PetVet Magazine June July 2021 by Barkleigh Productions

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VOL. 4 ED.4 • JUNE / JULY 2021

the silver lining of

covid-19

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A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

CONTENTS 4 PetVet Advisory Board

5 Veterinarian Life Advice 10 It’s OK to Not Be OK (I’m Not) 12 Managing the Multitasking Monster

What’s in

16 It’s All About Perspective 22 On the Go with “Dr. Jeff”: NYC House-Call Vet & Musician 24 The Silver Lining of COVID-19 for Veterinary Medicine 32 PetVet 10: 10 Things to Do This Month

& GOOD RESPONSES Cover photo of Dr. Jeffrey Levy, DVM, CVA By Steve Wewerka, Wewerka Photography

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Copyright June 2021. PetVet Magazine is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Vet Magazine c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.

Editorial rebecca@barkleigh.com

PetVetMag @PetVet_Magazine

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PETVET MAGAZINE

ADVISORY BOARD

Meet our EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD!

Courtney A. Campbell DVM, DACVS-SA

PetVet’s advisory board is here to help ensure quality content to motivate & educate Veterinarians and their staff.

Jenifer Chatfield DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM

“My passions ultimately drove me towards becoming a veterinarian, but when I was growing up I briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a magician. As a veterinarian, the ability to save lives, keep animals healthy, and strengthen the human– animal bond makes me realize there’s nothing more magical than that.”

“People should be so lucky as to get to be a veterinarian. The broad-based education empowers us to be successful in multiple fields and affords us the opportunity to choose how we spend our professional time.”

STAFF

Executive Editor Rebecca Shipman

Publisher Barkleigh Productions, Inc.

Art Director Laura Pennington

President Todd Shelly

Senior Graphic Designer Jenn Barraclough

Vice President Gwen Shelly

Web Master Luke Dumberth

Chief Operations Officer Adam Lohr

Marketing Consultant Alex Hammersla

Julie Legred CVT “I have worked in many areas of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology over the last thirty five years, and it is amazing how far our profession has grown and paved the way for the betterment of animals' lives and happiness, as well as improving public health issues. It is an honor for me to be a part of this advisory board to offer additional education and opportunities to grow in our profession.”

Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs

Lisa Powell DVM, DACVECC “I have had the privilege of working with a variety of animals in my career and my passion has allowed me to be involved in teaching veterinary students, interns, residents and other veterinarians. I continue to enjoy going to work every day to help critically ill dogs and cats, and love the client interactions as well. I am proud to be a part of this advisory board to help teach and spread my love for this profession to others in the veterinary community.”

Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM “Animals mean so much to the human condition. It is my privilege to make lives better every day! I cannot imagine myself in any other career.”

Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola Social Media / PR Coordinator Evan Gummo

PETVET MAGAZINE

VETERINARIAN LIFE ADVICE

“We are doctors to the creatures who many times are the

most cherished family member. Whether this beloved creature be a puppy, kitten, bird, or fish, they provide the

mirth, merriment,

and Entertainment that we human beings crave, and it is our job to

take care of them.”

Jeffrey Levy, DVM, CVA, a.k.a. "Dr. Jeff," New York City-Based Acupuncture House-Call Veterinarian

PETVET MAGAZINE

client services

What’s in By Brendan Howard

ames are powerful. Mom or Dad might have used your full name as a warning that you were in deep, deep trouble. A crush in middle school might have said, “Hey, [insert your name here],” while walking down the hall in school (and, maybe, you squealed happily inside). In fairy tales, it always seems like the brave peasant can turn the tables on mean wizards or magical beings just by knowing, and saying, their names. And, if you’re Bible-minded, God makes a big deal about parading every new animal by Adam so he can give them names. The act of using a pet’s name isn’t quite as powerful as getting in trouble with Mom, swooning over a crush or beating the mean imp Rumpelstiltskin, but it’s a little bit like that. Pet names gain power as people’s affection for their pets grow. Sometimes clients give pets significant names that are really important to family history or their own deep loves and interests. Other times they toss off silly or ridiculous names (“White cat,” “Diarrhea”) that they don’t take too seriously. But even those people always seem to appreciate the power of a veterinarian and their team referring to them by name. 6

top puppy names during the pandemic Survey results by Top Data

bella max buddy sadie rocky Harley murphy It’s almost like magic.

Say My Name, Say My Name Learning and remembering every new pet’s name during a busy day in the exam room can be a little difficult. But it’s a bigger necessity than ever before to brush up on your memory skills. According to a new survey by Banfield, one in two Gen Zers and one in three PETVET MAGAZINE

Millennials say they adopted a new dog or cat during this pandemic. That’s a lot of new pets rolling in with new names to remember in person and in email! What might make it easier is that so many people pick the same names (or maybe that makes it harder?) Most of the popular pet names today aren’t very magical. A recent survey of pet adoptions during the pandemic last year

found that top names for new puppies were Max, Buddy, Sadie, Murphy and Rocky. The exception is Bella, the heroine in the popular Twilight books and movies, which has been a top pick since the series got popular. This fits with what Shawn Finch, DVM, practicing in Omaha, NE, sees: “Most common pet names? Bella. Also Lucy. Maybe Max for boys.” Her favorite pet name remains “Joey Cupcake,” a newly-adopted beagle whose first name was picked by an adult and second name picked by a five-year-old. And, brace yourself, one client in Colorado named his bulldog “Bulls***.” “They made the dad change his name for the medical record,” Finch says. “I think they changed it to Spot.” So, weird names, funny names, profoundly important names; clients like to know that you remember their pet’s name, that you remember them

and that they matter.

