Veterinarians go into the profession out of love for animals. Yet, they learn that the day-to-day reality is difficult. 

This combination creates a perfect storm for depression and even despair. According to a study from AVMA,¹ one in six veterinarians has considered suicide, and they’re three times more likely to die by suicide than the general public. 

For those in the veterinarian community, it’s personal. Elizabeth Chosa, DVM, knows of three classmates and numerous colleagues who have taken their lives since 2005. Then, a year into the pandemic, four veterinary professionals died by suicide within a few weeks. 

Following this devastation, Dr. Chosa and her friend and colleague Blair McConnel, VMD, MBA, put their heads together on ways to make a positive impact. 

“It’s no secret there’s a mental health crisis in the profession. Many veterinarians say, ‘I don’t know if I can stay in this profession. I’m miserable. This is all I ever wanted to do, and now I don’t know what to do.’ So we talked about what we could do about it,” Dr. Chosa shares. 

They learned more about programs offered by Not One More Vet (NOMV),² whose mission is to support the animal care community through education, peer-to-peer support and grants. NOMV focuses primarily on those in crisis, which led to Drs. Chosa and McConnel to consider a different approach based on early intervention. 

Dr. Chosa says, “We wanted to know how we could PREVENT crisis.”

The duo hit upon the idea of peer-to-peer support groups led by licensed mental health professionals. These would be a safe place for the veterinarian community to discuss concerns and build community before a crisis.

“We spoke to a mental health professional who shared data on support groups and how they help people feel safe and connected to others like themselves. They suggested we could offer support groups on relevant topics like building emotional resiliency and stamina, communicating with bewildered and upset pet parents, and much more,” Dr. Chosa shares. 

Upon their research, they found a program at the University of Tennessee that offers social work training geared toward animal care teams. 

“These Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) work specifically with veterinarians. Additionally, some veterinarians have gone through the training too,” adds Dr. Chosa. 

It was then that the idea for the Veterinary Hope Foundation (VHF) was born. Drs. Chosa and McConnel decided to pursue the idea of offering support groups, but they needed funding to cover the costs of market research. Fortunately, IDEXX Foundations offered to fund both qualitative and quantitative research. 

The qualitative research consisted of focus groups with 19 veterinarians and vet techs who either felt they have personally had their mental health impacted by their job or have witnessed their colleagues’ mental health be negatively impacted by their job.

The quantitative research included an online survey where 395 respondents had to qualify by agreeing to statements that indicated they have experienced issues related to mental wellbeing or are improving. Ninety-six percent of veterinarians who were screened qualified.

They then decided to test the waters with a few pilot groups to see if their time and effort was worthwhile.

The very first group proved the value of the concept: “The feedback has been really meaningful. Participants share statements like, ‘I feel seen for the first time.’ And, ‘I feel like the therapist understands me better than anyone.’ If we can help one person, that’s a win,” Dr. Chosa shares. 

The live group sessions are held virtually, so people can participate from anywhere and enjoy the benefits of connecting with others in their profession. 

“Most of our sessions are on weekends and evenings,” Dr. Chosa continues. “And people can register to participate in an upcoming support group. We ask for their role within the practice, year graduated from veterinary school, availability, and type of practice. When we start a new group, they receive an email offering them the chance to participate.” 

The six-week program features a weekly meeting for 60-75 minutes. The goal is to create a safe space for peers to share concerns and build a support network. To support this goal, they group participants by practice focus (Equine, Small Animal, etc.) and their role in the practice.

As part of that community-building, VHF includes chat groups for people to share thoughts and ideas in between sessions: “Chat groups build connections and relationships. One of the most rewarding parts is seeing the community being built,” Dr. Chosa adds. 

As of the time this article was written, nine participating mental health professionals led groups. 

“There have been 12 groups so far with almost 100 participating veterinarians. We plan on two to three sessions a month for now. We’re growing slowly so we don’t outpace our resources,” Dr. Chosa continues. “As we get more sponsorships, we’ll be able to offer more groups. We also want to support technicians, practice managers, and everyone on the animal care team.”  

