At its heart, your practice’s culture encapsulates its values, team behaviors, and work environment, and should be derived from the practice’s mission. Its culture is embodied in the 1001 actions each employee takes daily–positive and negative. Even though culture is manifested through every employee, a great culture must start from the top. As the practice owner, you play a pivotal role in defining the mission and culture, and modeling the behaviors you want to see in your team.

When you have a well-defined culture, every employee knows what to expect when they come to work. They see everyone is aligned as a team, that there is cohesiveness among the leadership that flows down to all levels of employees.

The attitude is palpable when you walk in the door of a practice that has a strong culture. Clients and employees can feel it is a positive place, and that all team members are unified by a common mission.

I’ve sat through any number of culture speeches by consultants and gurus, but I’ve found most recommendations are complex, which can keep people from getting started on changing their practice’s culture. I believe the best solution is the simplest.

Take yourself out for coffee and bring a notepad. Think about why you became a practice owner:

• What type of practice did you want to create?

• How would people act there?
• How would they treat each other?
• How would they approach patient care?

Write these things down along with any other ideas that come to mind. Share this with your key leadership; let them help you fine-tune it and get their buy-in. Then bring your full team together and present what you’ve created. Ask for their agreement that this is the kind of place where they want to work. You’ll need their agreement because every team member is responsible for implementing and protecting your culture.

We’ve all been there. Two potential new hires apply for a job at the clinic, the first with the certifications we’ve been told are vital (RVT, CVPM, and so on) and another with palpable passion, lots of energy, and a love of animals, but fewer credentials. I’ve found it best to hire for culture fit first, skills second. After all, while skills can be learned, it’s nearly impossible to change someone’s core values and attitudes. By prioritizing culture fit, you will not only have a harmonious team, but you’ll also find that over time you’ll build a bench of resumes from people who want to work in your practice due to your remarkable culture.

It’s not enough to hire and train for your culture, you need to be willing to let go of team members who are not aligned. While I’m proud to say my hospital has an amazing culture, and my team of 55 employees are almost all excellent, we hired over 20 staff during the pandemic, and not every new hire has worked out.

Recently a new employee yelled a inappropriate word at a coworker in front of other employees and clients. That was a major violation of our culture, so while I wasn’t in the building, other team members immediately let me know what happened. I terminated that person the next day. This sent a powerful message to my team that disrespectful and unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated—and it makes the other team members feel safe knowing management has their back. Deal with toxic employees right away, before they poison the culture. In doing so, avoid getting sucked into the drama. Deal with it swiftly and move on.

Achievements, big and small, deserve recognition. Whether your team has navigated a particularly grueling day or gone above and beyond for a patient, it’s crucial to celebrate the win. Simple gestures like a high five or acknowledging individual efforts can go a long way. This reinforces the culture and its shared mission, and it reminds everyone that their hard work and dedication are being noticed.

Many practice owners dream of the day when they can step away and trust that their practice will run smoothly in their absence. This dream is achievable, but it’s rooted in the strength of the practice’s culture. When you have nurtured and established a robust culture, the team upholds the culture even when the owner is not there. The lifestyle benefit to the practice owner cannot be overstated. This is the difference between 

Establishing a thriving culture in your veterinary practice is about creating a space where both team members and patients can flourish. As a practice owner, you’re in a unique position to guide this culture’s growth, from hiring decisions to setting expectations. Start from the top, prioritize culture fit, deal swiftly with toxicity, and celebrate every win, and soon, you’ll have a practice where the culture remains strong and intact even when you’re not in the building. By prioritizing these principles, you are setting up your practice—and everyone involved— for long-term success and well-being.

 is the owner of The Drake Center for Veterinary Care in Encinitas, California, a 10-doctor, 55-employee hospital that consistently outperforms competitors and industry averages because of Drake’s passion for embracing change and new technologies. She has served on committees and advisory boards for the University of California, American Animal Hospital Association, Novartis, and more. Drake completed her DVM at the University of Missouri and founded The Drake Center in 1992. She also serves as the chief veterinary officer for GeniusVets. Michele can be reached via email at michele@geniusvets.com.

