The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS), is considering a proposal that would make veterinary education a specialty in its own right. Currently, there are almost 50 specialties in areas such as cardiology, dermatology, and ophthalmology.
The proposal stated that:
‘Teaching touches every veterinarian, regardless of species, practice type, or career path; yet learning how to do it well is neglected in higher education, especially in all levels of veterinary medical education.’
A specific specialization for education would ‘advance animal care by creating a pool of expert and specialist teachers who can improve every student’s and veterinarian’s knowledge and abilities through high-quality, effective teaching.’
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IVC and Bristol Vet School Create a Campaign to Promote Diversity
IVC Evidensia and Bristol veterinary school have teamed up to promote diversity within veterinary medicine.
In a promotional video posted online, the two organizations shared the kind of opportunities there are within veterinary medicine, to bring awareness to minority students who may not know about the paths they can take in this sector.
Amanda Boag, chief medical officer and chair of the IVC Evidensia ethnic diversity board, said:
‘Promoting diversity in our profession is an important priority both for me personally and IVC Evidensia.’
‘I first became aware during my time as RCVS president of the great work the Animal Aspirations groups around the country do to engage students from ethnic minority backgrounds, and we wanted to see if we could collaborate to help raise awareness.’
‘I spoke to the University of Bristol, which is our nearest university, and we’re really proud to have worked with them and their students on this video.’
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RCVS Marks the End of Remote Prescriptions
The temporary dispensation of POM-V medication will end on the 14th of March, says the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
The temporary measures were reintroduced back in December after Omicron cases surged in the UK. Several members of the standards committee admitted that Omicron cases were still impacting teams, but not to the extent where remote prescriptions could be justified.
Melissa Donald, who chairs the standards committee, said:
‘The safety and well-being of veterinary professionals, as well as the health and welfare of the animals they care for, have remained uppermost in our minds when considering this temporary position on remote prescribing.’
‘We are pleased to have been able to support the professions through a very difficult time by introducing this dispensation; however, it was only ever a temporary measure and, given the relaxation of restrictions across the UK, we feel the time has come to revert to our usual guidance.’
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Galaxy Vets Call for the Veterinary Oath to Have Wellbeing Revamp
The veterinary healthcare network, Galaxy Vets, has called for the veterinary oath to be updated so there is a greater commitment to wellbeing.
The organization, which is an employee-centric veterinary care network, requested that the oath would be changed so each veterinary professional must ‘attend to’ their own ‘health’ and ‘wellbeing’ to provide care to the highest standard.
Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, co-founder of resource for inspiring and instructing veterinary professionals, said:
‘Our profession is comprised of incredible human beings who, while all different, are united in our love & compassion for animals, and yet we don’t extend that compassion to ourselves.’
‘This profession is demanding—of our time, our intelligence, our energy, of us. We have given our word, our oath to veterinary medicine. It is high time we extend that same honor to ourselves. For if we truly value every life, we must first value our own.’
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Okanagan Woman Starts Petition to Address Vet Shortages in British Columbia
A woman from British Columbia (BC) has petitioned the Advanced Education and Skills Training Minister, Anne Kang, to address the veterinary skills shortages in the area.
Presently, the region needs more seats for BC students at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at Saskatchewan- a school that trains vets from Western Canada. Although the seats are typically funded by states, Alberta withdrew its funding for 20 seats in favor of investing in its own school back in 2019.
Chris Dolbec, the petitioner, stated that BC badly needs those seats amid severe veterinary skill shortages in the region. Currently, the provincial government has no plans to create more seats.
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Relaxation Techniques You Can Use At Work
Work can get overwhelming at times. But what can you do when it’s all just getting a bit much?
Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that can interrupt our biological stress responses. To do this, either sit or (if possible) lay down on the floor. Observe your breathing for a few seconds. If your breathing makes your abdomen come in and your diaphragm moves upwards, then you are breathing normally. If not, you may be breathing too shallowly. To remedy this, take a moment to intentionally redirect the breath until it returns to a regulated pattern.
The relaxation response is another fantastic tool you can use when under pressure. Go to a private space, and sit on the edge of a chair. Put both hands on your knees, and your feet flat on the floor. Observe the breath without changing it. Notice how you are breathing and the sensations that come with it. If you notice a thought or feeling, note it, and let it pass. Return to the breathing and repeat until you feel more relaxed.
For more relaxation tips, check out this article here.
