Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward visits and gives a special presentation at the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Your Weight Matters Annual Conference held August 10-13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward speaks at the 2017 North Carolina   Association of Veterinary Technicians (NCAVT) Annual Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina and talks with veterinary technicians about their biggest challenges, how they cope with stress, compassion fatigue and burnout, and what advice they'd give veterinarians and practice managers for better utilizing vet techs in their veterinary practices.

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward speaks at the inaugural Veterinary Innovation Summit held at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Featured guests included: Veterinary College Dean Eleanor Green, Dr. Adam Little, Ryan Bethencourt of IndieBio, Ben Jacobs of Whistle Labs, Stephen Chen with Petnostics, Raymond McCauley of Singularity University, Ben Lewis of The One Health Company, Brock Weatherup of PetCoach and Pet360 fame, Dr. Kaitlin Link formerly with Treat, Mark Cushing of The Animal Policy Group, Deb Leon with whiskerDocs, Dr. Ernie Ward, Drs. Ira Gordon (VetPrep, ViralVet), Dani McVety (Lap of Love), Stacee Santi (Vet2Pet),  James Andrews (FelCana), Jon Ayers, CEO of IDEXX, Peter Scott, COO of North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), Dr. David Haworth of PetSmart Charities, Dean of Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine Jason Johnson, Banfield's Jeanine Taaffe, the wonderfully curious Claude Ecochard of Royal Canin, Dr. Elliott Garber, Mia Cary, DVM of NAVC, and many, many more!

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward visits Virginia Beach to speak at the 2017 Central Veterinary Conference (CVC). He speaks with Lap of Love's Dr. Dani McVety about her in-home euthanasia business, and veterinary dental specialist Dr. Heidi Lobprise reviews pet dental care and oral disease. Finally, Dr. Ernie meets up with an old, young friend, Dr. Jeremy Keen, to discuss how to find a balanced, happy, whole life.

The Clash were an incredibly important band to many post-punk/New Wave bands of the mid-1980's to early 1990's. My band, The Violets, was no no exception. We covered many Clash tunes during out tenure from 1988 to 1992 and drew heavily upon their recordings for inspiration. I'm proud to announce our record company, Crooked Beat Records, has released a "do-over" compilation recording of The Clash's last record, "Cut the Crap." We covered "Cool Under Heat," a tune with a strong political message as powerful today as it was in 1985. 

2016 U.S. Dog and Cat Pet Obesity Body Condition Score (BCS) Results from Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

U.S. Pet Obesity Percentages 2012 - 2016 from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

“Obesity continues to be the greatest health threat to dogs and cats.” states APOP Founder, veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward. “Obesity is a disease that kills millions of pets prematurely, creates immeasurable pain and suffering, and costs pet owners tens of millions of dollars in avoidable medical costs.”