Message from the Executive Director's Desk
| | Collaboration and Science in Madison | | | |
2026 AAVLD / USAHA Annual Meeting
Keynote Speaker
Temple Grandin is a Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed for handling livestock are used by many companies around the world. She has also been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs that are used by McDonalds, Wendy’s, Whole Foods, and other corporations. Temple has appeared on numerous TV shows such as 20/20 and Prime Time.
Read full Biography...
| | | |
The AAVLD is a world leader in advancing veterinary diagnostic laboratory science in support of global animal health and One Health. The AAVLD promotes continuous improvement and public awareness of veterinary diagnostic laboratories by providing avenues for education, communication, networking, peer-reviewed publication, collaboration, outreach, and laboratory accreditation. AAVLD members play a vital role in advancing the organization’s vision and mission. The AAVLD now includes approximately 1000 members representing nearly 30 countries worldwide.
The AAVLD Membership year begins January 1st and ends December 31st. To ensure the maintenance of good standing, the coming year’s dues are expected by November 15th. If a member allows their membership to lapse for more than one year, they will become a delinquent member and lose their profile in the AAVLD system.
Membership categories and benefits are available at https://www.aavld.org/about-membership and are also summarized below.
| | Graduate / Resident Member | Vet Student / Undergraduate Members | Institution or Agency Members | Affiliated Industry Sustaining Members | |  | Qualifications and benefits |
- Subscription to the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation (Online only). Discounted registration to the annual AAVLD scientific meeting held in conjunction with the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA).
- Newsletter covering association news.
- Membership directory of veterinary laboratory diagnosticians.
- Representation in national and international policy developments in animal health.
- AAVLD Foundation for tax-exempt contributions for the advancement of veterinary diagnostics.
- Access to the AAVLD listserv, an open discussion on topics in veterinary diagnostic medicine.
- Have the right to vote, hold an Association office, and chair/co-chair a committee.
|
- Limited to clerical and technical staff at laboratories engaged in animal disease laboratory diagnosis.
- Applicants must submit, along with their application or dues payment, the place and title of their work in the designated section of the application, attesting to their clerical or technical employee status.
- Do not have the right to vote, hold an Association office, or chair/co-chair a committee and do not have access to the Subscription to the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.
|
- Available to members concurrently pursuing residency training or graduate studies in a discipline directly related to animal disease diagnosis.
- Includes all the benefits of full membership.
- Proof of enrollment must be submitted with the membership application.
- Membership at this level is limited to 7 years.
|
- Limited to students in veterinary school or undergraduate programs considering a career in veterinary medicine.
- Does not have voting rights or the ability to hold office or chair a committee.
|
- Eligible after 35 years of membership, or at retirement with 25 years of membership.
- May self-nominate or be nominated in writing to the Executive Board.
- Life Membership requires majority approval by the House of Delegates (HOD).
- Life members keep all active member privileges.
- Life members do not pay membership dues.
- Life members receive reduced annual meeting registration fees.
|
- Eligible after 10 years as an Active Member and retirement from professional life.
- May self-request Retired Membership status.
- Retired members receive all full membership benefits.
- Retired members receive reduced annual meeting registration fees.
|
- Small lab (<50 faculty and staff) will pay $1000/year and receive an $800 credit toward membership dues.
- Medium lab (50-100 faculty and staff) will pay $1500/year and receive a $1200 credit toward membership dues.
- Large labs (>100 faculty and staff) will pay $2000/year and receive a $1600 credit toward membership dues.
- Open Flex Enrollment Plan – an option for any size lab; the lab pays for as many memberships as it desires at regular rates plus $500.
-
Refer to https://www.aavld.org/about-membership for detailed calculation methods.
|
-
This membership is for companies that support animal health diagnostic and research laboratories. It is ideal for businesses that exhibit at the Annual Meeting or provide products and services to veterinary diagnostic labs.
- Should support the mission, vision and values of AAVLD.
- Benefits include year-round recognition through the AAVLD website, monthly newsletter, Annual Meeting Proceedings, and meeting announcements.
