Friday Schedule

GAC Committee Members: Join us for a legislative update from one our lobbyists, a brief discussion on Day at the Capitol, various reports, and an in-depth discussion on legislative priorities.

Join CVM friends for a special time of fellowship and hear how God is making an impact through veterinary medicine around the globe. Meet the new North Central Region Rep, Dr. Ashley Propst, as she shares on about CVM’s annual theme of “Grateful” from Psalm 100.

In veterinary medicine, communication is an art form that can transform a simple interaction into a meaningful connection. Picture each conversation with a pet owner as a dance, where adapting your moves to match their style is key to a successful partnership. In this discussion, we will explore four essential communication skills: Empathy, Open-ended Questions, Reflective Statements, and Nonverbals. Learning new ways to utilize these skills will empower you to: -Empathize with clients, understanding their concerns and improving your own impressions of the interaction. -Use Open-ended Questions to foster collaborative dialogues and obtain more useful and comprehensive histories. -Implement Reflective Statements to validate feelings and create trust that increases receptivity to recommendations. -Enhance your Nonverbal cues to ensure your verbal communication matches with what the listener is seeing. Through engaging scenarios and the Spectrum of Care framework, you’ll learn how to strengthen relationships with pet owners and increase their likelihood of following your recommendations. Join us to discover the joy of effective communication—an essential dance that not only elevates your practice and the care you provide, but also enriches your career experience.

Multiple methods to diagnose and phenotype lymphoma in dogs and cats are available allowing for more accurate treatment and better understanding of prognosis in patients. This talk will focus on the four primary methods of diagnosing and phenotyping lymphoma, and how to choose the best test for your patient. A comprehensive review of the use of histology, cytology, flow cytometry and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) will be covered.

Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD) and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by symmetric ataxia and sometimes, behavior change. This lecture will review clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.

The transition period is marked by a variety of challenges that determine future performance and profitability. We will investigate integrated management strategies designed to optimize outcomes across these three vital areas: 1) We will discuss proactive nutritional and management approaches to minimize metabolic disorders and postpartum diseases. 2) Learn how effective transition management translates into peak milk yield and sustained performance throughout lactation. 3) Examine how supporting health and nutrient balance accelerate resumption of reproductive function postpartum and reproductive efficiency. Learn practical, evidence-based methods for creating a seamless transition that boosts farm profitability and animal welfare.

Up until the past few years, artificial intelligence (“AI”) was seen as something straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, AI has rapidly become a reality that will likely be integrated into everyday life. Many industries are currently experimenting with how AI can help them gain an edge over competitors by increasing revenue and efficiency, including the veterinary industry. With AI on the rise, this presentation explores current AI technology within the veterinary industry, its current limitations, and how AI may influence the future of veterinary medicine.

Navigating the care and handling of a neurologic horse can be a challenging task, requiring specialized knowledge and a keen understanding of safety protocols. In this informative lecture, equine professionals and enthusiasts alike will gain valuable insights into working with neurologic horses, ensuring both the safety of the handler and the well-being of the horse. Throughout the session, participants will explore the various causes and manifestations of neurologic conditions in horses, ranging from infectious diseases to spinal cord injuries. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology is crucial for effective management and risk assessment when interacting with these animals.

This presentation translates key TCVM principles—such as Yin, Yang, and Qi—into relatable Western medical concepts to make them understandable and clinically relevant. Attendees will learn how the TCVM model of balance and homeostasis complements Western diagnostics and treatments, enhancing both preventive care and case outcomes. y the end of this session, veterinarians will have a clear understanding of how and why acupuncture works and feel more confident in integrating or referring for TCVM as part of a complete patient care strategy.

Fascia used to be thought of as the white fibrous tissue that surrounds muscles, something to cut when we perform surgery. Now we know that it affects the whole body and can cause pain, dysfunction, and postural abnormalities. Get a sense for what it truly is, how it affects our patients, and simple techniques that you can use tomorrow to make you patients move and feel better.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a common cause of neurologic disease in horses, resulting from infection with Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. This lecture will cover pathogenesis, diagnostic testing, and treatment strategies with an update of the more recent scientific literature and research.

