Foot in Mouth Disease

Submitted by Hannah King, North Carolina State University

AVMA Government Relations Externship: Bailey Goff

By Bailey Goff, Iowa State University

AVMA GRD Extern or TV Star?

As the first externs in the AVMA GRD office since the COVID-19 surgency, Marie and I have an unparalleled opportunity to experience vibrant, bustling Washington D.C. to its fullest.

Before venturing into the details of time in DuPont Circle, I’ll first begin by introducing myself – Bailey Goff, a fourth-year veterinary student at Iowa State University.  I obtained my B.S. in Animal Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and a Minor in English from Purdue University in 2019.  With graduation in approximately two months, my next steps are pending (I’ll clue in later), but what I can say is I plan to make Washington D.C. my new locale in the immediate future.

My first week with the Government Relations Division (GRD) was nothing short of energetic.  After overview and establishment of externship goals, Marie and I introduced ourselves to troves of D.C. veterinarians with varying backgrounds, experiences, and passions.  On Thursday, I chatted with a veterinarian-turned-coach that made a career shift based on his strengths in helping those he works with.  On Friday, we heard the successes of an individual working in agricultural defense and research, a previous Capitol Hill fellow now working as a policy analyst, and an inspiring DVM/MPH with a proclivity for federal law and the enforcement of drug security.  Networking with individuals from FDA, USDA, AVMA, AAAS, and other organizations remains a crucial tool to recognize the density of veterinary medicine, and Marie and I look forward these continued conversations throughout our externship.

As a nonpartisan entity, the AVMA ensures appropriate relationships are established with members of both the Democratic and Republican parties (or other parties, if present).   On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of attending two AVMA Political Action Committee (PAC) events – one with GOP Freshman House members and one with a Democratic Representative from New Jersey.  These “informal-yet-formal” events are opportunities to network with offices and establish partnerships for influencing legislation relating to veterinarians (like the impending xylazine scheduling changes or the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act [VMLRPEA]).  Alongside Dr. Lindsey Hornickel, I got to “event hop” and chat with Representatives, Chiefs of Staff, and staffers from Senate Committees – all while advocating for veterinarians across the country.

So why mention the possibility of “TV Star” in the title of this blog post?  While I’m not quite ready for the Oscars or Emmys, Marie and I did appear on C-SPAN during a House Committee hearing (see picture for proof – thanks, Mom).  Congressional hearings are held – usually alongside expert witnesses – to obtain information or insight on a certain topic, in regards to impending legislation, or for purposes of investigation (https://www.congress.gov/committee-schedule/).  On Wednesday morning, we attended the first hearing of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic titled “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19” (this is where the C-SPAN photo comes from, and I took my own ‘POV’ shot from my seat).  Thursday’s hearing with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works titled “Protecting Public Health and the Environment in the Wake of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment and Chemical Release in East Palestine, Ohio” was especially busy, bringing public spectators and commentors from across the United States.  These were a perfect introduction to the happenings on Capitol Hill, engaging with topics important to the 118^th Congress.  While my C-SPAN appearance isn’t my next “claim-to-fame,” I loved getting to attend these hearings, listening to committee conversations across the aisle.

I look forward embracing all opportunities during my next two weeks as an AVMA Government Relations Division (GRD) veterinary student extern!

Creative Corner

Submitted by Jacalyn Adams, University of Florida

"Plant Drawing"

Photography

Submitted by Olivia Obringer, Michigan State University

"A Forgotten Creature"

Op-Ed: Nail Trims

Submitted by Shannon Rudin, University of Minnesota

We've all been there. You get a dog with jet black nails, it won't hold still, your next appointment is waiting, and you accidently cut the quick of the dog's nail. The bleeding starts, you feel a punch of guilt, and you quickly lather the nail bed with Kwik-Stop to prevent more bleeding. By doing so, a fearful association with touching feet, visiting the veterinarian and pain has been formed. I'm not here to say that people are intentionally hurting animals or make anyone feel shame for previously nicking one too many nails. I'm saying that we need to make a change moving forward. For our sake, for our patient's sake, and for our client's sake. I think that some people feel the need to get nails as short as possible in order to make the nail trim worth the client's money and allow them to hold off longer from coming in for another appointment. I think that some people are trained to cut them swiftly and have the Kwik-Stop on hand knowing you'll probably knick a few but that it's no big deal. The problem is that this is a big deal. Puppies and kittens aren't born afraid of their nails being trimmed. The fear is built from years of painful memories associated with nail trimmers and a lack of positive associations with their feet being touched. The fear is what leads to clients complaining that they can't even touch their pet's feet. The fear is what leads to stress and physical harm of veterinary staff when attempting to fulfill a client's request. The fear is what leads to overall friendly dogs that need a muzzle and restraint to get a nail trim completed. I know that the nail trimming process may never be perfect. Owners may goof up at home and unintentionally create a fear-based relationship with nail trimming. Groomers may be involved in a dog or cat's life and they too, are humans that make human-like errors and may clip a nail or two too short. Anyone trimming an animal's nails is subject to making a mistake and I know that human error is inevitable. I do have a problem with not at least attempting to change the process. The veterinary profession is moving toward fear-free spaces for all patients and cautious nail trimming is intimately intertwined with this movement. I propose that we emphasize making the nail trimming process a smoother event for everyone involved. It's better to trim the nails to a medium length in a trauma-free process than to try to send home a nail free, yellow-toed, panicked patient. Save yourself and your team the burden of working with aggressive and non-compliant patients by starting the slow, gentle approach early on in their lives. Work with owners to find an appropriate plan for adult patients with pre-established nail related stress, anxiety, or aggression. Nail trimming isn't going anywhere, but like every other process or procedure in our career field, it should continuously evolve to more appropriately serve it's purpose.