PetVet February/March 2022

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VOL. 5 ED.1 • FEBRUARY / MARCH 22

A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PET HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Carrie Jurney

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON: YOU

HEADING UP VETERINARY WELLBEING SUPPORT WITH

take it to the bank

THE ADVANCEMENT OF VETERINARY BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS

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February / march 2022

CONTENTS 4

PetVet Advisory Board

5

Veterinarian Life Advice

6

Dr. Kat’s Products You Will Fall in Love With

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

8 Learning To Love

12 Dr. Carrie Jurney: Heading Up Veterinary Wellbeing Support with ‘Not One More Vet’

:

20 Take it to the Bank: The Advancement of Veterinary Blood Transfusions 24 Peace in the Practice: Uniting the Front and Back Veterinary Teams 30 Five Ways to Ignite Your Spirit 32 PetVet 10: 10 Things to Do This Month Inquiries info@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 Editorial rebecca@barkleigh.com Advertising james@barkleigh.com

PetVetMag

s t s a c d o P love six

we

@PetVet_Magazine

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Copyright February 2022. 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. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

PETVET MAGAZINE

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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.”

STAFF Publisher Barkleigh Productions, Inc.

4

“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.”

Executive Editor Rebecca Shipman

Marketing Consultant Alex Hammersla

Art Director Laura Pennington

Social Media Coordinator Cassidy Ryman

President Todd Shelly

Sr. Graphic Designer Brandi Aurelio

Vice President Gwen Shelly

Graphic Designer Josiah Malinich

Chief Operations Officer Adam Lohr

Web Master Luke Dumberth

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.”

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.”

Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola

PETVET MAGAZINE

VETERINARIAN LIFE ADVICE

e who work in med e l p o e P ical fields ar

But the very first person you need to help is yourself.

You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

— Dr. Carrie Jurney

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lifestyle

By Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM

It is a time for love, and the most important kind of love is the love of oneself! As veterinary professionals, we work hard. We may not be as good about letting others help us as we could be and we don’t always take time for ourselves, but we do often use products to help make our lives a little easier. So, after much searching and polling other veterinarians, I have put together this terrific list of products (complete with discount codes!) that you will fall in love with!

3

BUNN coffee makers

2

1

Shark Robot Vacuum

We LOVE our java! It is a well-rounded cup of alertness that can help us love ourselves in a million ways. It is warm and smooth on a cold day. It is a social experience or a solo soul search. It goes with cookies, ice cream, or by itself. Because we love our cup of Joe, we wanted to share with you an amazing way to make a truly smooth and delicious pot in a short time, every time, with BUNN coffee makers.

People say I am a coffee snob because I am so picky about it (I believe that a good cup of coffee must be poured within 20 minutes of brewing…I know, coffee snob), and I happen to have a BUNN at work and one at home. The only time I have ever contacted their support, it was on a very old pot, but they overnighted me a part with the instructions for how to fix the issue at no charge.

I do not work for BUNN, but when I reached out to them for this article, they generously shared a discount code just for us!

get the details at https:// retail.bunn.com/VET10 and Happy Brewing!

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A robot that cleans up pet hair while you are away? It sounds too good to be true—but it is true! Our polling groups love this product. The Shark learns your home, cleans while you are gone using HEPA filtration (perfect for pet dander) and then empties itself. We adore coming home to the neat rows in the rug—very Zen. It makes you feel fresh and relieved, and effortlessly takes one thing off your list. So far, my own Shark has been a good value. It seldom hangs up or needs assistance, and you can control it from an app on a smart phone!

Get $200 off the latest robot, the Shark® AI Robot Vacuum with XL HEPA SelfEmpty Base, Bagless, 60-Day Capacity, LIDAR Navigation, Home Mapping, and perfect for pet hair (Model RV2502AE) with code ROBOT200.

PETVET MAGAZINE

OOFOS shoes

When asked about products that have made their work day better, several veterinary professionals specifically named OOFOS shoes. The company says that the reason why so many people find comfort and support from their shoes is because they are made with proprietary OOfoam® technology. The foam absorbs 37% more impact than traditional foam footwear materials and the OOFOS footbed cradles and supports arches.

The two features together, they say, reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47% compared to competitors’ footwear. So walking is easier and recovery is faster. Don’t you want to maximize your energy? I do! And this is one way to do it. Helping more pets feel better and feeling better your self sounds like a win-win. And, looking good while doing it is a bonus.

OOFOS Recovery Footwear has offered to give a free pair of clogs to a lucky reader! Visit https://www.oofos.com/pages/ petvet to enter the contest now.

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5 FIGS

When I asked my colleagues about products they love, this one popped up A LOT! FIGS was founded and is run by women who identified a need for healthcare professionals to love and feel comfortable and confident. They have pioneered shapes and fabrics that make your day in the animal care trenches better. According to Co-CEO Heather Hasson (who actually took time to call me herself to thank me for all my industry does to help pets), they have fabrics that resist staining and pet hair. They are comfortable and attractive, and they even have special FIGS gifts: Animal-printed socks, hoodies, mugs and so much more!

T4U Self-Watering Pot

Ever come home to withered house plants because you have been working so much you forgot to water them? This handy pot lets you water just one to two times a week and keeps your plants low-maintenance. They also feature a water level indicator to let you know how much to water the plant. They are elegantly simple and let you have the calm and healthy feeling that house plants can create without the guilt of repeated plant loss from lack of care!

Go to www.t4u.site/ collections/newplastic-planters and enter the single-use code PURRFECT to get 10% off your purchase!

