President's Quarterly Update

Greetings ArVMA members! I hope you are all enjoying a productive yet balanced summer. 

As we move through another exciting season for the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, I continue to be inspired by the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of veterinarians across our state. Whether you're caring for companion animals, serving livestock producers, advancing public health, educating future veterinarians, or supporting biomedical research, your work makes a lasting difference in the lives of Arkansans every single day.

One of the greatest strengths of our Association is our willingness to look ahead while remaining committed to the core values that define our profession. Your Board of Directors has been hard at work on initiatives that will strengthen the ArVMA today and position us for an even stronger future.

One exciting development is the formation of the ArVMA Autonomy Task Force. This group has been assembled to thoughtfully examine issues affecting the future of veterinary practice in Arkansas and to ensure our Association remains proactive as our profession continues to evolve. Their work will focus on identifying opportunities, addressing emerging challenges, and helping preserve the high standards of veterinary medicine that protect both animal and public health. I appreciate the members who have volunteered their time and expertise for this important effort.

We're also looking forward to welcoming the inaugural class of the Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine during their upcoming Orientation and White Coat Ceremony this weekend. To mark this momentous occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on August 11 at 11:00 AM.

This marks a historic milestone not only for Arkansas State University but for veterinary medicine throughout our state. As Arkansas begins educating future veterinarians at home, we have an incredible opportunity to inspire, mentor, and support the next generation of colleagues. I encourage our members to attend the ribbon cutting, celebrate this moment, and help these students feel warmly welcomed into our profession.

As fall approaches, don't forget about one of the premier continuing education events in our region, the Southwest Veterinary Symposium. Whether you're looking for outstanding CE, opportunities to network with colleagues, or the latest innovations in veterinary medicine, SWVS consistently delivers an exceptional experience. I hope to see many Arkansas veterinarians representing our state there as we continue building relationships that strengthen our profession.

Planning is already well underway for our 2027 ArVMA Winter Meeting, and I couldn't be more excited about what's ahead. Our annual conference continues to grow because of the incredible support we receive from our industry partners. I encourage you to share information about our sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities with any and all of your industry contacts. The Winter Meeting provides outstanding visibility, meaningful connections with veterinary professionals from across Arkansas, and a chance to support the continued advancement of our profession. We are committed to creating an engaging experience for both attendees and exhibitors, and we look forward to making this year's meeting our best yet.

Finally, thank you for your continued support of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association. Your membership, participation, and willingness to volunteer make our organization stronger. Together, we are advocating for our profession, supporting one another, and ensuring that veterinary medicine in Arkansas has a bright future.

I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and working together as we continue moving our Association forward.

Sincerely,
Sarah Shedenhelm, DVM
President, Arkansas VMA

Submit Your Nominations: Veterinarian & Pet of the Year

Strengthening Our Voice at the State Capitol

To protect and advance veterinary medicine across Arkansas, ArVMA has officially partnered with DBH Management Consulting, a top-tier state lobbying firm.

While this partnership gives us a powerful voice at the Capitol, a lobbyist is only as effective as the PAC behind them.

• The Reality: About 30% of your annual dues fund lobbying oversight, but by law, dues money cannot be used for campaign contributions.

• The Solution: The non-partisan ArVMA PAC steps in to support candidate champions in the state Senate and House who stand up for veterinary medicine.

To give our advocacy team the leverage needed to secure legislative wins, we need your direct support. An investment in the ArVMA PAC is an investment in the future of your practice and our profession.

It's Not Too Late! Register for SWVS

There is still time to join us at the Southwest Veterinary Symposium! Standard registration rates are available through September 20. Secure your spot today to take advantage of premier CE sessions and networking.

Survey of Treatment Approaches for Chronic Pain in Dogs 

A research project conducted on behalf of The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine Residency is investigating current chronic pain management practices of veterinarians in the United States and Canada. 

If interested, the survey can be accessed here:
https://forms.gle/nTzszSbyuahbLFiD8

The survey takes approximately 7-10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and no incentives are provided. Your answers and submitted information will be anonymous and confidential. Please only submit one set of answers per individual. 

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the primary researchers by email at jordanfarrell@live.com.