It is a rainy day in 2008. It is cold and damp outside. You are walking down a busy city street. You see a veterinary hospital. You decide to go inside. You pull on the wet door handle. You brush the raindrops off your coat. It is very quiet inside. At first you don’t… Read More
Blog
The Biscuit Rule of Effective Teamwork
Have you ever had a really good biscuit? I mean the kind that are fluffy, steamy, pillows from heaven and perfect under gravy, with some apple butter, or even stolen off the stovetop before time to leave for the potluck. Now, I know I am going a little too southern for some, but biscuits are… Read More
How to be a Good Boss: Make Your Employees Feel Safe
When I was a baby vet, I worked for a taciturn male veterinarian who never failed to surprise me with his forward thinking. He always asked me questions, not to quiz me, but to soak up some of my fresh-out-of-school knowledge. He pushed me and protected me during the three years of my employment. If… Read More
Do You Know the Tick Season Myths?
When the topic of heartworm and flea/tick preventatives comes up during an appointment, sometimes it feels like there’s an elephant in the room. Often at this time of year, with talk of blizzards, cyclones, and polar vortexes, the answer to the question, “Do you need more flea-tick or heartworm preventatives?” is something like: “No, we’re… Read More
My Four Favorite Stress Busters
We all have those days. The ones that start out crazy and get worse from there. Where the receptionist slides up next to you and hesitantly tells you a client called and is on their way with a pet that has been vomiting for four days, they are leaving to go out of town tomorrow,… Read More
5 Lessons I Learned From Losing My Own Pet
I’ve been working in the veterinary field since I was 15 years old. I witnessed my first euthanasia just two hours into the job. It struck me in that moment, even at my tender age, that this would be the most important aspect of my job. And it is. Saving lives is wonderfully satisfying, and… Read More