Carl Palazzolo, DVM, graduated from veterinary school at Michigan State University in 1978. He practiced in Michigan for 2 years prior to moving to California in 1980. Palazzolo then worked at the Sun Surf Animal Hospital in Sunset Beach, California from 1980-1985 and then relief work from 1985-1989. He received his MBA in 1985 from Pepperdine and in 1989, purchased the Long Beach Animal Hospital. He sold that practice at the end of 2018.  Palazzolo has been in private practice for 46 years and taught conservation medicine and wildlife digital photography since the first trip to Africa in 1986. He is also an author of PULSE digital photography articles since 2015

Michael Shirley is Chief Empowerment Officer of Family Pet Health in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He believes that the key to success is to hire great people, equip them with the tools they need, and then work alongside them to accomplish great things. Before opening Family Pet Health with his wife, Amy Shirley, DVM, Michael enjoyed a 16-year career in education as a 4-H agent, then as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.  He uses his experience developing students to now train and empower his veterinary team. He also enjoys educating pet parents through social media channels, as well as his podcast, The Family Pet Podcast. In January of 2020, Michael created the Veterinary Leadership Book Club which can be found on Facebook and has more than 3,000 veterinary professionals as members.

Sheena Davis, LVT, VTS (Dentistry),VCC is a graduate of the Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh, earning her AS degree in specialized technology. Upon completion of her externship at the Animal Medical Center 2004 she sat for the VTNE in 2005 and passed. She is a New York-based veterinary technician that has over 18 years of experience in the field of small animal medicine. She earned her veterinary technician specialization in dentistry and certification in cannabis counseling in 2020. Davis enjoys lecturing at conferences, is a published peer-reviewed author, a host for the veterinary podcast “Catnip and Chill,” a board member for The Veterinary Cannabis Society, and is the owner of Big Apple LVT Consulting and Education.

Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today!  Erin Maegerle is currently in her second year at Rowan University, enrolled in the inaugural class of the Schriber School of Veterinary Medicine’s 3+4 BSDVM program. A 2023 magna cum laude graduate from Egg Harbor Township High School, she has been working in various roles in small animal practices in South Jersey since she was 16. Maegerle is also involved in a research lab at Rowan, studying the behavior of wildlife species in South Jersey. Growing up at the Jersey Shore, she developed a lifelong fascination with horseshoe crabs and is eager to learn more about their ecology and conservation. A passionate and accomplished musical theatre enthusiast, she recently starred as Philia in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Fool Moon Theatre Company in Margate, NJ. Maegerle also has a Shih Tzu named Phineas, a cat named Herman, and a variety of reptiles and is looking forward to a long and exciting career in veterinary medicine.

Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today! Greg Bishop, DVM, is here to draw some humor into veterinary medicine. A practicing veterinarian with a knack for storytelling, Bishop is also an author, speaker, cartoonist, and the illustrator of more than half a dozen beloved children's books. Known for his playful, yet well-researched approach, Bishop's recipe involves education and entertainment in equal proportions. He spices it up on his weekly blog, SasquatchPaw.com, with humorous and insightful takes on animal science, medical culture, and the absurd corners of modernity. A polished and versatile writer, he's also the official cartoonist for Veterinary Practice News, and submits cartoons monthly to The New Yorker. He's a restless creative, and an award-winning speaker and scientific writer. Bishop is here to entertain all audiences, great and small.  

Learn more and sign up for Fetch On-Demand here today. Ashley Randall, DVM, brings her passion for animal care and advocacy for underserved communities together as the founder and CEO of Muse Veterinary Group. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University in 2009,  Randall quickly became a rising talent treating pets at The Village Vets of Decatur. Her skills in surgery, dentistry, and emergency medicine speak for themselves. Yet her vision stretched beyond building an individual practice. Randall dreamed of creating opportunities for the next generation of vets, especially vets of color, to carry on the legacy of care in their neighborhoods. In 2015, she took a bold step - purchasing and renovating a defunct clinic to establish the West End Animal Wellness Center. Serving over 6,000 clients, the Wellness Center became a pillar in a vibrant local community. Now Randall is taking her advocacy work further with Muse Veterinary Group. By acquiring respected black-owned clinics, she preserves their legacies while empowering new vets to learn from the best. Her own journey lights the way, from Tuskegee graduate to practice owner to an entrepreneur building bridges between communities. At Muse, she's creating space for women of color to excel in a field where representation matters. Meet the vet rewriting the script and honoring the past while cultivating the talents of the future. Her drive to open doors for others is what makes Randall a leader worth watching and supporting. We're proud to have her vision guiding the way at Muse Veterinary Group.

Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, is an Ohio native and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. While attending Cornell, she earned numerous awards, including the Dermatology Service Award for her aptitude in clinical dermatology and her research on Malassezia otitis externa. After graduation, she completed an internship at the VCA Berwyn and Aurora animal hospitals in the Chicago area, where she was awarded the Intern Abstract Award for her presentation on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Griffin returned to Cornell in 2007 for a residency in dermatology and, after completing her residency training program, served 1 year as an instructor of dermatology, teaching fourth-year clinical students and lecturing to underclassmen on bacterial, fungal, and immune-mediated skin diseases. Griffin became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in August 2010 and joined the Animal Dermatology Group. She has a special interest in fungal and immune-mediated skin diseases, as well as feline and equine dermatology. She enjoys lecturing to fellow veterinarians, mentoring residents, and teaching the veterinary students who extern with her. Griffin also stars in the Nat Geo WILD television series Pop Goes the Vet With Dr Joya, which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology. Griffin always strives to care for her patients as if they are her own pets and loves building a long-lasting relationship with their pet parents. Outside of work, Griffin enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She is married to Forrest Cummings, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), a veterinary internal medicine specialist, and they have 3 children: Caden and boy/girl twins Coby and Carter. They have a kitten named Donut and 2 dogs, Guri and Magic. Griffin loves traveling, eating the delicious meals her hubby cooks for her, and working out. 

Greg Echols, DVM, is a small animal relief veterinarian providing service to pets in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Competitive bodybuilding and powerlifting are 2 of his favorite things to pursue outside of veterinary medicine. 

Sponsored by AVMA Trust. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode. Program Description: This podcast covers the rising trends and common causes of Veterinary Professional Liability (Malpractice) and Veterinary Board Complaints. We will also discuss what veterinarians can do to help avoid claims and how to protect themselves if they are faced with a Malpractice claim or License Complaint.  Learning Objectives: Learn about the most common causes of veterinary malpractice and Board complaints and what can be done to help avoid claims. Recognize that good medical record keeping and documentation is the most important defense if you are faced with a claim.

The National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 988. Annika VanNoy, PhD, is an accomplished leader in the veterinary field, currently serving as the senior director of talent and learning at Thrive Pet Healthcare. With a solid academic background culminating in a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin, VanNoy has dedicated her career to advancing the veterinary industry by enhancing practice management and optimizing team development. Her work focuses on creating and implementing talent strategies that empower veterinary professionals, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel in their roles. In addition to talent strategies, VanNoy oversees Thrive's wellbeing strategy.  VanNoy's expertise and innovative approach to talent management have been instrumental in driving the growth and success of Thrive Pet Healthcare, making her a key figure in the company's mission to revolutionize veterinary care.

Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, is a practicing board-certified veterinary emergency & critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, as well as a certified veterinary journalist, based in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree as a University Honors Scholar in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. He is the Co-Editor of the textbooks, Feline Emergency & Critical Care Medicine and Canine Emergency & Critical Care Medicine. He has also published chapters and articles in numerous textbooks and peer-reviewed medical journals.  

Andrew Ciccolini, DVM, MSOL, is currently the Medical Director for the National Mill Dog Rescue located in Colorado. A graduate from The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 he also has a Masters in Organizational Leadership. He spent 9 years on active duty with the Army Veterinary Corps and continues to serve in the National Guard. He also partnered with Galaxy Vets in 2022 to launch a telehealth initiative to help pets suffering from the war in Ukraine.  Active on social media as the @Okay_Vet, he has 3 dogs (all mutts!) and enjoys playing rugby, snowboarding, and hiking. 

Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU Heather E. Lewis, AIA, AAA, NCARB, is a principal of Animal Arts Design Studios. In her 24 years with the firm, Heather has been instrumental in the programming and design of numerous projects ranging in size from 1,400 to 110,000 square feet across the nation and beyond.  Heather has worked with hundreds of veterinary hospitals and animal sheltering organizations helping them to create environments that support staff efficiency, promote healing, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for the animals they care for. She assisted in writing the Fear Free® facility standards for veterinary hospitals. Heather has spoken at dozens of conferences and written numerous articles on animal care design topics.   

Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, is the chief veterinary officer for dvm360®—an MJH Life Sciences Company™—who oversees content strategy and development and is the brand voice and personality for dvm360®’s multimedia channels. As a charismatic leader, he brings wit, humor, and authenticity to animal health care as the host of dvm360 Live!™ a new web-based talk show, The Vet Blast Podcast, continuing education webinars, and live media broadcasts. Christman has also been in private practice and shelter medicine for 18 years and is currently a member and Treasurer of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. He received his DVM degree from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and his MBA from Aspen University. Christman is a national thought leader, speaker and author on practice management, social media, and rehabilitation, and co-authored, Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Pet Owner’s Guide for Owners Who Are Terrified of IVDD—a book on dogs with disabilities. He has been featured in multiple publications and appeared on various multimedia shows throughout the country sharing his expertise and passion on all things veterinary medicine. As an avid social media influencer for animal health care, he has over 800K followers on TikTok and 53K followers on Instagram. He loves to engage with fellow pet parents and veterinary professionals across social media. Christman is an advocate of Pride VMC and Pawsibilities. He is also the proud dog dad to 4 dachshunds and believes no one should be deprived of the incredible human-animal bond.

Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU David L. Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS(Small Animal), attended Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for his veterinary degree, Auburn University for a small animal rotating internship, and Mississippi State for a combined surgical residency and Masters degree. Dycus is frequently asked to lecture locally, nationally, and internationally. He has given over 250 continuing education lectures and taught over 150 laboratories. He has published numerous research articles and authored or co-authored several book chapters. He is the co-editor of the textbook: Complications in Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Surgery. In 2023 Dycus received the Veterinary Hero’s Award in surgery by DVM360 and was named by DVM360.com as one of the 10 veterinarians to watch in 2018. Dycus is a frequent contributor for updates in orthopedics to several veterinary websites and magazines. Dycus has also been featured on Sirius XMs Doctor Radio’s segment on Pet Health and Orthopedics. His passion for teaching has allowed Dycus to become a laboratory instructor for the CBLO, TPLO, extra-capsular stabilization, medial patella luxation, angular limb deformity, and fracture repair. He is on faculty for AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen), and he is an orthopedic consultant for VIN (Veterinary Information Network). Along with being a scientific reviewer for multiple journals, he serves on the editorial review board and is the associate editor (orthopedics) for Veterinary Surgery, the official publication of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. He has previously held an appointment on the research committee for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Currently Dycus is on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, is a council member for the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) and is on the education committee for AO North America. Dycus became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner through the University of Tennessee in 2015. He is the founder and surgeon at Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics where he has a focus on total joint replacement, complex and minimally invasive fracture repair as well as angular limb deformity correction, 3D implant printing, and arthroscopy. In addition, he is the founder of Ortho Vet Consulting, an educational consulting and orthopedic coaching service.

Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU Editors note: Within this episode, there is an instance of explicit language.  Baran Schultz is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and graduated from St. Joseph's University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2000, Schultz started his own IT business wanting to make a difference in the way people understand and shop all the aspects of the IT world; 24 years later he has a successful nationwide company that is considered a one-stop provider for all IT needs. This includes IT managed services, IT help desk support, data backups, VoIP phone systems, telephone integration software, security cameras, access control, voice and data cabling, fire and security systems, and low voltage design. Schultz Technology works with a variety of companies, large and small, and specializes in veterinary practices.

Learn more and register for Fetch Kansas City here: bit.ly/46jjaaU David Hall was named a “Top 100 Marketing and Advertising Influencer” by MARsum, invited by Forbes to join their prestigious Agency Council, has been Director of SEO for four award-winning marketing and advertising agencies, founded theSEOeffect.com, and Co-Founded GeniusVets. David is known for delivering incredible results for clients ranging from local and regional businesses to global Fortune brands.  As the author of eight books on modern marketing, David often speaks at events and leads workshops, providing key insights and actionable steps to strengthen and grow your business.

Mita Malhotra is the President of Chewy Health, where she is passionate about pet health and driving long-term growth for Chewy via product innovation, technology and a laser focus on customer and veterinarian experience. Malhotra joined Chewy in 2018 to build Chewy Pharmacy, which is now America’s #1 pet pharmacy. The brand has since experienced transformative growth by delivering innovative solutions that empower pet parents and veterinary partners to better care for pets in real-time, regardless of their location or proximity to resources. Benjamin Carter, DVM, Chief Medical Officer, Chewy Vet Care, is a seasoned veterinarian who has spent the last decade focused on transforming the pet healthcare industry for the better. At Chewy Vet Care, he leads the team devoted to delivering personalized, patient-centered medicine with the latest technology, for the benefit of pets, pet parents and practitioners at Chewy Vet Care locations across the U.S. To learn more about careers at Chewy, check out the Chewy website.: https://careers.chewy.com/us/en/vetcareers

Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode. Program Description: Canine osteoarthritis is a complex disease that impacts quality of life for many of our canine patients. Part 2 of this podcast series will highlight why effective management requires development of a baseline treatment plan that is customized to the individual patient and includes a plan for managing flare-ups. A systematic, evidence-based approach will be presented that can be implemented in general practice. Learning Objectives: Recognize the importance of a customized treatment plan; that one-size does not fit all for canine osteoarthritis Appreciate the ebb and flow of osteoarthritis with periods of calmness followed by periods of flare-ups Appreciate the multimodal management of osteoarthritis

Mariah Young, DVM, is a small town Montana girl with a passion for compassion. Her whole life she wanted to be able to make an impact on this world. As she grew up, this desire morphed into pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and a secondary career as a firefighter/EMT. Young achieved both goals simultaneously and currently work full time as a mixed animal veterinarian and part time as a firefighter/EMT. Young has an Australian Kelpie named Dilly who is her constant adventure companion. She is fluent in Spanish and love to travel. Young volunteered in a vet clinic in Peru during undergrad, studied abroad in Spain, and has visited 13 different countries. Recently, she has been spending her time playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing, hiking, traveling, snowboarding, running half marathons, and white-water rafting. Young also enjoy reading, baking, training Dilly, and cleaning

Doug Aspros, DVM, joined the VPP team in 2015 to help develop the promise of co-ownership into a transformational reality for the profession. With his extensive experience as a clinician and practice owner and strong relationships in the wider veterinary community, he worked to improve many aspects of our partnerships and practices, focused on clinician development, leadership training, and building our veterinary community. Aspros served as the 150th president of the AVMA, the largest member organization in veterinary medicine. He worked to make AVMA more engaging for the new generations entering the profession, responsive to their needs and reflective of those of a changing society. Among other roles in the profession, Aspros chaired the AVMA Council on Education, served as a trustee of the AVMA-PLIT, was appointed a member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and currently chairs the New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine. A graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Aspros and his wife split their time between the NY Metro area and Tucson, AZ, and are the proud pet parents of a Norfolk Terrier, an African Grey Parrot, and one awesome cat.