Another meow-valous part…they created a promo code for our readers only (named after my animal hospital) that gives you 25% off your order! Enter FIGSXApplebrook at www. wearfigs.com 

Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM is the owner and founder of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee. She sees patients, manages a busy small animal practice, and enjoys writing for and speaking to veterinary professionals and pet lovers. She has written and contributed content to many outlets, including magazines like Woman’s Day, Prevention and Health as well as veterinary-focused press.

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PETVET MAGAZINE

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BEST PRACTICES

Learning To Love

:

By Renee Machel

“Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better, don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills, don’t wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom.” - Jim Rohn

F

rom a young age I felt lonely. And I realized that if I was going to be with myself all the time, I would have to work to be as interesting as possible. It wasn’t until later that I would discover that I needed to work to not just intellectually or even comically enjoy my own character, but that I had to learn how to love myself.

This would open me up to being able to receive the love of others.

Spoiler alert; it is a work in progress.

People talk a lot about building relationships as humans who are, in fact, pack animals. While this is true, and when you consciously accept this and actively work to adapt, you may feel less lonely—especially if you stop living by the “lone-wolf ” mentality. However, 8

PETVET MAGAZINE

something more powerful and less talked about is the love and the relationship we nurture within ourselves.

Yes, our external relationships matter, but only if you view yourself as worthy to start with.

You can only accept a compliment to the extent of which you believe it yourself.

Otherwise you’re trying to fill a tank that has a hole in the bottom. People may shower you with compliments, praise you and even offer deep gratitude, but if you aren’t open to receiving, it will not register.

Lack of self-love also blocks people from fully loving us—we ultimately want to love and be loved. Yet many people do feel as though they give more than they receive. The tricky thing is when partners

are asked about it, each feels they are going above and beyond to show their affections towards their mates. Even when the mate doesn’t agree.

I’ve had many deep conversations with people over the years, and have philosophically returned to the same point when analyzing our perceptions of love, both giving and receiving. It boils down to self-love and our sense of self.

Allow me to share a story…I spent the better part of my life avoiding pregnancy for many reasons, but to keep a long story short, it wasn’t until I felt like I was “enough” did I welcome into the world a son that I birthed. I dodged the age-old question for any young female: “When are you going to have kids?” And often I replied with, “I’m not sure that I will.” I was on the fence, but it boiled down to my worthiness.

Not only in these motherly roles does this show up in our lives, but also in our careers, being the “man of the house” or the caregiver to your aging parents, who we are as friends (especially as significant others) and any place we seek external validation, love and admiration—even from our pets. It all has to do with how we view ourselves throughout the different stages of our lives; the hats we wear.

I will tell you that our body image is under this umbrella, but it’s a practice of its own. I spent 30+ years learning to love my body, and post-pregnancy, I sometimes feel like I’m back at square one. In reality, I’m not, but it certainly is a relearning and it’s a part of the whole.

We have to view ourselves as whole beings and not fragments.

We are actively merging these “selves” into a cohesive identity that we love; that others may love, and so that when we are so full of love, we can give but we cannot give what we do not have.

I was at a point in my personal journey of healing and conscious development where I finally reached a place that got to the root of my postponement in having a child. I finally felt worthy. I felt like I was enough and truly believed that all my fears were actually less likely to happen. I was “ready-ish.” I say ready-ish because

it was a “come-to-me” sort of situation, as in, I wasn’t forcing my way there. Sure enough, within a short period of time, baby Gavin made his presence known.

Why do I share this intimate story with you? To show that even despite past experiences and worries weighing on you, we do have ownership over the choices we make and the beliefs we form. And that through (not around, or half way there but the whole way through) the process of loving ourselves comes the most unmeasurable amounts of sheer joy that one can ever experience—even if they had no idea they would enjoy it so much.

My story about Gavin is just one of many reflections that the love we have for ourselves is manifested in our reality.

The love and the relationship we have with ourselves is expressed through the ways our partners are taught to love us, the ways our colleagues treat us and how complete strangers interact with us.

People learn what acceptable behavior is by not just what we choose to accept from them, but rather, what we choose to accept from ourselves.

Think about this: Studies show that our thoughts are 98% repetitive and 50% negative. So I ask you, what if your internal monolog (the way you speak to your yourself ) is the same as how you

I spent 30+ years learning to love my body, and post-pregnancy, I sometimes feel like I’m back at square one. In reality, I’m not, but it certainly is a relearning and it’s a part of the whole. We have to view ourselves as whole beings and not fragments.

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PETVET MAGAZINE

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speak to your friends? How close do you think you’d be with that friend? Using this premise and recognizing that many times we can be our own worst enemy, we may not have the greatest relationship with ourselves, if this is the case.

It behooves us to begin becoming more mindful about our thoughts, feelings and the relationship we have with ourselves, monitoring our egos at first to simply become aware of what thoughts and beliefs are present. Then, gently shifting even just the slightest into a more positive, loving energy just as we would with any other friend we offer understanding and compassion to. We should be gifting ourselves as much grace and praise as we do others.

For ages, wisdom has taught us that the way we treat others is often a reflection of how we view ourselves, and what is showing up in our reality time and time again is a reflection of our internal environment. Perhaps you’ve heard this before, so let this serve as a reminder. Or if this is the first time you are hearing it and you are as shocked as I was when I first learned of this principle, let this be your wake-up call.

This is my challenge to you as we turn the page in the new year: Begin a practice,

set your intentions, provide yourself reminders and revisit the practice with the simple goal being “more often than not.”

