As a small animal house-call vet, about 20 percent of my practice is hospice or euthanasia care. I’ve seen quite a variety of reactions of people to their pet’s passing and I’m always struck when people apologize for their emotions, or things they say to their pet at the end. As a lifetime pet owner and… Read More
Blog
“Can I Pick Your Brain?” – Surviving Holiday Parties
“Hey, remember me? We met at the swimming pool last summer. Can I ask you a question about my cat?” If you are in veterinary medicine, you’ve been on the receiving end of this conversation. I don’t care if you work exclusively on fixing the practice air conditioner… if people know you have been inside… Read More
5 Lessons Stan Lee Taught Me About Vet Medicine
There are several lessons that cross over from our personal lives into veterinary medicine. I am going to go full-on nerd here. But some of the greatest lessons that I have learned in life came from superheroes. Whether they were in comic books or on the silver screen, we all want to be something bigger… Read More
The Consequences of Our Actions
We do it sometimes without thinking. Maybe it is instinct. Maybe we don’t realize we are doing it. But as veterinarians, our actions and responses can create a domino effect for fellow veterinarians and ourselves. What exact action am I talking about? Well, that is the action of inadvertently misinforming clients. Again, I don’t think… Read More
5 Ways to Keep Employees From Dreading Staff Meetings
Staff meetings. Easily one of the most underutilized and often dreaded of staff interactions. Many clinics don’t have staff meetings due to time, workload and staff compliance. Staff meetings are scheduled with intentions of being an open dialogue amongst the team. An inspiring, team-building, and open way to discuss issues in the clinic. With starry… Read More
An Open Letter to My Receptionists
Dear Receptionist, I swear I don’t hate you. I don’t find you annoying. I don’t think you are (insert whatever horrible thing you think about yourself here). The truth is, that I absolutely know you are doing the best you can in this moment. I absolutely know that you have one of the most difficult… Read More