DAVIS, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterinary Information Network (VIN) announced today that a recent survey of veterinarians overwhelmingly demonstrates that VIN (https://www.vin.com and AOL Keyword: VIN) is the number one professional online destination for veterinarians.

VIN's President and co-founder, Dr. Paul D. Pion, a board certified veterinary cardiologist, is thrilled by this independent validation of VIN's lead in the veterinary market.

"This is like Christmas in July," says Pion. "Since day one in early 1991, VIN has been operated by veterinarians, for veterinarians. All our choices are made by asking what is best for our member veterinarians -- our colleagues. It is infinitely rewarding to receive unsolicited, independent research confirming that our hard work and dedication to our colleagues and our profession is recognized and appreciated."

The survey, mailed at random to 1,000 veterinarians by DVM Newsmagazine, cites VIN as the professional site most visited by respondents (47 percent). The remaining responses were divided among seven other sites or categories, with "other veterinary Web sites" being the most commonly given response (28 percent).

"The future looks very bright indeed," was Pion's response to learning that VIN is the most visited professional site by veterinarians who graduated between 1980 and 1989 (57 percent) and who graduated after 1990 (48 percent).

"We have worked hard to build an online community and resource that 'gives back' to our profession. Our team of over 125 consultants, representatives, and office staff works hard to ensure an effortless experience for our members. VIN also plays a big part in mentoring veterinary students and new graduates with free or reduced membership rates," Pion added.

Results of the study also show veterinarians go online to access medical reference material 55 percent of the time and review clinical research 21 percent of the time, both VIN specialties. Survey results indicate 37 percent of veterinarians go online to research new product information.

"More and more veterinarians are coming online looking for quality information they can trust from an independent source," says Pion. "VIN always has been and always will focus on being the independent voice for the veterinarian. VIN version 2.0, newly released at https://www.vin.com, is designed to enhance the ability of veterinarians to customize VIN and quickly gain access to current veterinary information, colleagues, and experts to help them provide the best care for their patients."

VIN 2.0 improves VIN's community tools with easy-to-use navigation, greater speed, new look and feel, and enhanced functionality. VIN supports the most extensive veterinary-specific searchable database, with more than 200,000 records from more than 5,000 publications. Exclusive message board consultations with world-renowned experts, continuing education courses, interactive clinical rounds sessions, free veterinary classified advertisements, and veterinarian search-referral services make VIN the number one site for veterinary professionals.

In addition to medical and practice management resources, VIN continues to ask its members what they want. VIN's index of veterinary companies and products is the newest response to member requests. It will provide veterinarians access to information from 800-plus manufacturers, publishers, and distributors.

ABOUT VIN

The Veterinary Information Network, based in Davis, California, is the premier online community for veterinary professionals. Founded in 1991, VIN reaches over 10,000 veterinarians, hospitals, support staff, students, and industry partners. VIN is the leader in unlimited access to medical, product, and practice management information. Other VIN online services include VETQUEST (http://www.vetquest.com) -- a veterinary search and referral service -- and the Pet Care Forum on America Online (AOL Keyword: Pet care).

For more information about VIN, its online presence, and technologies, call 800-700-4636, send e-mail to Vingram@aol.com, or visit VIN online (https://www.vin.com or AOL keyword VIN).

ABOUT THE SURVEY

DVM Newsmagazine's survey of 1,000 private practice veterinarians chosen at random targeted the use of computers and online services in veterinary practices. DVM Newsmagazine (http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com) is an Advanstar Communications, Inc. Company.