Dear AAIV Members, As we begin a new year, I am honored to serve as president of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians. January is a natural time for reflection and renewal, and an opportunity to look ahead with intention—both as individuals and as an organization. Our focus for the year ahead is clear: growing our membership and meeting the evolving needs of our members through meaningful education and effective advocacy. Industry veterinarians play a vital and increasingly visible role across animal health, research, regulatory affairs and innovation. Ensuring that AAIV remains a professional home for this diverse and expanding community is one of our highest priorities. Growing our membership is not simply about numbers. It is about strengthening our collective voice, expanding our professional network and ensuring that veterinarians working in industry—at every career stage—see AAIV as relevant, welcoming and indispensable. Education remains central to that commitment. AAIV will continue to focus on high-quality educational offerings that are practical, forward-thinking and responsive to the real-world challenges our members face with professional development, leadership and interdisciplinary perspectives that support success in industry careers. Equally important is advocacy. AAIV exists to represent and advance the interests of industry veterinarians and we take that responsibility seriously. Through our seat in the House of Delegates of AVMA, AAIV is the voice of industry veterinarians within the AVMA, we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that support our members and the important work they do. I would like to personally invite you to join us at the AAIV Networking Meeting during the VMX Conference. This gathering is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues across industry sectors, welcome new members, strengthen the professional relationships that make our association thrive and share your feedback about what you want from the AAIV. Whether you are attending VMX for the first time or are a long-time participant, we encourage you to stop by, reconnect, and bring a colleague who may be interested in learning more about AAIV. None of this work happens without the dedication of our board, officers and volunteers who contribute their time, ideas and expertise. I am deeply grateful for their commitment and inspired by the energy and vision they bring to our association. As we move into the year ahead, I invite you to stay engaged, share your perspectives and help shape the future of AAIV. Together, we will continue to build a strong, connected and forward-looking community for industry veterinarians. I look forward to seeing many of you at our WVC networking event and/or connecting with you in the year ahead. Respectfully, Carolyn Luther, D.V.M. President, American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV)
y Deb Nickelson, D.V.M., M.B.A, AAIV Delegate to the AVMA HOD The House of Delegates for the AVMA met during the Veterinary Leadership Symposium Jan. 8-10 in Chicago. The weather was surprisingly nice. Since Dr. Tim Smaha could not attend, Dr. Wendy Weirich joined me for the first HOD session and the Reference Committees. Please send any comments or questions to AAIV at industryvets@aaivet.org . As always, thank you for your support. We are here for you. One of the Veterinary Information Forum topics (near and dear to us) was about HOD Membership Criteria. It was obvious how much value people consider the allied organizations as I have never seen our 6 a.m. Allied Caucus Meeting so crowded, standing room only. On the house floor, I spoke about the value of AAIV being a member of the House of Delegates and the challenges with membership. In the end, there will be a working group established to evaluate criteria for new and existing allied organizations (I volunteered to participate) and there will be a grace period for the Allied Organization to meet the existing criteria during the working group’s task. The other Veterinary Information Forum topic was about Veterinary Technician Training and Education. There are 217 AVMA CVTEA accredited programs with six additional programs in the works for accreditation. While some people spoke about the lack of career advancement for veterinary technicians, I reminded the House the veterinary technicians have many opportunities in the animal health industry, that we offer programming about such careers at VMX and veterinary technicians are welcome members of AAIV. Resolutions There were two resolutions brought forward to the House of Delegates for review. Resolution 1: Animal Training and Early Exposure got a lot of interesting discussion and I learned quite a bit