Meeting Topics

• 2026 (Monthly Member Meetings)

Topic: Ethical Issues Associated with Animals in Captive Settings: Sanctuaries, Rehabilitation Centers, and Zoos - Rachel Fuller,  M.Sc. 

Topic: Between Care and Constraint: Exploring Ethical Limits in the Breeding and Keeping of Exotic Pets - Jessica Pierce, PhD

Topic: Ethical Considerations of Animal Welfare in Farm Animal Practice - Jim Reynolds, DVM, MPVM

• 2026 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)

2026 Track Title: Ethics Now: Conversations that Matter 

• The Ethical Blindspot: When We Forget to Care for the Caregivers - Charles Hurty, DVM, CVBP
  
• Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Distress in the Veterinary Team - Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition)
  
• Maintaining Integrity in a Corporatized Environment: Avoiding Illegal, Immoral and Unethical Practices - Pamelar Hale, DVM, MBA, JM
  
• Ethical Considerations in Veterinary Telemedicine - Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP (canine and feline), CVJ
  
• VPA: Bridging Gaps or Blurring Lines? An Ethical Exploration - Kimberly Carney, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, CPH, CHES Panel discussion and Q & A on the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) Role - Facilitator: Heather Woodke, DVM, MA

• 2025 (Monthly Member Meetings)

Topic: Feed Dogs and Cats Ethically: A New Diet Frontier - Andrew Knight BSc (Vet Biol), BVMS, CertAW, MANZCVS, DipWCAWBM (AWSEL), DACAW, PhD, MRCVS, SFHEA 

Topic: DEI and Veterinary Ethics: A Balanced Dialogue - Dr. Kemba Marshall, DVM, DABVP (Avian)

Topic: Strategies to End Economic Euthanasia - Krista Magnifico, DVM

Topic: Peticaid and SNAP-P: Bold Proposals to Increase Access to Care - Jon Gellar, DVM, MPH, DABVP (Emeritis)       

Topic: Ethical Issues Associated with Brachycephaly - Rowena Packer, BSc (Hons), PhD, PGCert (VetEd), FHEA

Topic: Improving the Moral Climate of an Organization: Ethics Rounds for Veterinary Team Members - Anne Quain, BA, BScVet, BVSc, MVetStudGradCertEdStud (Higher Ed), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), DipECAWBM (AWSEL), PhD

Topic: Humane Teaching Methods: Educational Animal Use and Alternatives - Andrew Knight BSc (Vet Biol), BVMS, CertAW, MANZCVS, DipWCAWBM (AWSEL), DACAW, PhD, MRCVS, SFHEA

Topic: High-Tech, High-Stress? Changes, Opportunities, and Challenges in Modern Small Animal Practices - Svenja Springer, DVM, PhD

Topic: Presentation and Q & A on the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role in Colorado - Apryl Steele, DVM, CAWA

• 2025 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)

2025 Track Title: Starting Discussions 

• Exploring the Sometimes Contentious Relationships Between Veterinary Professionals and Breeders - Marty Greer DVM, JD 
• Managing Medical Mistakes - Kara Burns MS, Med, LVT, VTS-N, VTS-H 
• Judgment in Veterinary Medicine: Exploring Impacts on Relationships, Patient Outcomes and the Profession - Jennifer Sperry DVM 
• Ethical Issues Associated with Depopulation and Zoonoses - Jeffrey Hill MSc 
• Ethical Issues Associated with Ventilation Shutdown - James Reynolds DVM, MPVM, DACAW 
• Activism in the Veterinary Profession - Crystal Heath DVM

