President's Quarterly Update

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a strong spring season. It has already been a highly productive and encouraging time for the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, and I am grateful for the continued engagement and dedication of our members.

We have made meaningful progress in strengthening the foundation of our organization through the establishment of several working committees. These include focused efforts in legislative advocacy, PAC funding, membership engagement, continuing education, and partnerships with universities and commercial entities. Each of these committees is composed of members of our Board of Directors along with dedicated members-at-large who have volunteered their time and expertise. Their willingness to step forward speaks volumes about the commitment within our profession to move the ArVMA forward and ensure we are serving our members effectively.

On the legislative front, we are seeing the benefits of our partnership with DBH Management. Their team has been an invaluable resource, keeping us informed of activity at the Capitol throughout the fiscal sessions and helping ensure our voice is represented. They have also been actively engaging with our members at District Meetings and are currently planning a fundraiser for Governor Sanders in Little Rock at Red & Blue on June 2 from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. These efforts are critical to maintaining strong relationships with policymakers and advancing the interests of veterinary medicine in Arkansas. 

We have also been informed that Patrick Fisk has resigned as Director of the Arkansas Animal Health Division. As this transition unfolds, the ArVMA is closely monitoring any resulting changes or reassignments and will continue to advocate for stability and effective leadership within the Division. We will keep members informed as more details become available.

In other exciting developments, Dr. Rob Conner has been working alongside our executive director, Brittny, and leveraging his professional network to pursue a grant opportunity connected to the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The intent of this grant is to increase public awareness of the mutual health benefits of the human-animal bond. This initiative would also create opportunities for collaboration between local veterinarians and their clients, with the goal of improving both physical and mental health outcomes in our communities. It is an innovative approach that highlights the broader impact of our profession beyond traditional clinical care.

Finally, I encourage each of you to support our Membership Matters Campaign throughout the month of May. Any new or renewing member during this time will be entered into a drawing for a complimentary registration to the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in September. More importantly, this is an opportunity for all of us to reach out to colleagues, peers, and friends to share the value of ArVMA membership to encourage membership growth. The work being done on behalf of veterinarians across Arkansas—and the profession nationwide—is only possible through a strong and engaged membership base.

Thank you for your continued support, your professionalism, and your commitment to veterinary medicine in Arkansas. I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.

Sincerely,
Sarah Shedenhelm, DVM
President, Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association

Legislative Briefing

As your legislative liaison, I’d like to update you on the legislative work and progress of the ArVMA since the first of the year. But first, some background information...

We AR veterinarians are governed by the AR Department of Agriculture, under the direct supervision of the Governor. Wes Ward, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, is our boss. He takes advice concerning AR veterinary issues from veterinarians through the AR Veterinary Examination Committee and up through the AR Animal Health Board, and also via AR Cattlemen’s Association, AR Farm Bureau and others. Secretary Ward is sensitive to the opinion and concerns of AR State Senators and Legislators as well as his boss, Governor Sanders. Because of this hierarchy, members of the ArVMA Legislative Committee and the Executive Board have worked directly with our lobbying team to develop dialogue and build positive relationships with the Department of Agriculture, Cattlemen’s, Farm Bureau and AR lawmakers. The final relationship to cultivate is direct access and positive professional communication with the Governor. We own the car, but the governor holds the keys.  

As a result, we will be hosting a fundraiser and one on one meeting with the Governor of AR. These are not free fun excursions on your dime; all is funded through your donations to the ArVMA PAC. This is also not an arm twist on how you as an individual intend to vote or what other issues are important to you and your family. This is your voice in veterinary medicine and business in the state of AR and how you choose to practice. 

Recent AR laws and rule changes, ranging from the dissolution of our AR State Veterinary Examination BOARD (and the loss of the $770,000 board account) to the passage of mid-level practitioner and telemedicine laws are a few recent examples of impactful veterinary business and professional decisions that were passed largely without our consent, approval or input. Therefore, those on the ArVMA Legislative Committee and your Executive Board are working hard to increase the volume and effectiveness of your voices, and we are specifically targeting the people that need to hear your voice the most.