Who's buying? Who's selling?

Who's buying? Who's selling? Profession has changed, but entrepreneurial spirit largely remains By Malinda Larkin

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JAVMA News 10.15.14

The veterinary profession has undergone some profound changes in the past few decades. Women now represent a majority of practitioners. The Great Recession impacted the economic realities for many veterinarians. And corporateowned practices are becoming an increasingly familiar part of the veterinary landscape. So, how have all these trends affected the market for veterinary practices? According to interviews with a handful of veterinary business advisers, the market for veterinary practices has undergone some profound changes in the past few decades, but in other ways, it has stayed the same.

Swinging of the pendulum For one thing, owning a practice is more difficult than it used to be 10 or more years ago, according to Dr. Karen E. Felsted, treasurer of the VetPartners association of practice consultants and president of Dr. Felsted Veterinary Consulting. Troubling signs emerged in the early 2000s. That was the start of clients visiting practices less frequently, coupled with the number of clinics increasing. But because the economy was good at the time and veterinarians could raise fees substantially to counterbalance declining transaction numbers, it wasn’t seen as a problem. “Now, post-recession, you have to

work harder to make a practice financially successful,” she said. “You have to pay attention to the business side of things. If you don’t want to, then you can hire a manager to do that, but even so, you have to manage the manager.” David McCormick, veterinary practice appraiser and practice management consultant for Simmons Veterinary Practice Sales & Appraisals, notes that while the market for practices may not be what it was 15 to 20 years ago, the economy did not have much of an impact, save for one area—sellers’ willingness to retire. Many older owners have hung onto their practices longer to recoup retirement money they lost when the stock market tanked. As for buyers, multiple advisers say it’s a myth that fewer veterinarians want to buy a practice than before or that women aren’t as inclined as men to be owners. “Half of buyers are women. They can be just as successful as their male counterparts. Women are buying and selling; there is no gender difference,” McCormick said. These conditions have created a serious seller’s market. Melisa K. Edwards, vice president of veterinary practice finance at Bank of America, says for the past three years, there’s been a drought of listings throughout the U.S. of good veterinary practices, which she defines as those with good cash flow and over $500,000 in annual revenue. Edwards says she is seeing five to 10 pre-qualified borrowers for each practice on the market.

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“There’s a flood of associates out there. The (veterinary schools) keep graduating them year over year, and we’re seeing downward pressure on associate salaries while student debt is at an all-time high,” Edwards said. “There are a number of younger doctors out there who realize the only way they are going to get ahead is to own a practice, and there are not a lot of listings.” However, she anticipates this pentup supply will be unleashed on the market in three to five years “because at some point, (older owners) have to sell.” “If you want to own a practice and can’t find one right now, if you can hold on, there will be a lot of opportunities in the next couple of years. I would caution against rash decisions or coming to terms that are going to deteriorate your financial position,” Edwards said.

Deciding factors Dr. David King, charter member of VetPartners and owner and president of Simmons Southcentral, says the categories that affect a practice’s desirability are profits, location, growth, and transition of goodwill. A potential new category may be the type of practice. Buyers have increasingly been shying away from mixed animal and large animal practices in favor of small animal practices, particularly in urban areas. “Thirty or 40 years ago, most veterinarians were coming out of rural societies—farm boys, essentially. But, as society is becoming more urbanized,

JAVMA News: October 15, 2014

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The veterinary financial advisers who spoke with JAVMA said nothing can torpedo a sale like an improperly valued practice. Dr. Karen E. Felsted, former CEO of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, said oftentimes, owners are unhappily surprised at the value of their practice. She attributes that partially to owners not understanding what drives the value of the business and to the fact that it’s harder to be financially successful than it used to be. “I think the common wisdom used to be ‘Hold onto your practice as long as you could,’” Dr. Felsted said. “But I think now, some vets are asking questions and considering if it is better to sell now because you can’t assume you’ll get more if you wait. For a practice that is profitable and well-managed and in an area that has growth, then maybe the common wisdom is right. But if you have a stagnant practice, the area is changing, and the owner doesn’t want to make the necessary changes to make it profitable, then you can’t assume the practice will get better as time goes on.” David McCormick, practice management consultant for Simmons, says two to three years before owners are ready to exit, they need to have their practice valued by an appraiser. That can help them with financial planning, estate planning, and insurance. In addition, McCormick says, “If the value is not what it could be, if profits are low when valued, for management and planning purposes you can get feedback on what to fix. Most owners have an idea of what their practice is worth, but it bears no relation to what it’s really worth, and until they look, they don’t know.” McCormick continued, “The problem folks run into is they find someone who wants to own their practice, so they value it and (its value is only) 30 percent of revenue, and the owner says ‘I can’t sell on this.’ That’s a great answer, and so they fix it. A year later, the practice is worth 60 or 70 percent of revenue. The problem is they lost their buyer.” McCormick recommends having a practice valued every three to four years just to see how financially healthy it is. And, that way, the owner can approach his or her exit with full knowledge of the relevant facts, he said.

Keys to success for owners

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so (are) veterinarians. The small town vet is becoming few and far between,” Dr. King said. “The sad thing is many mixed and large animal practices are very profitable.” Equine practices, too, can be difficult to sell but for a different reason—variability in the transition of goodwill. “If you have a five-doctor practice with a single owner and he only sees 20 percent of clients and is selling to an associate, that goodwill is not as closely tied to him because he’s not seeing all the clients, so it’s less of a risk (to the buyer). Compare that to a mobile equine practice where the owner is seeing 100 percent of clients, 100 percent of the time. Equine clients love their vet, meaning the goodwill is closely tied to the DVM. So if someone buys this mobile clinic, the risk to that buyer will be higher due to the fact that the clients may not transfer well,” Dr. King said. That’s not to say that companion animal practices can’t have their own challenges. Dr. Felsted has seen a number of deals fall through when the seller thought a practice was worth more than it actually was. McCormick also says feline-specific, holistic, and specialty practices can be harder to sell because of a smaller pool of potential buyers. McCormick says it’s a myth that no one is buying solo practices. In fact, buyouts from one owner to another owner continue to be the most common ownership transition option, according to McCormick and others, as they are often the simplest. Many of the advisers added that owners incorrectly assume that their high-grossing or multiowner practices can only be sold to corporate entities. In fact, a number of private buyers will buy a practice only if it is grossing more than $1 million, McCormick said. Edwards explained, “You’re not going to place someone with $250,000 in student loans and a $500,000 mortgage in a practice with $400,000 in revenue. The larger practice owners probably

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believe that their associate can’t buy the practice because of their debt, but the larger practices are exactly the ones their associates are more likely to afford due to better cash flow.” Veterinarians, in general, are very debt-averse. They get afraid of the zeros, and the way they look at the practice is like a home. They think, ‘I can’t afford it because my payment is X,’ but as long as the practice is priced right, it should be able to support itself, whatever price is on there.”

Options to consider While buyouts may be the most common route to practice ownership, associates have other options to consider. Dr. King recommends buy-ins, or owning a certain stake in the practice, for “someone who wants to be an owner but doesn’t have the skill set or confidence to be a 100 percent owner out of the gate.” “ The person (buying in) is essentially getting their share for free as long as they don’t screw it up. The negative side for the seller is they’re giving a certain part of the profits away. The positive side for the seller is the intangible side of things,” Dr. King said. “I’ve seen an associate become a partial owner, and all of a sudden, profits start going higher because they’re starting to care about the expense side of things.” Buy-ins can also be a good idea for mixed animal practice owners as a planned exit strategy, Dr. King said. He gave the example of a practice in West Texas where the owner hires recent graduates from Texas A&M University and pays them a generous wage, around $100,000 annually, in the hopes of having them set down roots in the area. The owner has been so successful that he’s gone from owning a one-doctor practice to owning a five-doctor practice with the expectation that one or more associates could own it when he retires, “which is great for that type of prac-

Keys to success for buyers

First-time buyers can easily become overwhelmed by all there is to learn about ownership and its requisite responsibilities. However, experts in veterinary practice transactions agree on a few basics. For one, potential buyers need to have their financial house in order. David McCormick, past president of VetPartners, says buyers need to have three things. The first is two to three years’ practice experience. “The lender wants to see you’re able to practice medicine without it consuming your whole head so you can also focus on owning a business,” he said. Second is the ability for an associate to live within his or her means and have good credit. The third recommendation is to have $15,000 to $20,000 in liquidity to be used toward the purchase process to cover the costs of an accountant, attorney, broker, consultant, and lender. “As long as you have those three requirements and the purchase price is fair market value, whether the price is $100,000 or $5 million, the lenders will loan the money,” McCormick said. Fair market value is what the practice would be worth to the average person. Investment value of a practice is what it’s worth to a buyer and is a measure of whether the practice meets the buyer’s needs. Understanding the difference between the two and why it matters is key, says Dr. David King, owner and president of Simmons Southcentral. He recalls a buyer who was interested in a north Dallas practice that earned $115,000 in after-debt income. The potential buyer had a few houses, a boat, and high credit card debt. Dr. King estimated that he needed a practice with at least $110,000 in after-debt income. “This buyer’s basic need was $110,000 annually in order to meet these liabilities and to eat, drink, and stay dry. Therefore, the investment value for him didn’t work because it was too close. That $5,000 cushion was not enough because any hiccup in the practice and somebody was not getting paid. The fair market value was good, but the investment value meant it wasn’t a good fit, so he either had to get rid of some toys or find a bigger practice with more after-debt income,” Dr. King said. Another thing buyers need to consider besides price and location is philosophy, or picking the right kind of practice. Dr. Karen E. Felsted, president of Dr. Felsted Veterinary Consulting, has had a few clients who wanted to buy a certain practice, but their vision of the quality of medicine they Continued on page 863 Vol. 245, No. 8

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Novel program matching retirees with new owners As retirement loomed, Dr. Casey Thomas (Kansas State ’81) knew he would eventually have to sell his animal hospital of more than 30 years. He spent seven years preparing to sell his business without an inkling of who would actually buy the Junction City, Kansas, veterinary practice. “My wife and I knew we were entering the latter days of my practice,” Dr. Thomas said, “and we knew we wanted to keep the business strong until we sold it.” They updated equipment and technology, and modernized procedures and capabilities, all in preparation for a mystery successor. But Dr. Thomas didn’t make his desire to retire known until he received a postcard from the University of Kansas RedTire Program. “It was exactly what we were looking for—exactly what we needed at the right time,” he said. After months of due diligence and negotiations, RedTire brokered its first official match this past February, closing the sale of Flint Hills Veterinary Hospital to Dr. Julie Ebert (Kansas State ’96). “Vets are well-trained in medicine and surgery and, to a certain extent, business management,” Dr. Thomas said, “but most of us rarely sell a practice until we’re ready to retire.” RedTire provided not only an introduction to a willing buyer but also gave him a structure to begin negotiations, he said. The Redefining Retirement program, known as RedTire, matches graduates of Kansas Regents institutions with business owners who are looking for a successor. The initiative, operated by the KU School of Business and its Center for Entrepreneurship, focuses on small- and medium-sized businesses in rural Kansas. “You hope that when you nurture a business for 30 years, you’ll find a successor who will come in and provide clients the level of care that they’re used to, and I’m sure Dr. Ebert will do that,” Dr. Thomas said. Since 2012, RedTire has addressed a major challenge for small businesses in rural America by matching businesses needing replacement management with qualified candidates. The program helps both parties navigate the transaction and provides business counseling as new owners grow the business and create jobs. RedTire is currently assisting eight veterinary practice owners across Kansas. The program is a free service and is financed by the KU School of Business and a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. For more information, visit www.redtire.org.

