“Create a Better World” is the theme of Connexity 2022, and a stellar speaker lineup promises to equip and inspire veterinary professionals with the critical education they need for successful careers and practices. 

There will be plenty of serious medical CE covering topics like emergency medicine, end-of-life care, neurology, working dogs, endocrinology, and antimicrobial resistance. And the nonmedical CE track is just as packed with sessions on clinic finances, communications, team recruitment and retention, remote work, using technology, and design thinking. 

But connections made outside the sessions can be just as meaningful. Attendees at this year’s sold-out conference will not only have the entire Music City of Nashville as their playground, but they’ll have the option of AAHA-organized group events, from puppy yoga to Bollywood-inspired fitness (also with puppies), to games inspired by the AAHA guidelines (including the brand-new 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines), and “Yappy Hour.”  

Because everyone agrees that no matter what our “better world” looks like, it definitely includes dogs. 

5 ways to wellness at Connexity 

There are fun ways to connect and pursue wellbeing each day of the conference. Plan your Connexity experience with the full schedule at aaha.org/connexity and in the mobile app. 

1. Join the Step Challenge | Starts Thursday, September 15, 6:00 am CST 

Get things moving on Day 1 by joining the Connexity Step Challenge. The MoveSpring app connects right to your smartphone or wearable device, which automatically tracks your activity. Watch the leaderboard throughout the conference for your username and number of steps. Fabulous prizes to be announced! 

Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition 

2. Yap it up at Yappy Hour  | Thursday, September 15, 5:00-6:30 pm CST 

All that walking is bound to make you thirsty, so cap off the first day with new friends and libations at the conference’s kickoff happy hour. 

3. Do your downward dogs at Puppy Yoga | Friday, September 16, 6:00 am CST 

Meet some of Nashville’s cutest and furriest residents for a sunrise yoga session. The yoga poses will be gentle, and pausing to pet puppies is encouraged. In partnership with the Nashville Humane Association. 

4. Test your AAHA guidelines knowledge | Friday, September 16

Should lepto be a required vaccine for all dogs? Are antimicrobials recommended in cases of acute diarrhea? If you think you’re an expert in veterinary medicine and an AAHA guidelines whiz, your knowledge will be tested with guidelines-inspired games in the Guidelines Games Room on Friday afternoon. Study up on the 2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines, the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, and all the other AAHA guidelines, which are always available for free at aaha.org/guidelines. 

5. Dance into the day—Bollywood style | Saturday, September 17, 6:00 am CST 

The Nashville Humane Association is back with more floppy, squishy, puppy love, only this one is for the higher-energy breeds. BollyX is a Bollywood-inspired fitness routine that will get you dancing, even if you don’t know any of the moves. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your sassy attitude, because this workout offers plenty of opportunity for self-expression. 

“BollyX is the best way I know of to wake up and get moving for the last day of the conference. It might be hard to get out of bed, but you will not regret it: Trust me, you can have two left feet and absolutely no dance experience, and still have a fantastic time,” said Katie Berlin, DVM, BollyX instructor, AAHA’s Director of Content Strategy, and host of Central Line: The AAHA Podcast. “Plus, you’ll get lots of extra steps for the Step Challenge!” 

No matter what “wellness” looks like to you, if you’re headed to Nashville for Connexity this week, you will be in great company—of both the human and canine varieties—to start creating a better world for the veterinary profession.  

Connexity is September 14–17, 2022 in Nashville. Learn more at aaha.org/connexity. 

Photo credit: © Collab Media via Getty Images Plus and the American Animal Hospital Association.