From osteoarthritis to stem cell release, the laser is an AMAZING tool when used correctly. Understand how to get the best results from your laser no matter which laser you have, Class I, III, or IV. Laser therapy has been used in medicine for a long time, yet in the last decade there has been an explosion of pertinent research. We will take a quick look at the physiologic effects laser has on the body and move on to look at how and when to use laser therapy, from treating cancer, osteoarthritis, asthma and so much more. From traumatic brain injuries to a tooth abscess, we will share insight on more ways to utilize your laser with solid research thrown in for fun.

This presentation is geared toward veterinarians with some experience in TCM and acupuncture. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aging is viewed as the gradual decline of Essence—the vital substance that fuels life, powers the organs, and sustains vitality. As Essence wanes, imbalances arise that affect physical, emotional, and organ health. This presentation explores how understanding Essence deficiency allows veterinary practitioners to evaluate senior patients more holistically and intervene with precision. Through practical examples and case discussions, attendees will learn strategies to enhance vitality, restore balance, and support healthy longevity in aging animals.

Many screening tests for early detection of cancer have come onto the market over the last decade, and how to best use them is not always clear. This talk will focus on the tests that are currently available, the risks and benefits of using screening tests, and how to use them to provide the best care to your patients.

Foaling season brings excitement and anticipation, but it also requires meticulous preparation and a well-equipped team to ensure the health and safety of newborn foals and their mothers. In this essential lecture, equine professionals will gain invaluable insights into neonatal care, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of foaling season with confidence.

We will explore how automated technologies—such as activity monitors and rumination sensors—provide real-time data on individual cow behavior and physiological status. This wealth of data, when interpreted through the lens of reproductive physiology, enables enhanced heat detection and data-driven implementation of targeted reproductive programs. Uncover how integrating these cutting-edge tools and physiological principles can change your approach to reproductive management.

Employees have a strong need for a clear sense of direction, knowledge of how they are doing, a supportive environment in which they can reach their goals, and recognition for their achievements. When these are met, high levels of motivation, growth and results occur both for individuals and for the practice. Attendees will learn to recognize the importance of articulating expectations, defining the impact to the business/team, addressing consequences promptly and owning accountability in the process when it comes to improving performance.

This discussion will cover the diagnosis and management of several chronic myopathies, including polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) and vitamin E responsive myopathy (VEM).

50% of canine orthopedic surgeries are for cruciate rupture. Cruciate rupture used to be a traumatic condition, now it is mostly secondary to a slow insidious inflammatory process. Learn the simple exam procedures that can tell you if your pet or patient are on track to a cruciate rupture and things that can be done to derail that train.

This presentation is geared toward veterinarians with some experience in TCM and acupuncture. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aging is viewed as the gradual decline of Essence—the vital substance that fuels life, powers the organs, and sustains vitality. As Essence wanes, imbalances arise that affect physical, emotional, and organ health. The second part of this presentation is focused on real world case examples illustrating how acupuncture can be integrated alongside conventional medicine to improve patient quality of life and comfort.

One Year After the Outbreak: What We Learned About Influenza A in Minnesota Dairy Herds: During this session, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) will present findings from two dairy herds with H5N1 detections during the 2024 outbreak. Because individual cows were not tested during the outbreak response, the extent of within-herd exposure was uncertain, prompting a focused post-outbreak assessment of antibody persistence and seropositivity patterns. We’ll share 2025 follow-up ELISA results to evaluate one-year antibody persistence and compare seropositivity by clinical history and lactation group. Integration of Sensor Data and Lesion History for Predictive Modeling of Dairy Cow Lameness: We explore how wearable technology and historical health data can be combined to better predict lameness in dairy herds. We will walk through a recent study of over 800 cows that used machine learning to analyze daily behaviors-like eating and rumination-alongside foot lesion history. Finally, we’ll take a candid look at the results, discussing why the model excels at confirming healthy cows but still faces challenges in detecting the lame ones.

Embark on a journey toward+L2:L5 professional excellence as a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in this comprehensive lecture designed for aspiring veterinary technicians and seasoned professionals alike. The path to becoming a VTS is both challenging and rewarding, requiring dedication, specialized knowledge, and a commitment to lifelong learning. This session will provide invaluable insights into the certification process, specialization options, and career advancement opportunities available to veterinary technicians seeking to elevate their skills and expertise.