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tice because it would be hard to sell otherwise,” Dr. King said. Multiowner practices have been gaining in popularity as associates desire ownership but want to retain “normal” hours. McCormick strongly recommends an attorney experienced in veterinary practice sales for multiowner operating agreements. “Multiple owners can be good; just make sure everything is updated from the last entrance or exit,” he said, adding that all financial transactions should be transparent for ongoing success. Most of the advisers interviewed for this story generally advised against startups. That’s because there are few areas that need another practice, Dr. Felsted said. One example might be a downtown area that formerly didn’t have many residents but now does after a revitalization. Startups prove to be more difficult than buy-ins or buyouts because practitioners have to attract clients and, presumably, take them from another practice. In addition, Dr. Felsted has heard from banks that they expect startups to generate only $250,000 to $400,000 in the first year. “When you consider that a productive veterinarian in practice is personally generating more than $500,000, you can see in the first year of the startup that maybe that veterinarian won’t generate the revenue they thought they would. And I agree, I think it’s harder to generate higher ends of revenue in the first year of a startup than it used to be. These owners still have expenses like loan payments for renovations and equipment,” she said. Startups may be more realistic for a veterinarian with a spouse who works and can support the family, Dr. Felsted said. An alternative to startups, buy-ins, and buyouts is acquiring a nearby clinic’s client records. This is an option when a practice owner is nearly ready to retire, is moving away, or doesn’t want to be an owner in the area any longer.

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Continued from page 861 Dr. King says these transactions tend to be very profitable for buyers, but with a few caveats. “It has to be the same demographic and within a certain drive time, and you need to transition clients properly. But, if you do it properly and you have excess capacity in your practice to handle the extra clients without hiring more staff, you can get close to 100 percent of clients without increasing fixed expenses. The only thing it costs to produce the income would be the cost of drugs and supplies and the salary of a DVM to produce the income, so the profit margin is very high—in the ballpark of 40 to 50 percent,” he said.

Motivation beyond money Notwithstanding all the financial benefits that can come with owning a practice, McCormick says it’s important to note that veterinarians who go into ownership for money alone don’t last. “You have to want to be an owner. That entrepreneurial spirit about wanting to build something bigger than themselves. Because it’s not a 9-to-5 job. When pipes burst in the winter or a tree falls on the practice or a staff member leaves, you have to be there and fill in. That drive comes from something bigger than ‘That’s my job,’” McCormick said.

The AVMA offers a personal financial planning tool to help veterinarians build an estimate of their budgetary needs so they can plan how to repay debt while saving for the future. The tool is available at www.

avma.org/ mybudget.

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wanted to practice was higher than what was currently being practiced there. “You have to ask ‘If I’m going to go in and practice different medicine, can I move clients up to my level of practice? If you want to do more and want clients to pay, is that doable?” Dr. Felsted said. Also, in preparing for ownership, McCormick suggests associates go to practice management sessions at conferences to learn soft skills such as leadership, communication, team management, and inventory management. Finally, Melisa K. Edwards, vice president of veterinary practice finance at Bank of America, cautions aspiring owners to do their due diligence. When buying into a practice for instance, this means getting pre-qualified, having professionals such as a lawyer and accountant in place, starting the conversation with the owner about buying in and what the time frame would look like, and then trying to move toward a binding contract as quickly as possible. “I am seeing the can kicked down the road by owners, which is frustrating a lot of associates and forces them to consider starting up on their own,” she said.

FO O R S LD SA L E

The Association also has a personal financial planning resources page—

http://goo.gl/6tbWtH—that includes links to a retirement calculator, information on student loan repayment basics, and a veterinary salary calculator, which allows practitioners to see percentile breakdowns of salaries based on practice type, years of experience, and owner versus associate status.

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Courtesy of MRA

AVMA

The “Animal Connections” exhibition travels through Utah in September en route to an event. The exhibition highlights the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine, and attracted more than 129,000 visitors through Sept. 7.

Exhibition gains momentum By Katie Burns

A

traveling exhibition about the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine has proved to be popular with the public and the profession. Between the July 20, 2013, launch and Sept. 7, 2014, more than 129,000 people visited “Animal Connections: Our Journey Together” at 41 events in 36 cities in 23 states. The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service created the exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of the AVMA in 2013. “Animal Connections” is made possible through the support of founding sponsor Zoetis Inc., the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and the AVMA. The AVMF and state VMAs recruit veterinarians to serve as guides to the exhibition. The 2014 stops have included zoos, museums, expositions, parks, veterinary colleges, veterinary conferences, and county and state fairs. Nearly 6,000 people visited the exhibition at the AVMA Annual Convention in July in Denver. The exhibition attracted almost 14,000 visitors in three days at the Iowa State Fair, about 16,000 visitors in three days at the Wisconsin State Fair, and more than 31,000 visitors in six days at the New York State Fair. “We’re reaching a wide spectrum of visitors, from toddlers to seniors and from farmers to inner-city residents,” said J.B. Hancock, director of the AVMA Communications Division. She said organizers hope to fund the exhibition through 2015. “‘Animal Connections’ is an opportunity for veterinarians

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to share their enthusiasm and passion for veterinary medicine with visitors,” said Colleen McClellan, who tours with the exhibition as the Zoetis project manager for “Animal Connections.” “The value of being able to engage in conversations at this level is immeasurable.” She continued, “It’s wonderful to watch people of all ages gain an appreciation for the human-animal bond.” One of McClellan’s favorite parts of the exhibition is the module to help visitors find the perfect pet, which suggested that she should own a sporting dog—as she does. Another of her favorites is the virtual veterinary clinic that allows visitors to try out veterinary diagnostics, leading to some “fun” facial expressions. Veterinarians who would like to volunteer if the exhibition comes to their area should contact Jody Beckford with the AVMF at 847-285-6709, or [email protected]. “The veterinarian volunteers liven the exhibit experience for attendees, from the child who has dreams of becoming a veterinarian to the curious cat lover,” said Michael Cathey, AVMF executive director. “The volunteers give the public an authentic connection and look into the veterinary world.” Information about “Animal Connections,” including a list of upcoming stops, is available at www.animalconnections. com. The website also provides related resources such as links to AVMA classroom materials about veterinary medicine and a link to the AVMA Animal Hospital video game.

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Affiliated groups meet in Denver Forty-five allied and other veterinary-related organizations and 30 alumni groups from colleges and schools of veterinary medicine convened this July at the 151st AVMA Annual Convention in Denver. These groups engaged in a wide variety of activities during the convention, including lectures, certification examinations, business meetings, workshops, and social gatherings. Many of the organizations co-sponsored the AVMA’s educational sessions. The following pages highlight the activities and honors reported by some of these organizations. Compiled by Anita Suresh

Avian pathologists

Event: American Association of Avian Pathologists Inc. meeting, July 26-29, Denver Awards: Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry Research Award: Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, Ames, Iowa, for sustained excellence in poultry disease and health for 20 years or more. Dr. Nolan received her DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 1988 and her doctorate in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia in 1992. She is dean of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Lasher-Bottorff Award: Dr. Charles L. Hofacre, Watkinsville, Georgia, won this award, given in recognition of an avian diagnostician/technical services veterinarian who has made important contributions to the poultry health program in North America over the past 10 years. Dr. Hofacre earned his DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 1984 and his doctorate in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia in 1992. He is a professor and director of clinical services at the University of Georgia Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center. Dr. Hofacre serves as executive vice president of the AAAP. Bruce W. Calnek Applied Poultry Research Achievement Award: John K. Rosenberger, PhD, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, for research contributions result-

Dr. Charles L. Hofacre

John K. Rosenberger, PhD

Dr. Naola Ferguson-Noel

Dr. Chad Malinak

Daral J. Jackwood, PhD

Dr. Stivalis Cardenas Garcia

Dr. Christina Parr Lindsey

Dr. Kevin Maschek

Callie S. Pierce

Dr. Jin Yong Noh

Dr. Soo-Won Choi

ing directly or indirectly in a measurable, practical impact on the control of one or more major diseases of poultry. Dr. Rosenberger obtained his doctorate in virology and immunology from the University of Delaware in 1972. He is Vol. 245, No. 8

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CONVENT I ON CO VERAGE

AAAP: Front row—Drs. Sara Steinlage, Francene Van Sambeek, Victoria Bowes, and Eva Wallner-Pendleton. Back row—Drs. Eric Gingerich, Robert Porter, Richard Fulton, Ian Rubinoff, Eric Jensen, and Charles L. Hofacre

