Volume 10 - Merial Rewards

merial rewards program publication
|
volume 10, 3rd quarter 2011
®
ME RIA L
REWARD S
PRO GRA M
EA R N B O N U
S
POINTS
SEE PAGES
16 & 17 FOR DE
TAILS
teaching
bringing
home
baby
education
new
navta
program
sky’s
THE
THE
think big
plus…
healthy pet recipes
|
contents
healthy pets healthy lives | from the merial rewards program | volume 10, 3rd quarter 2011
working with
your manager you
can achieve new
career heights .
page 2
featured articles
2
The Sky’s the Limit
Career planning for vet techs
8
Pets, Get Ready:
Here Comes Baby!
Pet Expert Steve Dale
10 |
+
client handout
Bringing Home Baby
14 &15 |
education
+ MerialEDU
+ NEW: NAVTA’s Approved Veterinary
SM
Assistant Program
16 |
+
17 |
+
+
share your story : pet spotlight
K-9 Saves A Life
activities : fun & games
Sudoku Puzzle
Healthy Pet Treat Recipes
protector
news
FOLLOWING IN HER
MOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS
IT’S A NEW DAY
From the age of two, Katherine Dixon
frequently accompanied her mom,
Dr. Annette Dixon of the Clarksville Veterinary
Clinic in Clarksville, Missouri, to the clinic. Now,
the 9-year old is avidly involved in 4H with
hopes of becoming an equine veterinarian in
the future. Her dream seems quite possible
since Katherine recently received Best of Show
at the Pike County 4H Fair for her veterinary
science project that showcased HEARTGARD®
(ivermectin) and FRONTLINE® Plus products in dogs. Katherine’s project poster was
also displayed at the Missouri State Fair. Congratulations, Katherine (and Dr. Dixon)!
MERIAL INTRODUCES CERTIFECT™
A NEW STANDARD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TICKS
The newest addition to the FRONTLINE® family of flea and tick
control products kills ticks within 18 hours and detaches ticks1
Ticks are growing in number and are being found in new areas, putting the family
dog at increased risk for infestations.2 As a result, dogs are also at increased risk of
tick-borne diseases, which have now been found in most U.S. states.3 Cases of Lyme
disease and anaplasmosis in pets more than doubled from 2009 to 2010 – disturbing
evidence that ticks are an expanding threat.4
To address this issue, the makers of No. 1 veterinarian-recommended
SEE OUR
flea and tick control product FRONTLINE Plus5 have introduced
AD ON
CERTIFECT, an advanced topical solution that provides proven
THE BACK
COVER
flea protection with added tick-killing power. CERTIFECT
kills ticks in 18 hours,1 whereas the current standard for
tick-killing efficacy is 24-48 hours.6 It is also the only topical
product that detaches ticks. Just like FRONTLINE Plus,
CERTIFECT destroys the flea life cycle, giving dog owners,
with the help of their veterinarians, a new solution in the
fight against these pests.
lear n
more
VI SI T
ce rti fec t.com
As Jeannine Courser departs from Merial,
I’m excited to join the MERIAL® Rewards
Program and present you with the latest
issue of your Protector magazine.
Inside, you’ll find valuable career
guidance that will spark thoughts and
possibilities to further your career as a
veterinary technician. We’ve also included a
career road map (see page 7) that will help
you stay focused by creating your vision of
the future as well as how to create specific
long-term goals!
Pet Expert Steve Dale shares his perspective on what your clients should do in
preparation for an addition to the family
(see page 8). And, we’ve included a client
handout on page 10 that you’ll want to
share on the very same topic.
The National Association of Veterinary
Technicians in America (NAVTA) has just
launched its Approved Veterinary Assistant
program for junior vet staff members. More
details are included on page 13.
Again, I’m excited to be with the MERIAL
Rewards Program and want you to know
that we certainly appreciate you!
Best regards,
Leigh Young
Editor, Protector Magazine
Merial Limited
CERTIFECT Label.
2
Blagburn B, Dryden M. Biology, Treatment, and Control of Flea and Tick Infestations. Veterinary Clinics of North America:
Small Practice. 2009; 39: 1173-1200.
3
Rosenthal, Marie. Tick-Borne Diseases Found in Most States, Expert Says. http://www.capcvet.org/articles/article14.html
Accessed April 14, 2011.
4
Companion Animal Parasite Council. Parasite Prevalence – Interactive Maps. http://www.capcvet.org/maps/index.html. Accessed May 13, 2011.
5
MDI Data on File.