So, How Do You Remember? Dr. Jeff Werber, a practicing veterinarian in Southern California, says the pet’s name takes priority. “I do my best to remember the pet’s name even better than the owner’s name,” Werber says. “When I see people out of practice, there’s nothing better than asking how Luna or Lola or Rosa is doing. It’s priceless as far as building that veterinarian-client bond.” Even mess-ups can sometimes hilariously cement a client relationship. Dr. Finch remembers mixing up names in the exam room once: “This one time, I picked up a super-cute tiny Pomeranian and held her over my head within earshot of mom and said, ‘Who’s the cutest? Is it Willow? Yes, Willow’s the cutest!’ “The client loved it,” she continues. “But, umm, the client’s name was

The weirder the names, the better for you. Here are a few of the 2020 Wacky Pet Names winners from Nationwide Pet Insurance. You would be forgiven for not getting these names right the first time, but what a story the client will have to tell! For dogs? The winner was Scarlett No Haira. Some of the 50 runners-up included Sugar Bubbles Fancypants, Madame Squishy Van Wrinkleface and Joan of Bark. For cats? Edgar Allen Paw took first. A few runners-up included Admiral Turbo Meowington, Ella Whiskers Oreo Hurst and Tika Meowsala. For the full list (and to see just how hairless Scarlett No Haira is), visit petinsurance.com/wackypetnames

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JULY 27-28 2021 VIRTUAL EVENT • EST The animal health ecosystem is going through a digital transformation, as disruptive tools reshape the way we think about the prevention and prediction of disease, and veterinarians are increasingly using a variety of new digital solutions to empower them in the workplace and improve their productivity. The growing ‘millenialization’ of pet ownership has resulted in a demand for digital solutions that directly connect the pet owner with the clinic. With 30% of pet owners not currently visiting clinics, practitioners are being forced to adopt solutions that are designed to improve the pet-owner/ vet relationship and tackle the longstanding issue of compliance. Now is the time to evolve and embrace the digital revolution to fully support veterinarians in the workplace. We know that digital has the power to improve workflow efficiency and support in hiring the next generation of veterinary talent but issues such as compliance, digital standards and systems integration stand in the way of this becoming reality. The Digital Veterinary Summit, taking place online July 27-28, 2021, will bring together 150+ executives from across the animal health and veterinary industry, to examine the sector’s digital trends and dynamics, and showcase the industry’s most exciting emerging technologies. The companion animal focused event will showcase technology innovation, platforms and services for pet owners and the latest digital solutions for veterinary practice.

In-depth research findings highlight that the vet profession is set to face significant additional strain and stress through the increased levels of pet adoption during the pandemic. Harnessing the power of digital innovation will be critical to support veterinarians, now and in the future, as they seek to be more efficient, more productive and lead a more balanced working life. However, with many veterinary practices and providers still finding their feet, the industry must come together to solve its biggest digital challenges.

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Willow, not the dog. We never speak of it, but she still brings her dogs to see me, so she must be OK with having a dork for a vet,” Finch jokes. That leads us right into our first tip:

1. Don’t crisscross patients and clients. Finch says she’s noticed a trend where people give pets really human names, and their own names seem more casual. “I have human clients with cute names like Spencer and Calvin, and pet patients with human names like Bob and Pete and Sally,” she shares.

2. Always double-check the record. Why trust yourself ? Take a beat before you make the call, write the email or open the exam room door to make sure you’ve got it right. “I read the record every time, which is always right there in front of my face,” Finch says.

3. Attach the name to a story. Use that old memory trick of attaching the name to an image in your head. Werber recommends making sure to take the time and pay attention when talking to a client about the name for the first time. “If it’s from a foreign language, ask what it means. Ask the story behind the name. Show some care and curiosity,” he suggests.

the client. Ask where it’s from. Maybe even do a little leg work, like Finch did: "The best was a dog named ‘Khoshekh,’ which I thought I recognized as a character from a podcast drama my daughter listened to. I confirmed that, and when I called his dad, I asked if that was right, and he said in the seven years he’d had the dog, no one had asked him that. It totally made his day and mine.”

5. Don’t mess up the gender. “What’s worse than mixing up names is mixing up the sex,” Werber says. “Sometimes the client will correct you with venom.” Be sure to check the record or double-check “under the hood.” Your veterinary hospital sees thousands of clients a year, and more pets than people. Clients want to know that you remember them and their pets. So, if remembering names isn’t your thing, take a moment to peek at the client’s record before walking into that exam room or try out some of the above tips. That one little word, which most pet owners hold very near and dear to their heart, can go a long way in helping to build that client-vet relationship. 

4. Use the name to go the extra mile. Love the name? Tell

www.rememberapet.org

PETVET MAGAZINE

Brendan Howard is a freelance writer in Olathe, Kansas. He’s worked with and collaborated on cool stories, audio and video with veterinarians and veterinary team members for more than 14 years.

lifestyle

NOT By Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ

t’s been the hardest year of my nearly 20-year professional career for so many reasons. The caseload has been unprecedented, much of which was with first-time pet parents. Clients have been impatient and often short-tempered. And we’ve gone from having our own health concerns as essential workers to national staffing shortages and skeleton crews at times. The pandemic created an impossible personal situation where I began instantly balancing a full-time job in practice and

virtually homeschooling three grade-school children. Our city had strict quarantines with long periods of social isolation. My father had a severe stroke where I was left with no ability to be in the hospital or talk easily with his medical team. And, most recently, my immediate family was faced with chronic illness. Life was not OK, and suddenly, neither was I. First, let me say, I’m not seeking sympathy. I know so many others carry much more weight every day on their backs and in

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their hearts. I share my life struggles here because, while your lived experiences may look different, the emotions and mental health concerns might feel almost the same. We gain strength in community; we find solace in relatability, and that’s what we all need right now. We need to not feel alone because so many in this profession still struggle in silence and in the shadows and with no support. Unfortunately, there is still a significant stigma around asking for help and, even more so, being open about mental health therapy. And that’s despite the fact that we, as medical professionals with education and training, constantly work to improve the physical and emotional health of our patients. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the need to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or a pre-visit pharmaceutical to reduce fear and stress in my patients. I don’t bat an eye in that discussion with clients. So why do we often feel embarrassed, nervous and even ashamed if the tables were turned and placed us as that patient? I wish I was writing this article with the solution for fixing everything, because that’s what we do. Healers fix things. But I can’t, and what’s even harder is admitting that, especially when it looks from the outside that you can, that you have everything together; that you’re tougher and braver than most. What I can do, however, is encourage you to become the patient, even just for a day. Step outside of yourself and commit to a period of uninterrupted, selfish time to ask yourself the question, “Am I OK?” That sounds so simple and trite, but it’s a serious question that requires you to be vulnerable and

