Project WAG Focuses on Personal Wellness
Zoetis launched Project WAG (Wellbeing and Growth), an initiative designed to help veterinary professionals with personal wellness within their practices. “Project WAG provides all veterinary professionals — veterinarians, veterinary technicians and support and administrative staff — with easy access to resources and tools designed for self-care to help them set healthy boundaries at work, connect with the community and create more joy in their day-to-day work,” according to Zoetis. Details are at ProjectWAG.org.
American Humane Honors 2022 Veterinary “Heroes”
Raquel Fagan, DVM, the owner of Shamrock Animal Hospital in Mount Dora, Florida, was named American Humane’s 2022 American Hero Veterinarian. Cheri Herschell, CVT, who plays an integral role in Pittsburgh’s Crisis Center North and its PAWS for Empowerment Program, is the 2022 American Hero Veterinary Nurse. The annual awards are sponsored by Zoetis. Both winners will be recognized Nov. 11 at the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in Palm Beach, Florida.
BVA Works With Amazon and eBay on Product Ban
The British Veterinary Association reported teaming up with online retailers Amazon and eBay to crack down on products from third-party sellers that are advertised for use during illegal procedures. “BVA contacted both retailers after being made aware of products intended for lamb castration, a procedure that is legal in the U.K., being marketed for tail docking of puppies,” the association stated. “Research also uncovered at least one (do-it-yourself) kit being marketed on eBay UK for the removal of dew claws in kittens.” An Amazon spokesperson said, “We require all products in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations and have developed industry-leading tools to prevent noncompliant products from being listed.”
Chewy to Offer Lemonade-Flavored Insurance
Online retailer Chewy Inc. plans to expand CarePlus, a suite of health insurance and wellness offerings, with new plans provided by Lemonade Pet, starting in spring 2023. “In addition to enjoying a variety of plan options, pet parents will also be able to utilize the Lemonade app on any mobile device to instantly file claims, access policy coverage, track billing and typically receive payments within seconds,” Chewy stated.
AVG Grants PTO to Mark Technician Week
American Veterinary Group celebrated National Veterinary Technician Week by giving all technicians and assistants a half day of paid time off. The company operates more than 100 practices in 10 states.
Hambone Award Goes to an Unlucky Cat
A Seattle cat named Rafa, who was rescued from an underground, water-filled drainpipe, won the 14th annual Hambone Award for the most unusual pet insurance claim received by Nationwide. “When Rafa’s family heard meows coming from the sewer grate, they immediately called for backup and soon had help from the fire department, animal rescue, Seattle Public Utilities, Roto-Rooter and several dedicated neighbors planning, digging and cutting into the pipe,” Nationwide reported. “After a successful extraction and reunion with his family, Rafa was treated for severe hypothermia and other complications, spending a week in the ICU before making a full recovery.”
Merck Offers Activity and Behavior Monitor for Dogs
Merck Animal Health announced the U.S. launch of Animo GPS, an activity and behavior monitor for dogs with GPS tracking capabilities. “The product can alert pet owners within 20 seconds if their dog leaves its designated safe zone and offers real-time tracking with location updates from every five seconds when in ‘lost dog mode,’” according to Merck. The device also captures data on sleep quality, barking, scratching and shaking.
News From Animal Dermatology Group, CityVet and Asto CT
- California-based Animal Dermatology Group Inc. acquired Animal Dermatology Referral Clinic, which serves pets in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Terms were not disclosed. Animal Dermatology Group earlier this year purchased clinics in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Austin, Texas.
- Central Animal Clinic in Cedar Hill, Texas, was rebranded CityVet-Cedar Hill under a partnership with CityVet, a Dallas-based network of 25 veterinary practices. The company funded an $800,000 expansion that tripled the size of the clinic and updated veterinary equipment. Practice owner Chris Rose, DVM, is retiring at year’s end. Courtney Nicholson, DVM, will become the lead veterinarian.
- Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery in Weatherford, Texas, installed what it called the state’s first standing CT scanner for horses. The Asto CT Equina scanner is manufactured by Asto CT Inc., which was founded in 2015 as the result of a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and the Morgridge Institute for Research. According to the company, the Asto CT Equina is “being used by Racing Victoria in Australia to screen all horses entered into the Melbourne Cup, prior to them running, to assist in early detection of potentially catastrophic injuries.”