As hurricane season blows into full force, it is important for veterinary clients to be prepared for potential emergencies. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends farm owners create a personal plan in the event of a disaster, whether it be nature-related or human-made. To help with this, the organization published a disaster preparedness guide to help farms be ready to safeguard their horses, livestock, poultry, and/or rabbits.

“Disaster and emergency preparedness and response are important issues to the AVMA. Animals are affected by the same disasters and emergencies as people—natural, man-made, large, and small. Whether it's a hurricane or tornado, a flood or earthquake, a chemical leak or act of terrorism, veterinarians are vital to response and recovery efforts during and after disaster,” wrote the AVMA in a disaster preparedness article.

 “We also play an important role in promoting and aiding preparedness, to limit the impact of disasters on both animals and people,” it continued.

Their guide, titled “Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals,” is a booklet that can be freely downloaded. It contains tips and advice, evacuation kit checklists, and important information for farm owners. Moreover, the guide is also available in Spanish (Preparación para Granjas Pequeñas) and is similar to AVMA’s "Save the Whole Family" guide, which has been popular among pet owners for protecting animal companions, according to the AVMA.

The Small Farm Preparedness guide educates farm owners on the process of creating a plan, providing information on what to do “at the first sign of trouble,” how to plan for transportation and temporary housing, gathering necessary equipment, and more. It also walks owners through how to prepare to implement the preparedness plan and how to stay informed throughout all stages of an emergency, including before and after. Additionally, it provides information on how to make an evacuation kit in advance and what to do after a disaster.

The guide also includes advice for owners who may not be with their animals during a disaster, ensuring caretakers have necessary information to increase the likelihood of reuniting with lost animals. Moreover, it offers printable resources such as emergency contact cards and the evacuation kit checklists for different animals.

Several of the resources in the guide are also available as separate handouts for veterinary clients, in English and Spanish, including

Evacuation kit checklist: Horses and livestock

Evacuation kit checklist: Rabbits and poultry

“AVMA resources help both veterinarians and our clients be prepared for any kind of emergency,” the AVMA wrote,

 speaking on the use of its disaster preparedness resources.

Free guide helps small farms prepare for emergencies. American Veterinary Medical Association. July 22, 2024. Accessed July 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/blog/free-guide-helps-small-farms-prepare-emergencies?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-blog

Small Farm Preparedness: Disaster Preparedness for Owners of Farm Animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed July 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/aph-save-the-whole-family-farm-animals.pdf

Disaster preparedness. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed July 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/disaster-preparedness

Articles

The free booklet contains tips, evacuation kit checklists, and important information to help farm owners prepare animals in the event of a disaster

AVMA publishes disaster preparedness guide for small farms

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 28, 2024) – Southern Veterinary Partners is proud to announce its recognition as one of the Most Loved Workplaces® for LGBTQ+ in 2024, a prestigious accolade celebrating exceptional organizations championing LGBTQ+ inclusion. 

This recognition celebrates SVP’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where every team member feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive as their authentic selves.

"At SVP, we believe that when LGBTQ+ teammates feel safe and acknowledged, people are enabled to do their best work–and it’s just the right thing to do," said Tricia Wells, Director of Human Resources. "Diversity is a key driver of innovation and growth, and this recognition reinforces our dedication to creating a culture of inclusion and respect. The true honor in this acknowledgment lies in knowing our teammates feel empowered to be exactly who they are."

In addition to being named among the Most Loved Workplaces for LGBTQ+, SVP was honored in several other 2024 Most Loved Workplaces lists, including:

SVP joins the ranks of companies such as Navy Federal Credit Union, Booz Allen Hamilton, DaVita, and Milo’s Tea Company, who were also on this year’s list.

The results were determined after surveying employees, analyzing external public ratings, conducting interviews with company officials, and researching each company. The list recognizes companies that center respect, caring, and appreciation for their employees in their business models and have earned the loyalty and respect of their employees.

“Being acknowledged as one of the Most Loved Workplaces® for LGBTQ+ is a tremendous honor,” said SVP Founder and CEO Dr. Jay Price. “Our culture thrives from every person feeling valued, respected, and heard. We will continue to champion diversity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that SVP remains a place where all teammates can bring their whole selves to work and make a difference for the pets and communities we serve.”