Ponder, meditate and journal on these concepts that I have shared with you. Take inventory of where you are now, what your current beliefs are and recognize the relationship you have with yourself. Begin closing the small gap of who you are and who you want to be, acknowledging the depth of your love, worthiness and wellbeing.

What are the conversations being had? Explore how your views of yourself affect you. Determine whether your beliefs and depths of love serve you or disempower you. When fear arises, challenge your thoughts to shift into “love over fear.” When you uncover a disempowering pattern of thoughts, rewrite the story.

Simply become aware of the many areas of your life, thoughts, behaviors and emotions where this relationship with yourself impacts your reality that you create for yourself. Sink into the ownership and empowerment that comes with that belief. Live from that space.

Is your self-love allowing you to be open and receive? Or is it blocking more love? Is it potentially fueling conflicts?

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Or, even worse, perpetuating cycles of pain in yourself or others?

Remember, loving ourselves opens up the channels to receive more love from others. Learning to love ourselves is a process and may require some healing from past experiences. Changes can occur and we may have to relearn the practice to love the person we are.

I recall a moment during my training as a life coach, when one of my instructors asked me, “Do you have enough proof yet?” I was taken off guard. She could see something I wasn’t outwardly expressing but she intuitively picked up on it.

What proof was she talking about?

That I could help people and that I possessed the exceptional abilities that life-coaching required.

That question stuck with me ever since. I apply it in moments when my sense of “enough” is called into question.

I even wrote it on the dry erase board in my office as a reminder when I am doubting myself. The question may have been posed by her, but it’s for me to answer. We all have our answers, sometimes they are just hidden.

I choose not to stay in that darkened space for too long and to have tactics, like the ones I shared with you, to get back on track. I invite you to do the same.  Renee Machel is a nationally-recognized wellbeing speaker, certified life coach, CYT 200 yoga instructor, mindfulness, and meditation guide. As the co-founder of Get MotiVETed she aims to provide a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and enhance the culture within organizations of vetmed. She has spent nearly 20 years in the veterinary industry as a hospital leader and technician. She shares her personal story of overcoming wellbeing struggles along with key teachings in managing both personal and professional development.

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petvet profile

Dr. Carrie Jurney

Heading Up Veterinary Wellbeing Support with

by Jen Phillips April Photos by Not One More Vet 12

PETVET MAGAZINE

A

t over 35,000 members, Not One More Vet (NOMV) is the largest veterinary peer-to-peer support group in the field. And with this being the organization’s mission statement, it is easy to understand why: “NOMV will transform the status of mental wellness within the profession so veterinary professionals can survive and thrive through education, resources, and support.”

There’s a crisis within the veterinary profession. And with 91% of veterinarians facing a moral/ethical dilemma every week, to say it is a stressful occupation is an understatement. Add to that the pressure of heavy student loan debt, cyberbullying and the demands of communicating with panicked pet parents, it’s not surprising that those in the profession face high rates of stress and burnout.

NOMV offers veterinarians and vet techs support and resources to help them find comfort and connection. Heading up the organization is the current president, Dr. Carrie Jurney, who is also a California-based neurologist with her own company, Jurney Veterinary Neurology. Dr. Jurney continues to pursue education in mental health and suicide prevention so she can better understand and be a part of the solution for veterinary suicide.

She says, “We support over 35,000 veterinarians. We offer peer support through a Facebook support forum and Lifeboat, which is completely anonymous. It’s not a crisis model. It’s peer-topeer support.”

As a neurologist, Dr. Jurney spends her days in surgery. “When most people think about a veterinarian, they think about someone who gives vaccines to puppies and kittens and spays dogs. I don’t do any of that. My patients have

Keeping your Pet

cause any irritation to himself. Remem ber that his freshly clipped nails may be sharp and can easily irritate his puppy skin. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your groomer immediately.

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“Vet school is great at teaching hard skills, but there’s less emphasis on the softer skills. Like many veterinarians, I struggled in my early career with those soft skills, and I struggled with burnout and depression. I think my experience was pretty common.”

– Dr. Carrie Jurney pretty serious diseases, and one of the most common things we see is paralysis,” she shares.

Remembering her early days as a veterinarian, Dr. Jurney says, “Vet school is great at teaching hard skills, but there’s less emphasis on the softer skills. Like many veterinarians, I struggled in my early career with those soft skills, and I struggled with burnout and depression.

I think my experience was pretty common.”

Fortunately, a friend invited her to join a Facebook support group for veterinarians.

“Along the point where I was very near the worst burnout I’ve ever had, I was invited to join this Facebook group called ‘Not One More Vet.’ It seemed like a great group of people,” Dr. Jurney continues.

“They really understood me, and we talked about stuff that really mattered to me. I hung out there quite a bit.”

Skilled at administering online forums, Dr. Jurney offered to help the founder, Dr. Nicole MacArthur, manage the group. Around the same time, one of Dr. Jurney’s employees told her she was considering suicide.

“One day, we were in surgery together, and she told me that she was seriously considering killing herself that night. And I didn’t know what to do. I have worked in emergency medicine for animals since I was 18 years old, but this was a person emergency. I did my best. I called her family. I’m happy to say she’s doing much better,” she shared.

Dr. Jurney says that was when the veterinarian mental health crisis became personal for her. “That moment made it real. Before I never paid attention to all those articles about compassion fatigue and burnout, but that moment made it real. It also made me seriously look at my own life and wellness and prioritize it.”

