Warmest Holiday Greetings to You and Yours

Nebraska Is VSV-Free

Nebraska is once again VSV-free. Read the latest Vesicular Stomatitis situation report here.

NVMA Works to Ameliorate Impact of Proposed Bill on Veterinarians' Business Operations

As you may have heard, the NVMA leadership is working to address an issue currently before the Nebraska Legislature. The bill, LB 471 (click here for detail on the bill), was introduced last year by Senator Sara Howard to implement a prescription drug monitoring program. The bill did not advance last year, but appears to be ready to advance quickly upon the start of the session in 2016. The NVMA Board and Legislation Committee are continuing to work with senators to find a veterinarian-specific solution to include in the bill. (Click here to learn more).

VSV Situation Report as of 12/15/2015

The latest Vesicular Stomatitis situation as of 12/15/2015 may be viewed by clicking here.

Why You Should Register for the Upcoming NVMA Convention

NVMA members who attended the 2015 Summer Meeting in Valentine, Nebraska talk about the value and fun of attending the organization's events. Find details and registration info by clicking here.

October / December 2015 Veterinary Views Newsletter

Double-click the newsletter below to open it in full-screen view.

NVMA Awards Nominations Sought; Deadline Is December 15

Nebraska has many veterinarians and others in the veterinary medical field that are extraordinary in their positive contributions to the profession. The NVMA honors such people each year at the annual meeting and banquet at the convention in January. The NVMA Awards Committee is taking nominations for the following categories:

VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR 
This award goes to a NVMA member who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine in the State of Nebraska with special accomplishments. Service to the State Association and profession, Service to community, Service to family and other responsibilities.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
This award recognizes an individual, who has contributed outstanding service to the advancement of veterinary medicine in all aspects of the profession. The individual need not be a veterinarian, however, veterinarians are not excluded from being eligible.

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR 
This award recognizes a representative from a company that has provided outstanding support to veterinary medicine in Nebraska during the current year.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR 
This award goes to an NVMA member that has graduated in the last seven years, who has contributed outstanding service to the veterinary profession, service to community, church, family, state and national organizations.

OUTSTANDING LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR 
This award recognizes a NVMA licensed veterinary technician member who graduated from a recognized Veterinary Technician school and has at least 5 years work experience in the profession, or trained in the veterinary practice and has at least 10 years experience as a licensed veterinary technician. Consideration should be given to all aspects of licensed veterinary technician responsibilities as well as service to community, church and state organizations.

Please have at least one letter of support submitted with your nomination.

Click here to find a downloadable nomination form.

Nomination deadline is December 15, 2015

Call for Volunteers: AABP Ethics in Cattle Practice Task Force

Issues affecting the practice of veterinary medicine in the cattle industry are constantly changing. Practices which were once considered ethical might be viewed differently as the profession encounters societal change over time. In order to assist AABP members to practice in an ethical manner and navigate changing issues within practice, in 2015 the AABP Board of Directors voted to establish an Ethics in Cattle Practice Task Force to provide a recommendation to the Board regarding issues and ethics in cattle practice.

The specific charges of the Task Force will be to review the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics and determine if additional guidance is needed specific to bovine practice; and make a recommendation to the AABP Board of Directors on topics/areas of veterinary medical ethics that are specific to bovine practice to develop a bovine specific Veterinary Medical Ethics guidelines.

The Board is currently seeking volunteers who are willing to serve on this task force. If you are interested and willing to serve on this important task force, please contact Dr. Gatz Riddell mgriddell@aabp.org. The AABP Executive Committee will review the list of names of those members who indicate interest and will create this task force. The deadline for submitting names will be November 30, 2015.

Latest Vesicular Stomatitis Report as of 11/17/2015

Here is the latest Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Situation Report from the office of the Nebraska State Veterinarian, Dennis Hughes, DVM.

One of the suspect premises from last week was VSV negative, but EHD positive.  That is why the Grand total went from 38 to 37 cases, and 10 counties to nine counties.  One Equine Premises in Red Willow County is still under quarantine.  This premises is being inspected for quarantine release on 11/18/2015.

All other quarantines for confirmed positive and suspect premises have been released. 

There are no pending investigations awaiting lab results.

