The timing brought back memories.  He was twelve years old when I first started coming to the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), which starts today.  I was launching “Pets Need Dental, Care Too!” campaign for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the AVMA and the AVDS and there was no way I could/would miss his birthday.  So that year my three children, husband and mom joined me in Orlando.  

I’m still in the animal health business and have made many great friends in this wonderful profession.  The dental campaign still goes on.  And my son, he’s a grown man with a wife and now a puppy (so far!)

Speaking of puppies, there’s one puppy attendees will fall in love with at NAVC.  There’s already buzz about Ceva, the Future Leader Dog.  She’s an adorable black Labrador puppy and she’s set to train as a guide dog with Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Ceva Animal Health is sponsoring her, and if you are attending NAVC, be sure to stop by Ceva’s booth #513 at the Gaylord for a photo with her. 

NAVC is always a  good show and I am looking forward to the trade show today.  And a bit of loving that puppy.

Fall is known as the “second season” for ticks that can spread Lyme disease.   Our guest veterinarian Steven A. Levy, VMD, is president of Veterinary Clinical and Consulting Services, LLC.   Dr. Levy  is a globally known, highly respected researcher & educator and is considered the premier expert on Canine Lyme Borreliosis.   He holds numerous professional memberships and has received countless industry awards recognizing his expertise, his cutting-edge research and his leadership contributions to the veterinary community and beyond.   For the interview with Dr. Levy, click here.

 
The Goodnewsforpets & Planet Dog “On the Go” Fall Contest is underway.  Submit a one minute video or photo enjoying the outdoors with your pet and you may be one of five lucky winners of a collection of Planet Dog On the Go products.  Goodnewsforpets.com will also make a matching donation to the Planet Dog Foundation for each winning entry. Each of the five winning entries will receive a Planet Dog On the Go Snack Sack, Feedbag, Shammy, Food and Water Bowls, and a WOOF sticker. The contest period runs from October 1, 2011 to November 6, 2011. For more details, click here.

Happy Fall!  For more news and items of interest at goodnewsforpets, go to www.goodnewsforpets.com.

“I’ve devoted much of my career to advocating issues that are paramount to the veterinary profession as a whole. I see pet insurance as an important concept for veterinarians to support because it helps lesson cost as a factor in treatment decisions, especially in these challenging economic times.”

To read more about Dr. Mary Beth’s appointment, click here. To contact Dr. Mary Beth directly, professional colleagues and media may contact her at DrMaryBeth@HartvilleGroup.com.

My first experience with pet insurance was with the legendary Dr. Jack Stephens. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting other pet insurance leaders through our prior work with Naphia.    Now it sounds like it is indeed time for a new conversation about pet insurance.  We will be listening.

At goodnewsforpets, we are quietly remembering the search dogs that helped. The New York City-based American Kennel Club honors this special breed of hero. We reposted Steve Dale’s Inside Ground Zero column and our beloved New Yorker, the late Mordecai Siegal’s Paw Prints in the Dust. In Canine’s Role in Search and Rescue, FEMA tells us how urban search and rescue dogs are now used.

On 9-11, I remember I was in my office at the Livestock Exchange Building in Kansas City. I was reconfirming a phone interview for a client with a New York City business reporter. My then three school-age children were – in school. And then the world changed for everyone.

Frantic phone calls to my mom who lived just blocks from the World Trade Center – and who loved to frequently go there and to nearby Battery Park. Finally connecting by email. She was safe – thank G — she and her neighbors helping the streams of people coming from downtown as best they could. Calling the reporter who thought the smoke would clear in a bit, and then with shaky voices abandoning our plans. I remember – I just wanted to get my kids and go HOME. We all did. Then, when I knew everyone in my family was safe, I wanted to come to my New York.

Now, on the 10th anniversary of that horrible day, I am in the New York City metro area. My mom has moved but has not forgotten. New York is still her beloved New York. There are loved ones of people where we live that did not come home. So many changes. And while the tributes and memorials come to a crescendo, there are conflicting emotions for New Yorkers who lived it – some want to remember, some do not. We all deal with it in our own way. We remember.

