Wellness

14 June

What do we do about suicide? It’s time to limit access to means

wsvma   |   Wellness

Want to do something about suicide in veterinary medicine? Make it so no one in your clinic can access lethal drugs alone. Do it now. WARNING This article contains detailed discussion of suicide and suicide methods. If you are having thoughts of suicide, text 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The topic of suicide is a potential trigger for those struggling with feelings of guilt after the loss of a...

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11 May

Veterinary Professional Mental Health Research Study

wsvma   |   Wellness

You are being invited to participate in a research study about mental health experiences and attitudes toward seeking mental health services among veterinary professionals. This study is being conducted by Kerry Karaffa, PhD and Tamara Hancock, DVM, MS, DACVP, PhD. Dr. Karaffa is a licensed psychologist and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Hancock is a veterinarian and Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri. This study will provide...

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28 July

Finding Wellness on the Camino

wsvma   |   Wellness

If you read my previous President’s article, you will know I just returned from a six-week pilgrimage across Spain called the Camino de Santiago. All completed, my 20-year-old daughter and I walked 550 miles in 35 days, from just on the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains to the western Spanish coastal town of Muxia.  I knew it would be a trip of a lifetime, but I underestimated how life changing it would be. During our journey, we met amazing people...

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02 December

Seattle Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Workshops and Classes

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

The Mindfulness for Healthcare Professionals program is designed to promote mental health by engaging the mind and the body through experiential learning. The course is adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. As defined by Dr. Zinn, “Mindfulness is paying attention, on purpose, to the present moment, non-judgmentally.” Mindfulness is an excellent antidote to the stresses of a modern medical practice as it invites us to stop, breathe, observe, and connect with one’s inner experience. Winter Meeting Mindfulness Workshop, Sunday January...

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11 November

Wellness Risk Factor Study Finds Positive Correlation to VMA Membership

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

In a recent article published in JAVMA, Nett et al. (2015) found that membership in a veterinary medical association is positively correlated with less mental illness and suicidal ideation. The authors also found that 9.3% veterinarians were experiencing severe psychological distress at the time of the survey and that 16.8% had contemplated suicide since graduation.  These distressing numbers are higher than that of the general US adult population. The number of veterinarians currently in psychological distress nearly doubles when controlling for membership...

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02 September

Do Clients Think You’re Interested in Their Pets?

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

According to the results of a recent Pet Owner Survey, “Interested in my pet’s well-being” is the top factor for pet owners when choosing a veterinarian.  How are you and your staff demonstrating to clients that you are truly interested in their pet’s well-being? Ensure all team members focus on showing clients how much you care about the well-being of their pet. This starts from the moment you speak to the client on the phone to when they walk through...

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19 February

New website for the veterinary team addresses pet nutrition

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

The Pet Nutrition Alliance has launched a new website to assist the veterinary healthcare team in promoting nutrition as essential to optimal pet health. The Pet Nutrition Alliance is an independent non-profit organization and collaborative effort including the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition among others within the veterinary industry. Goals for the organization are two-fold. They aim to educate and assist the healthcare team to integrate nutritional assessments and dietary recommendations...

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11 September

Requirements for dogs entering the United States from Mexico and Canada

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

Now available on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website are flyers with infographics that outline the requirements for importing dogs into the United States from Mexico and Canada.  These materials promote awareness of rabies vaccination certificate requirements for all dogs crossing the land border into the United States. For information about bringing dogs (and cats) into Washington, access the requirements here. For information about traveling to Canada with pets and horses, visit the WSVMA website....

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20 February

Preliminary veterinary mental health survey findings released

wsvma   |   Uncategorized, Wellness

It’s believed that veterinarians are at substantially higher risk for suicide compared with the general population. Few data exist, so in order to assess the prevalence of U.S. veterinarians who have experienced serious mental illness or contemplated suicide, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) partnered with Auburn University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a nationwide survey of veterinarians in 2014. The survey, with over 10,000 respondents in 49 states and Puerto Rico,...

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