Having played video games since the age of 3 years, whilst Ben Schuster, BVSc, was completing his veterinary studies, he was also the president of the university’s gaming and pop culture society. His veterinary career has taken him from consulting in clinical practice to now working in veterinary marketing with Animal Emergency Australia, but it was the realization that gaming could be far more than just entertainment that saw him develop Qualbert.com, a popular games industry news website.

“More than just entertainment, gaming is a means of connecting people, and capable of building friendships and communities. Influenced by my 3 older brothers—who would regularly beat me at Mario Kart—I started playing video games on a hand-me-down Game Boy and our family Nintendo 64 console,” Schuster said.

Ben Schuster, BVSc, joining a podcast at the Audio-Technica booth at PAX AUS 2023 (Image courtesy of Caitlin Schuster)

“Although you’d think there’s not an awful lot in common with video games and the veterinary profession, there’s a surprising amount of crossover, specifically within the indie space. It’s human nature that we find animals quite fascinating, and video games can often allow us to explore our fascination with animals in an interactive setting,” he added.

Schuster’s passion for video games is focused on ‘indies’ which involve small, independent teams of developers creating their video games, which often include artistic themes, deep and meaningful narratives, and unusual or creative gameplay. As founder and editor-in-chief of Qualbert, he now leads a team of writers from across the world, all with different passions and interests in the gaming sphere.

“Despite their small teams, indie games are packed to the brim with personality and heart, which is part of the reason I’ve grown to love them. Particularly in Australia, the indie gaming industry has blossomed in recent years, with popular titles like 

 receiving international acclaim,” said Schuster.

“Telling the story of indie developers, promoting their games, and seeing them grow and succeed is now my motivation. Covering indie games on my website has paved the way to become even more involved, as last year I was the host of the PAX AUS Indie Games Showcase, the largest indie game event in Australia. Additionally, I now also provide social media services through an Australian indie game marketing company, The IndiEXP.”

Schuster and his team write reviews, articles, and cover events for video games, technology, tabletop gaming, and even films. In addition to the indie gaming sector, they also work with many of the household names in gaming such as Nintendo and Sony, creative juggernauts like Warner Bros and Disney, and tech giants like Dell and Valve.

With his underlying love for animals and years of veterinary industry experience, Schuster shared some insights into how animals are featured in the world of gaming.

“Many indie game developers are incredibly dedicated to animals and choose to theme their games around animals or occasionally even their own experiences with pets or wildlife. Having veterinary knowledge has been quite helpful in discussing and marketing these games that feature a connection to animals,” said Schuster.

“Imagine being a part of a nature documentary, going behind the camera, or being able to play the part of the animal. Only video games allow you to experience this. Light-hearted games like 

 help players build a fondness for wildlife through their inquisitive and often cheeky behavior; emotive games like 

demonstrate the powerful connection between humans and domestic animals. Certain virtual reality games, like 

, even place players directly in the eyes of an animal. Games are a unique way for people to interact and develop an appreciation for animals,” he explained.

Earlier in his veterinary career, Schuster imagined himself working in general clinical practice for decades, but much like the diverse world of gaming, his career path has led him to unique opportunities within the veterinary profession and beyond.

“Many university graduates form idealistic expectations of where their studies will lead them, but I think it’s important to be open to change, explore opportunities, and be willing to take risks. If you do eventually find that clinical work isn’t your calling, leverage your veterinary expertise and get creative with the ways you can incorporate it into your other passions,” Schuster advised.

“In addition to my work in the gaming space, the most satisfying aspect of my role as digital marketing coordinator with Animal Emergency Australia is being able to draw upon my knowledge of the veterinary profession and clinical experience and apply it to my content creation at work. After all, who understands what goes on inside the head of a vet than someone who’s been in that position,” he said.

New course on the science of emotional intelligence

A new online, self-paced course focused entirely on supporting the emotional health of veterinary and medical professionals, will be launched in February. It was developed by Olivia Oginska, DVM, MRCVS, PgCert, SAS, MSc.

“For the first time in the history of the veterinary industry, the science of emotional intelligence, self-care, and teamwork have been translated into a set of practical and highly accessible resources available to all practitioners around the world,” Oginska said. 

Olivia Oginska, DVM, MRCVS,PgCert, SAS, MSc.(Image courtesy of Oginska) 

“The Human-Savvy Medicine Course consists of 7 modules packed with multiple ‘short and spicy’ audio episodes, supplemented with a plethora of visual materials, which allows members of veterinary teams to enjoy the course resources and grow in their own time," Oginska said. The goal of the course is to help individuals protect their mental and emotional health, develop confidence in their clinical skills, and enhance their interpersonal and communication skills.

