Pet Travel 101 Infographic for Vacation Season

It is Memorial Day, traditional opening of the summer vacation travel season. Here is a handy Pet Travel 101 Infographic you can share with clients and anyone else who can use it.

by Lemonly.

From Visually.

New Regulation Requires Overtime Pay for More Employees

(Repost from the AVMA@Work blog)

A new rule finalized last week by the U.S. Department of Labor requires time-and-a-half overtime pay for far more salaried workers than previously have been covered. This rule applies to employees in the private sector as well as those in federal, state, and local governments. It also applies to nonprofit charities that provide veterinary services for a fee (see the nonprofit fact sheet for more information on nonprofits that may be affected by this rule).

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Overtime Final Rule, announced on May 18, requires employers to pay overtime to employees who earn $913 per week or less – up to $47,476 on an annual basis – and work more than 40 hours per week, even if they are salaried workers who are classified as managers or professionals. Previously, the overtime requirement applied only to hourly employees and salaried workers earning $455 a week or less – up to $23,660 per year.

There are some exemptions to the rule, but most of these exemptions won’t apply to veterinary practices. Employees that are not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act must be paid the federal minimum wage (currently $7.25 per hour) and at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for any hours they work beyond 40 in a workweek.

The AVMA is monitoring implementation of this rule and evaluating legislation related to this issue. We’ll continue to keep our members informed of any important developments.

How does the new rule affect veterinarians?

What does this mean for veterinary practices? It will affect overtime pay for salaried veterinary technicians, who are not considered exempt from the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, if their salaries are $913/week ($47,476/year) or less and they work more than 40 hours per week. If staff members are paid hourly wages, they already must be paid time-and-a-half when working overtime and therefore won’t be affected.

Office administrators and managers could qualify for the administrative employee exemption from guaranteed overtime pay if the following qualifications are met: the employee must be compensated on a salary or fee basis (as defined in the regulations) at a rate of not less than the threshold salary of $913/week; the employee’s primary duty must be to perform office or non-manual work directly related to the management or general business operations of the employer or the employer’s customers; and the employee’s primary duty must include exercising discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance. The qualifications of this exemption have not changed; only the salary threshold has been increased.

Will the changes affect veterinary salaries? Not likely, unless the veterinarian is being paid below the threshold salary listed above. Otherwise, veterinarians are generally considered exempt as learned professionals because they meet the following three criteria: their primary duty is to perform work requiring advanced knowledge (defined as work that is predominantly intellectual in character and that includes work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment); their advanced knowledge is in a field of science or learning; and their advanced knowledge must be customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction. See the Labor Department’s fact sheet on the subject for more information. Veterinarians working as contractors or working on production may or may not be affected.

The rules are complex, and there are many additional nuances. If you have questions about your practice’s situation, or your own, it’s best to consult a labor attorney or the Department of Labor.

How will the changes affect higher education – including veterinary schools? Although the new salary thresholds will affect many employees, there are exemptions for teachers/professors and for undergraduate and graduate students engaged in research under faculty supervision. See the higher ed fact sheet for more information.

The final rule also:

• Raises to $134,004 the total annual compensation requirement for so-called highly compensated employees to be exempted from overtime protection if they satisfy what is known as a “minimal duties” test related to the work they perform. See the fact sheet for more information. This change seems unlikely to apply to veterinarians and practices.
• Provides for the Department of Labor to increase the salary and compensation levels every three years. Based on current projections, the standard salary level is expected to rise to more than $51,000 with the first update, scheduled for Jan. 1, 2020. This would mean that the current level of $23,660/year would rise to $47,476/year in December 2016 and then to more than $51,000 in January 2020.

The new rule is set to take effect December 1, 2016, although lawmakers are considering possible action to block it using the Congressional Review Act and riders to appropriations bills.

The Fair Labor Standards Act contains an exemption from the payment of both minimum wage and overtime pay to anyone employed as a bona fide professional employee. The professional exemption contains two main categories: learned and creative. The Labor Department’s Small Entity Compliance Guide to the FLSA “White Collar Exemptions” provides good guidance; you also can learn more about classification of employees on the Labor Department’s website. They also have a FAQ document available.

Webinars will offer more information

The Department of Labor is offering a series of 90-minute free webinars for employers who want to better understand what is happening and how to comply with the regulation:

• General Information on the Overtime Final Rule: Starting at Noon Central Time on May 26, June 2 and June 9
• For the Nonprofit Sector: Starting at Noon Central Time on June 7
• For State and Local Governments: Starting at Noon Central Time on June 8

You can register for these webinars on the Department of Labor’s website.