Dr. Lisa K. Nolan


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AVMA

CONVE NTION CO VE RAGE

president of AviServe LLC, a resource laboratory and consulting service for the poultry and allied industries. Bayer-Snoeyenbos New Investigator Award: Dr. Naola Ferguson-Noel, Loganville, Georgia, for research contributions to the field of avian medicine. Dr. FergusonNoel received her DVM degree from the University of the West Indies in 1996 and her doctorate in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia in 2002. She is an associate professor at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Outstanding Field Case and/or Diagnostic Report Award: Dr. Chad Malinak, Athens, Georgia. Dr. Malinak received his DVM degree from Louisiana State University in 2012 and his master’s degree in avian medicine from the University of Georgia in 2014. A diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, he serves as director of veterinary services at Pilgrim’s. P.P. Levine Award, presented to the senior author of the best paper published in Avian Diseases: Daral J. Jackwood, PhD, Wooster, Ohio. Dr. Jackwood earned his doctorate in molecular virology from The Ohio State University in 1982. He is a professor at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Reed Rumsey Student Award: Dr. Stivalis Cardenas Garcia, Athens, Georgia, a 2008 graduate of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and Dr. Christina Parr Lindsey, Knightdale, North Carolina, a 2013 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Richard B. Rimler Memorial Paper Scholarship: Dr. Kevin Maschek, Brandon, Mississippi. Dr. Maschek is a 2013 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. L. Dwight Schwartz Travel Scholarship: Callie S. Pierce, Statesville, North Carolina. Pierce is a third-year student at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Arnold S. Rosenwald Student Poster Award: Dr. Jin Yong Noh, Seoul, South Korea, a 2013 graduate of Konkuk University, won in the category of basic research, and Dr. Soo-Won Choi, Seoul, South Korea, also a 2013 graduate of Konkuk University, won in the category of applied research. Eskelund Preceptorship Award: Emily Aston, Cornell University; Katherine Backel, Cornell University; Luke Baldwin, Iowa State University; Elizabeth Beilke, Iowa State University; Sheilena Brookshire, University of Georgia; Seiche Genger, University of Tennessee; Michelle Janik, Oregon State University; Molly Parker, North Carolina State University; Amy Sents, Kansas State University; Eric Shepherd, University of Georgia; Meagan Slater, North Carolina State University; and Laura Tensa, Oregon State University. AAAP Foundation Poultry Scholarship: Randi Clark, William Carey University; James D. Longoria, Auburn University; Valerie C. Marcano, University of Georgia; Laura Morman, Purdue University; Grace Mountainspring, Oregon State University; Callie S. Pierce, North Carolina State University; Corissa A. Steimling, Pennsylvania State University; Laura Tensa, Oregon State University; and Jessica N. Walters, Virginia Tech University Officials: Drs. Francene Van Sambeek, Cullman, Alabama, 866


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president; Robert Porter, North Oaks, Minnesota, presidentelect; Charles L. Hofacre, Athens, Georgia, executive vice president; Richard Fulton, Lansing, Michigan, immediate past president; Eva Wallner-Pendleton, Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, Northeast director; Eric Jensen, Elkmont, Alabama, Southern director; Eric Gingerich, Zionsville, Indiana, Central director; Victoria Bowes, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Western director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Ian Rubinoff, Urbandale, Iowa, and Sara Steinlage, Bentonville, Arkansas Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American Association of Avian Pathologists, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, 904-4255735; fax, (281) 664-4744; [email protected]; website, www. aaap.info

Public health and federal veterinarians Event: American Association of Public Health Veterinarians, National Association of Federal Veterinarians, joint meeting, July 26, Denver Awards: AAPHV student scholarship: Dr. Jordan Dieckman (Wisconsin ’14), and Gabby Eddings (Washington State ’15) Business: The AAPHV reviewed the annual treasury report; discussed the policy working group’s new standard operating procedure for position statements and endorsements and the development of a subject matter expert database; went over the communications work group’s plans to create social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook and to move job postings, member publications, and communications to the AAPHV LinkedIn page; and discussed the results of the outreach work group’s survey of allied public health organizations for potential partnerships and its request for images from the membership for the AAPHV Flickr image library. AVMA Congressional Science Fellows and AAAS Fellows shared experiences from their assignments. The NAFV discussed how the association has raised the visibility of federal veterinarians and their contributions to veterinary medicine and public health; influenced laws, regulations, procedures, and policies that impact federal veterinarians; and provided a forum for networking and interaction of veterinarians, and legal counsel and management support for federal veterinarians. Officials: AAPHV—Drs. Jeffrey Baravik, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, president; Tegwin Taylor, Campbell, California, president-elect; Thomas Doker, Lewistown, Maryland, secretary; Arlene Buchholz, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, treasurer; Millicent Eidson, Albany, New York, immediate past president; and directors-at-large—Drs. Kelly Vest, Silver Spring, Maryland; and Nora Pihkala, Washington, D.C. NAFV—Drs. Douglas Fulnechek, Springdale, Arkansas, president; Kenneth Angel, Jackson, Mississippi, president-elect; John Sanders, Kearneysville, West Virginia, secretary-treasurer;

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Minnesota, Central region director; and Richard Coon, Forest Grove, Oregon, Western region director Contact: Dr. Bert Mitchell, Vice President, American Association of Senior Veterinarians, 5186 Cote du Rhone Way, Sarasota, FL 34238; phone, 941-320-1997, 941-9216426; fax, 941-923-2640; [email protected]; website, www.aasrv.org

Poultry veterinarians


Gary Brickler, Sacramento, California, immediate past president; and board members—Drs. Gary Brickler, Sacramento, California; Linda Riggs, Ridgeland, Mississippi; Brian Archer, McPherson, Kansas; Deanna Brown, Batesville, Arkansas; Kermit Harvey, Flora, Mississippi; and Douglas Meckes, Alexandria, Virginia Contact: AAPHV—Dr. Thomas Doker, Secretary, American Association of Public Health Veterinarians, 2607 Caulfield Court, Lewistown, MD 21701; phone, 678-862-2281; thomas. [email protected]; website, www.aaphv.org. NAFV—Dr. Michael J. Gilsdorf, Executive Vice President, National Association of Federal Veterinarians, 1910 Sunderland Place NW, Washington DC 20036; phone, 202-223-4878; fax, 202223-4877; [email protected]; website, www.nafv.org

Senior veterinarians ACPV diplomates: Back row—Drs. Jocelyn Romano, David French, Chad M. Malinak. Front row—Drs. Yugendar Reddy Bommineni, Elise Myers, Takumu Niino, Ian Rubinoff, and Vijay Durairaj

AASrV: Drs. Earl Strimple, Everett Macomber, Bruce W. Little, Bert Mitchell, William McEniry, and Richard Coon (not pictured is Dr. Robert Dietl)

Event: American Association of Senior Veterinarians meeting, July 28, Denver Program: The president of the AASrV, Dr. Bruce W. Little, presided over the meeting. Dr. Apryl Steele described an increase in marijuana toxicosis cases in dogs since the drug’s legalization for recreational use in Colorado. Dr. Mark Lutschaunig addressed issues facing the AVMA Governmental Relations Division this midterm election. Dr. Jan Strother spoke on the creation of the Veterinary Care Charitable Fund by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Dr. Jody Johnson presented an analysis of the ramifications of the Affordable Care Act and outlined features and benefits of the term life, dental, and long-term care insurance available to AVMA members through the AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance trust. Business: Officials and directors were elected, and amended bylaws were approved. Dr. Little announced that the registered trademark for the AASrV logo had been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He also described initiatives to increase funding for hospital visitation by Josh and Friends and to raise money to translate the brochure “I’ll Be O.K.” into Spanish. Officials: Drs. Bruce W. Little, Las Vegas, president; Bert Mitchell, Sarasota, Florida, vice president; Everett Macomber, Centralia, Washington, secretary; William McEniry, Ashton, Illinois, treasurer; Earl Strimple, Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, Eastern region director; Robert Dietl, Richfield,

Event: American College of Poultry Veterinarians meeting, July 26-29, Denver Business: The college will be revising its bylaws. The title of secretary-treasurer has been changed to executive vice president. The college is in the process Dr. Samuel of revising its certification examination Christenberry and conducting a cut-score analysis (via standard-setting), to be completed in spring 2015. New diplomates: Eight new diplomates were welcomed into the ACPV. They are as follows: Yugendar Reddy Bommineni, Mount Jackson, Virginia Vijay Durairaj, Athens, Georgia David French, Hattiesburg, Mississippi Chad M. Malinak, Athens, Georgia Elise A. Myers, Dover Centre, Ontario Takumu Niino, Apex, North Carolina Jocelyn Romano, Durham, North Carolina Ian Rubinoff, Urbandale, Iowa Officials: Drs. Samuel Christenberry, Cullman, Alabama, president; Becky J. Tilley, Goldsboro, North Carolina, president-elect; Karen B. Grogan, Dacula, Georgia, executive vice president; and Timothy Cummings, Starkville, Mississippi, immediate past president Contact: Janece Bevans-Kerr, Director of Member Services, American College of Poultry Veterinarians, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 202, Jacksonville, FL 32223; phone, 904-4255735; fax, 281-664-4744; [email protected]; website, www. acpv.info Vol. 245, No. 8

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Event: American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine meeting, July 27, Denver Awards: HelwigDr. Marianne Ash Dr. George E. Moore Jennings Award: Dr. Marianne Ash, Lafayette, Indiana, for outstanding and prolonged service to the ACVPM. A 1977 Dr. Danelle Dr. Glenda Dvorak graduate of the Bickett-Weddle Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Ash is director of the Division of Animal Programs at the Indiana State Board of Health. Earlier in her career, she was staff veterinarian for a swine and poultry company in central Indiana. Dr. Ash is president-elect of the ACVPM and has served on the AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee, and Committee on Environmental Issues. Distinguished Diplomate Award: Dr. George E. Moore, Battle Ground, Indiana, for significant contributions to the specialty of veterinary preventive medicine. A 1979 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Moore is a professor of clinical epidemiology and director of the clinical trials group at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. A diplomate of the ACVPM and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Moore has research interests that include evidence-based medicine and epidemiology of companion animal diseases. Frank A. Todd President’s Award: Drs. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Ames, Iowa, and Glenda Dvorak, Ames, Iowa, for meritorious service to the college. Dr. Bickett-Weddle earned her DVM degree from the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and obtained her doctorate, also from Iowa State, in 2009 in veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine. She is associate director of the ISU CVM Center for Food Security and Public Health. A diplomate of the ACVPM, Dr. Bickett-Weddle serves as the Iowa VMA’s delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. A 2001 graduate of the ISU CVM and a diplomate of the ACVPM, Dr. Dvorak is assistant director and a veterinary specialist at the ISU CVM Center for Food Security and Public Health. Her work focuses on zoonotic diseases, emergency preparedness and response, and infection control. Business: Chairs of the ACVPM standing committees presented reports. Also presented were findings from a Photo by R. Scott Nolen