Seven years later, NOMV is the largest wellbeing charity for veterinary professionals in the world. It has touched veterinarians on every

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continent, even Antarctica.

“A lot of veterinarians are pretty isolated. If you’re the only veterinarian for 300 miles, you can’t exactly go have a beer with somebody and talk about the realities of being a veterinarian. So the online space has made it really easy to be part of the global community,” Dr. Jurney remarks.

As people share experiences, stories, advice and commiseration, veterinarians and vet techs feel part of a larger community and find comfort in the support that it brings. It also helps that there’s less stigma around mental health. In addition, people can share and suggest different productive ways of managing stress.

Dr. Jurney shared that she sculpts and forges metal as a blacksmith to destress.

“People who work in medical fields are some of the most giving and kind souls that I’ve ever met. And often our stress response is to try to help someone else because that’s been very rewarding to us. But the very first person you need to help is yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she advises.

A 2020 study conducted by the American Veterinary Medicine Association and Merck Animal Health shows veterinarians and vet techs have higher than average rates of suicide.2 In fact, a study of California veterinarians conducted from 1960-1992 found that this group was 2.6 times more likely to die by suicide than the general public. Those are shocking statistics.

When world-renowned veterinarian Dr. Sophia Yin died of suicide, it rocked the veterinarian community.

Dr. Yin was accomplished as a veterinarian and an animal behaviorist. Passionate about helping pet parents have the best relationship possible with their pets, she encouraged people to train their dogs with positive

PETVET MAGAZINE

“We’re always looking for volunteers. We’ll train you in trauma support and get you talking with people who need a kind ear. Or, maybe you’d want to work with outreach to pet owners. We can find something for you to do.”

– Dr. Carrie Jurney stimulation, and would sometimes sit on the floor with her patients.

This tragedy inspired Dr. Nicole McArthur to do something to help.

So in 2015, she created NOMV. As a 501(c) nonprofit organization, NOMV has three ways to help: 1. Support. There’s peer support through the Facebook Group and an anonymous program called “Lifeboat.” The Facebook Group offers community and connection for veterinarians, but Lifeboat volunteers are trained in trauma support, so it goes a step beyond.

2. Grants. In 2021, NOMV gave out $150,000 in grants. Dr. Jurney says, “Our average grant is about $800. These are not huge grants, but they are absolutely lifesavers.

Suicide prevention isn’t just talking someone down through a crisis. If what’s impacting your wellbeing is that your transmission in your car just broke, and you can’t afford to get to work to afford the rest of your life, then fixing that transmission for that person is a huge leg up.”

3. Education. “We give a lot of lectures, we do a lot of seminars on self-care techniques. We talk about the origins of wellbeing problems in veterinary medicine. We also have a research division, we partner with several great learning institutions like the University of Tennessee. We believe knowledge is power,” Dr. Jurney shares.

There’s long been a stigma among doctors about getting mental health care. Yet, research shows as many as one in six veterinarians have considered suicide.1 So it’s clear something needs to change, and getting people to acknowledge when they’re struggling is a big win.

If you’d like to get involved with NOMV, you can join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ NOMVet to start connecting with over 28,000 veterinary professionals around the world.

“We’re always looking for volunteers. We’ll train you in trauma support and get you talking with people who need a kind ear. Or, maybe

PETVET MAGAZINE

you’d want to work with outreach to pet owners. We can find something for you to do,” Dr. Jurney concludes.

You can reach out to NOMV as a volunteer or get help by going to their website, www.nomv.org 

References: 1. Veterinary Wellbeing Study II. 2020. Merck Animal Health. https:// www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/ about-us/veterinary-wellbeing-study 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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business trends

s t s a c d o P love six

we

egenhardt

By Elycia D

Most veterinary professionals lead very busy lives, making it hard to find time for self-reflection. Self-help and career guidance podcasts are a great way to foster personal growth while you commute, run errands, exercise or (hopefully) enjoy some down time. Here is a brief list of podcasts that offer a chance to reflect as you navigate the demands of your day.

Veterinary Podcasts

1

My Veterinary Life is an interview-based podcast produced by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Hosts and veterinarians Dr. Anna Reddish and Dr. Marci Kirk speak with veterinary professionals from a wide range of backgrounds in their specific areas of interest or expertise. Each episode begins with the guest sharing their personal journey in veterinary medicine, allowing the listener to feel personally connected to the speaker. Guests share their unique perspectives, experiences and knowledge, all of which broaden the listener’s understanding of what is possible in the field of veterinary medicine. You may even find yourself discovering a career path you never thought of!

*I found the “Focus on Diversity and Belonging” series particularly enlightening and personally valuable. www.avma.org/news/podcasts

2

The Veterinary Life Coach Podcast is hosted by Dr. Julie Cappel, a veterinarian and certified life coach. Dr. Cappel works with the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association’s Power of Ten Leadership Academy and offers life-coaching courses on her website. Her podcast provides thoughtful advice in a relatable and approachable way. She addresses a range of subjects from sensitive, highly-personal experiences such as infertility and seasonal depression to workplace skills including conflict resolution and client communication. There is likely to be at least one episode that really resonates with you. *The “Humble and Fierce” episode helped me think about leadership in a new way. theveterinarylifecoach.libsyn.com

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PETVET MAGAZINE

BONUS PODCAST!

