A specialty hospital, part of a North Carolina–based network of veterinary hospitals, is now offering internal medicine services. Additionally, Chewy Vet Care has opened a new facility in Aventura, Florida. Meanwhile, Dechra recently obtained a new certification status that will expand its education and training initiatives for its clients and workforce.

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital (Sims, North Carolina)

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital, which is part of Vets Pets' veterinary hospitals network, has expanded its specialty services to include an internal medicine service. The service will be led by Claire Wiley, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM). In addition to the new internal medicine offering, the hospital offers emergency, surgical, and critical care services. Providing those services are 2 boarded surgeons, 2 boarded criticalists, and 13 full-time emergency veterinarians.

Wiley obtained her veterinary degree and completed a rotating internship at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, she completed an internal medicine residency program at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she did research on molecular diagnostics for early cancer detection and canine genetic diseases.

“Since its founding, Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital has evolved to meet the growing needs of pets and referring veterinarians across Eastern North Carolina. The addition of internal medicine complements existing emergency, surgical, and critical care services, furthering the hospital's commitment to collaboration and patient-centered care,” Vets Pets wrote in a news release.

Chewy Vet Care Aventura (Aventura, Florida)

Chewy Vet Care Aventura. (Image courtesy of Chewy Vet Care)

Earlier this fall, Chewy Vet Care opened a new location in Aventura, Florida. The clinic features personalized room monitors that showcase patient photos, the care team, and appointment details during every appointment. Like other Chewy Vet Care centers, the Aventura facility was designed with the signature warm lighting and soft colors. The building also contains nonslip floors and pet-friendly materials for a calming environment. Other touches include Polaroid photos, selfie mirrors, and exam rooms named after patients.

“We are thrilled to bring Chewy Vet Care to Miami. It is an exciting moment for pet health care as more pet parents are embracing a lifestyle where their pets’ well-being is at the center of everything they do. Especially in Miami, where pets are part of the city’s vibrant culture, from morning beach walks to outdoor dining and community events,” said Mita Malhotra, MS, president of Chewy Health. “We look forward to delivering the personalized care and convenience that our customers have come to love and expect from Chewy, now a best-in-class veterinary practice."

Dechra becomes Human-Animal Bond Certified

Dechra recently announced it has become a Human-Animal Bond-Certified company. As part of its new status, the company has committed to supporting education on the human-animal bond for veterinary professionals and to supporting research efforts by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Dechra said it will also train its workforce on the science of the human-animal bond.

Collectively, the North American Veterinary Community and HABRI offer the Human-Animal Bond Certification. The certification looks at the documented science behind the benefits of the human-animal bond and offers veterinarians tools to apply it in their practice through a series of virtual modules.

According to Dechra, the organization is helping make the certification an accessible and affordable continuing education online course for veterinarians and clinics. The company said it plans to offer training for the Human-Animal Bond Certification to its clients in early 2026.

Points East Veterinary Specialty Hospital adds internal medicine service led by Dr Claire Wiley. News release. Vets Pets. October 28, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/points-east-veterinary-specialty-hospital-adds-internal-medicine-service-led-by-dr-claire-wiley-302597236.html 

Dechra advances public health as newest Human-Animal Bond Certified company. News release. Dechra. November 7, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.dechra.com/news/2025/november/habri-launch

Articles

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.

Clinic center: Dechra becomes Human-Animal Bond–Certified company

Gallant, an animal health biotechnology company, announced earlier this week that it has made a massive advancement in the FDA conditional approval process for its lead therapy targeting refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). According to the release, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a technical section complete letter for target animal safety. By receiving this, the FDA determined that Gallant’s data support the 365-day safety requirement for stem cell therapy.

"Achieving TAS technical section completion means the successful demonstration of 365-day safety. Unlike most TAS studies conducted for pharmaceutical drugs in healthy animals, this study was conducted in client-owned cats with refractory FCGS, establishing both short- and long-term safety in this critical population. This represents another foundational milestone for Gallant's uterine-derived platform of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell therapies—and the potential first off-the-shelf cell therapy in veterinary medicine," said Valentine Williams, DVM, MS, DACVS, senior vice president of clinical development and strategy at Gallant. "With both reasonable expectation of effectiveness and target animal safety complete, the clinical relevance for conditional approval is established. We are moving rapidly into the next phase of launch planning to bring practitioners and pet parents a regenerative medicine solution for their loved ones, where before there was no hope. It's inspiring to see cats regain their quality of life after treatment with a product backed by proven safety. There is no greater career satisfaction."

