All Articles

With food insecurity on the rise, pet food banks are working to meet increased needs to help keep pets with their families.

The Pet Lifetime of Care Study 2025 update reveals a reality gap when it comes to pet care costs.

In a veterinary context, humane education involves intentionally integrating animal welfare, empathetic client communication, and environmental awareness into everyday practice. It is about looking beyond the clinical outcome to consider the broader ethical picture, helping to shape a more compassionate community in the process. And while it’s something you’re probably already practicing every day, understanding what it is and how it can impact your patients, clients, and community can make a big difference.

Join our host Dr. Emily Singler every other week as we chat with an array of amazing guests! You can listen on Spotify, YouTube, and AAHA’s LMS.

From new Oncology Guidelines to fresh podcasts, AAHA has gifts for everyone this holiday season! Check out what’s to come in December.

Jaci Christensen, BAS, LVT, VTS (Oncology), is cochair of the task force for the 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, which launches on Friday, January 2, 2026. These new guidelines aim to help primary care veterinary teams support pets and their families through diagnosis, staging, treatment, and/or referral of cancer cases.

Cancer is common in cats and dogs, but rapid advancements in diagnosis and treatment can make it challenging for those who don’t specialize in oncology to keep up. Still, there’s plenty that primary care teams can do to help oncology patients and their families—and, as Christensen shares below, there’s also plenty that both general and specialty practices need to know to ensure their staff remains safe while providing those treatments.

The inclusion of so many AAHA-accredited hospitals in Newsweek’s Best Animal Hospitals 2026 ranking is meaningful for any clinic that’s pursued accreditation. Striving to meet these standards of excellence indicates a practice’s commitment to practicing the type of medicine pet parents expect (and patients deserve). That’s not just something to be proud of, but something AAHA-accredited hospitals can share with their clients and communities.

Veterinarians are in a unique position: we possess countless ways to use our knowledge, compassion, and creativity to make a difference in our communities and in the world. And the best part is the more we give, the more we grow.

Animals that live in zoos and shelters often have enrichment programs created for them to reduce their stress, and veterinary professionals commonly recommend enrichment to pet owners for them to implement at home. But enrichment can also be a powerful tool to reduce stress and strengthen bonds in the veterinary practice, whether it’s for an overnight hospitalization or a quick visit for an exam.

Muzzles can help keep pets and people safe in a variety of situations, but all too often, muzzle stigma prevents pet parents from introducing their dogs to muzzles. Here’s what you should know about muzzle training, including why it’s important for veterinary professionals to discuss muzzles with their clients (even before a muzzle might be needed).