Displaying items by tag: Veterinarians

The Heartwarming Series HEARTLAND DOCS, DVM Returns for an All-New Season on Nat Geo WILD Speak with the Show’s Stars, Married Veterinarian Team Drs. Erin and Ben Schroeder Get Important Springtime Tips for Keeping Your Pets Clean & Healthy! HeartlandDocs_S4_PR_HP_CAROUSEL_PREMIERE 2 In picturesque, rural Hartington, Nebraska, Drs. Erin and Ben Schroeder are a married team of veterinarians whose unbridled commitment to the community’s generational farmers is paramount to the preservation of the nation’s food supply. Along with their teenage sons, Charlie and Chase, the doctors are always on the go as their veterinary practice cares for the region’s myriad of animals in need, including cows, pot-bellied pigs, llamas, deer and possum. The Schroeders’ credo extends beyond saving the animals on which America depends; it’s about making each visit something to look forward to for both the animals and their caretakers, even in the toughest conditions. From winter blizzards to spring tornadoes and blistering summer heat waves, Drs. Erin and Ben Schroeder overcome the obstacles with skill and heart. The hit series Heartland Docs, DVM returns for a third season on Nat Geo WILD on Saturday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 27 on Disney+, and there’s no shortage of animals in need of help. This season, viewers will see Drs. Erin and Ben rush to the rescue when a car accident leaves three beloved horses injured; save a fawn after she falls off a cliff; rescue a tiny Silky Terrier with three babies stuck inside; come to the aid of a heifer who has her head stuck in a gate, and much more. And with the arrival of spring and springtime cleaning plans, the doctors can offer a number of tips for pet owners on keeping dogs & cats healthy and clean. Drs. Ben and Erin can recommend how often to wash pets’ beds, water & food bowls, and toys and what cleaning products to use (or not use). Find out which flowers and plants may be toxic for pets; which pets’ products you should upgrade or toss out; and reminders for sometimes-overlooked pet care tasks like tooth brushing, nail trimming and flea and tick prevention. A homegrown Nebraskan, Dr. Ben Schroeder was born into his family’s veterinary practice and has been assisting animals since before he could walk. At Kansas State University, he met his partner in life and business, Dr. Erin -- a fellow animal lover from a small town in upstate New York who knew from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Within six months they were married, and the two moved back to Ben’s hometown in Nebraska (which they consider the best spot in the country) to take over the family practice. Click Here for Bios For more info, visit: https://www.natgeotvpressroom.com/titles/show/5dfbcb85fa68ec0a75326224 NATGEOWILD-Logo-Blk HeartlandDocsS2_20201110_0109_f RADIO INTERVIEW WITH DRS. ERIN AND BEN SCHROEDER DATE Thursday, April 21, 2022 TIMES 9:00am - 11:30am ET 6:00am - 9:30am PT Heartland Docs, DVM Returns Saturday, April 23, at 10pm ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD and is Available Wednesday, April 27 on Disney+

DULUTH, Ga., Aug. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 900 veterinary students and leaders from three dozen veterinary schools in the U.S. convened virtually this week for the annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. They learned from researchers, public health officials and industry experts about the global burden of disease, infectious disease control and potential pathways for research careers – such as in emerging and transboundary diseases – where their veterinary training and One Health perspective is critical.

In addition, several students were recognized with Boehringer Ingelheim Research Awards for Graduate Veterinarians and Veterinary Students. Winning students receive monetary prizes and a stipend to attend the Symposium to accept their awards and present their research.

Dr. Brittany Szafran, from Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine, received the 2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Award for Graduate Veterinarians, which promotes research in veterinary biosciences. It recognizes graduate veterinarians who have completed or will soon complete a Ph.D. program or are in their final years of residency training in veterinary pathology, medicine, surgery, radiology/ imaging, or laboratory animal medicine. Dr Szafran's work has focused on the underlying biochemical and immunologic mechanisms in response to pesticides to better understand and help protect the health of people, animals, and the environment from the potential toxicity of chemicals.

Carley Allen, from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, received the 2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Award for Veterinary Students. Allen's research has focused on investigating a novel molecular target for inhibiting cell growth and improving survival in canine osteosarcoma, the most common skeletal malignancy of dogs and a beneficial comparative and translational model for human osteosarcoma.

