Compassion Fatigue Intervention

Come Join Us!

I'd like to invite you all on a special journey with me! It's new, it's unique, and chock full of valuable information! We've decided to make our own pet hospital (Mountain Shadows Pet Hospital) an official "Family Veterinary Practice." In doing so, I'd like to share with you our successes, our struggles, and all that goes with it. This means that the topics of compassion fatigue, stress management, staff relations as well as all the client communication issues will be covered in this new project. Therefore, I will not be posting any new blogs on this link so that I can post on our new one. We can share information, good ideas, and help each other.

Would you like to join us? We'd love to have you come along. Simply click to: http://petpeoplehelp.typepad.com/family_vet_practice/  and check things out. Here you will share in our journey of "52 Weeks To Bond-Centered Care." Come and join the fun! We're waiting for you.

(*If you were a subscriber to posts on this blog, you will have to re-subscribe over at the new one! Also, all previous posts on this blog will remain, so if you want to access the archives, you can do so!)

What's Your Role?

The cover story of June's, 2007 issue of dvm News magazine addresses your emerging role in dealing with animal abuse. Starting in July, my state of Colorado will join over a dozen other states making it mandatory for veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse. Strongly supported by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, this mandate holds that veterinarians could face a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for failing to report suspected animal abuse.

Although heralded by animal-rights groups as well as many veterinarians, there are some who worry about the ramifications. Some argue that it expects too much of DVM's who receive too little training in identifying abuse. Along with ethical issues, they also worry about reporting because it requires veterinarians to draw drastic conclusions about situations, sometimes with very little guidance. They argue that it expects veterinary professionals to be psychotherapists as well as social workers. This is a huge concern in cases where the abuse is not blatant, but still suspected. In the words of Dr. Greg Hayes, a veterinarian at Arapahoe Animal Hospital in Boulder, Colorado, "since everyone has different opinions, you could get a lot of people in really tough situations that may not deserve to be there."

Colorado joins a growing list of states with similar laws (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin all have statues addressing animal abuse). This Colorado law tries to protect veterinarians by providing them with immunity from civil and criminal liability when reports are made in good faith--a clause mirroring a portion of the AVMA's Model Veterinary Practice Act.

How about you in your own hospitals? What about the states you work in? Do you think these laws work in practice and not just on paper? What problems/unforeseen consequences do you worry about? What do your colleagues think? What type of special training do you think should be provided? Let's get those tongues wagging...not from your patients, but yours!

Conference To Communicate

I speak frequently about the value of good communication in the the veterinary profession. In that spirit, I wanted to share that the Annual International Conference on Communication in Veterinary Medicine (ICCVM) will take place in a few weeks in Washington, D.C. Communication experts like Dr. Jane Shaw, Dr. Cindy Adams, and pratice management consultant Shawn McVey will be presenting along with others.

If you are interested in getting more information about communicating in your job, or just wanting some good, professional time with colleagues, check out their website for more details.

Today's food for thought....if you were presenting at this conference, what would you most likely present on? What are your thoughts?

A Life Of Honor

A wonderful person died on Saturday. She was kind, caring, and easy to talk to. She had that special way of making you feel relaxed and reassured. Even if you had just met her, she was the type of person you would want to invite for coffee just so you could chat. She was also a veterinarian. Dr. Karen Vollmar, owner of Centennial Animal Hospital in Colorado Springs died Saturday in a tragic accident during an amateur rodeo. For the past two days, my husband and I have been trying to absorb this terrible shock. Why, would such a bright, kind, and special person be taken during the prime of her life? I still have no answers. I'm sure I never will.

Dr. Vollmar dedicated her life to helping animals and their owners. She gave selflessly of herself, her time, and her expertise. Her hospital was just up the road from ours. In our over-saturated veterinary market, we should have seen each other as competitors. But it was never like that. Instead, we respected each other. We even helped each other by occasionally borrowing supplies and sharing information. According to many neighbors (clients of her hospital), Dr. Vollmar had nothing but compliments for us. Rather than "talking us down" to reduce our business, she did the opposite. It was the same with us. We both realized that the better way to increase business for everyone was through mutual support and respect.

Beyond shock and sadness, I'm also feeling angry. I've felt this anger before. It's that familiar wave of outrage which overtakes me every time I learn of a sudden death. I'm consumed with all the "why's." I want to know why this happened, why is was her, and why premature death must occur at all. I want an explanation from someone yet I have no one to ask. It's maddening, confusing, and absolutely frustrating. It's frustrating because the minute I've completed this whole cycle of why's, I'm right back in the same spot as before...I have no answers.

To all of you veterinary professionals, today I'm asking you a favor. I ask that you take a few minutes to think about a colleague and a wonderful person in the world of veterinary medicine. Please think of Dr. Karen Vollmar and her life. Think of her husband, her son, and her family. Think of her life and know that although tragically short, it was a life full of honor.

Researching The Bond

Today I'm excited and encouraged. I'm having that feeling you get when you experience a swell of pride in your profession. I'm thrilled to tell you that the human-animal bond is not only good for business, it's good for research too. The June issue of Veterinary Practice News reports that The Banfield Charitable Trust is distributing $228,114 in funding to 29 organizations focusing on the human-animal bond. Since 2006, Banfield has more than doubled its funding and distribution of grants.

One such grant recipient is the program I used to direct...Colorado State University's Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine (created by Laurel Lagoni, Carolyn Butler, and Dr. Steve Withrow). Laurel (the co-owner of World by the Tail Inc., and www.PetPeopleHelp.com) and her colleagues developed Argus with a gifted foresight and vision. The vision was to provide pet owning families and veterinary professionals with the resources needed to support and respond to the many needs arising from the human-animal bond. Today, The Argus Institute remains as one of the most elite and comprehensive programs associated with any veterinary school. Argus stands apart not just because of its commitment to pet owning families, but also to the education and training of future veterinarians as well.

Now under the skilled direction of Dr. Jane Shaw, a veterinarian and specialist on the human-animal bond (pictured to the right with the staff of Argus), this program will receive grant funding to study and incorporate a client communication laboratory into the college's core program. According to Dr. Shaw, a 20-hour week-long course for junior veterinary students will provide simulated client interactions. Described as "high-anxiety learning," students will be videotaped during their clinical interviews and then given constructive criticism. With these teaching tools, Dr. Shaw and her dedicated colleagues will prepare students for difficult situations before they ever don their white coats.

This is huge because it means that future veterinarians need not develop their communication skills on the job through trial-and-error learning (sometimes at the expense of pet owners). Instead, they will start their careers better prepared, more confident, and more successful in dealing with difficult emotional situations at the outset. I'd say that's good news all around. It's better for pet owners, for veterinarians, and for the practices they work in.

So to all you veterinary professionals, please join me in celebrating. Let's celebrate the fact that more and more research dollars are going towards the study of the human-animal bond. Scientific data of the bond will increase its credibility beyond just the anecdotal. Let's celebrate the researching of the bond!

The Gossip Factory

"Did you see who she brought to the staff party the other night? I mean, wasn't it just three weeks ago when they weren't even talking and now look at them! Talk about musical boyfriends...what will be next?"