The AVMA will continue to monitor the implementation of this rule and is reviewing legislation that would require the Labor Department to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations would impact small businesses, employers in other industry sectors, and nonprofits before issuing a new rule. The proposed legislation, known as the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act (S. 2707, H.R. 4773), also would prohibit automatic increases in any new rule, and ensure that any proposed changes to the duties test receive scrutiny through the formal notice and comment process. For more information, contact Gina Luke in the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division.

Two Minutes with NVMA Board President Shane Pedersen, DVM

To open video in a new window, click here.

Buddhist Monk Blesses Ailing Pets

Lama Karma Namgyel Rinpoche, left, blesses a dog named Monkey Business, who is held by owner Clay Blatt, of Napa, California. (Napa Valley Register Photo).

"It doesn't matter if you believe or not, it works," said dog owner Cheryl Sagat of Vallejo, California.

Sagat was talking about the healing blessings offered for ailing pets by a Buddhist monk at a park in Napa, California. The monk, Lama Karma Namgyel Rinpoche, delivered the blessings as a part of the May 21 celebration of the birth of Buddha.

Pet owners gathered in the park and brought their animals to Rinpoche, who splashed them with water and draped blue prayer cords around their necks.

Sagat said her dog Sparkles had been sick for months with a severe skin infection, so they turned to natural healing. A combination of blessings from Rinpoche, skin baths, and organic food helped her heal, Sagat told the Napa Valley Register. Read the full story.

October Dates Set for 2016 AVMA Economic Summit

(Excerpted from the AVMA@Work blog)

If you’re interested in the economic future of the veterinary profession—and in gathering information and tools to help you operate your business more successfully—set aside the dates October 24-25 to attend this year’s AVMA Economic Summit.

Our economics team convenes the summit every year to help practice owners and other business-focused veterinarians understand the veterinary economic markets and get tools to operate in business successfully. This year’s meeting will be held Oct. 24-25 outside Chicago, in Schaumburg, Illinois. Learn more.

Register Now for the Summer Meeting

Join Us in North Platte!

Register now for the Summer Meeting in North Platte, June 9 - 11.

Links to information and registration materials will be found here.

A video featuring your friends and colleagues who attended the 2015 Summer Meeting is here.

Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Shares Responses to Questions

Nebraska Board of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery 

At the board’s last meeting we had two questions posed and we wanted to express our opinion to the Nebraska Veterinarians.

First question: Can an unlicensed tech read fecal exams? The board’s response is no, because the regulations only allow an assistant to collect fecal specimens. Reading a fecal exam requires professional judgment which only a licensed veterinarian is permitted to do under state statutes and regulations.

Second question: Can an unlicensed tech administer medication via a catheter that is already in place? The board's answer is no, the statutes and regulations permit an assistant to administer crystalloid fluid therapy through an established IV catheter under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Other administration of medications through a catheter can only be performed by an assistant under emergency conditions for the purpose of life-saving aid and treatment. Such administration can only be performed after direct communication with a licensed veterinarian and if the veterinarian is either present or en route to the location of the animal.

Another topic the board would like to have the Nebraska Veterinarians be aware of is the use of consent documents, such as anesthetic releases, and procedure releases. Such documents must be signed by the client and are helpful when dealing with complaints from clients, as they should document what is happening or going to happen and in a round about way help clarify the diagnosis. 

Chairman 

James F. Unwin

Preventing Dog Bites: Educational Tools to Help Veterinarians

(Reposted from the AVMA@Work blog)

Did you know that nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and that 20 percent of the victims require medical attention?

Veterinarians realize that while even the gentlest dog can bite, most bites can be prevented.  This is National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, and the AVMA has resources to help you educate your clients and make your community a safer place to live.

As the founding sponsor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, the AVMA is committed to reducing the number of dog bites and helping dog owners maintain the loving bonds they have with their dogs. The AVMA offers resources to help you teach clients about socialization, responsible dog ownership, why dogs bite, and recognizing risky situations, among other topics. A client-ready brochure on dog bite prevention is available in the AVMA's online store in both English and Spanish. And the AVMA YouTube channel has a complete playlist of fun, kid-friendly videos about dog bite prevention; play them on a loop in your clinic or embed the playlist on your website.

The AVMA also can help you celebrate National Dog Bite Prevention Week® on social media. Download any of three National Dog Bite Prevention Week® cover photos, and use them as your own to customize your profile. (Yes, it’s really OK!) For AVMA members, there are pre-written social media posts that you can copy and paste, plus ideas for writing your own if you prefer. Follow the AVMA’s social media accounts – especially Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – where the AVMA will share dog bite prevention materials throughout the week.

While you educate clients locally about dog bite prevention, the AVMA represents veterinarians nationally as sponsor of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® Coalition. AVMA Board of Directors member Dr. Lori Teller spoke at a news conference to kick off the week-long event, emphasizing the important role veterinarians can play in assessing, monitoring and improving dogs’ behavior.