Veterinary preventive medicine

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survey conducted to assess the future direction of the college. New diplomates: Fifty-one new diplomates were welcomed into the college following their successful completion of the certifying examination. The new diplomates are as follows: Mary C. Avriette, Savannah, Georgia Janice L. Baker, Vass, North Carolina Eileen C. Ball, Leesburg, Virginia Cassondra Bauer, San Antonio Riva Ben-Ezra, Hashmonaim, Israel Rebecca H. Benisch, Baltimore Robert G. Bonifacio, Waterford, California Andrew S. Bowman, Worthington, Ohio Peggy K. Brinkman, Sheldon, Iowa Elizabeth C. Broel, Charlotte, North Carolina Brandy A. Burgess, Blacksburg, Virginia Cara C. Cherry, Fort Collins, Colorado Jodi L. Collins, Elkader, Iowa David M. Cox, Silver Spring, Maryland Wendy B. Cuevas-Espelid, Canton, Georgia Mark Cunningham, Gainesville, Florida Jean S. DeNapoli, Coventry, Connecticut Abel B. Ekiri, Brandon, England Tara M. Harrison, Davis, California R. Reid Harvey, Rockville, Maryland Zarah N. Hedge, San Diego Sara R. Hegge, Rockville, Maryland Nathan Hoyt, Silver Spring, Maryland E. Jane Kelly, Springville, Utah Karen D. Kendrick, Wetumpka, Alabama Amanda J. Kieffer, College Station, Texas Marc G. Knobbe, Carthage, North Carolina Gael Lamielle, Santa Monica, California Morgan A. Mander, Dade City, Florida Angela Maxted, Wynantskill, New York Branden M. Maxwell, Ijamsville, Maryland Anthony D. May, Silver Spring, Maryland Anna B. Mullins, Ijamsville, Maryland Monica Murphy, Brooklyn, New York Chika C. Okafor, Guelph, Ontario Amos Peterson, Pullman, Washington Katherine C. Polak, Lombard, Illinois Kamala S. Rapp, Burke, Virginia Gregory T. Reppas, Vicenza, Italy Noel B. Ritson-Bennett, Calgary, Alberta William E. Sander, Hyattsville, Maryland Jeff Sarchet, Decatur, Texas Tamerin M. Scott, Santa Monica, California Richard H. Smilie, Washington, D.C. Heather E. Stone, Bethany, West Virginia

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Officials: Drs. Scott Brooks, Bedford Corners, New York, president; Marianne Ash, Lafayette, Indiana, presidentelect; Sherry Burrer, Atlanta, secretary-treasurer; Candace L. McCall, Selma, Texas, executive vice president; Mo Salman, Colorado Springs, Colorado, immediate past president; Mark Starr, Rocklin, California, Specialty of Epidemiology president; and councilors—Drs. Paul Garbe, Atlanta; Armando Hoet, Columbus, Ohio; and Tom Berg, Richland, Michigan Contact: Dr. Candace L. McCall, Executive Vice President, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 16505 Lookout Hollow Circle, #718, Selma, TX 78154; phone, 210382-5400; [email protected]; website, www.acvpm. org

mitment in serving the veterinary profession and association colleagues. Executive director of the Nevada VMA, Wagner is a past president of the ASVMAE and has served on and chaired several of the society’s committees. Officials: Dina Michel, Hastings, Nebraska, president; Adrian Hochstadt, Schaumburg, Illinois, president-elect; Dan Tjornehoj, South St. Paul, Minneapolis, secretary; Candace Joy, Snoqualmie, Washington, treasurer; and David Foley, Lexington, Kentucky, immediate past president Contact: Dina Michel, President, American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives, P.O. Box 637, Hastings, NE 68902; phone, 402-463-4704; fax, 402-463-4705; [email protected]; website, www.vmaexecs.org


Shelley Stonecipher, Fort Worth, Texas Kimberly A. Thompson, Lansing, Michigan Ernest P. Weber III, White Post, Virginia Virginia C. White, San Diego Lynne White-Shim, Roselle, Illinois Timothy W. Wilson, Woodland, California

Veterinary epidemiologists

Veterinary medical association executives Front row—Drs. Robert Crandell, John Clifford, Ted Cohn (AVMA president), and Saul Wilson. Back row—Virginia Dato, MD; Edward Young, MD; Dr. Craig N. Carter; Dr. Charles Thoen; Dr. Lisa Nolan; Dr. Roger Mahr (AVMA past president); and Dr. Kelley Donham

ASVMAE: Back row—David Foley, Dina Michel, Adrian Hochstadt, Dan Tjornehoj, and Philip Hinkle. Front row—Deloris Green Gaines (director), Candace Joy, Simon Flynn (director), and Gary Stamp (director)

Event: American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives meeting, July 25, Denver Awards: Executive Philip Hinkle Michelle Wagner of the Year: Philip Hinkle, Orlando, Florida, for exemplifying the best in association management and continually bringing credit to the profession and the association community. Hinkle is executive director of the Florida VMA and a member of the ASVMAE board of directors. He has served three terms as mayor of Haines City, Florida. Distinguished Service Award: Michelle Wagner, Reno, Nevada, for exceptional service to the ASVMAE, demonstrating initiative, integrity, and com-

Dr. Max Coats

Jack Woodall, PhD

Event: American Veterinary Epidemiology Society meeting, July 28, Denver Awards: Karl F. Meyer–James H. Steele Gold Headed Cane Award, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation: Drs. Robert Crandell, College Station, Texas, and John Clifford, Washington, D.C., for outstanding lifetime contributions to veterinary epidemiology and public health. Dr. Crandell received his DVM degree from Michigan State University in 1949 and a Master of Public Health from the University of California-Berkeley in 1955. Prior to retirement in 1987, he was head of diagnostic microbiology at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Earlier in his career, Dr. Crandell served as an Air Force veterinarian and was professor and director of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a diplomate of the American Vol. 245, No. 8

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Dr. Ronglian Hu


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College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. A 1983 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Clifford is deputy administrator of veterinary services with the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. During his career with the USDA, he has served as area veterinarian in charge in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana; was the National Health Monitoring System coordinator in Ohio; served as brucellosis epidemiologist and veterinary medical officer in Kentucky; and was the associate deputy administrator of the National Animal Health Policy and Programs. Honorary diplomas, sponsored by Hartz Mountain Corporation, were given to Dr. Max Coats, Killeen, Texas; Virginia Dato, MD, Pittsburgh; Dr. Kelley Donham, Iowa City, Iowa; Dr. Ronglian Hu, Changchun, China; Dr. Lisa Nolan, Ames, Iowa; Jack Woodall, PhD, Rio de Janeiro; and Edward Young, MD, Houston Business: The AVES is collaborating with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organization on global canine rabies eradication. Officials: Drs. Charles O. Thoen, Ames, Iowa, president; Konrad Eugster, College Station, Texas, vice president; Craig N. Carter, Lexington, Kentucky, executive director; George W. Beran, Ames, Iowa, immediate past president; and board members—Drs. Lonnie King, Columbus, Ohio; Saul Wilson, Tuskegee, Alabama; George Beran, Ames, Iowa; Georgette Wilson, Secaucus, New Jersey; and Bruce Kaplan, Sarasota, Florida Contact: Dr. Craig N. Carter, Executive Director, American Veterinary Epidemiology Society, P.O. Box 11093, Lexington, KY 40512; phone, 859-321-4890; [email protected]

Sarah M. Oates

Jennifer Yu

Amanda Fox

Brittany Blattner

Michael Sanders

Samantha Schimming

The college was in operation from 1891-1918. Awards: J. Fred Smithcors Student Veterinary History Dr. Ronnie G. Elmore Dr. Boris Brglez Essay Contest, sponsored by the Donaldson Charitable Trust: First place ($1,200)—Sarah M. Oates (Wisconsin ’16), for “Uncloaking cognitive decline: The emergence of canine cognitive dysfunction in veterinary medicine and its implications for understanding Alzheimer’s disease”; second place ($1,000)—Jennifer Yu (California-Davis ’16), for “The rise of Chinese acupuncture in the West: How an ancient Eastern tradition became an American medical staple”; third place ($800)—Amanda Fox (North Carolina State ’17), for “One health: Back to our roots”; and fourth place ($500)—Brittany Blattner (Kansas Veterinary history society State ’16), for “Helping paws throughout history: The evolution of the service dog.” Receiving honorable mention were Event: American Veterinary Medical History Society meetMichael Sanders (Purdue ’16), for “The worm conqueror” ing, July 28, Denver and Samantha Schimming (Kansas State ’16), for “Hay, Program: The immediate past president of the AVMHS, oats, and water? A brief look at the history of drug use in Dr. Helen Wojcinski, presided over the meeting. This year’s Thoroughbred racing.” program featured several speakers. Dr. Howard H. Erickson, Manhattan, Kansas, spoke on “Early African-American gradu- Business: Reports of ongoing activities were presented. Practices continue to be added to the Registry of Heritage ates of Kansas State University” (on behalf of Dr. Ronnie Veterinary Practices, honoring veterinary hospitals and clinElmore, Manhattan, Kansas) and “Kansas City Veterinary College”; Jeffrey Douglas, Christianburg, Virginia, presented ics across the country more than 50 years old. Lesley Ann Gentry, registry coordinator and the society’s liaison to the “History of the Association of American Veterinary Medical World Association for the History of Veterinary Medicine, Colleges” (on behalf of Dr. Andrew Maccabe, Washington, noted that there are nearly 60 listings in the registry so far. D.C.); Jacqueline Paritte, PhD, Stillwater, Oklahoma, spoke She is seeking additional practices on an ongoing basis. on “History of the veterinary technician program”; and Dr. A logo was designed this year that can be placed on heriDonald F. Smith, Ithaca, New York, presented “Overview of tage practice websites to provide further recognition of the history of veterinary medical education in the United their longevity and achievements. The AVMHS updated its States.” In keeping with the educational theme of the proDirectory of Veterinary and Related Museums, Historical gram, Dr. Erickson displayed a poster highlighting important historical features of the Kansas City Veterinary College. Exhibits, and Preservation Restorations with an online guide 870