- This membership does not have the right to vote, hold an Association office, chair/cochair a committee, serve as a delegate in the House of Delegates, nor receive electronic access to the Association’s official journal.
| |
NEW AAVLD
NEW, RETIRED, AND LIFE MEMBER RECEPTION
| | Thursday, October 15, 2026, | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | | |
AAVLD is proud to introduce a new tradition at this year’s Annual Meeting: The New, Retired, and Life Member Reception, to be held Thursday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. This inaugural gathering will bring together members at key milestones in their professional journeys—those newly joining AAVLD, those transitioning into retirement, and those honored with Life Member status for their longstanding contributions.
The reception will provide a welcoming space for connection, reflection, and celebration. New members will have the opportunity to meet AAVLD leadership, learn more about committee engagement, and build relationships with colleagues from across the veterinary diagnostic community. Retired and Life Members will be recognized for their years of service, leadership, and dedication to advancing diagnostic excellence and strengthening the national laboratory network.
Attendees will enjoy a relaxed, collegial atmosphere that encourages conversation across generations of AAVLD professionals. Many may share stories of mentorship, career milestones, and the evolving landscape of veterinary diagnostics—highlighting the value of continuity and community within the organization.
This new reception will continue to serve as a meaningful touchpoint for welcoming emerging professionals while honoring the legacy of those who have shaped AAVLD’s mission. We look forward to your attendance to make the first event a success. This new event is sponsored by Promega Corporation. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks! Join us.
| | Jianqiang Zhang, PhD- Membership Cochair | | Melissa Macias Rioseco, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP- Membership Cochair | | A direct and compelling headline | | |
APHIS is announcing that current Veterinary Services user fee rates will remain unchanged for fiscal year (FY) 2026. After evaluating operational needs, available resources, and the status of planned projects and hiring, we have determined that no fee adjustments are necessary at this time.
We will continue to monitor program costs and revenue throughout the year and will reevaluate user fee rates in FY 2027. This approach provides stakeholders with continued business planning certainty.
We will provide updates through the APHIS email subscription service as we begin the FY 2027 user fee‑setting process.
| |
2026 DTF Racehorse Necropsy Workshop, August 27 - 29
Join us in beautiful Lexington, KY this September for the fifth annual Davis Thompson Foundation Racehorse Necropsy Workshop. Over the two and one-half days of the workshop participants will gain both didactic and hands-on instruction in all facets of racehorse pathology from industry experts ranging from racing industry professionals to anatomic pathologists to researchers and surgeons. The workshop is meant to provide a strong foundation for the performance of racehorse postmortem exams, with opportunities for great networking to yield a strong support network. Our goal is to answer the one question that everyone has: what do they need from me?
Thursday and Friday didactic sessions are open to veterinarians, veterinary students, and laboratory support staff. The Saturday wet lab is designed to provide hands-on instruction to pathologists, pathology residents, and racing regulatory veterinarians. Wet lab activities include presentation of preserved specimens for demonstration of normal anatomy, common changes in the joints due to repetitive loading, and common fracture types, limb and heart dissection demonstrations, and limb and heart dissections by participants. The wet lab is limited to 20 pathologists/residents and 15 racing regulatory veterinarians.
The workshop is presented by the Davis Thompson Foundation and sponsored by Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, with support from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
Registration opening soon!
Dr. Laura A. Kennedy DVM Dipl. ACVP
drlaurakennedy@uky.edu
She/her
Associate Professor
Kentucky Horseracing Postmortem Program
University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
| | | | Thank you to all who submitted scientific abstracts to the 2025 annual meeting. A total of 244 were accepted and published in the Annual Meeting Proceedings, available digitally to all members on our website. The travel awardees are listed below: | | | AAVLD Abstract Submission Deadline: June 14, 2026 | | |
2025 Trainee Travel Awardees
- Jingyi Li, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Suzanna Storms, University of Illinois
- Daniela Hidalgo Montealegre, The Ohio State University
- Mostafa Shelkamy, Iowa State University
- MaRyka Smith, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Ana Castillo-Espinoza, Iowa State University
- Maria Vitoria Peixoto Chaves, Iowa State University
Bacteriology/Foundation sponsored
- Calvin Ko, Iowa State University
Epidemiology/Foundation sponsored
- Berenice Munguia-Ramirez, Iowa State University
Pathology/Foundation sponsored
- Pernille Jorgensen University of California
Virology/Foundation sponsored
- Konner Cool, Kansas State University
Congratulations!