Lea-Ann O’Hare Germinder

 For those of us in the animal health industry, we come home to Kansas City to network.  We come home to celebrate the rich Kansas City animal health heritage.  We come home to hear about all that’s “up to date” in the Corridor.   If you are in the animal health industry, come on home!  Register by this Monday, August 22nd. 

 Tied in with the Corridor’s Homecoming is the next day’s Investment Forum, Tuesday, August 30^th.   The Forum features presentations from early stage animal health companies from around the world.  Register by this Tuesday, August 23^rd. 

Mike Cavanaugh, DVM, dipl. ABVP, is a Kansas State University veterinary school grad and now executive director of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  Mike is taking the AAHA to new heights.  Read our interview with Mike here.

Karen Miller’s home is a long way from Kansas but it’s in another place I’ve called home — New York City. We wrap up the features on our goodnewsforpets.com 10^thAnniversary winners with an interview about Karen and her Yorkshire Terrier JaJa.  Karen is enjoying the iPad she won and still wants people to know all about the ASPCA, the shelter that received her matching $500 donation. Read more here.

Finally, do you know what state the National Agro-Bio Defense Facility is going to be located in?  Find out here.

Coming home to Kansas City…I can’t wait.  Are you coming home? 

To see more content on goodnewsforpets.com, click here.

This year, I will be at a different kind of celebration — one of the very few times I will be experiencing the conference from afar.  I will miss seeing so many people until next month at the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor Homecoming Dinner and Investment Forum.   The good news is that for the first time I and many others can receive the conference news online.  I will still have many colleagues with ears to the ground to report back. 

For those attending the conference, check out the new free MapIt APP to plan your schedule.  There are so many interesting meetings and events to attend.  For example, Ceva is offering veterinarians and other AVMA attendee a  flea & tick information session and free lunch from noon to 2:00 PM today, Saturday July 16th.  Speakers include Dr. Phillip McKinney, Dr. Mike Paul and Dr. Mark Setser with moderator Dr. Jim Humphries.

Speaking of another celebration, it’s Christmas in July as we offer congratulations again to Shane Free of  Los Angeles, our latest featured goodnewsforpets.com 10^th Anniversary winner of an iPad and a matching $500 donation.  Shane produced a fantastic holiday video celebrating the special bond with his cat Annie who has a kidney condition.  Shane designated his matching donation to the Los Angeles Animal Services.  Read more about Shane and Annie in his column.

To read more about when formalized veterinary medicine was founded and more pet questions answered, read our Pet IQ.

For those attending AVMA, have a great conference.  I hope those of you who can’t enjoy reading about it.  I hope to see many of you in Kansas City next month.

Germinder's New Logo

It was on July 1st thirteen years ago – 1998 — that Germinder & Associates, Inc. was officially formed, but my journey in the pet business started even earlier.

Germinder started with a product launch campaign for the former Fort Dodge Animal Health company. I had been vice president of an agency handling several animal health accounts, also including Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Veterinary Pet Insurance, and decided it was time to strike out on my own.

But much earlier than that, like many now in the pet side of the business, I started in what those in the know fondly call “the fish business,”  a.k.a. supplying aquatic fish for hobbyist fish tanks and ponds.   At the ripe old age of twelve, I worked in the office of my late stepfather Constantino Frank “Dino” Barbarisi and my mom Beth’s aquatic import/export business.  I and my four brothers did everything from helping clean the fish tanks (Piranha anyone?) to making the runs to the airport to even a few fish deliveries. 

The H.H. Backer Christmas Trade Show in Chicago was my very first trade show while I was still in college.  When I graduated college, I was away from the family business for several years as I worked on dozens of national brands from AT&T to Unilever, and with celebrities and athletes, including my favorite, Bo Jackson with Cramer Products.

Tropical Fish Hobbyist Article by Ed Taylor

As we celebrate the Fourth, it seems fitting with these reminisces that my family and I will embark on a boating expedition with that same brother and his fiancé. While the memories are precious, the present is great and the future remains bright. Enjoy your Fourth too!

For more news, go to www.goodnewsforpets.com.

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has announced David Haworth, formerly of Pfizer Animal Health, has joined MAF as the new president & CEO.