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Lesbian and gay association

Dr. Ken Gorczyca (past president), Dr. Michael Chaddock, Dr. Sandy Hazanow, Nikko Grossapoulos, and Tony Wynne

Event: Lesbian and Gay VMA meeting, July 25, Denver Program: Keynote lecturer Jeremy Pittman of the Human Rights Campaign addressed marriage and job security and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and whether it was appropriate to disclose sexual orientation on one’s resume or at work. AVMA President Ted Cohn shared his ideas on inclusion and cultural competency for the veterinary medical profession. Awards: Leadership Award: Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association and its co-founders, Drs. Sonia Fang, Seattle; William Gilles, Minneapolis; and Nikki Wright, Norristown, Pennsylvania. The BSVSA is a student-run asso-

Dr. Sonia Fang

Dr. William Gilles

Dr. Nikki Wright

Lisa Greenhill

Kauline Davis, PhD

Dr. Paige Carmichael

ciation that provides community and connection for veterinary students who identify anywhere on the spectrum of gender Dr. Sandy San Miguel identity and sexual Patricia Lowrie orientation. It also acts as the umbrella organization for the federation of veterinary medical student chapters and clubs with a similar mission on most veterinary campuses in North America. A 2013 graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Fang recently completed a small animal internship at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. Dr. Gilles earned his DVM degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 and is the founding director of Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services. A 2014 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wright works at Banfield Pet Hospital in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. Achievement Award: The book “Navigating Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine” and its coeditors, Lisa Greenhill, Washington, D.C.; Kauline Davis, PhD, West Lafayette, Indiana; Patricia Lowrie, East Lansing, Michigan; and Dr. Sandy San Miguel, West Lafayette, Indiana; and the AVMA/Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges DiVersity Matters College Climate Survey and its co-authors, Dr. Paige Carmichael, Athens, Georgia; and Lisa Greenhill, Washington, D.C. Greenhill earned a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University in 2000 and her doctorate in education from Benedictine University in 2014. She serves as associate executive director for institutional research and diversity for the AAVMC. Dr. Davis obtained her doctorate in microbiology from Purdue University in 2005 and directs diversity initiatives at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine. Lowrie is assistant to the dean of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and directs Vol. 245, No. 8

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and informational brochure. Additional listings continue to be sought along with efforts being made to encourage the establishment of more exhibits and collections that inform the public about veterinary medicine’s interesting past and enable the preservation of antique instruments and other artifacts. Web coordinator Dr. Kevan Flaming indicated plans for updating and redesigning the society’s website in the coming year. Dr. Phyllis Larsen, coordinator of the AVMHS Time-Bites project, reported that 43 of these historical ministories have been published since 2009 by the Veterinary Information Network. She also shared her analysis of usage of these time bites by VIN readers and recommended continuation of the project. Lesley Ann Gentry described plans for the 41st International Congress in London, including the themes, “History of one health” and “War, animals, and the veterinary profession.” Officials: Dr. Ronnie G. Elmore, Manhattan, Kansas, president; Dr. Boris Brglez, Fayetteville, North Carolina, president-elect; Susanne K. Whitaker, Ithaca, New York, secretary-treasurer; Dr. Helen Wojcinski, Ann Arbor, Michigan, immediate past president; and members-at-large—Dr. Ana Alcaraz, Claremont, California; Dr. Peter Cowen, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Lesley Ann Gentry, Beloit, Kansas; and Dr. Cynthia Hoobler, Friendswood, Texas Contact: Susanne K. Whitaker, Secretary-Treasurer, American Veterinary Medical History Society, 23 Wedgewood Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone, 607-257-9248; [email protected]; website, www.avmhs.org


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the university’s Women’s Resource Center. A 1993 graduate of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. San Miguel is associate dean for engagement and a professor of swine production medicine at the Purdue veterinary college. Dr. Carmichael earned her DVM degree from Tuskegee University in 1987 and her doctorate in veterinary anatomic pathology from the University of Georgia in 1994. She is a professor in the Department of Pathology at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Business: The association is offering veterinary student leadership awards of $1,500 and veterinary technician student scholarships of $750 this fall. The LGVMA congratulated the AVMA House of Delegates for electing officers in July who bring diversity to the Board of Directors, which the LGVMA sees as a strong signal that the profession is actively trying to align with diversity in society. Officials: Dr. Sandy Hazanow, San Francisco, president; Tony Wynne, Washington, D.C., vice president; Dr. Linda Detwiler, Millstone Township, New Jersey, secretary; Dr. Michael Chaddock, College Station, Texas, treasurer; Dr. Wayne Hollingshead, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec, immediate past president; Nikko Grossapoulos, Minneapolis, student representative; and members-at-large—Drs. Nikki Wright, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania; Michael McGuill, Boston; Tatty Hodge, Richland, Michigan; and Dane Whitaker, San Francisco

Contact: Betsy Grenier, Managing Director, Lesbian and Gay VMA, Hannah Street Consulting Inc., 302 Pearl St. #108, Providence, RI 02097; phone, 401-780-0900; fax, 401-7800940; [email protected]; website, www.lgvma.org

Christian Veterinary Mission Event: Christian Veterinary Mission meeting, July 27, Denver Program: The meeting, hosted by executive director Dr. Kit Flowers, began with a worship service. Dr. Flowers reported that the CVM has 35 veterinarians serving full-time in faithbased veterinary development projects in 13 countries. He also shared a report that 494 veterinary professionals participated in short-term volunteer trips in the past year to 28 countries. Student fellowship groups of the CVM are engaged on 34 veterinary school campuses, with more than 1,600 students involved in groups, weekend retreats, and short-term volunteer trips. CVM staff and veterinarians attend more than 50 conferences each year to encourage fellowship and to motivate veterinarians to live their faith through the profession. Contact: Dr. Kit Flowers, Executive Director, Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133; phone, 206-546-7226; fax, 206-546-7458; kflowers@ cvmusa.org; website, www.cvmusa.org

Veterinary medical colleges Event: Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; David July 28, Denver Argyle, University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School Officials: Dr. Trevor Ames, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Studies; and Sandra Bushmich, University of of Veterinary Medicine, president; Dr. Eleanor M. Green, Connecticut Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Contact: Jeanne Johnson, Association of American Biomedical Sciences, president-elect; Dr. Lisa Nolan, Iowa Veterinary Medical Colleges, 1101 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite State University College of Veterinary Medicine, secretary; 301, Washington, DC 20005; phone, 202-371-9195, ext. 144; Dr. Douglas Freeman, University of Saskatchewan Western fax, 202-842-0773; [email protected]; website, www. College of Veterinary Medicine, treasurer; Dr. Kent Hoblet, aavmc.org Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, immediate past president; Tony Nitido, Western University of Health Sciences, at-large Student AVMA liaison; Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, Washington, D.C., executive director; and directors-at-large—Drs. Elizabeth Stone, University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College; Robert AAVMC: Dr. Robert Dysko, Tony Nitido, Dr. Michael Lairmore, Dr. Eleanor M. Green, Dr. Trevor Dysko, University of Michigan Medical Ames, Dr. Kent Hoblet, Dr. Elizabeth Stone, and Dr. Douglas Freeman School; Michael Lairmore, University

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New Auxiliary president pays forward her appreciation

Linda Walker, president of the Auxiliary to the AVMA

“I’ve always enjoyed being involved in organizations, especially the Auxiliary because it benefited the veterinary students so much on all levels.” Linda Walker, president, Auxiliary to the AVMA erinary students so much on all levels,” she said. “We needed to apply for a (student) loan at one point and found out my husband qualified for a scholarship instead. This has been my way of paying forward.” Walker told attendees at the membership meeting her presidential theme will be “Looking Forward to the Future.” She said the Auxiliary looks forward to continuing its relationship with the AVMA and AVMF. An update was given on the Auxiliary Legacy Endowed Scholarship Program, which was created at the 2013 AVMA convention when the Auxiliary presented the AVMF with a $2 million check to start the fund. The AVMF will begin awarding a $1,000 scholarship to one Vol. 245, No. 8

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student at each U.S. veterinary college next spring. The Kritters Korner Gift Store is the Auxiliary’s “big moneymaker,” Walker noted. At the AVMA convention, it did well, and the next venue is the Western Veterinary Conference next February in Las Vegas. The profits go to the Auxiliary’s general fund to maintain the Auxiliary as an organization so it can raise funds for the legacy scholarship program. Winners of the 2015 National Pet Week poster and writing contests were chosen by the board. The winning entries and creators will be announced


Linda Walker of Arlington, Texas, was installed as president of the Auxiliary to the AVMA on July 28 during the AVMA Annual Convention in Denver. Former president Ginger Morton, Athens, Texas, installed Walker and the other board members during the Auxiliary’s annual membership meeting. As Auxiliary president for 2014-2015, Walker is chair of the Auxiliary board of directors. Serving on the board with her are Mary Louise Dixon, Rome, Georgia, secretary; Meagan Allegra Waldron, Mount Gilead, Ohio; Judy DeWitt, Birmingham, Alabama; Leslie Montgomery, Dacula, Georgia; and Greg Mooney, Mount Gilead, Ohio, immediate past president. Mary Ellen Bowgren, Schaumburg, Illinois, continues as liaison between the AVMA staff, the Auxiliary, and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Walker’s husband is Dr. T.J. Walker, owner of a small animal practice in Arlington, Texas, since 1975. College sweethearts, the couple married in 1969, and T.J. received his DVM degree from Texas A&M University in 1972. During her husband’s veterinary college years, Linda was an officer in the TAMU student auxiliary. After his graduation, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though there was no state auxiliary as such, Linda helped with logistics for an annual no-cost vaccination clinic hosted by Albuquerque veterinarians. In 1975, the Walkers moved to Texas, where Linda became involved in the state auxiliary. She served as Tarrant County president for two years and as Texas auxiliary president from 20112013. In the national Auxiliary, she has been a board member since 2011. “I’ve always enjoyed being involved in organizations, especially the Auxiliary because it benefited the vet-