6
Marchiondo AA, Holdsworth PA, Green P, Blagburn BL, Jacobs DE. World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. (W.A.A.V.P.)
guidelines for evaluating the efficacy of parasiticides for the treatment, prevention and control of flea and tick infestation on dogs
and cats. Vet Parasitol 2007:145(3-4);332-344.
1
P.S. I ’ve never been good at Sudoku —
perhaps you are! Be sure to take the
challenge that’s on page 17.
protector | 1
Think BIG! This is
about your growth,
not about placing
limitations on yourself.
THE
Career Planning for Veterinary Technicians
BY: REBECCA ROSE, CVT
Today’s veterinary technicians have more opportunities for professional growth
than ever before. As your career progresses, you will want increased responsibility,
appreciation, and appropriate compensation for what you bring to the table in
experience and maturity. You are limited only by your imagination in what you can
create in your career, but you need a plan.
This article is printed with permission and originally appeared in the May/June 2011 issue of Exceptional Veterinary Team.
Improve your compliance, master essential communication skills, get team building advice, and sign up for the journal at myEVT.com.
protector | 3
Begin your career plan with a thoughtful self-assessment. Get a piece of paper, think about
your current situation, and write down your answers. What brings you joy in your job? What
are your strengths? What creates the most stress or anxiety? What are your weaknesses?
Self-assessment can be difficult, but it is a critical step in mapping your course. Next, think
about where you want your career to go. In this article, we will discuss many opportunities
within the veterinary practice and beyond. Ask yourself, “If I could do anything I wanted to
do in the field of animal health care, what would I do?” Think BIG! This is about your growth,
not about placing limitations on yourself. How can you achieve your goal?
Opportunities to Explore
Veterinary Practice Leadership
For team members who display maturity,
communication and problem solving
skills, and a desire to lead, moving
into management can be a natural
progression. Titles may include lead
technician, technician manager, kennel
manager, safety coordinator, or inventory
manager. Consider reading books and
magazines on management, self-help,
and personal development to expand
your knowledge and improve your
“people” skills.
Other management positions include
office manager, practice manager, and
hospital administrator. The Veterinary
Hospital Managers Association website
(vhma.org) includes an outline of
duties and coordinating titles, levels
of supervision, and salary ranges.
Another path is to become a certified
veterinary practice manager (CVPM).
Veterinary technicians, through a
natural progression, can become CVPMs.
Create a road map for success: generate
a job description, establish performance
reviews, and take business management
classes. You will find a link to local
manager groups on the VHMA website.
Networking in this group is highly
recommended; local and national
manager meetings provide an
opportunity to find colleagues with
whom you can discuss legal issues and
brainstorm human resource ideas. As
a leader in a veterinary hospital, it is
critical to get outside information so you
are continually bringing best practices to
your team.
Client Education
You may enjoy going that extra mile
and chatting with clients about their
pets and families. You confidently
review treatment sheets, follow up
with phone calls, and record all of your
client communications in their pets’
records. If this sounds like your “joy” list,
consider outlining a road map to be an
extraordinary client communications
expert in your practice. Expanding
skills in active listening, using empathy
statements, and contacting clients about
the progress of a pet will help you reach
an extraordinary level. SkillPath.com
also offers one-day presentations ideal for
this purpose of learning and expansion.
Grief Counseling
Grief counseling is another area in which
veterinary technicians can excel. In
veterinary health care, we are exposed
to death 10 times more often than
in human medicine, considering the
average life span of our patients is 12
years. The technician can help the pet
owner with scheduling appointments,
answering questions related to end-oflife, and being present at the euthanasia.
Sympathy and empathy can elevate
the experience a pet owner has at the
end of a beloved friend’s life. Education
can be expanded by attending local
human hospice classes, reading books
on the grief process, and updating client
materials in your practice.
Specialty Veterinary Technician
When your “joy” list includes surgery,
dental procedures, emergency care,
equine medicine, or behavior, consider
becoming a veterinary technician
specialist (VTS). Through the National
NAVTA 2007 Percentage beyond Private Practice1
n Vet Tech
n
4 | protector
Education 6%
University/College 4.2%
n Diagnostic/Research 2.2%
n Not-for-Profit 1.3%
n Government 0.9%
n Industry/Sales 0.8%
n Other 0.9%
Reference
1
http://www.navta.net/files/Demographic_Survey_Results_2008.pdf. Accessed 10/27/2011.
Be sure to determine
your added value and be
compensated accordingly.