These words could be spoken by almost any employee anywhere. They are also words that have the corrosive power to wreak havoc and chaos in their wake...they are the words of the gossip factory. The May/June issue of Trends Magazine contains a good article about the destructive nature of gossip in veterinary hospitals. While many of us may think of gossip as harmless (idle talk, chit-chat,) it's important to realize the demoralizing nature of it. At it's core-- gossip hinders our ability to form positive, trusting, and respectful relationships. Without trust and respect, it's very difficult to create productive and successful work teams. (photo from Dreamstime.com)

Think back to times when you have purposely, or even accidentally participated in gossip. Did you ever end up thinking, "I wonder what they say about me when I'm not around?" Gossip simply destroys trust, and without trust, it's nearly impossible to establish group cohesiveness.

So how can you personally avoid the gossip factory? It goes far beyond simply not talking. It also means that you must avoid listening to it all together. Simply by listening to gossip, you become one of the "gossips" and it becomes self-perpetuating. If you hear a conversation going in that direction, change the subject and re-direct it to something else. If that doesn't work, be open and tell others you'd prefer not to talk about people when they're not there. If all else fails, simply walk away from the gossip and lead by example. That way, people will see you as trustworthy and someone who does not gossip.

For me, I'm going to take a good hard look at my own life and think about ways to stop contributing to the gossip factory. Care to join me?

Mandated Pet Sterilization...A Good Thing?

The April 2007 issue of dvm Newsmagazine contains a thought-provoking article about a proposed California bill that would mandate sterilization of dogs and cats. This unprecedented action is not only creating public controversy, but it's also pitting California shelter leaders against breeders, and causing bitter divisiveness among the veterinary community as well.

The topic of pet overpopulation inherently carries powerful opinions. Because pet overpopulation involves such strong emotions, high costs, and powerful consequences, this measure naturally creates high drama. From my own personal perspective, I can see both sides of the fence as well. Besides animal shelter workers, nobody deals with this topic more than you good folks in the veterinary profession. Pet overpopulation and irresponsible breeding affects you on a daily basis and is a MAJOR contributor to your professional stress and compassion fatigue. Yet, a mandate like this (if approved) seems very extreme to some in veterinary medicine and there is concern about the long-term impact to veterinary practices and their clients.

What about you? What are your own personal beliefs and concerns? What do your co-workers think? Do you think a mandate for pet sterilization would significantly improve the quality of your professional life? What concerns do you have from a professional, and personal perspective? Share your thoughts with your fellow colleagues!

Copy Machine Demons

  The copy machine at our pet hospital is possessed. Just like Regan from "The Exorcist," this machine speaks in forked tongues, levitates, and spits out disgusting toner when you least expect it. Short of calling in a priest with holy water, I'm not entirely sure what to do. Most days, it waits for the fax machine to misbehave before acting up (they're "prankster buddies") but last Friday, it went on a full-blown rampage all by itself.

Most of the time, I know how to handle this cranky little fella. If you lavish it with elaborate sweet talk before pressing it's warm-up button, it usually plays nice for at least 5 minutes. Then, if you scratch it's paper tray in just the right spot, you'll get 3-4 more copies before it jams. Further, if you spray it's reproducer with the really good, coconut-flavored glass cleaner, it gives an additional 5 copies without print distortion. Friday though, these usual enticements had no effect as the entire copier laughed at me in a terrifying, demonic-sort-of-way.

Since I knew I needed 35 copies of meeting notes, I had to take action immediately. I quickly pulled out some large crucifixes, several mirrors, and hung garlic around the ceiling lights. After making sure the silver bullets and wooden stakes were close by, I courageously, but recklessly, pressed the copy button without giving the usual reassurances that it's "the prettiest copier in all the land." It promptly turned into Lucifer, and jammed while ripping all the paper, distorting the print size, and spewing toner everywhere. That's when it started laughing in that scary, fiendish tone.

What about the equipment at your hospitals? Which ones behave and which ones stress you out with their evil behavior? What strategies have you developed to circumvent their wicked tendencies? Let's share! After that, I'm think I'm going to call in the priest with the holy water.

Jumping Jacks On The Bench

  ♪ ♪  "I DO JUMPING JACKS ON THE BENCH....I DO JUMPING JACKS ON THE BENCH....I DO JUMPING JACKS ON THE BENCH..." ♪ ♪

In a very loud, very monotone voice, the 4 year-old boy repeated this chant while jumping up and down on the bench in the exam room. Sitting right there, his mother happily cheered him on saying "good for you honey!" While this charming ritual was occurring, my husband was crouching down, trying to examine the terrified, fear-biting Chow-chow cowering underneath this very same bench. (Here's a clue Mom... It's NOT "good for you honey" when totally freaked out Chow-chow bites Veterinarian in the face.)

Last Thursday, my husband awarded this encounter as the "appointment of the week." Do you have your own "unruly-child-in-the-exam-room" stories? Don't ya just love it when the parent not only fails to discipline the child, but actually encourages the behavior? It's an added bonus when the child only adds to the pet's anxiety.  Yes my friends, it's a sad fact of life. Ill-mannered children can go with the territory and make your job not only difficult, but sometimes truly hazardous.

Your response? You must do what my husband did...remove the disruptive child from the equation. If a parent is unwilling to control a difficult child, you need to have a calm, yet direct conversation about how the child's behavior creates potential danger for everyone. You certainly don't have to be punitive or judgmental, you just have to be clear about what you can and can't tolerate in order to do your job effectively. In these cases, your best allies are your staff (that- and LOTS of biting your tongue.) Ask another staff member to come and entertain the child for a few minutes. Provide toys to play with or ask the parent if the child can watch a video in the waiting room.

If the parent still refuses to cooperate, you must remind him/her of your liability issues. Many pet owners don't realize that if their frightened pet harms anyone in the exam room (including themselves) you are the one who's held accountable. Sure, you may risk offending them, but that's small potatoes compared to the dangers in situations like these.

As for my husband at our pet hospital....we're installing trampolines on all our benches.

The Waiting Game

It's time to play "The Waiting Game!" It's not The Price is Right, Deal or No Deal, or even Jeopardy, but it's a special game you have all played at one time or another. It's the game that drives you crazy, taxes your energy, breaks your heart, and sometimes makes it hard to be compassionate. Let's review the details....

The Participants:

• The Host (that would be you): The charming, attractive, warm, funny, intelligent, but slightly fatigued veterinarian
• The Contestants: a certain type of pet owner living in total denial

The Rules:

• Contestants compete against each other to see which of them can wait the longest period of time before finally taking their ill/injured pet in for medical treatment.
• The longer the time they wait, the more points are awarded.
• *Bonus points are awarded to the contestant who brings the pet in at the last possible moment before hospital closing time.

The Prizes:

• First Prize goes to the contestant who frustrates the veterinarian the most by turning what should have been a medical fender bender into a 10-car pile-up.
• Second Prize goes to the contestant who incurs a veterinary bill ten times higher than it would be if the pet had been treated sooner.
• Third prize goes to the contestant who yells at you the loudest about their pet being seriously ill/injured because they failed to seek medical attention sooner.

How many times have you played "The Waiting Game?" Does it drive you crazy and break your heart when your medical hands are tied? How do you stay sane when this happens? Please share your past games with your fellow co-hosts.

Thanks for playing our game today!

