Energizing the Veterinary Industry Through Engaging Discussions
Community Veterinary Partners is pleased to host VetFuel™, a unique web series of thoughtful discussions with leading industry experts on current trends and topics of importance to the veterinary industry.
Sign up to receive updates on upcoming vetfuelTM eventsVetFuel Events
Each VetFuel event is in partnership with leading veterinary industry experts from some of our industry’s most knowledgeable organizations. Presenters will share valuable industry insights and information, and answer questions from attendees. We invite practice owners, associate veterinarians, practice managers, veterinary students, and our industry partners to participate and share in these insightful discussions.
View Upcoming EventsCommunity Veterinary Partners
At Community Veterinary Partners our mission is to bring joy to families by providing the best care possible to the pets they love. We are a community of animal hospitals brought together to collaborate on the best way to deliver quality care to patients and a first-rate experience for clients. We are committed to investing in and partnering with leading hospitals, nurturing the best people, and providing support services that are paramount in our industry. Quality of care is always foremost and will forever remain at the hospital level. Learn more about what it’s like to be a part of CVP.
Upcoming Events
08/12/2021 | 7:00 pm
Mentoring: From Good to Great
Dr. Addie Reinhard, DVM, MS
We are pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health for the August VetFuel event to bring you a session focused on the attributes outside of clinical care that a well-rounded mentor should possess, and what it takes to create a long-lasting valuable outcome for both the mentor and learner.
Register NowPast Events
New Science to Change Your Approach to Parasite Control
06/30/2021 | Dr. Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D.
CVP is pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health for the June VetFuel™ series presented by Dr. Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor Diplomate (Hon.), Auburn University College of…
Read More >New Science to Change Your Approach to Parasite Control
06/30/2021 | Dr. Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D.
CVP is pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health for the June VetFuel™ series presented by Dr. Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor Diplomate (Hon.), Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, on new science about feline parasite control with a focus on feline heartworm and its importance.
Communicate to De-escalate
05/20/2021 | Alyssa Mages, CVT and Caitlin Keat
Alyssa Mages, CVT and Caitlin Keat will share their experience in crafting successful communications strategies for veterinary practices. About this event We are pleased to partner with Royal Canin on…
Read More >Communicate to De-escalate
05/20/2021 | Alyssa Mages, CVT and Caitlin Keat
About this event
We are pleased to partner with Royal Canin on a VetFuel series presentation from Empowering Veterinary Teams, LLC. Communication is key when it comes to genuine and exceptional client relations, especially during a pandemic. In this VetFuel session, Alyssa Mages, CVT, and Caitlin Keat, Co-founders of Empowering Veterinary Teams, LLC will use their experience in crafting a successful communications strategy for veterinary practices to share how you can apply those strategies to your own practice. Alyssa and Caitlin will talk about the nine Cs of communication, how to improve it across the practice, the importance of recognizing and respecting differences in staff and clients, and how to handle less-than-ideal situations. They will use real-life scenarios, giving you immediate deliverables to put to work in your own practice, creating a communications strategy that works for everyone today and moving forward.
Communicate to De-escalate is RACE approved for 1 CE credit hour for Veterinarians and Licensed Vet Technicians and pending VHMA approval for 1 CE credit hour for Certified Veterinary Practice Managers.
Registration is free!
Please share with anyone in your network you feel may find this event beneficial.
Confirmation of attendance will be verified upon completion of the event to receive CE credit.
Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) – Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT
With 17 years in the veterinary field and a lifetime of thinking outside of the box, she’s our go-to-gal for developing content & ensuring skills are taught and messages heard. When she’s not creating, teaching, or saving furry lives, she’s hanging out with her family – amazing hubby, 2 small yet spectacular humans & her blind Cane Corso pup. Try and keep up with her, she’s always on the go!
Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Caitlin Keat, BS, MS
When she isn’t rocking it as an engineer, our COO is program managing – working with people and problem-solving. Caitlin is a pro at this having done so for nearly 2 decades! She’s our personal computer whiz & gives all of our projects that extra finesse. When she’s not fixing all the things, Caitlin loves spending time with her wonderful hubby and their 2 wild & wonderful girls, doing all things outdoorsy.
