The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $20.3 million renewal grant to a medical research program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU Vet Med). The 5-year grant issued by NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN), a program administered by LSU Vet Med and the university’s Division of Biotechnology & Molecular Medicine (BioMMeD).

“This renewed investment allows us to deepen our commitment to supporting researchers and students across Louisiana while launching new initiatives in areas like artificial intelligence, data science, and interdisciplinary research,” Gus Kousoulas, PhD, MS, department head, director of BioMMeD, and professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at LSU Vet Med, said in a news release. 

The renewed grant marks a major milestone in advancing biomedical research capacity across Louisiana, according to the university.The LBRN is a statewide program established in 2001 and dedicated to enhancing faculty development, student training, and research infrastructure across Louisiana’s public and private institutions. Over the past 2 decades, LBRN has played a vital role in fostering collaborative research, advancing STEM education, expanding opportunities for students from high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, and faculty development at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUI) throughout Louisiana.

“We are thankful to all our partner institutions and to the dedicated team whose hard work has contributed to the success of the program,” Ojasvi Dutta, MS, assistant director of BIoMMeD and program manager for LBRN, and Seetharama Jois, PhD, MS, PBS professor and LBRN program coordinator, said in a joint statement. “The recently developed LBRN Training Platform, built and managed in collaboration with BioMMeD, will serve as a cornerstone for advancing biomedical research training in the years ahead.”

In addition to the NIH funding, LBRN has secured approximately $1.91 million in matching and cost-sharing support from state and institutional partners. With these combined resources, total program support for the next 5 years exceeds $22.2 million. Partners include the following:

$1.2 million over five years from the Louisiana Board of Regents

$100,000 each from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Health Shreveport, and Tulane University

$30,000 each from 7 primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to support undergraduate summer research and infrastructure, totaling $210,000

As the central hub for LBRN, BioMMeD and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine will continue to lead collaborative training efforts across the state, enhance virtual learning tools through the LBRN Training Platform, integrate AI and machine learning training modules, and support faculty development across Louisiana’s PUI’s and research institutions.

“I am thrilled that we are the administrative hub of the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network under Dr. Gus Kousoulas’ talented leadership. We are a veterinary and biomedical powerhouse at LSU Vet Med, serving all of Louisiana to better lives—animal and human,” said Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, dean of LSU Vet Med, said in the release. “Our scientists are making groundbreaking advances in lung health and disease, neuroscience, cancer, infectious disease, and veterinary clinical science. We build teams that win for Louisiana and the world.”

$20.3 million NIH renewal boosts Louisiana Biomedical Research Network. News release. Louisiana State University. August 1, 2025.

Articles

The award was granted to the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network, which is administered jointly by LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine and the Division of Biotechnology & Molecular Medicine.

NIH awards $20.3M grant to Louisiana research program

Note that many of this year’s industry events are being held in person or via a combination of live and virtual learning. Please visit individual event websites for details.

https://registration.dvm360.com/fetch-kansas-city-2025

https://www.vhma.org/education/conferences/annual-meeting-2025

International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium (IVECCS)

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA Con)

https://fvma.org/conferences/tgavc-coming-soon/

https://www.dvm360events.com/event/fetch-national-harbor/

Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) Annual Conference

https://catvets.com/2025-felinevma-annual-conference/

https://www.veterinarydentalforum.org/future-conferences

American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) Surgery Summit

Upcoming industry events and association meetings are listed. 

Veterinary conference calendar (August 2025)

A recent survey revealed that two-thirds of dogs consume heavy metals in their drinking water above levels set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study, published August 6, 2025, in 

, analyzed well water samples from households across 10 US states not connected to municipal water systems.

For the study, 178 owners of dogs participating in the Dog Aging Project, a long-term study of canine health and aging, mailed samples of their dogs’ drinking water for testing and provided information about their dogs’ health and their home’s drinking water supply.

Researchers then tested for 28 different metals in these water samples and identified 126 instances when arsenic, lead, copper, sodium, strontium, nickel, or vanadium were above EPA’s maximum contaminant levels or health guidance levels. Approximately half of the 28 metals tested have established maximum contaminant levels or health guidance levels.

According to the study, 13 of the 126 instances tested above EPA-recommended levels for arsenic, lead, and copper. Detectable levels of all 28 metals tested were found in all 178 samples.

“Many households served by private wells are flying under the regulatory radar. Dogs living in these homes may be our first warning signs of environmental exposures in underserved rural areas,” the study’s authors wrote.