Chiclets And Chocolate Cake

You are about to perform a spay on an 18 month-old Golden Retriever. To prepare yourself for the upcoming surgery, you should do which of the following:

1. Visit the restroom
2. Chew a stick of gum
3. Tie your shoes

Well pull out that Wrigley's Juicy Fruit!™ Or at least some folks at my local school districts would. Recent studies in Japan and Britain have now shown that "chewing gum before a mental task increases oxygen levels to the brain." Ya don't say...now isn't that special?! This golden nugget of info now has some local schools handing out Bubble Yum™ along with the #2 sharpened pencil (I'm not making this up.) I guess having gum stuck in your hair is worth the advantage on those standardized tests.

I'm wondering though, if it HAS to be gum in order to get the "more-oxygen-in-the-brain" thing. Instead, what if we chewed on the following...

• Chocolate caramels (no doubt there's a lot of chewing there)
• Hershey's Chocolate Bars with Almonds™ (there's still lots of chewing--I mean-think about all those big almonds)
• Hershey's Plain Chocolate Bars™ (no almond chewing, but teeth are still working)
• Hostess Chocolate Donut Gems™ (with a whole package, there's still good chewing going on)
• Chocolate cake (chewing still covered)
• Chocolate cupcakes (chewing, just in shorter bursts)
• Chocolate-chip cookies (chewing still happening-- and...you get a glass of milk!)
• Hershey's Chocolate Kisses™ (hey--there's still a little chewing going on)
• and finally...Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Ice-Cream™ (okay, you've got me. There's no actual chewing going on--but your stomach will be so happy, you'll just breeze through the surgery!)

Gastroenteritis Is Fun!

The knowledge came the other day. We realized that if my husband wasn't a veterinarian, we would enjoy daily appointments at the vet's office. In addition, our veterinary bills would equal the energy use of your average small city. Can many of you relate? If you didn't work in veterinary medicine--how much time would your own pets clock in?
Our dogs have seen more mileage at our pet hospital than the Daytona 500. Their penchant for weird, yet fascinating problems must be their way of keeping life fun. And if what they choose to eat indicates intelligence, their combined IQ is that of your average dust mite. Here is but a small, yet brief sampling of their most recent activities:

• Clostridium enteritis
• Conjunctival inflammation
• Lower canine tooth fracture
• Corneal ulceration
• Tail ligament sprain
• Gastroenteritis (in our Lab/shepherd mix from eating weeds)
• Gastroenteritis (in our Pit-bull from eating bed linens)
• Gastroenteritis (in our Boxer from her alien DNA)
• Left carpus chip fracture
• I could go on....but you get the idea

Now let's have you share....what have your own pets been up to lately? It's time to join the fun!

Appreciation And Affection

This week's events at Virginia Tech have given us all quite a shock. While we know there's violence and senseless death in this world, a tragedy like this brings that knowledge front and center. What also hits hard is the realization that we must always appreciate what we have--to never take life or the simple things for granted. In that spirit, I would like to thank all of you in the veterinary profession for promoting this message every day in your work.

Our pets are true teachers for enjoying simple pleasures. They remind us how to love and appreciate our lives... to enjoy the simple things that we forget to notice. As a protector and champion of our pets, you too- by extension- help us all. When you safeguard the health of these animal guides, you promote the lessons we learn from them...the lessons of love, simplicity, and daily pleasures.

Now there's something to be proud of! Take the time to stop and think about it for just a minute... you are actually contributing to the health and well-being of our society in a profound way! (And you thought that wrangling that fractious cat yesterday was just another chance to sport a different color band-aid you haven't tried before!) Think again my friend!

So in light of this difficult week, today I would like you to do something. Congratulate yourself. Tell yourself what an amazing thing you do everyday and how important you are. And on behalf of all of us pet owners, I would like to offer you my gratitude, my appreciation, and my affection.

Tax Time

It's that glorious time of year folks...you know and love it. It's the tax season. Yes, with Uncle Sam and the IRS waiting in the wings, we get to experience that unparalleled joy of filing our income taxes (I'm still trying to find a way to take my Boxer Clementine as a deduction under a "mental illness disability.") You know that good old wisdom from Benjamin Franklin..."In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."

Well, maybe our friend Benjamin forgot one thing and I'd like to add it in if I may. Nothing is certain in this world but taxes, death, and grief. It follows after all. With death comes grief. It's inescapable. Just as your tax report comes due--so does grief. We look for deductions, exclusions, and exemptions. We even try to file extensions. But in the end--we ultimately have to pay the tax man.

For those of you constantly supporting others in their grief (and sometimes dealing with your own)--this can be exhausting. The constant strain, stress, and pressure of it all can feel overwhelming. You may have come to the point where you resent it. You resent being called upon day after day, year after year. You may even think of this responsibility as a burden just as you would a tax report. It's something you dread, yet you can't avoid it.

My suggestion? Call in a good accountant. Get that qualified tax attorney or professional on your side. There's no reason to do it alone. If you find that compassion fatigue is weighing you down...contact us. We're not H & R Block--but we can help you and offer you support. Don't wait until that last hour when you're scrambling to the post office with your return. Take care of yourself today. You deserve it.

"Puff, The Magic Dragon"

Yesterday morning, my nine-year old daughter came into my room singing the song "Puff, The Magic Dragon" (Lipton&Yarrow-1963). (Mind you--I'm talking about the children's song itself...not the references to illegal drug use or Vietnam military slang). Anyway--once she started singing it--the lyrics got "stuck" in my brain and have followed me for the past two days making me feel incredibly sad. It's really strange and I can't quite put my finger on it--but it's really bothering me. Do you remember the song?

♪♪ "Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea; and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee. Little Jackie Paper, loved that rascal Puff; and brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. Together they would travel, on a boat with billowed sail; Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail. Noble kings and princes would bow whenever they came, pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name."♪♪ (Click here to hear the song!)

(Can't you just envision that little boy standing on his mighty dragon playing together all day long? But wait... then...crash! Here comes the part that's making me cry):

♪♪  "A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys; painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys. One grey night it happened; Jackie Paper came no more. And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. His head was bent in sorrow; green scales fell like rain. Puff no longer went to play along the cheery lane. Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave; so Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave." ♪♪

Goodness gracious- those lyrics are just haunting me! I keep seeing this magnificent, beautiful dragon slipping away sadly--never to be seen again. I guess I don't have to be a genius to figure out what's going on here...I miss the innocence of childhood. I miss life as seen through the playful eyes of a child. I really, really miss that magical dragon!

What about you? What's your reaction when you hear this song or read the lyrics? Do you ever miss your childhood playmates or imaginary friends? (it's okay if you do--your secret's safe with me)!

If you're feeling sad too I've got an idea...let's help each other. Let's reunite Jackie Paper and Puff. Then...I think I would finally stop crying. Let's coax Puff out of that cave and tell him that his best friend Jackie's waiting for him...ready again to stand watch on his gigantic tail. Let's fix it so that Puff the Magic Dragon and Jackie Paper will play together in Honah Lee forever!