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Telemedicine: Thrive, Don't Just Survive
04/22/2021 | Hilary Jones, DVM, Co-Founder & CVO of TeleTails
We are pleased to partner with TeleTails and VetBloom for a VetFuel discussion about Telemedicine. Over the last year, we have all had to make changes in how our practices…
Read More >Telemedicine: Thrive, Don't Just Survive
04/22/2021 | Hilary Jones, DVM, Co-Founder & CVO of TeleTails
We are pleased to partner with TeleTails and VetBloom for a VetFuel discussion about Telemedicine. Over the last year, we have all had to make changes in how our practices operate and offer care. For many, this involved adopting new technologies, such as telemedicine. During this session we will focus on how to think about digital care in your practice, rather than just how to use it. How we implement and position virtual care is a lens to reevaluate our relationships with our work, our clients, and our communities. To thrive in veterinary medicine moving forward means leveraging these new tools and technology to help us grow client relationships and engagement, save time and stress, and highlight personal/professional wellness.
Hilary Jones, DVM, Co-founder & CVO of TeleTails
Dr. Hilary Jones graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a small animal rotating internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialist, now BluePearl Downtown. During her time as a primary care and emergency clinician in New York City she was inspired to look for a better way to connect with her clients and their pets leading to the development of TeleTails. Since its launch, Hilary has been working daily with veterinary teams across the country and thought leaders such as the AVMA, AAVSB, and state associations to help veterinary medicine safely evolve digitally. She speaks on the benefits, opportunities, and economics of implementing telemedicine in veterinary practice.
Building Your Financial House
03/16/2021 | ANDREW ROTZ, CFP®, CCFC, DIRECTOR OF PERSONAL FINANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
As you move through your veterinary career, Andrew breaks it down from laying the foundation, to working your way up to create balance, security, and happiness in your personal and…
Read More >Building Your Financial House
03/16/2021 | ANDREW ROTZ, CFP®, CCFC, DIRECTOR OF PERSONAL FINANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
As you move through your veterinary career, Andrew breaks it down from laying the foundation, to working your way up to create balance, security, and happiness in your personal and professional life. Andrew talks about smart investments, potential practice ownership, what your benefits should look like, and more.
ANDREW ROTZ, CFP®, CCFC, DIRECTOR OF PERSONAL FINANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Andrew Rotz is a CFP® Practitioner, Certified College Financial Consultant, NAPFA member, and financial professional currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on Finance. In his role as the director of personal finance and financial literacy, Andrew believes personal finance is a lifelong endeavor that is influenced by many factors including interests, abilities, values, personality, background, market conditions, and circumstances. As a financial advisor, Andrew helps students and their families know and understand their needs, wishes, wants and the world that influences them to make intentional financial and life decisions. His mission is to enrich, educate, and engage the veterinary community to achieve better financial wellness and peace of mind. Andrew is co-host of Pawcast: Navigating the Veterinary Profession, a podcast offering advice to the veterinary profession on career development, personal finance and the business of veterinary medicine. Andrew also serves his country as a US Navy Reserve officer.
NEW INSIGHTS INTO VETERINARIAN WELLBEING AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT
02/03/2021 | DR. SHERYL GAMBLE, DVM, MS, SENIOR VETERINARIAN, SOUTHEAST REGION, MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH | In Partnership with MERCK Animal Health
We are pleased to partner with Dr. Sheryl Gamble and MERCK Animal Health to discuss the latest comprehensive study of U.S. veterinarians that documents the state of wellbeing and mental…
Read More >NEW INSIGHTS INTO VETERINARIAN WELLBEING AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT
02/03/2021 | DR. SHERYL GAMBLE, DVM, MS, SENIOR VETERINARIAN, SOUTHEAST REGION, MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH | In Partnership with MERCK Animal Health
We are pleased to partner with Dr. Sheryl Gamble and MERCK Animal Health to discuss the latest comprehensive study of U.S. veterinarians that documents the state of wellbeing and mental health in the profession. Dr. Gamble will present the newest findings from the MERCK Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study that was conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Brakke Consulting that provides an overview of the wellbeing and mental health of veterinarians over time. Dr. Gamble will also share and facilitate discussions around healthy strategies for veterinarian wellbeing and provide clear takeaways for attendees.
SHERYL GAMBLE, DVM, MS, SENIOR VETERINARIAN, SOUTHEAST REGION, MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH
A triple alumnus of Auburn University, Dr. Gamble holds three Summa Cum Laude degrees, including a Bachelor and Master of Science in Zoology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Her Auburn roots run strong, and she was an award-winning instructor of general biology and physiology in the College of Science and Mathematics. It was also at Auburn where she received the Clinical Achievement Award for Excellence in Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, the Dr. Wilford S. Bailey Scholarship and the Deborah Harrington Memorial Award.