Cytology in practice is one of the most inexpensive, but useful tests you can perform as a practitioner. This talk will focus on the basics of cytology including techniques for making high quality slides, and then go through the steps of assessing quality of the sample prepared, and finally making a diagnosis with a focus on neoplasia.

Engaging session with audience addressing common employment manual pitfalls. Participants will learn how to document clear expectations for their staff in their employee handbooks and the importance of administering consistently. An employee manual (or handbook) contains the veterinary practice’s policies and procedures. It provides employees with information on practice rules, policies, scheduling, working conditions, expectations, employee benefits, ethics and philosophy regarding its employees, clients, patients, as well as the profession and community.

MAVT will host our annual business meeting that is free for MAVT members. Lunch will be served, and space is limited. The agenda will include an update on what is happening within our association, installation of new board officers, highlight and honor new lifetime members, MAVT scholarship winners and the presentation of our Vet Tech of the Year.

This is your organization so make sure your voice is heard at the Business Meeting. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to see your colleagues receive well-deserved awards. Awards include: Veterinarian of the Year; Outstanding Faculty; Outstanding Industry Representative; Distinguished Veterinary Service; Emerging Leader and President’s Award

This session will review some of the most common pathological conditions of the equine cervical vertebral column, their associated imaging findings, available interventions and prognoses using some case examples. We will also discuss approaches to evaluating cervical radiographs.

The focus of this talk will be on the most common paraneoplastic syndromes that we see in veterinary patients, with a large portion being on hypercalcemia diagnostics and treatments. Knowing what to do, and more importantly what not to do, can help the general practitioner achieve a diagnosis and expedite treatment in this population of patients who need it quickly.

This presentation highlights practical acupoints that can be applied in everyday veterinary and emergency settings to improve patient comfort and clinical outcomes. Attendees will learn the definitions, locations, and indications of key points shown to help animals in urgent or uncomfortable situations, from both the neurophysiologic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspectives. The focus is on ease of implementation – providing useful, immediately applicable techniques that any veterinarian can use, even without formal acupuncture certification, to enhance the quality of care and comfort for patients commonly seen in urgent or primary care situations.

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This first session will lay the groundwork by exploring the significant management challenges of drying off high-producing dairy cows. We will review the fundamental physiology of mammary gland involution to establish a clear understanding of the biological processes at play. This section will also facilitate an open discussion on the current protocols commonplace in modern dairies. The goal is to establish a clear, shared picture of the problem and why new strategies are necessary for herd health and welfare.

During this informative session, participants will explore the various aspects of personal safety, from recognizing hazardous situations to employing proper handling techniques. Through a combination of theoretical insights, and real-life examples, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to minimize risks and enhance safety in their daily practice.

A Performance Management Program (PMP) should align the organizational needs and compensation/incentive opportunities with the Practice’s strategic business plan. An effective PMP emphasizes that clear and frequent communications about performance is the key to maximizing productivity, employee satisfaction and employee development. Employees have a strong need for a clear sense of direction, knowledge of how they are doing, a supportive environment in which they can reach their goals and recognition for achievement. When these are met, high levels of motivation, growth and results occur both for individuals and for the Practice. A PMP is a joint, year-round effort in which the supervisor/manager and employee engage in continuous feedback dialogue to strengthen performance, achieve goals in support of the Practice’s mission and accomplish employee’s development plans. Attendees will learn what it takes to define and develop a Performance Management Program, and how to successfully implement.

With so much demand and competition, hiring a new associate can seem like a daunting task in today’s market. This article explores the conditions that new associates are looking for and ways that you can increase your chances of finding a good match for your practice. The three biggest driving factors for a new associate to seek out a practice include salary, benefits, and location. Most candidates are female, with an enormous amount of educational debt as well as future family goals. New graduates have a much higher debt load that causes them to seek higher paid positions. Location is a big deciding factor for these candidates. Personal life goals such as family planning and factoring in a partner’s career influence where they are looking to practice. Work-life balance is also a top factor for new associates when deciding where to practice. Ensuring an environment that caters to the needs of your associate, like a flexible work schedule that prioritizes a work life balance will help increase their productivity as well. By styling your negotiation tactics to negotiate favorable terms for both you and your associate will help start your relationship with your new employee on the right foot and lay a positive groundwork for the longevity of their career with you.