Association of Veterinary Technicians
in America (NAVTA), technicians can
earn certification from 10 different
academies listed to the right. Research
the opportunities at navta.org, download
an application, apply the Career Road
Map worksheet on page 7, and determine
if you are a good candidate. Your
commitment to become a VTS may take
two years and may include continuing
education classes, time away from
work to take an exam, the expense of
application fees, possible travel and
lodging, and time to generate case
studies and x-rays (dental requirement).
You can talk with your employer about
the benefits to the pet, pet owner, and
hospital. What about the benefit to
the individual? Be sure to determine
your added value and be compensated
accordingly. Some have negotiated a
salary increase of $10,000 a year.
Beyond Veterinary Practice
Current NAVTA Academies
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency
and Critical Care Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary
Technician Anesthetists
• Academy of Veterinary
Dental Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary Nutrition
Technicians
• Academy of Internal Medicine
for Veterinary Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary
Behavior Technicians
• Academy of Equine Veterinary
Nursing Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary Zoological
Medicine Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary
Surgical Technicians
• Academy of Veterinary
Technicians in Clinical Practice
Visit navta.org for more information.
Industry
The 9% of veterinary technicians who
work in industry also make the highest
salaries. To take on this challenge, you
will need to be a team player, confident
in your communication style, able
to interact with various groups, and
be willing to travel. A wide variety
of businesses (medical supplies and
equipment, pet food, pharmacies, pet
insurance, etc.) offer services and provide
products to the veterinary community.
Veterinary Technician Education
The approximately 6% of veterinary
technicians who are employed as
veterinary technician educators make an
average of $21 per hour, plus benefits.
As the profession continues to grow, the
demand for teachers will also increase.
The best way to determine whether this
is a good venue for you is to contact one
of your previous educators, set up an
appointment, and inquire about his or
her experience.
NAVTA 2007 Percentage by Practice1
Companion Animal 52.2%
Mixed Animal 12.3%
n Specialty Practice 9.0%
n Emergency Practice 8.4%
n Equine Practice 1.1%
n Food Animal 0.7%
n Other 18.3%
n
n
The 9% of veterinary
technicians who work in
industry also make the
highest salaries.
protector | 5
NAVTA 2007 Private Salaries
40,000
39,810 39,800
38,860
35,000
33,270 32,840
28,960
30,000
esearch & Development
R
Many positions are open to veterinary
technicians in research and
development; however, some will
require more than a two-year degree or
additional training. While working in
R&D, technicians may manage animal
facilities, treat sick or injured animals, or
offer preventive health care. In addition,
they may be instrumental in quality
control of various research programs,
oversee report writing, and be involved
in grant applications. Those interested
in laboratory animal medicine should
check out the Association for Laboratory
Animal Science’s website at aalas.org.
Technicians can make around $45,000
a year in this field of expertise. The
benefits package can be very good.
Veterinary Association
There are many professional associations
supporting the veterinary community.
If you are computer savvy, communicate
well, can articulate services, know the
veterinary community, and like social
events, you may be a candidate to work
in association management. A few
associations already hiring veterinary
technicians include American Animal
Hospital Association, Colorado
Association of Certified Veterinary
Technicians, American Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and
American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine.
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Speciality Practice
Food Animal
n Emergency Critical Care
n Companion Animal
n Equine Practice
n Mixed Animal
n
n
NAVTA 2007 Salaries
60,000
51,510
50,000
45,060
42,980
40,000
42,200
37,350
34,180
Start a Business
If your interest lies in being your own
boss, you are free to create your own
path. Consider reading the book
101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers
(Joseph Nigro, Sphinx Publishing, 2007)
for inspiration. Attend local business
meetings, create a large networking
group, and learn how to sell yourself and
your services or products. What about
owning your own hospital? In certain
states, a technician (non-veterinarian) is
allowed to own the hospital.
Your career is in your hands. It is your
responsibility to design it, mold it, and
make it your own. By outlining a road
map and working with your manager
and veterinarian, you can achieve new
heights as a veterinary technician.
Never stop learning.
30,000
20,000
About the Author: Rebecca began working in a
mixed animal practice in rural Colorado. Upon
graduation from Colorado Mountain College,
she sat for her certification exam and became
a member of CACVT. Since, she has served
as a certified veterinary technician, practice
manager and administrator to the Colorado
Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians.
Most recently, Rebecca became an author
for My Exceptional Veterinary Team. Her coauthored book, Career Choices for Veterinary
Technicians, Opportunities for Animal Lovers,
has been established as required reading in
some veterinary technician programs.