self-aware. Honesty is imperative; that’s where bravery comes in. I want all of my colleagues, even if you think this article doesn’t apply to you, to take an essential and important step towards self-care. Go to the website avma.org/resourcestools/wellbeing/assess-yourwellbeing and openly and honestly take the 30-question Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Assessment. This tool is frequently used and widely respected as a resource to “measure the negative and positive effects of helping others who are experiencing suffering and trauma.” It was developed originally by Beth Hudnall Stamm, PhD for use in human health care, but now is also applied to the veterinary profession. The goal is to help you understand where you stand in relation to three areas crucial to mental wellbeing: compassion satisfaction, compassion stress and compassion fatigue. This may not be easy. The first step in anything is always the hardest. And the results of this assessment may be shocking, saddening, maddening or even scary to read. But we need to face this. We owe it to our families, our children, our colleagues, our friends, our clients, our patients and ourselves. Just like in practice, we can’t treat without the right diagnostics, and while this assessment doesn’t give a specific diagnosis, it’s the screening tool to suggest diagnostics are necessary. Without acknowledgement, support and proper treatment, we end up with burnout. Burnout is defined as a psychological

syndrome that involves prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. It looks like emotional exhaustion, cynicism, personal inefficiency and ineffectiveness at work. Reread that. Does that sound like you? Does that sound like a colleague? Did you look away or exhale deeply or get a little queasy in your stomach? It’s hard to admit, isn’t it? Veterinarians are perfectionists. We don’t like to fail. So don’t. It’s OK to not be OK. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to say no. It’s OK to streamline your kids’ activities and not go to every single virtual birthday party and not answer every email within 10 minutes. It’s OK to be selfish here. Stop judging yourself and be brave and

kind to yourself. You deserve it. Dr. Marks is the previous owner and current associate veterinarian of Blum Animal Hospital, an eleven doctor small animal practice in Chicago, IL, just south of Wrigley Field. Dr. Marks is also a national educator on many topics, including canine influenza, leptospirosis, feline medicine and canine allergic disease and is involved in many national media campaigns. In her spare time, Dr. Marks enjoys spending time with her family, especially her 3 fantastic children and furry child Samantha, also cooking, traveling, reading, going to concerts and being anywhere there is a beach!

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Best practices

Managing the

By Elycia Degenhardt, BA, CVT “Can someone help me with this dog?” “Is anyone answering that call?” “Are Ralphie’s bloodwork results in?” “Did someone reply to Ms. Smith’s email?” “We need to get surgery started. I have a wellness scheduled in an hour.”

veterinary clinic is a busy place, and team members are frequently asked to be responsible for multiple things at once. This can lead to a work environment where jobs are left half completed, records get jumbled and employees get stressed. We want to make sure all animals get the help they need, so we try to work harder and faster, but often find ourselves buried in work and making mistakes. Why do so many veterinary professionals feel unable to juggle the challenges of daily practice? The truth lies in the human brain. We are asking ourselves to do the impossible: multitask. 12

For decades, science has illustrated the inability of humans to multitask. A study conducted at Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in Paris placed participants in an fMRI and asked them to complete first a single task, then two tasks at once. When working on a single task, both halves of the prefrontal cortex—the “attention center” of the brain—were engaged simultaneously, and participants were generally able to complete the task successfully. When given two coinciding tasks, the left and right halves of the brain were found to work independently of one another and participants made approximately three times the number of mistakes. This study and others like it have so strongly suggested the pitfalls of multitasking that they have been cited when creating laws across the United States, such as forbidding texting while driving. The human brain has limits on the amount of information it can process at any given time. Neuroscience has identified processing limits specifically in the areas of visual short-term memory and the psychological refractory period. Our brain can take

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Individuals attempting more than one task at a time do not, in fact, succeed in doing two things at once, but instead engage in what is known as “task-switching.” Task-switching gives the illusion of multitasking but, in reality, involves changing focus between two or more activities. more than half a second to recognize a single stimulus, and once that stimulus is stored in visual short-term memory, it takes up space. Visual short-term memory can only store a limited number of stimuli at one time, so attempting to engage in multiple activities creates a “bottleneck,” literally overstimulating the brain and severely delaying the brain’s response to stimuli. This lag in the brain’s response, defined as the psychological refractory period, is what prevents people from effectively multitasking. Individuals attempting more than one task at a time do not, in fact, succeed in doing two things at once, but instead engage in what is known as “task-switching.” Task-switching gives the illusion of multitasking but, in reality, involves changing focus between two or more activities. In order to task-switch, the human brain must identify which task is now being performed and access the information that applies to that task. These processes are known as “goal-shifting” and “rule-activation.” When goal-shifting, one’s brain recognizes a shift from a previous task to a new task. The brain then categorizes the new task, which leads to rule-activation, gathering the cognitive skills necessary (language processing, mathematical calculation, social rules, etc.) to accomplish the new task. At the same time, information and “rules” from the previous task must be put aside. As you can imagine, this takes time and is not always completely successful. Task-switching has repeatedly been shown to result in decreased productivity and increased error. The time lost to task-switching may seem insignificant (only tenths of a second per switch), but over the course of an average work

day, up to 40% of productive time can be wasted. Of equal or even greater concern is the increased incidence of uncompleted tasks and errors associated with frequent task-switching. Mistakes increase with the complexity and number of tasks, and some tasks may even be left undone. In one study, 41% of interruptions resulted in the participant abandoning the primary task entirely. Even in instances where speed and accuracy of work can be maintained in the face of multiple demands, attempting multitasking has a steep price. A study published in 2008 placed participants in an environment of “interrupted performance” (typing an email while being asked questions, answering a ringing phone and responding to instant messages) and found that, while able to complete the assigned task in the time allotted, “interrupted” participants reported significantly higher levels of stress, effort

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and frustration, and perceived a higher workload than those working without interruptions. In an industry plagued with burnout and employee turnover, it is very important to consider the emotional cost of a work environment. How, then, do we minimize multitasking in the veterinary environment? A few small adjustments could make a big difference in the workflow of a practice and daily lives of its employees.

1. Divide and Conquer Veterinary medicine is in many ways a team sport, but you can minimize task-switching by specifying roles within that team. “Veterinary Technician/ Assistant” is a broad title that encompasses many responsibilities, so create roles within that title and encourage people not to stray from their role throughout the day. For example; a technician assigned to anesthesia should not be asked to answer phones, step out to do an appointment,

run a laboratory test or speak to a client. Many clinics and hospitals already practice a form of this by having certain employees assigned to one area (laboratory, appointment, surgery, reception, etc.) for the duration of their shift. The hard part is making sure employees are not pulled into other duties as the day unfolds. It is important to encourage team members to focus on their assigned role and ensure staffing and clinic climate enable them to do so in order to maximize productivity and minimize error.

