Equine & Livestock Product & Promotions Guide

5 July 2021 | Product and Promotions Guide Adapted from information published in EquiManagement. Efficiencies Utilizing veterinary techs/assistants and office staff for tasks that don't require a veterinarian eased the strain during the pandemic and were found to be economically sensible. Veterinarians who hadn't used techs/ assistants for farm calls in the past found that having them to handle horses and having owners not present was not only safer for the health of the veterinarians, but was a more efficient use of the veterinarian's time and resources. Curbside service that was a requirement during the pandemic might become a fixture for some practices post-pandemic. Increased sanitizing (for people and premises) and biosecurity precautions when dealing with clients also are good practices to maintain as the world moves forward. Mental and fiscal health A survey conducted by Amy L. Grice, VMD, MBA, in late 2020 reported that almost two-thirds of equine veterinarians who responded reported "feeling anxious or worried." More than half reported "feeling exhausted," and a little more than half said they were "feeling overwhelmed." Insomnia affected about a third of the respondents, and almost 44 percent said they were "short- tempered and irritable." Interestingly, 70.5 percent of those surveyed said the pandemic affected their practices' operations "mildly—a little" or "not at all." When looking at financial questions from that survey, 29.5 percent of respondents said their practices were financially about the same as before COVID-19 and 27.5 percent said their practices were financially better than before COVID-19. Only 2.9 percent said the pandemic had made their finances a "great deal" worse. Some of that difference was due to geographic location and industry activities that the veterinarians were involved with. Where racing, shows and events were cancelled, there was less demand for some veterinary services. However, some veterinarians in those areas said they were as busy or busier than usual due to horse owners taking the "off" time to "do maintenance" on their horses. One veterinarian said to this writer that when horses once again were allowed to compete, they would be healthier and fitter than they had ever been in the past due to the time away from competitions and more focused veterinary care. Buildings and facilities Heather E. Lewis, AIA, NCARB, a principal in Animal Arts, an animal- focused architecture firm, noted that the pandemic hit small businesses such as veterinary practices hard directly (having to modify operational practices) and indirectly (harder to get goods and services). Some veterinarians need to build new facilities or modify current facilities. Lewis said she has changed some of her building advice to equine practitioners based on what the industry learned from the pandemic. 1. Build only what you need. Lewis said in years past she would have advised to "build for the future," but at this time she recommends only building for what you truly need. 2. Keep the footprint compact and simple. Use rectangular construction to simplify and reduce building costs. 3. Use the most affordable building construction systems. Lewis has not always been a "fan" of prefabricated metal buildings, but they are much less expensive than traditional structures. In areas where there will be horse "interactions," concrete block walls inside the shell of the metal building will provide durability. 4. Put your money where it counts. Use different quality of materials depending on the spaces. Don't skimp on safety or client areas, but use basic materials in offices and support areas. 5. Use indoor/outdoor spaces. Take advantage of outdoor ventilation and covered workspaces that can be enclosed by large doors during inclement weather or for conditioning (heating/cooling). Lewis said, "If there is anything we have learned from this past year during the pandemic, it is that we must persist in pushing our lives and our businesses toward our goals. We cannot wait for the world to be simpler, as it may never be. We must move forward with plans with a flexible and patient mindset." COVETRUS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Telemedicine Covetrus ® offers Rapport ® telemedicine capabilities to help you connect safely and efficiently with your clients. Visit cvet.co/equine- rapport to learn more about Rapport and our telemedicine services

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