Jill Clark, DVM, spent 17 years as an Assistant Director on feature films, commercials, and documentaries before changing direction and becoming a veterinarian in 1996.  She practiced in a multi-doctor group of small animal practices known for creating an exceptional client experience as an associate and then as Medical Director before joining a group of entrepreneurial veterinarians who grew their hospital group from 8 to 80 hospitals.  She was vice president of Operations for this group before joining VCA, managing 22 general and specialty practices with a continued focus on client experience as a competitive advantage.  In 2009, she joined VCA’s Executive Team and was responsible for VCA’s doctor recruiting team as well as creating VCA’s corporate university, WOOF-U, which served over 24,000 veterinary team members.  In 2016, Clark founded IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, a modern learning company focused on bringing high-end learning experiences to all veterinary teams across the globe.  She has a special passion for Client Service teams and elevating their role to its fullest in our profession. She is one of the founders and President of the newly formed, North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists. Sarah Machell, DVM,  is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and previously owned and operated a Small Animal Practice outside of Toronto, Canada for 18 years.  Since transitioning her practice in 2018 she has worked in a variety of industry spaces, with a special interest in technology and virtual care. Machell is passionate about maximizing the capacity of veterinary practices to engage with and effectively leverage technologies to improve practice efficiencies, patient outcomes and professional satisfaction.  One of Sarah's current roles is the Medical Director for PetPath, a digital tool that provides a critical bridge between inpatient and outpatient care. Alex Ehrich, co-founder of PetPath and Liberty University graduate, is passionate about transforming lives and bringing innovative ideas to life.  Ehrich has spent the past four years in the tech space, bringing products to market that enhance organizational effectiveness and improve user experiences.  In 2022, Ehrich teamed up with a veterinary neurologist and several business partners to launch PetPath. This digital care companion guides pet owners through their pet's most stressful moments, while freeing up veterinary care teams to focus on their core passion: providing exceptional animal care.

Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, “The Vet Eye Guy” on Instagram, and founder of Insight Veterinary Eye Care, LLC that provides continuing education and teleconsultation services. He enjoys combining his passion for ophthalmology by engaging owners and veterinarians via social media, continuing education events, and one-on-ones. Sigmund wants every veterinarian to be comfortable with the basics of ophthalmology to improve patient care and client understanding. He has plans to start his own private practice in the near future that will focus on the client/patient experience in addition to high quality medicine.  Sigmund enjoys working with exotic animals at local zoos and aquariums to ensure health and comfort for animals ranging from puffins to elephants. He completed veterinary school at the University of Georgia and a residency in comparative veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee. His publications have ranged from feline stem cell therapy to cataract surgery in raptors. Sigmund has a wonderful partner, an “old lady dog” named Asima, and a fluffy Ragdoll cat named King Louie that help occupy his time outside of the clinic.

After an earlier career as a carpenter and builder, Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP emeritusr graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995.. After graduating, he practiced as a house call veterinarian for several years, and then embarked on a 20 year career as an emergency clinician in Colorado. During that time, Geller and his partners started up 4 emergency clinics. He became Board Certified as Veterinary Practitioner in Canine and Feline Medicine in 2010. After seeing a homeless man and his pit bull on a bridge in Nashville in 2015, he founded The Street Dog Coalition, a non-profit charity, which provides free medical care, and other related services, to pets of owners at risk of, or experiencing homelessness in over 50 US cities. In March of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Street Dog Coalition went international, and Geller worked with several Romanian veterinarians to set up a vet clinic in a blue tent at the Romania-Ukraine border, where teams of veterinarians, vet students and technicians, known as the ‘Blue Vet Group’, have been providing free veterinary care to pets of Ukraine refugees. Since setting up the tent clinic, over 800 pets have been cared for and provided European Union pet passports to allow their owners to continue their travels westward. Currently, The Street Dog Coalition is partnering with other non-profits to bring the first mobile veterinary clinic into Ukraine to provide care for injured pets, as well as providing preventive care and sterilization services, in a long-term project with a goal of caring for 10,000 pets and horses. Geller was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association for 2019. In the spirit of unbridled learning, he is currently enrolled as an MPH candidate at the University of Minnesota. He received the ASPCA Henry Bergh Humane Award for 2022, and also is an Instructor in the Colorado School of Public Health teaching a class on ‘Homelessness in America.’

Josh Sanabria, DVM, is proudly from Puerto Rico and he came to the continental United States in 2008 to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a veterinarian. In 2012, he graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his degree, Sanabria moved to Las Vegas to practice general and emergency veterinary medicine. In 2016, he moved to San Diego, where he joined the corporate veterinary medicine field, allowing him to transfer to Dallas, Texas. In 2019, he pursued his vision of practicing boutique veterinary medicine and he opened his very own office called Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital in Addison, TX. In less than 5 years, Isla Vet has earned 9 awards for Best Veterinarian in Dallas. He is also a regular columnist for Dallas Voice, the most important LGBT magazine in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and he has also joined different TV networks for veterinary medicine related interviews, including Univision, Telemundo, NBC, and Fox News. Sanabria was also featured in a national TV commercial for Bank of America, where he shared part of his journey, from his humble beginnings to owning his veterinary hospital. Sanabria is openly gay and a proud advocate for the LGBTIA+ and Latinx communities.