Last week, I presented a seminar: “Stay True to Your Brand: Tweet, Poke & Post, But Don’t Forget the Basics“ at the NYC Pet Show Retailer Summit. While other social media platforms were discussed, much of the question & answer session focused on use of Linked In and the subgroups.  If you haven’t joined the network, I encourage you to check these by joining Linked In.

Weight management continues to be a hot topic.  There’s still buzz about the NYC event we attended in Union Square with Alison Sweeny and the Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Million Pound Pledge.  And, goodnewsforpets.com columnist and veterinary surgeon Phil Zeltzman has his new book out, “Walk a Hound, Lose A Pound.”

Natural products in all shapes and sizes continue to be a growing trend.  We saw plenty of them at the NYC Pet Show.  Check out our “What’s New” featuring the Planet Petco line of new products.

The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor is gearing up for its August events.  A reminder the deadline for applications to the Investment Forum is June 24, 2011.

For more news, go to www.goodnewsforpets.com.  

It’s a short post this week as we head out for the holidays as well.  Have a great holiday weekend with your loved ones.

Since Global Pet Expo, we’ve been busy, busy with shows and events, New York Style!  The Pet Socialite, pet trend, lifestyle expert, and consultant Charlotte Reed presented “Better Health and Wellness,” an exclusive Pet Showcase at the Intercontinental, New York Barclay.  The Pet Socialist does these events fairly frequently and it’s a chance for New York media, bloggers and celebrities to check out the latest in pet products in an elegant setting.  A reality celebrity star of the Bravo network’s New Jersey Housewives made an appearance and of course more traditional media.

The showcase was limited to 20 pet products companies — from organic foods to exercise equipment to special collars. Even Petco made a big splash with its new Planet Petco line.  It was interesting to see the array of products displayed including the Trimline™ Recovery Collar. This is an ‘oh so soft” collar that is much more comfortable than the traditional hard plastic ones.  I remember my Labrador Randy Jo having to wear that big ol’ “Elizabethan” plastic collar after a surgery.  She looked so sad and we heard a lot of wimpering.   This collar is absolutely better and they’ve got testimonials from veterinarians to prove it!

Next up was a show a bit off-topic, the Macy’s Flower Show.  (Although I did see quite a few pooches in the park median at Herald Square).   I am a native New Yorker but this was the very first time I had seen the show.  Now I will tell you it is a MUST SEE for pet owners and non-pet owners alike.  In fact, Macy’s hosts spring flower shows in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Chicago, Minneapolis and San Francisco.  The show actually began at the San Francisco store in 1946, but the biggest surprise is the “flower show,”  is actually a spectacular array of specialty gardens – antebellum, Japanese, Tropical, Hydrangea and a Desert Garden OVER the merchandise displays!  It may even give Harrod’s a run for the money (see earlier post).  Plan to visit New York for this one and of course, check out our lovely pets!

Finally, we attended an event in NYC’s Union Square featuring Alison Sweeny kicking off a Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Million Pound Pledge.  More on that next post…

 This year’s show was a three day weekday show — a surprise and welcome relief from all from one more weekend away from home.  In addition to a variety of new product press briefings, the New Products Showcase winners were announced by Dr. Marty Becker:

 Aquatics — Desktop Jelly Fish Tank by Jellyfish Art, LLC

 Bird — Polly Wanna Pinata New Generation by Fetch-It Pets, Inc.

 Boutique — Plush Bottle Toy by Doggles

 Cat — Earthly Elements II by Ware Manufacturing

 Dog — JW Pet Dog Toys by JW Pet Company, Inc.

 Natural Pet — Freezy Pups by Head of the Pack

 Reptile — Tetrafauna Viquarium by United Pet Group

 Small Animal — Bamboo Bio Bowls and Eco-Friendly feeders by Ware Manufacturing

 Point of Purchase – Orbee-Tuff Counter-Top Display by Planet Dog

 There were several other products we liked as well.  Check these out on our goodnewsforpets.com facebook page and we’ll be covering more new products and trends – senior pet products, made in the U.S.A., treats, natural and eco-friendly products and yes, the chicken phenomena.

 For the latest information on this and next year’s show, visit Global Pet Expo.