Ashley Hill, DVM, MPVM, PhD
AAVLD 2025 Program Chair
Full 2025 Awardee list
| | | |
AAVLD Job Career Center
Current job postings are available.
[READ MORE]
| | | |
Bring on the news!
AAVLD Membership, please send your laboratory news to Dave Zeman, Executive Director dzeman@aavld.org
| | | |
Committee Member Rosters have been sent to
AAVLD Committee Chairs
Please use the provided link within this PDF Portfolio to access:
- Committee Chair reporting instructions and URL links to electronic forms
- A letter from the AAVLD meeting coordinator, Kaylin Taylor
- AAVLD Committee SOP
'2026 AAVLD COMMITTEE CHAIR PACKAGE.'
Please download the PDF Portfolio to your computer->Save->Open the PDF saved on your computer-> there are three documents enclosed.
| | AAVLD Committee Open Enrollment Deadline is January 16, 2026 | | |
Open committee enrollment for AAVLD is
July 1 to September 1 and December 1 to January 15.
Members are invited to join in the AAVLD committees that help drive our mission forward. If you miss the deadline, you can make the roster in the next open enrollment. Note: This allows the committee to send important dates and materials to its members. Don't miss out.
If you have already added the committee to your AAVLD Member profile and which to continue serving on the AAVLD Committee, there is nothing you need to do.
We encourage all members to get involved, share their expertise, and help shape the future of veterinary diagnostic laboratory medicine. Your engagement strengthens our organization and supports the vital work we do together.
To enroll:
Visit www.aavld.org, log in to your account, navigate to Membership, then select My Profile. From there, you can edit your profile to include all committees you would like to join.
If you are interested in Joint USAHA AAVLD Committees, please sign up using the USAHA announcement instructions.
One Health Committee becomes a Joint USAHA/AAVLD Committee: Call for New AAVLD Members
The USAHA One Health Committee is changing from a USAHA Committee to a Joint USAHA/AAVLD Committee. Leaders of both organizations voted for the effective change in 2026. Any AAVLD members interested in joining this new joint committee should complete the committee open enrollment form to express their interest at the next open enrollment period.
AAVLD/USAHA Committee on One Health (NEW)
AAVLD/USAHA Subcommittee on Pharmaceutical Issues (NEW)
AAVLD/USAHA Subcommittee on Rabies (NEW)
AAVLD/USAHA Subcommittee on Salmonella (NEW)
| |
Pancreatic and biliary duct Hammondia heydorni infection in a dog fed a raw elk-eat diet, Darian Giannino, Jeanine Peters-Kennedy, Manigandan Lejeune, Lisa Shearer, Mason Jager
Abstract. We describe a 3-y-old Standard Poodle that was fed a raw elk-meat diet and developed anorexia, icterus, and markedly elevated liver enzyme activities. Histopathology of the pancreatic and liver biopsy specimens revealed lymphohistiocytic pancreatitis and hepatitis with intraepithelial protozoa. Histologically, Hammondia spp. are indistinguishable from Neospora caninum. Therefore, we employed PCR and amplicon sequencing to further investigate our case. Amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 marker matched 100% with Hammondia heydorni. Intrapancreatic involvement and the histopathologic features of hepatic and pancreatic H. heydorni infection have not been reported previously in dogs, to our knowledge. H. heydorni is a coccidian organism with an obligatory 2-host life cycle. The definitive hosts are dogs and coyotes; the intermediate hosts are mostly ruminants, including cervids. Ingesting tissue cysts within the skeletal muscle of the intermediate hosts leads to infection in the definitive hosts. H. heydorni has been considered clinically inconsequential; however, increasing reports note gastrointestinal and hepatic disease in dogs associated with this organism, and H. heydorni is considered an emerging pathogen in dogs. Infection in our case was associated with ingestion of raw cervid meat; cases of H. heydorni infection are invariably linked to ingestion of raw-meat diets. More
| | | JVDI call for submissions on Influenza A virus (2026.01.05) | | |
Influenza A viruses affect a wide range of domestic animals, laboratory species, and wildlife, and they continue to pose a frequent diagnostic and surveillance challenge for veterinary laboratories worldwide. In domestic animals, including poultry, swine, cattle, horses, and companion animals, influenza A viral infections can result in respiratory disease, decreased productivity, reproductive losses, and, in some species, severe systemic illness or high mortality. Laboratory animals are also susceptible to certain influenza A subtypes, which is relevant both for animal health and for their role as experimental models in pathogenesis, transmission, and vaccine studies. In wildlife, particularly avian species and selected mammals, influenza A viruses circulate endemically and periodically emerge or re-emerge, contributing to spillover events, population-level impacts, and significant public and animal health concerns. The broad host range, genetic diversity, and capacity for interspecies transmission make influenza A viruses a critical focus for diagnostic vigilance, epidemiologic investigation, and One Health–oriented disease monitoring across domestic, laboratory, and wild animal populations.
