Dr. Joel Murphy receiving the FVMA GOLD Star Award from Dr. Don Howell, FVMA District 4 Representative, and Dr. Julie Mosher, PCVMA President.
And
Dr. Murphy and his new Yeti Cooler he won in the FVMA PAC Fund raffle held at the June PCVMA meeting. Over $1,000.00 was raised toward matching PAC funds from the FVMA.
Thanks to VEG for donating the Yeti Cooler!
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President’s Message
Hello Pinellas Colleagues,
Happy June everyone! May was an exciting month for the PCVMA. I had the honor of attending the SPC technician graduation at the beginning of the month where they graduated the most technicians in the history of the program! We also got to learn together at Bascoms for another great event. Please join us on June 16th for another great dinner and CE hosted by Zoetis at Bon Appetit Dunedin. I also wanted to extend a huge congratulations to Dr. Don Howell, the Florida Veterinarian of the Year and Drs. Jacqui Olso and Amanda Ditson, recent Power of 10 graduates. Continue to make Pinellas County veterinary medicine great!
Julie, Mosher, DVM
Dr.mosher@edgevet.com
PCVMA OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2025
President: Dr. Julie, Mosher, DVM (Edge Animal Hospital)
President-Elect: Dr. Kevin Kelly (Veterinary Emergency Group) (2024-25)
Past-President: Dr. Joel Murphy (Animal and Bird Medical Center of Palm Harbor)
Secretary: Dr. Sandra Truli Springer – (Truli Holistic Veterinary Services)
Treasurer: Dr. Don Howell (Midway Animal Hospital)
PCVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Todd Bliss – (Bliss Family Veterinarian) (2024-25)
Dr. Megan Branham – (SPC College of Veterinary Technology) (2025-26)
Dr. Ernie Godfrey – (Pinellas Animal Hospital) (Life Member)
Dr. Jacqui Olson – (Animal Hospital of Dunedin) (2024-25)
Dr. Nia Rametta – (Coastal Animal Clinic) (2025-26)
PCVMA NEWSLETTER & PINELLAS ANIMAL FOUNDATION
Dr. Don Morgan – Donmorgansr@aol.com
PCVMA DUES – 2025
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.
PCVMA 2024 MEETINGS AND EVENTS SCHEDULED
PCVMA Meetings Scheduled for 2025:
June 16, 2025 – Zoetis DX Team – Bon Appetit – Dunedin
July 14, 2025 – Purina – Bascom’s Chop House
July 30, 2025 – Idexx & Hill’s – Veterinary Technician’s “CE By The Sea” – Holiday Inn Harbourside, IRB
August 18, 2025 – Elanco – Bascom’s Chop House
September 22, 2025 – FETCH – Bascon’s Chop House
October 13, 2025, Nutramax – Bascom’s Chop House
November 8, 2025 – Bowser and Catsino Ball – Belleair Country Club
December Happy Holidays
PCVMA 2026 MEETINGS
February 21, 2026 – Pharmacy Dispensing and the Florida Laws and Rules – Marriott-Roosevelt
March 16, 2026 – TBVS THRIVE – Bascom’s Chop House
PAF News
Three non-DVM office team members applied for hurricane assistance from the Foundation.
$1,500.00 from the Bowser and Catsino Ball was allocated and $500.00 was presented to each
recipient at their offices by Dr. Morgan. May their Holiday Days be a little brighter..
Donald H. Morgan, DVM
President
Pinellas Animal Foundation, Inc
10825 Seminole Blvd A-3
Seminole, FL 33778
Don Morgan, DVM
President – PAF
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
Pinellas County Animal Services News
ANIMAL EXPOSURES
It’s heating up out there and, unfortunately, so are instances of animals at large and negative interactions. Pinellas County Animal Services receives approximately 2,000 reports of animal-to-human bites annually. About 55% of these incidents involve owners being bitten by their own pets, termed “owner-victim bites.” Another 40% involve individuals bitten by animals they do not own, such as a neighbor’s pet or a stray. The remaining 5% are bites from native wildlife.