Veterinary professionals often face high emotional demands, long hours, and the challenge of balancing compassion with professionalism. Join us for an insightful lecture on setting healthy boundaries in veterinary medicine—vital for your mental and emotional well-being, as well as for sustaining a fulfilling career.

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Building on the challenges identified in Part I, this lecture will pivot to actionable solutions. We will critically evaluate various strategies designed to reduce milk yield in cows prior to the dry-off date. This includes a review of nutritional adjustments, changes in milking frequency, and other management-level interventions.

Chronic pain—whether from arthritis, injury, or systemic imbalance—can significantly impact quality of life in animals of any age. While stagnation is often involved, these cases are rarely straightforward, and pain patterns are frequently layered with deficiency or deeper imbalance. This presentation introduces pain detection techniques and advanced acupuncture strategies to help you identify hidden sources of discomfort and refine your treatment plans. You’ll learn how to move beyond your standard point selections to address both the root and the symptom, achieving more consistent and lasting relief for your patients.

Mast cell tumors are one of the most common tumors that we see in veterinary patients. While a majority are low grade, cured, and managed easily in general practice, a subset are high grade and life-limiting for dogs. This talk will focus on the important prognostic factors to be mindful of when working up the mast cell tumor patient and will go over histologic prognostic factors to consider as well as when the mast cell tumor prognostic panel might be beneficial. Treatment options will be covered in this talk as well.

Junctionopathies in horses are relatively uncommon but important neuromuscular disease that can result in death. This lecture will review the underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approach to disorders such as acquired myasthenia gravis and botulism, highlighting key differentiating features and practical strategies for diagnosis and management in the field.

Restrictive covenants have recently become a controversial topic in the veterinary field. Many states have begun more rigorously regulating the covenants and allowing them in only very specific circumstances. Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also become more critical of these contract clauses, stating that they lower wages and decrease job opportunities. Due to changing state and federal legislation, restrictive covenants are becoming more difficult to draft and uphold—and they may become a thing of the past. Attendees will learn about the various types of restrictive covenants commonly found in veterinary medicine, the factors that can affect non-compete enforcement, the processes associated with enforcing non-competes, and more.

After working in both small and mixed animal practices, Kim Horne spent most of her career at the University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medical Center where she found her passion in dermatology. She is one of the Co-Founders of the Academy of Dermatology Veterinary Technicians (ADVT) and is a co-editor of the book Small Animal Dermatology for Technicians and Nurses. Although Kim is now retired, she is still very active in her state and national vet tech associations with recent work focusing on the licensure of veterinary technicians initiative.

Conversations about pet nutrition have become stressful for many veterinarians, especially when clients want to feed home-cooked or fresh diets. This presentation helps take the fear out of food by providing simple, practical strategies for guiding pet owners toward balanced, real-food nutrition—without feeling overwhelmed. We’ll explore how to confidently discuss fresh and home-prepared diets, understand different types of fresh food options, and include whole foods in treatment plans in a healthy, evidence-informed way. Drawing from an integrative approach that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine, food therapy, and conventional care, I will share how adding fresh food can boost patient outcomes, strengthen client trust, and even make nutrition conversations fun again.

The final session in this series will focus on a specific strategy: the use of an acidogenic bolus at dry-off. We will dive deep into the current research, examining the bolus’s effect on milk pH, rumination, and appetite. A key focus will be discussing the potential for this strategy to reduce the incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis. This lecture will also explore the bolus’s role in promoting the judicious use of antibiotics and its economic impact based on a clinical trial, a critical goal for the industry.

This talk will be a catch all to go over some unusual presentations of certain cancer types in dogs and cats, will highlight how the same type of cancers can present drastically different in dogs vs. cats and how they are managed, and will cover various pearls of wisdom and tips for practice that can be helpful to the general practitioner.

This discussion will summarize important aspects of the neurological examination and also touch on distinguishing the neurologic horse from the lame horse as well as how to address cases with a combination of gait abnormalities.

Coming Soon…