The product currently under FDA review is Gallant’s sonruvetcel injectable suspension, a possible first-in-class uterine-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (UMSC) therapy for feline patients with refractory FCGS. The drug is sourced from healthy and specific pathogen–free feline donors that are FDA qualified. The therapies are manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practice conditions. Currently, the product is on track to receive FDA conditional approval in early 2026.

The UMSC therapy for refractory FCGS received the technical section complete for reasonable expectation of effectiveness in September 2025.

"Safety is always our first and highest priority in developing new products for pets. The FDA's alignment on the 365-day safety data for sonruvetcel is not only validation for potentially the first off-the-shelf cell therapy in pets, but [it's] also validation for our entire platform of products in development," said Linda Black, DVM, PhD, CEO of Gallant. "We are 1 step closer to bringing a first-in-class therapy to veterinary medicine and a pipeline of products that target a pet's underlying disease, not just symptoms."

A study conducted by Gallant, which was recently published in the

found that within the 46 cats in the study, 75% of the subjects that were treated demonstrated a clinically relevant improvement in their quality of life by day 0, almost half experienced measurable improvements in oral lesions, and all subjects had no serious treatment-related adverse events.

FDA completes safety for Gallant's first ready-to-use stem cell therapy for refractory FCGS. News release. Gallant. November 10, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/y4baxm4x 

Williams V, Schneider JL, Parrish RS, et al. EXPRESS: clinical field study evaluating the safety and efficacy of allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS). 

. Published online September 25, 2025. doi:10.1177/1098612X251385852

This completion is a crucial requirement in the approval process for a drug.

Gallant achieves drug approval milestone 

The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has elected a veterinary cardiologist to serve as its new president. Marisa Ames, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), associate professor of cardiology at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was elected during the 2025 Triennial Heartworm Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas. Ames is the second veterinary cardiologist in AHS history to serve as the organization’s president.

Photo courtesy of the American Heartworm Society

Ames is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus. She completed internships at Michigan State University in East Lansing and Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, as well as a cardiology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh. She has served on the AHS board of directors since 2016 and was program cochair of the AHS Triennial Heartworm Symposia held in 2019, 2022, and 2025.

During Ames’s leadership term, AHS will be prioritizing several key efforts. These priorities include enlisting clinic participation in the AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey, which will be conducted in early 2026, and providing further insights and guidance for veterinary professionals on feline heartworm disease.

“Heartworm disease continues to be a serious challenge for the veterinary industry and the pet-owning public, despite advances in heartworm management protocols and product investments by the veterinary industry,” Ames said in a news release. “Given the prevalence of heartworm disease, it’s important that researchers continue to identify new drugs and find ways to repurpose existing ones for heartworm prevention and treatment.”

Ames succeeds immediate past president Jennifer Rizzo, DVM, founder of IntroVet, a continuing education provider for veterinary professionals. Rizzo will continue to serve on the AHS leadership team, according to the organization.

Additional AHS officers newly elected for the 2025-2028 term are as follows

Vice President Lisa Young, DVM, clinical leader in pet health parasiticides at Elanco, based in Indianapolis, Indiana

Secretary/Treasurer Uri Donnett, DVM, MS, DABVP (Shelter Medicine), lead veterinarian at the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin

Editor Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), associate professor of parasitology at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Stillwater

Research Chair Tom Nelson, DVM, medical director at the VCA Animal Medical Center of Northeast Alabama in Anniston

Symposium Program Chair Andrew Moorhead, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), associate professor at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh

Furthermore, 4 new members of the board of directors were elected at the symposium, and 3 previous members have rotated off the board. New board members include entomologist Lyric Bartholomay, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; veterinary practitioners Autumn Brehm, DVM, medical director at Rowland Veterinary Services in New Tazewell, Tennessee; Cindy Culpepper, DVM, owner of Paws and Claws Animal Medical Center in Dunedin, Florida; and Julie Parks, DVM, a relief veterinarian from Long Beach, Mississippi; as well as veterinary technician representative Julie Legred, AAS, CVT, cofounder of Veterinary Advancements and Veterinary Education Program manager for Edcetera, from Bricelyn, Minnesota.

 Members rotating off the board include Chris Duke, DVM, co-owner of Bienville Animal Medical Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Elizabeth Clyde, DVM, owner of Clyde’s Animal Clinic in Mattoon, Illinois; and Angele Bice, DVM, owner of Summerville Pet Clinic in South Carolina.

