PetSmart has a new executive vice president and chief commercial officer with more than 30 years of experience. Meanwhile, a veterinary-focused artificial intelligence (AI) company appointed a a new strategic advisor with experience in AI startups, CEO roles, and more. Moreover, recently, a pet care plan provider announced a new managing director for its United States division.

Continue reading to learn more about each of these individuals.

Sean Fitzgerald, managing director US, Premier Vet Alliance

Sean Fitzgerald, managing director US, Premier Vet Alliance. (Image courtesy of Premier Vet Alliance)

The pet care plan provider Premier Vet Alliance appointed Sean Fitzerald as its new managing director US. Fitzgerald has experience in sales leadership and coaching, strategic development, and account management. Previously, Fitzgerald has held roles with Zoetis, Elanco, and Vetsource.

"I am excited to join Premier Vet Alliance and look forward to working with the talented team to further strengthen our position in the US market. Together, we will continue to innovate and provide outstanding support to veterinary practices and pet owners. I am committed to leveraging my experience to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to the practices we serve,” said Fitzgerlad in a company release.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sean to the Premier Vet Alliance team," said Dominic Tonner, CEO of Premier Vet Alliance. "His deep understanding of the veterinary industry and his strategic vision will be instrumental in driving our growth. We’re confident Sean will help elevate our services and support, delivering exceptional value to our clients."

Jesica Duarte, MBA, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, PetSmart

Jesica Duarte, MBA, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, PetSmart. (Image courtesy of PetSmart)

Earlier this month, PetSmart announced Jesica Duarte, MBA, as its new executive vice president and chief commercial officer. In her new position, Duarte will lead merchandising, proprietary brands, merchandise planning & allocation, digital, and marketing organizations at the pet retailer.

"Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands" Ken Hicks, PetSmart president and CEO, said in an organizational release.

 "She has led teams through significant business and process transformations, while delivering strong business results and her expertise will be invaluable as we work to advance our long-range plan."

Duarte has more than 3 decades of experience in leadership and served as group vice president of national merchandising for the Albertsons Companies in her most recent role. She has also held positions at Walmart, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Beam Suntory, Estee Lauder and J.C. Penney. A native of Chile, Duarte has also served as chair of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan Haardt, strategic advisor, ABC Intelligence

Bryan Haardt, strategic advisor, ABC Intelligence.

ABC Intelligence, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data solutions and decision-support platforms for animal health, recently welcomed Bryan Haardt as its strategic advisor. In his new role, Haardt will work with the ABC Intelligence’s executive team on market strategy, go-to-market acceleration, and more.

Haardt has an extensive background in AI, software platforms, and Internet of Things. According to ABC Intelligence, he often serves as an advisor to AI startups and investment groups interested in transformative technology. Haardt has also been CEO of various digital health companies and held a leadership role at Boehringer Ingelheim. Haardt has also served as the chief technology officer for the Houston Technology Center and was a founding member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Emerging Business Council.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan to ABC Intelligence. His ability to scale complex technologies and align vision with execution is exactly what we need as we enter our next phase of growth,” Scott Woodrow, CEO of ABC Intelligence, said in a news release.

 “Bryan’s strategic insights and track record in AI commercialization make him an invaluable addition to our team.”

Premier Vet Alliance appoints Sean Fitzgerald as new managing director USA. News release. Premier Vet Alliance. July 24, 2025.

PetSmart appoints Jesica Duarte as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. News release. PetSmart. August 4, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petsmart-appoints-jesica-duarte-as-executive-vice-president-and-chief-commercial-officer-302520931.html

ABC Intelligence, Inc. appoints Bryan Haardt as strategic advisor. News release. August 4, 2025. 

Articles

New leadership moves, recognition, and achievement.

Paws and profits: PetSmart announces new executive vice president, and more

An Australian startup developing a therapy to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) received the Innovation Award during the closing of the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor (AHC) Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. The winning company, Snoretox. was 1 of 14 startups from 6 countries to pitch their products and services at summit.

