Mailing Address
1472 Manning Parkway
Powell, Ohio 43065 (map)

Phone Number
614.436.1300

Fax Number
614.436.1301

Our Web site, toll-free number, and e-mail addresses are all the same.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 6, 2013 – In response to the new state budget bill, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Executive Director Jack Advent will testify today against the addition of a sales tax to veterinary services. Previously exempt, veterinarians, along with many other service providers, now face charging sales tax to their clients if the bill passes.

“The sales tax proposal may well change pet owners’ already cautious approaches to health care, putting Ohio jobs and economic growth in harm’s way,” Advent will tell the House Ways and Means Subcommittee. “It all adds up to an economic recipe that hinders rather helps Ohio’s veterinary facilities and the important services they provide—not just for animal health, but human health as well.”

Advent will point out that because none of Ohio’s neighbors currently tax veterinary services, pet owners along Ohio’s borders may choose to visit out-of-state veterinarians to avoid paying more for animal care and, in particular, surgical procedures. Lower-income pet owners may avoid veterinary care entirely, he will say, leading to a potential increase in pet relinquishment and euthanasia.

Furthermore, a tax on veterinary services could impact human health as well, Advent will tell lawmakers. With the majority of diseases being transmissible between humans and animals, veterinarians are on the front lines of diagnosis and prevention of many of these illnesses, including rabies, West Nile and Lyme disease. A decline in veterinary visits caused by expanding the sales tax on services could cause an increase in zoonotic prevalence and transmission.

“Veterinarians, like most small business owners, are simply trying to provide the best service and care they can to their clients, at a fair price and within the context of fair government oversight that does not place them at an economic disadvantage,” Advent will conclude. “The sales tax on veterinary services fails on all counts.”

Read OVMA’s full testimony (pdf)

ABOUT THE OVMA
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is a non-profit organization providing services to its members in the areas of continuing education, advocacy on public policy matters, and access to variety of professional resources. The OVMA represents more than 2,400 veterinarians practicing in various fields and specialties. The OVMA’s mission is to foster life-long learning, stewardship, compassion and community in veterinary medicine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
3168 Riverside Drive Columbus, Ohio 43221
614.486.7253 / 800.662.OVMA
communications@ohiovma.org / www.ohiovma.org

Dr. Patricia Haines accepts the gavel of the OVMA president from Dr. Ryan Zimmerman

COLUMBUS, OHIO — MARCH 6, 2013 — Dr. Patricia Haines was recently elected to the position of President of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). At an awards ceremony at OVMA’s annual Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC) in February, Dr. Haines formally accepted the position from outgoing President Dr. Ryan Zimmerman of Fremont.

“I am honored to represent the veterinarians of Ohio as President of the OVMA,” Dr. Haines said. “Our profession will be continually called upon to provide leadership and education in the care and treatment of all animals. We must provide responses that are reasoned and responsible to encourage resolution, not conflict.”

Dr. Haines will lead the OVMA’s 22-member Board of Directors, the governing body that guides the Association’s policies, resources and future strategies. She will fill the post as president until March 2014.

A small animal practitioner at Country View Pet Hospital in Wilmington, Dr. Haines also owns a farming operation with her husband, which allows her to practice large animal medicine as well. In addition to her OVMA membership, she is an active participant in both the American and Cincinnati kennel clubs.

In addition to the passing of the gavel, OVMA’s outgoing president presented three awards recognizing Ohio veterinarians for their contributions to the profession:

Former State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Smith was honored with the OVMA’s Veterinarian of the Year Award, presented by outgoing President Dr. Ryan Zimmerman.

Former State Public Health Veterinarian Kathy Smith was recognized with the OVMA’s highest honor, the Veterinarian of the Year Award. The award recognizes one individual for outstanding contributions, dedication and service to the veterinary profession, the community and the animal kingdom.

“For more than three decades, Dr. Smith has devoted her life to veterinary medicine and improving the health of both animals and humans across Ohio,” Dr. Zimmerman said in presenting the award.

After a stint in private practice following graduation, Dr. Smith transitioned into the public health sector. As State Public Health Veterinarian, a role she took over in 1988, she was instrumental in developing programs that raised public awareness and helped curb the spread of zoonotic diseases. Her multi-agency program to control the spread of raccoon rabies successfully halted the westward advancement of the disease and still protects Ohio and surrounding states from it.

Dr. Gwen Myers was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award by Dr. Zimmerman.

Dr. Gwen Myers, known for her work in zoological medicine, species protection, and tracking programs, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for her efforts to educate Ohio’s lawmakers on exotic animals during the development of the state’s new dangerous animal law. Through

a series of one-on-one meetings with legislators and in public testimony, Dr. Myers helped OVMA shape this legislation by shedding light on the veterinary concerns.

“Today, Ohio is a leader in the responsible care and containment of dangerous and wild animals,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “That is due in no small part to Dr. Myers, whose efforts on behalf of OVMA and all veterinary medicine helped us reach this important legislative accomplishment.

Dr. Tom Connair was given the Distinguished Service Award recognizing 10 years of service to the OVMA.

