 President's Message
 Greetings and Happy Summer!
I know we are all busy balancing work with enjoying summer fun activities, so I will keep my message short and sweet.
Thank you to the 20 members who filled out the membership survey in the last month. Out of the 120 responses so far, 60% of you have indicated that you are interested in research - FANTASTIC! We all know how rehabilitation can decrease pain and improve function in veterinary patients, but we still have a lot of work to do to provide the scientific evidence that supports the diverse diagnostic and treatment aspects of our discipline.
Hopefully you are aware by now that with the help of our generous sponsors, the AARV is providing $5,000 in research grants this year (more information below). However, we haven't received any applications!
So, my questions to the 60% of you that are interested in conducting research in veterinary rehabilitation are:
- What is the barrier to submitting a grant application:
- Not enough funding ($$) to make it worth your time?
- The instructions for applying are unclear?
- You just don't have time to put the application together?
- You need additional help with carrying out a research study?
- What else can the AARV do to help you conduct clinical research in veterinary rehabilitation?
- Facilitate mentorship?
- Provide resources such as validated outcome measures or lists of statisticians?
- Provide education in how to conduct clinical research?
- Other ideas?
We would love to hear from you if you have answers to any of the above questions or other ideas of how we can work together to achieve one of the primary missions of the AARV: Advancing the science of veterinary rehabilitation.
Please email your comments to info@rehabvets.org.
Kristin Kirkby Shaw, DVM, PhD, CCRT
Diplomate ACVS & ACVSMR
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 Congratulations to Dr. Leilani Alvarez, AARV's New Industrial Liaison!
Congratulations to Dr. Leilani Alvarez who was selected as our next Industrial Liaison in our recent special election. Dr. Alvarez will be working alongside current Industrial Liaison and President-Elect Dr. Carolina Medina for the remainder of this year and will take over full responsibilities of this position January 1, 2016 when Dr. Medina assumes the role of President.
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Call for Nominations for AARV Public Liaison
Due to several unforeseen, but exciting and positive events, Dr. Kara Amstutz will be stepping down from her position as Interim Public Liaison. We appreciate her efforts during the past few months on the board and wish her and her family success!
We are now taking nominations for the position of Public Liaison. Nominations are due July 31, and a special election will be held August 1-15. The duties of the Public Liaison shall be to: - Update and monitor the website (www.rehabvets.org), the AARV Facebook page, and other social media platforms, and plan, organize content, produce and publish the monthly electronic AARV newsletter
- Work with the AARV BOD in Public Relations matters
- Organize and chair the Public Relations Committee to provide and update information for the general public regarding the Association in conjunction with the Membership Committee
Board positions are 3-year commitments, beginning in January. In addition to the responsibilities of each office, board members are expected to take part in monthly board conference calls. Due to the special election, the Public Liaison position will begin September 1, 2015, and then continue for the full three-year term until January 2019. For more information about the position or to nominate someone (including yourself), please contact Dr. Rosemary LoGiudice (Past President and former Public Liaison) by July 31.
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AARV Research Grant Applications Due July 1
AARV has established a competitive annual awards program to add to the evidence base for veterinary rehabilitation by providing grant funds to highly meritorious applications. We encourage individuals to submit grant proposals that advance the science of canine and/or equine rehabilitation. The total funds available annually to support research applications are $5,000. This is divided equally between two available grants. The AARV Research Grant ($2,500) is for clinical research related to the field of animal rehabilitation. The Aratana Research Grant ($2,500) is for research related to the field of veterinary rehabilitation with the stipulation that the research must be in the areas of pain management and/or stem cell therapy for canine or feline patients. Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2015. For complete details, please see the Research Grants page on the AARV website.
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Abstract Submissions for NAVC 2016 Due July 1
 At NAVC 2016, AARV will feature the presentation of original scientific studies pertinent to the science and practice of rehabilitation therapy. Material is currently being considered for verbal presentation (15 minutes) at AARV's track at NAVC. Reviews will be performed by a minimum of two reviewers with final approval by AARV's Board of Directors. All accepted abstracts will be published in AARV's newsletter (February 2016 issue).
Abstract submission guidelines are detailed on the AARV website. Please submit your abstracts for review and/or questions to Carolina Medina via email at tcvmvet@yahoo.com.
Important Abstract Submission Deadlines
March 1, 2015
| First call for abstracts
| June 1, 2015
| Final call for abstracts
| July 1, 2015
| Abstract submission deadline
| August 1, 2015
| Decisions notified to authors and corrections requested
| September 1, 2015
| Corrected abstract submission deadline
| October 1, 2015
| Final decision notified to authors
| January 18, 2016
| Oral delivery with PowerPoint presentation of study at NAVC
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Read the abstract submission guidelines.
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Congratulations to Our Survey Winners!