American Heartworm Association announces new leadership, priorities. News release. American Heartworm Association. November 12, 2025.

Officers. American Heartworm Society. Accessed November 12, 2025. 

https://www.heartwormsociety.org/about/executive-board

The organization elected new officers and board members during its 2025 Triennial Heartworm Symposium.

Veterinary cardiologist named president of the American Heartworm Society

Image Credit: © anastas_ | stock.adobe.com

This is the second part of a 2-article series with Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition). While part 1 focused on how to use nutrition assessment to guide clinical diet selection, part 2 zeroes in on client education and practical feeding recommendations at diagnosis. 

Use nutrition assessment to guide diabetes care in dogs and cats

Editor’s note: This Q&A was drafted from an audio interview. The responses from Cline have been lightly edited for clarity and flow in a written format.

dvm360: What client-education strategies do you think about for diet adherence?

 These clients often need you to spend some time talking with them, and sometimes [it means] leveraging our support staff as well. Our vet technicians and nurses, a lot of them are capable of counseling owners as well, especially when it comes to the management of these cases. Specifically, from a nutrition perspective, it’s important to be very specific with our feeding recommendations. This means doing the calculation, telling an owner how much, how many times they should be feeding the pet, and what to expect. [Have a plan] if a pet isn’t finishing their meals or if they aren’t eating.

Sometimes these owners really need you to be very specific with them, especially when it comes to the nutrition part, because we know we’re already being specific with them on the insulin and that medical management side. But again, it can be really overwhelming. I don’t want to hand an owner a bag of food and just say, ‘follow what’s on the back of the label.’ I really want to make sure that we’re tailoring those specific feeding recommendations to the pet and to the owner, to make sure that we can get good compliance.

dvm360: How do you account for the household and real-world feeding challenges?

 It’s also really important to take into account the feeding management, because managing a diabetic dog or cat is a lot for an owner. It changes a lot of what happens daily in their household. So, we want to make sure we have a good idea of the environment and what the owner is able and capable of doing from a nutrition standpoint.

A good example would be a multi-pet or multi-cat household where we’re making specific recommendations for one cat; we really need to think about how to manage that household in a way that is actually going to be manageable from a feeding standpoint when we’re making such specific recommendations.

dvm360: What are common mistakes or missed opportunities you see in practice?

 I don’t necessarily want to call it a mistake, but maybe a missed opportunity is, again, to be very specific and tailored with your feeding recommendation. It’s going to help alleviate some of the work the owner has to do in figuring it out themselves, especially when they already feel overwhelmed. And it’s going to be more tailored specifically to that animal compared to making a generic recommendation.

So, taking the time to do the calculation and giving an owner a specific recommendation for food, how much to feed, and frequency, is really, really helpful. I do see that that doesn’t always happen, and I think that’s a missed opportunity for us in terms of managing these cases.

dvm360: Any practical tips about treats and owner expectations?

 Oh, and treat recommendations...we can’t forget that. You’re not going to be able to take treats away from everybody, but make sure that you’re accounting for them as well. Giving specific feeding recommendations and a specific medical recommendation has been shown to increase compliance in pet owners, so that’s another key thing.

dvm360: What resources or kits does Purina provide to clinics and how can they access them?

 At Purina, we provide a bag of the Purina DM for cats, or a bag of EN FiberBalance for dogs, as part of the kit when they are diagnosed with diabetes. Some of the other resources that we have...if people look at the Purina Institute website, we have calculators for helping to calculate how much to feed, and that can be really helpful.

We have maintenance energy requirement calculators that people can access, again, on Purina Institute center square, that can be really helpful in figuring out how much they need to feed these pets throughout the day. There are some other resources on there related to diabetic management as well that people can access from a clinical standpoint. So in addition to providing the food, we also have some nice resources online to help people in terms of figuring out how much [to feed] and ways to help guide the pet owner.

dvm360: How can clinics enroll or sign up?

 The website is usa.petdiabetesmonth.com. That’s where clinics can enroll. If they’re interested in participating, I would encourage them to visit that website for more information.

dvm360: If there’s one thing you want clinicians to remember about owner education, what is it?

 Take the time to give them a specific feeding recommendation, and that includes food, feeding amounts, and frequency.

Specific feeding instructions increase owner adherence and simplify diabetes management for dogs and cats.