• 2024 (Monthly Member Meetings)
  Topic: "How the public (you!) can influence the writing of federal animal welfare regulations."
  Topic: Dr. Kent Kruse and Dr. Marty Greer will present on Non-Competes
  Topic: Emerging Ethical Issues in Companion Animal Euthanasia: Special Guest: Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, DACAW
  Topic: Special Guest: Dr. Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CPEV, DACAW Topic: Emerging Ethical Issues in Companion Animal Euthanasia
  Topic: Animal Agency: Dr. Kat Littlewood BVSc(Dist) PGDipVCS(Dist) AFHEA PhD FANZCVS(AWSEL) Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Science and Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, & Law.
  Topic: Futile Care, Guest Speaker: Nathan Peterson, DVM, DACVECC

• 2024 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)
  SVME Ethics track at VMX 2024 titled "Access to Veterinary Care: Varying Perspectives and Unique Solutions".
  Topics: dimensions of One Health, Telehealth, the Veterinary Technician’s role, and Spectrum of Care initiatives
  
  
• 2023 (Monthly Member Meetings)
  Topic: Barry Kipperman, Jane Desmond, and Heather Woodke provided updates on what they learned at the Veterinary Ethics Conference in Vienna. Barry and Jane were invited speakers at the conference.
  Topic: Dr. Lori Teller, Immediate Past President of the AVMA, discussed ethical issues for telemedicine.
  Topic:  Ethical issues in corporate veterinary practice. Guest speaker, Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH, Chief Veterinary Officer and Animal Ethicist.
  Topic: LVT apprenticeship. Ty Johnson, LVT
  Topic: Deaths and injuries in the sport, special guest, Dr. David Ramey. 
  Topic: Dr. Susan Wagner is a veterinary neurologist: Discusses spiritual interaction between people and animals.

• 2020 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)
  

1. Ethical Issues and Dilemmas Driven by the Cost of Educating Veterinarians
2. Ethical Advice on Dietary Recommendations in the Shadow of DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)
3. Ethical Issues & Dilemmas Encountered by Techs
4. Moral Stress and NOMV Issues: Peer Support in Vet Med
5. Ethical Televeterinary Practice

• 2019 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)

1. Do Publication Review System Issues Affect Practice?
2. Are We obligated to Help Clients Prepare for Expenses?
3. Value Conficts Surrounding Expanded Access to Veterinary Care
4. Veterinary Ethical Issues in the Digital Age
5. Dilemmas of Televeterinary Practice
6. End of Life Ethics Fatigue & Ethics Exhaustion: When Your Sense of Right is Wronged

• 2018 (Orlando, FL - VMX Conference)

1. Moral Distress in the Veterinary Profession
2. Convenience Euthanasia in Small Animals
3. Ethical Consideration of Horse Slaughter
4. Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Small Animals
5. Ethical Struggles that Veterinary Technicians/Veterinary Nurses Encounter
6. The Necessity of Ethical Discourse on Social Media and Veterinary Internet Forum

• 2017 (Orlando, FL - NAVC Conference)
  

1. Definitions of Pet Owner and How It Messes up the Value of Microchipping Animals 
   
2. When Is It Too Much Surgery?
   
3. Part 1 - Tiger the Cat and Kristen Lindsey
   Part 2 - The Necessity of Ethical Discourse in Social Media

• 2015 (Boston, MA)

• 2014 (Denver, CO)

• 2013 (Chicago, IL)

• 2012 (San Diego, CA)

• 2011 (St. Louis, MO)   

• 2009 (Seattle, WA)

Topic:  State/Provincial Licensing Bodies: Thoughtful Public Protection or Kangaroo Courts?

1.    A Practitioner’s Viewpoint of Licensing Bodies and their Relationship with other National Veterinary Associations
2.    Ethical Concerns of the Specialist on a State/Provincial Board
3.    Facts and Myths about State/Provincial Licensing Bodies
4.    Balancing Regulatory and Professional Responsibility within one Provincial Association
5.    State/Provincial Licensing Body "Kangaroo Court or Thoughtful Public Protection"?
6.    Anatomy of a State/Provincial Hearing: "Good, Bad and the Ugly"

• 2008 (New Orleans, LA)

     Topic: Incentive Pay Plans for Veterinarians; Do They Work and are They Here to Stay?"