NEBRASKA VSV Situation Report
11/17/2015
CUMMULATIVE POSITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
	Bovine		Equine			Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Suspect Premises	Total
BANNER			1		1	1
GARDEN			1	1	2	2
LINCOLN	1	1	1		1	2
LOUP	1	1				1
MORRILL	2	2				2
RED WILLOW			1		1	1
SCOTTS BLUFF	5	5	8	13	21	26
SHERIDAN	1	1				1
SIOUX			1		1	1
Grand Total	10	10	13	14	27	37
CURRENT POSITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
	Equine		Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total
RED WILLOW	1	1	1
Grand Total	1	1	1
QUARANTINES RELEASED  (POSTIVIE AND SUSPECT INVESTIGATIONS)
	Bovine		Equine			Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Suspect Premises	Total
BANNER			1		1	1
GARDEN			1	1	2	2
LINCOLN	1	1	1		1	2
LOUP	1	1				1
MORRILL	2	2				2
SCOTTS BLUFF	5	5	8	13	21	26
SHERIDAN	1	1				1
SIOUX			1		1	1
Grand Total	10	10	12	14	26	36

Latest Insights Into Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Exclusive to the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association blog is a 12-minute video update from Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM, on the topic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Dr. Hughes is leading efforts to ensure that producers and veterinarians know the steps they can take to quickly detect and report suspected HPAI. The most obvious sign is a sudden increase in mortality in a flock. If you're aware of an incident like that, call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2351 and/or the USDA (402) 434-2300.

Here is the video update:

Nebraska Cattlemen Issues Alert Regarding Animal Activists

Here is an alert for members of Nebraska Cattlemen and other interested parties: 

We are hearing reports of increased animal activist presence in south-central Nebraska generally, but around USMARC specifically. It's unclear if these instances are related to meetings taking place at USMARC this week. We wanted to make all our members aware as activity might migrate around the state. There has been drone and helicopters observed along with increased road traffic. There has also been reported trespassing in livestock operations. Read more.

Latest Vesicular Stomatitis Update

The latest situation report on Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in Nebraska from State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM: Two new counties are affected – Sheridan and Loup. Both are bovine cases. There are two current quarantines on positive premises (Sheridan and Loup). And there are two current quarantines on investigations with pending lab results (Red Willow and Adams).

Click here to view the complete report.

Register Now for 120th Annual Convention on January 21-23 in Kearney

Younes Conference Center

The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association's 120th Annual Convention is scheduled for January 21 - 23, 2016 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, Nebraska.

Make your plans now to attend! 

Here are links to your Conference Brochure and Registration Form:

DOWNLOADABLE ANNUAL CONFERENCE BROCHURE

FILLABLE/DOWNLOADABLE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

REGISTER ONLINE (Using this Eventbrite Link incurs additional fees)

The clippable and socially shareable ISSUU version of the Conference Brochure is available by clicking here.

NVMA Working for You

The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Board at its September meeting approved two communications advocating on behalf of NVMA members.

The NVMA took a stand against proposed FDA guidelines that would restrict the use, dispensing and stocking of compounded medications. The NVMA also contacted the Nebraska Congressional delegation to oppose the so-called "Fairness to Pet Owners Act" (the "Walmart Bill").

Reproduced here is the text of the letter from NVMA President Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA, to Mr. Eric Nelson, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Division of Compliance, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine in Rockville, Maryland:

Dear Mr. Nelson,

I am writing on behalf of the Nebraska Veterinary Association (NVMA) and its eight hundred members. We along with the American Veterinary Medical Association and other state Veterinary Medical Associations oppose the FDA’s proposed guidelines that restrict the use, dispensing and stocking of compounded medications. We as a profession have to treat a wide variety of species and sizes of animals in which there is a lack of FDA approved drugs and appropriate strengths of medications for our variety of patients. Restricting the ability of a licensed veterinarian to stock and dispense compounded medications can have a detrimental effect on our patients. 

Some compounded medications that are commonly used in our veterinary patients are Apomorphine (to induce vomiting in dogs that have ingested poison or foreign bodies), Methimazole in a transdermal formulation to treat cats with hyperthyroidism as many owners cannot give the FDA approved tablet form without getting bitten, and Metronidazole (the FDA approved produce comes as an unscored 250 or 500 mg tablet which is well above the recommended safe dosage for puppies and kitten). When a patient presents with diarrhea or a Giardia infection they should not be forced to wait 3 days (or more) for a medication to be prepared and delivered, especially when prompt treatment can make all the difference. 