Nothing Much Happens: Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep Sometimes what you need is just a way to stop overthinking. One of the best podcasts for this is Nothing Much Happens. In this podcast, Kathryn Nicolai (who has a very soothing voice) reads short stories with no plot where, well, nothing much happens. She tells the story twice, lulling the listener into relaxation with beautiful imagery and repetition. This podcast reminds us that it isn’t just children who like to be told a story before bed. Allow yourself to feel comforted and cared for as you drift to sleep on the wings of these lovely little vignettes. www.nothingmuchhappens.com

3

4

The Joyful DVM is a life-coaching podcast hosted by veterinarian and certified life coach Dr. Cari Wise.

Dr. Wise is also an instructor for Vet Life Academy: Vet Life Reboot, which offers a 10-hour RACE approved CE course designed to help veterinary professionals manage stress, develop personal and professional goals and boundaries, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Her podcast similarly seeks to lead individuals working

The Whole Veterinarian Podcast, hosted

articles, books, podcast episodes and other learning resources that she believes have the potential to increase a veterinarian’s overall wellbeing. There are so many aspects of personal and financial development that can lead veterinarians to live a happier, more fulfilled life, and there are also so many people out there working to help veterinarians through creative and unique businesses and products, and Dr. Cordivano aims to highlight those working toward a better VetMed future for all of us.

by Dr. Stacey Cordivano, features outsideof-the-box thinkers that share new ideas on ways to increase the joy in the lives of veterinarians. From mindfulness to parenting to fitness and personal finance, The Whole Veterinarian starts a dialogue about how veterinarians can grow as people, not just as professionals. Dr. Cordivano also shares

In the episode "Improving Veterinary Team Culture by Focusing on Psychological Safety," guest Dr. Olivia Oginska enlightened me on not only the definition of psychological safety, but the key role it plays in team communication and positive patient outcomes. thewholeveterinarian.com/podcast/

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in veterinary medicine toward greater fulfillment in their careers and lives. She tackles the big issues of the veterinary world head-on: toxicity, burnout, self-sabotage and anger, to name a few. Her honest approach leads to practical and accessible solutions to the problems we face inside and outside of work.

“The Veterinary Care Cycle” episode gave me groundbreaking insight into how letting go of what

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PETVET MAGAZINE

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non-Veterinary Podcasts

5

How to Be a Better Human is a TED podcast hosted by comedian Christ Duffy. Guests are frequently TED speakers and cover a variety of self-improvement subjects. The tone of the podcast is conversational and uplifting. The broad scope of material gives the listener an opportunity to take a well-rounded approach to personal growth. The podcast also expands outside of the self into the impact we have on the environment and our communities. Whether you want tips on how to get a better night’s sleep or guidance on using social media, this podcast has you covered.

The episode “How to Nurture Your ‘Emotional Agility’ with Susan David Ph.D.” helped me take steps toward removing self-judgement from my emotions. www.ted.com/podcasts/how-to-be-a-better-human

6

Routines and Ruts is hosted by freelance writer Madeline Dore as a part of her Extraordinary Routines project. In this podcast, she interviews people about routines that can hinder us from realizing our full potential. Routines and Ruts offers fresh perspectives on behaviors that are all too easy to fall into. It can help reframe the listener’s thinking as the speakers break through culturally-normative narratives and encourage diverse perspectives. There are also mini-episodes called “Rest and Recreation,” which feature the host’s reflections on personal time and relaxation and, in her own words, “celebrate how we replenish.” This podcast’s strength is its ability to offer a new way to look at ourselves and the world around us.

My personal favorite episodes include “Tyson Yunkaporta on How Creativity Is Inseparable from Life” and “Indecision and the Fear of Better Options.” extraordinaryroutines.com/podcast 

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PETVET MAGAZINE

Elycia Degenhardt is a certified veterinary technician in Wisconsin.

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 WisconsinMadison and Madison College and continues to learn new things every day through her career and life experiences. Elycia currently works in a general practice and as an instructor in the Veterinary Technician program at Madison College.

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industry news transfusion medicine like I did with my little spider monkey patient. However, transfusion medicine is actually not new. The first known successful blood transfusion occurred in 1665 in England when Dr. Richard Lower transfused dogs with blood from other dogs in order to keep them alive1—that’s right, animal research for the win!

Following Dr. Lower’s success with dog-to-dog transfusions, Dr. Lower and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denis in France recorded successful transfusions from lambs to humans. However, when Dr. Denis’s fourth transfusion patient died, his surviving wife accused the physician of murder. Although the doctor was cleared of the charge in court, the court also banned blood transfusions because of the rate of adverse reactions, and the rest

The Advancement of Veterinary Blood Transfusions Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM

A

The 1800s saw continued efforts in refining transfusion medicine, including the first human-to-human blood transfusions to treat postpartum hemorrhage and hemophilia. In the late 1800s, U.S. physicians were using milk from cows, goats and humans instead of blood for

s I opened the crate door and backed up a bit, I was tense

transfusions. As one might imagine, trans-

with anticipation. I wasn’t sure what to expect. After a

fusion reactions to milk were frequent

few seconds, the baby spider monkey tentatively walked

and severe, so saline replaced milk as a

out, sat down just in front of the crate, turned and looked me directly in the eye, and ever so gently placed her little hand in mine. She needed help, and I was going to give it to her!

An hour and several laboratory diagnostic tests later, it was

“blood substitute.”

