Students' Reports of Challenges, Experiences, and Perceptions of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Veterinary Colleges in Canada and the United States.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in veterinary medicine affects veterinarians, students, clients, and the regional availability of veterinary services. Veterinary students from 5 colleges in Canada and 5 colleges in the United States were surveyed about their challenges, experiences, and perceptions related to EDI, resulting in 456 responses (10.4%).

Teaching Ultrasonographic Basic Examination Skills (TUBES): Assessment of an Ultrasound Skill Simulator in Teaching Ultrasound-Guided Paracentesis, a Prospective Observational Study.

Ultrasound guidance during centesis is recommended to reduce the risk of serious complications, improve success rate, and to choose appropriate sampling locations and equipment. The aim of this study was to develop an accessible and reusable ultrasound skill simulator for ultrasound guided centesis (USGC). Fifty second year veterinary students reviewed an instructional video prior to performing two USGC skill tests on the simulator, separated by a period of practice.

An Investigation of Veterinary College Websites in the US and Canada: Representations and Content of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

University websites are often a first point of contact for prospective students. Portrayals of diversity on the website can influence current and future students' perceptions. Using content and statistical analysis, all 38 veterinary college websites in Canada and the US were systematically coded for representations of people in photos and content related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Talking treats: A qualitative study to understand the importance of treats in the pet-caregiver relationship.

Treats are a prevalent aspect of pet care, frequently given by dog and cat caregivers for varying reasons. However, recommendations of reducing or eliminating treat feeding poses a common challenge, leading to potential non-adherence surrounding weight management practices. To explore caregivers' perceptions and experiences surrounding treat feeding, we conducted five online focus groups with 24 dog and cat caregivers, recruited via an infographic shared on social media using snowball sampling.

Cat caregivers' perceptions, motivations, and behaviours for feeding treats: A cross sectional study.

There is an abundance of research focusing on the nutritional needs of the cat, though aspects surrounding treat feeding have received far less attention. Feeding practices have the potential to cause nutrient imbalances and adverse health outcomes, including obesity. The objective of this study was to identify and describe the perceptions, motivations, and behaviours surrounding treats, and factors that influence treat feeding by cat caregivers.

Reporting perceived capability, motivations, and barriers to reducing treat feeding amongst dog and cat caregivers.

Obesity remains a significant concern for dogs and cats, and reducing or eliminating treats is commonly recommended as a strategy for weight management. Caregivers can struggle with adherence to such dietary recommendations. Previous research suggests caregivers are reluctant to reduce treats but there is limited understanding of the underlying factors contributing to these behaviours and decisions.

Efficacy of vitamin D in maintaining serum total vitamin D concentrations and bone mineralisation in adult dogs fed a plant-based (vegan) diet in a 3-month randomised trial.

Dogs are considered omnivores based on their evolution consuming diets including animal tissue. Few feeding trials evaluating the nutritional suitability of exclusively plant-based (vegan) diets in dogs have been published, and the efficacy of vitamin D in maintaining canine serum vitamin D levels has not been clearly determined. A blinded dietary trial included sixty-one healthy desexed adult dogs: thirty-one fed an experimental extruded vegan diet (PLANT) and thirty fed a commercial extruded meat-based diet (MEAT) for 3 months.

Veterinarians are reluctant to recommend virtual consultations to a fellow veterinarian.

Objective: To explore veterinarians' use of virtual veterinarian-client-patient consultations before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examine veterinarians' attitudes toward virtual consultations.

Sample: 135 companion animal veterinarians in Canada, the US, and Europe.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to gather participating veterinarians' use of information and communication technologies and their perception of virtual consultations' effect on patient care, client communication, and their own well-being.

Dog caregivers' perceptions, motivations, and behaviours for feeding treats: A cross sectional study.

Treats are commonly fed by most dog caregivers and can constitute a significant proportion of a dog's diet, potentially contributing to obesity. Feeding aspects related to treats specifically, remain underexplored. An e-survey was voluntarily completed by 716 dog caregivers predominantly from Canada and the USA to identify and describe caregivers' perceptions, motivations, and behaviours surrounding treats, and factors that influence decisions about feeding treats.

Teaching Accuracy Through Repeated Gamified Echography Training (TARGET): Assessment of an Ultrasound Skill Simulator in Teaching Ultrasound-Guided Needle Placement, a Prospective Observational Study.

The increasing use of ultrasound in veterinary private practice and demand for skilled operators upon graduation has placed an increased burden on the ever-dwindling number of academic radiologists. Simulation-based medical education can help prepare for and consequently reduce this burden, allowing for the acquisition of clinical skills through deliberate practice in a safe, controlled, and low-stakes environment. Ultrasound-guided fine needle placement is the foundation for more advanced interventions such as ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates and centeses.

Investigating the Relationship between Multiple Mini-Interview Communication Skills Outcomes and First-Year Communication Skills Performance and Reflections in Students at the Ontario Veterinary College.

An important outcome for veterinary education is ensuring that graduates can provide an appropriate level of care to patients and clients by demonstrating core competencies such as communication skills. In addition, accreditation requirements dictate the need to assess learning outcomes and may drive the motivation to incorporate relevant and appropriate methods of entry assessments for incoming students. Predicting the success of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students based on entry assessment performance has been scantly investigated and can be challenging.