According to reports, approximately 15 million households in the country use private well water that is not regulated by the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act.

 This puts residents of these homes at an increased risk of ingesting heavy metals leaching into groundwater, which can cause health issues in the long run.

The metals with maximum contaminant levels from the 28 tested are known for causing chronic health issues in humans following long-term consumption.

 Additionally, the researchers found a potential link between titanium and chromium in drinking water and the development of health conditions in dogs.

The study also found a link between environmental factors and the presence of metals in these canines' drinking water. For example, water from homes near fracking sites contained higher levels of sodium and sulfur, whereas proximity to railroad tracks was associated with higher manganese levels. Moreover, dogs drinking water treated with reverse osmosis were less likely to experience nonchronic health conditions.

According to the researchers, a more in-depth study with a larger, stratified sample analyzing the composition of dogs’ drinking water may be needed to explore long-term health and wellness outcomes in dogs living in diverse geographies.

“These results may impact veterinary care decisions and husbandry, and underscore the validity and importance of utilizing dogs as sentinels of human health outcomes in the context of drinking water contamination,” the study authors wrote.

Researchers from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the University of Washington, and the Dog Aging Project Consortium carried out the study, which was funded by the National Institute on Aging.

What’s in your pup’s bowl? heavy metals, reveals 10-state survey. News release. August 6, 2025. 

Sexton CL, O’Brien J, Lytle J, et al. Testing for heavy metals in drinking water collected from Dog Aging Project participants. 

. 2025;4(7):e0000296. doi:10.1371/journal.pwat.0000296

“Many households served by private wells are flying under the regulatory radar,” noted the researchers of the survey.

Study finds higher-than-recommended levels of heavy metals in dogs’ drinking water

 When clients pay at the front desk, the experience sometimes feels transactional. How can our client service team show value for fees at checkout?

 To avoid perceptions that it’s “all about the money,” your client service representatives (CSRs) must communicate value before asking for payment. Clients must perceive that the value of care equals or exceeds fees. Explain the services and products that were delivered and how they benefited the pet. Take this approach:

 You likely greeted the client 30 minutes ago at check-in, or you can glance at the schedule to learn the client and patient names. Let’s say a client with a golden retriever is approaching the desk at 10:30 AM, and you see there was a 10 AM wellness appointment for a golden retriever. Say, “Hello, [client name] and [pet name]. I will get you checked out for today’s services.”

Summarize services before sharing the total.

ients need to be reminded of what care was delivered to create the perception of value. Don’t say every line item or individual fees. 

“Dr [name] gave [pet name] a nose-to-tail exam, vaccines to protect from [list vaccines], an intestinal parasite test, a heartworm/tick test, and refills of 12 doses of flea/tick and heartworm disease preventives. We applied the instant rebate for your preventives, saving you [dollar amount]. You will receive a text reminder each month on the day to give the medication. Your total is [dollar amount]. Which payment method will you use today?” 

The client may have received a dozen professional services along with products. State that rebates were applied so clients understand the benefits of purchasing drugs from your practice. Explain how you will support the client with follow-up dosing reminders. Say the total after summarizing services and products.

Have clients pay after—not before—discharge appointments.

 You risk “all about the money” reactions if you collect payment before discharge appointments. Clients need to hear about services performed, view diagnostic and imaging results, and get at-home care instructions from the medical team before paying. The patient stays in the treatment area during the discharge appointment with a technician. A pet in the exam room will be a distraction, making it harder for the client to comprehend the care delivered and at-home care instructions. When closing the discharge appointment, the technician will say,

“I will go to the treatment area now to get [pet name]. We will meet you at the checkout desk, where you will pay for today’s services. Thanks for the opportunity to care for [pet name].”

When collecting payment for procedures, summarize categories rather than explaining every line on multipage invoices. While the client is in the discharge appointment, a CSR will review the procedure invoice. If unfamiliar with any services, the CSR can ask medical staff before presenting the bill to the client.

“Thanks for the opportunity to treat [pet name's] dental disease and perform oral surgery. [Pet name] had an exam and a preanesthetic test to check the health of organs and to tailor anesthetic protocols. [Pet name] received injections of antibiotics and pain medication. We administered anesthesia and monitored the heart rate, level of oxygen in the blood, and body temperature during the procedure. The technician reviewed dental x-rays and at-home care instructions with you, which were also emailed. [Pet name] had a dental cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatment. Oral surgery included the removal of 4 teeth. You are going home with pain medication and soft canned food for a comforting recovery. We provided a complimentary pedicure, a value of [dollar amount]. Your total is [dollar amount]. Which payment method will you use today?”