Articles

A strong, positive culture is critical for recruitment, retention, teamwork, and patient care. We deal with extremely stressful situations, and having an aligned team makes all the difference

Culture 101: Creating a healthy practice environment

 engages well-accomplished and highly sought-after key opinion leaders who are innovative, creative thinkers, and problem solvers to deliver credible CE programs so you can learn from the very best within the industry

Feeding the Equine Immune System: The Good and Bad Gut and Immune Health Connection

Nutrition plays a huge role in the overall health of the horse. We will focus on two key systems, digestion, and immune health, and how compromise can contribute to multiple common conditions we see daily in our equine patients. We will also discuss the good and bad relationship between gut and immune health. Neale will cover key ingredients to consider for nutritionally supporting the gut and immune system.

Implementation and Interpretation of Canine Genetic Screening in General Practice

During this course, participants can expect to learn basic genetics terminology and concepts (such as penetrance, expression, and mode of inheritance). A brief overview of the various technologies utilized to determine genotype will be provided. Participants will then learn to apply these concepts through clinical case walkthroughs and how to communicate the benefits and results of canine genetic screening to their clients. Lastly, participants will learn how canine genetic screening can fit into various types of practices.

An Introduction to Regenerative Medicine: PRP and PRF

This program will serve as an introduction to regenerative medicine, specifically the platelet concentrates known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). These medical devices have been used in human medicine for over 20 years and are gaining traction through most fields of veterinary medicine.

This lecture will discuss various methods of open wound management. We will discuss numerous topical therapeutics to apply to wounds and indications for their use. Different types of bandaging techniques and indications for bandaging will also be discussed. Other methods of open wound management will also be discussed, including negative-pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Case examples will be presented, including the decision-making process for their management.

This is a 15-minute podcast that will discuss the benefits and advantages of topical therapy when treating animals with allergies. The discussion will include important ingredients, different forms of topicals, and how to use them for best results.

Maximizing the Minimum Database: Diagnostics With a Twist in the Tail

As we know in veterinary medicine, the owner-provided history and even the physical exam findings frequently do not provide us with the details needed to understand our patients’ underlying medical issues. In this podcast, we will discuss the importance of obtaining objective lab data from our patients to make accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans, using a case example of a dog with an unusual presentation and some unexpected twists in her diagnostic workup. Key pointers will be shared about urinalysis and hematology to raise awareness and confidence around proper interpretation of important pathologic findings. As well, the case discussion will highlight the teamwork of the technician and veterinarian that is essential in maximizing laboratory diagnostics.

Check out these continuing education opportunities now available

Flex Forecast: January 2024

A pair of veterinary professionals have been named the 2024 Emerging Leadership Program Scholarship Award winners by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). Esteban Sotomayor, MBA, the owner and practice manager of All Pets Hospital Veterinario in Ecuador, and Rebecca May, the business development and personnel manager at Happy Tails Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Greensboro, North Carolina were selected to receive the award for their commitment to professional growth and leadership.

The VHMA Emerging Leaders program is intended to create an opportunity for the next generation of veterinary management professionals to engage in the association in meaningful ways that contribute to their professional growth, according to an organizational release. The program also aims to energize the association with new leaders and the future direction of the profession.

Award recipients are provided with an annual $2,500 scholarship for 2 years, which can be used toward registration and travel costs to attend the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference and apply to the veterinary practice manager certification process. Candidate are expected to "give back" to VHMA through specific volunteer activities that position them as an ambassador to promote the program, the association, and the profession.

Sotomayor grew up at All Pets Hospital Veterinario, which his parents opened as the first 24-hour emergency hospital in Ecuador. Following the 2 generations before him into veterinary medicine, Sotomayor wanted a career in hospital management. “I started to take an economics class during high school, and it clicked for me immediately. I learned that I love the business side of the veterinary industry,” said Sotomayor, in the release.

Sotomayor received a scholarship to the University of New Orleans and went on to earn a bachelor’s degrees in business administration and marketing, and a master’s degree in business administration. After completing college and returning to Ecuador, he viewed the hospital’s operations from a new perspective by observing issues the facility was facing because of a lack of business expertise. “While my parents did the best that they could with the knowledge that they had, the hospital lacked the business structure that it needed to grow,” said Sotomayor. “The hospital was not dynamic enough to adapt to market needs. We were near bankruptcy and client retention was extremely low.”

In an effort to improve the work environment, Sotomayor’s initial focus was to implement several new policies for retaining staff and increasing employee satisfaction. He then worked to cultivate customer-oriented culture. The staff was taught how to prioritize customers and to deliver a unique, personal touch to give clients a positive experience and inclination to return, according to VHMA. Sotomayor also saw that the hospital adopted a new management system that could provide instant feedback and information needed to make quick decisions. The new system is helping the team to make better decisions, identify inefficiencies, and increase the speed of the billing process.