We appreciate the FDA’s efforts and support the federal and or state regulation of compounding pharmacies and the mandatory reporting of adverse drug reactions. We want to be able to provide our patients with the medications they need and when they need it. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association President

Reproduced here is the text of the letter Dr. Cerny sent to the Nebraska congressional delegation regarding the "Fairness to Pet owners Act":

I am the president of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, representing the Veterinarians of the State of Nebraska who oppose S. 1200/H.R. 3174 (The Fairness to Pet Owners Act aka the Walmart Bill). The purpose of the bill ‘To promote competition and help consumers save money by giving them the freedom to choose where they buy prescription pet medications, and for other purposes’ already exists and as such is unnecessary legislation.

This bill is solely an example of Walmart’s greed at the ultimate expense of the pet owner.  The ability of the pet owner to have a prescription filled at a pharmacy, other than at their veterinarian's office, already exists in our state.  Current pharmacy and veterinary practice laws as well as the American Veterinary Medical Associations code of ethics already allow this option for pet owners. 

The unnecessary bill would require a licensed veterinarian to write a prescription regardless of the clients wishes. This creates two big problems - increase in cost for the pet owner and possible delay in pets receiving needed prescription medication.  Currently, veterinarians are prohibited by Nebraska state law from dispensing medication from a written prescription.  Once the veterinarian has written the prescription, regardless of if the client wants to get the medication at the veterinary clinic, the veterinarian is now unable to fill the prescription. We, as a profession, want to provide our clients and their pets with the most timely and cost effective care. This unnecessary piece of legislation only accomplishes an increase in paperwork and cost to the owner. Please vote No for bill S. 1200/H.R. 3174 and help keep veterinary costs from rising.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Henry E. Cerny, DVM, MS, CVA

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association President

CALL TO ACTION: Click here to take your own action on the "Fairness to Pet Owners Act".

Explore Volunteer Opportunities With the AVMA

Are you or a colleague interested in applying for a volunteer opportunity with the AVMA? We invite you to explore the positions available this year and in 2016. Please visit the updated Volunteer Opportunities section of the AVMA website to learn more.

Opportunities include positions on the Animal Welfare Committee, Council on Veterinary Service, Convention Education Program Committee, and many more!

If you have a question or would like to learn more about a specific entity, please contact OfficeEVP@avma.org or 847-285-6605. We encourage you to please forward this email on to anyone else you  know who may be interested. This message will also be sent to all the Executive Directors of the organizations represented in the House of Delegates.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Lori Kantner
Administrative Assistant
American Veterinary Medical Association
Office of the Executive Vice President
1931 North Meacham Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
800-248-2862 x6605

Join the NVMA Tailgate on October 10!

Dear member of the NVMA:

The students of the Professional Program of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln would like to cordially invite you to join us for the annual Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association tailgate for the Wisconsin game Saturday, October 10, 2015.

The tailgate will be near the west entrance of Haymarket Park. A picture of our spot and exact directions will be posted to the NVMA facebook group the day of, or be sure to call us for more directions. Come with your Husker spirit for a fun day with good food and, most of all, good company! Food, drinks, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, and games will be provided.

The kickoff for the game is not yet set. If the start time for the game is after 1 p.m., the tailgate will begin 3 hours prior to the game. If the start time for the game is before 1 p.m., the tailgate will be held immediately after the game. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions please contact:

Dr. Ron Wallman | (402) 641 1480 | ronald.wallman@gmail.com

Hilary Wolf | (402) 802-6409 | hilarywolf1821@gmail.com

Alex Rommelfanger | (402) 253-5042 | arommelfanger@hotmail.com

More Cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Confirmed

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in Lincoln has confirmed additional cases of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in Panhandle horses. State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes said NDA has confirmed a total of five cases, including the first case that was confirmed.

Four of those cases are in Scotts Bluff County and one is in Sioux County. Five additional cases are being investigated with test results pending, including four in Scotts Bluff County and a fifth in Lincoln County.

Hughes said the additional cases are not unexpected, based on transmission patterns in other states where the disease is present, and he is encouraging horse and cattle owners to take precautions, particularly with animals that may be commingling with other animals at events over the next several months.

“We just want owners to be aware of the cases and consider taking precautions, especially now that we know the disease is spreading in Nebraska,” Hughes said. “The primary way the virus is transmitted is from biting insects or midges, so consider treatments to reduce flies and mosquitos in quarters where animals are housed. We also want owners to be cognizant of the fact that VS also can be spread by nose-to-nose contact between animals.”