6 | protector
10,000
0
Industry/Sales
Education
n University/College
n Government
n Not-for-Profit
n Diagnostic/Research
n
n Vet Tech
According to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics (bls.gov.com),
91% of veterinary technicians work
in veterinary practices, with the
majority employed in companion
animal practices.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO
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protector | 7
DON'T MISS
Steve Dale's Webinars!
An encore of Thinking Outside the Box available now
Register for the upcoming Pets, Get Ready: Here Comes Baby!
scheduled December 7, 2011 at noon, Central Time (1pm Eastern
STEVE DALE, CABC
Visit MerialRewardsProgram.com and click directly on the Learning Center Link
PETS, GET READY:
HERE COMES BABY!
Women have called their veterinarian because their dog is acting
“weird” — sniffing around their tummy. It turns out that what they
needed wasn’t a veterinarian, but a pregnancy test. In fact, their best
friend with four legs turned out to be the test.
Today, lots of families expecting their first baby already consider
their pet their “baby1.” In fact, for over 20% of the families having
a first baby, the dog or cat come first.2 They tell
themselves that “Fido (or Fluffy) will get the same
attention as always.” But of course, that rarely
happens. Having a baby—whether it is
your first, second, third or more—is lifechanging: the relationship with the pet
changes, and the household changes. Pets
don’t always respond well to change.
Another problem is that people
forget their pet is, after all, a pet. No
matter how wonderful a pet is with
children, adult supervision is always
required.3 Most instances of injuries
to children or pets occur as a result
of not having adult supervision.4
Preparing for the new addition
ideally begins before there’s an
announcement. Months, or even
years before is actually ideal.1
8 | protector
Here are some tips:
It’s All About Thinking and Planning Ahead
Ideally, it’s best to get the pet acclimated
to babies well before the stork arrives.
Your clients should ask friends and
relatives to visit their home with their
newborns and rambunctious two-year
olds (dogs should be on-leash).5
When the baby fusses, toss some kibble
or treats into the air. The trick is to
make it seem as if the baby is presenting
the yummies. The goal is for pets that
get agitated by the sound of a crying
baby to now associate that fussing with
something enjoyable.
In some cases, even the best treats
won’t convince a pet that a wailing baby
isn’t terrifying. Be sure your clients
don't make the mistake of waiting
until the new baby has arrived and
their time is at a premium. Planning in
advance allows for time to readjust the
pet’s attitude with desensitization and
counter-conditioning. Instruct clients
to download the sound of a crying child
from the Internet. Play it back at a very
soft level (below the threshold that
affects the pet) as the pet enjoys dinner
several rooms away. Ever so gradually
pump up the volume, and move the food
dish closer to the speakers so eventually
the pet associates the crying with
dinner.6
Also, tell your clients to become their
favorite actor. Ask them to periodically
speak baby talk to a doll.1 This
conditions the pet to recognize your
“baby tone” as well as the attention
going elsewhere.
As for a visiting toddler, it’s imperative
to make the visit fun. Don’t force the
pet to interact (in fact, it’s best they
meet outside). Caution is normal if your
pet has not been previously exposed to
children. However, if your pet is fearful,
it may take several visits to warm up.7
If the pet offers even a hint of
aggression, the good news is that
now is the time to nip the problem in
the bud – before baby comes home.
Call in professional help.1 When pets
aggress to people – young children, in
particular – they’re fearful.
It helps to have control of the pet when
the baby arrives; review basic dog
training.1 It’s also helpful to teach dogs
and cats to go to an assigned quiet
place, such as bed.3
Getting Ready
Some suggest keeping pets out of
the baby’s nursery (even as you are
preparing for the baby’s arrival). This
only serves to enhance the pet’s anxiety
or curiosity, and potentially creates a
problem where there was none.
You don’t want to deal with treating
an obstruction (or grossed-out clients),
so tell them to create a dog-proof place
to store dirty diapers (a favorite snack
for some not-so-discriminating dogs).
Don’t wait until the baby arrives to
relocate the dog’s favorite bed or the
cat’s litter box.3
If there’s an opportunity, bringing the
baby’s blanket home hours or days
before the actual baby arrives is an
introduction nearly as effective as
face to paw.1
Pheromone products, such as D.A.P.
and Feliway® (Ceva Animal Health),
can soothe tense nerves.1 Also,
consider Anxitane® (Chewable tablets
containing L-Theanine or Suntheanine®,
an amino acid indicated for use in cats
and dogs to help keep them calm and
relaxed, Virbac).6
Old Wives ‘Tails’
Be pre-emptive. Explain why giving
up cats due to fears of toxoplasmosis
is unwarranted, and if a medical
professional has questions to – contact
you. Toxoplasmosis concerns are real,
but when clients understand how it’s
transmitted, and are offered common
sense precautions, they are unlikely to
give up their cat(s).8
Cats do not suffocate babies! They may
want to lick messy faces, though.8
Domestic ferrets do not hunt down
and injure infants. Ferrets, like all
pets, should never be left alone with
newborns or young children.9
Home Sweet Home
Once the baby’s scent is awash in a
blanket, don’t wash it.3 Place it 10-feet
from the pet’s food dish, and gradually
inch it closer over the next 48 hours.