Congratulations to the three winners from our June 15 quarterly member survey drawing! Harmony Frazier, LVT, CCRP, SAMPSue McKelvey, DVM, CVA, CCRTDana Whitlock, DVM, MS, CCRP, CVAEach winner will receive a $25 gift card to Starbucks or Amazon. We will continue to randomly select three winners each quarter from survey respondents for a total of 12 winners this year. If you didn't win this time, you are still eligible to win during our next two drawings. We will send an email with a link to the member survey to all AARV members in mid-August for our next drawing on September 15. If you have already completed the survey, there is no need to retake it unless your information has changed. You will continue to be eligible for our drawings for the rest of the year. AARV members: If you haven't taken the survey yet, you can find the link by visiting the Membership Survey page in the Members Area on the AARV website (log-in required).
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We are happy to report that the AARV strategic plan is well underway. One of the goals we have identified is to get our members more actively involved with the organization. The good news is that we are hearing from many of you that this is exactly what you are looking for! We are now in the process of creating a number of committees that will report to the board of directors. Serving on a committee is a great way to share your talents and experience. It also gives you the opportunity to network with colleagues on a regular basis. You can have a direct impact on the direction of AARV and stay closely connected to what is happening in the field of veterinary rehabilitation. So give it some thought. Are you part of a successful rehab practice? Are you social media savvy? Do you have connections to the veterinary industry or academia? Are you invested in legislative issues related to the practice of rehabilitation? Research? We will get back to you in the next newsletter with more information about the new committees and opportunities for service..
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2015 Graduates, Have You Claimed Your Free Year of Membership?
 This spring, the AARV Board of Directors decided to give all graduating student members an additional free year of membership for their first year in practice! Each student member who graduated this spring should have received an email asking them to respond and update their contact information to begin their free year of membership. If you are an AARV student member who graduated this spring and you have not received an email about a free year of membership, please email Vivienne Von Baillou, AARV's database administrator, with your name, graduation date, degree earned, and new contact information.
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UPDATED BROCHURE!
AARV Members: Download Our Updated Free Brochure for Your Clients and Colleagues
AARV has updated its brochure "Why Should You Choose a Rehabilitation Veterinarian?" and made it available as a free download for members from the website. The brochure is a high-resolution PDF that may be printed and distributed to clients and colleagues to help explain the benefits of working with a rehabilitation veterinarian. The brochure also may be customized with your practice's contact information on the back panel. To download the PDF, go to the Resources page in the Members Area (log-in required).
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Legislative Update
by Kristyn Richardson, DVM, CCRT, CVSMTLegislative LiaisonHello, fellow colleagues!
In the coming months, we are going to be looking at the legislative regulations and structure of each state's veterinary practice acts! Attached to these will be a link to your veterinary practice act for your records and a link to the website for each state's veterinary medical board/board of veterinary examiners. The purpose of this is to increase awareness of how similar and/or different each state is about veterinary rehabilitation in veterinary medicine. Awareness leads to change if necessary and can be useful in making sure veterinary rehabilitation is represented well in each state. If there are any issues in your state that you think need attention, contact us! We want to help.
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TECHNICIAN CORNER
Those Pesky Pounds! A Team Approach for Obesity Management
by Kristen L. Hagler, BS (An.Phys), RVT, CCRP, CVPP, OACM, CBWAARV Technician Liaison  Summer months mean more exercise for everyone! Longer days, beautiful weather (hopefully in your region) are inspiring for pet lovers to be outdoors with their four-legged companions. The Credentialed Veterinary Technician can help motivate pet owners to keep pets trim or manage weight loss programs. We see our patients more often than any other provider on the team and should be prepared to assist in a variety of ways, especially client education.
This month's message comes from AARV member Sandra Pettit-Dowd, BA, LVT, CCRP, CSMP, of East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Riverhead, New York. Sandra writes: One of the most frequent and poignant issues addressed by the physical rehabilitation team are complications and health management issues associated with obesity in our canine and feline patients. Obesity is associated with a number of disease processes including osteoarthritis, chronic disease and a shortened lifespan. In our surgical cases, obesity can increase anesthetic risk, delay healing and compound the stress placed on recovering joints. Some contributing factors to obesity include a decrease in energy expenditure or activity, an increase in energy intake (i.e. more food), high fat diets and hypothyroidism. Risk factors that contribute to obesity are neutering and sedentary lifestyle. The first step in effective management of these patients is the clinician and owner recognizing obesity. Once the condition is diagnosed, clinicians should collect pertinent data, including body weight, body condition score, and baseline blood panels if needed. Finally client education is paramount for long-term management. Without proper tools and strategies, the client will be unable to maintain a long-term commitment to the prescribed weight loss plan. Successful management of the obese patient requires a multi-modal approach. Owner compliance is integral to the success of the program and must be tailored to the client's ability and willingness to follow calorie restriction and to provide enhanced exercise for the pet. About Sandra Sandra Pettit-Dowd, BA, LVT, CCRP, CSMP, started her career in veterinary medicine as an ICU veterinary technician in 1992 while attending the veterinary technology program at the State University of New York Farmingdale. In 2000 Sandra joined Dr. Gal Vatash and Dr. Richard Rothman in the challenge of establishing a veterinary emergency and critical care center in Riverhead, New York. While working as the ICU supervisor, Sandra continued her education and received her bachelor's in biology from Long Island University (2005). Her work in the ICU setting involved the care of patients suffering from prolonged illness and traumatic injury. As is often the case, personal necessity can contribute to redirecting an entire career path. In an effort to assist her dog regain maximum function after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Sandra began investigating therapeutic techniques. This investigation led her to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation Department; with their help she created a plan to assist in his full recovery. Her experience in the design and implementation of his therapy fueled her desire to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (2007) with additional certification in Canine Sports Massage (2008). As a result of her experiences, she was able to establish the Physical Rehabilitation Department at East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center (2008) where she continues to supervise, train and work today. Her desire to provide optimum care for patients has led to additional course work in Canine Acupressure with the Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute, the University of Tennessee's Osteoarthritis Case Manager Course and Companion Animal Pain Management Program. Her goal is to continue her education in the field of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation so that she may assist in educating the veterinary profession and public about the field of canine rehabilitation.