The turn of the century brought about the recognition of different human blood groups and efforts to cross-match

clear: this little primate was severely anemic and in need of a

prior to transfusion in order to avoid

blood transfusion. My only choice was to obtain a donation

adverse reactions. Once anticoagulation

from an adult in our existing group of spider monkeys. Several

compounds and refrigeration were

hours later, I crossed my fingers and started her transfusion.

integrated into the storage and handling

Fifteen minutes into the procedure, she became a new monkey!

of blood, early blood depots were utilized

I had to hold and entertain her for the remaining one and a half

to save lives during WWI. And, in 1932,

hours of the transfusion to keep her in one place. Subsequently,

the first blood bank was established in

she grew into a strong adult and never looked back.

Leningrad hospital. World War II saw the

Many veterinarians have witnessed the incredible power of

20

of the world soon followed suit.2

PETVET MAGAZINE

emergence of albumin transfusions (rather

than whole blood) to treat shock in victims of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the 1950s, the plastic bag for

veterinary blood bank.

Typically, client-owned donors are provided free or discounted preventive

blood collection and the development

care and blood-borne disease screening

of a refrigerated centrifuge allowed for

with a nominal payment for each

more precise blood component therapy.

donation, but programs vary significantly

And, as recently as the 1980s, the era of

among clinics. What seems far more inter-

transfusion medicine began and doctors

esting is the emergence and rapid growth

could be trained specifically in blood

in commercial veterinary blood banks.

transfusion for patient care. From there,

The Association of Veterinary

the growth of blood component therapy

Hematology and Transfusion Medicine

continued to soar.

currently lists 12 veterinary-specific

In one of the latest developments

blood banks in operation with one of

to allow for even greater shelf-life and

those being exclusively feline.3 While the

use in austere settings, the FDA issued

exclusively-feline blood bank harvests

an emergency use authorization to allow

blood from cats owned by shelters prior

the U.S. military to use freeze-dried

to their purchase by new owners, other

plasma to treat hemorrhage in combat

facilities use either client-owned pets or

settings in 2018.

have on-site colonies and kennels from

While veterinary medicine may not

which to harvest blood. Many, if not

yet have reached the point of transfusion

all, facilities with on-site donors have a

medicine as specialty or administering

program by where the animals may find a

freeze-dried blood components, trans-

home in the community following their

fusion with blood products has seen

retirement from donating blood.

some incredible changes in the last 50

Some states, like California, control

years. For most practitioners, the blood

animal blood banks with significant

donor dog living in the clinic is long

regulations such as requiring licensing

gone and has been replaced with either

fees and recently allowing for transition to

a list of client-owned dogs available

“community animal blood banks” utilizing

for presentation and blood collection

“volunteer” donors from the community, etc.4 However, most states do not address

when necessary, or use of a commercial

animal blood banks, making it prudent for practitioners to do their own research in selecting a bank to work with.

Most commercial veterinary blood banks not only provide blood components, but also offer support to practitioners in the form of ancillary supplies for

PETVET MAGAZINE

21

transfusions and guidance on appropriate administration, as well as other clinical advice. For the general practitioner who performs transfusions less commonly than their emergency and urgent care colleagues, technical support from those better versed in transfusion medicine can be critically important to clinical success. Indeed, proper selection of pre-transfusion diagnostics, clinical indications for component therapy versus whole blood administration and adverse event mitigation are all key to a

successful clinical resolution.

Veterinary transfusion medicine has become incredibly advanced in the last 20-30 years and, in this clinician’s opinion, practitioners should consider moving beyond the “donor in the back of the clinic” paradigm and engage the services of a professional veterinary blood bank.

Now, if veterinary blood banks could just accommodate spider monkey-specific components… 

References: 1. Highlights of Transfusion Medicine History. Aabb. https://www.aabb. org/news-resources/resources/ transfusion-medicine/highlights-oftransfusion-medicine-history 2. The Strange, Grisly History of the First Blood Transfusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica. https:// www.britannica.com/story/thestrange-grisly-history-of-the-firstblood-transfusion 3. Veterinary Blood Banks. AVHTM. https://www.avhtm.org/ resourceslinks 4. AB-1282 Veterinary Medicine: Blood Banks for Animals. (2021, Oct, 11). California Legislative Information. https://leginfo. legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient. xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1282 Dr. Chatfield is board-certified in both zoological medicine and preventive medicine. She has been a practice owner, worked in zoos and completed international fieldwork. Dr. Chatfield’s peer-reviewed publications include pharmacokinetics, wild animal behavior, infectious disease, and assisted reproduction in endangered species.

Additionally, Dr. Chatfield loves French bulldogs, Himalayan cats, the dirtiest of vodka martinis and basking in the sun on any Caribbean beach.

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PETVET MAGAZINE

team management

your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointed back at you.” What could you be doing or not doing that causes the battle between front and back?

Many will say the main culprit of this discord is the appointment book. The truth is that it goes much deeper. It is about the culture, poor communication, a lack of understanding of each side’s role in client service and patient care, and even about leadership errors.

IN THE Uniting the Front and Back Veterinary Teams

T

By Louise Dunn

he day starts on a good note, but the tension builds as the hours go by. You overhear two veterinary nurses grumbling in the treatment area: “If only the front desk knew how to schedule better, we wouldn’t be so backed up.”

Taking this cue, you head out front to see what is going on only to hear the CSRs saying, “If only those techs in the back would stop chatting and get to work, we wouldn’t be so backed up.”

Both groups are finger-pointing and complaining about the same thing—being backed up. Why can’t they work as a team? Why are they divided into front versus back?