We are inviting submissions to a JVDI special section on Influenza A virus to be guest edited by Drs. Leyi Wang, University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine; Melissa Macias-Rioseco CAHFS, University of California–Davis. JVDI readers would be interested in background review material and current laboratory investigations, including both successes and failures, or lessons learned.
If you are interested, please submit an abstract of up to 250 words describing your proposed topic by April 30th, 2026. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified of acceptance by May 29th, 2026, and full submissions will be expected by October 31, 2026. Submitted manuscripts will undergo the usual JVDI peer-review process, with publication anticipated in Spring 2027. Page charges of $75/printed page will apply—there are no color page charges for online-only publication.
Please submit your abstract to guest editors Dr. Leyi Wang, leyiwang@illinois.edu
or Dr. Melissa Macias-Rioseco, mmaciasrioseco@ucdavis.eduYour copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
| | |
"The science of today is the technology of tomorrow" ~ Edward Teller
"Science is the systematic classification of experience"~ George Henry Lewes
| | |
The AAVLD Pathology Committee and Cornell University have developed a searchable database of IHC and ISH assays, and which institutions perform them. Visit this link (IHC/ISH search tool) to access the tool. If you would like more information about how to add assays from your institution, please contact
Grant Burcham (gburcham@purdue.edu) or
Melissa Macias Rioseco ( mmaciasrioseco@ucdavis.edu).
| | Histopathology Proficiency Test | | Registration for the Histopathology Test is now open for 2026. The registration fee is $75.00, which covers all materials and administrative processing for this year’s examination. We encourage participants to register early to ensure timely access to all required information and resources. Thank you for your continued commitment to professional development and excellence in diagnostic laboratory medicine | | |
View the 2025 Annual Meeting Photo Gallery and enjoy the memories.
Our 2025 AAVLD/USAHA Annual Meeting in Colorado brought together an incredible community of scientists, diagnosticians, leaders, and partners—and the energy was unforgettable. From packed scientific sessions to committee collaborations, award celebrations, and those candid hallway conversations that spark new ideas, this year’s gathering captured the very best of our profession.
We’ve curated a full photo gallery so you can revisit the moments that made this meeting special. Whether you want to spot colleagues, highlight your team’s participation, or simply enjoy the behind‑the‑scenes snapshots of our shared work, the gallery offers a vibrant look back at an exceptional week.
Take a moment to explore the images, celebrate our collective achievements, and carry that momentum forward into the year ahead.
| | |
| |
The 2025 Annual Meeting Proceedings book is available to all members:
Go to the AAVLD Resource menu and select CE Resources and Archive submenu.
Take a look
| | | |
- Annual Meeting Proceediings
- View all abrstracts and Posters
- View notes from Plenary Sessions
- See student Testimonials
Click here for full article:
| | Take advantage of the terrific AAVLD resources offered to our members | |
| Veterinary Jobs - American Association of Veterinary... | | | | |
Veterinary Jobs - American Association of Veterinary...
The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians offers the top jobs available in Veterinary diagnostic labs. Search and apply to open positions or post jobs on the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians now.
