Actor-writer-director Dan Levy, right, discusses his career and inspiration with moderator Jaimie Roberts at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida. 

Facing a theater packed with conference attendees, Emmy Award winner Dan Levy spoke about the trajectory of his Hollywood career, development of the hit show 

, and the inspiration for his new Netflix movie 

Answering questions posed by moderator Jaimie Roberts, he drew some laughs while also providing inspirational universal messages and heartfelt moments that resonated with the audience of veterinary professionals at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) conference in Orlando, Florida.

The Q&A talk first addressed characters on 

, which included a recurring veterinarian. Although the character arc for the main characters—a formerly wealthy family that moves to a small-town motel—was one of personal growth, all of the show’s cast of eclectic characters were shown as unapologetically authentic to themselves. Levy said the notion to just 'be yourself' is important. “What makes you happy? At the end of the day, you just want to have [lived] for yourself and not lived your life for someone else,” he said.

Levy addresses an audience of veterinary professionals.

 developed, Levy also stayed true to himself. The show was rejected by every American television network and streaming service but was eventually picked up in his native Canada, he said. In the end, the show was able to retain the artistic integrity that was intended, which Levy expressed appreciation for. “You don’t want to dumb down your stuff because you think people won’t understand it,” Levy said.

Although rejection in Hollywood can be discouraging, Levy indicated that perseverance can pay off. “If you believe in something, you should follow through with it,” he said. “Belief in yourself is the most important part of all of this.”

Levy also discussed how his personal experiences were turned into 

, which he wrote, directed, and starred in. The film explores the experience of loss through the story of a man whose husband dies unexpectedly. The widower then takes a soul-searching trip with his 2 best friends.

 Levy drew emotional inspiration for the project after losing his grandmother, Patricia Devine, and his dog, Redmond.

In his VMX talk, Levy spoke fondly of Redmond, and his experience adopting the Dachshund-Corgi mix dog through a rescue organization.

 “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” he said.

Levy, who said he lives alone, referred to Redmond as his “shadow” and spoke about the special bond shared by owner and pet. While caring for the dog, Levy would adjust the height of Redmond’s food dish to better accommodate the aging pet and drew baths at just the right temperature for his canine, he told the audience.

When asked about a dream he would like to achieve, Levy was initially stumped. “Get a new dog,” he finally said. The audience responded with thunderous applause.

VMX kickoff with Dan Levy. Presented at: VMX; Orlando, FL. January 13, 2024.

shows a different side of Dan Levy: everything you need to know. Netflix. January 5, 2024. Accessed January 13, 2024. 

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/dan-levy-good-grief-director-details

Sheeler J. How Dan Levy’s very real grief inspired his new movie: ‘I was worried I was not grieving properly’ (exclusive). 

. January 10, 2024. Accessed January 13, 2024. 

https://people.com/how-dan-levy-s-very-real-grief-inspired-his-new-movie-exclusive-8424375#:~:text=Dan%20Levy.&text=Dealing%20with%20his%20own%20grief,you%20don't%20understand%20grief

Articles

The Hollywood actor-writer-director was a featured speaker at the VMX conference in Orlando, Florida

Dan Levy finds common ground with veterinary professionals

As future veterinary professionals begin to look at career options, many children dream about becoming an aquatic animal veterinarian professional. A dream like this is one can be achievable for those willing to put in the work and take the necessary highs and lows, but where exactly should those interested in becoming this kind of veterinary professional start?

During their joint lecture, “Aquatic Vet Adventures: The Basics of Being an Aquatic Animal Veterinarian” at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) conference in Orlando, Florida, Jen Flower, DVM, MS, DACZM; and Tres Clarke, DVM, DACZM, explained the world of becoming an aquatic animal veterinarian, and how to stay there.

Once finishing veterinary school, the next step is applying for internships and residencies. Internships are typically 1-2 years and interns are being mentored by the primary clinicians. According to Flower, the interns during this time are primarily learning about the species but in a more integrative and interactive way.

“You're still working under the mentorship of the primary clinicians at the facility learning more about these species, but you're more integrated into the day-to-day than you are as a student who may only be there for 4-6 weeks,” Flower explained to attendees. “So this is really key learning time in your training to get that hands-on day-to-day experience, be a part of the veterinary team, a part of those emergency scenarios and all the things that we face daily as aquatic animal clinicians. My internship training was at Mystic Aquarium [and] this had a big focus on preventative medicine.”

