While January often brings “new year, new me” energy coupled with a grey stretch of winter days, there's a simple way to bring a little brightness into the season: new uniforms. Getting new uniforms doesn’t require a huge time commitment on your part. Consider this process: https://bit.ly/4q8RVc5

Every colleague contributes. Recognize a major industry leader with an AVMA Excellence Award or honor a foundational team member as an Unsung Hero. Your nomination is key to celebrating the full spectrum of excellence in our field. Start your nomination: https://bit.ly/3YlAYPv

Looking for practical strategies that can bring sustainable change to your workplace? A new learning series from Journey for Teams can help you get there. The Thrive: Transforming Workplace Dynamics series takes a deeper look at how workplace culture functions as an ecosystem. https://bit.ly/4ps9fYA

BEHIND THE SCENES: AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey joined ABC 7 Chicago this morning to discuss the 2026 Veterinary Leadership Conference (#AVMAVLC), which kicks off Thursday, and general pet advice, including winter pet care. Stay tuned...

January is Train Your Dog Month! An important reminder, especially if you recently adopted a puppy: socialization should be part of your training considerations. You can find puppy (or kitten) socialization tips ➡️ https://bit.ly/4pmp2sF

The AVMA Excellence Awards honor educators, researchers, clinical practitioners, veterinary advocates, and those who are not veterinarians but whose work has contributed significantly to advancing veterinary medicine. There's one week left to nominate someone! https://bit.ly/3YlAYPv

Today is National Cuddle Up Day. Will you be setting aside some time for your cuddle buddies today??? 😽😻🐶❤️❤️❤️

Are you a student attending #AVMAVLC later this week? Come meet your fellow students at this Meet & Greet with SAVMA leadership before workshops. Learn more at avma.org/VLC

Shout out to all the birds and aviary veterinary professionals; it is #NationalBirdDay, after all! 🐦🦜🐤 Birds can make wonderful additions to your family, especially if family members are allergic to other animals. Looking for insight on how to select a pet 🐦? We can help: https://bit.ly/4aA9ywA

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day! Hitting the road with your pet this year? Here are 6️⃣ tips to keep in mind if you're planning on traveling with your pet in 2026.

AVMA Trust Board Chair Dr. Stuart Brown shares his insight about the 2026 AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (#AVMAVLC) and why veterinary professionals should attend. Learn more at avma.org/VLC

From all of us at the AVMA, we want to wish you a very happy and healthy New Year! 🐶🐱🎉🎊 One of the best resolutions pet owners can make in 2026 is to protect the health and welfare of their pets. You can find more helpful information about responsible pet ownership ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aAHjOf

We would again like to thank the AVMA Career Center for sponsoring the My Veterinary Life podcast this quarter. Be sure to catch up on the latest #MyVetLife podcasts at https://bit.ly/3HM87ib

CAN YOU BELIEVE #AVMAVLC KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK? Be sure to join us at the 2026 Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC), taking place January 8-10 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago. Learn more at avma.org/VLC#AVMAVLC We hope to see you all next week in Chicago!

Attending #AVMAVLC next week? Be ready to kick of 2026 with a new headshot as you stop by the VLC Headshot Lounge, hosted by the AVMA Career Center.

AVMA’s Unsung Heroes Awards shine a light on the veterinary team members whose hard work and dedication often go unnoticed. Help us recognize the impact of these dedicated individuals by submitting a nomination for an Unsung Hero by January 28. Learn more and nominate someone: https://bit.ly/3XAKuhq

The holiday season continues, and it's important to be mindful of food that may be dangerous for your pet. Here's advice AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey shared with Good Morning Orlando. Listen to the full interview that discusses pets, holidays, and cold weather pet safety: https://bit.ly/44gCx4E

Today is Visit the Zoo Day! Even if you can't make it to your local zoo today, be sure to thank a zoo veterinarian for their role in animal health, conservation, and research. 🐻🐼🐨🐯🦁🐗🐵🐒🦍🦧🐘🦛🦏🐅🐆🦓🦒🦘🐪

While attending #AVMAVLC, be sure to stop by this one-of-a-kind photo box, and see yourself on the cover of the "Leader of the Year" magazine! This is a fun and inspiring experience for individuals or groups. Thank you to Hill's Pet Nutrition for hosting this new experience!

Hosting parties or expecting holiday visitors? AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey shares tips with Good Morning Orlando on keeping your pets safe this holiday season. For more tips to help reduce emotional stress on your pet and protect your guests from possible injury, visit avma.org/Holiday

Get an introduction to AVMA's governance process at #AVMAVLC! Attend the following sessions to get an inside look and learn how you can connect further in the veterinary profession. Learn more and register at avma.org/VLC

👀 Stay tuned tomorrow to watch AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey read a story all about his job as Santa's Official Veterinarian and the important examination he performed on Santa's team of nine reindeer up at the North Pole! For now, here's a sneak peek at some of the storybook pages...

