Resources for veterinary professionals

We understand these are difficult times for veterinary practices. We've collected these resources from a wide array of experts to help you manage your business and keep yourself and your staff safe.

Practice management
Safety
Telemedicine and Remote Care
Emotional health and well-being

Financial
Shelters
Client communications
Media for pet owners

Practice management

What does good leadership look like during these challenging times?

Des Whittall, owner and manager of two veterinary clinics, shares leadership strategies he's using effectively in his practice during COVID-19.

COVID-19 triage: Determining which cases are urgent

Minimize risk and protect your teams and clients by learning how to effectively determine the cases that require an in-person examination.

How to lead your veterinary team during COVID-19

Certified leadership and wellness coach Kristina Guldbrand shares three tips to help veterinary leaders keep their teams connected during these challenging times.

Why you should consider adding mobile payment options

Small businesses that allow clients to pay for services using a variety of methods earn 29% more revenue than those that offer fewer payment options, a study finds.

Coronavirus resources from VHMA

To help members find trends and best practices quickly, VHMA staff have identified "gems" of information and organized them by topic.

Software resources
Explore how technology can help as you adapt your business through this period of uncertainty.

Learn more

Safety

Receiving patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Owner contact guidelines (PDF)

Dr. J. Scott Weese offers this step-by-step protocol for safely receiving patients in your practice.

Flattening the curve: How clinics are helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Learn how Canada's veterinary clinics are taking important measures to protect themselves, their staff, and their clients.

Guidelines for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic when demand exceeds supply

Postponing elective procedures, reusing disposable PPE, and utilizing washable PPE are among the methods veterinarians may consider amid mounting requests to conserve supplies.

Protecting your veterinary team during the pandemic

Read AVMA's guidance on mitigating the risk of exposure and developing a COVID-19 safety program for your team.

Telemedicine and Remote Care

Telehealth & telemedicine can be an important tool to protect and monitor patients

Read AVMA's resources to get started with implementing telemedicine programs in your practice.

Veterinarians, telemedicine and COVID-19

In this video, Dr. Aaron Smiley provides need-to-know information about using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The real-life rewards of virtual care: How to turn your hospital into a digitally connected practice with telehealth (PDF)

Learn the fundamentals of virtual care and the importance of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) in this booklet from AAHA and AVMA.

Continuing education (CE) requirements, telehealth rules modified in response to COVID-19

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) lists modified CE and telehealth requirements by state in this helpful online resource.

Veterinary connected care companies

AVMA’s full list of telemedicine providers to help you narrow down your selection.

Video: How to administer insulin to your cat

This short video will empower caregivers of diabetic cats to feel confident when administering insulin using a syringe and needle, providing simple tricks and tips to make this crucial component of diabetes management as easy as possible.

Video: Preventing Pet Obesity

In this video, Dr. C. A. Tony Buffington, professor of clinical nutrition in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, gives easy to understand advice to pet owners on how to keep pets trim and healthy.

Telemedicine emerges as care option for veterinary patients

What does the opportunity to use telemedicine mean for practices during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic? Review the benefits and potential barriers to veterinary telemedicine for your practice.

How to set up telemedicine in your practice

Stay-at-home orders and limits on the number of people permitted in one location have made setting up a telemedicine practice essential. Here's what you need to know about getting your practice set up.

FDA loosens veterinary telemedicine restrictions amid COVID-19 crisis

Aiming to provide flexibility to essential healthcare workers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has relaxed its telemedicine requirements for veterinary professionals.

Minimizing COVID-19 exposure and social distancing in veterinary practice

Use this flowchart when deciding how to handle elective and not elective cases.

Video: How to administer insulin to your dog

This short video will empower caregivers of diabetic dogs to feel confident when administering insulin using a syringe and needle, providing simple tricks and tips to make this crucial component of diabetes management as easy as possible.

Video: How to give subcutaneous fluids to your cat

This short video will show how to set up the fluid bag, insert a needle under your cat’s skin, and let the fluid flow.

Video: How to brush your pet’s teeth

Dr. Sheldon Rubin, speaking for the American Veterinary Medical Association, gives easy, step-by-step instructions on how to teach a dog or cat to accept a daily tooth brushing.

Software resources
Explore how technology can help as you adapt your business through this period of uncertainty.

Learn more

Emotional health and well-being

Free audio meditations from Headspace

Headspace has made parts of its "Weathering the storm" meditations collection available free for all listeners during this difficult time.

10 simple ways to relieve stress

Healthline offers these simple but effective ways to manage stressful situations.

Pandemic self-care for veterinary teams

The mental health risks of enduring a pandemic as a health professional are very real. Get self-care wisdom from Nicole Vykoukal, a licensed expert in companion animal loss and human-animal bond therapy.

Taking care of your emotional health

Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.

3 Ways to Save Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Feeling overwhelmed and anxious? Take a couple deep breaths, and read about three ways to make more time in your day so you can refocus and get back on track — even in the midst of the pandemic.

How to Spot and Treat Team Burnout From COVID-19

To help you recognize burnout signs in your team, and know how to help, we've enlisted the assistance of MightyVet President Barry Kipperman, DVM, DACVIM, MSc. Read his recommendations for how to spot and mitigate emotional fatigue.

Stress and coping guidance from CDC

Understand sources of outbreak-related stress and learn coping methods from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Webinar: Veterinary self-worth and the psychology of money

Recognizing and embracing your self-worth is core to your success as a veterinarian. Drs. Laura Strong and Sally Broder present this free CE course from MightyVet.

Webinar: Ethics exhaustion: When your sense of right is wronged

Dr. Sonnya Dennis addresses "ethics exhaustion," or the feeling of being too tired to continue to do what you feel is right, in this free CE course from MightyVet.

Psychological care during COVID-19

VetGirl rounds up a collection of helpful psychological care materials for from Dr. Herdley O. Paolini.

5 Ways to Boost Team Morale During COVID-19

Many business leaders cite plunging employee morale as a top concern during this uncertain time. Follow these five tips to guide your team through the COVID-19 crisis.

Financial

Small Business Loans: What Your Practice Needs to Know

If your practice is facing financial challenges due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19, the small business loans offered in the relief packages can make a big difference.

Webinar: COVID-19 insurance claims & CARES leave provisions

AVMA LIFE and AVMA PLIT provide insight from insurance claims and HR experts to help veterinary professionals understand the handling of COVID-19 insurance claims.

COVID-19 tax provisions for veterinary small business

Read this important overview of new tax provisions that may apply to you and your veterinary practice.

COVID-19 legislation & relief programs

Get many helpful tools and resources from the AVMA to better understand new COVID-19 legislation and how it impacts your business.

COVID-19 federal student loans & higher education

Learn what the federal government's suspension of student loan interest accrual and new stimulus legislation mean for your finances during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shelters

Animal services' role in COVID-19 support

Review these recommendations for animal intake, transport, and other situations that may affect shelters and their staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association of Shelter Veterinarians: COVID-19 resources

ASV's resources include statements on testing, shelter guidelines and telemedicine.

COVID-19 shelter resources from AAWA

Read AAWA's protocol for sheltering pets during the pandemic and join an upcoming webinar with Dr. Sandra Newbury to learn more about these recommendations.