Do you have an article in mind for the Technician Corner? Contact Kristen Hagler to submit an article (suggested length of 200-300 words) or suggest a topic.
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NEW ARTWORK!
AARV Memorial Cards Feature Original New Artwork
AARV has updated its printed memorial cards with original new artwork by artist Carol Lavelle of Hawaii. The new artwork, which was created for AARV, features pawprints, hoofprints and footprints from a variety of animals arranged in a heart. These memorial cards may be sent to clients of your practice as an expression of sympathy from your staff. The card indicates that you have made a donation to AARV as a way of honoring the life of their companion animal. The inside of the cards contains blank space to allow you to personalize the card and the statement "This gift will support AARV's mission by providing opportunities for education and collaboration among veterinary professionals to introduce, educate, develop, and nurture the practice of rehabilitation in veterinary medicine and animal care." Cards come with matching envelopes and are sold in sets of 10 cards for $105 and 25 cards for $255 including shipping and handling to U.S. addresses. For international shipments, sets of 10 cards are $125 and sets of 25 cards are $275, including shipping and handling. Visit the Products page of the AARV website to order these memorial cards online.
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 Join Our Speaker Registry!
We are continuing to look for members who are interested in speaking at their local VMA meetings as part of our goal of increasing awareness of the field of veterinary rehabilitation and the AARV. If YOU are interested in being considered as a speaker in your or another state, please send your name and state (states) in which you would speak, as well as potential rehabilitation topics to AARV Legislative Liaison Kristyn Richardson ( rehabvetdoc@gmail.com). |
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Have You Read the Latest Articles of Interest?
The June Articles of Interest are posted in the Members Only area of the website. Our Articles of Interest documents containing journal abstracts and citations are posted online to help you stay up to date on the latest research and publications. We also keep links to past Articles of Interest so you can easily catch up if you miss a month. Click here to read the June Articles of Interest and past Articles of Interest. Enter your username and password to log in, then go to the Articles of Interest page. You must have a current membership recorded in our database for access to the Members Only area. |
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 Send Us Your News!
AARV members, we're looking for your news! Have you hired more staff, had a peer-reviewed article published, or accepted a leadership position with an organization? We'd like to get updates on your rehabilitation activities and share your news in our email newsletters. To see your news in print, email a brief description - and a photo if possible - to AARV's public liaison at info@rehabvets.org. |
Did You Miss Our Last Newsletter?
Our May 2015 issue included: - President's Message from Dr. Kristin Kirkby Shaw
- AARV Veterinarian Members, Remember to Vote for Industrial Liaison
- Photos from the AARV Lecture Track at STAAR
- AARV Announces New Research Grants
- AARV Announces Call for Abstracts for NAVC 2016
- Technician Corner: May Is for OA!
If you missed this issue, you can read the May newsletter online or from the e-Newsletter page on the AARV website.
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CLASSIFIED AD
Licensed Veterinary Technician - Full-time, The Animal Medical Center
Seeking a highly dedicated individual to join us in our beautiful newly renovated state-of-the-art facility. The AMC is a world-renowned referral/specialty hospital with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth. Successful candidate should be a team player with strong communication skills and work ethic. We are fully equipped with Class 3b/4 lasers, 2 UWTM's, hakomed pain management tub, shockwave, overhead lift and all standard exercise equipment/modalities. You will join 2 rehab certified DVM's, 3 rehab techs and 3 assistants. We offer competitive salary, CE and full health benefits. Please send letter of interest and resume to: Leilani.Alvarez@amcny.org.
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Tier 1: Education and Research Sponsors
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Tier 2: Sponsors Providing Member Discounts
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Tier 3: Additional Sponsors
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