Fetch Long Beach Veterinary Conference

Fetch Long Beach Veterinary Conference

December 6-8, 2024

Welcome to Long Beach!

Join us in December for another engaging educational experience. Earn CE credits plus interact and network in person with peers, friends, and faculty.

At a Fetch dvm360® conference, we’re taking adult learning to the next level. This means giving you the ultimate clinical, management, technician and wellness CE you need to continue to provide the best possible pet care.

We provide interactive sessions that help you walk away retaining more information, and we make sure that we take care of you as a whole person, with sessions that focus on your well-being, your communication skills and what’s keeping you up at night.

CE that will nurture, inspire, connect and equip you to be the best veterinary professional you can be.

Education by the Numbers.

  • 3-day conference filled with education and opportunities to network
  • 3 keynote presentations that will jump start your day
  • 17+ hours of CE over 3 days
  • 200+ sessions covering 10+ tracks so there is something to offer everyone
  • 90+ faculty that will provide you with clear takeaways, resource materials, and strategies to put what you learn into practice!
Event Details
Kris Otteman, DVM, ABVP, CAWA
Contract Forensic Veterinarian, ALDF
Shelter Medicine and Animal Cruelty Investigations Consulting
Kwane Stewart, DVM
Eric Garcia
Simply Done Tech Solutions
Mary Gardner, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

In "Evolving Together," our keynote explores the intertwined themes of friendship, accountability, uncertainty, and the continuous learning curve. Drawing on our personal and professional experiences, we delve into the transformative power of friendship, sharing personal anecdotes and highlighting how a strong bond can overcome professional challenges. The discussion shifts to the crucial role of accountability, offering practical insights on establishing and maintaining partnerships that foster growth. Navigating uncertainty is a central theme, with a focus on how friendship provides a stabilizing force in unpredictable professional landscapes. The learning curve is explored as a lifelong journey, with reflections on key lessons learned and the evolution of our perspectives. The keynote culminates in the idea of "Evolving Together," emphasizing the collective power of friendship, accountability, and continuous learning in shaping our personal and professional development. The audience is encouraged to reflect on their own journeys and embrace these principles for a more fulfilling and resilient career.

Veterinarians are built like no other care professionals. Gifted with empathy, compassion and ambition, we are uniquely qualified for what we do. But our talents can be a detriment to our longevity if we don’t find the tools for better self-preservation.

Join Dr. Otteman for an eye-opening exploration into the world of shelter medicine and the often-controversial viewpoints that shape opinions about this critical field of veterinary practice. In this thought-provoking presentation, we will delve deep into the complexities of shelter medicine, confronting the uncomfortable truths and challenging the status quo.

We will tackle ethical dilemmas surrounding euthanasia, pet ownership, and quality of care. Prepare to explore a range of unexpected answers to questions such as:

· Why would a shelter adopt out a 'sick pet'?

· Where do the pets go after my services are declined?

· Do animal abusers ever bring their victims to the vet?

· What is a euthanasia consult?

· Why did the diagnostics drain the bank account?

This program aims to foster open dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and inspire positive understanding and change within our veterinary community. Whether you are a seasoned veterinarian, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, or simply curious about the realities of shelter medicine “Unleashing Truth” offers a unique opportunity to broaden your perspective, confront difficult questions, and ultimately drive progress in the field.

All conference attendees are welcome to join us for the 2024 dvm360 Veterinary Heroes® Awards Luncheon being held on December 8, 2024 from 11:30 AM-1:15 PM PT

This a celebration of individuals who have achieved landmark successes within veterinary medicine.  This year’s Veterinary Heroes program is sponsored by Blue Buffalo Natural, MedVet, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Thrive Pet Healthcare (category sponsors). The program recognizes those who have positively impacted animal care, demonstrating leadership, expertise and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of animals. These recognized individuals have excelled in their professional roles and influenced the broader veterinary community, setting new standards and inspiring others to continue evolving the practice of veterinary care.

“As their colleague, I’m truly honored to congratulate all of the winners of the fourth annual Veterinary Heroes award program and shake their hand,” Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer at dvm360 and the Fetch veterinary conferences, said in a news release. “It is my sincere pleasure to be part of an incredibly passionate and compassionate profession that goes above and beyond the call of duty for animals.”

The 2024 Veterinary Heroes winners are:

  • Client Service Representative: Geraldine Sprague — Tabernacle Animal Hospital (Tabernacle, New Jersey)
  • Credentialed Veterinary Technician: Camia Tonge, M.S., LVT, VTS (SAIM) — Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (New York, New York)
  • Dentistry: Jan Bellows, DVM, DIPL, AVDC, ABVP — Hometown Animal Hospital and All Pets Dental (Weston, Florida)
  • Dermatology: Meghan Solc, DVM, DACVD — Dermatology for Animals, A Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner (Catonsville, Maryland)
  • Emergency Medicine: Dennis Tim Crowe Jr, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, DACVECC, DACHM, NREMT-I, CFF — Veterinary Surgery, Emergency, and Critical Care Services and Consulting (Ventura, Thousand Oaks, California, and Bogart, Georgia)
  • Feline Medicine: Susan V. Whittred, DVM — Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, Inc./The Paw Project (Oyster Bay, New York)
  • General Practitioner: Patricia Kennedy Arrington, DVM, CVFP — Jefferson Animal Hospital Regional Emergency Practice and Trauma Center (Louisville, Kentucky)
  • Internal Medicine: Ann E. Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, SAIM) — Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (New York, New York)
  • Nutrition: Valerie J. Parker, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Nutrition) — The Ohio State University Medical Center (Columbus, Ohio)
  • Practice Management: Adrianne Hiller, BS — CityVet – MidCities (Bedford, Texas)
  • Surgery: Karl Maritato, DVM, DACVS-SA — MedVet Cincinnati (Fairfax, Ohio)
  • Veterinary Paraprofessional (non-credentialed support staff): Khalfani Carr — VCA Woodbridge (Woodbridge VA), Regional Veterinary Referral Center (Springfield, Virginia)

This year’s event is sponsored by Blue Buffalo Natural, MedVet, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Thrive Pet Healthcare

Calling all Practice Owners!

Fetch Long Beach will be the home of our first ever veterinary practice ownership track! In collaboration with GeniusVets, Fetch is bringing 4 exclusive sessions.

This exclusive series of sessions will equip you with essential insights into building a thriving, independent practice. From actionable strategies to enhance clinic culture, streamline processes, and boost profitability, to understanding key financial metrics and uncovering often-missed service opportunities, this track addresses the critical trends, challenges, and opportunities facing practice owners today. Don’t miss this chance to learn directly from industry leaders and gain the tools to shape the future of your practice.

Featured Sessions:

  • Culture, Process, and Profits: Lessons From Building One of the Most Successful Independent Veterinary Practices In The Country
    • Speaker: Michele Drake, DVM, CVA GeniusVets, Co-Founder & Chief Veterinary Officer and Founder of The Drake Center for Veterinary Care 
  • The Essential Service Your Vet Clinic is Missing: A Magnet for Pets and Professionals
    • Speaker: David Hall, Co-founder of GeniusVets
  • These 4 Numbers Will Determine the Future of Your Practice – Know Them Well!
    • Speaker: Terry M. O’Neil, partner-in-charge of Katz, Sapper & Miller 
  • The Most Important Trends, Threats, and Opportunities for Practice Ownership
    • Speakers: Dr. Michele Drake, David Hall, Terry O’Neil, & Dr. Patrick Mahaney

See the agenda page for more information on these sessions.

Event Details