The Headlines

The Obsolete Non-Compete

Non-compete clauses that prevent employees from starting to work in the same geographic area, or even the same industry for a determined period after leaving a position are common place across many industries. In veterinary medicine, non-compete clauses are common place for clinics to protect themselves from top veterinarians opening up shop down the street and taking clients with them. Although the practice is legal and common, the pendulum is beginning to swing in favour of the employee as more employers are nixing the non-compete clause in employment agreements. Last week, the AVMA published an article about The Changing Landscape of Non-Compete Agreements which outlines various considerations for veterinarians and practice owners. Last year Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) announced they would no longer issue non-compete agreements meaning veterinarians at 29 VEG locations across the US would be free to take other positions nearby if they wished to. VEG also announced they would provide student loan payments starting at $2,000/year and  an equity shareholder opportunity for employees. In a LinkedIn post, VEG President David Glattstein called for other veterinary companies to "pay better, treat better, provide growth opportunities and get rid of your non-competes." You just love to see it.

Quick hits:

Here are the stories that caught our eyes this week and are worth a read: Italy votes to ban fur farming and shut down mink farms [EcoWatch]Mexico’s endangered jaguar population increased by 20% [Mongabay]VCA and Vet Set Go collaborate to inspire next generation of veterinary professionals [DVM360]Stray animals find solace at Iraq animal shelter [The National News]

Trivia

 How many species of Giraffe are there? 

Hint: thanks to some new research, the number of identified species has increased 300%.

Find the answer at the bottom of this email!

New on Obi

Four New Episodes of qrsTV and Reading Room are Now Available

In case you missed it, Obi Veterinary Education's free resource library continues to grow with weekly cardiology and radiology lessons. 

On

qrsTV,

 Dr. Lynne O'Sullivan shares tips and tricks to read ECGs that you can take with you into the clinic. You can also step into

The Reading Room

with Dr. Ryan Appleby for case-based radiology lessons exploring everything from the basic to the complex, weird and wonderful.

Check them out:

Your weekly dopamine 

 Cute wombat + stuffed animal = 🥰

Trivia Answer

4

Until late last year, scientific consensus was that there was just one giraffe species of giraffe with nine subspecies. But the authors of a new study study claim they’ve uncovered clear genetic differences to distinguish between four species: the northern giraffe, southern giraffe, reticulated giraffe, and Masai giraffe.

Giraffe populations across Africa have also

rebounded by 20%

since 2015. Targeted conservation measures, relocation programs and field research have contributed to the rise.

Let us know what you'd like to see in future editions of Weekend Rounds by replying to this email.