TVMA News    

 VETERINARY DAY ON THE HILL  Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 10, 2012. TVMA is hosting "Veterinary Day on the Hill" which will be held at Legislative Plaza in Nashville. The purpose of the event is to educate legislators and their staffs about the veterinary profession and about how important veterinary medicine is in the protection of public health. We need as many veterinarians as possible to be there. In the past few years, advocacy has become one of the most, if not the most, important services you receive as a TVMA member. More legislation is being introduced each year which affects the veterinary profession and animal health. We're urging you to be a part of this event to let the legislators know that you are concerned about your profession, animals, and the public. Other health-related professionals have events such as ours and regularly have 100-300 of their members in attendance. Let's show the legislators that we are equally committed.

Here's how it will works:

•  Tabletops will be set up in a common area at Legislative Plaza and we will hand out materials with information about veterinary medicine and the specialties within the profession.

•  "Doggie bags" with goodies for the legislators and their pets will be delivered to the legislators' offices. Participants will be grouped according to district to visit the legislators' offices to drop off the bags.

State Veterinarian's Office News

National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP).  

There has been some confusion as to how to seek and retain accreditation in the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP). On the Health certificates, it asks for the "Vet Code". This means your new 6 digit accreditation number; it does NOT mean your veterinary license.

The following link will walk you through the steps necessary to seek accreditation for the first time or retain accreditation in the program.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_accreditation/

For those of you who are already in the National Veterinary Accreditation Program, there are a few steps that you need to do to complete the process.

You were assigned a new 6 digit number. With this number, you were also given an initial accreditation renewal date ranging from early 2013 to 2015.

Before this renewal date, you must complete 3 units of APHIS Approved Supplemental Training (AAST) if you wish to be a Category I Accredited Veterinarian. Category II Accredited Veterinarians must complete 6 units of AAST.

These modules are online and can be completed at your convenience. You will need to print out and complete a "Certificate of Completion" for each module. It is necessary for you to retain your certificates as they will be needed for accreditation renewal and may be requested during periodic training audits.

Please use your six digit accreditation number on all paperwork regarding accreditation activities.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SOUGHT AND RETAINED ACCREDITATION IN THE NATIONAL VETERINARY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM, YOU ARE NOT ACCREDITED AND SHOULD NOT PERFORM ANY ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES.

YOUR OLD ACCREDITATION NUMBER IS NO LONGER VALID.

Also remember that if you want to do accreditation work in another state, you must follow the steps at this link:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_accreditation/other_states.shtml
 

If you have further questions about your accreditation number, please contact Dr. Sara Clariday at the state veterinarian's office at this email address, sara.clariday@tn.gov  or by phone (615) 837-5120.

ACVO/MERIAL National Service Dog Eye Exam Event. The ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event will provide eligible service animals with a free eye exam this May. Register online beginning April 1st at www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends April 30th. (ENDORSED BY THE AVMA.)  

Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination. Cats are curious creatures by nature. They love to play, jump, and roam around the house, but sometimes their inquisitive personalities get the best of them. As the plastic eggs filled with candy and the baskets of colorful plastic grass leave the store and enter your home, it's important to remember that these items can be dangerous for our feline friends. Read more...

Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Win National Honors. During the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers took home top honors in the Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture competitions. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. Read more...

Rabies in animals continues to be a concern in TN - See the map of 2011 Cases  - See the Rabies Exposure Flowchart 

• ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Event - during the month of May (register April 1-30)
• Veterinary Day on the Hill - April 10 - Legislative Plaza in Nashville
• April 14 - UTCVM Open House
• June 28-July 1 - Pacific Veterinary Conference - San Francisco, CA
• August 4-7 - AVMA Annual Convention - San Diego, CA