Y2S1 Week 7: AHVMA Conference, Cardiac Pharmacology, and Dr. Spray!
Week 7 is now in the books, and we are officially half-way done with our cardiorespiratory block!
Monday started out with a quick whirl around the neighborhood with Churro followed by a fun little cardio exam. After the exam I had a few meetings to discuss some upcoming projects followed by a meeting with the event planning team for the SAVMA Symposium. It was nice to touch base and see where everything currently stands with our facility arrangements. Monday evening consisted of catching up on some things around the house followed by a hot Pilates session. This hot Pilates session was a little extra special because I had convinced Madeline to join in on the adventure. I guess she was tired of hearing me talk about it, so she tried it herself and just in case you were wondering, she absolutely KILLED it! There is something about sweating out every ounce of liquid together that really strengthens a relationship. The rest of Monday evening consisted of some studying and snuggle time with Churro.
Tuesday began with a nice hot yoga session followed by some interesting lectures. We began by talking about the basics of echocardiography which, in simple terms, involves looking at the heart with an ultrasound probe. This imaging technique allows for us to better understand the functional capacity of the heart and is often used in conjunction with radiographs to help identify the issue and formulate a diagnosis. The following lecture was a general overview of heart failure and how it commonly presents in a clinical setting. We also had the opportunity to look at some radiographs and see the cardiac changes associated with some of the more common diseases affecting the heart. The final lecture of the morning was on cardiac pharmacology. This lecture was fascinating and came at a perfect time in the block since we had just learned about the clinical presentation of heart failure. Some of the common go-to drugs for treating heart failure are loop diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and positive inotropes. Diuretics can help decrease fluid accumulation, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors can help decrease blood pressure, and positive inotropes can help the heart contract to a greater degree. Most of these drugs are used in combination to decrease the work that the heart needs to exert in order to keep the body functioning.
Tuesday afternoon we had a few fun physical exam labs that specifically emphasized the cardiovascular and respiratory tracts. We had the opportunity to auscultate multiple dogs and horses and compare normal heart sounds to murmurs. Once these labs were over, I spent some quality time with Churro and then met up with one of my favorite people, Dr. Spray!
I first met Dr. Spray as a senior in high school when I was touring Cal Poly SLO. I went to explore the on-campus Vet Clinic during their open house weekend and saw her ultrasound a horse (and later my kidney). After the demonstration she handed me the probe and let me scan the horse which immediately solidified my decision to choose Cal Poly! Over the course of my undergraduate career, I had the pleasure of working with her closely and learning under her guidance. Due to her incredible mentorship, vet school has been a much smoother transition. Besides being an absolutely brilliant veterinarian (double boarded in internal medicine and emergency/critical care) she is also one of the kindest humans I know and always makes time for the people that she cares about. To prove that point, she was in Davis for less than 24 hours for some meetings and still made it a priority to grab dinner with a few of her former students. It was so much fun catching up and I am always grateful for the time that we get to spend together. The remainder of Tuesday was spent reviewing lectures and spending time with Churro.
Wednesday morning started off with a nice 6 mile run with Churro followed by some awesome lectures on hemodynamics and cardiovascular reflexes. These lectures were a great way to blend together the material from the heart failure lecture and understand how these problems manifest on a deeper level. The rest of the afternoon was spent with Churro and reviewing lectures.
Thursday started off with a quick run with Churro followed by a nice swim! We then had two lectures on congenital heart defects which was super interesting. Since we now know how the heart is supposed to develop, it is fun learning how things can go wrong and what clinical complications may arise. Thursday afternoon we had another physical exam lab, but this one was focused on the bovine cardiovascular and respiratory system. It was fun comparing our findings to the labs from earlier in the week where we listened to horses and dogs! The rest of Thursday was spent studying for the upcoming exam.
Friday morning began with a fun 6 miler with Churro followed by an awesome cardiology case-based discussion. This discussion consisted of four cases and each case had associated radiographs, echocardiograms, histology, and pathology. This was a super helpful way to tie all of the previous lectures together and test our understanding. Seeing these diseases in multiple ways also helps cement the information. We then transitioned into another discussion session focused on hemodynamics. This was also a great way to solidify some of the physiology concepts that were previously touched upon earlier in the week! After the discussion ended, I booked my way up to Reno for the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) Conference!