As the pet enjoys a delicious meal, the
association will be made with the
baby’s smell.
Parasite control is always important, but
it is even more of an issue with infants
and young children.10
No one knows for sure if pets actually
get jealous – but they may learn
to resent the attention the baby is
receiving.1 Suggest clients maintain
as much of the pet’s usual routine as
possible. So, if Fluffy was typically
brushed or Fido was taken for a walk at
7 p.m., attempt to continue the routines.
You might have to adjust the times to
create a new normal routine. Pets thrive
on structure and consistency.
Horwitz, D., DVM, Dipl. ACVB, Clinician’s Brief (publication of NAVC), July, 2011
http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/column/applied-behavior/and-baby-makes-two
American Pet Products Association Pet Owners Survey 2011-1212, pgs. 139
and 246
3
Pet Meets Baby: A Guide for Families Bringing Children Home to Pets, publication of the American Humane Association, Denver, CO, 2011, pg. 20-21,
http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/interaction/pet-meets-babypdf.pdf
4
Pelar, C., CPDT, Living with Kids and Dogs, C & R Publishing, Woodbridge, VA,
2005, pg. 1-6
5
Guerra, M., Kids and Dogs Can Be A Great Thing Or A Disaster, 1999; http://
dogmanners.com/kids.htm
6
Landsberg, G., BSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVB et al Handbook of Behavior Problems of
the Dog and Cat, Second Edition, Saunders, New York, 1997., pg. 244-245
7
Silvani, P. CPDT and Eckhardt, L. Raising Puppies & Kids Together: A Guide for
Parents, T.F.H. Publishing, Neptune City, NJ pg. 69-77, 2005
8
Dale, S CABC et al, CATegorical Care: An Owner’s Guide to America’s #1 Companion, American Humane Association, Denver, CO, 2010, pgs. 14&15
9
Umbachm K PhD Ferrets: A Selective Overview of Issues and Options, California
Research Bureau, Volume 4, Number 3, 1997; www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/
notes/V4n3.pdf
10 Companion Animal Parasite Council, Your Pets, Your Children and Your Future,
2007 www.petsandparasites.org/downloads/petskidsfuture.pdf
1
2
protector | 9
bringing home
BABY!
GUIDELINES FOR NEW PARENTS
Share this client handout by making copies of
the facing page or downloading it from
www.MerialRewardsProgram.com.
BRINGING
HOME BABY
client handout
STEVE DALE, CABC
It is amazing how a little bit of planning can make a big difference when you bring home baby to live with your
existing four-legged family member.1 Lots of families expecting their first child say that they already have a baby –
the family pet. We don’t know if pets really do get jealous. But, it does seem they may feel usurped by lavish attention
going elsewhere. At the very least, pets thrive on routine, and now their routine is being shaken to its core.2
Here are some tips that can help ease the adjustment for everyone involved to keep everyone safe.
PLANNING AHEAD
GETTING READY
SWEET HOME
•A
cclimate the pets to babies in advance of the
stork’s arrival1
• If a real baby visits, your dog should be kept on
a leash. When the baby fusses, toss kibble or
treats into the air, as if the baby is doing it.