“Through strategic changes, team building and embracing new technology, we have been able to turn the situation around and set my family’s hospital on the path towards success,” said Sotomayor, in the release.

The Emerging Leaders Award and Sotomayor’s efforts to become certified as a practice manager will help him support the hospital’s staff and the practice. According to VHMA, these achievements also support the veterinary industry in Latin America through his speaking engagements and close collaborations. “In Ecuador, a large majority of the clinics and hospitals are run directly by veterinarians with no formal education in business or management. If we give veterinarians a chance to learn about administration and management, we can all thrive together,” said Sotomayor, in the release.

In his free time, Sotomayor enjoys walking his pet Chihuahua and boxing. He also owns VetFlexx, a veterinary equipment distribution company that he operates out of the hospital, which enables him to stay ahead of the curve and have an intimate knowledge of cutting-edge technology before it enters the marketplace.

While she was working for an insurance sales company, May saw a newspaper advertisement for a short-term receptionist role at a veterinary clinic. Although she was unhappy in her then-current position, she applied for the job. “I had thought I would just collect a paycheck or 2 there while I searched for my next sales job. I had always loved animals and always enjoyed customer service, but when I started working at the clinic, I also developed a passion for caring for the people who care for the animals. There was no going back after that,” said May, in the organizational release.

May focused on accruing as much knowledge and experience as possible, trying out multiple roles within the clinic. May found that she was most interested in management, and while working as a veterinary assistant, she completed Penn Foster’s Veterinary Practice Management Certificate Program. This helped her to develop a stronger foundation of medical knowledge and to understand how to support her staff. May has now been in the veterinary medicine industry for over 18 years, with her last 6 years being exclusively in management, according to VHMA

May encountered her biggest obstacle as a manager when one of her employees overdosed in an attempted suicide. “Prior to working in management, I had lost a team member to suicide. When this [overdose] happened, I had just lost my father as well. I knew there was so much more that I could do for this employee who had just joined my team months prior. With no specific plan in place to follow, I began to research what resources were out there,” said May, in the release.

May completed the coursework through Evergreen to become Compassion Fatigue Certified, CCFP, to be more aware of the warning signs and how to intervene before it is too late. A plan was developed to reintegrate the individual back into the workforce when the employee was medically cleared to return to work.

“This experience absolutely transformed me as a manager. I would encourage any manager in this position to seek as much help and resources as possible for their employees suffering from mental health issues. The numbers behind veterinary suicide statistics are staggering. The time has come to destigmatize this topic,” said May, in the release.

May has worked with VHMA in the past, and expressed surprise when she learned that she received the Emerging Leader Program Award. “The real push for applying was that I have a passion for teaching and also sharing my experiences and connecting with people in the field, and earning my CVPM will allow me to do that,” said May, in the release.

May lives with her husband, Brandon, and her 2 sons, Jake and Grant. She enjoys going on long hikes with her dog, Beans. May also is a Cub Scout Leader and serves as the STEM Coordinator for the Old North State Council.

Esteban Sotomayor and Rebecca May named 2024 VHMA Emerging Leaders Program recipients. News release. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. January 5, 2023.

Esteban Sotomayor, MBA, and Rebecca May are receiving funds to attend the association's annual convention and apply for professional certification.

VHMA announces 2024 Emerging Leaders scholarship recipients 

This article was updated January 12, 2024. 

Approximately 40% of dogs suffer from osteoarthritis (OA)-induced pain.

 Proactive and multimodal management of OA should include pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical techniques.

 The objective of this 2-part series is to summarize the evidence available for nonpharmaceutical methods of canine OA management.

 focused on the roles of weight management and exercise. Part 2 reviews therapeutic modalities, oral joint support supplements, and intra-articular injections. This is not a comprehensive review of all OA management options but rather a brief review of the evidence for commonly used therapies.

The use of therapeutic lasers in medicine is termed photobiomodulation (PBM), which is commonly used in the management of pain. Experimental animal studies have demonstrated pain relief through release of serotonin, increased release of endogenous opiates, and blockage of afferent C fiber depolarization.

 Although lasers have been used extensively in human and veterinary medicine for pain relief, high-quality clinical data are sparse and conflicting.

There are at least 3 studies that support the use of PBM for dogs with OA.