Brittany Allen, from Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and Jaqueline Chevalier, from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, also received recognition as honorable mention Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholars.

The annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium was hosted this year by Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, and sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. The symposium showcases research conducted by veterinary students in the course of their Veterinary Scholar Program research internships.

"These students are joining the life sciences field at a remarkable time. The frequency of pandemics and transboundary threats is predicted to increase, presenting new and greater risks to human and animal health, as well as our food supply," Caroline Belmont, head of U.S. Animal Health Innovation for Boehringer Ingelheim, said in a welcome address to participants. "The One Health perspectives and capabilities of today's veterinary students will undoubtedly play a critical role in addressing our future challenges, and the hands-on experience, guidance and support we provide them now represents an important investment in the future health of animals and humans."

The Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program was established more than 30 years ago to introduce first- and second-year veterinary medical students to biomedical research. At each participating school, Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars are assigned a mentor and laboratory. Each scholar conducts a hypothesis-driven research project. The research project is typically conducted over a 10-12-week period during the summer, with students presenting their work at the conclusion. Nearly 5,000 students have received stipends from Boehringer Ingelheim to conduct research since the program started. More information is available at http://veterinaryscholars.boehringer-ingelheim.com/.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 9,700 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment guides us every day. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of $4.7 billion (4.1 billion euros) in 2020 and presence in more than 150 countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has a significant presence in the United States, with more than 3,100 employees in places that include Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, www.facebook.com/BoehringerAHUS or www.twitter.com/Boehringer_AH.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim has been independent and family owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, with around 52,000 employees, we create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing.

In 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around $22.33 billion (19.57 billion euros). Our significant investment of over $4.2 billion (3.7 billion euros) in 2020 (18.9% of net sales) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. —It was a turkey sandwich she’ll never forget.

On March 19, with the University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals closed for all but emergencies because of COVID-19, Erin Gorey, a client liaison for the UF Large Animal Hospital, was doing her job as best she could given so much uncertainty and operational changes. Suddenly, dozens of boxes of lunches arrived, filled with turkey, ham and vegan sandwiches, chips and cookies.

The 40 meals arrived courtesy of Sally DeNotta, D.V.M., Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor and UF’s equine extension veterinarian, and Chris Sanchez, D.V.M., Ph.D., the interim associate dean for clinical affairs at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and a large animal internist.

“It was really nice to have the lunches at such a kind of a crazy and unknowing time,” said Gorey, who assisted in delivering the meals to several different locations within the hospital when they arrived. “It really mattered that they thought of us that way.”

As essential faculty, house officers and staff worked valiantly to keep the hospitals running and to care for their animal patients, all the while navigating the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their own families, faculty clinicians from the large and small animal hospitals recognized the toll the situation was taking on their co-workers. A few who regularly patronized certain local restaurants were also acutely aware of the consequences the pandemic was having on these establishments.

“We wanted to thank the people working so hard to keep the hospital going, while also raising awareness of the major hit our favorite restaurants and their owners were taking as a consequence of the social restrictions,” DeNotta said.

The result: Carry Out and Carry On, an effort through which DeNotta and Sanchez purchased 40 boxed lunches from Fresco’s Pizza & Pasta and Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill, both located in Haile Village, and had the meals delivered to appreciative employees of the large animal hospital. 

“The restaurants were still selling meals as takeout, and everybody loves free food, so it seemed like a win-win,” DeNotta said.

DeNotta, a Haile resident, and Sanchez, a former Haile resident, had a special affinity for Frescos and Limerock. Both knew the restaurants’ owners, Gordy and Jen Braund, a local couple who support various charities and fundraisers throughout the year. Gordy Braund personally packed the meals to ensure that all were made as cleanly and safely as possible.

Meanwhile, at the other side of the hospital complex, Kris Cooke, D.V.M., an associate professor of small animal medicine, was mulling a similar concept.

“Dr. Sanchez is the common denominator,” Cooke said. “I’d been talking to her about trying to support local restaurants to try to keep them in business. She mentioned what Sally planned to do, and I thought it was a great idea. So I stole it.”