Give clients clear feeding plans to improve diabetes outcomes

A veterinary hospital in Bend, Oregon, has turned its local veterinary charity fund into a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at expanding health care access and helping more pet owners in financial need. The nonprofit, called PetsForward, builds on Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon’s (VRCCO’s) Care Fund, which has helped countless animals in Central Oregon receive care.

“This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization will build on years of community support and philanthropic success to create a larger platform for impact, supporting pets in need and advancing access to innovative veterinary care options,” VRCCO wrote in a news release announcing the launch of PetsForward.

Over the past 2 years, the VRCCO Care Fund has raised close to $200,000 through donations from individuals and the community, according to VRCCO. Those funds have helped more than 300 pets receive rehabilitation therapy, which has helped them in their recoveries.

“When...VRCCO opened its doors in 2018, the team quickly recognized that not all pet parents could afford the quality of advanced medical services they provide,” VRCCO wrote.

 As health care costs rose and cases of economic euthanasia increased throughout the country, the hospital partnered with the Veterinary Care Foundation to establish the VRCCO Care Fund, designed to bridge the gap for pets in need of critical medical care.

The fund quickly grew, and VRCCO said it realized that access to care was an issue in other areas beyond emergency care, such as advanced treatments, new medications and therapies, and other resources that help pets obtain the best possible outcomes. This realization led VRCCO to create PetsForward.

According to PetsForward, its mission is to “revolutionize veterinary medicine by removing financial barriers, expanding access to advanced diagnostics and compassionate service, and advancing innovative research, ensuring every animal, regardless of financial means, receives top-quality medical care.”

Every year, between 7% and 10% of pet owners apply for financial assistance.

 Yet, nearly 1 in 3 pet owners know a friend or family member whose pet died because the owner could not afford necessary treatment to save their pet, a PetSmart Charities and Gallup survey found.

 Seven percent reported declining lifesaving surgeries for their pets for the same reason. Across all income levels, financial barriers were cited as a reason pet owners declined or skipped veterinary care.

“The veterinary industry must unite to ensure every pet has access to care, as the magnitude of the problem is such that no 1 entity can solve this on their own," Robyn Jaynes, DVM, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities, told 

 “Together, we can build a system that meets families where they are, because access to veterinary care shouldn’t be a privilege.”

Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon launches PetsForward. News release. Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon. November 5, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.newswire.com/news/veterinary-referral-center-of-central-oregon-launches-petsforward-22669971

Advanced Veterinary Healthcare Fund. PetsForward. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.petsforward.org/

Bautista-Alejandre A. Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds. 

April 17, 2025. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/many-pet-owners-cannot-afford-veterinary-care-survey-finds

Every year, between 7% and 10% of pet owners apply for financial help.

Oregon veterinary hospital turns charity fund into a nonprofit to expand pet care access

Earlier this week, Tuskegee University, the only historically black veterinary school in the US, filed a federal lawsuit and an emergency motion attempting to block the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from proceeding with a hearing to determine whether Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) will be stripped of its accreditation.

A complaint and a time-sensitive motion for preliminary injunction were both filed, accusing the AVMA and its Council on Education (COE) of violating due-process requirements and failing to follow their rules during an ongoing accreditation review. According to the filings, if Tuskegee were to lose its accreditation, it would jeopardize the university's ability to operate the program, cause long-term reputational harm, and eliminate access to federal student-aid funding. 

"Tuskegee University respectfully requests that the court enjoin the AVMA from conducting an appeal hearing under procedures that deny Tuskegee a fair opportunity to present evidence and witnesses,” according to the motion.

Within the lawsuit, Tuskegee argues that the AVMA did not apply its standards consistently and conducted its review in a manner that did not follow the association's established procedures, thereby violating Tuskegee’s right to a fair process. Through its emergency motion, Tuskegee provided 4 primary violations of procedural fairness in the AVMA’s handling of the university's appeal

Blocking testimony from expert witnesses, including Willie M. Reed, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACPV, dean of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, and James W. Lloyd, DVM, PhD, former dean of the University of Florida and Michigan State University.

Refusing to release internal AVMA records related to the accreditation decision.

Barring Tuskegee from introducing evidence about unequal treatment compared with other institutions.

Restricting the hearing to 2.5 hours, covering all witness testimony, exhibits, and rebuttals.

Based on the restrictions Tuskegee outlined, each violates the AVMA’s own policy, Section 2.5.4, that states each institution is guaranteed the right to present witnesses and documents pertinent to the case.