 Looney et al reported that with the protocol investigated, PBM was able to reduce pain, lameness, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirement in dogs with elbow OA in more treated dogs compared with placebo control.

 Alves et al reported reduced pain and improved function in police working dogs with hip OA when treated with PBM.

 Barale et al described increased activity levels and reduction in need for oral analgesics in dogs with hip or stifle OA receiving PBM.

Laser therapy devices vary widely in output because there are countless variations in parameters that can be used. Laser devices and treatment protocols can differ based on wavelength, power, energy density, fluence (J/cm

), time of treatment delivery, and location treated.

 This is 1 reason for widely conflicting results seen across studies of PBM.

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) uses nonthermal electromagnetic waves delivered to tissue to stimulate bone and soft-tissue healing; reduce inflammation, swelling, and edema; and decrease pain.

Studies using PEMF in human patients with OA have shown reduced pain and improved function.

 Studies in canine patients have reported beneficial effects of PEMF for postoperative analgesia, though there is currently limited evidence of PEMF for OA management in dogs.

The Assisi Loop and Respond PEMF Beds are 2 examples of therapies that can be utilized by pet owners in the home environment. As with the discussion around PMB, there are differences in the wave form and parameters that are delivered with different devices, leading to the inability to broadly apply results.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a modality in which high-energy sound waves are applied transcutaneously to increase tissue cytokine and growth factor expression and reduce pain associated with chronic conditions. In vitro and lab animal models have shown potential benefits to articular cartilage following ESWT, and improvement in clinical symptoms of OA has been reported in humans treated with ESWT.

 Conflicting data exist for use of ESWT in dogs with OA.

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) (Adequan; American Regent Animal Health) is approved by the FDA for the management of OA in dogs. The mechanism of action of PSGAG is primarily through inhibition of catabolic enzymes that degrade articular cartilage.

 No studies have demonstrated regrowth of hyaline cartilage. Therefore, the earlier it is given in the OA process, the more effective PSGAG may be at slowing the progression of OA and decreasing pain.

 PSGAG has been shown to decrease lameness, pain, and inflammatory markers of OA in dogs with clinical OA.

PSGAG is labeled for intramuscular (IM) injection, though it is commonly administered by subcutaneous (SQ) injection to improve adherence and reduce the discomfort associated with repeated IM injections. The label dose is 4.4 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks. After this loading dose, many veterinarians will recommend weaning to the lowest effective dose for maintenance, though this is off-label use. Following IM administration, PSGAG reaches synovial tissue within 2 hours and persists in the joint for at least 3 days.

 The pharmacokinetics of PSGAG following SQ administration in dogs with OA are not known.

Oral joint supplements, also known as nutraceuticals, are not regulated by the FDA. Efficacy and safety studies are not required for commercial sale of these products. A plethora of human and veterinary products are available, but there is very little efficacy and even less or no safety data supporting their use.

A recent meta-analysis of 72 research articles on oral joint supplements concluded that there is clinical efficacy for Ω-3–enriched diets, Ω-3 supplements, and, to a lesser degree, cannabidiol.

 There is weak efficacy of collagen. This study also found a very marked noneffect of chondroitin glucosamine nutraceuticals, which led the authors to suggest that these products no longer be recommended for pain management in canine and feline OA.

Ω-3 fatty acid supplementation is a potential method of decreasing inflammation and pain associated with OA. Ω-3s can be provided through diets enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, natural sources (eg, anchovies or sardines), or fish oil supplements. The evidence for Ω-3 supplementation in dogs primarily comes from studies of therapeutic diets with high levels of supplementation and results are generally positive. These diets have been shown to improve weight-bearing, functional activity and reduce the amount of carprofen needed in dogs with OA.

 There is currently limited evidence with fish oil supplements or whole fish, so it is uncertain whether the same clinical results will be seen with these diets.

Intra-articular (IA) injections are usually recommended if noninvasive therapies are insufficient in reducing pain associated with OA.

 However, there may be some cases, such as elbow dysplasia, where IA treatment is recommended earlier in the disease process. There are several categories of IA therapy and new classes of products are being developed. No matter what product is injected, animals must be sedated for the procedure to ensure strict sterility and precise injection into the joint. The frequency of repeating injections will likely vary with the product used and even then, there are no clear guidelines in animals for frequency of treatment.