A bite is defined differently depending on the animal:
- Dogs: Any instance where the dog’s teeth break the skin; scratches from claws are not considered bites.
- Cats and Wildlife: Any occurrence where teeth or claws break the skin.
In Florida, animals are categorized based on rabies risk:
- High-risk animals: Raccoons, bats, and feral cats.
- Low-risk animals: Squirrels, opossums, and vaccinated pets.
All bites, regardless of severity, must be reported to either Pinellas County Animal Services or the Pinellas County Health Department to ensure public health and safety. Reports can be made via telephone at (727) 582-2608 or fax at (727) 582-2635.
Upon receiving a bite report, both the victim and the pet’s owner will be contacted. The pet will undergo a 10-day (240-hour) quarantine starting from the date of the bite. Quarantine locations may include the owner’s residence, Pinellas County Animal Services, or an approved veterinarian’s office. While home quarantine is preferred, the decision depends on factors such as the circumstances of the bite, its severity, the animal’s bite history, and its current rabies vaccination status. Even animals with up-to-date rabies vaccinations are quarantined, as a current vaccination reduces risk but does not eliminate it. If the biting animal cannot be located and quarantined, the victim is advised to begin post-exposure rabies treatment, coordinated through the Pinellas County Health Department.
For bites involving high-risk wildlife, if the animal is captured, it is sent to the state laboratory for testing. If the animal cannot be tested, the victim should commence post-exposure rabies treatment within 14 days from the bite date. The state laboratory no longer tests low-risk wildlife, even if the victim offers to pay the associated fees.
Although Pinellas County has not reported a rabies case in domestic animals for several years, it remains crucial to report all bites, quarantine the involved animals, and ensure pets are current with rabies vaccinations and licenses.
Jennifer Renner, B.Sc., CPM (she/her)
Interim Director – Community Outreach & Volunteer Program Manager
Animal Services – Pinellas County Government
12450 Ulmerton Rd – Largo, FL 33774
jrenner@pinellas.gov office 727-582-2636
SPCA Tampa Bay
Hurricane Preparedness: A Resource for You and Your Clients
As we enter the 2025 hurricane season, SPCA Tampa Bay has created this messaging to support you—our local veterinary professionals—with timely and practical information to help protect pets in our community. This content is designed for flexible use: share it with clients, adapt it for your clinic’s website or social media, use it in your newsletter, or simply keep it as a reference for emergency-related discussions with pet owners.
Key Preparedness Reminders for Clients:
As a trusted resource, you’re often the first person pet owners turn to for guidance. Here are the key talking points to share:
Pet Identification
- All pets should wear a collar with an ID tag that includes current contact information.
- Microchipping is strongly recommended, and owners should ensure contact details are up to date in the microchip registry.
- Temporary ID tags with evacuation-specific contact info are also useful during storms.
Pet Emergency Kit Essentials
Encourage clients to prepare a kit that includes:
- 7 days’ worth of food and water
- Medications and copies of prescriptions
- Vaccination records
- A sturdy crate or carrier
- Familiar comfort items (toys, bedding)
- Litter and cleaning supplies
- A recent photo of their pet (for ID if separated)
Planning Ahead
- Help clients identify pet-friendly shelters or boarding options before a storm hits.
- Remind them to never leave pets behind during an evacuation.
- Share resources to help them “know their zone” and understand local evacuation requirements.
We’ve compiled additional tools and printable checklists you can share or display in your clinic here:
https://spcatampabay.org/hurricane-prep-for-pets
How to Use This Resource:
Whether you’re looking to engage your clients, educate your team, or advocate for proactive planning, this messaging is ready for you to:
- Copy/paste into newsletters
- Print for front desk or waiting area handouts
- Adapt for social media content
- Reference during wellness exams or pre-season conversations
If there’s anything we can provide to better support your outreach—custom versions, co-branded content, or topic suggestions—please let us know. Thank you for all you do to keep our community’s pets safe and cared for.