2. Block it Off Studies suggest that individuals should ideally work on a specific task or task type (e.g., checking email) for a minimum of 20 minutes before switching to another task. This type of work, often called “batch processing,” allows for optimized neural efficiency and accuracy by letting the brain focus on one task, and by practicing and repeating that task, increases speed and decreases the effort required to complete it. In the case of email, opening emails throughout the day as they come in is the least productive and most disruptive way to perform that particular task. Instead, designate blocks throughout the day and “batch process” emails, texts, voicemails, prescription refill requests, etc. This also decreases interruptions to staff engaged in other unrelated tasks.

3. Rein in the Ring I have often joked that my stress increases more when I hear the clinic phone than when I hear a fire alarm. Jokes aside, a ringing phone immediately forces a break in focus and answering a phone necessitates a massive cognitive shift. Additionally, phone calls frequently lead to a string of tasks such as scheduling an appointment, filling a prescription, and/or contacting another clinic for records. All of this means taking a phone call while in the middle of another task almost guarantees the original task will

suffer. Whenever possible, disable the ringer on phones located in treatment areas and redirect calls to a designated staff member(s). It is better practice to batch process voicemails than ask employees to work effectively with regular phone interruptions.

4. Take Breaks A day in a veterinary professional’s life never seems to slow down, and animals in need don’t take a break. But, the fact is, humans need breaks to perform at a high level. In fact, a demanding environment such as a veterinary clinic makes taking breaks even more necessary. Our brain cannot completely synthesize information if we are constantly bombarding it with new stimuli. This includes stimuli not related to work. So, that means breaks should ideally not involve talking with a coworker, calling to check in on a loved one, visiting social media or engaging in other stimulating activities. The most effective break is taking a walk alone or resting in a quiet room. Just 5-10 minutes is sufficient time to allow your brain to catch up with your day. Try to take a short break every 90 minutes. One long break in the middle of the day (such as a 30-minute lunch period) is less effective than brief, frequent breaks—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take lunch! It means a lunch break does not diminish the need for additional time to decompress throughout the day. Balancing the constant and varied demands of veterinary work is one of the most challenging aspects of our careers. By attempting to “do it all” we are selling ourselves, our patients, our clients and our coworkers short. Learning to work in a way that acknowledges human limits will ultimately take us further than pushing ourselves to the edge. When we ditch the multitasking habit, we make space for satisfaction in our work and reveal how much more we are capable of when we give ourselves permission to do less.

resources: 1.

Mark G, Gudith D, Klocke U. The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress. CHI '08: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2008;107-110.

Marois R, Ivanoff J. Capacity limits of information processing in the brain. TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences. 2005;9. 296-305

Multitasking: Switching costs. American Psychological Association. https:// www.apa.org/research/action/multitask. Published March 20, 2006. Accessed February 4, 2021.

O’Conaill B, Frohlich D. Timespace in the Workplace: Dealing With Interruptions. CHI ‘95 Mosaic of Creativity. 1995;262-263.

To Multitask or Not to Multitask. University of Southern California. https://appliedpsychologydegree.usc.edu/blog/to-multitask-or-not-to-multitask/. Accessed February 2, 2021.

Weinschenk S. The True Cost of Multitasking. Psychology Today. https://www. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201209/the-true-cost-multi-tasking. Published September 18, 2012. Accessed February 2, 2021.

Elycia Degenhardt is a certified veterinary technician working at an internal medicine practice in Savannah, Georgia. She joined the veterinary profession after four years as a high school teacher and remains passionate about education. Elycia earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and Madison College and continues to learn new things every day through her career and life experiences. 14

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BEYOND THE STETHOSCOPE

it’s all about

Perspective

By Angela Demaree, DVM, MPH, CHPC

Is it a rabbit or a duck? Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Are you successful or unsuccessful? The answer to that question, as well as the others, depends on your perspective, but also what is most meaningful to you and what you define as success.

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hen we feel overwhelmed, uncertain or, quite frankly, just worn out and tired after a busy day or week, a favorite high performance habit is to use the power of questions to direct our mind positively. And, of course, after a good night's sleep, we will often find a fresh perspective in the morning. But what do we do when that's not enough? We take some quiet time to think about what we want in life and what is most meaningful to us. The answer might surprise you; it might not be what we think we want or what we think others expect of us. Sometimes we feel stuck because we are more worried about what someone else might think, about the criticism we might receive...or that big scary worry monster called student debt. It's easy to hold ourselves back from taking action towards what's truly important. It's often difficult to make that tough decision when we fear someone we care about might feel hurt or disappointed by our decision. If we genuinely want to have joy, happiness and the personal freedom we desire, then our job is to figure out what that looks and feels like for each of us. Our core values of integrity and following through on what we promised ourselves are excellent values to have.

Still, occasionally we can use them as an excuse to hold ourselves back from pursuing a dream or making a key decision that we know deep down we need to make but we've been avoiding. How do we know when we are making excuses vs. when we are making decisions aligned with our values and the best of who we are? Our emotions and gut feelings are a good clue, as are the stories we are telling ourselves; our self-talk. Have you ever heard yourself utter this statement: "I've wasted the whole day; I got NOTHING accomplished; I'm NEVER going to get it all done!" Me too—and on more than one occasion and more recently than I'd care to admit—but I'm making progress as now I'm aware of these thoughts. Before I found the high performance coaching framework, I just kept telling myself these stories, completely unaware, overwhelmed and frustrated. Maybe you can relate? Here are three super simple and fun ways to regain perspective and help you get the train back on its tracks if you take an unexpected detour.

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good morning

12 9

3 6

Great work!

12 9

3 6

1) Write down what time you got up this morning and the time it was five hours later. Then list off all of the things you already accomplished in those five hours. This is a great activity when you feel overwhelm creep in and that you're not moving enough big projects forward fast enough. When you stop and write down all you accomplished in the first five hours of your day, it is amazing! Did you meal-prep or plan your dinner, work out, get the kids dressed and off to school, do a load of laundry, walk the dog, feed the cat and get to work on time? Congratulations! You moved every area of your life forward BEFORE you got to work today!