Photo by Dr. Richard Dixon

By Susan C. Kahler

in JAVMA next March in advance of pet week in May. The Auxiliary luncheon July 28 drew about 40 people, including one veterinarian each from Japan, China, and Singapore. Walker said the Auxiliary “ironed out a whole lot of issues” during Greg Mooney’s administration, so she doesn’t foresee anything “jumping up.” Dues-paying members currently number 230 and include 11 men. There are also more than 630 life members. “We are trying hard to make everyone realize you don’t have to wear a skirt to be a member,” Walker said. And not everyone is a spouse. Board member Meagan Allegra Waldron, for example, is the daughter of a veterinarian. JAVMA News: October 15, 2014

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Issues

Targeted feral cat sterilization yields lower euthanasia rates

A

University of Florida study of a feline trap-neuter-return program found that a targeted approach helped effectively manage the feral cat population and reduce shelter euthanasia rates in the area. Results of the two-year study showed that sterilizing feral cats in a region of historically high animalcontrol impoundments led to a steep decline in the number of cats that were admitted to and euthanized at the local shelter. “We investigated whether we ever could neuter enough cats to slow their intake into animal control,” explained Dr. Julie Levy, professor of shelter medicine at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and principal investigator on the study, “Effect of high-impact targeted trap-neuter-return and adoption of community cats on cat intake to a shel- A study out of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine showed marked ter,” published online this September in decreases in shelter intake and euthanasia of feral cats in an area of intensive cat neutering and adoption, compared with figures for the rest of the Florida county. the open-access The Veterinary Journal (www.sciencedirect.com/science/ journal), Vol. 201, No. 3. “Neutering a few cats here and there wasn’t making a big intake declined only 13 percent from a baseline of 16 cats per 1,000 residents to 14 cats per 1,000 residents. impact, so we wanted to pick a focused area and throw all In the target area, euthanasia declined 95 percent from a our resources into it,” she said. baseline of eight cats per 1,000 residents to less than one The region researchers selected for the study is in per 1,000 residents at the end of the study. In the nontarAlachua County adjacent to the UF campus and includes get area, cat euthanasia declined 30 percent from a basethe downtown Gainesville business district, several residential neighborhoods, a mobile home park, two homeless line of 10 cats per 1,000 residents to seven cats per 1,000 residents. shelters, industrial parks, and a veterinary clinic. The zone “The figures were incredible, as were the adoptions,” Dr. has higher unemployment and poverty rates as well as lower household income and rates of home ownership than Levy said. “Adoption wasn’t part of the original plan, but it happened organically as residents offered to take in kittens the county as a whole. During the study, 2,366 stray and feral community cats— and the friendlier adults.” Cats weren’t the only ones to find new homes. While approximately 54 percent of the estimated feral cat popuunclaimed cats were the focus of the study, the shelter lation in the targeted area—were trapped and neutered. intake rates of dogs also declined in the targeted area. “That Afterward, they were returned to their environment or was just an extra win,” she said. “As we went door to door, adopted. we talked to people about how to care for all their animals, Dr. Levy and her team found that in the target area, aniincluding other resources available for their pets.” mal control cat intake declined 70 percent from a baseline Funded through a $250,000 grant from Maddie’s Fund, of 13 cats per 1,000 residents to four cats per 1,000 resithe study initially used direct advertising to promote the dents at the end of the study. In the rest of the county, cat

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Courtesy of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine

TNR program effectively managed feral cat population in Florida area

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free spay-neuter surgery available through Operation Catnip, the trap-neuter-return program based at UF. “But the cats didn’t arrive in large numbers like we’d expected,” Dr. Levy said. “They were out there, but this is a community that doesn’t just take stray cats to a spay-neuter clinic.” So Dr. Levy hired a neighborhood resident to knock on doors. “It’s not enough for an agency like ours to just make services available. You must get into a community and talk to people to find out what they need,” she said. “If we go in with the right resources and attitudes, we can save animals from animal control and from being euthanized.”

“The animal welfare community as a whole has realized that we can’t be solely shelter-centric,” Dr. Levy said. “The next step in our work is to connect with communities, find out their needs, and how we can help.” The resources needed to complete the project were intensive. “It’s not realistic to provide this level of coverage throughout the community in an untargeted way. To expand what we did in the target area to the entire county would cost millions of dollars,” Dr. Levy said. “But like all daunting problems, you bite off the greatest need and start there.”

Animals can be considered crime victims in Oregon By Greg Cima Animals can be considered crime victims under Oregon law, according to the state Supreme Court. The court justices ruled that police can enter private property to aid an animal during an emergency, even in the absence of a warrant. In the former ruling, six presiding justices confirmed an appellate court’s decision that a circuit court judge had erred in finding that only humans can be considered victims. The ruling was unanimous, although a seventh Oregon Supreme Court justice, David V. Brewer, did not consider the case. In March 2010, a jury convicted Arnold W. Nix on 20 counts of seconddegree animal neglect. Police had found dozens of emaciated horses, goats, and other animals on his farm a year earlier. The trial court judge merged the counts into a conviction on a single charge and issued a suspended 90-day jail sentence and three years of probation. Prosecutors appealed. The Oregon Supreme Court ruling in that case notes that, according to Oregon law, multiple crimes committed in a single episode will merge, with a conviction. But some crimes that harm multiple victims are exempt under an “anti-merger” statute. Nix’s defense argued that animals are treated as property under Oregon law, which does not allow property

Neighbors of Teresa A. Dicke called police in August 2010 about a horse that appeared to be starving. Dicke and Linda D. Fessenden shared ownership of the horse. An animal control unit officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office saw from a driveway shared among the neighbors, including Dicke, that the horse appeared to be emaciated, to be seen as a crime victim. Instead, according to court documents. It also swayed and appeared to strain while the public or the owner would be the urinating, the latter recognized by the victim. officer as a possible sign of kidney The state argued that the term failure. “victim” drew meaning from the law “The officer believed that, if the violated, and the legislature passed the horse were to fall, she was at risk of law out of concern that animals could serious imminent injury or death; he be victims of abuse and neglect. also believed that it would take at least The ruling, delivered by Justice Jack L. Landau, states that the term “victim” four, and possibly as long as eight, hours to obtain a warrant to seize the has historically applied to animals, horse and take her to a veterinarian,” and nothing precludes them from the ruling states. “The officer’s beliefs being considered such under state were objectively reasonable in light of law. Definitions of animal neglect and the officer’s training and expertise as abuse under state law indicate the an animal welfare officer.” legislature focused on treatment of A veterinarian at an animal hospital animals rather than harm to the public determined the horse needed immeor animal owners. In a separate, also unanimous ruling diate care, and it gained about 100 pounds over the next month of rehadelivered the same day, the justices bilitation, according to the appellate confirmed an appellate court ruling court ruling. that a police officer was justified in Dicke was convicted of first-degree entering private property to seize an emaciated horse and take that horse to animal neglect and first-degree animal a veterinarian, even though the officer abuse, and Fessenden of seconddegree animal neglect. did not have a warrant. Vol. 245, No. 8

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Practice Electron micrograph of a Listeria bacterium in tissue

Study finds Listeria in raw pet foods In a recent study, one-third of samples of raw dog or cat foods ordered online were positive for Listeria organisms. An article published in the September edition of Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, “Investigation of Listeria, Salmonella, and toxigenic Escherichia coli in various pet foods” (Foodborne Pathog Dis 2014;11:706-709), indicates 65 of 196 samples of raw dog or cat foods were positive for Listeria, including 32 that were positive for L monocytogenes. In addition, 15 of the 196 samples were positive for Salmonella and two were positive for shiga toxin–producing E coli. “This study showed that raw pet foods may harbor food safety pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella,” the article states. “Consumers should handle these products carefully, being mindful of the potential risks to human and animal health.” Among 480 dry or semimoist pet foods bought from local

stores, only two dry cat foods were found to have contamination. One each contained Salmonella and L greyii. The authors also found that two of 190 jerky-type treats were Co u r t e s y o f C D C positive for shiga toxin–producing E coli, and one was positive for Listeria. None of the 180 dry exotic pet food samples tested were found to contain the pathogens involved in the study. The Food and Drug Administration’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network conducted the study in collaboration with the Food Emergency Response Network and its Microbiology Cooperative Agreement Program laboratories. The full article is available at www.liebertpub.com/FPD.

FDA warns makers of unapproved ‘tear stain’ products Federal authorities have told three companies to stop selling unapproved products intended to remove stains under the eyes of dogs and cats. None of the affected products are approved as drugs, yet all are marketed to treat conditions associated with “tear stains,” and some contain the antimicrobial tylosin tartrate, according to warning letters issued Aug. 28 by the Food and Drug Administration. If the companies continue selling the products, the FDA could seize those products and seek injunctions. Tylosin is not approved for any uses in dogs or cats, an agency announcement states. And products are consid-

ered to be drugs if they are intended to mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease in animals or to affect the structure or function of animals’ bodies. The warnings apply to the Angels’ Glow, Angels’ Eyes, and Pets’ Spark product lines sold in the U.S., as well as Clean Eyes, Sparkle Eyes, Glow Groom, and Health Glow products made for export. The Angels’ Glow products are made by Blanc du Blanc, the Angels’ Eyes products are made by I’m a Little Teacup, and the rest are from Petaware, all of which are based in Florida. In the warning letters, the FDA cites statements from the companies that their products kill bacteria, elimi-

nate infections, or treat conditions that cause stains on fur. The letter to Petaware also notes that the company had misbranded its exported Pets’ Spark, Glow Groom, and Health Glow products that contain tylosin. “In a signed affidavit made during the inspection, you stated that you do not list tylosin tartrate on the labels of the tear stain remover products you export so that they are not detained by customs in the country receiving them,” the letter states. And Petaware’s other exported products, Clean Eyes and Sparkle Eyes, did not include ingredient lists containing common ingredient names.