“Pet owners should talk to their veterinarian regarding any behavioral concerns they may have,” said Dr. Teller, a veterinarian at the Meyerland Animal Clinic in Houston. “Their family veterinarian can assist in determining if there is a medical component; which medication, if any, would be most appropriate as part of an integrated treatment program; and whether or not a referral to a behavior specialist is warranted.”

For a more complete account of the news conference, read the press release.

Wrapping Up the Intro to the New Website

This is the last in our series of posts previewing the new NVMA website, tentatively scheduled for launch later this month.

The final three main navigation links will be CAREERS, FOUNDATION and NEWS.

The CAREERS section will be home to an NVMA-exclusive job board in addition to the affiliated Veterinary Career Network tools. Various online professional resources will be aggregated here as well.

The FOUNDATION section is essentially the current site's NVMA Foundation pages, including links to scholarship application forms. The new site, however, gives the Foundation an online fundraising app which can be used to create customized online resource development campaigns.

Finally, the NEWS section hosts links to the NVMA Vision YouTube Channel and to the NVMA Blog, which will be rebranded as the NVMA@Work Blog when the new site launches.

When the site launches, you will receive an email prompting you to log in and complete your membership profile.

Webinar: Transitioning From Vet School to Practice

(Reposted from the AVMA@Work blog)

Want to ensure a smooth transition from veterinary school to practice?

If so, you won’t want to miss the AVMA Veterinary Career Center’s upcoming webinar, “From Classroom to Exam Room: Surviving the Transition from Vet School to Practice.”

Dr. James Park, an associate at Care Animal Hospital in the Chicago suburbs, will discuss issues related to job search, contract considerations, and how to impress your new boss and clients during the webinar, which will take place Monday, June 27, from noon to 1 p.m. Central Time. Dr. Park is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine whose professional interests include surgery, cardiology and ultrasonography.

Be sure to register for the webinar in advance. Attendees of the June 27 live webinar will receive one hour of CE credit.

The AVMA Veterinary Career Center is the online career resource for veterinarians and veterinary professionals. The AVMA also provides a variety of other resources for recent veterinary graduates.

State Veterinarian Releases Quarantine at Fonner Park in Grand Island

LINCOLN – State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes has released the quarantine issued for Fonner Park in Grand Island after three confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) were detected there last month.
 
“The horses at Fonner Park were quarantined for 21 days where they were monitored closely.  During that time, no further cases were confirmed so the quarantine has been lifted,” said Dr. Hughes.  “We continue to ask horse owners and facility managers to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease by remaining vigilant and following strict biosecurity measures.”
 
EHM is the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) and cases of the disease have been confirmed in several locations around the country this year. 
 
The disease is spread through direct or indirect contact with infected horses, so Dr. Hughes encourages operators of horse shows and exhibitions to review their biosecurity plans and minimize the opportunity for horses to have direct or indirect contact with each other. Indirect contact includes the use of shared water and feed sources, as well as the use of shared equipment. In addition, Dr. Hughes said he recommends horse owners planning to travel to shows and exhibitions contact the venue prior to transporting their horses to inquire about entrance requirements for the event.
 
Biosecurity measures horse owners should take at their own operations include requiring individuals to wash their hands before and after contact with each horse, disinfecting boots and changing clothes that come into contact with horses other than their own.
 
“If possible, horse owners should avoid contact with other people’s horses, and isolate horses returning from shows or exhibitions for 3 to 4 weeks,” said Dr. Hughes. “Owners who will be co-mingling their horses also should consider contacting their veterinarian to discuss their horses’ current vaccination status and weigh the benefits of vaccination.”
 
EHM symptoms include: fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable. Additional information can be viewed here.

Practice Management: Four Critical Factors in Managing Inventory Turnover

Inventory costs consume more than 20 percent of the typical veterinary practice's revenue, according to the Inside Practice blog at Patterson Veterinary.

A recent Inside Practice blog post points out that inventory management should result in a practice having a financially sound revenue center in its pharmacy, one that should boost cash flow rather than hinder it.

A key to achieving this goal is proper management of inventory turnover. The blog post covers four critical factors:

• how to calculate turnover, 
• how to evaluate it, 
• how to leverage it and 
• the financial effects of unhealthy vs. healthy turnover.

Learn more.

New Salary Calculator Tool Helps Students and Recent Graduates

(Reposted from the AVMA@work blog)

Remember what it felt like when you were looking for your first job and had no idea what kind of salary was reasonable to expect?

The AVMA has released a new tool to help veterinary students and new graduates develop a starting point for salary negotiations as they enter the profession.

The New Graduate Salary Calculator worksheet allows users to calculate average starting salaries for different segments of the profession in various locations. It takes into consideration variables such as practice type (private/industry/government/etc.), specialty, plans for continued education, expected work hours, geographic location, debt load, and gender to provide a realistic snapshot of what the average salary would be for each specific situation.

