A better, stronger profession, for the future
The honorable profession we now call veterinary medicine has effectively been in existence since humans first began the practice of animal husbandry for survival and productivity purposes. There are jokes about the worlds oldest and second oldest professions, but in reality, veterinary medicine probably has both of them beat.
Historians and archaeologists have found Chinese writings concerning the diseases of horses, oxen, and buffalo dated as early as 2,500 B.C. Four thousand year old Indian art depictions illustrate men caring for horses and elephants, and ancient Egyptian art illustrate methods of caring for cattle and dogs as well.
It is no surprise that as men learned to use animals for farming, food, transportation and companionship they also recorded methods to keep those animals healthy and happy. The Ancient Romans had specialized military troops who were skilled in caring for the multitude of animals attached to individual military units known as veterinarius.
Down through the years, even as the nature of man's use and need for animals has evolved, and the wealth of knowledge of how to care for them has grown, our honored profession has vigilantly guarded that knowledge, and carefully shepherded the methods and means employed in their care. Today in the twenty first century, even as we continue to develop new and better ways to care for the animals our ancient profession has nurtured, we are facing challenges from the world around us that pose serious threats to our ability to continue these practices.
To meet these challenges, the owners of veterinary practices in Alabama have come together, to unite the agencies already in place to protect and promote the profession, and to improve the effectiveness of communiction with in our profession as well as between our profession and the public officials and pet owners themselves. Through our efforts, we hope to insure a stable future for those who currently are invested physically and financialy in the profession, as well as the promise of future careers to those who come after us. We invite you to join us at the Alabama Veterinary Practice Owners.
Can Spay / Neuter clinics be low cost and privately owned?
So much debate over the non-profit spay neuter clinic issues! Do you ever wonder if you can really provide high quality spay / neuter services at low cost?
Here's a perspective from someone who is doing just that.
My name is Jacob Boyer, veterinarian and owner of SpayXperts Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic in Norman, Oklahoma, the only for profit spay neuter clinic according to Google. I also live in a state where spay neuter clinics are in heated debate. Since spay neuter is my business, I follow any news that circulates locally and nationally via Google alerts. I just wanted the board to know, the world is watching, and Alabama is likely to set a precedent for other states.
Read more: Can Spay / Neuter clinics be low cost and privately owned?
Excess Capacity in U.S. Veterinary Profession Confirmed
2013 AVMA Veterinary Workforce Report Confirms Excess Capacity in U.S. Veterinary Profession
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A major study released today by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and conducted by IHS Healthcare & Pharma in partnership with the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the State University of New York estimates an excess capacity of veterinary services in the United States. Specifically, the report indicates that the supply of veterinarians in the United States in 2012 was 90,200, and that supply exceeded the demand for veterinary services by about 11,250 full-time equivalent veterinarians.
Read more: Excess Capacity in U.S. Veterinary Profession Confirmed
Congratulations to Dr. Mike Newman
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mike Newman!
Dr. Mike Newman has been elected as the new AVMA District III Executive Board representative. Mike is a veterinarian from Birmingham, and has succeeded in private practice and in the continuing education program at Southeastern Veterinary Surgeon's Conference and Alabama Academy of Veterinary Practitioners, as well as the continuing education programming for the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and then expanding those efforts to many offices with the ALVMA, AVMA and other veterinary schools and associations across the country. We look forward to working with Mike to polish the practices of the AVMA that have brought us the success our profession has achieved so far.
Congratulations to Dr. Jerome Williams
All of us here at ALVPOA would like to join the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in congratulating Dr. Jerome Williams, the Director of the Alabama Veterinary Professional Wellness Program on his recent invitation to speak at the 2013 World Veterinary Congress that is to be held in Prague, Czech Republic!
This is just one of the many accomplishments that Dr. Williams has achieved in his short time as Director of the Alabama Veterinary Professional Wellness Program. Dr. Williams as Director of the AVPWP has proved to be a much needed asset to the Wellness Program.