The recognition goes to “the most innovative presentation of this year’s summit,” Emily McVey, vice president of the AHC, said while presenting the award.

 The decision by the 6-member judges panel was unanimous, according to Snoretox.

Photo: Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA/dvm360

BOAS affects bulldogs, pugs and other short-snouted breeds.

Throat surgery is currently a common treatment for the condition, according to Dr Anthony Sasse, FRACP, a pulmonologist in rural Australia and member of the Snoretox team. "The price of surgery is $5000 USD. Efficacy, unfortunately, is only poor. Sixty percent [of patients] still have their respiratory function compromised,” he said during the pitch presentation.

The Innovation Award was bestowed by the KC Animal Health Corridor in recognition of the therapy’s promise as an alternative to surgery for dogs in need of help to breathe easier.Modeled after Botox therapy, Snoretox’s injectable treatment strengthens muscle tone using tetanus toxin to keep canine airways open.

“How does our drug work? It's injected into the geniohyoid [muscle], which is at the floor of the mouth, bilaterally. It consists of 2 components. Firstly, a decoy, which attracts, absorbs and removes the local antibodies; and then tetanus toxin in a tiny dose causes increased neural tone. This acts to stabilize the anterior airway,” Sasse said.

According to Sasse, the developmental product has the potential to address a critical unmet need for the companion animal population. However, he noted that the product also offers a future pipeline of possibility. The company believes the product can be effective in treating certain feline and canine conditions, a variety of equine muscle disorders and other neuromuscular conditions across animal species. “This product has platform potential,” Sasse said.

According to Snoretox, opportunities are already opening up to the company, as it continues to attract interest. “This award has supported this momentum and added value to our company,” the winning startup wrote in a public statement.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the ACH region stretches from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri. It has become home to more than 300 companies and is responsible for $4 billion in capital investment, 4500 new jobs and 85 company relocations, according to AHC. The 2025 summit brought together more than 600 industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and students. Over the past 2 decades,more than 600 emerging companies have applied to present at the Summit over the past 20 years. Collectively, participants have raised more than $500 million and have secured licensing, distribution and acquisition deals.

McVey E. Presentation of Innovation Award. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025. Kansas City, MO.

Snoretox, creator of therapy for brachycephalic dogs, wins 2025 Animal Health Summit Innovation Award. News release. KC Animal Health Corridor. August 27, 2025.

Snoretox wins the 2025 Innovation Award at the Animal Health Summit in Kansas City. News release. Snoretox. August 27, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. 

https://snoretox.com/snoretox-wins-the-2025-innovation-award-at-the-animal-health-summit-in-kansas-city/

Sasse A. Emerging Companies Presentations: Snoretox. Presented at: KC Animal Health Corridor Summit; August 25-26, 2025. Kansas City, MO.

The Australian startup Snoretox pitched the injectable therapy during the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.

BOAS treatment in development is recognized with Innovation Award

Carrier training and at-home prep tips to share with clients, from Ellen Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline)

Helping clients reduce feline stress during vet visits

, Ellen Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline), explains how client behaviors around carriers and transport can impact feline stress during veterinary visits. She also offers recommendations on carrier training and at-home preparation that veterinary teams can share with clients to make visits smoother.

Below is a partial transcript, lightly edited for improved clarity.

So pet owners can actually be contributing to their pet’s own stress. And I really feel like sometimes it starts with that phone call that [the] cat, for some reason, uses their sixth sense and says, ‘oh gosh, they’re making a call to the veterinarian about me, and this is going to go really poorly.’

However, we also know that at home, what happens is [clients] usually will stalk their cat and look for them because they go in, they get that cat carrier out that may not be left out all the time for that cat to use as a safe space, and it only comes out when you’re going to the vet or going in the car for some other trip and now that cat associates that specific cat carrier with a stressor. So now the cat is like, ‘Hang on a second. I don’t like this.’ And they start running around the house and going to hide. And then, of course, what does our client do? Runs around the house behind the cat. They might have to get on their hands and knees underneath the bed, drag their cat out, shove it in a cat carrier. Now that cat is really stressed, and now [the pet owner is] going to go throw [the cat] in a car, and it might be a hot car at that point in time. So now the cat is even stressed further.

