Avoiding Copyright Infringement in Your Veterinary Practice

By Michael Salchert and Alison Jarzyna, Attorneys at Larkin Hoffman

In the digital age, the ease of accessing and sharing content online has led to an increase in copyright infringement cases. Recently, an MVMA member veterinarian reached out to our firm, as a Supporting Member of MVMA, for a free consultation regarding a copyright infringement claim. The story below highlights the importance of understanding copyright laws and the potential liabilities that come with using online content.

One-of-a-kind Partnership Makes Mental Health Resources Accessible to Veterinary Professionals

Since 2022, MVMA has offered a program that connects our members with a mental health professional who is deeply knowledgeable about the veterinary profession.

A Visit to Homeward Bound Animal Clinic

Dr. Natalie Lucca (second from right) and her team: Alisia (CSR, left), Raelynn (technician, holding Russian tortoise patient), and Aaron (practice manager, right).

On a Friday afternoon in September, I made my way to Rochester to pay a visit to Dr. Natalie Lucca and her staff at Homeward Bound Animal Clinic, which opened its doors in April 2024.

A Visit to Country Doc Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Kyle Adkins (second from left) with his team.

At the end of a gravel road, in Crow Wing County’s Pine City, sits Country Doc Veterinary Clinic. You can’t miss the turn off of Paul Bunyan’s Scenic Byway, with towering pine trees and a welcoming sign that reads:

A Visit to Access Veterinary Care

Director of Operations Tania Blake, second from left, and Dr. William Frahm-Gilles, far right, with members of the Access Veterinary Care team in June 2025. 

Established in 2018, Access Veterinary Care has carved out a unique space in veterinary care in the Twin Cities. Access’s business model is helping bridge a gap in services and finding ways to make veterinary care more accessible. I recently visited the clinic, located in Crystal, MN, and spoke with owner Dr. William Frahm-Gilles and Director of Operations Tania Blake about how Access’ collaborative, community-minded model with a focus on education, transparency, and accessibility is making a difference for clients, patients, and partner clinics in the Twin Cities. 

Spotlight on the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and Its "Super Volunteers"

At left, Dr. Mary Olson speaks to the gathered crowd as a sheep goes into labor. At right, Dr. Nancy Peterson coaches a rotation student through delivering her first lamb.

Sitting down for a conversation with several current and former co-chairs of MVMA’s Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) committee, it was apparent they share a bond born of working closely together over the course of many years. Currently a team of seven, made up of Drs. Mary Olson, Holly Neaton, Nancy Peterson, Kevin Haroldson, Katherine Pjevach, Marjorie Schleper, and Michaela Olson, these super volunteers are the driving forces behind the Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair. Recently retired from their co-chair roles, Drs. Florian Ledermann (who first advocated for opening a birthing center at the fair) and Dave Wright have also been instrumental in making the MOBC happen nearly every summer since 2001.

Dr. Scott Dee's Work Leads to Novel AVMA Biosecurity Policy

MVMA Surgery Suite Committee Spotlight

Dr. Travis Anderson, left, moderates at the Surgery Suite. At right, lead CVT Shelley Cravens and Dr. Krista Walkowiak pose with a patient inside the Surgery Suite. 

Each summer, more than 100 volunteers educate the public about veterinary medicine while performing a total of 48 live spay/neuter surgeries at MVMA’s Surgery Suite exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.