Cyndi Mitchell, DVM
Executive VP of Programs & Chief Veterinary Officer
Phone 727-586-3591 – Web spcatampabay.org
9099 130th Avenue North, Largo FL 33773
SPC SCHOOL OF VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
PINNING AND AWARDS CEREMONY
On behalf of the PCVMA, Dr. Julie Mosher presented two $600.00 scholarships to
SPC students. The AS scholarship went to Penny Cooper-Jones (not pictured) and the BAS scholarship to William Smith. CONGRATULATIONS!
Tonight is a celebration of veterinary technicians — the individuals who show unwavering commitment, compassion, and skill every single day. Whether they’re providing critical care, comforting worried pet owners, or let’s be real- keeping the doctors in line, you are the ones who make a real difference in the lives of animals and people.
Veterinary technicians are the backbones of the hospital, a fact that has been made even more obvious as veterinary technicians are becoming harder to hire. It’s clear that without you, the veterinary field would not function as seamlessly as it does. Your knowledge of medical procedures, diagnostics, anesthesia, and so much more makes you an essential part of the veterinary team. You bring a unique blend of expertise and compassion to your work, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Tonight is about recognizing the countless hours you dedicate to your schooling and profession, the sacrifices you make, and the many lives — both human and animal — that you touch with your care. You are a vital link between animals and their owners, ensuring that every animal receives the best possible treatment, no matter the situation.
So, on behalf of the Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Association, I want to extend a sincere Congratulations to each and every one of you. Your contributions are invaluable, and your impact reaches far beyond what words can express. We are so incredibly proud of you, and we thank you for everything you do. Once again, congratulations, and may your passion and dedication continue to inspire and elevate the field of veterinary care for years to come.
Thank you and good luck on your new journey,
Julie Mosher, DVM
President – PCVMA
St Petersburg College students and faculty have just completed the spring semester and started the summer semester on May 19
We held our pinning ceremony on May 5th with over 40 BAS and AS graduates. We are very appreciative of the support from PCVMS in awarding two scholarships. One to Penny Cooper Jones an AS student employed by Blue Pearl in Clearwater, and Will Smith a BAS student employed by Coastal Veterinary Hospital in Dunedin.
Our student will be traveling in July to Costa Rica for our 20205 study abroad trip for wildlife rehabilitation and working with a sloth rescue.
Tricia Gorham, MA, CVT, FVTE
Academic Program Director
Veterinary Technology
St. Petersburg College
Seminole Campus
A LIST OF CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AVAILABLE FOR RELIEF WORK
If the status of your classified ad has changed or you wish to include an ad in the PCVMA newsletter, please contact Dr. Don Morgan at Donmorgansr@aol.com or 727-397-7387 (PAF/PCVMA Office) or 727-410-7856 (Cell) for the next newsletter.
Also, if you change your e-mail address or practice location, please notify my in
order to continue to receive meeting notices and the news letter.
I am an Independent Relief Technician (CVT) that is licensed, bonded, and insured. I have over 28 years of experience with small animal, avian, and exotics. My main goal and purpose is to help clinics fill the gaps in staffing until they can find a permanent team member, or just allow clinics the ability to give their existing, deserving staff time off. Or to use that vacation time /PTO that expires at end of year (use it or loose it ) or for the daily call outs that happen 3 minutes before clinic opens.
Specialty Practice Listings and Referral
If the status of your classified ad has changed or you wish to include an ad in the PCVMA newsletter, please contact Dr. Don Morgan at Donmorgansr@aol.com or 727-397-7387 (PAF/PCVMA Office) or 727-410-7856 (Cell) for the next newsletter.
Also, if you change your e-mail address or practice location, please notify my in
order to continue to receive meeting notices and the newsletter.