Now the client is worried that they’re going to miss their appointment and they’re running late because they didn’t start earlier to actually get their cat acclimated to a cat carrier or the idea that 

. And then, you know, they [arrive to the clinic]. [The cat is] in a place that might be loud, especially if you’re in a mixed practice and you’re sharing an exam room or....a lobby that doesn’t have sound barriers, but only just a partition for visual. So, sight, sound, odor all contributes to all of this.

And then they’re going to go in a room and they’re going to get handled in a room by strange people, and then poked and prodded...

Videos

Carrier training and at-home prep tips to share with clients, from Ellen Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline).

The Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) Initiative announced earlier this week that it has released its Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines. These guidelines aim to help veterinary teams support kittens and puppies immediately following their birth and are the first of its kind.

“These Guidelines are the product of years of exhaustive literature search, analysis, synthesis, and consensus, made possible through the collaboration of more than 60 veterinary professionals and subject matter experts,” explained Manuel Boller, DrMedVet, MTR, DACVECC, research co-chair of RECOVER, in the organizational release.

Александр Лебедько/stock.adobe.com

According to the RECOVER Initiative, there have been no evidence-based guidelines or a clear consensus on what the best practice is to support newborn puppies and kittens as they make the transition from intra-to-extra uterine life.

Through these guidelines, that gap is being addressed through a structured, scientifically-informed recommendations for that first hour following birth, which is the period when neonatal patients are the most vulnerable.

Training new leaders with CPR instructor certification course

“There is evidence that more than 10% of puppies born after difficult labor, or simply even born by Cesarean section, do not survive the first 24 hours after birth,” Jamie Burkitt, DVM, DACVECC, guidelines co-Chair of RECOVER, said.

 “With these Guidelines, we aim to provide veterinary teams with evidence- and consensus-based practices with the goal of optimally supporting newborn puppies or kittens during this fragile period.”

The guidelines focus on a range of supportive measures that emphasize immediate and gentle intervention, such as airway clearing, assisted ventilation, and tactile stimulation to help these newborns establish effective breathing patterns.

 If a patient is a more severe case, such as those who are not breathing or have no detectable heartbeat, these guidelines will offer a clear set of directions on more advanced measures that can be taken, such as starting chest compressions as well as administering life-saving drugs alongside artificial respiration.

The new guidelines will also provide a newborn resuscitation algorithm as well as a drug dosing chat to serve as cognitive aids for rescues trying to navigate in real-time clinical decisions during neonatal emergencies in their clinic.

“Resuscitation of newborn puppies and kittens varies in many aspects from CPR in adult dogs or cats,” Boller concluded.

 “During normal birth, mothers provide vital care such as stimulating breathing and clearing airways. But in cases where this doesn’t occur—or during Cesarean births—the responsibility falls to veterinary professionals. Our Guidelines are designed to help those teams step in quickly and effectively.”

The RECOVER Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines are available in an open-access issue of Wiley’s 

Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 

The RECOVER Initiative Releases Newborn Resuscitation Guidelines for Puppies and Kittens. News release. The Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation Initiative. August 25, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. 

https://recoverinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Newborn-Resuscitation-Guidelines-Press-Release.pdf

The guidelines will help veterinary teams support puppies and kittens immediately after birth. 

RECOVER releases newborn resuscitation guidelines 

Happy Friday dvm360 readers! We hope each of you had a fantastic week and, if it applies to you, have a safe long holiday weekend. Now that we have wrapped up the 2025 Fetch Kansas City Conference, we are over the moon to be heading to Fetch National Harbor in just a few weeks! Join us for our very first Fetch National Harbor and follow along with our coverage on dvm360.com.