If you’d like to participate in future VHF sessions or want to learn more about the program, visit veterinaryhope.org for details. +

References:

1. Tomasi, S., & Fechter-Legett, E. (2019). Suicide rate among veterinarians from 1979 through 2015. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(1), 104–112.
2. Not One More Vet (NOMV). https://www.nomv.org/

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As veterinarians, it can take time for us to feel fulfilled in both our personal and professional lives. I have found that work culture is one of the most important factors in achieving that fulfillment. 

A general attitude among millennial veterinarians is that something needs to give. We’re not happy being offered jobs where we consistently have to work five to six days a week, be on call and have minimal vacation days. We value our work, but we want to be more than just veterinarians. We want a job that fulfills us, makes us happy and allows us to explore other passions. The toxic mentalities of “I did it so you have to do it too” and “This is just what we have always been doing” are not flying anymore—and this is making new waves in our profession.

Recent reflection has shown me that the key to finding fulfillment is a supportive job that shares your values. It took me three tries to find the right “work home” for me, and once you find your supportive job, everything else falls into place. 

Dealing with Burnout

If you told me while I was still in vet school that I would dread going to work within two years of graduating, I would never have believed you. After my internship, I worked as an emergency and general practice vet (50:50 split), and I was easily clocking 50- to 60-hour work weeks on a regular basis. I was not taking care of myself, and was feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Every morning when I woke up, I thought of excuses to get out of work. I was heading down the road to burnout and knew I needed to make a change.

What ultimately helped me overcome burnout was finding a more supportive job. For me, the answer was working fewer shifts each week, feeling valued at my job and being around happy, positive people. This job change made all the difference in how I felt about work every day. 

At first, I was scared to quit and move on to something new. I wasn’t sure if the grass on the other side was truly greener—but it was! There are so many amazing jobs out there. But in order to find the place that suits you best, it’s important to figure out what you want and need first. 

Everyone’s journey to overcoming burnout will look different. While eating healthier, working out and setting boundaries are only one part of the bigger picture, they’re absolutely essential.

One major thing I emphasize to vet students is to start focusing on health, fitness and boundaries while they’re still in school. Pulling all-nighters and eating ramen noodles is not going to set you up for success when you enter the real world. It takes time to build good habits, and starting while you’re still in school can make all the difference. 

Finding Balance

The other part of the equation is finding a work environment that supports you as a veterinarian and as a human. There are so many toxic, negative work environments out there, and I have experienced them firsthand. As much as we try to separate work from life, our jobs do rub off on us. And if we are exposed to negativity all day long, that will eventually spill over into our personal lives. 

For veterinarians, each day on the job is unique. We have to switch gears quickly and change our emotions in a matter of minutes as we go from a euthanasia appointment to a first kitten visit. We interact with highly-emotional pet parents as well. Having good balance in this type of work environment needs to start at the top. A management team that supports us through all the challenges of the job and shares our values makes our professional lives run more smoothly. 

Nonetheless, finding a supportive work environment starts with you. Make a list of all the things you value and want out of your ideal job and number them in order of importance. What does your ideal day look like? Will you have scheduled breaks? What is the staff turnover rate? 

Create a list of questions you can ask during your interview to help you focus on getting the information you need to find the job that aligns best with your goals. These questions can be broader or more specific, but they still need to answer the question of how well the employer values and treats its staff. 

The next thing you need to do is a working interview. This will allow you to see the hospital in action and determine whether it matches up with what you were told during your interview. There are so many jobs out there that sound great on paper but fail to meet expectations in person. Finding the right work environment that values its people, provides support and treats its clients well can truly help you achieve the work-life balance you’re looking for. 

Being a Working Mom and an Emergency Veterinarian

There was a time in my life where I was not sure if I wanted kids. I didn’t know if I could be a good mom and remain a veterinarian, and I did not feel supported within my profession. There are countless job postings out there that do not have a paid parental leave policy or great benefits. The practical side of me was not sure how I could make it work, but then I saw other working parents in veterinary medicine. 

Being able to learn from them helped me feel confident that I could do it, too. And I am so glad that I am on this working-mom journey right now! It is the most fulfilling experience of my life. Being a parent is not for everyone, but it is possible to create a family and have a life outside of the profession.