Following an internship, Flower discussed the next step in her career was a residency program. Residency programs tend to be longer than internships, about 3-4 years, but residencies give a lot of exposure to training and aquatic medicine.

“Most of these programs in the US are designed to facilitate you to become a board-certified specialist through the American College of Zoological Medicine... But I think this was a really key component to my training and education in zoo and aquatic animal medicine and really set the foundation for my future,” said Flower. “The program that I did was a combined program through the University of Illinois, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. So this program really exposed me to most species that you can think of, that any zoo or aquarium will have in their collection I was exposed to during my residency.”

Flowers also warned attendees that being an aquatic animal veterinarian is fast-paced and constantly changing. She went into detail about how there are dramatic differences in giving anesthesia between these animals, and some do not have machines, requiring some creativity and flying on the edge of your seat.

Clarke emphasized to attendees the importance of communication when working with these animals. Talking to the zoo keepers, other staff, fellow veterinarians, and anyone else who would work on these animals with the veterinarian, whether liked or not, has to be communicated clearly.

“I know [communication] is kind of lame to say, but I can't tell you guys how much that in my role, how much this is important. We have meetings almost every week, I have meetings with my sea lion team, meetings with my penguin team, I have meetings with my vet team, [and] meetings with my dolphin team. It's all important to get communication across, it's really, really key. And it's very important when you have to communicate [information] to the higher-ups,” explained Clarke

“The zoo world, if you want to turn it into a small animal clinic or a large animal clinic, you have to think about the keepers as your clients… if you're in a small animal clinic, you can kind of fire clients if you don't like them. [You] can't really do that with your zookeepers all the time, or people that you don't like,” he concluded.

Clarke also described to the audience how being an aquatic animal veterinarian means being somewhat creative and quick on your feet. There is no book or product veterinarians can order to help treat these patients, so you need to be creative in making sure they are getting all they need but also safely. For example, he discussed a time when the team he was on used a leaf blower to keep an elephant under anesthesia.

He also said trying something and failing can be better than trying and succeeding because aquatic animal veterinarians learn more from their mistakes than their triumphs.

According to Clarke and Flower, mentoring and training veterinary students is a massive part of an aquatic veterinarian's job. This is crucial to the field because once Flower, Clarke, and other current aquatic veterinarians retire or move on from what they are doing, the next generation needs to be able to care for these animals in a safe way for both the veterinary professionals and animals.

Clarke T. Flower J. Aquatic Vet Adventures: The Basics of Being an Aquatic Animal Veterinarian. Presented at: VMX 2024; January 13-17; Orlando, FL.

Learn how veterinary professionals have pursued and succeed in a career with aquatic animals, and how you can to 

So, you want to be an aquatic animal veterinarian

®, the leading multimedia provider of animal health care communications, education and research for veterinary professionals, is excited to announce that the Fetch conference will be coming to Nashville, Tennessee, May 17–18, 2024. The conference will take place at the Music City Center where attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education (CE) credits while interacting and networking with peers, friends and faculty.

For decades, Fetch conferences have been a cornerstone of the veterinary community, offering unparalleled CE experiences. Our innovative approach to veterinary education is designed to address current industry challenges and propel the veterinary community toward a future of continual growth. The Nashville conference highlights our commitment to expand CE offerings to new locations around the country. Through a curated blend of educational sessions, networking opportunities and industry showcases, attendees and exhibitors can expect nothing short of excellence.

“I am immensely proud to witness the expansion of Fetch conferences to new horizons,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences®. “This strategic move signifies a significant stride in our commitment to fulfilling promises and advancing excellence in veterinary education.”

As an innovator in veterinary education, 

 has tailored its events to serve today’s veterinary professionals. “These conferences are more than just events; they’re dynamic platforms that empower us with the latest advancements, innovative solutions and the camaraderie of a thriving veterinary community,” said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and chief veterinary officer of 

. “The expansion to a new location in Nashville is incredibly exciting, as it not only brings world-class education closer to professionals, but also opens doors to networking and collaboration in a vibrant setting.”

Veterinary professionals attending this conference can expect a program featuring keynote speakers, more than 120 workshops, immersive training sessions and the opportunity to learn and network with likeminded peers and prominent faculty.