“When Purdue University faced comparable facility challenges, the AVMA COE did not demand financial documentation before approving extensions,” the complaint asserts. However, "Tuskegee’s verified commitments from its board, president, and financial institution were rejected as insufficient.”

The motion asks the court to issue an injunction before December 4, 2025, the day before the scheduled AVMA hearing, to preserve Tuskegee’s rights and maintain the status quo until the case is fully heard. The motion also warns that if things continue under the current AVMA procedures, it could damage its reputation, lead to a loss of student recruitment, and possibly result in the program's closure.

Within the filings, Tuskegee asks the federal court the following

Stop the AVMA from holding the hearing on December 5, 2025, until a fair process is guaranteed.

Compel AVMA to allow full witness testimony and document access.

Grant other relief necessary to maintain procedural integrity.

“In 2021, the [AVMA] visited our campus and identified deficiencies that Tuskegee proactively addressed, eventually demonstrating full compliance with accreditation standards. The AVMA has not returned to our campus since 2021, and accreditors refuse to recognize substantial evidence of our strong financial health, extensive clinical resources, and significant improvements in licensing exam assessments,” the school said in an issued statement.

If Tuskegee’s injunction is granted, the case would proceed to determine whether the AVMA’s accreditation process was in violation of federal due-process standards and the Higher Education Act.

For now, while Tuskegee navigates the appeals process, all of its veterinary medicine academic programming, clinical training, and support services will continue to proceed as planned. Students currently enrolled will also be able to complete their degrees, remain fully enrolled with their degree path unchanged, and become eligible for licensure, internships, and residencies.

TUCVM was the first veterinary medical professional program located on the campus of a historically Black college or university in the US. With more than 127,000 veterinarians in the US, 2% are Black; of that 2%, a total of 70% graduated from TUCVM. The college is recognized as the most diverse of all schools/colleges of veterinary medicine in the US.

Lincoln Memorial University sues American Veterinary Medical Association

In 1944, Frederick Douglass Patterson first envisioned TUCVM, and it was then established a year later. At this time, TUCVM was 1 of 10 veterinary schools in the US, and it is estimated that within the Southern part of the US, there were fewer than 5 Black veterinarians.

TUCVM had its first graduating class in 1949, comprising 5 graduates, including 1 woman. Although its first class contained exclusively Black veterinary students, TUCVM is now known as one of the most diverse and inclusive veterinary schools in the US and has served as a singular role in expanding the diversity of the profession.

 Since its first class, Tuskegee has graduated almost 3200 veterinary medical students and accepts 65 students a year.

In fall 2021, the AVMA COE's notice of accreditation actions for spring 2022 following a 2021 visit stated that Tuskegee was put on probationary accreditation with major deficiencies, including Standard 2, Finances; Standard 4, Clinical Resources; Standard 11, Outcomes Assessment; as well as minor deficiencies in Standard 3, Physical Facilities and Equipment; Standard 6, Students; and Standard 9, Curriculum.

“The integrity of the nation’s only historically Black veterinary college—and the progress it represents in diversifying the veterinary profession—hangs in the balance,” the complaint concludes.

Editors note:  On November 14, 2025, it was reported that Tuskegee University is settling with the AVMA and dropped the federal lawsuit.

Blevins S. Tuskegee University sues to stop American Veterinary Medical Association’s attempt to strip their accreditation. Yellowhammer News. November 11, 2025, Accessed November 12, 2025. https://yellowhammernews.com/tuskegee-university-sues-to-stop-american-veterinary-medical-associations-attempt-to-strip-their-accreditation/

Tuskegee University. Case No. 2:25-cv-00890. US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://yellowhammernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/002.-Time-Sensitive-Motion-for-Preliminary-Injunction-Ruling-Requested-by-December-4-2025-1.pdf

Notice of accreditation actions by the AVMA Council on Education. American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. 2022. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022-March-Accreditation-Actions.pdf

The historical legacy. Tuskegee University. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges-schools/cvm/The-Historical-Legacy.html

WSFA 12 News Staff. Tuskegee University drops lawsuit against veterinary accreditation association. https://www.wsfa.com. Published November 14, 2025. Accessed November 18, 2025. https://www.wsfa.com/2025/11/14/tuskegee-university-drops-lawsuit-against-veterinary-accreditation-association/

The university is attempting to stop the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from stripping it of its accreditation. 