“The course will also help veterinary and medical professionals prevent burnout and support the sustainability of their careers and bolster their performance and patient care through developing psychologically safe and resilient intra-team relationships,” explained Oginska.
“The course also contains the ‘Growth Map’—a practical and clear guidance on how to develop as a human and professional. All the course details are available on the Human-Savvy website. I’d urge all within the veterinary and medical professions to check it out.”

Articles

Updates on the veterinarian with a life-long passion for gaming who has developed a games industry review and news website; and a training course that focuses entirely on supporting the emotional health of veterinary and medical professionals.

Veterinary scene down under: Video games and its link to veterinary medicine, and more news

Photo: Joy Glenn; provided by Schwarzman Animal Medical Center

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York, New York has opened its’ new Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care. The surgical institute—named for its’ benefactors—is part of the hospital’s ongoing $125 million expansion that is tripling the capacity of AMC.

The new surgical facility formally opened with a leash-cutting ceremony, and now welcomes canines, felines, and other small animal patients 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Designed by global architectural firm Perkins & Will, the facility provides more than 7000 square feet of space equipped with advanced, state-of-the-art, human-grade technology, according to AMC. It features 5 operating rooms, a minor procedure room, a recovery room separating dogs and cats, and a central sterile center.

“With approximately 1.1 million pets in New York City, coupled with 66% of Americans now having animals as part of their families…having a world-class surgery center in the heart of New York City is more crucial than ever. AMC has long been the only Level 1 veterinary trauma center in New York City, and this milestone will enable us to help even more pets when they need it the most,” said Helen Irving, RN, MBA, president and CEO of AMC, in an organizational release.

In addition to client cases, AMC partners with the FDNY and NYPD to provide care for their K9 officers, including 2 that attended the facility’s ceremonial opening and had previously gone through life saving emergency surgeries at the hospital.

Jake, a German shepherd, age 7 years, trained in explosive detection, patrol and tracking, had to undergo a lung lobectomy to remove a ruptured bullae that was found on his lung lobe. Shabba, a Belgian Malinois, age 6 years, also trained in explosive detection, had gastropexy surgery to reduce the risk of fatal consequences.

“Opening our new surgery center is a huge milestone for our entire team and expands the possibilities for the care and treatment we can provide at AMC,” said Pamela Schwartz, DVM, DACVS, CCRP, Department Head of Surgery at AMC. “The excitement about the lives that will be saved, treatments that will be pioneered, and teaching that will occur on this floor is not just palpable, it is invigorating. As we move into this new space, we are so grateful to AMC’s supporters who have made this a reality, and we cannot wait to get to work.”

In her comments, Irving also thanked AMC supporters Denise and Michael Kellen, who she credited with helping to make the new surgical institute a reality. “Denise and I are honored to provide the funding needed to help make this new Institute for Surgical Care possible,” said Michael Kellen, in the release.

“The Kellen family has supported AMC’s mission for many years, including the advancement of veterinary training through the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Institute for Postgraduate Education, and we are thrilled to further invest in the future of AMC with this remarkable new surgical space. The enhancements will ensure that AMC continues as a leader in the field of veterinary medicine for years to come.”

With a team of 130+ veterinarians across more than 20 specialties, the AMC provides world-class medical care to dogs, cats, and exotic pets, according to the release. The hospital is open 365 days a year and operates 24/7. In 2023, AMC accommodated 54,417 visits including more than 2800 surgery visits.

The surgical institute’s opening is a pivotal part of the 83,000 square-foot hospital renovation and expansion. Later in 2024, the AMC will open of the newly expanded emergency room, intensive care unit and special care unit. The entire expansion project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center officially opens new “paw-fect” institute for surgical care. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. January 29, 2024. Accessed January 29, 2024.

The 7000-square-foot facility at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City houses advanced technology and 5 operating rooms among the patient care spaces.

Veterinary hospital expands with opening of new surgical institute

Good morning dvm360 readers! We hope that everyone had a healthy and happy weekend and is ready to take on a new week. Now that the teams heading to the Super Bowl are officially on the way to Las Vegas, make sure all the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers fans in your life are keeping their pets safe during parties by 

 to these tips from Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline.

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

Three people in Southwest Miami-Dade were detained and then 2 were arrested and charged for operating an unlicensed veterinary clinic after receiving an anonymous tip that led to the police department serving a search warrant for the property.