Studies have shown reduced pain and lameness in dogs with OA following injection with certain types of platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, hyaluronic acid, steroids, and Synovetin OA (Exubrion Therapeutics), a conversion electron therapy device.

An OA management plan should include effective analgesia, weight management, regular exercise, and Ω-3 supplementation. Therapeutic modalities, intra-articular injections, and perhaps other oral joint supplements can be considered as adjuncts.

Other OA management options include cannabidiol, acupuncture, manual therapy, and assistive devices. These treatment options can be integrated into an OA management plan as adjunctive therapies. Surgery may also be indicated for the management of OA.

Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR

, is a small animal surgeon and rehabilitation specialist whose career has focused on bridging the gap between these 2 disciplines, with specific emphasis on treatment of arthritis. Shaw received her DVM, PhD, and MS degrees, and completed a small animal surgical residency at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville. She spent 2 years as a clinical instructor at UF and 9 years in referral practice in Seattle, WA. Shaw currently works for Zoetis as a specialist in pain management and osteoarthritis.

Wright A, Amodie DM, Cernicchiaro N, et al. Identification of canine osteoarthritis using an owner-reported questionnaire and treatment monitoring using functional mobility tests. 

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Gruen ME, Lascelles BDX, Colleran E, et al. 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. 

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Wakabayashi H, Hamba M, Matsumoto K, Tachibana H. Effect of irradiation by semiconductor laser on responses evoked in trigeminal caudal neurons by tooth pulp stimulation. 

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Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Bjordal JM, Couppe C, Chow RT, Tunér J, Ljunggren EA. A systematic review of low-level laser therapy with location-specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders. 

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Looney AL, Huntingford JL, Blaeser LL, Mann S. A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine osteoarthritis. 

Alves JC, Santos A, Jorge P, Carreira LM. A randomized double-blinded controlled trial on the effects of photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis. 

Barale L, Monticelli P, Adami C. Effects of low-level laser therapy on impaired mobility in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. 

. 2023;9(2):653-659. doi:10.1002/vms3.997

Therapeutic Modalities: For Sports Medicine and Athletic Training

. McGraw-Hill; 2008. https://www.amazon.com/Therapeutic-Modalities-Medicine-THERAPEUTIC-MODALITIES/dp/0077236335

Gaynor JS, Hagberg S, Gurfein BT. Veterinary applications of pulse electromagnetic field therapy. 

. 2018;119:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.005

Iannitti T, Fistetto G, Esposito A, Rottigni V, Palmieri B. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for management of osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness and physical function: clinical experience in the elderly. 

. 2013;8:1289-1293. doi:10.2147/CIA.S35926

Hellyer PW, Crump K, Shafford HL, Wagner AE, Mama KR, Gaynor JS. The use of PEMF therapy to provide post-operative analgesia in the dog. 

. 2000;27(2):104. doi:10.1046/j.1467-2995.2000.0001

Alvarez LX, McCue J, Lam NK, Askin G, Fox PR. Effect of targeted pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on canine postoperative hemilaminectomy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 

. 2019;55(2):83-91. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6798

Zidan N, Fenn J, Griffith E, et al. The effect of electromagnetic fields on post-operative pain and locomotor recovery in dogs with acute, severe thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion: a randomized placebo-controlled, prospective clinical trial. 

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An S, Li J, Xie W, Yin N, Li Y, Hu Y. Extracorporeal shockwave treatment in knee osteoarthritis: therapeutic effects and possible mechanism. 

. 2020;40(11): BSR20200926. doi:10.1042/BSR2020096

Dahlberg J, Fitch G, Evans RB, McClure SR, Conzemius M. The evaluation of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in naturally occurring osteoarthritis of the stifle joint in dogs. 

Adequan Canine. Prescribing information. American Regent Animal Health. 2021. Accessed November 17, 2023. https://www.adequancanine.com/Prescribing-Information

de Haan JJ, Goring RL, Beale BS. Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans for the treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs. 

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Fujiki M, Shineha J, Yamanokuchi K, Misumi K, Sakamoto H. Effects of treatment with polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and C-reactive protein concentrations, serum matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 activities, and lameness in dogs with arthritis. 

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Barbeau-Gregoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, Moreau M, Lussier B, Troncy E. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. 

. 2022;23(18);10384. doi:10.3390/ijms231810384

Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. 

. 2010;236(1):67-73. doi:10.2460/javma.236.167

Roush JK, Dodd CE, Fritsch DA, et al. Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. 