Dr. DJ Haeussler grew up in the Cincinnati area. He finished his undergraduate work at The Ohio State University and then received his doctorate in 2006. He then went to New Jersey where he finished two internships at Garden State Veterinary Specialists and then returned to his alma mater, The Ohio State University to complete his residency. While at Ohio State University for his residency, he completed a Master of Science degree and earned the top award for professional student research at Ohio State as well as the top resident award for professional research at the annual American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 2010. Dr. DJ Haeussler has been published in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinician's Brief, and others. Dr. Haeussler has also published a photographic atlas to help better help veterinarians and veterinary technicians identify ophthalmic disease in dogs and is entitled Recognition of Canine Ocular Disease: A Photo Atlas, Volume 1. Dr. Haeussler is a board certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Dr. Haeussler has also served on the ACVO Public Relations committee as the committee chair, president of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association, and is a member of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association Board of Trustees. Dr. Haeussler’s interests are providing exceptional ophthalmic care to prolong vision and comfort for your pet. He is very interested in cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation as well as various surgical methods of corneal repair. 

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC, often known as “toothy”, is passionate about teeth! However, it was not always this way – she started her career in small animal practice with very minimal dentistry knowledge. She was fortunate to have a great mentor in her first job where she learned a lot and her desire to learn more grew. Once she attended her first Veterinary Dental Forum in 2013, she KNEW dentistry was her passion. Throughout her years in general practice, she took every opportunity to expand her knowledge and along the way she affectionate became known as “Toothy Thomson”. With time and support from her family, friends, collogues and a big ‘shove’ form her mentor she applied for a dentistry and oral surgery residency and was overjoyed when she matched at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her residency her passion grew not only for dentistry, but also for teaching. And because life is always full of surprises Thomson found herself at a crossroad in 2020 in the early stages of the pandemic – so she started her own mobile dentistry practice!  In addition to with working alongside small animal general practice veterinary teams, she also became very active online sharing her knowledge. It has always been and continues to be very important to Thomson that she share as much as she can given it took hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to obtain the knowledge she did while in general practice. Knowledge she wants to see all veterinary teams have!

Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode. Program Description: This podcast will delve into the critical importance and limitations of population-based reference intervals in veterinary diagnostics. Hear directly from a clinical pathologist and Medical Director of Zoetis Reference Laboratories on best practices for interpretating chemistry and hematology data and common errors to avoid. Program Agenda:  What defines a population-based reference interval? What happens when an interval is: Too broad Too narrow How should a reference interval be used when evaluating a laboratory result? Rationale for laboratory-specific intervals Learning Objectives:  Define a population-based reference interval in veterinary medicine Compare the potential problems with intervals that are too broad and too narrow Explain the limitations of reference intervals when interpreting individual patient results Identify the need for proper quality regulation in veterinary reference laboratories

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Michael Natale, LVT, has been involved in Veterinary Medicine for over 10 years. After graduating from Barry Tech,  Natale attended SUNY Delhi and obtained his AAS in Veterinary Science Technology. After completion, he continued his education and obtained his BS in Science, Technology, and Sociology with a double minor in Business Management and Economics. His experience in Veterinary Medicine ranges from Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, and Business Leadership. Natale also holds certifications in BLS/ALS CPR, Laser Therapy, and NYS Certified Teacher. He currently is the Veterinary Medicine teacher at Barry Tech, practices as a per diem LVT and is a Hiring Manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. In his free time, you'll find Natale out surfing, skiing, biking, at CrossFit, or hanging with friends and family.

Sponsored by Elanco. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode. Program Description: Canine osteoarthritis is a complex disease that impacts quality of life for many of our canine patients. Part 1 of this podcast series will focus on the epidemiology of this disease, the importance of a proactive approach to diagnosis, and will introduce a standardized staging tool to be utilized in general practice.  Learning Objectives: Recognize that osteoarthritis affects the entire joint Appreciate that canine osteoarthritis impacts many younger dogs and is not an “old-dog” disease Understand the importance of a proactive approach utilizing the Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Tiffany Ayres, CVPM,  has worked in the veterinary field for more than twenty-five years in an array of leadership positions. She initiated her veterinary career at a small Pennsylvania mom and pop veterinary hospital with 2 veterinarians and 10 support team members. During her tenure, she grew this veterinary hospital to a 6-doctor thriving medical practice. While in practice, she taught PT veterinary management courses at the local veterinary technician school, York Technical Institute. In addition, she has presented at AAHA’s annual conferences and works with Fred Pryor presenting management topics all over the country. Ayres provides veterinary management consultant services and Zoetis has utilized her services for workshops. Recent years she has worked in the corporate sector, offering coaching and leadership services in a regional capacity for PetVet Care Centers & Mission Veterinary Partners. With this broad view of the veterinary industry, Ayres offers a wide scope of knowledge and the ability to adjust her approach to the needs of the recipients. In 2013, while attending a Zoetis workshop, Ayres was introduced to a beekeeper. Intrigued by the hobby she immediately signed up for beekeeping classes. Ten years later, she received her Master’s in Beekeeping from Cornell University, manages 2 apiaries (bee yards) and started a small business, Keys to Bees Inc., a honeybee learning center. The focus of the business is honeybee education and outreach. She teaches: Youth STEM classes, Beekeeping 101, Novice & Advance beekeeping courses and provides research studies for extension services. Perhaps what she enjoys most is utilizing her background in business & leadership to provide workplace enhancements through the examples of the honeybee collaborative harmony. Thousands of honeybees work together as a social organism clearly communicating needs and making unified adjustments as environmental threats arise. By utilizing the methods of the honeybee, we can improve our own business’s teamwork, communication, and engagement. Ayres developed “Honeybee Concept”, as a program to intergrade these methods of social unity into the business sector. Those organizations that struggle with teamwork, communication, and organization, have found this “Honeybee Concept” to be refreshing and unique; offering solutions in a non-threatening manner which encourages team engagement and success. The Honeybee Concept not only works for troubled organizations but brings successful organizations to the next level.