Sometimes all we need is to shift our perspective to realize we are living the life of our dreams, and it's okay to appreciate all we have accomplished, the ups and downs, and slow down to feel less frantic. Working out and planning meals are important to our health. Caring for kids or family is vital to maintaining positive relationships. Cooking leftovers or pulling something out of the freezer rather than eating out is a positive move for our wallets and waistline. Walking the dog and spending time with pets are good for our spirit. And, you are showing up as your best self at work, on time! That's what work-life balance is; doing what's important across all areas of our lives. Why, as busy professionals, do we sometimes think that if it isn't work-related, that it doesn't count?

2) Reset your clocks and take a do-over. If you are still frustrated by the first activity's outcome, why not try this brain hack? Changing your clocks' time is one way to quickly shift your perspective and more easily come up with a workable plan to tackle those big projects or get your day back on track. Before you start saying, "I can't, you are crazy for suggesting this." Google calendar is pretty impressive, and time is arbitrary. So why not trick your brain into feeling less stressed? People with appointments will still show up at their scheduled time, so what does it matter if your clock says 10 a.m. or 7 a.m.? Something as simple as mentally giving yourself a few more hours can make a tremendous impact and provide more time and space to wrap your head around when and how to tackle that next big project. I did this once. I was so stressed out and disappointed in my lack of progress by 9 a.m. that I created a solution that forced me to have a new perspective. After all, the time on the clock was the source of my stress and frustration, so, rather than give up and lose a day of productivity, I reviewed my calendar, saw meetings scheduled on the west coast and reset all of the clocks back to 6 a.m. The computer, phone, microwave and stove were all reset in a few short minutes, and I turned on the alarms for my appointments to ensure I wouldn't miss them. After all, my clients were just now getting up for their day, and

12 9

3 6

I reclaimed some time to move big projects forward before my meetings started. I completed my work by noon, and not only did I take the afternoon off, but I also didn't lose a day of work—I was more productive!

3) Ask questions for perspective. Maybe resetting all the clocks in your house isn’t your thing, and while it was a fun challenge or experiment to see if it would work, the outcome may be the same as positively directing our minds through asking questions.

What’s another perspective? Sometimes viewing the obstacle from someone else’s perspective or being your own best friend and asking yourself what they might say can help you

PETVET MAGAZINE

brainstorm solutions. If you develop one or two possible solutions, try to see if you can find five or 10. If you get stuck, go work out, take a nap or go for a stroll outside and see if more solutions appear.

How can I accomplish everything by the deadlines? Asking, “How can I…” frames the question in a way that tells our brain it is possible and there is a way. If

we ask, “Is it possible to accomplish everything?,” then we give ourselves an easy out, and our brains will say, “Hey, I found a quicker, easier solution; let’s say ‘no.’” We have to train ourselves to ask questions that get us closer to our desired result, and a few words can make a big difference.

are panicking about because the year is slipping by and we haven’t started it yet? If it’s important to you, take out your calendar, pick a date 30, 60 or 90 days in the future and park the idea there. Then you can free up that mental space it was occupying for more pressing tasks.

Is my deadline arbitrary?

Is this project important, does it have meaning to me, or will it move me closer to my goals?

Is this a self-imposed deadline, like a New Year’s resolution, that we

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Ask this question about each of the five areas of life and see if it has meaning or is important to your health, relationships, finances, spirit/hobbies or mission/career. If not, then ask, “Why do I want to accomplish this?” When we do the work and still can’t figure out how it will be possible to get it all done, we need to have faith and remind ourselves that we’ve been in this situation before. It all magically worked out when we stopped worrying and focused on the current project or conversation. The simple act of focusing on what you can accomplish and control at this moment frees up so much mental energy that you can now focus on living fully, with joy, at this moment, simply by shifting your perspective.  Dr. Angela Demaree is the CEO and Principal Consultant for PAWS Consulting, a public health and political consulting firm. Angela recently retired as a Major in the United States Army Reserves, is a Certified High Performance CoachTM and the host of Beyond the Stethoscope, the podcast for veterinarians and busy professionals who want actionable, implementable solutions surrounding work-life balance, accomplishing your goals and living your dreams. She spends her free time with her horse, Tommy and teaching her Quaker Parrot the Purdue Fight Song. You can connect with Angela on Twitter and LinkedIn @ DemareeDVM.

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“ NYC House-Call Vet & Musician By Jen Phillips April

effrey Levy, DVM, CVA, a.k.a. “Dr. Jeff,” is a New York City-based acupuncture house-call veterinarian. As a veterinarian, he recognizes the important role pets play in our lives. However, he also writes and performs what he calls “pet-centric” music for animal-related causes. “After 9/11, people took solace with their pets. Then, COVID came along. If you have to stay home, why not stay home in the company of a loving pet? That's the thrust of the song ‘21st Century Pet,’” Dr. Jeff shares. “21st Century Pet” is a boppy, sing-along song with a positive message about the love we share with our pets. Dr. Jeff says he wrote and performed this song to honor our treasured relationship with our pets in artistic form. There are two versions of the song, both with videos. Dr. Jeff says, “One's a sing-a-long version with my wife and daughter singing and me playing guitar. Then we did an animated version where I appear as a cartoon and go on my rounds. The animated pets are based on animals we know.” Dr. Jeff highlights the relationship between his music 22

and medical work. “My first pet-themed song was called ‘It's Raining Cats and Dogs.’ Then I came up with an album of songs called Just Sniffing Around. The songs are about our relationship with animals. The joy, and sometimes despair. And by going into people's homes, I become part of the family.” Dr. Jeff experienced the power of in-home pet care during an apprenticeship in Northern Italy where he worked with a local horse doctor. “We'd go for long rides in the country and go to estates. The exams and the work we'd do would sometimes take a whole day. It was dusk. It was natural, there was food on the hearth and a glass of wine afterward.” When he returned to NY, he brought that appreciation of in-home pet care with him. And he says people and pets are most relaxed at home. “In the waiting room in a NY vet practice, people are double-parked, and the dogs and cats are not friends.” As a house-call veterinarian, he gets to experience a