Lester Mandelker, DVM, Fellow AAVPT
Offering veterinary services regarding pharmacology and therapeutics for complex cases that need assistance and more detail drug information and want to learn mechanism of action.
All referred cases will be seen on referral basis only and referred back to referring doctor. Expect a dialog and communication about such cases with a detailed discussion.
Call for info 727-585-2007 email Lestervet2@aol.com.
We are pleased to announce the opening of Veterinary Vision of Florida. Peter Mohoric, VMD, DACVO, who has been practicing as a veterinary ophthalmologist in the Tampa Bay area for 10 years, will now be available full time in multiple locations around the greater Tampa Bay Region. This is a full service ophthalmology practice, with cataract surgery now available.
Please contact, (813) 778-4953 – info@vetvisionfl.com – www.vetvisionfl.com
Locations:
Tampa – 1329 W. Fletcher Ave (Urgent Paws) – Monday and Tuesday
Lutz – 19727 State Rd 54 (Bliss Family Veterinarian) – Wednesday
New Port Richey – 7741 Congress St (Animal Hospital of Regency Park) – Thursday and Friday
I am available to perform specialty surgical procedures at your clinic. I bring the specialty OR to your clinic and strive to have minimal impact on your practice flow. I provide all disposables, power equipment, monitoring, instruments, implants, discharge instructions, and an anesthesia nurse. For more critical procedures I have a close relationship with Beacon Emergency Veterinary Hospital and can arrange surgery at that facility or transfer for overnight postoperative care if needed.
I have completed a one-year general rotating internship, a one-year surgical internship, and a three-year ACVS registered surgical residency and have been performing specialty surgery in the area for 10 years.
I am available to discuss cases and can also do consultations at your facility.
For more information, please email DrSawyer@SawyerSurgicalSolutions.com
Hospitals Seeking Relief Help
We are looking for Veterinary coverage for 1 full month.
We are a 2 doctor practice looking to cover time off for one of our Veterinarians. The relief is needed in the fall months of August, September, and October. It can be any time as long as the 4 weeks are consecutive. It would be a 4 day work week and every other Saturday.
Our hours for appointments are 9-5 week days and Saturdays are 8-3. We are fully staffed with well seasoned Technicians / CVT and assistants. We are located in Tarpon Springs on US HWY 19N.
If you can help, please email our practice manager Dorinda Odell at Dorindatah@gmail.com or call 727-934-0884 for more information.
Veterinarians Seeking Ownership and Practices for Sale
If the status of your classified ad has changed or you wish to include an ad in the PCVMA newsletter, please contact Dr. Don Morgan at Donmorgansr@aol.com or 727-397-7387 (PAF/PCVMA Office) or 727-410-7856 (Cell) for the next newsletter.
Also, if you change your e-mail address or practice location, please notify my in
order to continue to receive meeting notices and the news letter.
Buy-in or for sale
1631 West Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770
Great Clientele – Practice 50 years old.
Work only mornings but great opportunity for expansion.
Contact: Dr Lester Mandelker
Phone: 727-585-2007
To Whom it may Concern,
Seeking Externship
If the status of your classified ad has changed or you wish to include an ad in the PCVMA newsletter, please contact Dr. Don Morgan at Donmorgansr@aol.com or 727-397-7387 (PAF/PCVMA Office) or 727-410-7856 (Cell) for the next newsletter.
Also, if you change your e-mail address or practice location, please notify my in
order to continue to receive meeting notices and the news letter.
My name is Melissa Feldman; I am a rising 4th-year veterinary student at the University of Florida graduating in May 2017, seeking an externship at a private practice in St. Petersburg for 1-2 weeks in August. I have a Masters in Public Health, serve on the SAVMA Executive Board, am a published first author in Veterinary Quarterly, and have already completed eight months of clinical rotations during which I have completed over 30 spays and neuters. I can be reached at 305-926-8941 or melvet10@gmail.com.