The restaurant Cooke especially wanted to support was Blue Gill Quality Foods, a popular spot for UF employees located on SW 13th Street near the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital. Blue Gill is owned by Chef Bert Gill and his wife, Tara, who also own Mildred’s Big City Foods and New Deal Café.

“He’s a big supporter of local agriculture,” Cooke said. “On a personal level, the staff at Blue Gill is fabulous and know many of us from the UF vet school on a first-name basis.”

Blue Gill has also supported the Alachua County Veterinary Medical Association by allowing the group to schedule meetings there, said Cooke’s small animal clinical sciences colleague, Amy Stone, D.V.M., Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor who serves as secretary/treasurer of the group. 

Cooke talked to a few of her colleagues about the possibility of pooling resources, given that the number of faculty and staff working in the small animal hospital is quite a bit larger than those working in the large animal facility.

“I ordered 90 lunches from Blue Gill for me to pick up on the designated day,” Cooke said. “Later, the staff at Blue Gill called me to offer to deliver the lunches, because they were worried that I wouldn't have enough room in my car. Ninety lunches disappeared in a matter of minutes!”

Unfortunately, Blue Gill closed soon after the lunches were delivered. Closing its doors was essential to ensure the best likelihood of its eventual reopening, Bert Gill said, adding that the hardest thing was having to lay off 47 employees, although he hopes to bring them back. Gill continues to cook his made-from-scratch, locally sourced food for takeout at his other restaurants, and devotes much of his time these days to community feeding efforts in conjunction with other partners.

His relationships with the veterinary school and UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are longstanding and sincere, Gill said.

“We get to know a lot of people, and have a genuine culture within the business, caring about what we do, and the needs of our guests. When Vet Med comes in, it’s a big deal. And I watch how everybody develops relationships with my co-workers and myself, and there is genuineness to that.”

Gordy Braund, Fresco’s owner, also had to lay off employees. Fresco’s last meal was served on April 11. Limerock Café, remains open — for now.

“This all hit us in our busiest time of the year, and we don’t have a road map, unfortunately. Nobody does,” Braund said. “We’re going a day at a time, a week at a time, negotiating with vendors and trying to keep going as well as we can.”

He said the UF veterinary college interested him because it brings faculty to the community from all over the world and, he said, veterinarians by nature tend to be community-minded people.

“Sally’s a good example of how someone comes to town and forms a bond,” Braund said. “She came to us and said, ‘You need help, and the people in the large animal clinic need help, so let’s collaborate.’”

On the day the boxed lunches were delivered to the UF Large Animal Hospital, DeNotta showed up at Frescos in a Limerock T-shirt, running shorts, gloves and a mask and helped load and deliver the lunches.

“Those lunches amounted to half of our sales for that day,’’ Braund said. “It was a huge part of our revenue.’’

Numerous emails of thanks and calls to the restaurant ensued. DeNotta’s efforts even generated another request for 40 meals to be delivered to UF Health. “This allowed us to stay in business and do a little good,” Braund said. “It was good for our staff, a number of people heard about it and ordered other meals and it was good all around. We were grateful for that opportunity to connect.”

Large animal veterinary technician Chelsea Lopez, was among those who enjoyed her lunch that day.

Alex Fox-Alvarez, D.V.M., an assistant professor of small animal surgery at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has a reputation for taking innovative approaches to teaching.

So when COVID-19 safety measures implemented at UF meant fourth-year veterinary students were suddenly released from clinics on March 17 and faculty members needed to convert course content into an online format within one week, Fox-Alvarez turned a challenge into an opportunity for creative problem-solving.

 “I wanted to make sure that my rounds included the elements of clinics that students would miss out on while away from the UF Small Animal Hospital,” Fox-Alvarez said.

The list was long: There’d need to be client communication, taking a patient’s history, making a diagnostic plan and interpreting tests to determine the best next step in care. Skills typically learned by observation — including how to communicate findings to the client and develop plans for treatment and postoperative care, provide detailed surgical procedural explanations and even address ethical dilemmas — would need to be communicated by distance learning.

Fox-Alvarez reached for video, which he regularly used for surgical teaching during his residency training at UF and later as a faculty member. He scrambled to rework old surgery lectures into an online rounds format that would suffice to replicate the vast clinical experience for students over a relatively short period of time. When it soon became clear that students would remain away from clinics for longer than previously thought, his initial concept evolved into a platform that could deliver long-term online learning: Veterinary Isolated Clinical Education, or VICE, Rounds. 