“We are proud to usher in a new chapter of growth and collaboration within the veterinary community,” said John Hydrusko, vice president of 

 and Fetch . “Our vision is clear — to create transformative moments for every attendee — and the exciting journey to Nashville is a significant milestone in fulfilling that vision.”

To learn more about the conference and to register, please visit 

The new venue reflects Fetch’s dedication to superior veterinary education, emphasizing its overarching mission to broaden educational avenues for professionals throughout the US

dvm360's Fetch conference is headed to Nashville, TN

Editor’s note: All names and businesses in this dilemma case are fictitious, but the scenario is based on real occurrences.

There has been no larger beneficiary from progress made in medical breakthroughs than veterinary medicine. CT scans, MRIs, and sophisticated dental procedures are now commonplace in the profession.

The Lawson Animal Hospital was preparing for its year-end staff meeting, the time at which practice adjustments and medical goals are discussed. The staff traditionally suggested the latest laboratory and diagnostic equipment along with new technology to communicate with the clientele more efficiently. This year, however, the staff meeting and recommendations for the new year were a bit different.

During the staff meeting, several doctors and technicians reported areas of client dissatisfaction. None of the commentary involved cutting-edge medical technology nor the inevitable fee increases that the economy had thrust upon them. Surprisingly, clients were complaining about communication shortcomings and a feeling of impersonality when contacting the hospital.

The hospital manager was disappointed by these comments. Over the past year, she had been working to enhance client communication efficiency. As the practice grew and became busier, she had implemented new technology to assist in this area.

A newly automated phone system provided a client contact menu and then directed the call to the designated staff member. After-hours information listed all the 24-hour emergency care centers in the vicinity and offered the opportunity to leave a message that would be returned first thing in the morning. The clinic website now allowed clients to access patient records and see when their routine vaccinations were due. Ironically, these enhanced communication tools were the source of certain client dissatisfaction.

With all this available veterinary technology, certain things haven’t changed: Pets and their owners value the rapport they establish with their veterinarian. There is nothing more comforting than being able to actually speak to a veterinarian who can personally impart helpful information. Many clients don’t want to speak to a computer and get automated messaging. This is often impossible to avoid in this day and age; however, a hybrid approach to client communication is often more effective and greatly appreciated.

The consensus opinion was that initial calls to the animal hospital should always be answered by compassionate staff members. The caller’s inquiry then can be either answered or forwarded via an automated system to the appropriate department. Whenever possible, there should be an after-hours on-call professional available. An automated after-hours system can advise a client that an on-call staff member will return their call. This type of response is greatly appreciated by anxious pet owners and is a true practice builder.

The staff agreed with the consensus of their clients. When it came right down to it, clients don’t mind speaking with automated systems in routine elective situations. However, when urgency and anxiety exist, automated systems are resented and actual staff contact is preferred. The Lawson Animal Hospital emphasized client satisfaction and compassionate pet care in its mission statement. In the veterinary profession, automated efficiency has its place but can prove to be frustrating where compassion and guidance is immediately required.

Human medical practice has set the tone for communication options with veterinary medical personnel. There are portals on which emails and text messages can be sent. There are voicemail options for leaving audio messages. There are outpatient urgent care centers where a practitioner can be seen in person. The patient has no history or relationship with urgent care practitioners, but they are at least up close and personal. 

Finally, there are concierge doctors in human medicine. Affluent patients pay a premium simply for accessibility and contact. Clinical veterinary medical practice is moving in this direction as well. The hybrid model adopted by the Lawson Animal Hospital—part direct staff contact and part automated interfacing—is a good compromise. Clinical veterinary medicine at its root is a for-profit small business. Hopefully this stimulus will prevent client interactive automation from taking over completely.

 is director of Voorhees Veterinary Center in Voorhees, New Jersey. Although many of the scenarios Rosenberg describes in his column are based on real-life events, the veterinary practices, doctors, and employees described are fictional.

A practice employed so much advanced client interactive technology that it was driving pet owners away

The new year: Out with the old?

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! We are getting ready to head down to Orlando, Florida for the Veterinary Meeting & Expo conference this weekend. If you see anyone from dvm360 at the conference or see our booth at the exhibit hall, stop by and say hello! dvm360 also has a big announcement coming out very very soon, so be sure to check dvm360.com to be the first to know what is happening.

