March 24, 2011
Program to Educate Veterinary Team Members on Speaking with Pet Owners about Parasite Control and Zoonotic Diseases
Duluth, Ga. -- The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is launching the first-ever Parasite Counselor Program, which offers veterinarians, veterinary technicians and practice team members specially-tailored courses on parasites and prevention. This program arms veterinary professionals with the information necessary to have detailed conversations with pet owners about the harmful impact parasites have on animals and how zoonotic diseases can be spread to humans.
The Parasite Counselor Program, a complimentary web-based program that is sponsored by an educational grant from Merial, will consist of four online courses covering fleas, ticks, heartworm and internal parasites. Participants who complete all four courses will receive CE credit and designation of "Parasite Counselor" from AAHA. Parasite Counselors will have a strong foundation for advising their clients on how to best protect their pets from parasites. The first course, debuting April 11, will examine the impact of flea infestation on clients."Parasites cause significant illness and degrade the quality of pets' lives. A parasite control regimen recommended by a veterinarian and properly implemented by the pet owner can drastically reduce the risk of pet illness," said Janice Trumpeter, DVM, AAHA Deputy Executive Director. "The Parasite Counselor Program will provide veterinary teams with the necessary tools to effectively communicate their recommendations, why it is important and how to implement them."
According to Michael Murray, DVM, Technical Marketing Director of Merial, "Pet owners rely on their veterinarian and the veterinary team for how to keep their pets healthy. Owners want to know what to do for their pet, and they also want to know why. The veterinary team plays a crucial role in reinforcing the veterinarian's recommendation and why parasite control is so important to the pet's health and well-being." The Parasite Counselor Program provides the veterinary staff with a solid background on key parasitology information, as well as tips for discussing parasite treatment and prevention with clients.
An additional CE credit can be earned by participating in the Parasite Counselor Program introductory webcast that will be available April 24 through May 7. Three other courses will delve into other common parasite problems, with heartworm, tick and internal parasites modules scheduled to be launched throughout 2011. To participate in the Parasite Counselor program webcast or to register for the flea module, visit the education section of the AAHA website at www.AAHAnet.org.
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For further information please contact:
Natasha Mahanes
678-638-3690
natasha.mahanes@merial.com
About AAHA
The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of 6,000 veterinary care teams, comprised of more than 47,000 veterinary professionals, who are committed to excellence in companion animal care. Established in 1933, the Association is well-known among veterinarians for its leadership in the profession, high standards for veterinary practices and pet health care, and most importantly, its accreditation of companion animal practices.
For more information, please see www.AAHAnet.org.
About MerialMerial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion. Merial is the Animal Health subsidiary of sanofi-aventis.
For more information, please see www.merial.com.