Retired veterinarian Tom Connair was presented a second Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the Association. Dr. Connair’s career in veterinary medicine spanned more than half a century, including more than 10 years of service to the OVMA.

“A tireless champion for his profession and colleagues in southwestern Ohio, Dr. Connair served as a reminder and inspiration to many of his peers that veterinary medicine is not just a job, but a calling for life,” said Dr. Zimmerman.

ABOUT THE OVMA

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is a non-profit organization providing services to its members in the areas of continuing education, advocacy on public policy matters, and access to variety of professional resources. The OVMA represents more than 2,400 veterinarians practicing in various fields and specialties. The OVMA’s principal purpose and mission is to foster life-long learning, stewardship, compassion and community in veterinary medicine.

The grant guidelines stipulate that assistance can be requested for relocation, housing, veterinary care and general care and feeding of species needing a new sanctuary home as a result of owner’s relinquishing their animals under  Ohio’s new law. Complete grant guidelines can be found at http://oahf.org/grants.html, and those wishing to add needed resources to the Foundation’s initial funding commitment can make a donation of any amount at the Web site by clicking on the DONATE NOW button.

• Dr. Jenifer Reynolds
• Dr. Margaret Burris
• Dr. David Allen
• Dr. Kristal Bechtold
• Dr. Thomas Crago
• Dr. Lindsey Cromes
• Dr. John McClung
• Dr. Daniel Borsdorf
• Dr. Jennifer Smith
• Dr. Michelle Gilbert

Congratulations to our winners! You will be receiving your book in the mail before the Conference.

The OVMA’s new headquarters located in Powell, Ohio, will offer more space for volunteer activities and easy highway access.

The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association has just purchased a new office building, located north of Columbus in Powell, Ohio. The building will offer expanded space for volunteer activities.

“We are excited to take this next step in OVMA’s evolution,” said OVMA President Dr. Ryan Zimmerman. “With more space and a convenient central location, this new building will allow us to increasingly involve our members in association activities.”

Over the past two decades, OVMA has grown beyond the capacity of its current office. With nearly 40 percent more square footage, the new headquarters features meeting space suitable for hosting educational workshops and programs, which will reduce funds spent on rental facilities. In addition, the new location on Manning Parkway has improved highway access to I-270, I-71, U.S. Route 23 and State Route 315.

The OVMA staff plans to move into the building in late spring or early summer after remodeling is complete. OVMA’s current building, which recently underwent extensive repairs due to a fire, will be put on the market in early 2013.

As part of its public outreach campaign, OVMA is airing educational commercials on ONN radio stations across the state. The fourth and final commercial of 2012 will air in December and deal with responsible pet ownership. OVMA invites members to link to the commercial from their Web sites and social media profiles to help educate their clients about the responsibilities that come with owning an animal.

Additional pet ownership resources are available for member use as well, including:

• New Pet Health Checklist (pdf)
• Hold Your Horses! What you need to know about buying a horse (pdf)
• Help control pet overpopulation! Spay/neuter your pet (pdf)
• Pet Identification: Proper ID could bring your pet home (pdf)
• Disaster Planning (mp3)
• Pet Medications Safety (mp3)

Find more resources from the OVMA and the Public Education Committee online at http://ohiovma.org/veterinarians/publiced.html.

Drs. Ryan Zimmerman, OVMA President, (left) and Gary Thompson joined OAHF for a round of golf on Sept. 12.

OVMA Immediate Past President Dr. Linda Lord scored the longest drive among the women players.

Wednesday marked the fifth annual Ohio Animal Health Foundation’s Fore Animals Classic. Fifty-six players joined OAHF at Bent Tree Golf Club in Sunbury, raising nearly $7,000 for animal-related projects and research.

Congratulations to our prize winners at the 2012 Fore Animals Classic:

• First place team – Foresight Veterinary Services
• Second place team – Knapp Veterinary Hospital
• Third place team – Tharp Animal Health Care Center
• Long drive women – Linda Lord
• Long drive men – Ryan Ballard
• Proximity – Joe Shaw
• Longest putt – Brad Wentz

Thank you to all of our sponsors:

• Summit County VMA
• MedVet
• Alterra Real Estate
• Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
• Summit County VMA
• The Cat Company
• Hummel Pet Crematory
• Kate Raymond & Michelle Krocker
• Dr. Dave Bauman
• Tharp Animal Health Care Center
• Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital
• Southgate Veterinary Clinic
• Gateway Animal Clinic
• Animal Care Hospital of Reynoldsburg
• Knapp Veterinary Hospital
• MWI
• Elanco
• Horizon Animal Hospital
• Geo. Fern Co.
• Spectrum Surgical
• Arlington Bank
• Beau Townsend Ford
• Greater Columbus Convention Center
• Dr. Len Tinney
• Foresight Veterinary Services

Prize Donations Provided by:

• Golf Galaxy
• Hyatt Columbus
• Hampton Inn Columbus
• The Cleveland Browns
• Geo. Fern Co.
• OVMA