This honor comes on the heels of SVP’s recognition in 2023 as Newsweek’s #1 Most Loved Workplace in the US in Healthcare and 22nd across all industries in Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list.

Established in 2014, SVP is the only corporate veterinary group receiving this year’s recognition. Employing over 9,500 teammates across 26 states, SVP is a leading veterinary acquisition company that believes medical autonomy and company culture drive exceptional client experiences. 

Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP) is a veterinarian-owned and managed network of animal hospitals with the common mission of providing best-in-class personalized veterinary care with exceptional client experiences. We’re based in Birmingham, AL, but the heartbeat of SVP is in the 400+ animal hospitals and 9000+ teammates across the country. Providing integrated support, our Home Office resources enable our hospital teams to focus on what matters most – the medicine and caring for their patients. Each day is truly a partnership (hence, the “P” in SVP). Driving our culture of meaningful partnerships are our WAG values – Work Together, Amaze, and Grow, which has led to being named Newsweek's #1 Most Loved Workplace in Healthcare in 2023. For more information, visit svp.vet.

Honored among global leaders for creating an inclusive and empowering workplace culture

Southern Veterinary Partners earns 2024 Most Loved Workplaces recognition for LGBTQ+ INCLUSION

The annual World’s Largest Pet Walk—a fundraiser for the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, a program that registers therapy pet volunteers for therapy pet visits to schools, workplaces, hospitals, and other facilities

—is planned to take place September 28 this year.

 During the event, supporters of therapy animals worldwide will participate in the fundraising walk with their pets.

The event, launched by Pet Partners, an organization that helps register volunteer teams with therapy animals, and presented by Wellness Pet Company, is aimed at bringing “love and comfort” to millions of people through therapy animal visits in schools, senior centers, libraries, hospitals, and various other locations, according to a news release by Pet Partners.

"The World's Largest Pet Walk is a heartwarming event that celebrates the special bond between people and their pets, and we are grateful for our walkers and supporters," C. Annie Peters, president and CEO of Pet Partners, said in the news release.

 "This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves their pet to get out and walk and at the same time raise vital funds to support the therapy animals that make meaningful visits to people in need throughout the year."

The upcoming fundraising event will mark its 7th consecutive year and will encourage participants and their pets to walk on Saturday, September 28, or at a date and time of their preference, in any location they prefer. According to the organization, the event stands out from typical fundraising walks because it allows everyone to participate and fundraise in their preferred manner—whether through a solo hike, a neighborhood gathering, or a workplace employee engagement activity. Additionally, participants are welcome to walk with or without a pet.

Participation in the pet walk is free of charge, but Pet Partners encourages walkers and supporters to fundraise. According to the organization, participants who “raise certain amounts” by August 16, 2024, will receive a commemorative Walk bandanna or t-shirt in time for the event on September 28. Additional incentives are available for various fundraising levels throughout the campaign period.

Sharing the love of therapy animals. Pet Partners. Accessed July 22, 2024. 

Pet Partners’ seventh annual World’s Largest Pet Walk fundraiser underway. News release. Pet Partners. July 19, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pet-partners-seventh-annual-worlds-largest-pet-walk-fundraiser-underway-302201808.html

Pet Partners’ World’s Largest Pet Walk fundraising event is scheduled to take place September 28

Therapy pet volunteer organization announces walking fundraising event 

A trial to test immunocontraception in Asian elephants is underway. BioVaxys Technology Corp (Biovaxys) and SpayVac-for-Wildlife announced a partnership with the Elephant and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University in Thailand to test a long-lasting, single contraceptive vaccine on captive Asian elephants.

"We look forward to this collaboration and potentially working with the Department of National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation to test SpayVac in free-ranging Asian elephants,” Chatchote Thitaram, PhD, DVM, associate professor in the Department of Companion Animals and Wildlife Clinics, at Chiang Mai University, and the onsite project lead, said in a news release.

The vaccine, SpayVac, employs liposome-based technology for delivering antigens, licensed from BioVaxys. According to Biovaxys, this delivery platform technology has shown strong and lasting immune responses across various species.

In an earlier trial involving captive African elephants, one dose of the SpayVac vaccine resulted in sustained elevation of antibody titers for at least 7 years. Initial trials with Asian elephants began April of this year. These trials will monitor reproductive cycles, contraceptive effectiveness, and antibody levels over a span of 5 years.