Identifying the Problem It seems so easy to place blame; however, it is important to remember the saying, “When you point

24

Culture Culture is unique to your group. Culture determines how the group works together; it fosters stability and drives its members’ thinking and behavior. It gives the strategy of what, when, where and how to do things. Think about that 4:54 p.m. client calling your practice about a sick pet. Is it automatically told to come in, or is it referred to the local emergency hospital? Is there a “dance” around asking for permission, tip-toeing around the people who will say “no” in favor of someone who will say “yes?” Your culture may be causing the battle between front and back.

Communication Communication is always a primary suspect any time there is discord. Over 80% of a person’s success at any job is due to communication skills. With only 20% of their success based on technical skills, why do so many training sessions concentrate on technical skills and ignore the people skills? Communication is vital to patient care, client service and team performance. That’s why it is important to assess communication gaps when the finger-pointing starts.

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Leadership errors are another possibility.

Remember those three fingers pointing back at you, the manager? Error number one: refusing to accept personal accountability.

Lack of Understanding Lack of understanding of roles, responsibilities and pressures is common.

Think about the team’s different roles— nurses give full attention to patient care, CSRs focus on client service—there will be times when the roles can seem incompatible. Without working in every area of the hospital, understanding the pressures of each area can be difficult and may lead to unrealistic expectations

from co-workers in the other areas of the hospital. Unrealistic expectations lead to conflict.

Leadership Errors Leadership errors are another possibility. Remember those three fingers pointing back at you, the manager?

Error number one: refusing to accept personal accountability. The buck stops with management and how the team is held accountable. Other leadership errors can include failing to develop and train people on the team, aligning oneself with a side, managing everyone the same way, being a buddy and not a boss, failing to set standards, condoning incompetence and forgetting the power of communication. Management may be the cause of the tension between front and back.

Knowing that there are different root causes to explore does not mean that the solution is out of reach. However, it will take some effort to get everyone on the same page and work as a team.

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Potential Remedies Upon examining common root causes, it is possible to initiate remedies that may address a few root causes at one time.

Daily Huddle One such remedy is the daily huddle.

The daily huddle is a five-to-ten-minutelong meeting to assess what will happen throughout the shift, troubleshoot potential problems and agree upon a game plan. Everyone understands their different roles and expectations, communication is clear and the team knows the goals for the shift.

Team Meetings Team meetings are another tool to quell discord between the front and back. Have the different areas submit challenges, clinical inefficiencies and other problems. Divide out into groups (groups must include nurses, CSRs, doctors, ward attendants, etc.), brainstorm together, bring up their unique perspectives and work together to achieve the best solution. If the different areas hold separate meetings, bring in the lead person for the other area—he/she can listen to concerns, give input from his/ her perspective and work on solutions.

Team meetings are also an excellent opportunity to reward the team and conduct team-building activities.

Cross-Training/Job-Shadowing Another solution is cross-training or job-shadowing. Cross-training is not always possible in some situations, such as training a receptionist to do the job of a certified veterinary nurse in surgery. Still, the receptionist can gain an understanding of the position by job-shadowing and assisting the veterinary nurse. Scheduling team members to work a shift rotation in other areas will not only help them to understand the roles, responsibilities and pressures associated with that area, but it will also give them an idea of how the roles can complement each other and when it may be necessary to step in and offer

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Building a cohesive team does require policies and procedures. Review and update any standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job descriptions. Create checklists and ensure collaborative workflows across all areas of the hospital. assistance (even without being asked).

While on the topic of training, pay attention to shift leaders, supervisors and managers. These team members need additional tools for communication and tips on how to avoid fatal management errors that erode team unity.

Building a cohesive team does require policies and procedures. Review and update any standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job descriptions. Create checklists and ensure collaborative workflows across all areas of the hospital.

Maintaining a United Team Looking back at the morning fight over the appointment schedule, consider a procedure to map out certain appointments for sick, well and urgent time slots. Conduct a huddle at the beginning of each shift to update the team on the appointments and the game plan to mitigate any problems that may arise.

Involve the team in a debriefing session afterward to discuss what worked well and what didn’t.

Discord, drama, disagreement…no matter the label you give it, it is a problem that needs to be nipped in the bud before the negativity spreads and impacts client service and patient care. Clients see and hear; they sense the tension, receive the exasperated sighs and the apologies, and wonder what level of care their pet is receiving. Give the team the tools to successfully work together as one and deliver exceptional patient care and client service. 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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Stay Updated!

SUBSCRIBE TO TEXT ALERTS TEXT BARKLEIGH TO 94253 In an ever-changing digital world, we know the importance of information being easily accessible. Due to popular demand, we have developed an SMS alert system which provides you periodic text messages* each month.

Be the FIRST to hear about: • Upcoming Events • Scheduling Changes • Discounts • Special Offers • Flash Sales • Promotions At Physical Events • Opening of Show & Contest Registration Barkleigh will text you up to 4 messages per month and only when we deem it helpful and important. *

BEYOND THE STETHOSCOPE

five

WAYS to

your spirit

by Angela Demaree, DVM, MPH, CHPC

A

fter the past few years of navigating a global pandemic, the ever-shifting science related to SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent changes to our workflows (including client and patient interactions), many of us have felt the stress, overwhelm and burnout associated with what feels like never-ending change.

So, what can you do when you find yourself tired,

1. Experience wonder and Awe. Science has found time and time again that experiencing awe in nature or everyday life can inspire us to be kinder and experience more positive emotions.1 Positive emotions are one of the five building blocks of wellbeing in Dr. Seligman’s PERMATM theory of wellbeing in positive psychology.2 Start dreaming again. One easy way to do this is to complete this journal prompt: Wouldn’t it be cool if ...