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Matthew C. Edson, DVM, CVPM, MRCVS, was named founding Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University in June of 2021. Founder and owner of Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a multi-doctor, multi-location mixed animal practice based in South Jersey, Edson leads a group of veterinary professionals that treat a wide range of species. He has special professional interests in miniature pig and small ruminant medicine and surgery and has lectured nationally on those subjects. He is an advocate for the advancement of affordable, clinically-relevant veterinary education. A native of Eastampton Township, Edson is a former executive board member and the immediate past president of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, a former site visitor for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, former chair of the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues, and former vice chair of the AVMA Practice Advisory Pilot Panel. He also has served as a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. Edson earned his veterinary medical degree from Kansas State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science and biology from Rutgers University and also completed training as a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic through Virtua Health. He is a licensed veterinarian in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has strong interest in veterinary business and practice management is also a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Named a top veterinarian by South Jersey Magazine in 2017, Edson was voted “Best Veterinarian” in Burlington County by Burlington County Times readers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Edson was also named to the 2022 and 2023 NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 list, which ranks the top influencers in health care in New Jersey. 

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Katie Fish, DVM received her undergraduate degree at the University of Buffalo and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She was a small animal general practitioner for 16 years before transitioning to becoming a full-time mentor for Monroe Veterinary Associates in the Rochester, New York area, which later became a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner. There she was responsible for on-boarding and providing one-on-one medical, surgical and leadership coaching support to new graduates at 18 hospitals. In 2023, Fish became the Director of Mentorship Programs for Thrive, which includes “Meant to Thrive,” a one-year medical mentorship program that meets doctors where they are, offering a unique, individualized approach that positions each veterinarian for success in the profession they love.

Sponsored by Zoetis. Head to dvm360 Flex and login or create a free CE account and claim your credit after listening to this episode. Program Description: Osteoarthritis (or degenerative joint disease) is the most common cause of chronic (maladaptive) pain in cats but is underrecognized by owners and therefore many cats go untreated. Up to 92% of all cats have radiographic changes (radiographic disease) in the axial and appendicular skeleton and these changes are more common in cats over the age of 10. There is often a mismatch between radiographic changes and clinical findings (painful joints, mobility impairment) but the relationship between radiographic changes and clinical disease increases with age. Screening and assessment tools have been developed and validated for cats and should be used to help diagnose the disease and monitor the response to treatment. Treatment is multimodal and includes drug and non-drug therapies in combination with environmental changes to ensure that stress in the affected cat’s household is addressed. Pain related to osteoarthritis is responsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the feline specific anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, Frunevetmab (Solensia™). Non-drug therapies include Omega-3 fish oil, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Ensuring cats have a safe place to hide, have help with accessing “high” places, and easy-entry litter boxes are important for improving the cat’s quality of life. Program Agenda:  Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, FRCVS, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, discusses diagnosis and treatment options for osteoarthritis in cats.  Learning Objectives: Recognize the changes in behavior that suggest chronic pain in cats Know how to screen for cats with OA Know which assessment tools can be used to document disability and monitor response to treatment Know what treatment options are available for cats with osteoarthritis

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Frank Bozelka,DVM, is a small animal emergency and critical care veterinarian at a busy specialty and referral center in the Chicago-land area. He has been in practice since 2016 and works at a high-volume facility that offers many highly specialized services such as dialysis, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and more. Bozelka has professional interests in both cardiac and orthopedic emergencies as well as educating new grads/interns and has a love/hate relationship with wound repairs.  Bozelka is a social media personality and educator with his biggest fan base being on TikTok, but also has a growing Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube following. In his personal time, Bozelka enjoys spending time with his friends, family, wife, Laura, and cats Toby and Biscotti. He also enjoys playing music, reading, playing videos games, and playing sports. Bozelka is a foodie and could probably be considered a modern-day cookie monster.

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), has dedicated his career to reimagining veterinary nursing for 24 years. He is currently the chief veterinary nursing officer for Veterinary Emergency Group, and the Program Director for the RECOVER Initiative. Over the years, Yagi has received many accolades, including the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by NAVTA and the AVECCTN Specialty Technician of the Year award. Yagi co-edited the Veterinary Technician and Nurse’s Daily Reference Guide for Canine and Feline, and the Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking, and publishes articles and presents internationally on topics in ECC, transfusion medicine, and the veterinary nursing profession. Yagi passionately works to bring further recognition of the vital role of the veterinary nurses and technicians through work with industry leading organizations. He is also an advocate for the Open Hospital Concept, encouraging veterinary practices to invite the pet owners to “the back” as a part of the team. Yagi invites everyone to ask “Why?” to understand the “What” and “How” of our field, and to continually pursue new limits as veterinary professionals and individuals.