Join us at VMX 2026 for Journey for Teams presentations covering topics such as the power of perspective taking, the overapologizing habit, and how to be an upstander. For more information, view the VMX Education Program ➡ https://navc.com/vmx-event/vmx-onsite-education-program/

🎅🐶🐱🐰 From all of us at the AVMA, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season! And remember nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic, so be sure to follow these tips to help keep your holiday season safe for your pet and for you. https://bit.ly/3LGAjoG

AVMA District 3 Director Dr. Libby Coleman Todd shares her vision for veterinary leadership in 2026, and encourages those who share her vision to join her and others at the 2026 AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (#AVMAVLC). Register now at avma.org/VLC

This special 400th episode is a heartfelt farewell to #MyVetLife podcast founder Dr. Marci Kirk. In her final episode as co-host, Marci shares candid memories, standout guest moments that changed how she views the profession, and more. Listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/4oVqQHX

Have you ever seen part of a veterinary exam of a reindeer? Earlier this month, AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey and certified veterinary technician Beckie Mossor traveled to the North Pole to ensure Santa's sleigh team is healthy and ready for Christmas Eve night! Learn more at avma.org/Santa

"Ho, ho, ho!" Even Santa knows the importance of proper veterinary care! Here's more on the trip AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey took to the North Pole to ensure that Santa’s team of nine reindeer were healthy enough to make their annual trek around the globe. https://bit.ly/3XVUIsM

The size and makeup of the nation’s pet population affect nearly every aspect of companion animal practice. Insights from the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook illuminate what’s changing—and where opportunities may lie. Learn more in the Chart of the Month: https://bit.ly/4pEZxCV

Want clearer guidance on controlled substance compliance? Subscribe to the Axon newsletter and get monthly updates on essential CE—like our webinar covering DEA rules and the 4 P’s: people, products, paperwork, and processes. Subscribe today: https://bit.ly/axon-subscribe

Nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. Here's what AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey has to say about pets and electric lights and cords. Listen to the full interview on holiday pet safety with Good Morning Orlando: https://bit.ly/44gCx4E

The nomination period is open for the AVMA Excellence Awards for 2026. The awards program recognizes contributions by veterinarians and nonveterinarians to the veterinary profession and to animal health and welfare. The deadline is January 14, 2026. Learn more and nominate: https://bit.ly/48KwOXy

As Santa's official veterinarian, AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey traveled to the North Pole for comprehensive checkups of all 9 reindeer. The visit also highlighted the broader contributions of veterinary professionals to global public and animal health. Learn more at avma.org/Santa

Earlier this month, AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey and certified veterinary technician Beckie Mossor conducted a full-body examination of all of Santa's nine reindeer, inspecting their antlers, hooves, fur, and vital signs. Learn more at avma.org/Santa

The AVMA is proud to announce Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science, and Environment at Disney Parks, will deliver the keynote address at #AVMA2026. We would like to thank Hill’s Pet Nutrition for hosting this special event! Learn more at avma.org/Convention

Are your pets are on your holiday gift list this year? Here are some suggestions from the AVMA. "Even something as simple as a microchip can be a lifesaving gift if your pet is ever lost," said AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey. For more tips and resources, visit AVMA.org/holiday

ICYMI: AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey has completed his annual examination of Santa’s world-famous reindeer team—and we’re delighted to share that every one of them has been officially cleared for takeoff. Read all about the special trip to the North Pole: https://bit.ly/4ac3x9g

As an AVMA member, here's how you can spread the word that your clinic has been certified an official “Santa’s E.L.V.E.S.” (Emergency Landing and Veterinary Expert System) location! https://bit.ly/4nY365w Note: The social media images library is for members only. You will need your login to access.

This month is filled with holiday celebrations, and nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. These tips can help keep your winter holiday season from becoming not-so-happy – for your pet and for you. https://bit.ly/443GeKY

Did you hear the news? Santa Claus' reindeer have been officially cleared for their Christmas Eve journey following their annual veterinary checkup by AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey and certified veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, representing NAVTA. Learn more at avma.org/Santa

Great news from the North Pole: Santa Claus' reindeer have been officially cleared for their Christmas Eve journey following their annual veterinary checkup by AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey and certified veterinary technician Beckie Mossor, representing NAVTA. bit.ly/3XVUIsM

Cat Herders Day is one of our favorite days of the year because tasks that may seem impossible are considered routine in the veterinary profession. Some days, the job of a veterinary professional really does feel like herding cats, both figuratively and literally, but we love our work anyway! 😾👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

We're not monkeying around, it is #NationalMonkeyDay! Today, let's celebrate the 200 species of monkeys around the world and give a very big shout out to all the zoo, wildlife, and other veterinary professionals out there caring for these silly simians!

Today is National Day of the Horse 🐴🐎 - a day to remember and celebrate all the economic, historic, and cultural contributions that horses have made. We also want to give a special shout out to all the equine veterinarians helping to keep these majestic animals healthy! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

The 2026 #AVMAVLC, the veterinary profession’s premier conference for leadership development, takes place January 8-10 in Chicago. Here's a message from AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey about leadership and why veterinary professionals should take part in #AVMAVLC. Learn more at avma.org/VLC

In addition to being good practice—and a requirement in some situations—estimates play an important role in building client relationships and trust, but how consistent are the estimates across your team? Take 15 minutes this week for an “estimate exercise.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MQWoRU

The holidays can be a magical time, but they can also present hidden pet hazards. The AVMA is reminding everyone to keep pets safe this holiday season, and to think twice before gifting a pet as a holiday surprise. Read on for holiday tips from the AVMA: https://bit.ly/44mZzXH

It’s the most festive time of the year…but it can also be a risky time for your pets. Keep your holidays happy and safe by following these “Holiday pet DON’TS.” AVMA members - you can download and print this helpful flyer to display at your clinic: https://bit.ly/3K5SCmG

On Friday, AVMA will be at the AKC National Championship Dog Show to raise awareness to the dog show community about Antimicrobial Resistance and how to advocate for good Antimicrobial Stewardship. Learn more on preserving antimicrobial effectiveness for generations of dogs: https://bit.ly/48MG649

It’s no surprise that pets are often part of holiday travel plans. Planning ahead is the key to making holiday travel with pets as safe and fun as possible, says AVMA President Dr. Michael Bailey. He shares with Forbes 7 common pet travel mistakes to avoid over the holidays. https://bit.ly/3YlKrWW