News Briefs

AVDA to Co-sponsor Brakke Networking Reception during NAVC
AVDA will co-sponsor the Brakke Consulting, Inc., Networking Reception with the KC Animal Health Corridor immediately following the Brakke Consulting US Animal Health Industry Overview on Jan. 19, 2009. Invitations were sent in advance to AVDA members. Over 200 executives from animal health companies are expected to attend the reception, now in its third year. This is the second year for AVDA to co-sponsor this event. Invitations will be mailed in the next few months to principals and alternates at AVDA member companies. For more information on KC Animal Health Corridor please visit, www.kcanimalhealth.com. For more information on Brakke Consulting, Inc. please visit, www.brakkeconsulting.com.

Embrace Pet Insurance Secures over $2 million in first institutional funding round
Embrace Pet Insurance, a provider of pet health insurance, announced the completion of its first institutional investment round of $2.1 million, funded by Columbus, Ohio-based NCT Ventures. The financing will support Embrace’s goal of profitable market leadership through product development and expansion of the company’s sales and marketing activities.

Perea joins Natura Pet Products as senior nutritionist
San Jose, Calif.-based Natura Pet Products hired Sally Perea, DVM, Dipl. ACVN, as its senior nutritionist. She will work directly with Sean Delaney, DVM, Dipl. ACVN, Natura’s senior executive vice president. Perea was previously a faculty member at the University of California, Davis, and a principal consultant at Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting, a company that developed Balance IT software and supplements for making homemade pet food. “I’m excited to be joining Natura Pet Products, and look forward to playing a role in the further development and advancement of healthful pet foods and treats,” Perea said.

Lower input costs for cattlemen
Prices for many key inputs for agriculture declined dramatically in the fall of 2008. Of major significance for cattlemen is the lower price of corn. Cash corn in central Illinois averaged $3.41 per bushel in the fall, which was 50 to 60 percent lower than the highs set earlier in 2008, and roughly 30 cents per bushel lower than at the same time in 2007. Fuel prices have also declined significantly, with diesel prices nearing $3 per gallon compared to a high of about $4.75 this summer. Fertilizer prices, which averaged nearly $850 per ton in August, have dropped to $400 per ton by the end of October. The decline in commodity prices over the past few months is tied to the bearish developments in market fundamentals and some factors outside of agricultural markets. United States and foreign crops were generally good in 2008, with very big wheat crops in several major producing countries. The U.S. dollar has strengthened recently, dampening the outlook for exports.

Henry Schein promotes Williams to general manager of Animal Health; Stone and Dye promoted to Zone Sales managers
Henry Schein has promoted Ken Williams to general manager of Henry Schein Animal Health. Williams will assume responsibility for all aspects of the business. His team will include Ken Gutkoska, director of supply chain and operations; Reed Presnell, director of finance; and Beth Seeley, marketing manager. In his previous role as national director of field sales for Henry Schein Animal Health, Williams was instrumental in integrating the NLS Animal Health and Henry Schein sales teams following the merger of the two businesses. Henry Schein has also promoted Dale Dye and Michael Stone to Zone Sales Managers. Dale has assumed responsibility for the West Coast Region in addition to his current South Central Region duties. Stone is responsible for East Coast sales. Both Dye and Stone bring many years of animal health sales and sales management experience to their new assignments

Risks of skipping pet checkups
Infectious diseases, parasitism and degenerative diseases such as heart problems, kidney disease and arthritis in pets can go untreated or unnoticed when people skip well-pet visits, according to John Hamil, a veterinarian at Canyon Animal Hospital in Laguna Beach, Calif. That’s especially true in lower socioeconomic areas, he says, where pets might be more likely to encounter other animals that haven’t been vaccinated or given preventive medication for heartworms or fleas. And waiting until a pet needs emergency care can be far more expensive than taking steps to prevent a problem. “We may hear a few more complaints about dollars, but people are still wanting to care for their pets,” says Mary Paige Corcoran, DVM, of Buttercup Creek Animal Hospital in Cedar Park, Texas.

Cassidy hopeful for future
Mike Cassidy has been out of work just about two years, but he and wife Rita remain hopeful he’ll be back calling on vets in San Diego County and Southern California. Cassidy, a sales rep with Victor Medical Co., El Toro, Calif., suffered a stroke in December 2007. The stroke affected his ability to speak, walk and drive. In the ensuing two years, Mike and Rita have worked hard to get him back up to speed. He’s walking, though with a cane. He’s still unable to drive and continues to have some trouble with speech, yet his memory and cognitive abilities remain perfect. “We’re hopeful he can get back in the field,” says Rita, who adds that the two have learned much in the past two years about the mysteries of the brain. And his employer, Victor Medical, has told him there’s a spot waiting for him on his return.

Midmark appoints Whitley, Hallum
Versailles, Ohio-based Midmark Corp. announced the appointment of Ryan Whitley as sales representative for the Midmark veterinary division covering Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Whitley will be responsible for building dealer relationships and promoting sales for Midmark’s line of veterinary equipment in his respective territory. He will report directly to Ted Hoelscher, regional manager, veterinary products. “We are pleased to have Ryan join the Midmark team,” said Hoelscher. “His sales and marketing background, several years of clinic experience, and drive for success make him the perfect addition as we continue to grow and expand the Midmark veterinary equipment line.” Whitley was also a veterinary assistant/technician at the Paw Patch Animal Hospital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing management.
Midmark Corp. also announced the appointment of Kevin Hallum as product manager, veterinary products. Hallum will be responsible for developing strategic marketing plans and overseeing the development of new product features and functionality. He will also be responsible for managing relationships with internal and external customers. Hallum will report directly to Jamie Renner, market manager, veterinary products. Prior to joining Midmark, Hallum was m ost recently a CRM product manager for the Reynolds and Reynolds Company in Dayton, Ohio, where he was recognized as Product Manager of the Year for 2007. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in international business from Wright State University and a master’s degree in MIS with a focus on business analysis and design from The University of Phoenix.

Midmark completes acquisition of Sharn Veterinary, Inc.
Midmark Corporation announced the completion of its acquisition of Sharn Veterinary, Inc, a Tampa, Florida based company. Sharn Veterinary, Inc. is a value-added marketer of state-of-the-art, world-class monitoring and critical care equipment designed specifically for use with animals under the Cardell®, CardEX^TM and Versaflo^TM brands. Founded in 2001 by Andrew Schultz Sr., the Sharn Veterinary product line is highly valued throughout the world by veterinarians because of their superior performance, reliability and versatility. Schultz will work closely with the veterinary division sales and marketing team on the transition plan and future sales strategy for veterinary products.