Once I arrived in Reno, I had the privilege of attending a nice dinner hosted by Standard Process. It was an intimate group of about 12 or so veterinarians and I was absolutely thrilled to be invited and spend time with such wonderful people. Throughout the night I had the opportunity to talk to multiple, highly accomplished doctors and learn about their journey along with how they became interested in integrative veterinary medicine. I sat between Leslie and Kelly, both of whom had taken the jump into practice ownership but in different ways. One was running a more traditional practice while the other was completely mobile. It was interesting to hear their perspectives on practice ownership and how they incorporate holistic medicine. Dinner was wonderful and Leslie added a little extra spice to the night by suggesting that we get Bananas Foster for dessert which literally involves a little table-side fire show! This was honestly the best way to kick off the conference and I am so fortunate to be involved with a company that is so welcoming and supportive. I have been involved with Standard Process for less than a month and their generosity and kindness continue to blow me away! Huge shoutout to Janine and Renee for being absolutely wonderful and so welcoming, I am so excited to see what we can do together!
Saturday morning started with a little exploration of the hotel fitness center. I was able to do a quick run on the treadmill followed by some bike work while reviewing a cardiovascular reflex lecture. I then had the opportunity to volunteer at the AHVMF booth and meet some of their wonderful board members. AHVMF is a non-profit foundation established to receive and administer funds for research and education in all aspects of integrative medicine. This foundation is a huge asset in the progression and advancement of integrative veterinary medicine and understanding the resources that are available to veterinarians and veterinary students is key for future success!
After my shift at the booth was over, I had the opportunity to connect with Madeline and we pursued the exhibit hall, and I got to meet some of her awesome friends! I then did some additional networking around the exhibit hall to promote the upcoming SAVMA Symposium that will be hosted at UC Davis this March. It was so fun talking to all of the awesome vendors and hear that they were passionate about helping vet students learn about holistic veterinary medicine.
Saturday evening included a nice cocktail hour followed by a workshop on finding your BARKtype. This event was put on by Stephanie Frank, who earned a master’s degree in neuro-linguistics programming and created the BARKtype personality test that helps humans understand their dog’s personality as well as their own. It's basically an enneagram for you and your dog. Your BARKtype forms the foundation for your interpersonal, parenting, counseling, decision making, learning, management, and leadership styles. A BARKtype is created by a variety of behaviors and attitudes which strongly affect how you present yourself to others. It is your habitual way of behaving or your predisposition to act in a certain way in everyday situations (Frank).
The four main categories are described below:
Bold: stability, systems, responsibility, duty, process, predictability, achievement, authority
Breeds: Rottweiler, Akita, German Shepherd
Adventurous: freedom, flexibility, spontaneity, attention, stimulation, image, winning, creativity
Breeds: Dachshunds, English and French Bulldogs, Bichon Frises
Reliable: relationships, authenticity teamwork, community, nurturing, win-win, harmony, contribution
Breeds: Collies, Retrievers, Labradors
sKeptical: logic, research, innovation, learning, analytical, self-mastery, expertise, seek to understand the world
Breeds: Beagles, Poodles, and Boston Terriers
Once we learned about the different BARKtypes, we read through some descriptions and determined which one we felt represented us the best. We then split up into groups based on our type and discussed the following three points; what are some good things about the type, what are some challenges, and what are things we wish the other types knew about us. Once the groups had finished we shared our ideas and it was pretty interesting to listen to each group’s thoughts. We need every single type in order to have the world function so it is important to understand how to interact with everyone in a way that actually reaches them. I think it is often easy to get into the rat race of life and think that everyone sees the world the same way you do when in reality we all have our own personal perspectives and BARKtypes that influence our past and future experiences. It is also important to note that every person is a complex mix of all of these categories and depending on the situation, certain tendencies may present more strongly than others. Learning how to break down the barriers between groups and communicate in an effective manner is critical in so many aspects of life, including veterinary medicine.
This was the perfect personality quiz for animal lovers so of course it was a success in a room full of veterinarians and in case you were wondering, I was primarily a “B” but also strongly resonate with the “R” category. I like getting things done and am very goal oriented but also love building people up and helping them succeed in life.
The reset of the workshop touched on some additional communication strategies and ways to collaborate with those who may not match your BARKtype. If you want to find out more about your BARKType, feel free to check out this link!
The remainder of Saturday night was spent hanging out with Madeline and spending a little time studying for the upcoming cardio exam.