Contact: rozuna@aavld.org
| | |
2027 Renewals are due by November 15!
'Membership is January to December'
| | AAVLD membership is open to any individual interested in the disciplines and activities of veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Membership terms are by calendar year (January-December) and membership dues are payable by November 15th of the preceding year (to ensure inclusion in the annual membership directory, eligibility for committee involvement, and receipt of all six issues of the JVDI). Note: In order to receive a discounted rate for the Annual Meeting registration, you are required to be a current AAVLD Member. | | Did your membership Lapse? | |
Please select 'Renew Now' to access the Lapsed Membership renewal form. www.aavld.org ->Quick Links->Renew Now->here you can access the Lapsed Membership Form.
| | AAVLD & News Worthy Events | | |
AAVLD/USAHA Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin
October 15-21, 2026
AAVLD Meeting Calendar
| |
Do you have ideas to improve the AAVLD annual meeting? Contact David Zeman dzeman@aavld.org
Would you like to sponsor an event? Contact
What ever your contribution to the AAVLD mission, we need you!
| | THANK YOU TO OUR AFFILIATED INDUSTRY SUSTAINING MEMBERS | |
| Contact Us | Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics | | Longhorn is in close communication with the FEMA/HHS about supply capacity expansion. We are working with buyers to optimize tube selection to match available swabs and to fit into existing automation systems. 2 Bethesda Metro CenterSuite... | | | |
Promega Corporation is a worldwide leader in applying biochemistry and molecular biology to the development of innovative, high-value products for the life sciences. The Promega mission statement is: To be the most responsive supplier of biological reagents and reagent systems used in research and applied technology applications worldwide. | | | |
Soluciones de diagnóstico veterinario para laboratorios, productores e integradores. Reactivos, equipos, soporte técnico y asesoría especializada. | | | Biowaste Sterilization & Solvent Recycling | Clean Technologies | Sustainable systems for biowaste sterilization, solvent recycling, washing processes, and custom oil & gas separation. | | | |
2026 AAVLD Partners
Thank you for your sponsorships!
| |
Engineering, Architecture, and Geospatial Services | Merrick | Merrick is a 100% employee-owned firm offering engineering, architecture, geospatial, and science & technology services nationwide. | | | |
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management | The Omni-Assistant QMS Software is the most comprehensive Laboratory & Healthcare QMS available. It is process oriented and solves all your quality, compliance and risk management challenges | | | |
PRI-BIO (Progressive Recovery, Inc.) Biowaste Sterilization & Solvent Recycling | Clean Technologies | Sustainable systems for biowaste sterilization, solvent recycling, washing processes, and custom oil & gas separation. | | | |
Promega Corporation is a worldwide leader in applying biochemistry and molecular biology to the development of innovative, high-value products for the life sciences. The Promega mission statement is: To be the most responsive supplier of biological reagents and reagent systems used in research and applied technology applications worldwide. | | | |
Advanced Technology Corp. | Veterinary Practice Management Software, Laboratory Information Management Software | | | |
Bruker's High-Value Life Science and Material Research and Diagnostics Solutions | Bruker's differentiated high-value life science research and diagnostics solutions enable scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high-performance scientific instruments and high-value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels. | | | |
Architecture, interior design, planning, and landscape design for universities, healthcare facilities, businesses, cultural and civic institutions, sports and recreation, and more. | | | | For your generous support of the AAVLD Scholarship Banquet and Auction. This year, we raised $16,678.00. These funds enable us to sponsor student/staff travel, as well as other organizational awards. We expose many young lab scientists to exciting career opportunities at animal health diagnostic laboratories. Thank you, thank you, thank you. | | |
|
AAVLD Foundation Committee
Christie Mayo- Chair
Brett Webb, Bruce Akey, Tim Baszler, Beate Crossley, Kayla Conner-Halim, Maria Hakimi, Terry McElwain, Gabriella C. Di Miele, Kristy Pabilonia, Jamie Retallick, David Zeman, and Ashley Hill
| | |
|
The AAVLD Foundation is a non-profit foundation that raises funds for the advancement of veterinary diagnostic laboratory disciplines through scholarship programs, student travel support to our scientific meetings, guest lectures, seminars, professional awards, and research programs. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible 501(c)(3) and donations can be made when you renew your AAVLD membership, at the annual Foundation Banquet and Auction Event, or anytime by visiting our website. Thank you for supporting your AAVLD Foundation!
| | | | |
