Veterinary Psychology Lab WVC 2026 Round-up

Dr. Mary Beth Spitznagel and Dr. Nikki Bennett represented the Veterinary Psychology Lab at the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas that occurred February 15-18. The conference brought together veterinary professionals from across the country for continuing education, collaboration, and clinical skill development.

Dr. Spitznagel and Dr. Bennett hosted a workshop, “Unburdened: Evidence-Based Workshop to Decrease Stress from Client Interactions,” where attendees participated in interactive exercises designed to build skills to notice internal reactions in real time, choose values-aligned responses when interacting with client’s experiencing caregiver burden, and develop practical strategies to avoid shouldering that burden while protecting their own wellbeing.

In addition to the workshop, Dr. Spitznagel participated in a full-day case panel centered on “Ellie,” a senior dog experiencing cognitive decline and osteoarthritis. The case explored not only Ellie’s medical management but also the psychosocial challenges facing her caregivers. Dr. Spitznagel presented, “Caring for the Caregiver: Recognizing & Responding to Owner Distress” and contributed to the expert speaker panel, “Ellie’s Journey: The Ultimate Case Rounds Live! An Interactive Panel Discussion.” The session highlighted the complex intersection of chronic disease management, client emotional strain, and the role of veterinary teams in supporting the human-animal bond.

Participation in WVC 2026 reflects the lab’s ongoing commitment to advancing research-informed approaches that support both veterinary professionals and the pet caregivers they serve.