Sunday morning started out with a wonderful talk from Dr. Youkey on laser therapy. Dr. Youkey is a self-proclaimed laser hoarder (her words, not mine) whom I had the pleasure of meeting on Saturday while working in the AHVMF booth. Even though I had just met her, I can tell you that she is honestly one of the bubbliest people you will ever meet. Her bright smile is contagious, and she is always upbeat and ready for the next thing! She is also a super talented artist and hand draws amazing stickers!
During her talk she highlighted some ways to make patients feel more comfortable during their laser treatments. Some of these ideas involve using a little device called pet tunes to help create a more calming environment, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy beds, and taking off the laser cover so that the bright color does not distract the animal. She also talked about the importance of lasering prior to the application of topical medications to enhance circulation and absorption. One other aspect of her talk that I found unique was the use of crystals (clear quartz) in place of the probe to help amplify the healing potential of the treatment. Overall, this talk was a great way to learn a few tips and tricks on laser therapy and Dr. Youkey did a fabulous job of keeping everyone engaged and excited about lasers! If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Youkey and all of the amazing things that she does, click here!
That afternoon I had the privilege of cheering on the one and only Dr. Madeline Yamate as she gave the highly anticipated Keynote Address! Her talk was centered around resilience in the changing landscape of veterinary medicine and it did not disappoint! She began her talk by walking the audience through some influential times in veterinary medicine such as the founding of the first veterinary school in Lyon, France in 1761 and the shift in a primarily white, male-centric profession to one that is now female dominant. She then spoke about the trends in practice ownership and corporate takeover followed by the implementation of modern technology. The use of AI and telemedicine are continuing to infiltrate the profession and while these tools can be beneficial in certain circumstances, it is important to understand the limitations that are associated. While practicing telemedicine, the practitioners lose multiple key sensory aspects of their physical exam, making it much easier to misdiagnose the patient. She then touched on the veterinary shortage and mental health issues that are currently plaguing the younger generation including new veterinary graduates. Many new graduates are less willing to work the grueling hours or commit to a full-time position because of potentially more lucrative locum or part-time work opportunities. There is also an increasing number of specialists which may lead general practitioners, including new graduates, feeling the need to refer cases that could have potentially been treated in their practice.
She then transitioned into why veterinarians need resilience and how “if people do not take risks and periodically experience failure or the need for help, they fail to learn lessons, don’t build character, don’t progress, and ultimately are unable to deal with the realities of life” (Yamate). In my personal opinion, she absolutely hit the nail on the head. No one becomes better by having everything in life come easy. It is the struggle and perseverance that builds character and creates resilience to keep pushing forward in life. A little analogy that solidifies this concept is a bird being pushed out of the nest. At first it struggles but eventually learns how to fly and if it had not been faced with that challenge, it would never have learned to fly and it’s world would be confined to the nest where it hatched. That not only makes for a boring and protected life, it also limits the ability of that bird to have any significant impact on the lives of others and the world outside of the nest. This is analogous to a human that decides to “play it safe” in life and never faces a challenge head-on. The world is changed by resilient people who refuse to give up regardless of what life throws their way.
I can tell you for a fact that holistic veterinarians have resilience built into their DNA. Going above and beyond what is taught in traditional veterinary school curriculum and embracing non-traditional methods takes courage and humility. You are accepting the fact that there is more to learn and maybe, just maybe, things can be done better. As Madeline said, holistic veterinarians have often been viewed negatively by their allopathic colleagues and even called “quacks or voodoo doctors” which often stem from a fear of the unknown, insecurity, and the rigid mindset formed during vet school. The ability to stand firm in their beliefs and continue to advocate for the animals builds resilience and the results experienced by their patients speak for themselves.
Madeline concluded her address by sharing why holistic veterinarians are lucky. This was one of my favorite parts of the talk because it demonstrated the night and day difference that an open mind and shared passion can cultivate. Many of the people who seek integrative or alternative care for their animal are seeking personalized treatment and have an interest in nutrition, longevity, and preventing/treating disease with natural therapies. They are often willing to spend more time and money on their pet and are truly invested in the process. These clients often have closer relationships with their veterinarians since the appointments are longer and often more involved. This leads to better compliance and routine follow-up which allows for issues to be caught at a much earlier stage. I can attest that all of the above is absolutely true. Even though I have only been in her clinic for a short amount of time, I have seen the difference in clientele and the relationships are far deeper than what you would find in a traditional Western clinic. Seeing patients that were basically given a death sentence, live years past diagnosis with a great quality of life gave me a new perspective of what is possible in the realm of veterinary medicine and patient care!