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more holistic view of the pet and family. “I don't have a 15-minute deadline. I get to observe the environment. Where does the dog or cat lie? Is it a soft or hard surface? Does the animal sleep in shade or sun? I get to observe relationships between pets and people.” Dr. Jeff gets called for all manner of pet behaviors and illnesses. He’s often referred by other veterinarians and is part of a care team that treats serious cases such as cancer and orthopedic cases. His primary focus is acupuncture. “I have a patient in Chelsea,” shares Dr. Jeff. “The chief complaint was the male dog wasn't being cuddly and was being irritable with the other dog in the house. After one acupuncture treatment, the two dogs were lying together joyfully. Acupuncture can help the dog be more sociable.” As for music, Dr. Jeff says, “I've always played around with a guitar. Music is the soundtrack of our lives—or ‘hound track,’ as I call it. I worked in an animal hospital for many years, and while there, I met musicians who were pet owners.” In 2005, Dr. Jeff decided to put together a small group of musicians for a good cause: “I assembled a group of musicians from the animal welfare community, and we played for the Central Park Conservatory to raise money for doggie water fountains. The group included dog walkers, cat rescuers, animal nurses, a sea lion trainer, and a zookeeper. Since then, I've played for the ASPCA, the American Cancer Society’s ‘Bark for Life,’ and many others,” he says. Providing home veterinarian services since the '90s, Dr. Jeff travels all over NYC providing pet care and also drawing inspiration for his music. “Most of my composing happens via transit. Like when I'm on the A-train. It's a long train that stretches from the north tip of Manhattan in Harlem to Greenwich Village. I hear the tickety-tack of the tracks, and the rhythms make their way into the music. I write a lot of my songs on the subway,” he shares. Dr. Jeff grew up in Brooklyn with a small backyard. As a boy, he liked watching bugs, birds and slivers of nature. “The more creepy-crawly, the better. My dad bought me the Golden Guide to Insects. From there, I followed my natural curiosity in the world around us and was lucky enough to get into veterinary school. It's really not a job. It's all-consuming and a daily adventure,” Dr. Jeff expresses. With the “21st. Century Pet” song and videos, he hopes to share positive messages about finding comfort with our pets. “These videos could serve organizations that need to share positive messages. Schools and public service agencies could use the animated version to explain the current events to children,” Dr. Jeff concludes.

Providing home veterinarian services since the ‘90s, Dr. Jeff travels all over NYC providing pet care and also drawing inspiration for his music.

“21st Century Pet” can be viewed on YouTube: • An animated, character-driven version, which appeals more to children: https://youtu.be/LjiSBmXAPJQ • A catchy, feel-good, sing-a-long version, with his friends and family participating in the performance: https://youtu.be/G_QjREGMn9A • And introducing a Spanish version: https://youtu.be/Xj_FbndwMIU

Dr. Jeff can be found on social media: • Facebook: facebook.com/HouseCallVetNYC • Instagram: @housecallvetnyc A web writer since 2005, Jen’s written over 1,000 articles on pet-related topics. She works with veterinarians and pet professionals around the world to help them attract and retain customers through effective content marketing practices. Passionate about both pets and digital marketing, you can find out more at jenphillipsapril.com. When not working with her fabulous clients, you can find her eating tacos and practicing her Spanish in her adopted home of the Riviera Maya.

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industry news

of covid-19 for

Veterinary medicine By Cari Wise, DVM

e’re over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole world is tired, and veterinary professionals are experiencing an extra dose of exhaustion and frustration. Add to this the increase in demand for services that many veterinary hospitals are experiencing, and it’s no wonder there has been an uptick in conversations and social media postings from veterinary colleagues wishing for a return to normal. Gentle reminder: Normal wasn’t great (so let’s NOT go back there!) Now, don’t get me wrong, I totally understand wanting the enhanced level of chaos, stress and frustration to decrease; I even understand the desire for it to be the way it was. After all, the mind will always find comfort in familiarity…even if that familiarity includes stress and frustration. What the mind doesn’t like is 24

uncertainty, and right now the whole world has that in spades. Because of that, in this moment, the veterinary industry has an unprecedented opportunity to fundamentally change the culture and future of the practice of veterinary medicine; changes that will improve patient care, client service and, most importantly, work-life balance and personal wellbeing for ourselves and our teams. The one thing that is certain? Change is happening. Not that long ago, the idea of hosting entire veterinary CE conferences online was deemed impossible and utilizing a drop-off system as a primary business structure for full-service veterinary practice was considered ludicrous. Within the last year, both became necessary. Today, these continue to be the norm. Tomorrow, they can continue to exist…if we want them to. PETVET MAGAZINE

The truth is, YOU get to decide how you want to practice veterinary medicine. I think somewhere along the way we forgot that part—we adopted a collective belief that we had to offer all things, to all people, at all times. We created business structures that didn’t simultaneously support, at a human level, the people who worked there. We disregarded what we individually wanted and needed. We have decades of statistics and experiences that show us the tragic results. Resisting change—even change we want—is normal. The resistance is anchored in the fear over the backlash of our client base and, thus, perceived potential loss of revenue. But, right now, with the entire world in flux, it’s the perfect time to act. People are expecting changes and we’ve gotten used to things changing in all areas of our lives since the arrival of COVID-19. It’s not going to get easier than this in regard to the human component. To help you get started dreaming and brainstorming about what’s possible, I’ve got three out-of-the-box ideas to consider:

1. Self-hosted mass preventive care events Many hospitals are experiencing a backlog of preventive care appointments and simultaneously booking weeks out for these services. There is opportunity to serve these clients in dedicated preventive care service events (e.g., running a vaccine/HW/Fecal clinic in your parking lot). This will not only help clear the backlog in your preventive care case load, but also frees up appointments for true medical cases. The clients will appreciate the efficiency, too! Tip: Communication is key! Clients must be well informed that these are preventive care only visits. Any medical conditions found

during the physical exam will require a separate appointment. And, by the way, we should be doing this anyway.

2. Minimize cross-training and increase the use of staff members in dedicated, key roles There are two areas where having consistent, dedicated staff members will greatly increase hospital efficiency, client satisfaction and patient care: Consent Coordinator and Surgery Team.