The calculator uses the factors that have been shown to be statistically significant predictors of starting salaries for new veterinarians over the past 15 years. The information can help both new graduates and those approaching graduation to better understand the market for new veterinarians and how to prepare for salary negotiations. Those who are unsure about their early career path can create multiple scenarios and compare the results.

The calculator is currently offered as a PDF, but the AVMA plans to develop a digital version in the future. It is available exclusively to AVMA and SAVMA members, and can be found among the student financial resources at AVMA.org/SAVMA and the recent graduate resources offered on AVMA.org. The new calculator is one of numerous financial tools under development by the AVMA to help guide veterinarians through all stages of their careers.

Already available to both AVMA and SAVMA members is the personal financial planning tool at AVMA.org/MyBudget, which allows veterinarians to plan and track income and expenses in order to save for the future while also paying off debt.

Register Now for the Summer Meeting in North Platte

Register now to attend the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Summer Meeting in spectacular North Platte, Nebraska. All of the information you need may be found at the links below.

Program
Registration Form
Golf Registration
Team Roping Info
5 Stand Shoot Info

HuffPost Looks at Pets-at-Work Trend

As a followup on a recent report about the health benefits of pet ownership, the Huffington Post is taking a look at a trend among employers -- employees are being allowed to bring their pets to work.

The HuffPost piece points out that the pet-friendly policy is popular with startups as a way to demonstrate to employees that they are valued.

Here's an excerpt:

It’s no surprise that Atlas Wearables, the developer of a digital trainer and heart rate band, praises the wellness benefits of pets at work. Based in Austin, Texas, CEO Peter Li notes one benefit of having a dog around is its need to be walked. Having Bluto the dog around created an opportunity to have walking meetings. “Standup meetings emphasize knowledge sharing. It helps keep the whole team on the same page running towards the same goal.”

Read the full story.

Pet Medication Hearing: AVMA Testimony Strives to Protect, Advance Veterinary Interests

Dr. de Jong

(Reposted from the AVMA@Work blog)

Dr. John de Jong, chair of the AVMA Board of Directors, addressed members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Friday during a hearing about the pet medication industry. The hearing was live-streamed, and a recorded session is available. You can also read Dr. de Jong’s full testimony that was submitted to the subcommittee, as well as the AVMA’s press release.

Although the hearing was focused on the pet medication industry, the driving forces behind it are two federal bills (H.R.3174 and S.1200) that mandate prescription writing for pet medications. Although we agree with the bills’ stated intent to help consumers save money and provide freedom of choice, we oppose the legislation because veterinarians already do these things. The majority of veterinarians already provide prescriptions upon request – it’s included in our Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, and 36 states have laws, regulations, or policies that require veterinarians to provide their clients with a written prescription upon request. This federal legislation is simply not necessary and would take time away from the veterinarian’s real task – providing the best care for their patients – to spend on burdensome paperwork. If you agree, please take a moment to contact your senators and representatives to tell them how you feel. To learn more about why we oppose this legislation, visit our “Just Ask” page.

This is but one example of the AVMA’s advocacy efforts to protect veterinarians and advance veterinary medicine. We’ve also advocated, and will continue to advocate, for continued access to medications such as ketamine and compounded drugs; legislation to reduce the student loan burden; animal health and welfare issues; and small business issues affecting veterinary practices. Our advocacy work also resulted in introduction and passage of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, which allows veterinarians to legally transport controlled substances across state lines in the course of practicing veterinary medicine.

As the collective voice of the veterinary profession, we will continue to advocate on our members’ behalf to protect, promote and advance the veterinary profession.

Volunteer Opportunities with the AVMA

Are you or a colleague interested in volunteering for an AVMA committee? If so, there are a number of opportunities still available for appointment this summer! The full list of committee positions available for appointment in August 2016 is available here at the AVMA website and includes positions on the following entities:

• Animal Welfare Committee 
• Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Committee 
• Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee 
• Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates 
• Food Safety Advisory Committee 
• Legislative Advisory Committee 
• Political Action Committee Board

The deadline for receipt of nominations for these committee positions is June 19, 2016. All nominations should be submitted via email to OfficeEVP@avma.org, via fax to 847-925-0944, or via mail to AVMA Office of the Executive Vice President, 1931 N. Meacham Rd, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL, 60173. All nominations should include the nomination form and a 1-2 page resume.

If you or a colleague are not sure if you are ready to get involved with the AVMA, please take the opportunity to view the following AVMA video, where AVMA members describe the benefits of volunteering with the association, such as influencing key issues affecting veterinary medicine today, meeting new colleagues, and forging valuable and lasting relationships.

Please feel free to email OfficeEVP@avma.org or call 1-800-248-2862, ext. 6605 with any questions you may have. Thanks for your continued support and we look forward to receiving your nominations!