Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs'
Jill Lopez Jill Lopez

Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs'

The U.S. federal student loan system, which currently manages about $1.6 trillion in loans for approximately 43 million borrowers, is facing a massive shift. Recently, the government announced that the management of this loan portfolio, along with other "special needs" programs, would be transferred out of the Department of Education, affecting borrowers nationwide, including veterinarians. This change could have significant implications for current veterinary students, recent graduates with student loan debt, and those considering veterinary school.

Read More
Revolutionary Cancer Treatment for Dogs Just Got USDA Approval—Here’s What It Means for Your Patients
Jill Lopez Jill Lopez

Revolutionary Cancer Treatment for Dogs Just Got USDA Approval—Here’s What It Means for Your Patients

A major breakthrough has occurred in the fight against canine cancer, thanks to Elias Animal Health, a Lenexa-based biotechnology firm. The company has recently received full regulatory approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a revolutionary gene therapy treatment designed to target bone cancer in dogs, a condition that has traditionally been difficult to treat with existing therapies.

Read More
Research shows humans have a long way to go in understanding a dog’s emotions
Jill Lopez Jill Lopez

Research shows humans have a long way to go in understanding a dog’s emotions

 Life with a dog is a matter of give and take. Especially when it comes to communication. With no common human-dog language, our ability to communicate relies on understanding and reading our pet, and vice versa. That process can seem seamless. You give your dog a treat, you look into her eyes and she says “I am delighted to have that cookie.” With a slight wag of her tail, she accepts the treat and romps off to another room to enjoy it. You feel connected to your dog.

Read More
Feline therapy: Study suggests cats could fill an assistive niche
Jill Lopez Jill Lopez

Feline therapy: Study suggests cats could fill an assistive niche

For years, therapy dogs have ruled the world of animal-assisted services (AAS), offering stress relief to college students, hospital patients, and those in need of emotional support. But new research suggests that some cats might also have what it takes to join the ranks of therapy animals—bringing their purrs, gentle headbutts, and calm demeanor to the field.

Read More