Mixed Blessings

In light of the recent pet-food recalls and accidental poisonings--there's renewed talk of establishing pets as "companions" under the law. As you all know--most states legally define pets as personal property and as such--there are legal limits/options for pets and their owners. The prima facie case for legally establishing pets as "companions" sounds like a good thing. At least it certainly was my first reaction. After all- it must be a good thing when we see pets as living entities and elevate their status above cars and computers. But is it really? I'd like to offer some food for thought and see what you think about these issues:

Once pets have human-like legal status--we're playing in a whole new ball park. What are the potential consequences for the following:

• Veterinarians: Naturally, owners could sue for much higher damages in malpractice cases. This would lead to higher malpractice fees, and perhaps even unnecessary testing as more and more veterinarians would need to "protect" themselves. How might this impact the way you would practice veterinary medicine? How might it impact your fees, your practices, and even your careers? What are the pros and what are the cons?
• Other animal "care" providers such as pet food companies, pet product companies, shelter operators, groomers, boarding facilities, animal behaviorists, etc: These same legal issues would apply. How might their businesses change? What costs would be increased? In what ways would they need to change the way they do business? What are the benefits? What are the costs?
• Pet owners and pets themselves: Higher veterinary bills would likely affect the frequency and extent to which owners seek out medical care. This-of course- would directly affect the pet and its quality of life. Going one step further--how might giving human-like status to pets affect an owner's decision to euthanize a suffering pet? Would it change their criteria for euthanasia? Would there even be new legal implications of euthanasia?

Wow...there's a great deal to consider here and we could be looking at a complete change in the way veterinary medicine operates today. What are your thoughts and predictions? What would you like to see or not see happen? Let's get the discussion going!

Helping With Complicated Grief

By now, you've all probably heard about the awful events of the past 10 days. Hundreds of veterinarians have been reporting cases of sick and dead cats and dogs related to the rat-poison tainted pet food. According to Veterinarians Information Network (VIN) members have reported 471 cases of kidney failure since Menu Foods (www.menufoods.com) has announced its recall. This has been a tragic occurrence for pet lovers and veterinary professionals alike. The fall-out from this tragedy will likely create even more stressful and difficult days for you. I would like to offer you assistance and support as you deal with the animals and owners who have been affected by this.

While there's no way that I can make any sense of this for you--I would like to offer you some tips on dealing with your clients involved in this tragedy. First and foremost-- a bit of education. You may be seeing what is called "complicated grief." This type of grief occurs when the circumstances of a pet's death make grieving more difficult than usual (as is the case with accidental death). With accidental death, there are several factors that can make the grief even more difficult. They may include:

• Untimely death (like those with young pets)
• Witnessing a painful or traumatic death
• Death that happens suddenly or without warning
• Deaths that could have been prevented
• Feelings of guilt or responsibility for a death
• Not being able to say good-bye to the loved on (this can include not being present at death or not viewing the body after death)

For all these situations, your clients may need extra support in their grief. They will need guidance and assistance in understanding what they're feeling. Here are some things to try:

1. Validate your clients emotions. Acknowledge for them what they're feeling and let them know you're there to listen and support them.
2. Normalize their emotions. Let them know it's normal and necessary to experience this grief. Help them understand that it's okay to feel this way and that they're not going crazy.
3. Address their guilt. Acknowledge their guilt, but don't try to talk them out of it. People feel guilty whether it's logical or not. Obviously, no one could foresee this tragedy, but they may feel guilty anyway (after all--they gave their pet the very meal that caused its death). Often, when you try to talk people out of feeling guilty, they end up clinging to their guilt even more. The better approach is to validate the guilt while letting them know that you don't blame or judge them ("Mrs. Johnson, I know you're feeling guilty about giving Buster the tainted food. Your head tells you that there's no possible way you could have foreseen this, but your heart tells you differently. You've always given Buster the best life possible and I know that you would do anything to turn back time. You've always done what's best for him and I know how much you loved him.")
4. Encourage your clients to get outside support. Refer them to a pet loss support group or some individual assistance. Let them know it's okay to reach out and normalize this. Set healthy boundaries by letting them know you're not a pet loss counselor. Yes...you're available to them, but complicated grief can involve more in-depth issues that you're not trained to deal with. Take the pressure off yourself by trying to do it all alone.
5. Seek support for yourself. Just as your clients are trying to make sense of this, you have your own feelings of shock, disbelief, anger, and confusion. Seek out the support of trusted friends and colleagues. Contact us. We're here for you and we want to help. We're listening.

It's All About Health

Yesterday, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) wrapped up it's annual conference in Denver. My husband and I attended and were very impressed with the quality, diversity, and depth of the presentations. What impressed me most of all however-- was one simple message underlying every presentation, lecture, workshop, and symposium...veterinary professionals are special people and as such, they deserve to be healthy.

Now I would hazard a guess that most veterinary professionals believe their clients and patients are special. After all, they communicate this sentiment every single day through their care and commitment to them. But I'm not so sure if these same professionals think the same about themselves. People in veterinary medicine are natural care-givers. They give their time, expertise, and their compassion freely and without hesitation. The problem comes when they don't extend this same level of care to themselves. In today's world and with the ever-increasing demands from clients, employees, and even people in their personal lives, personal health lands on the bottom of the priority list. I think it's high time we move it to the top of the list and I'm happy to see an organization like AAHA agree.

What about you? When you truly take the time to stop and think about it--where do your needs rank on your own list? Are they even on the list? Where does your mental well-being, your physical health, and your overall life fit into the equation? I strongly encourage you to take a good hard look at this. To quote incoming AAHA president Dr. Thomas Carpenter..."AAHA creates all of its programs and services to allow us to have healthy pets, healthy practices, and healthy practice owners. This cannot be done without addressing the people. 

Too Close To Home

Is your job "hitting you where you live?" Last week at our pet hospital staff debriefing, we found ourselves in just this situation. We had a particularly difficult week--one that included three euthanasias in a single day. It was draining, tiring, and in the end--just a bit too close for comfort.

All three euthanasias were with senior pets. You know the kind...the animal is losing quality of life, the owners are distressed, and it's difficult to pinpoint the "right" time to let go. All three were appropriate, the owners were present, the pets died peacefully, and it was the humane thing to do. Yet all three struck a nerve with our staff and got them thinking about their own senior pets (and there's a bunch). Suddenly, all of their own concerns about quality of life, the right time to let go, etc., were front and center. All the same fears, questions, and anxieties came bubbling to the surface.

Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever find yourself relating so much to a client or patient that you end up caught in your own issues? If so, take heart...it's inevitable and completely normal. You're a human being after all--you're not superman/superwoman. With all the emotions swirling around you on a daily basis--it would be weird if this didn't happen occasionally.

Let me play mind reader for a minute...you're probably thinking, "great--I'm normal, big deal? Knowing I'm normal doesn't help anything." And you know what? You're right. Knowing why you're feelings are there doesn't necessarily help you do anything about them. Here are some things that may help:

• Self-disclose to your clients. Obviously, you must choose carefully which clients to do this with, but self-disclosure may not only help you, it may help your clients as well. By sharing your feelings, you remove the burden of stuffing them while making yourself more human in the process. When you release those emotions you're working so hard to suppress, you end up freeing yourself to better help your clients. As long as you don't shift the focus to you, clients often benefit from hearing about your own pets and seeing you as someone they can relate to. It's a win-win situation.
• De-brief with trusted colleagues. This is one of the most effective ways to deal with these feelings. By sharing emotions, you not only gain support and validation, but you can discover new strategies for dealing with them as well. Your co-workers are some of your best allies and resources...take advantage of them!
• Go easy on yourself. In all my years of working with veterinary professionals, I've met very few who aren't completely hard on themselves. You expect so much and demand perfection in all that you do. This includes providing emotional support to your clients. Give yourself a break. Remember that no one can ever be perfect, and allow yourself to be human beings--just like you do for your clients.