As we prepare to recap VMX this weekend, here is what was popular on dvm360.com for the week:

Popular veterinarian Mariana Pardo, BVSc, MV, DACECC, and her attorneys 

 in a press release that Pardo has filed a federal whistleblower and retaliation lawsuit against her former employer, accusing the hospital and owner of medical misconduct and discriminating against staff.

 Sawyer, a 6-year-old golden retriever was brought to the clinic after his owner noticed Sawyer had gotten into her child’s diaper cream. After being treated, Sawyer was still not feeling well so they brought him back to the clinic for an x-ray where they made a very unexpected discovery.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, was joined by Rand Wachsstock, DVM, to discuss the Compassion Animal Project and how they are working to keep pets and their families together.

 investigated koalas affected by bushfires in Australia and revealed severe burns to the animal’s footpads that hindered the koala’s ability to climb trees as well as escape dangerous conditions.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and EveryCat Health Foundation 

 they are offering 2 $2,500 scholarships to students enrolled in an accredited veterinary college or school in the United States or Canada.

We are going to be covering sessions, checking out the exhibit hall, and more this weekend at VMX. You can find all of our coverage 

 and follow us on social media to stay up to date!

Wrap up: Veterinarian files federal lawsuit against former employer, and other veterinary news 

IDEXX Laboratories announced the launch of IDEXX inVue Dx Cellular Analyzer, a slide-free cellular analyzer that will detect the most common cytologic changes within blood and ear samples. The platform uses AI-powered and load-and-go to potentially cause a shift in how veterinarians are processing, diagnosing, and acting on cytology and blood morphology cases. 

 the AI technology was taught by IDEXX board-certified pathologists, and the analyzer can give practitioners with reference-laboratory quality results in 10 minutes. The analyzer will examine cells in their natural state to give professionals multidimensional images of sample findings and enable diagnostic insights.

IDEXX inVue Dx Cellular Analyzer, (Image courtesy of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.)

"For decades, practitioners like myself have struggled with the inadequacies of slide-based samples and now, with the IDEXX inVue Dx analyzer, the slide-free workflow is a game-changer backed by technology that provides the confidence we need to provide an accurate diagnosis for our patients," said Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Oncology), in the release.

 "Additionally, when paired with the ProCyte Dx or ProCyte One hematology analyzer, the IDEXX inVue Dx analyzer will provide rapid analysis of blood cell morphology, aiding veterinarians to arrive at a diagnosis almost instantly."

The features and benefits of the analyzer include:

Seamless, slide-free workflow that can eliminate manual steps and remove variability to give a consistent analysis of measurements from blood morphology and ear cytology as well as rechecks.

3D assessment produces high-contrast images of cells that would not be visible under a microscope giving deeper diagnostic results.

Automated blood morphology identifies and quantifies common red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet morphologic changes during the visit.

Deep AI learning models that were trained by IDEXX board-certified pathologists from over 10 million sample images from patients for real-time answers.

Integration with IDEXX’s suite of point-of-care analyzers, practice management systems, and VetConnect PLUS, powered by the IDEXX Vetlab Station. This network of technology, tools, and experts will help veterinarians interpret results, decide next steps, and facilitate seamless charge capture.

Continuous platform menu expansion that showcases IDEXX Technology for Life Strategy and how IDEXXinVUE Dx platform’s capabilities will grow over time, with fine need aspirate samples planned next.

"Veterinary professionals are exceedingly busy and are eager for ways to increase capacity," said Jay Mazelsky, president and chief executive officer of IDEXX. "We strive to be at the forefront of practice-changing innovation, and the IDEXX inVue Dx analyzer is our latest cutting-edge solution that creates efficiencies, provides deeper clinical insights, and increases practitioners' confidence in their patients' diagnoses and treatment plans."

IDEXX plans to launch IDEXX inVue Dx analyzer will begin in late 2024.

IDEXX announces revolutionary slide-free Cellular analyzer, IDEXX inVue Dx transforming in-clinic workflows. News release. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. January 12, 2024. Accessed January 12, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/idexx-announces-revolutionary-slide-free-cellular-analyzer-idexx-invue-dx-transforming-in-clinic-workflows-302033192.html

 IDEXX inVue Dx Cellular Analyzer could shift how cytology and blood morphology cases are processed and diagnosed