 “I wanted to incorporate as many example case images and videos as possible so that students could have a more memorable experience with the case, which would hopefully help them understand the key points they would need to take away for use in practice,” he said. “I also wanted to make sure to include the experience of case rounds and discussing diseases and treatment options in a relaxed way in a small group with faculty.”

He created organized breaks in his initial rounds presentation to allow for discussion of key points immediately before they were illustrated in the slides, as well as worksheets for grading.

“These rounds are really fun to build and record, but doing a lecture well takes a lot of energy. It didn’t take long to realize what a monumental task creating a comprehensive online substitute for clinical education would be, especially in the face of the abrupt chaos falling upon all veterinary colleges at once,” he said.

“There was no way any one institution could do it alone, especially in a time-frame fast enough to benefit the students now. Fortunately, Vet Med is a small, tightknit and passionate profession and I knew there would be colleagues elsewhere who would also be interested in making and volunteering their recorded rounds topics to benefit educators and students in our shared community.”

Fox-Alvarez then set up all of the logistics online to get the crowd-sourced VICE Rounds operational, and sent the initial call for volunteers to two surgery listservs where it spread and grew organically from there.

Volunteers contribute topic- and case-based rounds for on-demand streaming across teaching institutions, decreasing the pressure on each university to develop its own free-standing, off-site clinical curricula while managing urgent clinical needs, Fox-Alvarez said. 

Currently, there have been 19 recorded rounds uploaded, with over 50 more topics in progress from veterinarians at 15 different participating universities, including one from Canada and five specialty private practices, including one from the United Kingdom. Within just two weeks of the first VICE Rounds, the initiative had garnered mentions in an American Veterinary Medical Association newsletter and on the Veterinary Information Network.

With the help of his wife, Stacey Fox-Alvarez, D.V.M., a third-year veterinary medical oncology resident, Fox-Alvarez continues to finetune the project, involving more colleagues from UF and other institutions, harnessing the collective energy and creativity to enhance content and students’ learning experience in spite of the limitations in place.

Enough interest ensued that within a week, Fox-Alvarez had received additional recorded rounds from several other educators. From UF, rounds were contributed from his wife as well as from Penny Regier, D.V.M., an assistant professor of small animal surgery, and Alexander Thompson, D.V.M, an anesthesiology resident. Also contributing was Jacqueline Whittemore, D.V.M., Ph.D., an associate professor of small animal surgery at the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Whittemore, the first non-UF faculty member to volunteer to do a VICE rounds, said when she first read about the initiative, she was inspired to see people choosing to act in response to the pandemic, instead of to just their own circumstances. She worked deep into the night and wrapped up her first recording at 1 a.m.

“The biggest surprise for me has been all the feedback I have already received on it,” Whittemore said. “What has been more rewarding, however, is how much the catalog has grown between then and yesterday when I logged on to update the status for my newest rounds. It is a true testament to both the Fox-Alvarezes’ vision and the mettle of veterinary educators everywhere. We do, indeed, have some of the greatest jobs and colleagues on earth.”

Fox-Alvarez said he knew veterinary students everywhere in the clinical phase of their curriculum are probably disappointed that they are missing out on their clinical clerkships.

“But we are doing our damndest and so far, students have been very positive with feedback,” he said. “Although there is no substitute for experiential learning, VICE Rounds strive to emulate the clinical case experience using the unique resources and perspectives of veterinary educators from different specialties, universities and locations. I’m hopeful that this may serve as a lasting and reliable resource for students and veterinarians during an otherwise volatile time.”

The Guidelines and accompanying Client Brochure provide a guide to veterinary practitioners in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of these common infectious diseases in cats

Retrovirus Guidelines Press Preview

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Review written by Jon Patch with 3 paws out of 4

The Choice

Lionsgate, Nicholas Sparks Productions and Safran Company present a PG-13, 111 minute, Drama, Romance, directed by Ross Katz, screenplay by Bryan Sipe and novel by Nicholas Sparks with a theater release date of February 5, 2016.