If you find that things at work are just a bit too close to home--take it as a sign to make yourself a priority. You have needs too and it's okay to take care of them.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Last month in Chicago, The American Veterinary Medical Association held its annual Leadership Conference. The results of three major studies launched by the AVMA were revealed and the news was good, bad, and a little bit ugly.

1. Let's start with the good: public attitudes towards veterinarians continues to be very high. In fact, 93% of the pet owners surveyed believe that the care provided by their veterinarians rivals or exceeds their own medical care. In addition, the latest December Gallup poll ranks veterinarians in the top three as the most honest and ethical professionals out there (just behind nurses and pharmacists). This tells me that people have great respect for your profession (in fact-- you outranked police officers, teachers, psychiatrists, and even members of the clergy). To quote Jim Flanigan, marketing expert at the AVMA conference..."the public adores veterinarians. They believe they are smart, compassionate, and empathetic people." (DVM Newsmagazine, Feb. 2007). I couldn't agree more!
2. Next-- for the bad: there's a price for all this adoration...you are tired. A study exploring ownership, income satisfaction, work motivation, and work-life balance revealed that a significant percentage of veterinarians were dissatisfied with their work-life balance. This may be no surprise, but it's important to consider. Yes-- the public loves you-- but with this love comes some very high expectations. To meet those expectations, you're working extra hard and your personal lives can suffer for it.
3. And now for the ugly: lack of work-life balance may someday create a shortage of practice owners. The AVMA's survey of roughly 1,300 members revealed that ownership interests are at a severe low--lower than what's necessary to maintain the nation's average of two doctors per practice. To me, this is a real concern. As my husband and I can attest--owning a veterinary practice is a huge undertaking. If you're not careful, it can take over your entire life. This just reaffirms how important these issues of stress management, compassion fatigue, and work-life balance really are. If the profession doesn't take them seriously...it may ultimately suffer for it.

What do you think? What are your thoughts?

Twilight Zone

Hello friends and neighbors out there in veterinary-land! My husband would like to share one of his work-days last week. It was an interesting day-- the kind of day that makes you go "hmmmm...," the kind of day where you think Rod Serling is hiding under your surgery table. I'm sure you've all had them. Here is his:

"Day starts with a dental cleaning on a five-year old cat. Immediately after catheter is placed, said kitty tries to bite veterinary nurse and leaps off table before partaking of pre-anesthesia meds. Kitty then wedges himself behind the 300 pound x-ray table while trying to scratch everyone waving the paw with the catheter, thus spraying blood everywhere like a tiny sprinkler head. Armed with eight towels and vocalizing many colorful metaphors, staff manages to extract this easy-going fella from behind the table.

Next appointment: a man brings in a dog that is usually brought in by his wife. He has absolutely no idea as to why he's brought the dog in or why he's here. Insists that I speak to his wife on his cell phone to find out what's going on. Get on phone, start asking questions to buy a clue. Wife cuts me off every time I try to talk...this goes on for a good 5-10 minutes. Decide to abandon helpful phone consult and just examine the dog instead.

Next appointment: Man brings dog in because dog is limping. Discover that dog has a mass on his leg that I recommend be removed and biopsied. Provide client with an estimate and he leaves. An hour later, receive call from the client saying that he was "extremely unhappy with our service." Call him back...end up talking to his wife instead. Discover that he was not unhappy with service, but angry because we charge an "outrageous amount" for our surgeries-- wondering why the spay of this dog costed less than this procedure would. Not in the mood to explain that spays are a "shopped" item seen as a commodity by the pet-owning public-- and to prevent owners from going to the spay/neuter clinic down the road, we charge less for spays than what they're really worth. Instead choose to educate her about the value of each charge for the medical care of her dog. Wife says she'll talk to husband and call us back.

Next appointment: Client brings in her dog who is experiencing hind leg pain. After exam, recommend injection of Rimadyl™. Client gets extremely upset saying that she expected a shot of cortisone "like her dog always gets." Apologize to client and start digging deeper into medical record. After 10 minutes, discover on the very last page of a 35 page file that the dog once received a shot of cortisone for neck pain 10 years ago at a different veterinary hospital. Spend long time explaining to client that Rimadyl™ is much a better choice for this current problem citing pain relief as well as anti- inflammatory benefits. Client is finally happy and leaves.

Next: Follow-up call with owners of dog with mass on leg-- wife says she wants to schedule dog for surgery. Says she's planning to "buy take-out" for her husband and explain everything...oh goody! The magic of take-out!

Next: Cat with affinity for the x-ray table goes home happy and with clean teeth. Owners brag about "what a sweet, calm, and mild little guy he is." Smile and nod in agreement.

End of day: Go into office to print out client reminder notices...printer cartridge goes ballistic and spews ink all over the office...decide printer is the cat's evil twin."

Would you like to share your last "Twilight Zone" day? We're listening!

Take It From The Best!

You know the old saying, "take it from the best"...well that's appropriate today. I'd like to congratulate a mentor and a friend--a man whom I respect and consider lucky to have worked with. I'm sure all you veterinarians know his name, his reputation, and his accomplishments. I'm talking about Dr. Steve Withrow (Director of The Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences). As many of you know, Dr. Withrow has received the prestigious 2007 "Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award." The February, 2007 issue of DVM Newsmagazine provides a much-deserved tribute to Dr. Withrow and his many contributions to the field of veterinary as well as human oncology. What you may not know is that Dr. Withrow's contributions are not limited to just the medical realm--he is a champion of emotional support as well.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Withrow when I directed the client-support program at CSU (now known as The Argus Institute--this renown program is considered to be the pioneering pet-loss support and educational program at a veterinary school). Without Dr. Withrow--as well as Laurel Lagoni (co-owner and co-creator of World by the Tail, Inc. and www.PetPeopleHelp) Carolyn Butler, and Suzanne Hetts, the Argus Institute would not exist. His gifted insight and desire to help his clients prompted him to enlist the skills of talented people like Laurel. He recognized that owners of pets with cancer needed far more that just medical help--they needed emotional care as well. He knew that their fears, anxieties, and grief deserved validation and support (in those early years, he saw to it that resources and funding would remain available).   

And his contributions don't stop there. Dr. Withrow also recognized that his staff needed support too. He saw how the illness, death, and grief that accompanies cancer took it's toll on the doctors, nurses, and the veterinary students. He realized (long-before people talked about it formally) that compassion fatigue was a concern. To address this--he, Laurel, and Carolyn Butler expanded their emotional support to the staff as well. They created what is known as "grief rounds" through the CSU Oncology service. This is just like medical rounds, but instead of focusing on the medical aspects of cases, they focus on the emotional ones.