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Michael Petty, DVM, is a 1980 graduate of the veterinary school at Michigan State University. As the owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan; he has devoted his professional life to the care and well-being of animals, especially in the area of pain management. Petty is the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management .A frequent speaker and consultant; he has published articles in veterinary journals and serves in an advisory capacity to several pharmaceutical companies on topics of pain management. He was also an ELITE speaker for Pfizer Animal Health during the life of that program. He has been the Investigator/Veterinarian in over 12 FDA pilot and pivotal studies for pain management products. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on pain management topics.

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader.    He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15 year old kennel kid to a hospital owner.  Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners.     He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, among other things, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences.     He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who recently graduated from veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future. 

Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today!: https://event.dvm360.com/event/3f10fd96-aec7-45cb-96c5-07ed9967021f/summary?locale=en Céline Leheurteux has been a veterinarian in small animal practice in Canada since 1999. Putting beloved pets in plastic bags after euthanasia was causing her stress and inner turmoil. She created EUTHABAG to help families and veterinary teams feel better around euthanasia. Having suffered from a lack of education around end-of-life, she is also dedicated in training veterinary practices this delicate topic. She has been speaking in Europe and North America conference to help veterinary teams feel better around end-of-life.  Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today: dvm360.com/vetheroes

For most her entire veterinary career, Jessica Molina has not only been a veterinary professional but a military spouse navigating her career through naval relocation, which offered her the opportunity to work in several practices around the country. Like many managers, she's held just about every position in a clinic along the way. She is a Georgia native and a University of Missouri graduate, where her degree was specifically focused in the areas of Business, Education, and Human Development. In 2008, while working in Virginia Beach, she first entered management. A few years later, she moved to Whidbey Island, WA, where she shifted into remote veterinary recruiting and management consulting while serving in an HR role for a manufacturing, distribution, and retail company. In 2016, she earned certification through HRCI as a Professional in Human Resources. That same year, she landed a full-time veterinary management position with a multi-doctor Fear Free companion and exotic clinic on the island. Another military move in 2018 landed her in the Pensacola area and a new adventure as Hospital Administrator for a large multi-doctor mixed animal practice just over the state line in Alabama. This same year, she earned her CVPM and was also certified as a Compassion Fatigue Professional. A year later, she was named Practice Manager of the Year by DVM360 and the VHMA! Since then, she pushed herself a bit further, digging into her passion for innovation and leadership, obtaining several other certifications which include Human-Animal Bond, Fear Free Elite, and Neurocolor Trainer Certification! Over the last few years, she has expanded into multi-site clinic Operations in the Northeast. Molina has been a member of the VHMA since 2016 and a board member for since 2022. She currently resides outside of Jacksonville since her husband’s Naval retirement in 2021. Nominate your Veterinary Hero here today: dvm360.com/vetheroes

Nominate your veterinary hero today. Fueled by her passion for making a positive impact in pets’ lives, Dr. Whitney Miller (she/her/hers) serves as Petco’s Chief Veterinarian. In that role, she is the lead veterinary subject matter expert advising Petco as a health & wellness company and overseeing the company’s standards of excellence in animal care and welfare; provides strategic direction and medical management for Petco’s growth in veterinary services; and provides cross-functional support across the company to marketing, communications, legal, merchandising, pet services and more. Dr. Miller leads the Petco medical team, which supports over 200 full-service hospitals and mobile vaccination clinics operating in over 1,000 Petco Pet Care Centers nationwide. In addition, Dr. Miller is a member of the Petco Pet Wellness Council (PPWC), an independent coalition of leading experts in veterinary science and animal care that serve as an external source of unbiased advice and counsel to Petco on a range of topics across the pet care industry. The PPWC also guides the development and aggregation of credible pet care science to educate professionals and all who care about pets. Over the course of her veterinary career, Dr. Miller has spent time in emergency and general companion animal veterinary practice, worked in pharmacovigilance reporting for Zoetis and spent time in federal government relations for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), advocating on animal welfare issues. Dr. Miller received her DVM and MBA degrees from Colorado State University and has been board certified in preventive medicine since 2018. Dr. Miller continues to practice companion animal medicine every chance she gets.

Nominate your veterinary hero here.  Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in companion animal practice before transitioning into academia to advocate for companion animal primary care. She debuted as an Instructor of the Community Practice Service at Cornell University. She then transitioned into several roles as founding faculty – most notably developing the communication and clinical skills curricula at Midwestern University and Kansas State University respectively. In February 2020, Dr. Englar reprised her role of founding faculty when she joined the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. She currently serves as a dual appointment Associate Professor of Practice and the Executive Director of Clinical and Professional Skills. Dr. Englar is passionate about advancing education for generalists by thinking outside of the box to develop course materials for the hands-on learner. She is a prolific textbook writer. When Dr. Englar is not teaching or advancing companion animal primary care, she trains in the art of ballroom dancing and competes nationally with her instructor, Lowell Fox. 

