Straight from VMX 2025: A Panel on Gaps in Education

Veterinary education is expanding with new schools and programs, but are they really preparing students for the demands of the current market? As client expectations grow, the economic landscape shifts, and innovative tools become available every day, tomorrow’s professionals will need more than clinical training to succeed. This panel brings together experts from academia, business, and students to explore the potential gaps in today’s veterinary education. We’ll focus on skills that are increasingly critical yet often underrepresented in the curriculum, such as business acumen, AI proficiency, understanding and responsible use of emerging technologies, digital ethics, client service, and more. Join us as we unpack the trends shaping the future of veterinary medicine and share fresh approaches to training the next generation of veterinary professionals. Let’s talk about what’s missing – and how we can bridge the gap.

An Expert Panel brought to you by The Bird Bath

The veterinary profession is entering a new era, as Colorado voters recently approved the nation’s first midlevel practitioner role—Veterinary Professional Associates (VPAs)—marking a significant shift in how veterinary care might be delivered. This new role allows VPAs to perform tasks traditionally reserved for veterinarians, such as diagnosing conditions and even performing surgeries. The decision has raised critical questions: How will this new position impact patient care, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians? Could this model improve access to care, or does it introduce risks to quality and safety? How will the scope of practice for VPAs be defined and executed, including the training and credentialing, as this initiative is brought to life technically and practically? Will other states follow Colorado’s lead, and what would that mean for the profession? The topic has sparked heated debate within the industry, with supporters seeing VPAs as a way to improve access to care, and critics questioning whether better utilization of veterinary technicians offers a safer and more effective path forward. Whether you're a veterinarian, technician, or practice leader, this is your chance to stay informed and explore how this controversial shift might shape the future of the profession. Join the conversation!

Get a head start on the Veterinary Innovation Summit, where AI will take center stage!

Join us for an exclusive webinar where we give you a sneak peek into the AI discussions planned for VIS and explore practical use cases for AI in clinical settings. From advancements in radiology and voice-to-text transcription to AI-driven visual pain detection, we’ll discuss how these innovations can benefit your practice today. Whether you're attending VIS or missing out this year, this webinar is your chance to stay updated and relevant in the ever-evolving world of AI. Webinar Highlights

• Discover Your Options: Learn about AI solutions you can immediately integrate into your practice.

• Choose Wisely: Get tips on selecting and trialing the right tools to meet your specific needs.

• Explore Use Cases: Identify workflows that AI can enhance and real-world examples of its application.

• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Get an insider look at the AI conversations that will take place at the upcoming Veterinary Innovation Summit.