1. The Ethics of Using Incentive Pay Plans to Reward Clinical Veterinarians
2. Cloning In Veterinary Medicine
3. Stem Cell Research
4. How the AVMA Animal Welfare Division and Animal Welfare Committee Identify and Come to Conclusions on Specific Issues
5. The New Face of Animal Research
6. When the Law and Ethics Collide
7. Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
8. Shomer Award 

 

• 2007 (Washington, D.C.)

     Topic: New Ethical Directions in The Veterinary Profession

 

• 2006 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

     Topic: New Ethical Directions in The Veterinary Profession

Shomer Award

 

• 2005 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

     Topic 1: Ethical dilemmas in production animal agriculture

     Topic 2: The Veterinarian's role in the Ethical dilemmas related to all creatures great and small

Shomer Award

 

• 2004 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

     Topic 1: Ethics and ownership/guardianship

                   Part I: $250K in Emotional Distress Damages for the Loss of a Pet

                   Part II: Animal Ownership vs Animal Guardianship

 

     Topic 2: Ethics and Animal Welfare

              Part I: Understanding Animal Welfare: Science in a Cultural Context

              Part II: Animal Welfare and Swine Production: Incentives for Changes

 

• 2003 (Denver, Colorado)

     Topic 1: Ethics and the Human Animal Bond

Part I: Working with the Weakest Link: Should the Strength of the Human Animal Bond Affect the Way you Practice?

                   Part II: Is Marketing the 'Bond' Morally Reprehensible?

 

     Topic 2: Ethics and Cancer

              Part I: Ethics of Cancer Therapy

              Part II: Compassionate Cancer Therapy

 

• 2002 (Nashville, Tennessee)

     Topic 1: Contemporary Issues in Veterinary Ethics

              Part I: Ethics, Evidence and Medicine: The Ethical Challenge Inherent in the

                            Emerging Phenomenon of Alternative Medicine.

              Part II: The Ethics of Critical Care.

 

     Topic 2: The role of Pharmacist and the Pharmacy in Veterinary Care

               Part I: The Role of Mortar and Pestle versus Brick, Mortar or Ethers.

              Part II: Reflections by Industry and Internet Providers

 

• 2001 (Boston, Massachusset)

     Topic 1: What is a Profession?
          What are the Ethical Foundations of the Veterinary Profession?

     Topic 2:  Legal Considerations in Veterinary Telemedicine, Parts I & II
          Ethical Considerations in Online Veterinary Services

• 2000 (Salt Lake City, Utah) 

     Topic 1: Ethical Relationships between Veterinarians and Humane Organizations 
          (with Panel Discussion)

     Topic 2:  Ethical Issues in a Large Corporate Practice (with Panel Discussion)

 

• 1999  (New Orleans, Louisiana) 

      

  Topic 1:  Moral and Ethical Issues Facing New Graduates
  Topic 2:  Ethics of Animal Rights

1. Veterinary Medicine and the Animal Rights Movement
2. Animal Rights, Ethics and Veterinary Ethics
3. Veterinary Ethics and Regulations in Animal Care and Use

 

• 1998 (Baltimore, Maryland)

Topic 1: You Gotta Serve Somebody: Ethical Issues in Veterinary Practice

Topic 2: Veterinary Ethics: A View from the Licensing Board

 

• 1997 (Reno, Nevada)
  Educating Veterinary Students, Veterinarians, and the Public About Animal Rights, Animal Welfare, and the Animal Rights Movement

 

• 1996 (Louisville, Kentucky)

     Topic 1: Ethical Issues in Companion Animal Ownership

     Topic 2: Issues Raised by Veterinary Specialization

• 1995 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

     Topic 1: Ethics of Species Specialization in Equine Practice

     Topic 2: Ethics of Discipline Specialization in a Multi-Person Veterinary Hospital

     Topic 3: Convenience Euthanasia

• 1994 (San Francisco, California)

The Ethics of Animal Research