The goal is for pets to associate babies (even
fussy babies) with something enjoyable
• In some cases, even the best treats won’t
convince a pet that a wailing baby isn’t
terrifying. You can’t control the volume of a
baby, but you can control the volume of
a recording
– Download the audio of a crying baby
– Begin by playing it back at barely audible
level, several rooms away from where
your pet is eating
– Ever so gradually increase the volume,
but always at a threshold under what
your pet will notice
– Move the food dish closer to the
speakers. Eventually, your pet will
associate a wailing baby with dinner3
– Dress up a baby doll and have each
family member talk to the “baby dolly”
as you might the real thing2 – though,
perhaps not in front of the neighbors
• Don’t worry about keeping pets out of the
baby’s nursery as this may only elevate
your pet’s anxiety and your stress level by
attempting to keep them out
• I f the cat’s litter box or dog’s toy box are in
the nursery, relocate well in advance1
• Find a dog-proof place to stash dirty diapers
• Once the baby’s scent is awash in a blanket,
don’t wash it2. Place it 10-feet from the
pet’s food dish, and gradually inch it closer
over the next 48 hours. As the pet enjoys a
delicious meal, the association will be made
with the baby’s smell
• Parasite control is always important, but even
more of an issue with an infant in the house4
•#
1 Rule – and NO Exceptions: No matter
how trustworthy the pet —or toddler, for that
matter—seems, a baby (or toddler) should
NEVER be left alone with any pet without
adult supervision1
References
1
Pet Meets Baby: A Guide for Families Bringing Children Home to Pets, publication of the American Humane Association, Denver, CO, 2011, pg. 5, http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/interaction/pet-meets-babypdf.pdf
2
Horwitz, D., DVM, Diplomate ACVB, Clinician’s Brief (publication of NAVC), July, 2011 http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/column/applied-behavior/and-baby-makes-two
3
Landsberg, G. BSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVB et al Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, Second Edition, Saunders, New York, 1997., pg. 244-245
4
Companion Animal Parasite Council, Your Pets, Your Children and Your Future, 2007 www.petsandparasites.org/downloads/petskidsfuture.pdf
©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
protector | 11
protector
education
stay informed . stay ahead .
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registration is
free at
www .V et M ed T eam . com
EARN
CE
CREDIT
VE TM EDTE
12 | protector
AM .C OM
Parasitology
m
• Canine Heartwor
Disease
• Fleas from A to Z
• Ticks from A to Z
Zoonoses
es 101
• Zoonotic Diseas
es 102
• Zoonotic Diseas
Pain Management
e Pain
• Managing Canin
Immunology
in
• Basic Concepts
Immunology
n
• Disease Preventio ion
Through Immunizat
Dentistry
al
• Companion Anim
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protector
education
stay informed . stay ahead .
NEW
NAVTA PROGRAM
HELPS JUNIOR VET
STAFF MEMBERS
SUCCEED
Junior vet staff members, such as
kennel help, who’d like to sharpen
their skills might want to consider
becoming an Approved Veterinary
Assistant (AVA) through the National
Association of Veterinary Technicians in
America (NAVTA).
NAVTA started the AVA program
to help schools that offer veterinary
assistant programs standardize their
coursework and offer courses that help
AVAs assist veterinary technicians.
For example. the veterinary assistant
would set up the room for surgery
while the technician would handle
anesthesia and assist the veterinarian
during surgery.1
“Many people don’t understand that
there is a difference between a veterinary
assistant and a veterinary technician,”
explains Julie Legred, CVT, President of
the NAVTA. “Some folks would rather sit
1
Legred, J. In-person interview conducted in St. Louis on July 18, 2011
with the animal in recovery or interact
with clients than worry about the
technical details of veterinary medicine.”
Veterinary assistants normally attend
school for less than a year. Once they
graduate from a NAVTA-approved
program, they can take an online exam.
After passing, they become approved
veterinary assistants and can use the
AVA designation in their title, according
to Legred.
Since this is a new program, anyone
who was trained on the job and has
worked as a veterinary assistant for at
least five years might be able to take the
test before April 2012 without attending
veterinary assistant school.
After the “grandfather period,” they
will need to attend an AVA program
before qualifying for the test. There is a
$100 fee to take the exam.1
For more information or to learn more, visit
www.navta.net/assistants/veterinary-assistants.
“Many people don’t understand
that there is a difference
between a veterinary assistant
and a veterinary technician.
Some folks would rather sit
with the animal in recovery or
interact with clients than worry
about the technical details of
veterinary medicine.”
Julie Legred, CVT, President of the NAVTA.
protector | 13
g
6.5x8_rs
61472_PRO-
xfl1
8/9/11
5:24 PM
Page 1
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IN
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us from
Guarantee
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FRONTLINE Pl
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ow
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Satisfa
as it
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®
™
NEW
uch to you
clusively w
means as m
– available ex
ONTLINE Plus
guaranteed
FR
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in
m
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nc
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de
pr
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of m
mplete confi
money or of
Now peace
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FRONTLINE Pl
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Recommend
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14 | protector
It's clear that veterinary visits are down, especially for cats. So, how can practices
transform into cat magnets and market themselves as being ‘cat welcoming?’ Even
if you build it – and they come – how can you make cats and their people ‘happy’ so
they continue to visit? In your next Protector, Steve Dale offers marketing ideas and
specific advice for cat handling and carrier desensitization.