Dr. Withrow promoted these support rounds. He served as a role-model for everyone by staying every time, sharing his feelings, and encouraging others to do the same. He allocated specific time for this and made it a priority despite the unit's busy schedule. These "grief rounds" still exist today and have been of tremendous help to hundreds of veterinarians, nurses, and veterinary students over the years (including my husband)!

If you and your staff are struggling with compassion fatigue, consider taking time during your staff meetings to address these issues. Allow opportunities to process the emotional parts of your job as well as the medical ones. Make it a priority and lead by example. You can even create your own "grief rounds" and when you do--you'll know you're taking it from the best!

*If you want more strategies on dealing with compassion fatigue, check out this same February 2007 issue of DVM Newsmagazine for the article that I wrote: "Overcoming Compassion Fatigue."

Feeling Stressed? Let's Take A Stroll!

This past week, I helped my nine-year old daughter and five-year old son with all the Valentine's Day school activities. Class parties, heart-shaped cookies, and of course--the Valentine's cards and bags ("I'm not lion...be my Valentine.") Red, white, and pink construction paper, Elmer's™ glue, fancy paper doilies, and of course--the Necco™ candy conversation hearts...we had it all. (By the way...I'm dating myself here but what's up with these modern kid's cards? There are no envelopes--just tabs to fold the card in half. Without an envelope, how do you give half the bag of candy hearts to that boy or girl you secretly admire?)

I was strolling down memory lane and for some precious, magical hours--the stress, sadness, and difficult emotions of daily life just melted away. The smell of the glue, the feel of the paper doily on my fingers, and the sight and taste of those colored candy hearts tingled my senses. They evoked a wonderful snapshot of life that can be so elusive...the excitement of childhood. Do you remember it? How did it feel to decorate your Valentine's day bag or shoe box? What were your favorite candy conversation hearts and which messages? (I think the yellow and orange ones are simply the bomb while "True Love," "Best Boy," and "Yes Dear" are the best sayings.) As my thoughts drifted, I noticed that my mood completely changed. I wasn't thinking about the depressing newspaper headlines anymore and I felt happy, carefree, and most of all--young.

It was an important reminder that thoughts have tremendous power over feelings. What you think is what you feel. It sounds so simple yet has profound implications; so much so that famous psychologists such as Aaron Beck, Marjorie Weishaar ("Cognitive Therapy") and Albert Ellis ("Rational-Emotive Therapy") developed entire schools of psychotherapy on this basic premise.

If our daily thoughts wield so much power over our feelings, it may be prudent to consider what those thoughts consist of. How about you? What are your daily thoughts? What are you focusing on while at work? At home? When you go to bed at night? What's the content of those tapes you play repeatedly in your head? These are important questions particularly if you find that stress and compassion fatigue is stalking you at work and in your life.

For further information on this topic, I recommend an excellent book--Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community (Figley & Roop, 2006.) The authors discuss this concept in-depth (one of my particular favorites is the concept of a "Safe and Joyful Place" found in chapter 8.) If compassion fatigue is plaguing you, I invite you to come take a mental stroll with me. Let's change our thoughts so that we can change our lives!

Join Our Contest!

To all you pets out there...we're running a really cool contest today. It's called the "Eating the Weirdest Thing and Living to Tell About It" contest. It's fun, easy to enter, and doesn't require much thought (in fact, intelligence only decreases your chances of winning). Would you like to enter? The February, 2007 issue of Veterinary Practice News released the winners of the "You Found What? Contest." Here are some samplings...

• A 10-month old Queensland healer who swallowed a portion of an equine lunge whip he had been seen running with in the barn
• Zach, a two-year old male German shepard who swallowed 33 golf balls
• A pet chicken who swallowed 115 metallic objects including several screws, nails, wire, pieces of glass, linoleum, and a bullet

And some favorites my husband has seen at our pet hospital...

• A dog who ate a pair of ladies underwear (and caused some marital strife in the process.) For details, read the blog "Itsy, Bitsy, Teenie-Weenie, Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini"
• A dog who ate a bread knife
• A dog who swallowed 10 coins (2 quarters, 5 dimes, 2 nickels, and a penny--Wow! A whole $1.11...that sure comes in handy when poochie is near the soda machine!)

It's funny...I don't see any of you felines on these lists. I guess you cats are a little more discriminating about what you put in your mouths (except for that whole dead-bird-and-mouse thing.) So, if any of you would like to enter our contest today--we're ready to hear your stories!

Do Something Manly!

Yes...I watched SuperBowl XLI yesterday with all of you. One of my favorite parts of course, is the SuperBowl commercials. I'm sure you have your favorites, but I'd like to share mine. It was the ad for Snickers™ candy: two mechanics working on a car in a garage are so ravenous to eat the candy bar that they start munching on either end and before they know it...they touch lips. So freaked out by this, one yells loudly, "Quick! Do something manly!" whereupon they tear open their shirts and start ripping out handfuls of chest hair. What a relief...manliness intact! "Guy world" is safe. (Click on Snickers™ candy to see this commercial if you missed it!)

We all know that men and women are socialized very differently around emotions. Women are taught to emote, release, and process their emotions while men are taught to contain, suppress, and hide theirs (except for anger). The trouble comes when a man is faced with normal grief. Here it is...sadness, confusion, guilt, fear, and self-doubt--emotions considered to be bad or weak in  "guy world"--all bubbling to the surface with absolutely no place to escape.

Wow--from someone who gets to live in "girl world," this sounds really hard. I've spoken to many veterinarians over the years who've said that the hardest euthanasias are the ones when a male client gets emotional. The man starts to tear up, everyone in the room sees it, and they feel a surge of panic. It's just like in the commercial--"quick...we need something manly!" Many veterinarians don't know what to do at this point. "Should I acknowledge his tears?" "Should I not?" "Should I even look at him?" "Help!"

My suggestion...don't let your discomfort change the way you do things. Take a deep breath. Do what you would normally do, stay calm, be compassionate, and just treat him the same way you would anyone else. If you normally offer words of comfort during a client's tears, do the same thing here. If you show that his emotions aren't panicking you, he'll likely feel better about it too. Just go with the flow and remember that his expression of emotion is normal despite society's programming to the contrary.

If you're interested in learning more about men and grief, there is an excellent book I suggest, Men and Grief: A Guide for Men Surviving The Death of a Loved One (Carol Staudacher, 1991.) This may also give you some ideas on how to support your male clients. Remember, it's okay for men to express grief...it's normal and I'd even dare say it's manly.

The Gift Of Life And Death

"To Dr. Dean Richardson and the many others involved in Barbaro's medical care, I would like to express my condolences on the loss of a very special patient. You gave so much of your expertise, your time, and your heart to this amazing horse. His death likely brings a heavy sadness to your hearts as well as feelings of disappointment, frustration, and perhaps even guilt. It's never easy to lose a patient...but to lose one who struggled so courageously must be all the more difficult.

