Inside the Latest Issue of Vet Candy Magazine
Every profession has its symbols. For veterinarians, it’s the stethoscope, the crisp white coat, and the framed diploma. But if you really want to understand the heart of veterinary medicine, look inside a vet’s bag.
In our lighthearted feature, “The Vet Bag: A No-Judgment Tour of the Chaos We Carry,” we unpack the survival kits, half-eaten snacks, sticky notes, and random tools that follow veterinary professionals from clinic to home and back again. It’s messy, it’s personal, and it’s a perfect metaphor for the hilarious, exhausting, and deeply meaningful reality of life in animal medicine.
This issue of Vet Candy Magazine is dedicated to that reality—the struggles, the innovations, and the inspiring people shaping the future of our field.
Reinvention and Innovation
We begin with the extraordinary story of Dr. Joe Jesse Owens, III, a veterinarian who turned frustration into innovation. From the fluorescent lights of 3 AM ER shifts to the spotlight of a national stage, Dr. Owens’ journey reminds us that some of the most important advancements in veterinary medicine start with a single spark of curiosity.
Science That Shapes Care
This issue also dives into some of the biggest challenges in animal health today:
Feline Osteoarthritis: A silent epidemic impacting nearly 25% of cats, still underdiagnosed and undertreated due to a lack of feline-specific research.
Declawing: A groundbreaking study provides undeniable evidence of the lasting neurological damage caused by declawing, shifting the debate from ethics to irrefutable science.
The Dog Aging Project: The first-ever comorbidity network for companion dogs offers an unprecedented look at how diseases interact as pets age—and what it means for both veterinary and human medicine.
The People Who Inspire Us
We also shine a spotlight on rising stars in our profession:
Azariah Spurlock, a future public health veterinarian who is inspiring kids with her veterinary-themed coloring book.
Khali Robinson, a first-year veterinary student breaking barriers and redefining what success looks like in our field.
Caring for Ourselves, Too
The wellbeing of our patients depends on the wellbeing of our profession. In this issue, we address the “impossible task” facing the USDA in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act with limited resources, explore emergency powers against the looming threat of New World screwworm, and share proven strategies for recharging after workplace stress—because you simply can’t pour from an empty cup.
A Celebration of Veterinary Life
Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a student, or simply an animal lover, this issue is a celebration of everything veterinary medicine represents: curiosity, resilience, innovation, and heart.
We invite you to flip through the pages, laugh at the chaos in our bags, and be inspired by the visionaries and trailblazers pushing our profession forward.
👉 [Read the latest issue of Vet Candy Magazine here]
Special thanks to Zoetis, maker of Solensia for Cats, for sponsoring this issue!