• Wouldn’t it be cool if we could schedule a vacation to ____?

• Wouldn’t it be cool if I could triple my salary and work fewer hours or days per week?

• Wouldn’t it be cool if I could ride my horse in the middle of the day and still pay my bills?

These are just a few ideas to get those neurons firing, so grab your favorite cup of coffee or tea, a pen and paper, and carve out some uninterrupted “me” time to practice dreaming again.

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exhausted and no longer energized by your love of veterinary medicine? Is it truly time for a career change, or do we need to feel inspired again? And if so, how do we do that?

Here are five simple ways that are backed by science and help me get back on track and refill my cup when my energy and zest for life are lacking.

2. Use the power of questions and prompts to positively direct your mind.

This is a proven part of positive psychology. Our patients can’t talk to us, and we practice identifying what’s wrong through observation. It makes us great in veterinary medicine; however, we need to start flexing our positive thinking muscles to determine what’s going well. You may recall the “Three Good Things” research that showed identifying three things that went well today and how you were a part of the positive outcome for just two weeks will have you feeling happier and less depressed for up to six months.3

PETVET MAGAZINE

3. Reclaim time each week or month to be artistic.

Maybe it’s taking a painting class, grabbing a crayon and coloring book for 20 minutes or taking your camera/phone on a nature hike. “A lot of research these days is establishing arts participation as a health behavior. That’s a really important thing for us to think about in public health,” said Jill Sonke, Ph.D. in a recent article for The Nation’s Health.4 So, instead of science or the arts, we are now talking about science and the arts as a part of being healthy and happy.

4. WONS your day!

I know I’ve “WONS” my day when my water, oxygen (exercise), nutrition and sleep are on track to fuel my body properly. You don’t have to be a premier athlete to experience high performance and greater health and happiness in your everyday life. Our founding fathers thought it was important enough to include in the Declaration of Independence that every American would have the unalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.5 What’s one simple action you can take today to feel better? It could be as simple as a few deep breaths outside in the fresh air between appointments or having a bottle of water nearby.

5. Say thank you.

I recently interviewed recognition expert Sarah McVanel for my podcast and she shared that the number one way most people want to be recognized or appreciated is with a simple Thank You, and 80% of them also enjoy a card or note of appreciation. This activity helps satisfy our basic human need for connection, another building block of the PERMATM theory of wellbeing. When we do something nice for others, we also boost dopamine and serotonin, which help us feel happier and less stressed.6

There are so many easy ways to relax, unwind and simultaneously do something good for our health, our wellbeing and promote a more positive culture in the workplace. It’s a win-win for work-life happiness and it doesn’t have to add one more time-consuming, stressful thing to our already over-filled plates. 

references: 1. The Power of Awe: A Sense of Wonder Promotes Loving-Kindness. (2015, May, 20). Psychology Today. https://www. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletesway/201505/the-power-awe-sense-wonderpromotes-loving-kindness 2. Perma™ Theory of Well-Being and Perma™ Workshops. Penn Arts & Sciences. https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/ perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops 3. Find Three Good Things Each Day. Action For Happiness. https:// www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action/ find-three-good-things-each-day 4. Role of Arts in Public Health Capturing Interest. (2021, Sept).

The Nation’s Health. https://www. thenationshealth.org/content/51/7/1.2 5. The Declaration of Independence.

(1776, July, 4). Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/ education/primary-sources-2/article/ the-declaration-of-independence-july-4-1776/

6. The Art of Kindness. (2020, May, 29). Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/ hometown-health/speaking-of-health/ the-art-of-kindness 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. PETVET MAGAZINE

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PETVET TOp 10

Ten things to DO February is...

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Create a campaign to remind all those first-time pandemic puppy owners that their little darlings (or devils) could use a snip!

Eat Your (Sea) greens

3

Still can’t get on board with the kale health trend? Well, we’re moving on, and sea greens have taken the spotlight! Consumption of edible sea greens like kelp and seaweed is estimated to rise thanks to their ability to fight climate change, improve water quality, provide potent nutritional benefits and add delicious flavor to plant-based meals.

February 14th is...

5 32

AWARENESS MONTH

(and Valentine’s Day…but our pets are more important!)

Remind clients to update pet tags and microchips because with the recent upsurge of pet adoptions and purchases, the demand for pets has risen, making pet theft a reality!

PETVET MAGAZINE

CREATE YOUR OWN

4

Need to get away but just not finding the time? Create your own emotional escape room! This trend is all about designing a personalized space in your home to decompress, vibe, dance, rage and anything in between. From music-themed rooms to tiny library rooms and even home massage rooms, the choice is yours!

this month

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Too busy with your work career to focus on your dating career?

Then The League is for you!

Geared towards smart, driven and savvy professionals who love life and take their work seriously, The League dating app vets and hand-picks tailored matches so you can spend more time enjoying the dates and less time sifting through “No’s.”

Need a fun stay-at-home valentine’s date idea?

Develop a calendar or brainstorm future date ideas for the rest of the year. Get excited for your future and start planning any potential trips you want to take together!

7 an essential read for the geriatric pet owner The senior years for pet owners are never easy. Dr. Mary Gardner’s It’s Never Long Enough: A Practical Guide to Caring for Your Geriatric Dog is a great resource to recommend to senior dog owners to help them with all the lifestyle changes they may need to make for their aging pet.

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sunday march 6th is...

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10

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PETVET MAGAZINE

33

Helping Pet Pros Take the

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