NEW
PARTNERSHIP
STRIVES
TO KEEP PETS
HEALTHY
Marie Rosenthal, MS
Pet ownership has increased in the past
decade, but the number of veterinary
visits has decreased. As a result, more
dogs and cats are coming down with
diseases that you and the veterinarian
could have prevented, according to
Michael R. Moyer, VMD, President of the
American Animal Hospital Association.1
We believe the risk to our pet’s health
is growing,” Moyer says. “Pets are seeing
veterinarians less frequently, and that
decrease in visits precludes the opportunity
to deliver preventive health care.”
From 2006-2010, veterinarians
have seen an increase in diabetes, ear
infections, internal parasites and dental
disease.2 “These are manageable and
preventable problems. We know that
intervention and early detection of disease
can change outcomes,” Moyer says.
“To get pets into the clinic, 16
organizations, including AAHA, the
American Veterinary Medical Association
(AVMA), the National Association of
Veterinary Technicians of America
(NAVTA) and Merial Ltd., have formed the
Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare
(www.PetHealthPartnership.org) to help
pets enjoy longer, healthier lives,” says
M. Moyer, DVM, press conference held in St. Louis on July 18, 2011.
1
AVMA CEO Ron DeHaven, DVM, who will
chair the new organization.
“Our vision is to increase the quality
of the healthcare of our nation’s
pets,” DeHaven says. “It is going to
be a fundamental change in the way
veterinarians practice. We need to shift
from a focus of treating illness and injury
to one of promoting health.”
The partnership will:
1. Publish preventive health guidelines
2. D
isseminate practice tools to help clinics
implement preventive care programs
3. E
ducate pet owners about the importance of
pets receiving at least one visit each year
“ We need to engage the entire practice
team from the receptionist who first greets
the client to the veterinary technicians and
certainly the veterinarians themselves,”
DeHaven says.
The practice team can help, emphasizes
NAVTA President Julie Legred, because
clients spend more time with the staff
members, and often feel more comfortable
talking with them.3
“The clients can hear the message
multiple times from the front counter
2
staff upon walking in, from the technician
during history-taking and discharge, and
then again when they pay for the services
at the front counter,” she says.
Tell clients that they can be proactive
in their pets’ care by discussing nutrition,
weight management, exercise, dental
health, vaccines, parasites, and behavior,
she suggests.
“Clinic staff should view themselves
as partners with the veterinarian in
helping clients understand the importance
of preventive care,” says Hal Little, DVM,
director of field veterinary services
at Merial.
“Explaining to clients that, like
humans, pets need preventive care sets
the stage for important check points,
such as making sure the pet is up to date
on vaccinations, flea and tick treatments
and monthly heartworm preventives.4
“This approach can lead to further
discussions on the potential threat of
Lyme disease or heartworm disease that
can occur if a pet is not protected. So, the
veterinary staff can really play a critical
role in helping educate clients about
preventive pet care.”
Klausner J, Lund E. et al. Banfield Pet Hospital® State of Pet Health 2011 Report Volume 1. Portland, OR. 2011.
protector | 15
protector
share your story
B
EARN
ONUS
S
T
N
I
O
P
pet spotlight
MERIAL®
REWARDS
PROGRAM
K-9 SAVES A LIFE
SHARED BY: ELYSE JOHNSON | TOCCOA VETERINARY HOSPITAL | EASTANOLLEEE, GA
One day at our veterinary hospital in
Georgia, one of our clients brought her
dog, Maggie, in to board her for the day.
Maggie is a beautiful, light brown,
mixed breed and is full of energy. The
owner told me that Maggie had to be
boarded because she continued to
get out of her pen and into the yard.
Neighbors had called Animal Control,
and they would repeatedly take her
back to her owners. Maggie had gotten
out so many times that Animal Control
was going to charge the owners $500
the next time they had to pick her up!
That is why Maggie was brought into
our hospital. They asked if they could
board her until they could fix her pen
so she could not get out. So, every day
Maggie would come stay with us. The
owners would bring her in and say
they had tried something new hoping
that maybe this time she would not
be able to get out. I guess she was an
escape artist, because nothing could
stop her from getting out.
The owners realized that there was
nothing they could do. So, one day
when they asked if we might know
someone who would want her. I could
tell that she was upset and did not
want to get rid of her precious Maggie,
but she didn't know what else to do.
A few days passed and they had
not brought her in, so I thought that
perhaps they had finally found some
way to keep her in her pen. But then
the thought crossed my mind that
maybe she had found someone to take
her, hoping that wasn't the case. I knew
how much they loved her.
