Initial Public Offerings Are in NVA’s Future
National Veterinary Associates will split into two separately managed businesses in preparation for becoming publicly traded companies within two to three years. National Veterinary Associates will continue to operate 1,400 general practices, equine hospitals and pet resorts. The second entity, Ethos Veterinary Health, will comprise 145 specialty hospitals under the Ethos, Compassion-First, SAGE, and legacy NVA brands. According to NVA, both companies will report to incoming CEO Larry Allgaier.
Shelter Medicine Achieves Specialty Status
The American Board of Veterinary Specialties fully recognized shelter medicine practice as a specialty under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. “Animal shelters and rescues have become more prominent, and the number of animals in need of care has grown,” said Tom Van Winkle, executive director of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. “As the demands of shelter medicine continue to evolve, this recognition will make it possible for specialists to go beyond a conventional veterinary education and improve the health and welfare of shelter animals.”
Hospital Managers to Meet in Arizona in September
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association will hold its annual meeting and conference Sept. 21 to 23 in Glendale, Arizona. Attendees can receive up to 17.5 continuing education credits. Details are at bit.ly/42L3OcV.
Learn to Partner With Groomers
The Bridge Club will host an online presentation April 19 on how veterinarians and groomers can work together better. The guest speakers will be Wisconsin practice owner Dr. Marty Greer, groomer and breeder Andrea Rich, and American Kennel Club grooming programs administrator Erin Meyer. The discussion will take place at 8 p.m. EDT. Register at bit.ly/3LU9AD4.
Registration Opens for PetHealth Global
PetHealth Global, an international animal health and nutrition business conference, is set for June 26 to 28 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Among the scheduled speakers are Virbac CEO Sebastien Huron; Marilena Bassi, director general of Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate; and Ivo Claassen, the head of the European Medicines Agency’s Veterinary Medicines Division. Registration is underway at bit.ly/3ZjesVC.
Pet Advocacy Network Honors NAVC
Pet Advocacy Network presented the North American Veterinary Community with the Pet Care Community Leaders of the Year Award. “The 40th anniversary celebration of VMX in 2023 broke previous attendance records by more than 50%, including 9,500 first-time attendees, and offered over 1,300 hours of continuing education that helps the veterinary care community provide better care to animals,” Pet Advocacy Network stated. “They also launched the Embrace advocacy tool that helps animal care professionals learn about legislation impacting pet health and engage with lawmakers.” NAVC also publishes Today’s Veterinary Business. Another honoree was Petco chief veterinarian Dr. Whitney Miller, who received the Allan L. Levey Chair’s Award of Excellence.
Recent Grads Invited to Las Vegas Boot Camp
Viticus Group, which hosts the annual WVC conference, is accepting applications from recent veterinary school graduates for the Dr. Jack Walther Boot Camp Scholarship. About 60 recipients will attend a three-day course in Las Vegas featuring wet labs and training in dentistry, dermatology and general surgery. The boot camp is set for June 5 to 7. Applications may be submitted at bit.ly/403OvdB through April 21.
Free Service Animal Eye Exams Return in 2023
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and sponsor Epicur Pharma are promoting free eye exams for service and working animals in May. Registration will take place April 1 to 30 at bit.ly/3FY2oSF. “After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the event is back at full strength, bringing together more than 260 board-certified ACVO diplomates across approximately 200 cities in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Hong Kong,” the organization reported. A list of participating cities is at bit.ly/40zMrdg.
UC Davis’ Dr. Boaz Arzi Makes History
Dr. Boaz Arzi, chief of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service at the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital, is the first veterinarian accepted into the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons. “The important connections being made with this group will help me shape the future of TMJ managements at UC Davis,” Dr. Arzi said.