Humane Alliance opens spay-neuter training center Humane Alliance in Asheville, North Carolina, opened its new spay-neuter training center on July 28 to help continue spreading its model for high-quality, high-volume sterilization of cats and dogs. The nonprofit has trained hundreds of veterinarians and veterinary students in its techniques. The organization also sterilizes cats and dogs for shelters and pet owners in western North Carolina, helps other organizations open sterilization clinics across the country, and campaigns for early sterilization. 876


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The new training center was made possible by grants from the nonprofit organization’s long-term partners, PetSmart Charities and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The facility features six surgical bays, a large kennel area, classrooms, office space, and a separate dormitory. Since 2005, PetSmart Charities has granted more than $5.4 million to the Humane Alliance. The ASPCA made its first grant to the Humane Alliance in 2004 and has provided support every year since 2007 totaling nearly $6 million.

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Arizona veterinary program secures funding Local foundation donates $9 million European and Caribbean veterinary college models, the UA program will allow students who do not have a bachelor’s degree but have met the prerequisites and have a sufficiently high GPA to directly enter the twosemester preclinical program. From there, they will apply for acceptance into the three-year, year-round veterinary program, during which they will spend a total of nine semesters obtaining their veterinary degree—six semesters of a preclinical program followed by 48 weeks of distributive clinical rotations. The Arizona Daily Star reported in an Aug. 22 article that first-year students will be taught by current faculty in the college’s veterinary science programs at existing facilities. Additional faculty will be hired in subsequent years as a revenue stream is generated by tuition payments, said Dr. Shane Burgess, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in the article. Half of the expected class of 100 will come from

Clinical rotations in pathology and public practice are planned for the final year of the professional program at the University of Arizona.

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outside the state, including foreign students. Clinical training partners will include federal and state animal health laboratories and regulators, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security, and animal shelter and rescue agencies. The UA already has letters of interest from many prospective partners, according to the university press release. Additionally, the university will use $3 million of the Marley Foundation’s gift to build, refurbish, or renovate satellite locations in Douglas, Yuma, Maricopa, and the Verde Valley. In these settings, students will have the opportunity to learn about border health issues, rural medicine, food safety, large-scale animal production, and wildlife as well as the cattle and dairy industries. This is the second major gift to the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from the Marley Foundation. In 1993, it gave $6 million to finish a laboratory building on campus. Courtesy of UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

A

$9 million gift from a private philanthropy will allow the University of Arizona to establish a veterinary degree program after two unsuccessful attempts at obtaining public funding for the endeavor. The new Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Veterinary Medical and Surgical Program will be part of the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. The new program is slated to begin in fall 2015. In 2012 and 2013, the Arizona board of regents requested funding from the state legislature for a veterinary degree program at UA and was twice denied. In the meantime, the Arizona program had asked for a consultative site visit by the AVMA Council on Education to determine its preparedness for a comprehensive site visit; the consultative visit took place this past January. Now the UA veterinary program is seeking a letter of reasonable assurance of accreditation. A comprehensive COE site visit will happen soon, according to an Aug. 26 university press release. In the meantime, the regents considered the degree offering at their September meeting. Arizona already has one veterinary college at Midwestern University in Glendale, which received a letter of reasonable assurance of accreditation from the AVMA Council on Education in mid-2013 and admitted its first class of students in August. Twenty-four students in the class are from Arizona, and 27 of the 50 U.S. states are represented. Most members of the class are female (88 of 102). Leaders of the University of Arizona veterinary program say it has something different to offer in that, among other things, students will be able to graduate more quickly and at less cost. A sort of hybrid between the


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COE recognizes French institution

VetAgro Sup at the University of Lyon is the newest foreign veterinary school—and the first one in France— to be granted full accreditation status by the AVMA Council on Education, for seven years. The veterinary school received the notification after the AVMA COE’s May 14 conference call. The decision is retroactive to the date of the council’s comprehensive site visit, that is, students graduating after Sept. 26, 2013, are considered graduates of a COE-accredited institution. The new accreditation status means Lyon graduates will now be able to apply for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada without having to first successfully complete a foreign graduate examination; however, the school’s annual class size is 125, and it typically has few, if any U.S. citizens enrolled each year. Lyon, similar to other French veterinary schools, has a five-year curriculum, and students start their clinical education in the third year. VetAgro Sup has also joined the Association of American

Veterinary Medical Colleges as a voting member, now that it is COE-accredited. The COE grants accreditation status to foreign schools and colleges of veterinary medicine on the basis of compliance with 11 standards of accreditation. The school was founded by Claude Bourgelat in Lyon in 1761, making it the world’s first veterinary school. The veterinary profession celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2011. Initially, the COE’s consultative site visit was conducted Oct. 3-8, 2005; the COE received Lyon’s self-study in late August 2005. Forty-seven veterinary schools are currently COEaccredited—28 in the United States, five in Canada, and 14 in other foreign countries. The council conducts a maximum of 12 site visits annually, although it typically conducts only seven per year, including one or two site visits to foreign veterinary schools. Site visits are required once every seven years for schools to maintain accreditation. The French veterinary education system has 2,560 students in four national veterinary schools: the National Veterinary School of Alfort, the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, the Nantes-Atlantic National College of Veterinary Medicine in Oniris, and VetAgro Sup.

Society for Theriogenology Event: Annual conference, Aug. 6-9, Portland, Oregon Program: Plenary sessions featured “Role of technology in the enhancement of teaching reproductive sciences” by Phil L. Senger, PhD, and Angela C. Oki, PhD; “Pluripotent stem cells” by Shoukhrat Mitalipov, PhD; and “The Society for Theriogenology celebrates 60 years” by Dr. Robert S. Youngquist. An educator’s forum, sponsored by the Theriogenology Foundation, provided information on the use of models and simulators for teaching theriogenology to veterinary students. Forty-seven scientific abstracts, 16 poster presentations, and six veterinary student case presentations were provided during various sessions at the conference. Awards: David Bartlett Honorary Address: Dr. Robert BonDurant, Davis, California, presented the address. Dr. BonDurant was recognized for excellence in teaching and research in theriogenology. He has performed groundbreaking research on bovine reproductive diseases, including trichomoniasis and enzootic bovine (foothill) abortion. Dr. John Steiner Award for Excellence in Practice, sponsored by Merck Animal Health: Dr. Will Schultz, Okemos, Michigan. Dr. Schultz was recognized for his clinical expertise in small animal theriogenology. Dr. Jerry Rains Memorial Abstract Competition, sponsored by Merck Animal Health: Dr. Camilla Jane Scott, Davis, California, “Endometrial tissue concentrations of ceftiofur following intrauterine infu878


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Dr. Robert BonDurant

Dr. Will Schultz

Dr. Herris Maxwell

sion in mares,” first place ($1,000); Rachel Shutter, Pullman, Washington, “Relative sperm volume shift, aquaporin 7 mRNA abundance, and bull fertility estimates,” second place ($750); Jessica Klabnik-Bradford, Manhattan, Kansas, “The effects of bovine sperm-bound anti-sperm antibodies on capacitation,” third place ($500); and Derek Howell, Columbus, Ohio, “Can serum amyloid A predict reproductive efficiency in postpartum mares?” fourth place ($250). Veterinary Student Case Presentation Competition, sponsored by Zoetis: Sarah Woods, University of California-Davis, “Hydroallantois and hydroamnios associated with a Bulldog calf and abnormal placentation in a Miniature Scottish Highlander cow,” first place ($650); Christine Garrett, Auburn University, “Unilateral uterine prolapse in a 7-year-old multiparous cat,” second place ($525); Rachel MacPhail, Texas A&M University, “Management of anejaculation in a stallion associated with neurologic deficits,” third place ($450); Dana

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Schechter, The Ohio State University, “Segmental aplasia of the tubular reproductive tract of a Shorthorn heifer,” fourthplace tie ($290); Emily Putt, University of California-Davis, “Transrectal cranio-cervical dislocation of a twin fetus in a mare,” fourth-place tie ($290); and Niki Fadden, Oregon State University, “Breeding management in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) with a history of reproduction failure,” fourth-place tie ($290). Each of the six participants in the Veterinary Student Case Presentation Competition and the eight participants in the Dr. Jerry Rains Memorial Abstract Competition (four of whom received a monetary prize) also received a travel stipend of $300 from the Theriogenology Foundation. Student Chapter of the Year Award, sponsored by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital: University of CaliforniaDavis, first place ($1,000 and a banner), and Washington State University, second place ($500 and a plaque). T-Shirt Design Contest: the student chapters at Michigan State University, first place, and Oregon State University, second place. Merck Therio Quiz Bowl, sponsored by Merck Animal Health with contributions from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Current Conceptions: Washington State University, first place, and Auburn University, second place. Business: The SFT celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Society for Theriogenology and the evolution of the orga-

nization from its inception in 1954 as the Rocky Mountain Society for the Study of Breeding Soundness of Bulls to its current form. The Theriogenology Foundation Global Initiative provided funding this year for veterinary students to travel to developing countries to intern with established animal reproduction programs. The Theriogenology Foundation, a joint effort between the SFT and American College of Theriogenologists, continued to provide travel stipends for veterinary students, interns, and residents who participated in various competitions at the SFT annual conference. The Theriogenology Foundation and American Kennel Club collaborated to provide support for three new residency positions in small animal theriogenology—one each at Auburn University, the University of California-Davis, and the University of Pennsylvania. Officials: Drs. Herris Maxwell, Auburn, Alabama, president; Michael Thompson, Holly Springs, Mississippi, presidentelect; Peter Sheerin, New Freedom, Pennsylvania, vice president; Robyn Wilborn, Lafayette, Alabama, secretarytreasurer; and Don Sanders, Urbana, Ohio, immediate past president. Newly elected members of the board of directors are Drs. Paul Mennick, Los Molinos, California; Colin Palmer, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Jack Smith, Starkville, Mississippi.