Ron Nelson serves as Executive Vice President of Covetrus Care Plans, a leading wellness plan and program management solution at the forefront of the veterinary industry, driving compliance, pet owner loyalty and practice revenue. With a career spanning over 10 years in the veterinary industry, Nelson brings a wealth of experience focused on wellness plan technology and program implementation. His responsibilities have ranged from brand and business strategy, sales and marketing, technology feature and capability development, as well as strategic partnerships and customer support. Under Nelson’s guidance, Covetrus Care Plans provides comprehensive solutions for independent practices while delivering enterprise-level functionality answering the specific needs of multi-location partners. Nelson Has more than 30 years’ experience in business and brand strategy, creative development, marketing planning, and business operations. He has a BA in Advertising from California State University, Fullerton.

Dr. Jason Balara is the CEO and Co-founder of Lark Capital Group, and host of the Know Your Why Podcast. Jason is a veterinary surgeon with extensive experience and training in his field. He additionally has many years of experience in real estate investing on the residential side with single family fix and flips and small multifamily rentals. As a real estate syndicator and fund manager, Jason is focused on Class B and C multifamily and small businesses, in order to achieve excellent returns for his investors. Lark Capital Group is also raising awareness surrounding the disproportionately suicide rates within the veterinary community. The Lark Veterinary Impact Fund has been created specifically with that in mind. The goal is to create financial wellness amongst veterinarians, promote awareness of the challenges facing the veterinary profession, and have a positive impact through a partnership with Not One More Vet.

Michael Natale has been involved in Veterinary Medicine for over 10 years. After graduating from Barry Tech, Michael Natale attended SUNY Delhi and obtained his AAS in Veterinary Science Technology. After completion, he continued his education and obtained his BS in Science, Technology, and Sociology with a double minor in Business Management and Economics. His experience in Veterinary Medicine ranges from Primary Care, Specialty Medicine, and Business Leadership. Michael Natale also holds certifications in BLS/ALS CPR, Laser Therapy, and NYS Certified Teacher. He currently is the Veterinary Medicine teacher at Barry Tech, practices as a per diem LVT and is a Hiring Manager at Veterinary Emergency Group. In his free time, you'll find Mike Natale out surfing, skiing, biking, at CrossFit, or hanging with friends and family.

Best known as the “Queen of Scripts,” Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, has taught communication and client service skills for more than two decades. As founder of Communication Solutions for Veterinarians, she teaches practical skills through online courses, onsite consulting, and conferences. Wendy was a partner in a specialty and emergency practice for 5 years. She's authored 6 books and a column for Veterinary Practice News magazine for 10 years. Wendy is a certified veterinary journalist and RACE CE provider. Visit YouTube.com/csvets and Csvets.com for more.

Shadi J. Ireifej DVM DACVS graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (2001, Magna cum laude). He then attended Cornell University where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2006, DVM).  After completing his studies at Cornell, Ireifej participated in an intense one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angel Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts (2007), followed by two rigorous one-year small animal surgical internships at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, New York (2009).  Ireifej achieved his board certification in small animal surgery by completing a three-year small animal surgery residency at LIVS (2012), and subsequently became a Diplomat for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS). After operating for almost 10 years at LIVS, Ireifej elected for warmer weather, and transplanted to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2016.  In Las Vegas, Ireifej became a staff surgeon at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC). In 2017, he began flying across the United States, performing surgeries at a number of emergency and specialty hospitals in need of surgical assistance. This was followed by a Chief of Surgery position at United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in Silicon Valley, California. Managing their three locations, Ireifej and his team successfully cared for dogs and cats in the Campbell, Mountain View, and San Jose areas.  In 2018, Ireifej joined TrueCare for Pets in the Los Angeles, California area as Chief of Specialty, where he was instrumental in morphing the after-hours and weekend emergency hospital to a successful 24-7 emergency and multi-specialty veterinary hospital. While the size of the hospital tripled, Ireifej instituted hospital-wide protocols, managed the surgery, internal medicine, and oncology departments, and became a leading force on social media platforms.  In 2020, Ireifej changed gears in his already illustrious career, finding a novel and state-of-the-art means of reaching concerned pet owners and their ill pets worldwide, VetTriage. Ireifej currently serves as their Chief Medical Officer. 

Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, is the Manager, Veterinary Medicine and Professional Services, Pet Poison Helpline and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist for Pet Poison Helpline /SafetyCall International. She has been with the organization since 2013 during which time she has had the opportunity to lead the team of veterinarians that span across the country and contribute to the management of the daily operations of Pet Poison Helpline. Schmid graduated from Kansas State University with a BS degree in Agriculture/Animal Science as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. While at Pet Poison Helpline, Schmid has managed over 20,000 cases involving animal poisoning and has presented on leadership and various toxins at both regional and national conferences.  Schmid has published scientific book chapters on the topics of thyroid supplements, diuretic drug intoxication, xylitol intoxication, general poisoning therapy, strychnine toxicosis, Compound 1080 toxicosis, anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, cholecalciferol rodenticide poisoning, toxicities from human drugs – cardiovascular and poisonous plants: house plants and ornamentals. Schmid has also published peer-reviewed scientific articles on xylitol and mirabegron poisoning in dogs, as well as anesthesia induction in cats (Schmid et al. Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion and Schmid et al. Mirabegron Toxicosis in Dogs: A Retrospective Study, both in Journal of Medical Toxicology. Schmid et al. Comparison of anesthetic induction in cats by use of isoflurane in an anesthetic chamber with a conventional vapor or liquid injection technique, JAVMA).