The rest of the afternoon consisted of some additional time networking in the exhibit hall and spending time with new friends. I met Holly and Dr. Snell from the Benefab booth and they generously gifted me a copy of Kat Chrysostom’s book, Broken to Branded! Kat created Benefab after a riding accident that led to a severe neck fracture. Her passion for health led her to create a business that specializes in wearable therapeutic products for horses, dogs, and people. I also had the ability to connect with some of the amazing Animal Diet Formulator and CIVT veterinarians, Barbara Royal and Susan Recker who had given a virtual talk for the UC Davis Integrative Veterinary Medicine Club last spring. They are both such amazing humans and it was wonderful connecting in-person and catching up on life!
Sunday evening wrapped up with a little cocktail social and banquet. I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people including Drs. Rick Palmquist and Marty Goldstein. Dr. Palmquist’s journey into integrative medicine actually started as a quest to revoke Dr. Goldstein’s license because he thought that he was a wacky vet. After spending some time in Goldstein’s clinic, he was inspired by the success of this “alternative veterinary medicine” and decided to learn more. Over the years both of these humans have made some incredible advances in the field of integrative medicine, and it was so fun to learn more about them and hear stories from their past.
During the banquet we honored Dr. Carvel Tiekert, the Pioneer and Founder of AHVMA/AHVMF who had unfortunately passed away earlier this year. Without the generosity and passion of Dr. Tiekert, it is unlikely that holistic veterinary medicine would be where it is today. We also had the ability to recognize some special veterinarians that have had a major influence in the field of integrative veterinary medicine. One of those special veterinarians was Madeline who won Holistic Practitioner of the Year!! I think she was the only one that was surprised by this announcement, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving! She is honestly incredible not just as a veterinarian, but as a human and I am constantly asking myself how I got so lucky to call her a friend and have the ability to learn under her expert guidance!
The night ended with a little fun on the dance floor before hitting the road and driving back to Davis. I was also able to listen to a few lecture on the way home to review for the following day’s cardiology exam. Studying was basically non-existent that weekend but at the end of the day, the connections and experience of attending the conference was so much more important and there was not a single moment that I thought, “man I would rather be home studying for my test”. Relationships are the foundation of life (and veterinary medicine) and are not things that can be taught in a classroom!
Attending the AHVMA conference was such an incredible opportunity and I am so grateful to the people that made it possible to be here. This conference was unlike any other convention that I had attended, the holistic vet med community is extremely tight-knit. Everyone I had the pleasure of meeting was down to earth and you could just feel the love and support that they had for each other. Every person there had something that they were willing to share, there was no competition, just a genuine quest for knowledge. It was so special being in a room with so many brilliant individuals and I am so excited that I was exposed to this side of veterinary medicine at such an early stage in my career! It was also interesting to talk with boarded specialists who even after an intense residency, and a strong background in advanced Western medicine, felt the need to add more tools to their medical toolkit. It was also super fun connecting with vet students that have a similar interest in integrative medicine!
Every single lecture at this conference was something that can’t be found in traditional veterinary curriculum so having the ability to learn the material is amazing and I highly recommend that interested veterinarians and veterinary students consider attending AHVMA in the future. I had the honor of being the first recipient of the Dr. Richard Palmquist Student Education award which allowed for all of my conference costs to be covered. This was all thanks to the wonderful AHVMA Foundation board members! I am so appreciative of their support and generosity that made this experience possible! Every year they offer multiple scholarships and grants for vet students so that they can be exposed to integrative veterinary medicine. They also offer research grants, and their website had a plethora of resources for people interested in learning more! If you are interested in learning more, click here.
Along with the Foundation, attending this conference wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of Drs. Natasha Lilly and Neal Sivula. Both of these amazing individuals were sadly unable to attend the conference but were key players in getting me the connections that made this possible and I am beyond grateful for their support! Without Tasha I would have never met Neal and without Neal, I would have never met Madeline. This is a prime example of the power of connections, and I am so fortunate to have such genuine people in my corner.
Quote of the week in honor of AHVMA and the Keynote: “Always remember you matter, you're important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.” - Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
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