WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 / At the recent 2012 Annual Conference of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), veterinary medical colleges teamed up with the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare (PPPH) — including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and pet product companies — to develop plans to address the economic issues facing companion animal practices.

At the conference, experts conveyed that visits to veterinarians are in decline, despite higher pet ownership, with implications for veterinary businesses, veterinary medical education, and pet health.

Consequently, they are promoting more of an emphasis on preventive medicine as an important part of curricular changes for veterinary medical students who are interested in companion animal practice. The conference workshop involved discussion of the concept, suggested models for this type of program, and the economic importance of this approach for career-ready graduates from veterinary colleges. 

The proposed curricular changes included many recommendations from the North American Veterinary Medical Educational Consortium (NAVMEC), which released a report in 2011 calling for the inclusion of broader competencies in veterinary medical education that encompass economic and business management practices, and "One Health" — the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines working together to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. "The incorporation of these principles, along with the experience gained from clinical experience, is an important part of the curricular and clinical offerings for integrating preventive practices into general practice," said veterinarian Bennie Osburn, the AAVMC's interim executive director. "The profession is calling for these practices as a way of preventing costly, catastrophic diseases by increasing preventive pet visits."

Veterinary medical colleges are interested in coordinating efforts with PPPH in order to assist the profession by having new graduates ready and prepared for this new approach to companion animal practice.  The AAVMC plans to assist veterinary colleges in developing these programs for their respective colleges.

Foundation to provide for those in critical need

USANA True Health Foundation to Fund Health Causes and Disaster Relief

SALT LAKE CITY, March 8, 2012 -- USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: USNA), a global nutritional supplements company, today announced the opening of its new charitable foundation, the USANA True Health Foundation. The organization will offer basic necessitates, such as nutrition, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and health education to those who are suffering or in need.



"The primary motivation for the creation of this foundation is the never-ending quest for more efficient, economic, effective ways to improve the health and living conditions of people around the world," said Elaine Pace, president of USANA True Health Foundation. "Our goal is to meet the urgent needs of deserving populations and assist them with active compassion whenever the situation demands, to provide whatever is needed."

Donations made to the foundation can be assigned to one of two funds: the General Fund and the Children's Hunger Fund. Charitable gifts made to the General Fund will be used to support areas of great need around the world, aid in rapid disaster relief, and assist wellness organizations such as HealthCorps, founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lisa Oz, to combat childhood obesity and educate children about nutrition and fitness. HealthCorps is the first among many organizations that USANA True Health Foundation intends to support through its General Fund.

Contributions to Children's Hunger Fund will aid the non-profit organization, which has a long-standing partnership with USANA.  For more than a decade, USANA and CHF have helped alleviate the suffering of children in impoverished regions across America and around the world. To date, the organization has received over $11 million in resources through USANA.

"USANA Health Sciences will be paying all administrative costs related to operating the foundation," said Dave Wentz, USANA's chief executive officer. "One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the organization will directly benefit those in need. Our goal is to maximize all donations to help as many people as we can."

Donations can be made through www.USANAfoundation.org in the form of a one-time pledge, continuous, automatic contributions, or a variety of monetary programs, to the fund of the donor's choice. All donations made by taxpayers inthe United States and Hong Kong are tax-deductible. Residents of other countries should check with their local tax professional to determine whether their donation is deductible.

Based on pledges and donations to date, the foundation expects to raise more than $3 million within the first year of operations.

For more information about the USANA True Health Foundation, please visit www.USANAfoundation.org.

About USANA True Health Foundation: The USANA True Health Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA's founder, and USANA CEO Dave Wentz, to help expand and enhance USANA's on-going charitable efforts. Their mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those suffering or in need. USANA True Health Foundation has an active partnership with organizations like HealthCorps and theChildren's Hunger Fund, who share the same vision of making the world a happier and healthier place. Learn more at our website (www.USANAfoundation.org), follow us on Twitter (@UsanaFoundation), or like us on Facebook(www.facebook.com/USANAfoundation).