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Fritsch DA, Allen TA, Dodd CE, et al. A multicenter study of the effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on carprofen dosage in dogs with osteoarthritis. 

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Therapies include manual therapy, oral joint supplements, and intra-articular injections

Nonpharmacologic management of canine osteoarthritis: Part 2

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! As the first week of 2024 comes to a close, we are continuing to prepare for our trip to Orlando, Florida to cover the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX). Be sure to check in on dvm360.com through the conference to get our day-to-day coverage, interviews with key industry leaders, and more!

With another week wrapping up, here is what was popular this week on dvm360.com:

The American Veterinary Medical Association 

 the results of a pet owner survey aiming to better understand how pet parents think about veterinary care in the United States, surveying 1000 pet owners.

As part of our coverage of the Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California, 

 are some best practices Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, owner of Animal Behavior Clinic, Portland, Oregon, recommends when handling routine feline exams with a focus on reducing fear.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, rings in the new year with Ricky Walthers, DVM, chief medical officer at Pawlicy Advisor, to discuss all things pet insurance.

led by Deborah Knapp, DVM, MS, DACVIM-Oncology, found that cigarette smoke exposure can increase the risk of a Scottish terrier developing bladder cancer by 6 times.

Our Australian correspondent Phil Tucak, BSC, BVMS, 

 an update on how Erica Honey, Master Emergency Management, BSc (Hons), GradCertPDev, RVN, and MBA/MHRM candidate, is educating emergency services and veterinary professionals on how to care for a pet in emergencies, plus introduces readers to the first female chief veterinary officer of Australia.

Wrap up: New survey gauges the thoughts of pet owners, and other veterinary news 

Dr. Treat will open a location in Burlingame, Calif., in January 2024. Dr. Treat's goal is simple: Focus on wellness rather than illness and provide proactive and preventive care to help animals live longer, healthier and happier lives.

The opening of a second Dr. Treat clinic in January 2024 represents a significant milestone for the company. Dr. Treat’s flagship clinic on Union Street in San Francisco celebrated its first anniversary earlier this year. Access to Dr. Treat’s services are available through a membership. This membership allows members to get unlimited access to the clinic and Telehealth platform annually. Clients are able to use the Dr. Treat mobile app for all of their pet’s care needs, including booking, canceling or rescheduling appointments, accessing digitized pet medical records in real time, requesting refills on prescriptions, or communicating with the Dr. Treat team and doing Telehealth appointments, among other actions.

Dr. Treat’s goal is to leverage technology and data to create individualized treatment plans designed around each pet’s unique needs and characteristics. To that end, Dr. Treat has built its own Patient Information Management Software to make it easy and seamless for its teams to offer the highest quality of care, consistently

Dr. Treat’s clinics are built to fear-free standards to create a low anxiety environment for pets. Both clinics offer a reduced-stress environment to pets, pet parents and the veterinary care team in a ‘state of the heart’ environment. Additionally, all members of the Dr. Treat team are Fear-Free certified. Both clinics offer state-of-the-art surgical, diagnostic, and dental equipment onsite, as well as a pharmacy. The San Francisco clinic was recently named 1 of 5 Merit winners in dvm360's 2023 Hospital Design Competition.

"We are building one of the most technologically advanced veterinary care companies and creating aesthetically designed spaces for anxiety-free experiences,” said Rakesh Tondon, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Treat. “Our goal is to provide best-in-class quality of care for pets and an amazing experience for pet parents, while also driving down costs through the use of technology.”

In 2022, Dr. Treat received $10.5M in seed capital from many Silicon Valley-based investors who recognized the potential of the company's tech-focused approach to veterinary care. The funding round was led by Y Combinator, Liquid2, Epic Ventures, Quarry Ventures, Builders VC, Garuda Ventures, Scrum Ventures, UpHonest Capital and the Rebel Fund, among others. In addition, Dr. Treat had significant interest from animal lovers and angel investors, including Ben Silbermann (Founder/CEO of Pinterest), Divesh Makan (Founder/CEO of ICONIQ Capital), Ravi Sajwan (COO of 5 Hour Energy), Mick Murray (ex-CFO of Blue Cross) and Caterina Fake (Founder of Flickr), among others.

Dr. Treat’s Burlingame clinic will open at 220 Primrose Rd. in late January 2024. For more information, visit Dr. Treat's website.

Dr. Treat Anticipates Opening Its Burlingame Clinic in January 2024