After graduating with her DVM, Dr. Gamble did a preceptorship at the San Diego Zoo in the pathology department, then for two years became involved in full-time small animal private practice. Before joining MERCK Animal Health, Dr. Gamble spent the majority of her professional career focused on human health in the areas of vaccines, cardiology and oncology. Today, in her current role she combines her medical expertise with a natural passion for the wellbeing of animals to raise the level of veterinary care.
Authenticity & Strengthening The Leadership Presence of Veterinary Women
10/27/2020 | DR. LAURA PLETZ, PRESIDENT-ELECT. WOMEN'S VETERINARY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE | In Partnership with Royal Canin
The veterinary profession has seen a dramatic demographic shift over the last 25 years, as women now represent more than half of all veterinarians in the United States. However, women…
Read More >Authenticity & Strengthening The Leadership Presence of Veterinary Women
10/27/2020 | DR. LAURA PLETZ, PRESIDENT-ELECT. WOMEN'S VETERINARY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE | In Partnership with Royal Canin
The veterinary profession has seen a dramatic demographic shift over the last 25 years, as women now represent more than half of all veterinarians in the United States. However, women in leadership positions within the profession hasn’t kept pace. We are thrilled to partner with Laura Pletz, DVM, President-Elect of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative to present this VetFuel event, Authenticity and Strengthening the Leadership Presence of Veterinary Women.
The Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI) is dedicated to developing female veterinary leaders to ensure leadership better represents the population of veterinarians. Dr. Pletz is passionate about working to address the challenges facing today’s veterinarians and promoting opportunities for women in leadership of the veterinary profession. Leading with authenticity rather than trying to fit into traditional leadership models can unlock more leadership potential and increase your impact within an organization. In this session, Dr. Pletz will engage with us to explore the power of aligning your approach to leadership with your values and walk through the 4 steps to becoming a more authentic leader.
LAURA PLETZ, DVM, PRESIDENT-ELECT – WOMEN’S VETERINARY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, AND SCIENTIFIC SERVICES MANAGER, EAST U.S. ROYAL CANIN
Dr. Laura Pletz is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she began work as an associate veterinarian in a small animal practice in St. Louis, MO, where she became one of the practice owners. During her time in practice, she was also the co-host of a local radio show for pet owners seeking advice on the care of their pets. In 2012, Dr. Pletz left private practice to join Royal Canin to lead their Technical Services team and was promoted to her current role of Scientific Services Manager, East U.S. in 2016. At Royal Canin, she has had the opportunity to develop and lead the team behind the annual Royal Canin Women’s Veterinary Leadership Forum for the past three years.
Dr. Pletz joined the Board of Directors for The Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI) in 2018, and now serves as President-Elect for the organization. Dr. Pletz currently resides with her family in the St. Louis area and is the proud mom of two teenage sons.
Enhancing Intercultural Competency
09/29/2020 | Dr. Latonia Craig, Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Cultural competency, diversity and inclusion are hot topics at the forefront of numerous conversations across our country today. It has long been known, diversity in veterinary medicine has been lagging…
Read More >Enhancing Intercultural Competency
09/29/2020 | Dr. Latonia Craig, Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Cultural competency, diversity and inclusion are hot topics at the forefront of numerous conversations across our country today. It has long been known, diversity in veterinary medicine has been lagging behind, even though research has shown it is important to the growth of veterinary practices. We are thrilled to partner with Dr. Latonia Craig from Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to bring you this VetFuel event, Enhancing Intercultural Competency.
Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is committed to cultivating and enriching the veterinary professional experience through education and inclusive excellence. Dr. Latonia Craig, Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, leads the initiatives and programs at Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine by embracing education and training that will prepare us with the critical skills necessary to address complex societal problems which often cross cultural boundaries. During this VetFuel event, Dr. Craig will share with us how we can become more aware of how we interact with each other and provide good, practical tools that will help to enhance our intercultural competency.
Join us for this thought-provoking presentation and thoughtful discussion in partnership with Dr. Latonia Craig and Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine on this very important topic for our industry.