Summarize services in the order that care was delivered, starting with the exam and preanesthetic test and ending with medications that will be given at home. Explain the “why” behind preanesthetic testing: “to check the health of organs and to tailor anesthetic protocols.” Email at-home care instructions to make it easier for clients to forward information to other caregivers. Mention complimentary services such as a nail trim, along with the dollar value of the free service.

 Say, “Your total is [dollar amount]. Which payment method will you use today?” If checking out a new client, share which payment methods you accept: “We accept cash, checks, debit and credit cards, and [third-party provider]. Which payment method do you prefer?”

is simple and genuine. If a future appointment was scheduled during checkout, explain that the appointment reminder will print on today’s receipt, and a text or email confirmation will be sent. Clients will see itemized services and fees on invoices, which builds trust and confidence in your practice.

After collecting payment for a wellness appointment, ask whether the client prefers a printed or emailed receipt. Close with, “Thanks for visiting us today, [client name]. We appreciate the opportunity to care for [pet name]. We have booked [pet name’s] next checkup in 6 months on [date, time]. An appointment reminder is on today’s receipt. We also sent a text confirmation. Please reach out if you have questions before we see you and [pet name] again.” 

Let’s say you’re checking out a procedure and a progress exam was scheduled. After summarizing services and products on the invoice, say, “We wish a successful surgical outcome for [pet name]. We will see your pet for a progress exam to check the incision site on [date, time] and send a text confirmation. If you have questions before then, please contact us. Thank you for the opportunity to care for [pet name], and we will see you soon.”

To give CSRs confidence when presenting surgical and dental invoices, have your manager run a report to identify the top 10 procedures performed at your practice. Print these invoices and have a CSR team meeting to discuss how to present them. A technician or veterinarian can attend the meeting to explain procedures and answer questions. After discussing procedure invoices, have CSRs practice presenting them. Because role-playing can be an intimidating experience, use the term “skill drill.” Have CSRs work in pairs to practice the skill, which will be more comfortable than speaking in front of the entire group.

When CSRs are confident in your fees and the value your hospital provides, clients will feel more comfortable with the cost of care. Pet owners will say, “Wow, is that all?” instead of “Wow, it’s how much?”

Need a script for a client conversation? Submit your scenario to info@csvets.com for consideration in future columns.

Best known as the “Queen of Scripts,” 

,  knows the right words will lead clients to accept your medical advice, driving patient and practice health. As founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches practical skills through online courses, conferences, and on-site consulting. Myers’ experience as a partner in a specialty and emergency hospital helped her understand issues that owners and managers face. Learn how Myers can train your team at csvetscourses.com.

Arm your team with concise checkout scripts that spotlight service value, ensuring pet owners feel confident in both care and fees.

Showing value for fees during checkout

With school starting back up again soon, there will be classes full of first-year veterinary students ready to begin their careers within the industry. On this week's episode of 

presented by dvm360,  host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Sophia Jodka, a veterinary student at Colorado State University and a member of the dvm360 student ambassador program, to talk about her life as a first year veterinary student and her work with the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA). Throughout the episode, Christman and Jodka emphasize the importance of balancing veterinary medicine and personal interests, her research on West Nile Virus and preventing type 2 diabetes in a teenage girl, and more. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity

Sophia, you remember when you were in prevet, and I remember too, it gets a little competitive. So what [are] some pieces of advice that you would give to prevet students out there hoping to get involved in veterinary medicine?

: I think competition is definitely one of the biggest things that we face, and it really, really can get pretty cutthroat, and it's not at every school, and it's not at every prevet club, and it's not every prevet student, but there definitely are some people who can take the competition to a really, really high level, and I think that one of the tips is just to be really careful with who you're surrounding yourself with. There are so many incredible and supportive prevet students across the country, and those are really the ones that you want to be allying yourself with as you're going through this process, because it can be so stressful. You want to have good people in your corner. And I also stress just trying things outside veterinary medicine, too, during your prevet years. So like, becoming a group fitness instructor, but even if it's just joining a club that's not preveterinary related, and making sure that you still have those social networks and those connections that are not tied to vet school, I think that can be really helpful. 