VS is a viral disease which primarily affects horses and cattle, but can also affect sheep, goats and swine. It causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves and teats. As a result of the lesions, infected animals may refuse to eat and drink, which leads to severe weight loss. NDA has quarantined the livestock on all affected farms.

“The virus itself usually runs its course in five to seven days, and it can take up to an additional seven days for that infected animal to recover from the symptoms,” said Hughes. Hughes said Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota all have VS cases at this time, and several of the Wyoming cases are near the Nebraska Panhandle border. “The case we are investigating in Lincoln County involved a horse that recently had been in a competition in Wyoming,” Hughes said.

Hughes said that due to last week’s confirmed VS finding, he and officials for the Aksarben Horse Show, scheduled for this weekend at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, and the Aksarben Stock Show and Rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 24-27, in Omaha, have agreed to put in place new requirements for horse and cattle exhibitors. Horses arriving at the shows from anywhere within Nebraska will need to have seen a veterinarian within 48 hours. The 48-hour rule also will apply to any cattle coming to the show from the Nebraska Panhandle counties.

Hughes is encouraging the managers of other livestock exhibitions and events to consider similar requirements. “Unfortunately, until cold weather moves in, VS will be a threat,” Hughes said. Freezing temperatures kill the insects that spread the virus.

For more information on VS, visit: http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/animal/diseases/vs/index.html

Message from the AVMA Board of Directors

FROM THE AVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Just as the AVMA rolled out our new brand and logo this summer in Boston, we would like to recognize a new day at the AVMA. As part of the new day at the AVMA, we would like to foster a more effective and collaborative relationship between the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates working together through improved open lines of communication. It is to this goal that we share with you this synopsis of what transpired at the recent Board meeting. The HOD has historically been given a brief overview of recommendations and actions but this is the BOD attempt at providing the HOD with a more thorough and transparent accounting of what was discussed and done. We hope that you share in our optimism that this new and healthy approach to governance is in the best interest of all involved and, ultimately, of our members!

The board is in the midst of an assessment of our function and efficacy, and we discussed the results so far. Using BoardSource and an experienced consultant, the initial step was to survey the Board and staff leadership and create a scorecard that would help us better evaluate our strengths as well as areas that need improvement. All of our self-assessment ‘grades’ were in the B and C range, which the consultant told us were expected and acceptable at this stage of the review. In general, we feel that we’ve been more effective on an operational level than a strategic level, and that provides opportunity for us to improve and focus on the strategic role.

The difference between operational and strategic functions, and the role of the Board in each type of function, was discussed. We held breakout sessions and set priorities for moving forward, including improving communication with our colleagues in the House of Delegates with efforts such as this synopsis.

We also plan to address the need for better orientation and continued training of board members; better clarification of roles and decision-making parameters between officers, entities and staff; aligning board subcommittees with the business units to facilitate board-staff interaction; development of a succession plan for the association’s staff leadership; and increased environmental scanning. Regarding the latter, there is strong support among Board members to more effectively utilize the HOD in surfacing and discussing issues of importance to the profession.

We were updated on the Strategy Management Process (SMP) and the progress made toward better serving our members. Excellent progress has been made on the digital and digital marketing strategies, and an integrated marketing plan is in development in cooperation with the business units and guided by the SMP.

The AVMF’s new director, Debborah Harp, was introduced, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Foundation move forward with its new leadership. Our sincere thanks go to Dr. Cheryl Eia, who pulled ‘double duty’ for the last few months to keep the Foundation moving forward. We received updates on the AVMA’s financial health (all is well!), ongoing AVMF efforts, the AAVMC’s 50th anniversary, and activities of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative. A new electronic expense reporting system is being prepared that will streamline the process and eliminate the frustrations inherent in the current system – you’ll be hearing more about that soon.

We were updated on the advisory panel pilot, and discussed items that we will request they address – including telemedicine. Regarding telemedicine, the board will instruct the (pilot) Practice Advisory Panel to seek input from the HOD and insurance trusts in addition to member channels. We also need to keep in mind that recommendations regarding telemedicine could impact the Model Veterinary Practice Act and Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics. You’ll be receiving a more in-depth update on the advisory panel pilot very soon.

As requested by the HOD, Resolution 8-2015 (Policy on Veterinary Pharmacology Education for Pharmacists) was referred to the Council on Biologic & Therapeutic Agents for further review with background information. Similarly, Resolution 9-2015 (Revised Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics) was referred to the Judicial Council.

