One Health Day is officially celebrated around the world every year on November 3rd. The goal of One Health Day is to bring attention to the need for One Health interactions and for the world to ‘see them in action’. 

The next Arkansas One Health meeting is scheduled:
Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 10:00am
Freeway Medical Building, Room 906, 5800 W. 10th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/239597997473600?p=x7TjFz2U9iB47jicXI Meeting ID: 239 597 997 473 600 Passcode: Aj9mB3Tb

The Interim Study Proposal (ISP) process is underway, and we are closely monitoring legislative updates as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session. These conversations are an important opportunity to address concerns affecting our profession, advocate for responsible policy, and ensure that the experiences of practicing veterinarians are represented in the decisions that impact us.

Our goal remains clear: to protect the public, support animal health and welfare, preserve the integrity of veterinary medicine, and ensure that veterinarians have a meaningful voice in the policies governing our profession. We are fortunate to have dedicated members and legislative partners who understand the importance of these efforts. As we approach the session, staying engaged and maintaining those relationships will be more important than ever.

I also want to recognize the tremendous participation from our members during the recent public comment period regarding the proposed changes to Veterinary Medicine, 17 CAR Pt. 1.

A total of 106 public comments were submitted, and approximately 60% came from veterinarians or were submitted on behalf of veterinarians. That is meaningful representation, and it demonstrates what we can accomplish when our profession speaks up collectively. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the proposed rules, consider their potential impact, and submit thoughtful comments.

The 2027 membership dues cycle is now open! As you renew your membership, I encourage you to reflect on the value ArVMA brings to you, your practice, and the veterinary profession across Arkansas.

Membership is about more than receiving communications or attending continuing education events. It is about having a unified voice at the Capitol, maintaining relationships with policymakers, supporting the future of veterinary medicine, and connecting with colleagues who understand the challenges and rewards of this profession. It is about knowing that when an issue arises that affects Arkansas veterinarians, we have an organization working to ensure our concerns are heard.

Finally, as we prepare for the legislative session, I want to emphasize the importance of contributing to the ArVMA Political Action Committee (PAC). Our legislative progress depends not only on having strong relationships with policymakers, but also on having the resources to sustain those relationships and advocate effectively for our profession.

Legislators make decisions every session that can directly affect how we practice, how our profession is regulated, and how we serve our patients and clients. Building relationships takes time, consistent communication, and a continued presence in the legislative process. Our PAC helps support those efforts by providing a way for our association to engage in the political process and support candidates who understand and are willing to work with us on issues important to veterinary medicine.

Thank you for your continued trust, engagement, and commitment to ArVMA. I am proud to serve alongside you, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together as we head into the legislative session.

I hope to see you at the Winter Meeting!

Dr. Sarah Shedenhelm
President, Arkansas VMA

Winter Meeting Registration is Now Open!

Registration for the ArVMA Winter Meeting opened November 1, and we hope you will make plans to join us February 5-7, 2027, in Hot Springs, AR!

Our Winter Meeting is an opportunity to earn continuing education hours, reconnect with friends and colleagues, welcome new faces, and celebrate the profession we share. Just as importantly, it gives us a chance to come together around the issues shaping veterinary medicine in Arkansas.

Friday's programming will have a special legislative focus, including:

• DBH Management at the luncheon: Hear from our legislative team about the political and policy landscape and the issues affecting veterinary medicine.

• Legislative Forum that afternoon: Participate in important discussions about the upcoming session, our legislative priorities, and the future of our profession.

• Evening reception with DBH Management: Continue the conversation, strengthen relationships, and connect with the people helping represent our interests at the Capitol. Note: All ArVMA Past Presidents will be honored at this event. 

Submit Your Nominations: Veterinarian & Pet of the Year