American College of Theriogenologists Event: Annual business meeting, Aug. 7, Portland, Oregon Awards: Theriogenologist of the Year Award, sponsored by Zoetis: Dr. Gregg P. Adams, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for excellence in research and clinical application of reproductive techniques. Dr. Adams was recognized for his work on ovarian function, follicular dynamics, ovulation, and fertility in cattle, horses, camelids, cervids, pinnipeds, and humans. Business: The proposed system for maintenance of certification, which will be implemented no later than 2016, was discussed. The ACT board of directors has developed a strategic planning initiative to address the following four areas: brand promotion, research development, expansion of the horizons of theriogenology and collaborative efforts in areas that include genetics and genomics, and refinement of the credentialing process for those seeking to become diplomates and for diplomates who require maintenance of certification. New diplomates: The college welcomed five new diplomates following successful completion of the certification

requirements: Drs. Todd Anderson, Chipley, Florida; Jennifer Clulow, Bathurst, Australia; Hilari French, North Brunswick, Dr. Gregg P. Adams Dr. Barry Ball New Jersey; Tracy Plough, Surrey, British Columbia; and Robert Stawicki, Athens, Georgia. Officials: Drs. Barry Ball, Lexington, Kentucky, president; Sara Lyle, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, president-elect; Ram Kasimanickam, Pullman, Washington, vice president; John Dascanio, Harrogate, Tennessee, treasurer; Reed Holyoak, Stillwater, Oklahoma, secretary; and Gary Althouse, New London, Pennsylvania, immediate past president. Dr. Karen Wolfsdorf, Lexington, Kentucky, was elected to the board of directors.

in AVMA decision making by serving on a council, committee,

Get involved

or trust. Submit nominations at www.avma.org; click on “Volunteer opportunities” under the “Member Center” bar. Vol. 245, No. 8

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Obituaries

Stanwood B. Churchill

Dr. Churchill (Cornell ’57), 87, Orleans, Vermont, died June 11, 2014. AVMA member Following graduation, he moved to AVMA honor roll member northeast Vermont, where he initially Nonmember practiced mixed animal medicine, later focusing on small animals until retirement in 2012. Dr. Churchill was also a T. Douglas Byars partner at Vermont Farms and bred, Dr. Byars (California-Davis ’74), 70, raised, and raced Standardbred horses. Georgetown, Kentucky, died July 7, He was a member of the Vermont VMA. 2014. A diplomate of the American Active in civic life, Dr. Churchill was College of Veterinary Internal Medicine a past chair of the Lake Region School and American College of Veterinary Board, served as director of the Orleans Emergency and Critical Care, he most County Fair, and was a member of recently served as an equine conthe Masonic Lodge. An Air Force vetsultant and head veterinarian at Old eran of World War II, he was also a Friends Equine Retirement Farm, a member of the American Legion. Dr. facility for retired Thoroughbreds in Georgetown. Dr. Byars began his career Churchill is survived by two sons and two grandchildren. Memorials may be teaching at the University of Georgia made to the Oncology Department, College of Veterinary Medicine. North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty In 1983, he joined what is now Drive, Newport, VT 05855; or Orleans known as Hagyard Equine Medical County Fair Association Harness Racing Institute in Lexington, where he Program, Orleans County Fair, 278 worked for 25 years. During that time, Roaring Brick Road, Barton, VT 05822. Dr. Byars served as head of equine medicine and was instrumental in efforts to fight mare reproductive loss William H. Edwards Jr. syndrome in the state. He served on Dr. Edwards (Auburn ’73), 69, West the Kentucky Governor’s Task Force on Point, Mississippi, died June 1, 2014. A MRLS, Kentucky Equine Drug Research mixed animal practitioner, he owned Council, and Kentucky Horse Council West Point Animal Clinic for several Health and Welfare Committee, also years. Dr. Edwards was a past president helping to establish the Equine Health of the Mississippi VMA. He is survived and Welfare Alliance. by his wife, Jackie; two sons; and seven Dr. Byars represented the American grandchildren. Association of Equine Practitioners on the AVMA Clinical Practitioners Robert W. Finch Advisory Committee from 2003-2007. Dr. Finch (Iowa State ’43), 92, Grimes, In 1996, he received the Equus Award Iowa, died Aug. 1, 2014. He was a disfrom Equus Magazine for excellence trict state veterinarian in Carroll, Iowa, in client education. Dr. Byars was the for 12 years prior to retirement. Earlier recipient of the AAEP Robert W. Kirk in his career, Dr. Finch served in the Award for professional excellence in Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the 2007. rank of captain; owned a large animal His wife, Susan; a daughter and practice in Marengo, Iowa; and praca son; and a grandson survive him. ticed in Grimes for 28 years. Memorials may be made to Hospice He was a member of the American of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Legion, Lions Club, and Masonic Drive, Lexington, KY 40504, www. Lodge. Dr. Finch’s wife, Billie; a daughhospicebg.org; or Old Friends Equine ter and a son; three grandchildren; Retirement Farm, 1841 Paynes Depot and nine great-grandchildren survive Road, Georgetown, KY 40324, www. him. Memorials may be made to First oldfriendsequine.org. Presbyterian Church, 410 SE Third 880


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St., P.O. Box 289, Grimes, IA 50111; or American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Department 20-1122, P.O. Box 5940, Carol Stream, IL 60197.

David McCracken Dr. McCracken (Glasgow ’48), 88, Washington, D.C., died Feb. 24, 2014. He owned Oxford Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Oxford, Massachusetts, from 1976 until retirement in 1999. Earlier in his career, Dr. McCracken practiced large animal medicine in Hereford, England. He was active with efforts to preserve endangered sea turtles in Mazunte, Mexico. Dr. McCracken is survived by three children and two grandchildren. His greatniece, Dr. Fiona Allan, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, is a veterinarian in Cape Town, South Africa.

Edward S. Murray Dr. Murray (Colorado State ’62), 76, Spur, Texas, died June 12, 2014. In 1963, he founded Spur Animal Hospital, where he practiced mixed animal medicine until 2011. Dr. Murray also represented Superior Livestock Auctions, consigning cattle via video auctions to producers. Early in his career, he worked in Clarendon, Texas. Dr. Murray was a past president of the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and American Association of Equine Practitioners and was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Texas Equine Veterinary Association, and Texas VMA. In civic life, he was active with the Spur Area Chamber of Commerce, Spur Independent School District, and Dickens County 4-H Livestock Association. Dr. Murray’s wife, Joan; a son; and four grandchildren survive him. His brother, Dr. James C. Murray (Texas A&M ’74), is a veterinarian in Dallas. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 528 Burlington Ave., Spur, TX 79370; or American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, 4075 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.

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Willard B. “Skip” Nelson Dr. Nelson (Illinois ’64), 74, Kirkland, Washington, died Feb. 18, 2014. A small animal and exotic animal practitioner, he owned House Call Euthanasia since 2012. Prior to that, Dr. Nelson owned Central Way Veterinary Clinic, later known as the Exotic Pet and Bird Clinic, in Kirkland for 35 years. Early in his career, he served in the Army, retiring from the Army Reserve in 1999 as colonel; practiced in Seattle; and served as associate veterinarian for the Woodland Park Zoo. Dr. Nelson was a past president of the Seattle-King County VMA and a past membership chair for the Washington State VMA. He served on the Washington Department of Health Veterinary Board of Governors, chairing it in 2007, and was a member of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards’ Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence Committee from 20062013. Dr. Nelson was also a member of the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Wildlife Disease Association, American Society for Laboratory Animal Practitioners, and American Association of Feline Practitioners. His wife, Rosemary; three sons and a daughter; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

Edward H. Park Dr. Park (Cornell ’02), 38, Clovis, California, died May 27, 2014. A dip-

lomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, he was a criticalist at Fresno Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Fresno, California. Earlier in his career, Dr. Park served as a staff emergency clinician and was an instructor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is survived by his wife, Lourdes, and his children.

Stephanie W. Parrish Dr. Parrish (Michigan State ’83), 55, Westminster, South Carolina, died July 22, 2014. A diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, she most recently practiced small animal medicine in upstate South Carolina; worked as a clinical veterinarian for the Greenville Humane Society in Greenville, South Carolina; and provided spay-neuter services for low-cost clinics. Dr. Parrish began her career working in a dairy practice in Monsey, New York. She then practiced large animal medicine in New Berlin, New York, and worked in Westchester and Rockland counties. From 1986-1989, Dr. Parrish was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, subsequently working as a research fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She served as a clinical veterinarian at the Warner-Lambert Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1990-1992. Dr. Parrish then moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she was the clinical veterinarian at Bioqual. She later spent a few years in Thailand, where she worked for

McKesson BioServices, and then lived in Frederick, Maryland. During her years in Maryland, Dr. Parrish farmed, worked for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, raised Barbados Blackbelly hair sheep and Dexter cattle, and served as a clinician at several practices. She moved to Westminster in 2006. Dr. Parrish was a past treasurer of the American Blackbelly Sheep Association. She is survived by her husband, Dr. John H. Parrish (Auburn ’81), who is university and attending veterinarian at Clemson University’s Godley-Snell Research Center. Dr. Parrish is also survived by her son, three stepchildren, and a stepgrandchild. Memorials may be made to The Clearity Foundation, for improving treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer; 4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1500, San Diego, CA 92121; www.clearity foundation.org.

Richard J. Thomes Dr. Thomes (Texas A&M ’60), 78, Irving, Texas, died May 30, 2014. He was a co-founder and a past vice president of National PetCare Centers. Earlier in his career, Dr. Thomes owned Animal Medical & Surgical Hospital in Irving. His wife, Bettye; three daughters and a son; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials, with checks payable to the Texas A&M Foundation, may be made to the Richard J. Thomes DVM ’60 Memorial Scholarship, c/o Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Attn: Dean’s Office, 4461 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843.

Obituary notifications Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the JAVMA News staff via a toll-free phone call at 800-248-2862, ext. 6754; email at [email protected]; or fax at 847-925-9329. For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the date of death.

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Can Horton hear the whos? The importance of scale in mosquito-borne disease.

Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart diseases in buying and selling of pets.

Selling hospice.

Compulsive buying.

Buying time.

Erratum: Selling long life.

Selling tobacco to children.

Selling tobacco to children.

Corrigendum: Selling long life.

Another cowboy selling cancer.

Topiramate and compulsive buying disorder.

Selling yourself in primary care.

The selling of a profession.

The selling of ayurvedic medicine.

Compulsive buying: Earlier illicit drug use, impulse buying, depression, and adult ADHD symptoms.

Reconsidering Kantian arguments against organ selling.

German unification. Selling research to save it.

Alternatives to selling a medical school name.

Letter from America: selling silk surgical scaffolds.

Impulsive Behaviors in Patients With Pathological Buying.

Legal needle buying in St. Louis.

Psychology: Selling hope: advertising and patient expectation.

Buying indoor tanning with university debit cards.

Buying human kidneys: autonomy, commodity and power.