And then I always just like to remind students that there really is room for everybody in veterinary medicine. So even if you're standing in a room of 10 different applicants, I can guarantee you that you all want to do something at least a little bit different. So it's not so much of stepping on each other's toes. We're not all competing for the exact same job position. There are so, so many things you can do in this field. You can go into research. You can do small [animal], you can do large [animal]. You can specialize. So even with all the preveterinary students out there, I really, really believe there's room for everyone. So make sure that in your daily activities, you're reaching out to those people and setting a good example of how you want to support your colleagues and future classmates.

Podcasts

Discover insights from first-year veterinary student Sophia Jodka on balancing academics and personal interests during preveterinary and veterinary school.

The power of passion: Shaping a career in veterinary medicine

A real estate group specializing in veterinary spaces transformed a former brewery in Washington into a veterinary hospital for a chain of veterinary care providers. Meanwhile, a membership-based veterinary care company announced it received more than $50 million in funding to continue growing their operations, while in California, an independently and veterinarian-owned urgent care recently opened its doors.

Small Door Veterinary raises $55M in funding

The membership-based veterinary care company Small Door Veterinary recently announced it has raised $55 million in new funding for its next stage of growth. The move comes as the organization achieved several milestones for its development, including the appointment of 

Kristen Lombardi as its first chief operating officer

 and the opening of 2 new Small Door clinics in McLean, Virginia, and 

The funding round includes $35 million in equity financing by Valspring Capital. Existing investors, including Primary Venture Partners, C&S Family Capital, Lerer Hippeau, and Toba Capital, will continue to support. The round also includes a new loan of $20 million from Bridge Bank. According to Small Door, the funds will be used to support new practice openings, technology infrastructure, medical operations, and more.

“Small Door’s model is one of the most compelling we’ve seen in veterinary care,” said Yumin Choi, managing partner at Valspring Capital, in a news release.

 “The team has built a category-defining brand with clinical rigor, hospitality-grade service, and a scalable platform. We’re excited to support them as they bring this experience to more pet families nationwide.”

A former brewery in Tukwila, Washington, was turned into a veterinary space for a BluePearl Pet Hospital that was originally located in the city of Renton. The space was acquired by TerraVet Real Estate Solutions—a real estate group that focuses on veterinary properties— in partnership with BluePearl. The acquisition totaled $4.825 million, with a $1 million contribution in tenant improvements. 

BluePearl has since relocated to the renovated space in Tukwila, which spans 14,825 sq ft, which is more than double the size of BluePearl’s prior location in Renton. The 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital features advanced treatment capabilities and offers more than 20 specialties and services, including dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation, surgery, hemodialysis, and more. 

"Turning an idle site into a high-functioning veterinary hospital is exactly the kind of outcome we aim for," Daniel Eisenstadt, CEO of Terravet, said in a company release.

 "This project shows how adaptive reuse can meet the needs of veterinary operators and the communities they serve. We've reinforced BluePearl's long-term presence by delivering a property that works for them and increasing access to high-quality pet care in South King County."

Paw Priority Veterinary Urgent Care opens in Los Angeles, California

A new, independently owned veterinary urgent care center called Paw Priority has opened in Los Angeles, California. In addition to offering urgent care, the 3200 sq ft facility also takes house calls and provides acupuncture, wellness exams, vaccinations, and surgery. Moreover, the practice treats a variety of emergencies, including digestive issues, urinary pathology, limping and other injuries, neurologic emergencies and seizures, coughing and sneezing, and more.

According to an email from Paw Priority’s publicist to 

, the veterinary urgent care center aims to offer a calm, upscale alternative to clinics that are corporate-run. “We created a practice that is a lifeline for pets with urgent illness needs, bridging the gap when regular vets are stretched thin and ER waits are too long. It's about providing the right care at the right time," said Ezra Ameis, DVM, owner of Paw Priority.

Small Door Veterinary raises $55 million to scale proven membership-based model. News release. Small Door Veterinary. July 29, 2025.

TerraVet Real Estate Solutions acquires nearly $5 million former brewery for BluePearl Pet Hospital in Seattle Metro. News release. TerraVet Real Estate Solutions. July 22, 2025. Accessed August 6, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722645998/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Acquires-Nearly-%245-Million-Former-Brewery-for-BluePearl-Pet-Hospital-in-Seattle-Metro

Advanced care for every paw. Paw Priority Veterinary Urgent Care. Accessed August 6, 2025. https://pawpriority.vet/

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.