New Penn Foster research suggests better utilization of Veterinary Technicians could expand access to care. Oct 22, 2026, 11:45 ET Study suggests practices have an opportunity to improve efficiency, strengthen retention and meet growing demand by empowering credentialed veterinary technicians to work to the full extent of their training PHOENIX, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Penn Foster, one of the nation's leading providers of veterinary technician education, today released a new report in partnership with The Harris Poll that found two converging trends shaping the veterinary industry: pet owners are spending more on their pets while struggling to access timely care, and credentialed veterinary technicians report they are not being fully utilized despite growing demand. The research found that while 57% of pet owners report spending more on pet wellness products and services over the past year, more than one-third (36%) have delayed or skipped veterinary care entirely. 28% say they have waited three weeks or longer for an appointment when booking or were unable to secure one at all. At the same time, more than half (55%) of credentialed veterinary technicians say their clinical skills are underutilized, and 76% say current staffing structures create appointment limitations. The findings suggest the industry's access-to-care challenges are not solely the result of workforce shortages. Rather, they point to an opportunity for veterinary practices to improve efficiency, strengthen workforce retention and expand access to care by enabling credentialed veterinary technicians to practice to the full extent of their education and training. "Pet owners are making clear they're willing to invest in their animals' health, but too many are still struggling to access timely veterinary care," said Meghan Wells, DVM, MPH, an instructor in Penn Foster's Veterinary Technology program. "Our research suggests this isn't simply a pipeline issue. Credentialed veterinary technicians are educated and trained to take on a broader range of clinical responsibilities, yet many practices aren't fully utilizing those skills. Allowing technicians to fully utilize their credentialed training and providing them with autonomy canimprove efficiency, strengthen veterinary teams, and expand access to care." The research suggests the barriers to greater veterinary technician utilization are often internal rather than external. Veterinary technicians most frequently point to clinic culture that views technicians primarily as assistants (44%), clinic policies and protocols (42%), and veterinarian trust and comfort levels (38%) as the biggest obstacles to practicing to the full extent of their education and training. Those barriers may also be contributing to retention challenges. Veterinary technicians report wanting greater opportunities to apply their training, take on advanced responsibilities and continue growing professionally, which are all factors that can influence long-term job satisfaction and retention. The findings also suggest pet owners are ready for a more expanded role for credentialed veterinary technicians. Seventy-seven percent say credentialed veterinary technicians are extremely or very valuable, and nearly two-thirds (65%) say they have scheduled or would be interested in scheduling an appointment directly with a credentialed veterinary technician, even without seeing a veterinarian. Many veterinary technicians believe expanding their role could help practices meet growing demand. 71% support a tiered care model that includes technician-led visits as a way to improve access and affordability. A majority also say they are qualified to independently conduct vaccine administration and follow-ups (80%), routine wellness exams (78%), and client education and care plans (69%). Some clinics are already leading by example in this regard, including Elevated Veterinary Solutions - a New Jersey-based veterinary care group that invests heavily in their credentialed vet techs, in both clinical responsibility and in compensation. "One of the biggest opportunities in veterinary medicine is already inside the practice: credentialed veterinary technicians," said Torie Madore, CEO of Elevated Veterinary Solutions. "We've seen firsthand in our own clinics that when we invest in technicians and trust them to own a greater share of responsibility, it improves efficiency, supports retention and elevates the experience for clients and patients alike. Technicians are trained to do far more than many people realize, and when practices fully leverage that expertise, they can expand access to care without sacrificing quality." As one of the nation's leading providers of veterinary technician education, Penn Foster partners with employers across the country to strengthen talent pipelines and prepare veterinary technicians with the skills needed to support the evolving needs of veterinary practices. Methodology The report combines findings from two surveys conducted in June 2026. Penn Foster's pet owner survey included 509 U.S. pet owners. The veterinary technician survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Penn Foster from June 8 - 15, 2026, among 206 Veterinary Technicians ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + /- 6.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Steven Shaw at [email protected]. About Penn Foster Penn Foster is a leading provider of online, career-focused education for learners seeking flexible pathways to high school completion and careers in high-demand fields such as healthcare and veterinary care. A pioneer in accessible education for more than a century, Penn Foster has helped generations of learners build practical skills and earn credentials aligned with workforce needs. Founded in 1890, Penn Foster focuses on creating pathways to greater economic mobility through real-world, in-demand skills designed to support long-term success in a rapidly evolving job market. Learn more at pennfoster.edu. SOURCE Penn Foster

