



Become a Member!
SFVMA Newsletter
Continuing Education




Please join us in thanking Dr. Karen Truong, our outgoing treasurer, for all of her work over the last four years on the board. She is stepping down, and Dr. Anne MacFarlane will be taking on the Treasurer position.
Since several current officers are SFAMC DVMs, we are asking for representation from another hospital, so our board can be as diverse as our community!
If you are a long-term San Francisco DVM, it’s your opportunity to step up — and if you are newer to the city, this is your opportunity to impress your new colleagues with your dedication to serving the profession.
Please contact Anne MacFarlane for more information: sfvmasecretary@gmail.com
Dr. Kevin Pflaum earned his DVM from the University of California, Davis, in 2017. After several years in general practice, he began a residency in veterinary behavior through the University of Tennessee in 2021. He owned a veterinary behavior practice in Asheville, North Carolina, before joining the San Francisco SPCA Behavior Specialty Service in 2025. In 2026, he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. His published work includes research and case reports on psychotropic medications in dogs and cats.
Originally from the Chicago area, Dr. Pflaum enjoys hiking, video games, and cheering on the Chicago Bears.
All meetings are open to all DVMs
This meeting will be open to Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Staff at the non-member fee ($150 per guest) — which is subject to change due to capacity limitations at the restaurant.
Non-members pay $150
900 North Point St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 929-1730
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Dear Colleagues,
Behavioral concerns are something we encounter across every area of veterinary medicine, from primary care and emergency medicine to specialty practice. It’s also a topic I’m personally passionate about, and one where I’ve learned so much from collaborating with Dr. Kevin Pflaum and his colleagues and sharing patients with them.
Those experiences have changed the way I approach some of my own patients. I’m now able to work up even extremely aggressive dogs by using Fear Free techniques to facilitate sedation, making necessary medical care safer and less stressful for both the patient and the veterinary team. It’s a great example of how collaboration and continued learning can directly impact the care we provide.
I’m excited that our next SFVMA CE lecture will feature Dr. Pflaum presenting “Beyond Trazodone: Psychopharmacology for General Practitioners.” I hope you’ll join us for an opportunity to learn more about this important topic and take home practical tools we can use in our everyday practice.
I look forward to another great evening of learning and connecting with our local veterinary community!
The CVMA defends your right to practice by actively representing the veterinary profession on proposed federal and state legislation and regulations at the legislature and the Veterinary Medical Board.
The objectives of the Association shall be to advance the science and art of veterinary medicine in all its branches, including its relationship to public health, the biological sciences and agriculture. The Association shall provide a forum for the discussion of issues of importance to the veterinary profession, and for the development of official position statements. The Association shall be the authorized voice for the profession in San Francisco in presenting its views to government, academia, agriculture, pet owners, the media and other concerned public.
P.O. Box 320365
San Francisco
California 94132
Copyright ©2026, San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA). All Rights Reserved.
Protected by Google reCAPTCHA ( Privacy Policy | TOS )