Dr. Latonia Craig, Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Latonia Craig leads the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Craig has devoted most of her career to providing educational programs in the areas of social change and changing the conversation from diversity and inclusion to inclusive excellence. In her role as Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, she drives the development of programming and initiatives, modeling innovative practices that introduce diversity into the systems, structure and culture of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Craig strategically leads the intentions of her office to increase diversity beyond the numbers, by building meaningful relationships across the globe.
Understanding and Maximizing the Value of Your Veterinary Property
08/25/2020 | Daniel Eisenstadt, CEO and Chairman of Terravet Real Estate Solutions
Real estate is often one of the veterinarian owner’s most valuable assets and some of the simplest aspects of managing your property could have meaningful financial impacts. Whether you are…
Read More >Understanding and Maximizing the Value of Your Veterinary Property
08/25/2020 | Daniel Eisenstadt, CEO and Chairman of Terravet Real Estate Solutions
Real estate is often one of the veterinarian owner’s most valuable assets and some of the simplest aspects of managing your property could have meaningful financial impacts. Whether you are considering selling your practice or want to build the value in your business for the longer-term, understanding how to maximize the value of your property and understanding why the value of your assets matters, may help to increase the value of your practice. Join us as we partner with Daniel Eisenstadt, veterinary industry real estate leader, to discuss the ways you can maximize the value of your real estate, some of the reasons understanding the value of your property is beneficial, the different appraisal methods and the various ways you can increase the value of your property.
Daniel Eisenstadt, CEO and Chairman of Terravet Real Estate Solutions
Dan is CEO and Chairman of Terravet Real Estate Solutions, offering veterinary real estate owners industry knowledge and insights to make sure they maximize the value of their properties. Daniel has a long history of supporting the veterinarian owner. Prior to founding Terravet, Daniel was a founder of Community Veterinary Partners, where he served as President and Chairman for over eight years, helping to grow the CVP community of hospitals. Daniel has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Clark University. Daniel was a Wallenberg Scholar at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Daniel is also a past member of the board of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation.
Industry Outlook Amid COVID-19 with AVMA Chief Economist
07/20/2020 | Matthew Salois, PhD, Chief Economist, Head of Economic Division, American Veterinary Medical Association
The COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on us as a society and on every industry across the globe. CVP is pleased to partner with Dr. Matt Salois,…
Read More >Industry Outlook Amid COVID-19 with AVMA Chief Economist
07/20/2020 | Matthew Salois, PhD, Chief Economist, Head of Economic Division, American Veterinary Medical Association
The COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on us as a society and on every industry across the globe. CVP is pleased to partner with Dr. Matt Salois, Chief Economist of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), to host a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinarian industry. Dr. Salois will present industry data and trends and share his valuable insights on how and when the veterinary industry may recover, opportunities for the future and other factors that we should pay close attention to. Dr. Salois has been using economics to translate data into insights for the veterinary industry for more than 8 years, with a strong focus on keeping pets and people healthy. Please join us in this thoughtful discussion with Dr. Salois. Matthew Salois, PhD, Chief Economist, Head of Economic Division, American Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Matt Salois is an executive-level analytics leader with experience developing research strategies and leading teams of analytical professionals to unlock actionable insights hidden inside data to deliver value to businesses and organizations while also promoting social change. He is skilled in distilling complex information into fact-based and compelling data-driven stories that are powerful and persuasive. Prior to joining the AVMA in 2018, Dr. Salois was the Director of Global Scientific Affairs and Policy for Elanco and Chief Economist, Director of Economic Research & Market Research for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Guidance for Approaching Your Financial Health with Student Debt
06/24/2020 | Andrew Rotz, CFP, CCF, Director of Personal Finance and Financial Literacy for NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine
There is a financial burden with becoming a veterinarian today and many young associates, recent grads and students are faced with the challenge of managing their student debt while establishing…
Read More >Guidance for Approaching Your Financial Health with Student Debt
06/24/2020 | Andrew Rotz, CFP, CCF, Director of Personal Finance and Financial Literacy for NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine
There is a financial burden with becoming a veterinarian today and many young associates, recent grads and students are faced with the challenge of managing their student debt while establishing their careers. Community Veterinary Partners is pleased to partner with Andrew Rotz, CFP, CCFP, Director of Personal Finance and Financial Literacy at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in hosting this educational discussion designed to demonstrate that there are options available to help our young associates and students in managing their student debt while establishing a healthy financial life for themselves and their families. This discussion will also be beneficial for veterinary Practice Owners and Practice Managers seeking to understand the student loan repayment challenges confronting today’s young associates and new graduates. Content will include debt repayment and financial planning examples based on real-world examples and guidance on how to figure out your own approach to repaying student debt. Andrew Rotz, CFP, CCF, Director of Personal Finance and Financial Literacy for NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine Andrew’s focus in his role as Director of Personal Finance and Financial Literacy for NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is to educate the DVM and Graduate Student populations and facilitate sound financial practices throughout the community via didactic and para-curricular working sessions in addition to one-on-one holistic financial counseling sessions. He believes that reasonable and thoughtful personal choices over extended periods lead to financially successful individuals. Prior to joining NC State University’s CVM, Andrew was an active duty U.S. Naval officer and spent time with Fidelity Investments, where he earned his Series 7, Series 63, Series 66, and Life & Health Insurance licenses, in addition to his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional credential. He continues to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve as an Information Warfare Officer specializing in Space Operations while continuing his work to expand the financial literacy and wellness programs at NC State University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida while completing the ROTC program prior to his commissioning into the U.S. Navy. He earned his Certified College Financial Consultant credential to better support his students and is currently working towards his MBA at NC State University with a focus in Finance.
