Pulse - May 2022 - 22

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Springing Back Into Action
F
Elizabeth Goldstone
or almost two years, I have been writing
about the ups and downs of the pandemic.
It has been like a yo-yo for about the past
year - staying in, going out, back in, etc. I've
had the privilege to travel for work for a few
small meetings and for Western Vet. I have also
been able to visit family during some lulls in
the infection rate. Most of these occasions have
required vaccine status checks and the wearing
of masks, for the most part.
Just last month, I was able to travel to Dallas for the
first larger company meeting since January of 2019,
when we met in San Antonio, Texas. It has been nothing
but Zoom meetings for two years, then some smaller
get togethers this year. This was probably the most exciting
and energetic meeting I have been to in my lengthy,
Pharma history. We had some major growth in our
Companion Animal headcount, but we also had familiar
faces who I have been seeing for my 13 years with my
company. There were more hugs than I have seen in a
long time, and it felt so good.
There was another large meeting occurring at the
same hotel and same time as ours, and the city was abuzz,
signaling that companies are starting to hold more large
meetings. Just another sign that we are on the right track.
I realize that Covid is on the rise again, but it seems like
the cases are not as serious as before from the reports I
have seen.
But it
is back to work after a short trip to Florida
to visit my mother, after our sales meeting. My schedule
is pretty much back to normal, and it seems like I
have more in-person meetings than in previous months.
At the end of this month, we have the 2022 SCVMA
Installation Dinner at the Grand Californian. I am looking
forward to seeing everyone, and I think it will be a
fun event. Even though I have been to many large meetings
now, WVC, work and such, it still makes me excited
every time I can get together with friends and colleagues
at any locale.
It is also hard to believe it is almost May! This year
has been going so fast, but again, it has probably been
because of all the events that were planned and already
have occurred. The busier we are, the faster times goes!
And it is not slowing up any time soon. I have 2 concerts
planned for May and June I am so excited to see live
music again. I have baseball games, dinner cruises, and
hopefully some more travel in July. Some is work related,
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MAY 2022
PULSE
some is not, but either way, it will be fun to do some
more social activities.
The industry as a whole is coming off of two incredibly
successful years. When you do well, we do well. Of
course, we are all anticipating that this continues for all
of us for a long time. I am not sure if the adoption rate is
still up, but the fact that so many more people are working
at home now, and are with their pets, I think, has
really made a huge difference in their pet's care. I know
that some clinics cannot even take new clients, because
of being so busy and still short on staff and vets. Hopefully
this problem will get better in the next few years as
life continues to get back to normal. P
Elizabeth Goldstone
Merck Animal Health * 949-379-0201
Elizabeth.goldstone@merck.com
Pulse - May 2022

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