Dr. Shelly Rubin examines Larry the dog at Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago, IL / Photo: AVMA

AIReporter Trisha Lord St. George is on the scene at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s annual convention in San Diego this weekend. In continuing coverage she’ll bring us news and info from the event.

Editor’s note: This is Trisha’s debut article for AIR. Welcome and thank you, Trisha!

By Trisha Lord St. George

“Step Ahead” is the theme of the 149th annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention, now in progress at the downtown San Diego Convention Center August 3 through August 7.

Founded in 1863, not-for-profit AVMA is “one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world,” according to its website, acting as a “collective voice” for the profession and for its membership of more than 82,500 veterinarians around the world.

An expected attendance of about 9,500 at this year’s convention includes vets, technicians, and practice managers.

The event offers more than 30 tracks of continuing education per day to help keep attendees “engaged and current,” such as a new one-day veterinary technician boot camp with instruction in both clinical and “soft skills” (traits such as affinity for animals and ability to communicate with clients).

“Animal Welfare” is the focus of an entire series of talks throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Topics include:

  • Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence: Understanding the Connections
  • Animal Abuse And Domestic Violence: Can We Prevent It?
  • Veterinary Forensics: I’ve Made the Call: Now How Do I Document It?
  • Institutionalization of Neglect and Abuse: How Does It Happen?
  • Hoarding: A Community Problem
  • Falling Through the Gap: Dairy Bull Calves
  • Welfare Issues of Horseracing: Showing, Abandonment And Rescue
  • Who’s Responsible When You’re Not There? Empowering the Caretaker to Promote Good Welfare
  • How Improved Livestock Handling Can Contribute to Good Welfare
  • How Improved Horse Handling Can Contribute to Good Welfare
  • Socialization for Puppies And Kittens
  • Enrichment for Indoor Dogs
  • Enrichment for Indoor Cats
  • Enrichment for Laboratory Animals
  • Providing a Good Life for Farm Animals: The Role of Environmental Enrichment
  • Enrichment in Zoos

Trisha Lord St. George is a lifelong animal lover. Born in Buffalo, NY, one of her best childhood memories was “smuggling” a cat on a flight from Taos, NM to Buffalo (long story).

Trisha began her career in animal welfare in 1994 with non-profit animal shelters. Positions held included adoptions, pet encounter therapy and public relations.  Being a veterinary assistant gave her opportunity to be part of a medical triage/animal rescue team during the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Trisha acts in film, theatre and TV productions, sings for various groups around San Diego, volunteers with San Diego’s public broadcasting radio station and with VITAS hospice with fellow volunteer Isabella, her cat.

Please visit AIR again soon for continuing coverage of the AVMA convention by AIReporter Trisha Lord St. George.

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