SpayVac also plans to soon commercialize humane fertility control vaccines for deer, horses and other animals, according to Biovaxys. These vaccines are also based on Biovaxys’ liposome-based delivery platform technology.

"The demonstration that a single-dose injection of SpayVac stimulated consistently elevated antibody titers through at least 7 years in the previous trial with captive African elephants further reflects the utility and commercial opportunity in animal species and humans of our liposome-based antigen delivery platform technology," said Kenneth Kovan, BioVaxys president and chief operating officer, in the release.

They typically form groups of 6 to 7 related females, and the oldest female, known as the matriarch, leads the herd 

Similar to African elephants, these groups occasionally merge with others to create larger herds

They spend a significant portion of their day feeding, with more than two-thirds of their time devoted to consuming grasses

Their favorite foods include cultivated crops like bananas, rice, and sugarcane 

They also consume tree bark, roots, leaves, and small stems

They always remain near a source of fresh water due to their required daily intake

The trial launch comes as a response to increasing concerns about human encounters with free-ranging Asian elephants as their populations become more restricted to smaller habitats due to habitat loss.

 A large segment of the elephant population resides beyond protected areas, often within landscapes comprising agricultural lands and human settlements. This proximity to human-inhabited land has led to an increase in elephant-human interactions.

The confinement of elephant populations to smaller forested areas have been a result of the expansion of human settlements, plantations, industries, farming, mining activities, and linear infrastructure such as roads, railway lines, and irrigation canals. Moreover, these areas are often surrounded by human settlements that obstruct traditional migratory routes for elephants.

According to Biovaxys, there have also been growing concerns over these elephants’ impact on local flora and fauna;

 interactions between humans and elephants have resulted in crop damage and property loss.

Currently, the Asian elephant population amounts to fewer than 50,000 elephants, putting these animals in an endangered status. Moreover, elephants confined to smaller populations due to habitat loss face increased risks of extinction from disasters, disease outbreaks, inbreeding, and other factors.

"Elephant population densities have climbed in some areas, even as overall numbers have decreased, primarily because these animals are often confined to limited spaces, hemmed in by human settlements and agricultural development. A long-lasting, single-dose, contraceptive vaccine, such as SpayVac, would offer a humane alternative to manage free-ranging elephants and minimize human-elephant conflict,” said Ursula Bechert, vice president of Research and Development for SpayVac-for-Wildlife, in the release.

Biovaxys and SpayVac-For-Wildlife Inc. announce launch of trial to test immunocontraception in Asian elephants. News release. BioVaxys Technology Corp. July 17, 2024. Accessed July 22, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biovaxys-and-spayvac-for-wildlife-inc-announce-launch-of-trial-to-test-immunocontraception-in-asian-elephants-872536827.html

Asian elephant. World Wildlife Fund. Accessed July 22, 2024. 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/asian-elephant

BioVaxys Technology Corp and SpayVac-for-Wildlife are partnering with a university in Thailand to test immunocontraception in Asian elephants

Trial for birth control vaccine for Asian elephants is announced

 readers! We hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and is ready to tackle another work week. Now that we are a little over a week away from August, that means Fetch Kansas City is right around the corner. Join us August 23-25, 2024, for a week full of education, networking, and fun! This is a conference you do not want to miss so register 

 today and secure your spot among the best attendees and faculty around.

Here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

A study conducted by researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine that was recently published in PLOS One demonstrated the benefits of utilizing veterinary diagnostic laboratories for population-level testing, informed public health interventions.

BioVaxys Technology Corp and SpayVac-For-Wildlife announced they have jointly partnered with the Elephant and Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University to test a long-lasting single-dose contraceptive vaccination in captive Asian elephants.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, David Hall, cofounder of GeniusVets, joins host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to discuss industry trends and threats.

Chrstina Nault, a 2025 PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut, discusses a recent study that provides an overview on preventing parasites in dogs to help pets remain healthy and happy, plus what can be causing recent upticks in heartworm infections.

During coverage from our Fetch Charlotte held earlier this year, Katrina Lafferty, BFA, RLAT, CVT, VTS (anesthesia/analgesia), explained the dangers of improper handling for rabbits as well as best practices to improve patient outcomes.

