Latest PCVMA Newsletter

Posted in View PCVMA Newsletters
PCVMA Newsletter 01/2021 Volume:32 No. 1
PCVMA Newsletter 02/2021 Volume:32 No. 2
PCVMA Officers:
President: Dr. Dan Jones – (PSIvet)
President-Elect: Dr. Joel Murphy (Animal Bird and Medical Center Palm Harbor)
Past-President: Dr. Hillary Maedel – (Fury Friends Veterinary Center)
Secretary: Dr. Marie Raver – (Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital)
Treasurer: Dr. Ernest Godfrey (Pinellas Animal Hospital)
PCVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Brooke Certa – (Coastal Animal Clinic)
Dr. Kim Donovan -(Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital)
Dr. Brett Zager – (Animal Emergency Clinic – St. Petersburg)
PCVMA NEWSLETTER & PINELLAS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
Dr. Don Morgan – Donmorgansr@aol.com
PCVMA News Letter:
Dr. Don Morgan – Donmorgansr@aol.com
President’s Message
Dear PCVMA Members,
As promised, we are continuing with our virtual CE each month. On Thursday January 21st Dr. Terri Baldwin from Bluepearl Specialty + Emergency Hospital provided a 2 hour presentation on “Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Diseases” that was attended by 37 members. On Monday February 22st at 7 PM, Virbac will sponsor a 90 minute presentation by Pam Jones DVM ACVIM (Oncology) ACVR (Radiation Oncology) on Stelfonta “Seeing is Believing”.
A friendly reminder for everyone to make sure that you have paid your PCVMA dues for 2021. I look forward to having a live meeting sometime later this year, but in the meantime will continue to plan the monthly virtual CE meetings.
Dan Jones DVM
Director of Operations – PSIvet
djones@psivet.com | www.psivet.com
Toll-free: 888-275-6523 | Cell: 727-560-3026
ANNUAL END OF YEAR 2020 BOARD MEETING
January 25, 2021
MINUTES
Attendance: PCVMA BOD: Drs. Maedel, Jones, Morgan, Howell, Donovan,
Certa, Godfrey, Murphy, Raver
Presidents’ Report: Dr. Maedel and Dr. Jones
Increasing turnout as virtual meetings have occurred
Positive feedback from survey for in-person meetings
- Need to see more vaccines distributed
- Continue CDC guidelines of PPE during meetings
- Likely to have virtual meetings until midsummer
Treasurer’s Report: Dr. Godfrey – approval of report – approved
Secretary’s Report: Dr. Raver – approval of minutes – approved
Meetings Schedule for 2021: Dr. Jones
January 21st Webinar with Dr. Baldwin of BluePearl –
Ophthalmology – 2 hours Race approved.
February 22nd Webinar – Virbac – Dr. Pam Jones – Stelfonta injection
for MCT treatment – 1.5 hours RACE pending approval.
March
April Webinar – BluePearl – Dermatology
May
June
July – FVMA meeting Dates 8-11th Bonnet Creek Hilton – Orlando
(moved from March)
August 21th – PCVMA Baseball Outing – Hill’s/Idexx -Tropicana
Field
September
October 16th – Bowser and Catsino Ball – Belleair Country Club
November
December – No Meeting – Happy Holidays
Election of Officers and Directors:
President – Dr. Dan Jones – PSIvet -Installed
Serving first of a two-year term.
President-Elect – Dr. Joel Murphy – Animal and Bird Medical
Center of Palm Harbor – Serving first of two-year term.
Past President – Dr. Hillary Maedel – Fury Friends Veterinary
Center – Serving first of a two-year term
Secretary – Dr. Marie Raver – Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital
Serving last of a two-year term
Treasurer – Dr. Ernie Godfrey – Pinellas Animal Hospital
Serving last of a two-year term
Drs. Kim Donovan and Brooke Certa were re-elected to serve
additional two-year terms, 2020.
Dr. Brett Zager – Animal Emergency Clinic- St. Petersburg
Serving last of two-year term.
We need to elect another board member since Dr. Murphy
volunteered to serve as President-Elect (2 years)
Any nominations can be placed by contacting Dr. Dan Jones.
Tallahassee FVMA Legislative Days: Not going this year due to Covid-19.
Commissioner John Morroni Memorial Awards Banquet: Canceled
Thank You to Dr. Don Howell who is rotating off the board after many years of service. He is currently serving as District 4 Representative to the FVMA Executive Board.
Marie Raver, DVM
Secretary
2021 PCVMA DUES
Please support your county organization providing you with information and opportunities on continuing education, political/legislative issues, business/financial issues, Pharmacy & Laws and Rules required CE and social events throughout the year. Practice owners, please help your associates with their membership and the PCVMA with your continued support.
Dues are $125.00 per year per veterinarian.
Checks and inquires can be address to:
Dr. Ernest Godfrey
PCVMA Treasurer
Pinellas Animal Hospital
7791 52nd Street North
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
WOULD EVERYONE TAKE A MINUTE TO REVIEW ANY CLASSIFIED ADS YOU MAY HAVE POSTED IN THIS NEWS LETTER. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT THEM REMOVED, OTHERWISE YOU MAY CONTINUE TO GET LOTS OF UNNECESSARY PHONE CALLS OR E-MAILS. ANY CORRECTIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME.
PAF News

