difference between animal and human medicine could indicate that occupational exposure may increase for veterinary professionals, especially technicians who often receive the highest exposure due to being responsible for preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals and patients throughout the procedure.

Understanding the occupational risk is essential for veterinary professionals and institutions using PET/CT because large amounts and frequencies of radiation exposure can be harmful. Radiation exposure can damage DNA within cells which can then cause mutations that could cause serious health conditions, including cancer.

In conclusion to their study, Carstens, Fausak, and Spriet call for future research measuring radiation in real-world veterinary PET/CT settings directly to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and risks related to radiation exposure for veterinary professionals.

Hinds T. Veterinary technician-led team advances radiation safety research. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. December 19, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. 

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/veterinary-technician-led-team-advances-radiation-safety-research

Carstens L, Fausak E, Spriet M. A scoping review measuring occupational exposure for personnel conducting whole-body scans in small animal veterinary practice and human medical practice using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography. 

. 2025;263(S2):S36-S44. doi:https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.03.0162

The study published in JAVMA highlights a critical lack of veterinary-specific data on PET/CT radiation exposure.