Here is a sneak peek in this week’s headlines

Sneak peek: The impact veterinary diagnostic laboratories played in COVID-19 response, and other veterinary news

Our hospital started charging for technician appointments after listening to your advice as a guest on dvm360’s 

. What should we tell clients to show value for this fee?

: A Credentialed technicians and veterinary assistants bring valuable medical skills, nursing care, and client education that merits fees. As I discussed o

with host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, use the term health assessment when technicians or assistants evaluate patients’ health and reserve exam for veterinarians who perform physical exams.

A health assessment includes getting patients’ vital signs, asking history questions, and updating medical records. Decide which services need health assessments for technician appointments. For example, perform a health assessment on patients to change bandages, clean ears, express anal glands, administer subcutaneous fluids, give booster vaccines, and other services where a health assessment is medically necessary. A health assessment may not be medically necessary to trim nails or collect samples for diagnostic tests

To communicate value for the health assessment fee, technicians and assistants should introduce themselves at the beginning of technician appointments and explain they will perform a health assessment with today’s services. Say this: “Hello, . I am , a licensed veterinary technician who will change your dog’s bandage today. I also will perform a health assessment to confirm that ’s wound is properly healing. This health assessment will include getting your pet’s vital signs of temperature, pulse, respiration, and weight; asking you questions about home care; and updating your pet’s medical record. What questions may I answer before we get started?”

If a patient has a technician appointment for a booster vaccine, the technician or assistant should explain, “I’m , the veterinary assistant who will perform ’s health assessment and give the Leptospirosis booster vaccine. I will get ’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and weight. I will ask questions about your pet’s health and update ’s medical record with the vital signs and information we discuss. What questions may I answer before we get started?”

If clients check out at the front desk, client service representatives (CSRs) should summarize services before sharing the total. Restating services reinforces the care your team provided and creates the perception of value. Say this: “ received a health assessment and bandage change today from our licensed veterinary technician, . Your total is $____. Which payment method do you prefer to use?”

List employees’ names on receipts. Just as you list the doctor’s name on client receipts, include the name of the technician or assistant who delivered care on the invoice. This creates value for professional fees and personalizes the visit because pet owners know exactly who provided care. Use staff ID codes in your practice management software that have an invoice item description. For example, a client’s receipt would note, “Your licensed veterinary technician today was Amy.” If clients have follow-up questions after technician appointments, they can request the technician or assistant listed on the invoice.

Clients schedule checkups and then blindside doctors with, “Oh, yeah… could you also check?” at the end of appointments. When scheduling appointments, what should our CSRs say to ensure patients with health concerns aren’t booked in checkup slots?

: Your team can take 3 steps to make sure you have the right reason for the visit:

Ask about health or behavior concerns during scheduling calls. 

When clients call to book checkups, a CSR should review the electronic medical record to confirm which services are due. The CSR should say, “ is due for an exam, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and preventative refills. Does have any health or behavior concerns that you want to discuss with the doctor?” This probing question leads clients to share health concerns or additional services upfront, which may shift the appointment from a preventive visit to a sick patient exam. Many well pets may have sick pet problems, such as ear infections, skin issues, lumps, and bumps. 

Send confirmations with links to online forms.

After clients book appointments, immediately send confirmations with a link to the corresponding online history form based on appointment type. If clients schedule checkups, they get a wellness history form. If they book sick patient exams, clients get a medical concern history form. Send a series of 4 confirmations as follows:

Require clients to submit completed history forms 2 days before appointments. Let’s say your CSR skims the completed wellness history form. The client checked the box for urination issues. Your CSR will call the client to get more details that may lead to changing the appointment type from a preventive visit to a sick patient exam.

Have technicians or assistants ask about health or behavior concerns at the start of appointments

Say this: “Hi, . I am , the licensed veterinary technician who will help Dr with today’s checkup for . Thanks for submitting the wellness history form in advance, which I have read, and I will ask you a few follow-up questions. Does your pet have any health or behavior concerns that you want to discuss with the doctor today?” If the client shares information on urination issues, this becomes the chief complaint. The technician can get the patient’s vital signs and ask follow-up questions to the client’s answers on the online form. The technician will alert the veterinarian of the new chief complaint before he or she enters the exam room. This allows the doctor to prioritize the order of services and better manage exam time.

Scripts for confident client conversations include identifying the reason for the patient’s visit