Owner perception of health of North American dogs fed meat- or plant-based diets.

Background: Some dog owners elect to feed their dog a plant-based food either as part of or for their entire dietary intake. Being omnivores or facultative carnivores, a strictly plant-based diet is not the natural type of food dogs evolved to consume, leaving some question as to whether this feeding management strategy is safe and healthy for dogs.

Objectives: This study surveyed owner perceptions of health and wellbeing of dogs and compared between those fed meat-based and plant-based diets.

Randomized Trial Comparing Instructor-Delivered Feedback with Self-Assessment Using Video during Basic Skills Training.

Feedback has been shown to be one of the most powerful and effective influences on student achievement; however, the optimal method for providing feedback to trainees during veterinary skills training has yet to be determined. A prospective mixed-methods study was undertaken to evaluate student perceptions and performance outcomes with self-assessment using video- or instructor-delivered feedback during skills training using a model. Forty participants naïve to intravenous (IV) catheter placement were randomly assigned either to self-assessment using video or to instructor-directed feedback.

Validation of a Novel Ultrasound Simulation Model for Teaching Foundation-Level Ultrasonography Skills to Veterinary Students.

Veterinary ultrasonography is a complex, advanced skill requiring repetitive exposure and supervision to gain competence. Consequently, newly graduated veterinarians are underprepared and lack the resources to achieve basic ultrasound proficiency upon graduation. Ultrasound simulation has been proposed as an adjunct educational tool for teaching entry-level ultrasound skills to student veterinarians.

Understanding Incoming Canadian and US Veterinary Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of Their Dietary Habits and Levels of Physical Activity.

As critical components of individual well-being, nutrition and physical activity have important physical and psychological implications. Veterinary students face demanding schedules and potentially high rates of psychological distress. Though veterinary students' strategies for healthy eating have been explored, factors influencing their ability to achieve a healthy diet are less understood.

A cross-sectional study of owner-reported health in Canadian and American cats fed meat- and plant-based diets.

Background: Cats, being obligate carnivores, have unique dietary requirements for nutrients most commonly found in dietary ingredients of animal origin. As such, feeding a diet devoid of animal-derived ingredients has been postulated as a possible cause of nutrient imbalances and adverse health outcomes. A small proportion of cat owners feed strictly plant-based diets to the cats in their care, yet the health and wellness of cats fed these diets has not been well documented.

Corrigendum: The Complex Relationship Between Veterinarian Mental Health and Client Satisfaction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.

A cross-sectional study of pet owners' attitudes and intentions towards nutritional guidance received from veterinarians.

Background: Beliefs of pet owners strongly influence their decision-making surrounding their pets' diet. Thus, nutritional guidance is an essential component of veterinary practice and integral to managing rising rates of pet obesity. This study examined pet owners' trust of, perceived effectiveness of, and intentions to follow nutritional guidance received from their veterinarian in managing their pets' diet.

Readability and content of online pet obesity information.

Objective: To assess the readability of pet obesity information, document the presence and absence of types of pet obesity information, and perform comparisons between dog and cat obesity information content on websites.

Sample: 68 websites containing pet obesity content.

Procedures: Websites were systematically retrieved with a search engine and predefined search terms and phrases.

Association of demographic, career, and lifestyle factors with resilience and association of resilience with mental health outcomes in veterinarians in Canada.

Objective: To investigate the association of demographic, career, and lifestyle factors with resilience and the association of resilience with mental health outcomes in Canadian veterinarians.

Sample: 1,130 veterinarians in clinical practice across Canada.

Procedures: An online questionnaire was used to collect participant data and included 5 validated psychometric scales to evaluate resilience (through the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC]), perceived stress (through the Perceived Stress Scale), emotional distress (through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), burnout (through the Maslach Burnout Inventory), and secondary traumatic stress (through the Professional Quality of Life Scale).

Exploring pet owners' experiences and self-reported satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia.

Background: While euthanasia is a common feature of veterinary practice, research has yet to adequately explore the experiences, perception and wishes of pet owners, including their satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia.

Methods: An online questionnaire was conducted with pet owners who had experienced euthanasia within the last 10 years to explore the relationship between pet owners' experiences and their resulting satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression.

Ontario Veterinary College First-Year Veterinary Students' Perceptions of Companion Animal Nutrition and Their Own Nutrition: Implications for a Veterinary Nutrition Curriculum.

Extant research shows veterinarians face increasing challenges in discussing nutrition with clients despite receiving professional nutrition education in the veterinary medical curriculum. This article's aim is to elicit student veterinarians' baseline nutrition-related perceptions and nutrition information-seeking behaviors at the time of entering veterinary school. Participants were newly enrolled veterinary students at the Ontario Veterinary College ( = 120).

Exploring veterinarians' use of practices aimed at understanding and providing emotional support to clients during companion animal euthanasia in Ontario, Canada.

Background: During companion animal euthanasia, support of clients is equally important as the medical care of the companion animal and requires a clear and developed understanding of clients' feelings, needs and expectations. Yet, veterinarians may not be fully exploring such topics.

Methods: A 65-item online questionnaire was developed and distributed to veterinarians (n=368) in Ontario to explore veterinarians' use of practices aimed at understanding and providing support during companion animal euthanasia.