We elected members to the vacant positions in the Convention Education Planning Committee, and we’re looking forward to a great convention next summer. Dr. Molly McAllister was elected chair, Dr. Christine O’Rourke was elected to chair-elect, and Dr. John Sanders was elected section manager of professional development.

Contingent upon a written request from the New York State Veterinary Medical Society , we approved the preparation of an amicus brief regarding recent legislative efforts in New York City that would place restrictions on pet shops. From a veterinary perspective, and for the focus of the brief, the proposed legislation would not allow for a veterinarian’s judgment regarding the decision when to spay or neuter. The preparation of an AVMA amicus brief would be limited in scope to the practice of veterinary medicine.

In the realm of AVMA’s role as a trusted convener, we approved a recommendation for a professional wellness roundtable, and will partner with AAVMC and Michigan State CVM on a student debt/education economic summit. As you’re already aware, both issues are first and foremost in the minds of students and recent grads in particular. We also held a discussion about opening lines of communication to resolve conflicts with a number of individuals and groups, in the interest of further uniting the profession and moving forward together instead of creating divides that interfere with progress.

We’re pleased to announce that the model animal welfare curriculum development group’s hard work has paid off, and their final report was accepted and will be widely distributed and publicized. During our environmental scanning breakout sessions and the follow-up group discussion, the board identified some areas of particular interest: increasing the reach of AVMA’s media relations and the utilization of more members and volunteer leaders; improving communication between the board and the HOD; scope of practice and competition from non-veterinarians as well as low-cost/no-cost/not-for-profit clinics; and engaging our members more effectively regarding our advocacy on behalf of the profession.

Please feel free to contact any of the members of the Board of Directors if you have any questions about the discussions or decisions made.

Sincerely,

Dr. John de Jong, Board of Directors Chair
Dr. Joe Kinnarney, AVMA President
Dr. Tim Montgomery, House Advisory Committee Chair
Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA Executive Vice President

NVMA Volunteers See Birthing Pavilion as Educational Mission

L-R: Drs. David Hardin (Lincoln), Melissa Dykshorn (Gothenburg) and James Kimbrough (Grand Island) at the Birthing Pavilion on Monday, August 31, 2015.

Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association volunteers will greet some 30,000 visitors to the Birthing Pavilion in the Sheep Barn at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island during the next week.

David Hardin, DVM, of Lincoln estimates that is the number of people who will stop by the exhibit presented by the Nebraska Cattlewomen and the Nebraska Pork Producers. Many of those visitors will see young pigs, goats and cows being cared for and in some cases actually being born. The urbanization of modern life, along with specialization in agriculture, means that even farm kids are no longer familiar with such natural processes, said James Kimbrough, DVM, of Grand Island.

Here are some video highlights from the 2015 State Fair Birthing Pavilion (click here if you can't see the video below):

Power of 10: The Leadership Challenges

The Power of 10 Leadership Academy gets under way on July 15, 2015 at GPVEC in Clay Center, Nebraska.

The Power of 10 Leadership Academy on July 15, 2015 featured Betsy Charles, DVM, MA, of the Veterinary Leadership Institute. In her introductory remarks, she outlined the leadership challenges in veterinary medicine and invited participants to consider the leadership roles they might wish to take on. The 10 program participants spent the day at GPVEC in Clay Center, Nebraska.

AVMA Issues Report on Market for Veterinarians

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released its 2015 AVMA Report on the Market for Veterinarians.

The fourth installment of the AVMA’s six-part 2015 Veterinary Economic Report series, the report includes information on the compensation trends in veterinary medicine, the demand for new veterinarians, the supply of labor and a forecast of the market for veterinarians. Read more.

Do you know or employ someone who should be a member of the NVMA? If so, please direct them to this website.

$10 Million Gift Leads Funding for Colorado State University Equine Hospital

A transformative gift of $10 million from the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation is launching plans at CSU to build a state-of-the-art equine hospital that will be among the world’s best in teaching veterinary students, promoting discoveries in equine medicine and providing specialty care for horses.

A CSU veterinary student monitors vital signs of a foal hospitalized in the CSU equine critical care unit.

“We deeply appreciate this generous gift from the Johnson Foundation, and greatly value its leadership in supporting health and education across Colorado,” CSU President Tony Frank said. “The Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of university programs for more than 20 years, and this gift will provide a monumental step forward for equine veterinary medicine at Colorado State.” Read the full story.

