Meet the luckiest dog in the world, rescued while swimming 135 miles from shore

A dog found swimming more than 135 miles from shore by workers on an oil rig crew in the Gulf of Thailand has been returned safely to land. A worker on the rig (which belongs to Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production) said they saw the dog swimming toward the platform last Friday. He said they were lucky to spot it; if there had been waves, he probably would not have been visible. The dog made it to the platform, clinging to the support structure below deck without barking or whimpering. . . . more

Researchers have recreated the face of an ancient dog

Civilizations may come and go, but good dogs are forever. In a first for canine forensics, researchers have reconstructed the head of a domesticated dog who lived in Scotland’s Orkney Islands some 4,500 years ago. Based on the size of his skull, the scientists believe the dog must have been roughly the size of a large collie and had features similar to a European grey wolf. Based on the loving gleam in his forensically reconstructed eyes, we believe the pup must have been a very good dog. Archaeoloell-trained, compassionate veterinary technicians being an integral part of any veterinary hospital, Embrace Pet Insurance will offer three $1,000 veterinary technician student scholarships for the 2019–2020 school year. To be eligible, students must be 18 or older, be a US citizen, have a GPA over 3.0, and be enrolled in a veterinary technician program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. . . . more

University of Arizona trying to open the state’s first public veterinary school

Arizona students could have a public university option to study veterinary medicine as soon as next year if the University of Arizona’s (UA) plan for a new program is approved by accreditors. A new college for veterinary medicine would open and begin enrolling students by fall 2020 under the university’s plan. UA has worked to open a veterinary medicine program for several years, but so far hasn’t convinced the accrediting body, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education, to bless it. On Thursday, UA received approval from the Arizona Board of Regents to meet one of the major criterion the accreditors said was needed after a failed accreditation effort in 2017. . . . more

Embrace Pet Insurance announces veterinary technician student scholarship program for 2019–2020 school year

In recognition of well-trained, compassionate veterinary technicians being an integral part of any veterinary hospital, Embrace Pet Insurance will offer three $1,000 veterinary technician student scholarships for the 2019–2020 school year. To be eligible, students must be 18 or older, be a US citizen, have a GPA over 3.0, and be enrolled in a veterinary technician program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. . . . more

Idaho’s Veterinarian Shortage

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address the veterinarian shortage in rural areas. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act would help meet the growing demand for veterinarians nationwide by eliminating taxes on programs that encourage veterinarians to practice in underserved areas. Fellow Idaho Senator Jim Risch is a cosponsor, along with six other bipartisan senators. “It is critical that veterinary care be accessible to farmers, ranchers, and other rural Idahoans,” said Risch. “This legislation will ensure this effort to increase trained veterinarians in rural areas benefits underserved communities to the highest degree possible.” . . . more