PetPath and IGNITE Veterinary Solutions shared that they have entered a multimarket agreement to commercialize digital care management as a way to accelerate awareness, adoption, and growth of the products from the 2 companies paired together.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Casey Carl, DVM, joins Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, host of The Vet Blast Podcast, to discuss the canine genetics testing landscape in veterinary medicine.

Embrace Pet Insurance disclosed that the company has hit a significant milestone of officially insuring 500,000 dogs and cats in the United States.

Phil Tucak, BSc, BVMS, dvm360’s Australian correspondent shares more about a veterinarian and his love for video games and how animals are featured within the world of gaming, plus a new online and self-paced course dedicated to supporting the emotional health of both veterinary and medical professionals.

The Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center announced that its new Denise and Michael Kellen Institute for Surgical Care is now complete. The $125 million transformational will triple the capacity with more than 7,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space.

Here is a sneak peek of this week’s headlines 

This week on dvm360.com: Men arrested in connection to running an unlicensed veterinary clinic, and other veterinary news

Morris Animal Foundation announced its funded investigators have taken a deep dive into various cat species' DNA sequences to uncover novel perspectives on both domestic and wild cat evolution. This work highlights distinct genetic changes and will serve as a tool for researchers investigating feline characteristics and diseases.

"This is an ongoing effort because it's very difficult to fill in the missing gaps in the genome sequence, and those gaps aren't just junk," said William Murphy, PhD, principal investigator and professor of veterinary integrative biosciences at Texas A&M University, in the organizational release.

 The Morris Animal Foundation awarded Murphy and his team a grant of $202,938. With the funding, these investigators identified fewer segmental duplications, duplicated blocks of genomic DNA, in the cats compared to other mammal groups during the study. The researchers also learned that numerous variances in feline data exist. To Murphy, these discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg for those studying feline behavior, conversation, and disease.

"Without Morris Animal Foundation's funding and support for the feline genome project, we would not even be close to where we are now (to filling in the gaps)," Murphy said. "We wouldn't have had the funding to advance and use the latest technologies to get the cat genome on par with the human genome."

When it comes to the feline genome, it is not 100% gapless, and ongoing refinements, backed by grants from the Morris Animal Foundation, will help work toward achieving a comprehensive, telomere-to-telomere feline genome, which can be crucial to uncover more genetic information about felines.

Uncovering Insights on the Feline Genome. News Release. Morris Animal Foundation. January 23, 2024. Accessed January 26, 2024. 

https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/uncovering-insights-feline-genome

These findings will help future disease studies and understanding of cat characteristics 

New publication provides insights on feline genome

The dvm360 team attended the recent 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, and interviewed several different veterinary professionals on topics ranging from toxicology to orthopedics. We are spotlighting 3 video clips from some of our interviews, filmed on-site in Orlando. Check out the clips below, but also make sure to take a look at all of conference coverage 

Gene O'Neill, CEO of the North American Veterinary Community sits down with dvm360 to 

, a program that recognizes community members and supports the work they're doing with a financial reward.

David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, explains the multiple reasons that make 

 plus why it is important to diagnose sooner rather than later.

Karen Shenoy, DVM, US chief veterinary officer at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, provided advice for veterinarians about 

Videos

Highlighting 3 conference interviews from the 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida

3 must-sees from VMX 2024

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! We are officially less than 2 months away from our very first Fetch conference of the year, Fetch Charlotte! Join us in Charlotte, North Carolina from March 15-17 to learn from the best of the best. With 17+ hours of continuing education credit available on topics ranging from equine to feline medicine, this is one you do not want to miss. You can learn more and register to save your spot here today. See you in the Queen City this March.

Here is what was popular this week on dvm360.com

Multiple animal welfare organizations and charities located in the United Kingdom are 

 against the upcoming Universal Pictures movie "Argylle" for showing harmful behavior towards cats in the trailer as well as fears of increasing popularity of the Scottish Folds cat.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist for the Pet Poison Helpline, shared toxins pet parents should be aware of as they prepare for Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl parties.

 a robotic device to assist with minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries on both cats and dogs. This approach could provide a smoother and quicker healing process, reduce the risk of infection, and could even result in an overall less invasive surgery experience for pets.

 it has selected 8 new grant recipients to receive funding for canine cancer research to progress the Foundation's commitment to improve the lives of dogs diagnosed with cancer.

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) 

 during its Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) the 6 speakers that were chosen as the 2023 Speakers of the Year, including dvm360’s very own chief veterinary officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. Congratulations to Christman and all the other winners!

 with dvm360, David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, explained some of the reasons canine osteoarthritis can be complex, plus why diagnosing this disease early is important.