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Do you know or employ someone who should be a member of the NVMA? Please direct them here.

AAEP Announces Race-Horse Initiative

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has announced a multi-part initiative to protect the health and welfare of the racehorse and help ensure the long-term viability of the racing industry in the United States. The central component of the AAEP’s Prescription for Racing Reform is the association’s commitment to identifying non-race day treatment alternatives for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH).

The AAEP Racing Committee held a strategic planning session in late February to address key issues affecting the health of the racehorse. The result was the development of the Prescription for Racing Reform, a 10-point plan designed to both protect the health of racing’s equine athletes and strengthen the integrity of the sport. Read the details here.

If you know or employ someone who should be a member of the NVMA, please direct them here.

Power of 10 Academy Features Veterinary Leadership Institute Speaker

Dr. Betsy Charles, far right, leads Power of 10 discussion.

This month's Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Power of 10 Leadership Academy gave participants valuable tools and much to think about.

Dr. Betsy Charles of the Veterinary Leadership Institute led a provocative morning session on issues of leadership, influence and work-life balance. During the afternoon, Dr. Donovan Hauser made a presentation based on Stephen Covey's tried-and-true productivity principles. The session was held at GPVEC in Clay Center.

The Power of 10 Leadership Academy program is offered by the NVMA as a service to its members. The current class includes Drs. Jeremy Haack, Elizabeth Marriott, Drew Olson, Martin Moravec, Kristina Blackford, Kayla Bittner, Caitlin Daro, Christine Banks and Crystal Rhine.

Do you employ or know someone who should be a member of NVMA? If so, direct them to this website for information on joining.

Zach's Story on NVMA Vision

Following up on our post about integrative therapies and Zach -- the Newfoundland from Alliance:

After the integrative therapy sessions at the June 15-17 Summer Meeting in Alliance, Zach's owner -- Lorie Reeh -- implemented what she learned. We stayed in touch with her and tracked Zach's progress. Lorie documented on camera the wonderful results. She sent us the video, and we combined it with video from the Summer Meeting. Here's the result:





Do you know or employ someone who should be an NVMA member? Send them here to join.

The Summer 2015 Business Meeting

As a service for those who were unable to attend the 2015 Summer Meeting in Valentine, we present this video of the Business Meeting:



Do you know or employ someone who should be an NVMA member? Send them here to join!

NVMA Presenter: Use Both Alternative Therapies and Western Medicine

Dr. Holt works on the painful muscles of a horse.

The Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association brought in Tim Holt, DVM, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University; and Jessica Rychel, DVM, emergency veterinarian and physical medicine practitioner at the Veterinary Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, for 2015 Summer Meeting presentations on Integrative Therapies.

The pair made presentations for both Large- and Small-Animal sessions, demonstrating various therapies on a horse as well as on a number of dogs.

"Altermative therapies -- meaning acupuncture, chiropractic, laser -- all those other things are an important aspect of privtae practice, and they can be used with -- and should be used with -- Western medicine," Dr. Holt said in an interview during a break. "They're not that hard to do," he added. "They (veterinarians) can do it practice starting tomorrow."

Do you know or employ someone who should be an NVMA member? Send them here to join!

Zach the Newfoundland Benefits from Hands-on Session at Summer Meeting

L-R, Lorie Reeh, Zach, Dr. Jessica Rychel, and Dr. Tim Holt.

Valuable information about pain management and other therapies was at the center of the educational presentations during the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association's Annual Summer Meeting June 15-17, 2015, in Valentine. Large and Small Animal Programs were presented by Tim Holt, DVM, Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University; and Jessica Rychel, DVM, emergency veterinarian and physical medicine practitioner at the Veterinary Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Their general topic area was Integrative Therapies, including acupuncture, manual therapy, osteopathy, massage, laser and more.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, June 16, they worked with a number of dogs, including Zach – a 10-year-old Newfoundland owned by Lorie Reeh of Alliance.

Zach was in pain and had some difficulty with balance. Dr. Rychel demonstrated some manual therapy exercises to help Zach with sitting, standing and with his overall balance. Zach also got some massage and some acupuncture, and it was clear by the end of the brief session that he was feeling better.

We're staying in touch with Lorie, who implemented the therapies she learned at the NVMA meeting. Just one week after the Summer Meeting, she reported that Zach is up to walking 10 blocks a day. When she brought him to the meeting, he could only go about two blocks.

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Do you know or employ someone who should be an NVMA member? Send them here to join!

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