Veterinary Pathologist Sues Zoetis for Pay Discrimination
Earlier this week, veterinary pathologist, Dr. Yvonne Schulman, filed a claim involving pay and gender discrimination against Zoetis Reference Laboratories in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The anatomic pathologist has reported that she was paid around $105,000 less than one male counterpart and $70,000 less than another, both of whom she had much greater experience in the field.
The claim comes as a shock, as Zoetis (an international animal health company headquartered in New Jersey) has in the past been recognized for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with a statement on their website stating that ‘We strive to create an environment where colleagues feel valued and cared for’.
To read the full story, click here.
Are We Using the Term ‘Veterinary Technician’ Inconsistently?
In a recent report carried out by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) it was found that only 10 US states have a clear definition of the title “veterinary technician” and as a result are using it sporadically and inconsistently.
Failure to address individuals by their formal credentials creates a lack of understanding and frustration for those who have carried about relevant training to gain the said title.
Ashli R. Selke, CVT, president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, commented that the findings from the research demonstrate that title protection and pay are primary concerns of veterinary technicians and failure to use the correct terminology ‘also keeps credentialed veterinary technician salaries way down’.
To read the full story, click here.
Heroic Polish Veterinarian Is Rescuing Pets Stuck in Ukraine’s Warzone
A polish veterinarian, Jakub Kotowicz, is risking his life to save hundreds of animals trapped by the war in Ukraine.
Over the past fortnight, Kotowicz has saved around 200 cats and 60 dogs, including a dog with a bullet lodged in her spine and a pygmy goat with diseased legs.
The 32-year-old reported that ‘All the cats are very stressed, the journey from Lviv is one day and we crossed the border with a diplomatic pass but the queue from Ukraine was very long.’
Unfortunately, some of the animals have been so badly injured that the only option was euthanasia, however, for many others, an intensive rehabilitation process has meant they can be re-homed across Europe (with a couple of cats already being reunited with their Ukrainian owners).
To read the full story, click here.
Pet Microchip Rules Set To Change In the UK
The British government has proposed a reform in pet microchip rules in England.
The proposals aim to improve breeder traceability by improving the microchipping database system. The system will make it compulsory for the breeder’s details to remain on the database for the lifetime of the animal and will also create stricter guidelines for the transferring of keepership records.
The reform has been created to prevent lost or stolen animals from being re-registered without the owner being aware and make reuniting lost/stolen pets easier.
Lord Goldsmith (Animal welfare minister) commented that: “Pets are much-loved members of the family, and microchipping is the best way of making sure owners can be reunited if their pet is ever sadly lost or stolen.
“We have reviewed the current regulations and the Pet Theft Task Force’s recommendations, and it is clear improvements are needed to better protect the welfare of our nation’s pets.
“These proposals will create a more effective system to better animal welfare and deter pet theft.”
To read the full story, click here.
Overcoming Adversity – How Disability Is No Obstacle For Dr. Abdul
Kuala-Lumpur-born veterinarian, Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, received his veterinary medicine degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia at the university’s 45th convocation ceremony earlier this week.
The hearing impaired veterinarian has not let his disability get in the way of his dream of becoming a veterinarian when many others doubted his ambition.
In a statement, Dr. Abdul has said that:
“Due to my disability, I would rather communicate with animals than people. When it comes to people, we need to communicate verbally but with animals, we just observe their behaviour,”
“My work at the clinic involves doing animal sterilisation and soft tissue surgeries. My dream is to become a veterinary surgeon,” Rhaman said.
To read the full story, click here.
A Guide to Enhance Wellbeing and Managing Work Stress In the Veterinary Workplace
Mind Matters have produced a downloadable guide on enhancing wellbeing and managing stress in the veterinary workplace. The guide was created in collaboration with Dr. Elinor O’Connor, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Psychology at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester.
The guide is designed for anyone with an interest in the wellbeing of the veterinary team, it provides practical advice to veterinary workplaces on managing stress and promoting wellbeing.
To download it, click here.