Anderson Tuftex launches its first-ever flooring industry Trend Report: The 2027 Floor Forecast. Oct 22, 2026, 08:00 ET The comprehensive report covers driving forces in the flooring industry, including priorities for both homeowners and interior designers DALTON, Ga., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Anderson Tuftex, the premium hardwood and carpet brand of Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Shaw) has launched The 2027 Floor Forecast, a new trend report for the residential flooring industry. The report provides a comprehensive look at the evolving role of flooring in home design and renovation, exploring what homeowners and interior designers are prioritizing today and where the category is headed next. To inform The 2027 Floor Forecast, Anderson Tuftex partnered with The Harris Poll to survey 512 high net worth homeowners and 251 interior designers who regularly work with flooring as part of their business about the state of the flooring industry in the U.S. Notably, slightly more than half of interior designers surveyed agreed that their clients' willingness to invest in home improvements has increased significantly over the past few years. The report offers timely insight into how homeowners and designers are approaching these investments, including preferences around materials and aesthetics, sustainability, and durability. According to the report, flooring is becoming more durable and design-forward, with both homeowners and designers prioritizing quality and longevity, while designers balance performance, aesthetics and sustainability. Looking ahead, sustainable materials, high-performance flooring, warm neutral palettes and smart innovations are expected to shape the category. "By bringing together data and insights from designers and homeowners, the first Anderson Tuftex 2027 Floor Forecast provides a clearer view of the priorities and preferences shaping the flooring industry today," said Bailey Walton, Vice President, Anderson Tuftex. "Our goal is to provide designers and flooring professionals with meaningful insights they can use to better understand where the industry is headed and make informed decisions for their businesses and clients. These findings will also help guide how we approach our own business, product development and the solutions we create for homeowners and designers in the years ahead." Key findings from the report include: Flooring Designed for Durability: Investing Where it Matters Homeowners are prioritizing quality and longevity when selecting flooring, with nearly 7 in 10 valuing flooring that lasts 15+ years. Additionally, 56% strongly agree that they are willing to pay a premium for long-lasting flooring, highlighting a willingness to invest where durability matters. First impressions are also important, with 63% strongly agreeing that the right flooring makes a strong impression when guests enter their home. Firm Footing: What's Trending in Hardwood Hardwood flooring is trending toward a balanced look that combines natural beauty with visible craftsmanship, moving away from overly uniform designs. Among interior designers, solid/uniform finishes (52%) and light finishes (52%) are gaining popularity, while homeowners are gravitating toward wide-plank flooring (43%) and mixed-pattern designs (17%) for a more elevated, distinctive look. Rolling Out a New Look: Carpet's Comeback Story Carpet is emerging as a more thoughtful, versatile flooring choice, with homeowners prioritizing performance-driven features designed for modern living. The most appealing features include carpet made for high-traffic areas (57%), pet stain and soil resistance (54%) and solid colors (51%). Interior designers are also taking a more intentional approach to carpet, with performance and natural materials emerging as key considerations; 31% always recommend performance carpet, while 29% always recommend wool carpet. Color Considerations: Hardwood & Carpet Hardwood continues to lean warm and natural, with 37% of homeowners favoring warm natural and honey tones, followed by 13% preferring medium and chocolate browns and 11% gravitating toward smoky midtones with soft hints of gray, charcoal or brown. In carpet, warm neutrals lead at 28%, followed by earthy, nature-inspired tones (16%) and cool grays/light gray (13%), highlighting a preference for versatile palettes that bring warmth and a sense of connection to nature. Flooring Made for a Healthier Home & Planet Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration in flooring decisions, but the data also points to a knowledge gap in the industry. While 60% of homeowners say sustainability is a crucial deciding factor, 52% say they're "not too worried" about it, and 39% believe all flooring is about the same. Meanwhile, 80% of designers say clients frequently or always ask for sustainable flooring and 43% are proactively recommending it. The findings suggest that while homeowners may be interested in more sustainable options, there is an opportunity for designers and brands to lead consumer education. Interior designers anticipate a continued evolution in flooring, with 65% predicting the popularity of carpet will rise over the next three years. Looking ahead, sustainable flooring, including natural, recyclable and low- or zero-carbon materials, is expected to have the biggest impact, followed by durable flooring such as waterproof, solid/hard composite and scratch- and stain-resistant options. Smart technology is also poised to play a growing role, with innovations like integrated sensors, click-lock features and temperature control emerging as areas of interest. To view the full report and its findings, as well as more information on the methodology, please visit andersontuftex.com/2027TrendReport. To learn more about Anderson Tuftex and the vast portfolio of collections, please visit www.andersontuftex.com. About Shaw Industries Group, Inc. Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a leader in flooring and other surface solutions designed for residential housing, commercial spaces and outdoor environments. Leveraging strengths in design, innovation and operational excellence, the company takes a people-centered, customer-focused, and growth-minded approach to meet diverse market needs. It creates differentiated customer experiences through its expansive portfolio of brands: Anderson Tuftex(R), COREtec(R), Shaw Floors(R), Patcraft(R), Philadelphia Commercial(R), Shaw Contract(R), Shaw Sports Turf(R), Shawgrass(R), Southwest Greens(R), Watershed Geo(R) and more. Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with more than $6 billion in annual sales and 18,000 associates worldwide. Harris Poll Methodology The 2026 Trend Report was informed by a custom survey commissioned by Anderson Tuftex in partnership with The Harris Poll, a leading global market research firm. The research was conducted online from July 13th - July 29th, 2026 among 512 high net worth homeowners and 251 interior designers who regularly work with flooring as part of their business. Data for homeowners and interior designers was weighted in terms of U.S. Census on key demographics. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 5.6 percentage points using a 95% confidence level for the high-net-worth homeowners, and within +/- 9.0 percentage points using a 95% confidence level for the interior designers. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed populations of interest. SOURCE Anderson Tuftex