Consent Coordinator This role is for the person on your team who is the very best at speaking to clients about treatment plans and money. They understand every line item on a treatment plan and the purpose behind them. They also have a good understanding of how a treatment plan can be adjusted if the client declines the initial doctor recommendations. They are familiar with the payment options your organization offers and can facilitate payments over the phone. They are also comfortable talking about money and do not take client reactions personally. Curb-side has highlighted the real need for efficiency and confidence in discussing treatment plans and pricing. Many doctors and staff are spending way too much time back and forth on the phone sorting these things out...and many pass off these conversations to avoid them. The result? Time inefficiencies, confusion, and lack of standardization in recommendations and gaining consent. By creating the dedicated role of Consent Coordinator, your organization will not only benefit from a streamlined process regarding treatment plans, consent and payment, but your medical staff can get back to focusing on treating patients which will decrease appointment time and increase client satisfaction

Surgery Team This role consists of two to three (+) people whose sole job is to facilitate patient surgery. This includes pre-op labs, prep, anesthesia, surgical assistance/monitoring, post-op and discharge. The benefit? Improved patient care, decreased anesthesia accidents and increased efficiency, which will likely increase the number of surgical cases that can be scheduled per day. The key here is dedicated staff. These people should not be pulled away to restrain for another appointment, refill a prescription or take an unrelated phone call. They must be allowed to focus on the surgery rotation to keep it moving smoothly. This will allow them to enhance their skills, develop a rhythm and establish trust with the veterinarian. As a result, veterinarian workflow becomes much more efficient. When

supported by a trusted surgery team, the veterinarian can do their initial physical exam, sign off on the anesthesia plan and then continue with other duties (writing records, refill authorizations, necessary phone calls, etc.) until it’s time to perform the surgery. Once complete, they can leave post-op to their trusted team while they once again focus on other duties. By creating a dedicated Surgery Team, not only will patient care and client service improve, your team members will actually enjoy their jobs much more because they are able to utilize the knowledge and skills they were trained for. And, don’t forget, the increased efficiency and pattern of workflow is good for everybody.

3. Appropriate delegation There are two main areas where improving delegation of

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Only about 10% of client calls need to be returned by the doctor (no matter what the client says). The remaining 90% can be returned by a veterinary technician or assistant under the doctor’s guidance. responsibility will have a massive impact on daily work flow, patient care and morale: Call Backs and Client Education.

Call Backs Only about 10% of client calls need to be returned by the doctor (no matter what the client says). The remaining 90% can be returned by a veterinary technician or assistant under the doctor’s guidance. Instituting this system has many benefits: A) It reinforces the concept of the veterinary healthcare team to the client and, given time to adjust, clients will accept (and even request) talking to a

trusted technician or assistant as an extension of their primary veterinarian; B) It keeps the doctor focused on doing the things only they can do (diagnose, prescribe and surgery); C) It improves overall efficiency and workflow because doctors are not stuck on the phone in non-critical conversations.

Client Education There are a variety of topics we regularly educate clients on...vaccine protocols, diet, exercise, spay/neuter, parasites and prevention, dental health,

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urinary health, diabetes, thyroid disease, ear infections, atopy and so on. And one of the greatest frustrations for the veterinary team is when they educate a client and then at a later date it becomes clear that the client didn’t understand. Many of us conclude they didn’t listen, but I’d argue that’s not the case. When we throw a bunch of information at a client, particularly when it involves a new diagnosis for their pet, it is overwhelming. On a good day, people only retain about 20% of what is told to them—under stress, it’s less—and add to that the differences in learning styles (not everyone is an auditory learner!) The solution? Visual backup! It has never been easier to create educational PDFs to print out and send with the client. They can take a little time to create on the front end, but once complete, the same document can then be used over and over. They can also be emailed. In addition to PDFs, educational videos are also super easy to create and inexpensive platforms exist to host them. You can include a link (or even a QR code) on a handout or in your discharge instructions or receipt prompting the client to review the additional information. The benefit? The client has an opportunity to learn and integrate the information you’ve provided between appointments so the next time they come in or call, they come with useful questions instead of total confusion and the need to start again at square one. This not only makes client interactions more efficient, it also improves patient care and service. Dr. Cari Wise is a Veterinarian, Certified Life Loach, Certified Quantum Human Design™️ Specialist, and holds a masters degree in education. She is Founder of Joyful DVM LLC, Vet Life Academy (for individuals), Joy Vet Alliance (for organizations) and host of The Joyful DVM Podcast. She helps veterinary professionals and teams in increase joy, wellbeing and balance, and decrease anxiety and stress, so they can confidently live into their unique purpose and potential.

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team management

& GOOD RESPONSES By Louise Dunn

n the perfect practice, everyone gets along, knows their purpose, understands what tasks must be done and delivers exceptional client service. The reality? It is not such a perfect world. People mess up, say the wrong thing and forget what the practice's true mission is supposed to be. Because of this reality, there are bosses, managers and coordinators to oversee what is going on in the practice, keep things running smoothly, and identify both the star performer and the one who needs more training. Yet even the presence of a boss or manager is wrought with difficulties. Not everyone is cut out to be in charge; some are even toxic to the team and the business. But, with a team effort, some bad bosses can be turned around.

Recognizing the “Clinical” Signs The effects of a bad boss on the team are numerous. Confusion due to a lack of clarity of job tasks, stress, high turnover, low morale and poor job performance are not only your symptoms from this destructive boss disease, it is also showing up in your coworkers. Even if your coworkers are not directly coming under fire from the bad boss, they witness you or others being subjected to bad boss behavior and displaying the symptoms from that exposure. Worse yet, it is also affecting your clients and the very patients you all purport to love and treat. Think about it—low morale often shows up in poor client service. Poor job performance puts patients at risk. A bad boss is not just

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affecting you; it is like a nasty disease infecting an entire population of coworkers, clients and patients. The sad truth about this problem of a bad boss is that, often, the business appears to be allowing the bad behavior by not addressing concerns or correcting the behavior. Do a quick review of your management team. Do you have any bad bosses? A bad boss creates fear; a leader creates confidence. A bad boss places blame; a leader corrects mistakes. A bad boss knows it all; a leader asks questions. A bad boss makes work drudgery; a leader makes it interesting.1 Obviously, a good boss is often viewed as a leader. They inspire, guide, listen and speak in terms of “we” or “the team.” The bad boss depends on authority, orders people around and speaks in terms of “I.”

Formulate a “Treatment” Plan People thrive when they have a purpose, are respected, are part of a great team and when their efforts are acknowledged. People decide to quit when the work environment becomes problematic—and when people leave the veterinary practice due to a bad boss, they take their valuable skills and knowledge with them, often to a competitor. The first step is the immediate treatment of the “disease” by identifying the clinical signs, diagnosing the disease and formulating a treatment plan (see chart for examples2 ).