On an intellectual level, you probably realize that you did everything possible to save Barbaro, but your hearts might have trouble believing this. You made a huge emotional investment in his recovery and now that he has died, it may feel as though that investment went with him. You're likely experiencing a myriad of emotions such as sadness, regret, guilt, powerlessness, anger, and even the worry that you somehow "failed" Barbaro and everyone else. To the contrary, I would like to highlight the many things you gave throughout your efforts:

1. The gift of time. Every day that you gave Barbaro was an extra day for him to enjoy the simple pleasures and beauty of life. Thanks to you-- he was able to nicker, munch on his delicious food, watch the mares, and be with those who loved him. You gave him what is most precious on this earth...the gift of life.
2. The gift of hope. You gave his owners and everyone else who cared about him the hope that he might recover. You labored long and hard not just for Barbaro's sake, but for all the people who became invested in his survival. You allowed us to bask in that sacred glow of energy ...that glimmer of faith and hope. These feelings transcend death and are desperately needed in today's world.
3. The gift of knowledge. Other horses and perhaps other animals will benefit from what you learned through Barbaro's treatment. Your hard work will leave a future legacy-- a promise of better and more effective treatments for animals with similar injuries.
4. The gift of death. When all medical treatments were completely exhausted, you gave Barbaro a peaceful, loving death free of pain, fear, and anxiety. You guaranteed he wouldn't suffer any needless days of pain. Surrounded by those who loved him most, you set him free of his physical ailments and let him go. You allowed his loved ones to say good-bye to him so that they can grieve in healthy and positive ways. This is truly an amazing thing.

So to all of you who treated Barbaro...I would like to assure you that what you gave was profound. Never doubt that what you did was important... was meaningful... and even heroic. You gave the gift of life and death."   

If You've Got To Fly...Use A Map

Embarrassing confession time...I have an awful sense of direction. It's sad, but true. The brain cells responsible for getting me from point A to point B just can't seem to get it right. They're earnest, hard-working little guys but I have to admit they don't cut the mustard. In fact, the running joke in my family is that I get lost going to my own kitchen. Why am I talking about this you wonder? Well, it occurs to me that a good map can be a real life saver.

The January 2007 issue of Veterinary Practice News contains a terrific article by Dr. Alice Villalobos on the merits and features of providing "Pawspice" (hospice services) to veterinary clients ("How to Implement a 'Pawspice' Service"). I am drawn to this concept not only because it celebrates the human-animal bond and addresses clients' emotional needs, but because it also gives veterinary teams helpful tools in dealing with end-of-life issues (the primary cause of compassion fatigue). It's simple logic really. If you must fly--flying with a map is much better than flying blind. You will always have to support clients facing end-of-life issues whether or not there are standard protocols...it's simply comes with the territory. However, if you have clear, specific, and definite guidelines for helping clients during these times, you will suffer less stress than if there aren't any at all.

Over the years, I've worked with hundreds of veterinarians flying blind during end-of-life issues. They've stumbled, crashed, and suffered through the arduous and heart-breaking process of trial and error. I think we can all agree that crashing and stumbling is stressful and creates tons of anxiety. This anxiety then gets amplified by guilt and regret...and before you know it, you've got the perfect recipe for compassion fatigue. Why not rid yourself of this unnecessary anxiety by creating a map to help you during these times? It only makes good sense.

Of course, creating a standard protocol for end-of-life issues requires a lot of work. There's no doubt it takes time, effort, training, and a commitment to finding the right resources and people. This still sounds better to me than repeatedly crashing and burning at the expense of your emotional well-being (as well as your clients). Yes, a good map takes time to make, but it's well worth it when that map keeps you from getting lost and prevent needless suffering.

If you find that end-of-life issues are a primary cause of compassion fatigue in your practice, consider creating a really good map. Tap into helpful resources and take advantage of all the wonderful material that is out there (you can contact me if you want to get the ball rolling). Don't fly blind anymore because you don't have to. A good map can keep you from crashing and burning. Please just let me know when you've got one to help me find my kitchen.

"Methuselah In Exam Room 1"

My husband has seen a lot of elderly pets lately and I think it's a wonderful thing. Veterinary medicine is making tremendous advances in treating senior pets and many pet owners are taking advantage. More and more veterinarians tell me that clients are willing to do a lot for their senior pets including managing chronic diseases and providing advanced dental care. Just as with people, when animals get older, their health problems can get a lot more complicated. This is also a time when your relationship with your clients is most critical.

What happens to clients that have multiple senior pets in the same household? What can you do for clients when their pets are diagnosed with a serious disease? What should you do when clients tell you their pet "is just not right?" The answer is the same across the board....communicate, communicate, communicate. Your ability to communicate effectively with your clients is the key to everything.

Take the necessary time in the exam room to communicate openly. Start the appointment by asking the client how they are doing. Ask them what their goal is for coming in today and what they hope to accomplish. This allows you to build instant rapport and get on the same page. If they tell you they're feeling anxious, then you know to work extra hard at reassuring them. Ask open-ended questions to find out what they want from you emotionally as well as practically (e.g., "what do you need from me today?" "How can we best help you today?") Asking these questions up front will save time in the long run because you will have already addressed their needs.

Without a doubt, good communication is your first and best friend. Your second one is patience. I know it's hard when you're rushing around and perhaps late for something else. However, you must remember that most of your clients have little medical knowledge. Words and terminology that is common-place to you is not for them. Slow things down and provide opportunities for questions. We (the general pet-owning public) do not have medical degrees and often need help in understanding different diseases and medications. Remember too, that we might feel silly asking you certain questions (like how to give our dog a pill). Just because we don't ask, doesn't mean we know how. You might offer explanations or demonstrations yourself to save us the embarrassment.

People with elderly pets are some of your most valuable clientele. They care a great deal, are highly motivated, and are very likely to follow your treatment recommendations. Take advantage of this wonderful group by remembering two simple concepts, communication and patience.

New Year Resolutions

It's a new year and time for all those sincere, yet ambitious resolutions. I have a few for myself, but instead of waxing on about those, I decided to share the goals my three dogs have set for themselves in 2007. Here is the list they gave me this morning:

• Resolution 1: "We will cease the pre-dawn personal hygiene routine that includes various slurping, grunting, and chewing noises louder than the average rock concert."
• Resolution 2: "While eating, we will stop chewing our Eukanuba™ into infinitesimally small bits that we then spit all over the carpeting in the house."
• Resolution 3: "We will kindly exit all occupied rooms at the first sign of intestinal pressure and gaseous activity."

But hey, since we're on a roll...let's keep going and compose a list for all your patients and clients that you will see in the new year:

• Resolution 1: We-- representing the canid, felid, rodent, ovid, equid, bovid, and porcine communities--do solemnly swear to stop biting, scratching, mauling, maiming, and otherwise disabling the nice Dr. Veterinarian and Ms./Mr. Veterinary Technician who are trying to help us.
• Resolution 2: We-- the general pet-owning public--resolve from this day forward to stop arguing, blaming, yelling, and otherwise verbally harassing those sincere and hard workers in the veterinary profession.
• Resolution 3: We--society in general--do promise to recognize the true value that veterinary medicine provides for us today.

This is kinda fun, don't ya think? Do you have any good resolutions for your own pets, patients, and clients? If so...just insert them right in the comment section! What about you? Do you have any resolutions for yourself? Let's see if we can work in a couple of common themes:

1. Setting better boundaries so that you can spend more time with family and friends
2. Making yourself as much of a priority as everyone else (and STICKING TO IT)
3. Realizing that you are a human being who-like everyone else-sometimes makes mistakes and not being so hard on yourself
4. Taking time each day to find the fun, joy, and lighter side of your job

Finally, for the last one...I will share with you one of my resolutions.