One day after work, I opened the
newspaper to catch up on the latest
town news. One of the articles looked
very interesting. It was about a lady
that was walking her dog in the local
park and was attacked by a man. The
dog, knowing that her owner was in
danger, attacked the man. Wounded,
the man ran away. This incredible dog
had saved her owner's life! All I could
think was how amazing this dog was to
put her life on the line for her owner.
As I read through the rest of the article,
I could not help but smile, because the
YOUR SPOTLIGHT STORY COULD GET YOU 100 BONUS POINTS
100 POINTS =
$100
Do you have an interesting, fun or heartwarming story about a pet or
colleague in your clinic? Submit it online at MerialRewardsProgram.com
(click on the Promotions link) and you could be awarded 100 MERIAL Rewards
Program points if it’s selected to be published in the Protector magazine. Be
sure to provide at least one high-resolution photo with your submission.
16 | protector
lady and her dog were the one that had
come into the vet clinic – it was Maggie!
The lady had not gotten rid of her and
in turn she had saved her owner's life. I
guess that she was very blessed to have
Maggie and will not forget how her little
escape artist had saved the day.
PET STORIES GUIDELINES • You must be an active MERIAL Rewards Member and be employed by
a MERIAL Rewards Member Clinic or a Merial employee at the time of the award • Stories should be a
maximum of 600 words • Only high resolution photos (minimum 300 dpi) should be submitted • All stories
and photos will become the property of MERIAL and cannot be returned • Our editor will help edit and
finalize your story before it is published • Please include your daytime phone number in case we have
questions • Not all stories will be published • Except where prohibited by law, selected author grants
(and agrees to confirm that in writing) MERIAL the right to use the selected author’s name, address (city,
state), photograph, picture, portrait, videotape, likeness, voice and biographical information for advertising,
publicity, promotional and commercial purposes and to use the statements made by or attributed to
author relating to MERIAL and grants to MERIAL any and all rights to said use without limitation, further
compensation or notice, without review in any and all media now known or hereafter devised including, but
not limited to, the Internet.
protector
8
activities
7
3
4
4
5
2
3
1
6
8
Sudoku Puzzle
5
9
3
Challenge yourself to complete this number-placing
puzzle! The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the
empty squares so that each row, each column and each
3x3 box contains the same number only once. Good luck!
2
6
5
6
1
8
1
8
7
4
9
7
6 42 9
4 3 5 71
Solution available at
www.MerialRewardsProgram.com.
EA RN BO N US
POINTS
HEALTHY PET TREAT RECIPES
Yummy Savory Cheese Kitty Treats
Poochy Pretzels
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup white flour
• 3
/4 cup shredded
cheddar cheese
Ingredients:
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry
yeast
• 2/3 cup water
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 tablespoons soy flour,
low fat
• 5
tablespoons grated
parmesan cheese
• 1
/4 cup plain yogurt or
sour cream
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cheeses and yogurt.
Add flour, cornmeal and a small amount of water to create
nice dough. Knead dough into a ball and roll into 1/4 inch.
Cut into small pieces and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes. Makes two dozen.
Compliments of:
Karen Gayton | Animal Care Extraordinaire | Stuart, FL
Share Recipes, Earn Points
Share your healthy pet recipe with other members and receive
25 MERIAL Rewards Program points if it’s featured in the
Protector. To share yours, go to MerialRewardsProgram.com and
click on the “Promotions” link at the top of the screen!
TS =
25 POIN
• 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten (1/2 in
recipe, 1/2 in glaze)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons wheat germ
$25
* Please do not serve these recipes
to your pets if they are allergic to
any of the listed ingredients.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Dissolve yeast and sugar
in warm water. Combine dry ingredients until blended well.
Add half of the beaten egg, oil and yeast-water mixture and
mix together. Knead on a well-floured board until dough is
firm. Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise.
Shape into pretzel form and place on greased cookie
sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and brush with beaten
egg and sprinkle with wheat germ. Return to oven and bake
at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes until nicely browned
and quite firm.
Compliments of:
Kaitlynn Petree | Swift Creek Animal Hospital | Midlothian, VA
protector | 17
MERIAL Rewards Program Headquarters
P.O. Box 1785
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1785
®MERIAL, FRONTLINE, and HEARTGARD are registered trademarks, ™CERTIFECT
and SATISFACTION PLUS GUARANTEE are trademarks, and SMMerialEDU is a service
mark, of Merial Limited. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. MKT11Q3PROTECT