DISEASE

CLINICAL SIGN

TREATMENT

Narcissist

Selfish Inconsiderate Feels entitled Demands excessive attention

Avoid attacking their sense of self Convey respect but do not condone demands

ManicDepressive

No middle ground on emotion Volatile Stressed

Get them to confront the reality of their behavior Set limits regarding any extreme behaviors

Passive Aggressive

Indirectly expresses negativity Shies away from confrontation Outwardly accommodating Uncooperative in an underhanded way

Resolve hostility Do not argue Build up their low self-esteem

Emotionally Disconnected

Poor communication Unable to motivate others Hard to read Mechanical Indifferent

Build trust

om w fr e N

SOCIA L MEDIA RELEASE FORM Pet Name

Your Pet is IMPO

No longer struggle with the dilemma of posting your latest & greatest groom that just so happened to be on your client’s dog!

Date

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I hereby authorize the use of photos and/or information relate d to my pet’s expe rience at this establishment. I understand my pet may be used in publications inclu ding electronic, audio visual, promotion al literature, adve rtising, community prese ntations, letters to area legislators, medi a and/or in simila r ways. My consent is freely given as a public service without expe cting payment.

I release this est ablishment and their respective and agents from employees, officers any and all liabil ity which may arise news media storie from the use of such s, promotional mate rials, written articl photographic imag es, videos and/o es. r I grant permission

to use: (Please chec k one below) My pet’s name(s)/im ages My pet’s and my last name/images My pet’s and my first and last name/imag es Establishment Name Owner Name Owner Signature

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Next, the business must formulate preventive “wellness” plans to put into place when a person is initially promoted to a coordinator/manager/boss position. Give the newly-promoted person the tools and training they need to value and empower the team, provide clear direction, communicate clearly and effectively train others. Creating a handbook for managers and trainers will provide the practice with a means of “inoculating” the team against common “infections” which could cause bad boss situations. The handbook should contain, but not be limited to, the following topics:3 • Developing Subject Matter Experts (i.e., trainers) in the practice • Identifying training needs (who, what, when, why and how) • Learning the different training/coaching styles • Utilizing different methods of training • Understanding human resource, operational and strategic rules/regulations that apply • Learning the different leadership styles and when to apply • Learning time management skills • Learning communication skills Just because a person is a fantastic technician or receptionist does not mean he/she will be an amazing trainer or manager. Do not set these people up for failure by neglecting to give them the tools and training for this different position. And, it’s important not ignore the rest of the team. Perhaps a spin on the old saying may apply here: It takes a village to raise a great trainer or manager. The responsibility of each of us (i.e., the employees faced with a bad boss/manager/coordinator) includes a spin on managing—termed “managing up.” In order to “manage up,” you should: • Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand their motives. • Help your boss focus on his or her strengths and success of the task at hand. • Don’t fall into bad behavior yourself (e.g., gossiping, poor performance, bad attitude). • Have the courage to have difficult conversations about your concerns (discuss in private). • Identify and adapt communication styles to make the relationship work. • Stand up to bullying.

Like medical issues requiring the assistance of a specialist, it may take a professional coach or consultant to help an organization deal with a bad boss's problem in order to salvage the culture, ensure excellent medical care for the patients and promote business success.

Learn from “Clinical” Experience Having a bad boss is not an end-all situation. Your first response should not be to leave the job; however, it may need to be an option as you exhaust efforts to improve the working relationship. Consider this time spent with a bad boss as an opportunity for you to develop your own good boss leadership skills for those times when you are in charge of a project or promoted to a management position. After all, you would not want to be the one causing an exodus of talented people because of your bad boss skills.

References 1. Quote attributed to Russell Ewing, British Journalist 2. Kets de Vries, M. (2014, April). Harvard Business Review. Coaching the Toxic Leader. P. 101-109. 3. Train the Trainer and Leadership Handbooks by Louise Dunn, Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting Louise Dunn is a renowned award-winning speaker, writer and consultant. She brings over 40 years of in-the-trenches experience and her business education to veterinary management. Louise is founder and CEO of Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting. SVMC works with veterinarians who want to develop a strategic plan that consistently produces results. Most recently Louise received many awards including the WVC Educator of the Year numerous times and VetPartner’s The Life Time achievement Award in January 2016. Besides all aspects of practice management and mentoring, Louise’s passions include her husband, Joel, her English mastiff Therapy dog, Zuri, her little sister, Annabelle, as well as kayaking, opera and New England Patriot’s football.

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PETVET TOp 10 1

Treat yourself to

a touchless

Ten things to DO

2 Do your pet patients have human siblings that could use some reassurance as well?

spa service!

Share with them a copy of the children’s

Touchless services like cryotherapy, compression therapy, salt caves, infrared saunas, IV drips, hyperbaric chambers and float tanks offer a way for people to relax and recover—without any additional contact.

book Oscar and Emmy Visit the Vet by Terri Sabol which encourages children to be part of the process of helping to maintain the health of their pets.

June 21 st-25 th is

WORK WEEK !

What’s one more pet running around your likely already chaotic practice?

negative energy in social media, the news & on tv

it may be time for a Digital Detox. Devote a week, weekend or even just a day to living without your phone, social media and TV. Instead, take more time with yourself, go for long walks in nature, meditate, read or work on a creative project.

5 32

there is so much

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this month

Hang a hammock! What better way to relax during another semi-socially-distanced summer than napping in a hammock in your own backyard?

7 craft for your

july 21st is national

local shelters day. Involve your staff, clients and community in creating handmade items such as beds, toys and “adopt me” bandannas to donate to your local animal shelter.

Veterinary practices are often one of the first points of contact

8 when a pet goes missing. Direct distraught owners to Petco Love Lost (lost.petcolove.org), a new searchable, nationwide database that uses patented AI technology to help pet owners find their lost dogs and cats quicker and easier.

Be sure to check out

9 on Netflix!

Absurd Planet

We all need to do our

part in creating a more

sustainable future, and your veterinary practice is no exception! Check out vetsustain.org for resources on how you and your staff can become leading forces for sustainability. 

This 12-part series which highlights earth's quirkiest inhabitants is both hilarious and educational, making it a great choice for family movie nights with the kids.

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