Jennifer Fiala

Schaumburg, Ill.-A task force formed in 1996 to address vaccine-associated soft tissue sarcomas is nearing an end as leaders debate the group's relevancy. At the same time, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is declining requests for $75,000 in financial support.

Philanthropy, charitable endeavors monopolize top efforts as state support for higher education dives

Leaders expect to unveil white paper at the group's annual meeting in July

Tampa, Fla.- As veterinary officials stymie a Colorado bill granting pet owners up to $100,000 for loss of companionship claims, nationwide debate concerning the legal status of pets brews. One by one, America's courts are considering emotional distress and wrongful death lawsuits as pet owners and trial lawyers attempt to raise the value of pets to more than property - a move promising to alter how the country practices and pays for veterinary care.

Las Vegas, Nev.-Plan on firing, demoting or holding out on staff raises? Then take time to protect your practice against employee legal claims, says Jay O'Brien, executive vice president of ABD Insurance, offering employment practice liability coverage for California DVMs.

Sacramento, Calif.-As the California State Board of Pharmacy argues a legal loophole freeing the agency from controlling the dispensing of veterinary drugs, state veterinary leaders say pending legislation should tie the knot.

AVMA, AAVSB ask medical profession for credentialing tips in attempt to create autonomous standards for foreign graduates; some veterinary leaders resist

Prosecutors attempt to pin Dr. Robert L. Rooks on nine charges carrying up to $45,000 in fines; DVM's license at risk

Grassroots effort to outlaw cat declaws takes hold at state level; CVMA speaks out against legislation, its affect on ownership

Plagued by a sluggish economy and rising costs, state lawmakers charged with plugging nearly $26 billion in nationwide debt are desperate for new revenue. And for some, taxing professional services including veterinary care could freeze the financial meltdown.

When Dr. Peter Eyre graduated from veterinary college in 1960, three of his classmates were female.

Port Richey, Fla.-Dr. Bob Hase trusted he was current with his taxes, certain he paid on time, every time for purchases in his clinic.

Blindsided veterinary leaders work to halt proposed law's passage; city could become first to prohibit procedure

Austin, Texas- Last month, Executive Director Ron Allen sliced $44,000 off his budget, ordered his staff to take unpaid vacation days and faces the possible consolidation of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) with all other state licensing agencies.

College Station, Texas-In 1997, the $3.7 million Missy-plicity project brought a rash of excitement and media frenzy to Texas A&M University's researchers along with hopes to clone the world's first canine. Five years later, their venture is defunct.

Needs of new graduates unlike those of older generations

St. Louis-This month, six members from two top veterinary organizations convened here to discuss leaving the educational equivalency standards of foreign graduates to an autonomous group.

Manhattan, Kan.-When senior Roz Pineda runs her equine rotations, she's usually the only minority in the room.

Expert offers six tips to prevent project oversights

Communication, on-site presence reduce project headaches

Manhattan, Kan.-When senior Roz Pineda runs her equine rotations, she's usually the only minority in the room.

Whitehouse Station, N.J.-In the last four years, Dr. Karan Oberhansley's saved lives by clipping the vocal chords of nearly 150 dogs. Without the procedure, owners of incessant barkers likely would euthanize, she says.

Sandy Spring, Md.-For years Dr. Lorraine Jarboe followed a cookie cutter approach to vaccinations, immunizing dogs with a myriad of annual boosters.

Studying women in the profession, public perception tops organization's to-do list

Cleveland- Aptitude tests and grade point averages alone won't likely determine the selection of future veterinary college applicants. Behavior characteristics, too, are critical for success in the profession, research shows.

Washington-Awaiting congressional support, animal pharmaceutical manufacturers plan to speed up the drug approval process by investing millions into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) through self-imposed industry fees.

Pocatello, Idaho-Rodeo-riding, horseracing and healthcare-working clients are among those most likely to take veterinary drugs for personal use, DVMs report.

San Diego- "Imagine how many car dealers would be up in arms if the government decided to sell Chevys."

Legal loophole could relinquish pharmacy board from controlling the dispensing of veterinary drugs

Austin, Texas- As PetMed Express settles a slew of administrative battles with state pharmacy boards across the country, Texas leaders strike with litigation to ban company sales in the state and fine the online pet pharmacy $1,000 per day for each day it allegedly sold prescription drugs illegally to Texas consumers.