• I promise to spend this year doing my best to support all of you out there in the veterinary profession. Let's make it a great year!

Need Some CE? Try Creative Energy

Last week I was able to get together with some work colleagues that I seldom see. We communicate by phone and e-mail, but it's rare when we're together in the same room. Along with comparing who has the craziest life, we get to re-connect in such a personal way and I end up feeling so positive afterwards. What surprised me this time however, was how inspired and rejuvenated I was too.

We spent some of our time together in "brain-storming" sessions (although the running joke was if we actually had any brain power to "storm" with). Although the jury's still out on this one, it's amazing how much my thinking changed. All of a sudden, I was seeing connections between ideas that I hadn't thought of before. It's as if the collective energy between us actually summoned new and more creative energy. I was reminded why I like my job so much and the goals I had set for myself became more clearly defined.

I know that for many of you your required CE can become quite a bother. You're busy with work, with home, and with everything else in your lives. You may even wish you could just skip it now and then. I'm now realizing that maybe you can get more from CE besides learning the new treatment for intestinal parasites. By talking with colleagues, and just being in the same room together, you can bask in the common energy that binds you together. Share your stories, your ideas, and your goals. You may find that they're dealing with exactly the same issues or have found solutions to problems you're curently having. You may even think of ideas that just weren't there before.

So the next time you're dreading that required CE, seize the opportunity and grab that creativity energy just waiting for you!

Which Super-Hero Are You?

Super-heroes are big around our house. In fact, they are so highly regarded that Spider Man, Thor, Wolverine, and Mr. Fantastic rate above chocolate-chip cookies. This is particularly true for my five-year old son who- most of the time- wields every super-power known to comics. In response, I have found it necessary to become a super-hero of my own. Donning a laundry hamper in one hand, and my computer in the other, I am known as "The Cajoler" (this character can magically transform any children's chore into a super-hero feat). For example, did you know that making your bed in the morning will allow you (Spider Man) to diffuse every single one of Green Goblin's bombs?

The thought occurs to me that the average veterinary team contains super-heroes that rival any comic-book character. Let's look at the most common ones:

• "The Appeaser": Dressed in professional-looking office garb, this hero successfully placates any complaining client, phone-caller, or bill collector in mere minutes. He/she is known for the amazing powers of patience, diplomacy, and sense of humor.
• "The Multi-Tasker": With dazzling concentration and seventeen hands, this hero fixes occluded catheters, administers vaccinations, spins down blood in the centrifuge, and prepares prescriptions all at the same time.
• "The Wrangler": Armed with super-human reflexes and a low sensitivity to pain, this hero restrains psychotic, mutant cats; growling, fear-biting dogs; and high-strung birds with razor-sharp beaks. This hero is easily identified by various puncture wounds and a smattering of colorful band-aids.
• "The Diagnoser": Donning a white coat and a stethoscope, this astounding hero can name splotches on radiographs resembling rabbit droppings while removing Chihuahua ovaries the size of miniature raisins.
• "The Steel Stomach": Costumed in stained scrubs, and armed with Roccal™ solution and dead nasal receptors, this hero miraculously cleans up Parvo blowout, cat abscesses, and anal gland expressions without batting an eyelash. 

What about you? Which of these characters do you resemble most in your veterinary hospital? What other types of super-heroes do you have and what are their special powers? Let's hear from all you out there in the comic-book universe!

An Old Fashioned Brain

I'm intrigued by the cover story of December 4th's issue of Time Magazine: "Why We Worry About The Wrong Things." It seems that as a culture, we spend far too much time fretting about the unlikely possibilities, while routinely ignoring the probabilities. We stress about the highly publicized Mad Cow disease which has killed precisely no one in the United States; but engage in lifestyles that promote heart disease and cancer causing over half of all deaths nationwide. In short, we worry about the weird stuff and ignore the common stuff.

According to this article, one reason we do this is because we live in a modern world with what is essentially, a prehistoric brain. We've eliminated many of the dangers that existed millions of years ago, but our slowly evolving central nervous systems haven't yet gotten the memo. Structurally, our brains are hard-wired in such a way that the nerve signals sending danger warnings travel much faster than the ones for rational thoughts to higher brain functions. As a result, we go about our lives acting first and asking questions later.

This has major implications for how we react to stressful situations. If you're at work, and a difficult client starts yelling at you about her bill--the very first response your old-fashioned brain gives you is to run to your cave for cover; not to sit down and calmly use your words ("thanks brain... that was oh so helpful"). It's amazing to realize that on a biological/neuropathic level, the deck is stacked against us for responding in a rational way.

Maybe this is why stress affects us in such a profound way. We not only feel the emotional upheaval, but have to engage in a game of tug-of-war as well. We have to literally fight with our brain to respond calmly and access our higher reasoning. Now that sounds truly exhausting, don't you think? Maybe this explains why the little, seemingly insignificant things can take their toll. Our brains can't distinguish the difference between them and the bigger, more important ones. On a biological level, we respond to both exactly the same (at least initially).

What about you? When you're facing a difficult client or having a really stressful day, what are your gut-level reactions? If you're good at staying calm and composed, how do you do it? Share your secrets with your fellow comrades stuck with these old-fashioned brains!

Got A Magic Wand?

I want to share with you that as I'm writing this, I've been turned into a green frog, a super-hero, a fairy princess and a yellow race car. What's even more amazing is that I've done this all in the span of two minutes! How did I achieve such a feat? Why--a magic wand of course!

My children are off from school today for the Thanksgiving holiday. So, like many of you busy working parents, I'm doing my job while taking care of my kids. Instead of wondering what they're feeding the dogs or what new athletic maneuver they're inventing on top of the stairs, we're currently playing with magic wands. It's kind of fun actually (I'll have you know that my wand is the best because it's made from the dog-chewed remains of a purple tinker toy). Aren't you jealous!

What's so great about children is their ability to use imagination to do almost anything. Literally--the sky's the limit. This is a wonderful thing when dealing with children in your veterinary practices. In many ways, you don't have to work as hard with kids because you have so many tools at your disposal. Your stethoscope can become a magic scepter and your otoscope can cast enchanted spells over the castle of your exam room. You can make almost anything happen if you're willing to take the journey with them.

I've known many veterinary professionals who worry about talking to, and dealing with kids in their work. My response is almost always the same...think like a kid. Remember what is was like? The world is one big place of discovery, wonder, and curiosity. Take advantage of that when dealing with kids. If they're getting bored and starting to get on your nerves...get them involved and make them your special assistant. Pull out a toy doctor's kit and ask them to help you with the pet's exam. Ask them what they think is going on with their pet (sometimes children give better and more accurate information than the parents). If they're not inclined to talk, pull out some paper and crayons and have them draw you a special picture. Just be a kid. You'll have a lot more fun and charm the parents in the process (there's no better way to a parent's heart than through kindness to their kids).

Obviously, with really disruptive or ill-mannered children making it impossible for you to do your job, you'll have to come up with alternatives. Filling your waiting room with toys, books, and even videos is a good idea. However, there's no better way to give your day a little burst of fun than by including children. You can even pick your own magic wand...but I have first dibs on the purple tinker toy!