about camels. The idea for this resolution was to cover all species in all cases and it was just too broad and did not serve any purpose, so it was referred back to the Board of Directors. Resolution 2: Camelid Castration was approved after some amendments regarding reason for castration and AVMA recommendations for anesthesia and analgesia. I learned even more about camels. By-Law Amendments #1: House of Delegate Votin g This amendment passed to clarify that an absentee vote (when an entity does not vote "yes" or "no") is not counted as a "no" vote; it is not counted at all. #2: Board of Directors Voting This amendment passed to clarify that the one non-voting members of the Board of Directors was the treasurer. #3: Membership Voting This amendment passed to clarify that the majority of voting members present and voting at a meeting shall be the act of the members. #4: Definition of a Veterinarian Changed to “Voting membership may be granted to any individual who has earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M./V.M.D.) degree or substantive equivalent as determined by the Board of Directors or its designee(s) from school or college of veterinary medicine and has met membership qualifications and application requirements.” This passed to accommodate veterinarians from foreign schools. #5: Clarification of Referral Authority This amendment passed to clarify how the House of Delegates may refer matters to the Board of Directors. #6: President duties This amendment passed to clarify what is already being done in that the AVMA president performs the ceremonial activities and functions throughout the annual convention since the HOD meets before the convention starts. #7: Board of Directors Qualifications With a 73% vote, this one was referred back to the Board of Directors because one possible qualification for serving as a District Directors was to have serviced as an officer in a Principal Veterinary Organization or Constituent Allied Veterinary Organization for at least 3 years. Every organization has different ideas of what an officer means, such as president, secretary, Organization Board of Directors etc. and the qualifications needed. Candidates and Elections Dr. Robert Knapp is running for AVMA President-Elect Dr. Elizabeth Boggier is running for AVMA Vice President Dr. Mahmoud Abouraya was appointed to represent Clinical Pharmacology on the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents Dr. Nicole Dickerson as appointed on the Council on Veterinary Service Unfortunately, no nominations were received for two positions on the Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents, one of which was to represent Clinical Pharmacology. AAIV would be happy to nominate a member who is interested in serving. House Advisory Committee There are four positions open on the House Advisory Committee or HAC. The HAC members lead the reference committees, certifies the credentials of candidates for president-elect, vice president and nominees for councils, committees and task forces. Two of the people who currently serve may run for a second term. One of them will do so and I heard the other one will run for a Board of Directors position. I know of one person who campaigned last summer will campaign again. I officially submitted my application and paperwork in December for the election during the AVMA summer meeting. I have the support of Dr. Sandy Willis, our AAIV liaison and AVMA Board of Directors Chair and I certainly appreciate your support.
By Deb Nickelson, D.V.M., M.B.A AAIV Delegate to the AVMA HOD We are getting ready for the annual winter meeting this January in Chicago (which can be very pleasant some years). Last year there was a blizzard. While we do not have the list of resolutions to be discussed, there will be a couple Veterinary Information Forum (VIF) Topics. Environmental Scanning: HOD Membership Criteria This is the ongoing discussion regarding criteria for obtaining and retaining membership in the HOD as a constituent allied veterinary organization, such as AAIV . This discussion will help guide the working group that will be appointed to address this important issue. I nformational Session: Veterinary Technician Training and Education This will explore the current trends and challenges in veterinary technician training and education, including accreditation best practices, career advancement and the importance of collaborative models within the veterinary teams. This applies to technicians working in clinical practice and in industry. We will give you a more detailed report in the next e-newsletter. Please send any comments or questions to AAIV at industryvet@aaivet.org . As always, thank you for your support and we are here for you.
