CAPC Focuses 2010 Parasite Education Tour Efforts on Southeastern U.S.

BEL AIR, Md., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Originally written May 20, 2010 -- For the third year in a row, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is hitting the road with its Parasite Education Road Show Tour, which is designed to educate veterinarians, staff members and pet owners on the importance of year-round parasite control in dogs and cats.  This year's tour will focus on the southeastern United States with veterinary meetings and pet owner events scheduled in 15 cities over 17 days in July.

Last year's CAPC Road Show Tour of the western U.S. drew nearly 500 veterinarians and staff members to continuing education meetings in seven cities, as well as reached thousands of dog and cat owners at events in Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington. As in the past, several leading parasitologists and veterinarians will travel in a uniquely detailed 33-foot long recreational vehicle.

This year's journey starts July 15 in Memphis and concludes July 31 in Atlanta, prior to the AVMA conference, with 10 stops planned at various locations in Florida. During the tour, the group will meet with veterinarians, technicians and human health professionals to present a continuing education program on vectors, vector-borne diseases and internal parasites. The technical program will be presented by CAPC board parasitologists Dr. Byron Blagburn of Auburn University and Dr. Dwight Bowman of Cornell University.

During the tour, the CAPC will conduct interviews with local media and hold events to educate pet owners on the importance of parasite control in protecting their pets and their families from zoonotic diseases associated with parasites.

The dates and cities for this year's CAPC Road Show Tour events include:

• July 15-16, Memphis
• July 16, Jackson, Miss.
• July 17, Baton Rouge, La.
• July 18, Mobile, Ala.
• July 19, Tallahassee, Fla.
• July 20, St. Petersburg, Fla.
• July 21, Tampa, Fla.
• July, 22, Ft. Myers, Fla.
• July 23, Naples, Fla.
• July 24, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
• July 25-26, Orlando, Fla.
• July 27-28, Daytona Beach, Fla.
• July 29, St. Augustine, Fla.
• July 30, Jacksonville, Fla.
• July 31, Atlanta, Ga.

Mike Paul, DVM, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council, says that from coast-to-coast, the response from veterinarians and staff to the educational tours has been overwhelmingly positive and that there is tremendous interest in the latest parasite control and prevention information.

"No matter where we go with our research and education message on the importance year-round parasite control, veterinarians, staff members and pet owners are interested and receptive to the information," Dr. Paul explains. "The educational tours have proven to be very effective in helping us spread the word about these parasitic threats and the latest diagnostic and prevention protocols to most effectively manage them."

Veterinarians and staff members can follow the road show adventures on the organization's Web site found at www.capcvet.org.

For more information on the dates, times and locations of the meetings and events, and to register in advance to attend an educational meeting in your area, visit www.capcvet.org or call 816.585.3639. Registering in advance is recommended as space at the meetings is limited.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council is an independent council of parasitologists, veterinarians, medical, public health and other professionals that provide information for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. Formed in 2002, the CAPC works to help veterinary professionals and pet owners develop the best practices in parasite management that protect pets from parasitic infections and reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission.

SOURCE Companion Animal Parasite Council