OVMA President Dr. Diana Cron with Immediate Past President Dr. Eric Gordon and OVMA Legislative Committee Chair Dr. Mike Dyer at the Ohio Statehouse for Legislative Day.
Veterinarians from across the state convened at the Statehouse yesterday for Legislative Day, OVMA’s annual event that allows members to educate lawmakers on issues affecting the profession. Participants were briefed on current issues and heard a keynote address from Rodney Creech, chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
Discussion focused primarily on veterinary telemedicine, which is the subject of a forthcoming bill expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. The legislation would allow telemedicine to be fully utilized in the veterinary profession.
“While the Association feels that telemedicine can most effectively occur after an in-person exam has taken place, the proposed language would allow a VPCR to be established for any reason, at any time,” explained Michael Guastella, OVMA government relations counsel. “This, specifically, is something that OVMA opposes.”
Members informed legislators of the OVMA Board of Directors’ position on telemedicine, which allows for the establishment of a VCPR using virtual means in very limited circumstances, including in emergency situations, for homebound pet owners, and in shelter medicine. They also reiterated the importance of an in-person exam to establish a VCPR prior to implementing virtual care.
Other legislative issues on the docket included:
- HB 351 — increases the penalty for abusing an animal corpse to a fifth-degree felony
- HB 277 — creates a $750 annual tax credit for landlords that own property in which a companion animal resides
- HB 443 — removes the statewide preemption on the regulation of pet stores and restores it to allow local political subdivisions to regulate them individually
Make a Difference
New course, date for annual golf fundraiser
Get ready to tee off for a good cause on May 20th! The Ohio Animal Health Foundation invites you to join us on the green for a day of fundraising—with the emphasis on fun!
Hosted in conjunction with OSU CVM Alumni Society, the 3rd annual Fore Animals & Students Golf Classic raises money for two good causes: Every swing you take will help us foster the unique bond between humans and animals and support our future veterinarians—ensuring a brighter future for all!
Join us at the OSU Golf Club Scarlet Course for a day of fun, camaraderie, and compassion as we come together to drive positive change in the world of animal health.
Player registration and sponsorship opportunities available now through May 10. Click below for more information!
Can’t make it? You can still have an impact by donating directly to OAHF.
CE Events
TODAY: Free biosecurity webinar
The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a free webinar today from 12:30 to 2 p.m. to discuss biosecurity practices aimed at mitigating the risk of the H5N1 influenza virus on dairy farms. Learn more & register »
Looking for HPAI news & resources? Log in to the OVMA Members Only Center and click on “HPAI in Cattle” under the “Current Issues” tab.
ODA to offer trainings for fair vets
Next month, the Ohio Department of Agriculture will host a series of free workshops to prepare exhibition veterinarians to work at county fairs. The seminars will discuss recent changes to Ohio’s Livestock Health and Tampering Exhibition Rules, along with specimen collection protocols, animal identification, livestock care standards, and more.
Please contact Cindy Bodie at 614-581-9107 or [email protected] to sign up for one of the following workshops:
- May 1, Chillicothe
- Location: Ross County Fairgrounds, Fair Office
- Time: 6 p.m.
- RSVP by: 4/26
- May 7, Zanesville
- Location: Muskingum County Fairgrounds, Veterans Building
- Time: 6 p.m.
- RSVP by: 5/3
- May 9, Findlay
- Hancock County Fairgrounds, Old Mill Stream Centre
- Time: 6 p.m.
- RSVP by: 5/6
- May 22, Wooster
- Location: Buckeye Agricultural Museum
- Time: 6 p.m.
- RSVP by: 5/17
- May 23, Reynoldsburg
- Location: Ohio Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Conference Room
- Time: 10 a.m.
- RSVP by: 5/17
Workshop to discuss link between domestic violence, animal abuse
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division will discuss the interconnections between animal and human abuse during a free workshop on May 17.
- When: May 17, 1–4 p.m.
- Location: Franklin County Government Center, Room 3 | map & directions »
- Topics Covered:
- How the human-animal bond is exploited in abusive relationships
- State laws and court systems that address and respond to the link between animal and human abuse
- Recommended practices and action steps for professionals who work cases of human and/or animal abuse
- RSVP to: Sheree Yates via email by May 3
Free podcast series sheds light on vets’ role in opioid crisis
Veterinary Medical Association Executives, in partnership with OVMA and VetCandy, has launched an audio CE series on veterinarians’ role in the opioid crisis. This three-episode program offers an in-depth exploration of the opioid epidemic’s effect on veterinary medicine and the vital role veterinary professionals play in addressing this nationwide crisis.
This program is approved through RACE and VMHA for CE credit. To receive CE credits:
- Listen to each of the three episodes
- Take the quiz
- Download your certificate
Opportunities
Board members sought for vector-focused organization
VectorED Network is seeking new members to serve on its Advisory Board for Vector Education and Training (ABVET). Comprised of experts in veterinary medicine, public health, entomology, vector control, and environmental health, ABVET provides expertise, guidance, and strategic direction for vector-borne disease prevention and control in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio River Valley regions.
To learn more about this opportunity and express your interest in joining, please contact program manager Olivia Bognanni at [email protected].
Grants available for disaster response
With severe weather on the horizon this summer, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is offering grants to assist veterinarians and students directly impacted by these events, as well as those who provide care to animals as part of disaster relief efforts. Learn More »
Looking for disaster preparedness guidance? Visit the OVMA Resource Center for a collection of helpful emergency planning materials.
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