Posted in PAF News
JANICE “CRYSTAL” M. FINNIS, BA, MS (COUNSELING ED)
This past year our grief counselor, Janice “Crystal” Finnis, spent 157 hours of telephone and in-person group session counseling and had 291 counseling telephone calls. Crystal has been with the PAF for over 34 years doing counseling in Pet Loss Support for our clients across many hospitals. This is a major undertaking if you multiple her work numbers over 30 plus years of service. It takes a special person to cope with people in a very difficult time in life.
Janice has practiced as a Grief Counselor/Trauma Therapist and Educator for 42 years. She completed post graduate studies specializing in death and dying, bereavement and the grief process, as well as trauma and related post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Offered individual, family and group counseling as Mental Health Counselor at Illinois State University Student Services and at community social service organizations. Also, taught Family Life Education classes and workshops on grief and PTSD. Initiated the first Pet Loss Support Group in the State of Illinois and facilitated it.
In April,1987, She initiated the first Pet Loss Support Group in Florida at our Pinellas Animal Foundation (PAF). Made Public Service Announcements on radio and television regarding the Pet Loss Support Groups. Assisted in writing a grant to Juvenile Welfare Board for intergenerational program involving seniors and at-risk youth facilitated by companion animals. Taught classes at St. Petersburg Junior College on the Companion Animal Bond and on the Stages of Grief. Provided training for the SPCA staff and Disaster Animal Rescue Team (DART) on PTSD and the grief process.
Janice has continued to facilitate monthly Pet Loss Support Groups for the past 34 years offering grief support and education on stages of grief at the PAF and as an on-call Trauma Therapist at local hospitals that lack a psychiatric unit.
Please join me and the PAF BOD in applauding Janice for her many years of faithful service to our/your clients as she is a very special person in our community.
Humane Society of Pinellas

Posted in Latest Pinellas County Veterinary News
The Humane Society of Pinellas (HSP) is dedicated to reducing the rate of euthanasia in Pinellas County. Neonatal kittens are a particularly vulnerable population with more than 2,000 euthanized in Pinellas last year due to lack of resources. HSP is seeking the public’s partnership to drastically reduce this number through our Kitten Crusaders Program. Together, with the help of veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, shelter/rescue partners, and citizen foster homes, we can provide loving care to kittens in need. There are many ways to be a part of the solution! Please contact Amanda Audia, HSP’s Director of Operations at AmandaA@HumanePinellas.org to join the Crusade to save these precious animals and make a positive impact in our community!
Dr. Brenton Gallas
Medical Director
Humane Society of Pinellas
Animal Services News

Posted in Animal Services News, Latest Pinellas County Veterinary News
Pinellas County Animal Services News
Pinellas County Animal Services is finishing up January and prepared to have a strong and positive year. The department implemented some organizational changes for 2021 with the goals of providing more educational outreach to the citizens and organizations in the county; increasing licensing and microchipping; and implementing programs for improving animal live release rates. With the help of our Veterinary Licensing Partners, Pinellas County achieved a significant milestone in January. There are now 200,095 active licensed pets in Pinellas County which is estimated to be approximately 44.5% of the owned pets in the county. Thank you to all our Veterinary Partners in helping with this achievement. Please stay healthy and safe.
Doug Brightwell, MBA, CAWA
Bureau Director
Pinellas County Animal Services
12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774
Phone 727-582-2607
dbrightwell@pinellascounty.org
SPCA Tampa Bay News

Posted in Latest Pinellas County Veterinary News, SPCA Tampa Bay News
SPCA Tampa Bay
Springing Forward
Although last year was a strange year as far as intakes at the shelter, we anticipate 2021 will bring a return to normal. And early spring in Florida means kittens! As we’re expecting increased numbers this year, we’re going to add to our ranks of foster homes. Fostering is work but it’s also entertaining and fun and these kitties need you! If you’re interested in learning more about how you can support your community this year, please visit www.spcatampabay.org to enlist as a volunteer.
Pet Walk
As spring approaches, we’re planning for this year’s Pet Walk, a hybrid virtual/in person event benefitting the shelter. Held at North Straub Park on April 17, we’ll be starting the event at 8:30, wrapping up around noon so folks can move on to Gasparilla events. It’s sure to be a fun day and we’re looking forward to having you join us!
Tara Yurkshat, COO
SPCA Tampa Bay
St Peterburg College News

Posted in Latest Pinellas County Veterinary News, St Petersburg College News
St Petersburg College – College of Veterinary Nursing
SPC’s Veterinary Technology Pinning Ceremony
SPC Vet Tech graduates celebrated the successful completion of their Associate’s degree December 13th at our official pinning ceremony. The ceremony was held outdoors at the Seminole Campus. Graduates, family, friends, and faculty gathered to recognize this milestone. Faculty presented student awards and graduates engaged in some dog breed fun. Tradition was upheld with a virtual student prepared video highlighting all the campus graduates and their SPC vet tech journey while enjoying a grab and go lunch. Attendees received a personalized yard sign to share their success.
A well-deserved congratulations to all our 2020 Fall veterinary technology graduates!
We would also like to thank everyone who donated holidays goodies for our animals. They had a wonderful holiday filled with love.
Cynthia Grey, DM
Associate Dean
College of Veterinary Nursing
St. Petersburg College |
727.302.6724 |