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On this episode of Vet Watch with Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, welcomes back Alice Jeromin, DVM, RPh, DACVD, have an allergy test showdown, and what to do after the testing is do with veterinary dermatologist, Alice Jeromin, DVM, RPh, DACVD

The allergy test showdown: Skin vs blood testing

, we dive into the essentials of veterinary dermatology with our host Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and special guest Alice Jeromin, DVM, RPh, DACVD. Throughout the episode, Jeromin shares her insights into the effectiveness of serum and skin testing for allergies pets through what the research and data says, and discussing how the opinions on it can differ between veterinary dermatologists, plus she puts an emphasis on the importance of proper interpretation of the pets history and if seasonal factors could be at play, and more.

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity 

 Now, am I oversimplifying things? But it seems to me that there's kind of 2 ways of thought for a lot of general practitioners. Those that say I like doing the blood tests if they want to go to a dermatologist, great, but maybe that is not an access for many of their clients, so they're doing in house. And then you have another group that say, my dermatologist does not like the serum testing. We don't believe in it, so the only way to do is skin testing. Is that kind of the two groups of thoughts that you see.

 I do, except there's a subset of the dermatologists that say, "gold standard" for intradermal skin testing. And well, let's, let's broach that first. After having a long career in pharmacy, I saw so many drugs that were the gold standard come and go, and I think you'd agree, in veterinary medicine, you know, 15-20 years ago, there were drugs that, oh, they're outstanding, and that's our standard. And now the not so much. So I like to refer to it as the current standard of care and having said that, you can ask 10 veterinary dermatologists and get 10 different opinions. My personal opinion is I like to skin test and serum test because I figure that gives me all the information I can get that I need to make up that allergy solution. It's not for me to make that diagnosis of atopy. That's for sure. We're going to talk about that and and again, the reason the gold standard is not skin testing or serum testing is you can have non allergic pets skin test or serum test positive, and vice versa. You know.

Now that's, that's one of the things I hear often, is that if non allergic. Dogs or people. So if you do not have atophy, you could run a serum test and just pop up positive for a lot of things. And many times I hear that is the reason as to why they do not believe in that testing.

: I gotcha. And that's also true for skin testing, of course. Why would I be skin testing a clinically negative patient for atophy right? But in tests that have been done in the past for people publishing papers, you can have clinically normal let's we're going to, let's say dogs, and you skin test them and you get positives. There are reasons for that, but certainly it's kind of like Cushing's disease. If there's no symptoms for it, why am I going to treat it? You see what I'm saying. 

The other thing I wanted to tell you about IgE driven. You know, it's interesting, because in people, when they're trying to diagnose at being people, this was a long time ago, they would do total IgE levels. And they would find that in children, those total IgE levels, if they were elevated, usually meant that kid's going to become a topic as it gets older. Well, they did that same test for dogs, didn't pan out at all. They did IgE, total IgE levels in puppies followed them out for 3 years. Made no difference. Some of the atopic dogs had the same levels as the non atopic. So IgE, even though we've isolated it in dogs and we have ways to go in cats, we still have a long way to go. Long ways to go. That's why we can't use the serum or skin test to say your pet, your dog, is atopic. 

You know, I'll get a client in that says this. Well, this is worst case scenario for all of us. I want to know what my dog's allergic to. Okay, got the dog on the table. I'm combing it. There's a couple of fleas there. Oh my gosh, Mrs Jones, look, did you know your dog has a couple flea? Yeah, I know he's got some fleas. I want to know what he's allergic to that. You know, that's a good hour right there, because you've gotta convince that owner, okay, we've gotta resolve this flea problem, flea allergy first, and then there may be additional allergies. And yes, most atopic dogs are flea allergic, I'll give you that, but it it's difficult for owners to understand that a couple of fleas could be causing all that same problem as, say, a ragweed allergy. I think because they compare it to us, they see how miserable atopy is in us and we don't have fleas. So that must be, what's wrong with the dog must be atopic.

Explore the latest insights on allergy testing in pets, comparing skin and blood tests, and learn effective management strategies for the itchy pets in your clinic