Dear AAIV Members, As we welcome the fall season and approach the holidays, I find myself reflecting on my time as AAIV President with deep gratitude and excitement for the future. It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by—wasn’t it just spring yesterday? Whether you’re already ahead on holiday shopping or, like me, still wondering when you’ll find the time, I hope you’re embracing the season’s energy and joy. Serving as AAIV President has been an absolute honor. I am continually inspired by the dedication, talent, and warmth of our members—people who are passionate about making a difference in industry. Thank you for the trust you placed in me and for the privilege of working alongside such a vibrant network. This year, our mentorship program, events and the connections we’ve fostered have truly strengthened our community. I’m especially grateful to our outgoing board members who contributed to AAIV’s success. Your enthusiasm and support have made a real impact – Thank you! It’s now time to pass the baton. In January, Dr. Carolyn Luther from Hill’s Pet Nutrition will step into the role of AAIV president. Carolyn brings energy, vision and a deep commitment to our organization, and I’m confident she will lead AAIV to new heights. We’re also thrilled to welcome our incoming board members, whose dedication will be instrumental in our ongoing mission. Are you headed to VMX? Don’t miss our morning coffee networking reception! Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 18, 7:30–9 a.m. , at the Plaza Intl Ballroom F in the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Enjoy breakfast, coffee and the chance to connect with fellow industry veterinarians and technicians—whether you’re exploring new opportunities or catching up with old friends. Plus, our Learning and Leadership track returns! On Saturday, industry experts will speak on topics from leading from where you are now to mastering the art of strategic overreach. On Monday and Tuesday, virtual sessions will be offered on several topics, including mentorship for career transition, virtual networking tips in vet med and more. Lastly, the VMX Masterclass on Veterinary Resume and Interview Skills will be held on Tuesday at 8 a.m.; expertise provided by Stacy Pursell and Dr. Debra Nickelson. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow and network! As I transition out of this role, I’m excited to see AAIV continue to grow under Carolyn’s leadership and our new board. We’re eager to hear your ideas for how AAIV can best support you in 2026 and beyond. Please share your comments, suggestions or dreams for the future—let’s shape the next chapter together! Thank you for your continued support and for making AAIV such a special community. Wishing you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. Here’s to the future! With gratitude,
Dear AAIV Members, This morning, as I gathered yet another generous bowl of cherry tomatoes from my garden, I couldn’t help but notice that the trees in my backyard are starting to lose their vibrant green — signaling the first hints of autumn. I welcome the cooler weather and the beautiful colors that fall brings. And truth be told, I’m also ready for my garden to slow down — I’m running out of creative ways to use all these tomatoes! I’m equally excited about what AAIV has planned for this fall season. First up, our autumn webinar is scheduled from Noon to 1 p.m. CT on Sept. 8 . Our topic, Generative AI , is one that’s capturing everyone’s attention. Many of us have heard that AI can boost productivity and reduce stress but might feel unsure about where to start. This session will provide a foundational introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence and its expanding role across professional and creative fields. We’ll explore how generative AI models learn patterns, predict content and create original outputs like text and images. Through engaging activities and thoughtful discussions on ethics, you’ll gain practical experience using AI tools for brainstorming, writing and personalized learning. If you haven’t registered already, you can do so here . This webinar is complimentary for all AAIV members and offers 1 hour of RACE-approved CE credit. Following that, we’ll host a virtual all-member meeting at 5-6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Oct. 7 . This is your chance to hear updates on AAIV’s key initiatives — mentorship, educational webinars, networking, representation in the AVMA House of Delegates and more. Most importantly, we want to hear from you! How can we better support you as an industry veterinarian? What topics matter most to you? What educational content would you like us to offer? I encourage you to join this informative session. Let us know you plan to join here . Lastly, the AAIV elections are coming up in October. Are you interested in serving on our board? Or do you know someone who would be a great fit? We are currently accepting applications for the positions of President-Elect, Vice President of Marketing and External Communications, Vice President of Internal Communications and three Board Member roles. For detailed position descriptions, please click here . To be considered, submit your completed candidate nomination form to industryvets@aaivet.org by 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct . 9 . Voting will take place from Oct. 14-28. Newly elected officers and board members will be notified in early November and invited to join the December 2025 board meeting to meet the team. Whether at the fall webinar or the all-member meeting, I look forward to connecting with you soon. I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can make AAIV even better — and if you have any favorite recipes or creative uses for cherry tomatoes, please do share! Warm regards,