The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention 2025, held in conjunction with the 40th World Veterinary Association (WVA) Congress, provided over 700 hours of continuing education (CE) sessions, encompassing a diverse range of topics. For me, there were three trends that I feel are worth watching: the rise of species and specialty-focused practice models, global one health leadership, and cutting-edge CE content.
The Rise of the Focused Practice
While one may think that specialty care (such as emergency, cardiology, or oncology) is already well-ingrained in the Veterinary care model, there is a fast-growing segment offering more focused, less stressful environments that provide deeper knowledge in species and specialty-focused care. For example, a new dental-only Veterinary franchise that champions specialized oral care and a newly launched CatsOnly Veterinary Services, which offers a network of feline-focused Veterinary practices. Both of these examples signal a shift in the practice model, driven in part by changing client expectations and also by the reshaping of how Veterinary care is delivered and experienced.
Specialization enables a tailored care environment, reducing stress for animals and allowing veterinarians to develop a deeper expertise in the health needs of specific species or medical procedures. There are numerous benefits for patients, pet parents, and Veterinary professionals associated with the growing trend of species-specific and specialty-focused practices; however, there are also some challenges. On one hand, there are challenges related to high operational costs, unique equipment needs, and finding a team experienced in niche species or specialty procedures. On the other hand, entrepreneurs are responding to the needs of this growing segment of the industry by launching targeted business models and creating diagnostic tools, equipment, and apps that support business operations, meet the demands of pet parents, and improve patient outcomes.
Global One Health
The AVMA teamed with WVA to highlight worldwide collaboration on critical issues, such as emerging zoonotic disease outbreak investigations and workforce development, among others. This global collaboration amplifies Veterinary impact on public health challenges.
Cutting-Edge CE Content
Topics in business strategy, digital Veterinary innovation, and niche clinical disciplines are becoming more common—truly a comprehensive space for professional growth. One example is the Senior Dog Veterinary Society. Senior Dog Vets is dedicated to advancing the care of senior and geriatric dogs by equipping veterinarians with specialized knowledge and resources through their comprehensive certification programs, continuing education, and a collaborative community of Veterinary professionals.
It was also great to help Chris Kelly, the publisher of the Fountain Report, interview several thought leaders, including Dean Rustin Moore, Dr. Monica Tarantino of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, and Jeremiah Pouncy, a Cornell Veterinary student.
These trends collectively accelerate practice-level innovation and elevate the entire profession.
One More Thing
In addition to the conference, VetPartners held their Midyear Meeting — the place where the brightest minds in the Veterinary business come together to share, challenge, and champion the future of our profession.
From the opening welcome reception to the themed “Community Connections” dinners, the meeting prioritized relationship-building across the profession. Gamified networking sessions, member elevator speeches, and sponsor roundtable receptions offered attendees meaningful ways to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas—hallmarks of the VetPartners ethos.
The meeting’s educational content reflected the evolving landscape of Veterinary practice ownership and management. Sessions explored timely issues, including affordability and access to care, marketing strategies for 2025, digital ecosystem monetization, succession planning, and the growing feline care segment. With sponsor presentations from BerryDunn, AVMA Trust, CareCredit, Covetrus, Provet Cloud, Weave, and Pets Best, attendees were also exposed to the latest service and technology solutions shaping the business of Veterinary medicine. Hot Rocks presentations added a dynamic touch, spotlighting pressing industry trends and offering practical insights from diverse Veterinary leaders.
Whether you were a first-time attendee or a long-time member, the conference provided multiple structured and informal opportunities to foster new partnerships and deepen existing ones.