Association

San Diego - Stephen M. Reed, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, an expert in equine neurology, will deliver the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture Dec. 8, during the American Association of Equine Practitioners 54th annual convention in San Diego.

New Orleans -- The human-animal relationship was a key point of discussion at the recent American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual conference, and one veterinarian who made it a focal point of her work was honored by the group for her efforts.

New Orleans - Delegates from across the country considered 16 resolutions - some contentious, such as the one to support changes in veal husbandry - at the AVMA House of Delegates (HoD) meeting in late July.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- The Platinum Partner Program (P3), a joint effort between Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hill's Pet Nutrition and Merial, has secured $4.5 million for American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) programs and services.

New Orleans -- A new council was formed to address feline health issues.

New Orleans - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates voted against discussing a controversial antimicrobial resolution July 18 by a vote of 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent.

Schaumburg, Ill. - A task force appointed last year to define the mission of the One Health Initiative issued its report, making a number of recommendations on how the human/animal medicine collaboration should proceed.

Kenilworth, N.J. - Schering-Plough HomeAgain LLC released its advanced ISO (134 kHz) microchip to all its customers in the United States. The introduction addresses recommendations from many major veterinary and animal welfare organizations.

Washington - The $288 billion Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 passed both the House and the Senate, even surviving a Presidential veto.

Reno, Nev. -Maddie's Fund® revved up a campaign in northern Nevada to promote regular veterinary visits for pets. The campaign, "Pets Love Vets," aims to help pets live longer, healthier lives by educating residents about pet care and connecting them with local veterinarians.

Berkeley, Calif. - While debate continues over whether lethal injection in people is cruel and unusual punishment, some are looking to the veterinary community and its method of euthanasia - typically a large dose of pentobarbital.

He will be away from home 330 days out of the year traveling to just about every state by the time it is done.

Tampa, Fla. - Roger Clarke, BVSc, was recognized for advancing animal welfare through extraordinary service and furthering humane principles, education and understanding.

Schaumburg, Ill. - While Minnesota veterinarian James L. Busby is certainly entitled to his opinion, that doesn't mean the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has to like it.

Austin, Texas - The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will hold two summer continuing-education meetings - one medical and one practice-management seminar - July 27-29 at the Hilton Austin.

New Orleans - The American Veterinary Medical Association's House of Delegates will consider 15 resolutions - the most in recent memory - at the AVMA convention July 18-19. Wide-ranging topics include equal pay for veterinarians and the confinement of calves raised for veal. One proposal on amending policy on antimicrobials in livestock feeds arrived after the 60-day prior notice provision, and will be discussed only if that provision is waived by a two-thirds vote of the House.

UNITY NEEDED; GRASSROOTS EFFORT; FACE THE FUTURE; WELFARE OR WARFARE?

Washington - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, addressing the preventive use of antimicrobials in food animals and reiterating the necessity of antibiotic use in livestock for ensuring food safety.

Shaumburg, Ill. - To help veterinarians and the public better understand animal-welfare issues, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) launched its first Web section devoted to animal-welfare information.

Schaumburg, Ill. - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leaders gave the OK for an exotic companion-mammal specialty practice area that focuses on ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and other small exotic mammals.

Schaumburg, Ill. - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leaders want to tap the group's invested reserves to support up to $1 million in future programs that guide and promote the profession.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) remains the sole financier of its One Health initiative, allocating another $12,000 for it during the group's April Executive Board meeting.

The AVMA Strategic Plan, initiated in 2006, is designed to guide the nation's largest veterinary membership group on profession-related issues. The following five critical areas of issue have been identified as well as a basic framework for addressing them:

Schaumburg, Ill. - An amended policy titled "Castration and dehorning of cattle" includes new pain-control and procedural language.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will create a new series of podcasts for pet owners. It's the association's latest effort to inform the public about issues related to pet health, public health and veterinary medicine.

Portland, Ore. - 5/8/08 - Sharon Harmon, executive director of the Oregon Humane Society, is expected to receive the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Humane Award.

Washington - 5-5/2008 - As Public Service Recognition Week kicks off today, officials at the American Veterinary Medical Association called on Congress to unlock funds to help veterinary educators recruit and train DVMs for this sector.

Bethesda, MD. - The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) is moving forward to develop the new group, including plans this month to announce leadership council members.

Tampa, Fla. - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created a program to evaluate animal-insurance plans as a guide for owners.

Springfield, Ill. - A proposed ban on the use of gas for animal euthanasia, considered inhumane treatment, has come under fire from state veterinary leaders who argue the procedure has merit and should not be outlawed completely.