COVID-19 Restrictions are Loosening, Now What?
06/04/2020 | Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris Beach
The restrictions placed on businesses by local, state and national governments created a number of challenges for veterinary practices. And now, as restrictions are starting to lift, veterinary practice owners…
Read More >COVID-19 Restrictions are Loosening, Now What?
06/04/2020 | Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris Beach
The restrictions placed on businesses by local, state and national governments created a number of challenges for veterinary practices. And now, as restrictions are starting to lift, veterinary practice owners are left to figure out how to safely see patients, deliver an exemplary customer experience, protect their teams, all while not exposing their businesses. Community Veterinary Partners is happy to partner with Harris Beach to bring Frank Muggia, leading veterinary practice attorney and President of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association to veterinary practice owners to answer these questions, as well as help to provide guidance on whether or not to require clients to wear masks and if you should require temperature checks for anyone entering your facility. Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris Beach Frank is a leading veterinary attorney and is nationally known in the field of veterinary law and ethics. As an attorney for Harris Beach, he has been involved in the buying and selling of veterinary practices nationwide, is well-versed in all aspects of veterinary practice law, and counsels small animal, equine, bovine and exotic animal practices. Frank is also the incoming President of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association.
Navigating the COVID-19 Quagmire for Veterinary Practices
05/21/2020 | Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris Beach / Scott Piper, Attorney, Harris Beach
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring new levels of uncertainty to veterinary practices and navigating the complexities of protecting your staff while seeing patients and ensuring you are making sound…
Read More >Navigating the COVID-19 Quagmire for Veterinary Practices
05/21/2020 | Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris Beach / Scott Piper, Attorney, Harris Beach
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring new levels of uncertainty to veterinary practices and navigating the complexities of protecting your staff while seeing patients and ensuring you are making sound business decisions can be daunting. Community Veterinary Partners is happy to partner with Harris Beach to bring Frank Muggia, leading veterinary practice attorney and President of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association and Scott Piper, a partner who regularly advises veterinary practices on labor and employment issues, to veterinary practice owners and industry partners to address ways veterinary practice owners can be compliant while navigating the COVID-19 quagmire, continue to see patients while protecting their teams and avoid potential missteps while taking advantage of the Federal Government’s Paycheck Protection Program.
Frank Muggia, Partner, Harris BeachFrank is a leading veterinary attorney and is nationally known in the field of veterinary law and ethics. As an attorney for Harris Beach, he has been involved in the buying and selling of veterinary practices nationwide, is well-versed in all aspects of veterinary practice law, and counsels small animal, equine, bovine and exotic animal practices. Frank is also the incoming President of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association.Scott Piper, Attorney, Harris BeachScott brings extensive private practice and in-house counsel experience in all areas of labor and employment litigation to his client engagements. He represents employers in the wide range of labor and employment law matters, from intricate employment class action lawsuits to litigation involving all types of workplace disputes such as claims of unlawful termination, discrimination, harassment, and unpaid wages or benefits. Scott’s practice includes preparing and negotiating separation packages and advising on contractual issues such as employment agreements and non-compete agreements.
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