On the other hand, does the corporate-owned clinic take the pressure of running a small business off the veterinarian, free- ing the doctor to practice his/her craft? Does big corporate ownership allow the veterinarian to invest in better equip- ment, improved staff education, and increased specialization of services to your pet? This is not to say that small, self-owned veterinary prac-


tices are lost in our economy. The American Animal Hospital Association, a voluntary membership organization of animal hospitals, did a study in 2013. The study determined that both the corporate-owned model and the small veterinarian- owned practices had “decliners” and “growers” in the indus- try. What set the growers apart from the decliners was their focus on and communication with clients.U


Dionne M. Blaesing, PA practice areas include animal law and vet- erinary malpractice. She has a 20-year background in veterinary science and served on the board of Suncoast SPCA for 10 years. Dionne may be reached at 727.992.9115. DionneBlaesing.com


1 $


Texans May Love Their Dogs. But... –by Nancy Kay, DVM, Author of Speaking for Spot.


SpeakingForSpot.com


There have been a handful of court cases in recent years that have challenged the long-standing legal precedent that animals are to be regarded as personal property. One notable example involved Texans Kathryn and Jeremy Medlen. Their lawsuit stemmed from the wrongful euthanasia of their dog Avery by a Fort Worth animal shel- ter. Avery had been picked up as a stray and was to be held until the Medlens could retrieve him. Shelter workers erroneously placed Avery on the “euthanasia list.” The Medlens sued and attempted to recover “sentimental” and “intrinsic” damages for the loss of their dog. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court denied the Medlen’s claim declaring that pets are nothing more than personal property. The court, however, did sympathize with the


Medlen’s grief by acknowledging that, “Texans love their dogs. Throughout the Lone Star State, canine compan- ions are treated- and treasured- not as mere personal property but as beloved friends and confidants, even family members.” However, the Supreme Court justices felt that this


sentiment should not negate a more than a century old precedent that bars emotional damage claims for the death of a pet. As Supreme Court Justice Don Willet wrote, “For all their noble and praiseworthy qualities, dogs are not human beings, and the Texas common-law tort system should not prioritize human-animal relationships over intimate human-human relationships, particularly familial ones.”


U www.TheNewBarker.com Spring 2017 THE NEW BARKER 77


• Medicine • Surgery • Dentistry


• Boarding • Bathing • Veterinary Acupuncture


• Traditional Chinese Medicine 727.733.9351


Gregory Todd, D.V.M. Patrick Hafner, D.V.M.


FIRST EXAM NEW PATIENT


Includes comprehensive physical exam and one vaccine.


Wade Matthews, D.V.M. Christen Woodley, D.V.M.


Michael Bartholomew, D.V.M. Aimee Vasee, D.V.M.


1355 Pinehurst Rd., Dunedin | www.AHofD.com DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 YEAR RABIES VACCINE. COUPON MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104