A moment that sticks out to me as a working parent is a time when our daycare had a COVID exposure and shut down for the rest of the week. My husband had a full day of meetings and I was also scheduled to work. We had no friends or family nearby to help, as we had moved to a new city. I called my medical director to explain the situation, and she had no problem allowing me to bring my baby to work to hang out with me for part of the day. She even volunteered to come in and watch her if I got busy. Thankfully, it was a Tuesday, when we tended to be slower in the mornings. But what struck me was how it was a no-brainer that I could bring my daughter with me. The support I felt in that moment is something I will never forget. 

Five-plus years ago, I never would have thought a career as a working-mom emergency vet could be sustainable. It sounds like long hours and a hard balance. Yet, I have found that it actually works better for me! 

When I worked in general practice, I was often working four to five days a week (10+ hours a day). Now, I work two to three 12-hour shifts a week. No matter what type of vet you are, we can all get stuck late on some shifts, but with emergency work, I have fewer days where I have to stay late. 

Having a supportive spouse or family nearby also makes the longer days more manageable. On days that I work, I do not get to see my baby, but I am grateful that my husband is there for her. I can also work a weekend shift here and there so that I can take over on a weekday when my husband is busy. It has been a better balancing act for me, and on top of that, I make more money in emergency working fewer shifts. 

Learning From Failure

My first failure was not setting boundaries with my clients. As a new-grad vet, I made the mistake of giving my email to every client I met. I thought this would help me gain loyal clientele and make me more accessible to provide the best care. What it actually led to was numerous emails I would then need to address on my days off, which prevented me from decompressing in my personal time. 

In one particular instance that I’ll never forget, I had a client emailing me daily photos of her dog’s nail bed infection. Around day three, I did not respond because I was off, and the client ended up waiting a few days longer than she should have. Her dog’s infection got much worse because she had been expecting me to reply. And when she found out the dog needed an amputation due to the severity of its condition (osteomyelitis), she dropped me as her vet and stopped seeing me. When I realized the harm that a lack of boundaries could cause, I knew something had to change. 

The second failure is poor management. It’s important to feel fulfilled and valued in our profession, and having a management team that listens, supports and is open to change will allow a hospital to adapt to its specific needs. I have been surrounded by top-down management strategies for a long time now, and those simply don’t work anymore. No one wants to be told what to do by people who aren’t even working on the floor with them. 

The field is changing, and having management take the role of coach is something I am striving for as a medical director. I want to support and empower my team. I learned the importance of this through prior poor management and am grateful that this experience showed me the type of management and leadership style I want to adopt. 

My third failure is saying “no” to myself. Hands down, I am a “yes girl.” This mentality has allowed me to push myself and take chances. It keeps my extroverted side happy. However, it has also caused me to put myself and my own needs on the back burner. There were times when my self-care suffered and when I could have used a “me” day. Learning this about myself has motivated me to take better care of myself and take stock of what I need each day.  

If you’re struggling with burnout and are uncertain about your future, stay the course and don’t give up. You are your strongest advocate. Take time to figure out what you need and want in life, know your values, define your boundaries, and make your health and wellbeing a priority. Finding balance as a veterinary professional and as a human being is never an easy or straightforward path, but it is always within your reach. +

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This spark ignited in me the importance of the human-animal bond and has led to a wildfire of purpose, passion and plan to celebrate, protect and nurture the human-animal bond. This precious bond, an affection-connection between pets and people that is nebulous, but easily understood by anyone who’s felt it, has served as my North Star throughout my multifaceted career, which resulted in the founding of Fear Free in 2016.

Fear Free is simply a commitment to look after both the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals. Fear produces a physiological response, so Fear Free is medicine. A research-based organization built on the bedrock of boarded veterinary behaviorists, Fear Free has harnessed a group of almost 250 experts in animal behavior, animal handling, pain management, anesthesia and sedation, and all aspects of medicine. 

Fear Free focuses on the entire ecosystem of animals. For example, with pets, Fear Free training is available for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and team members, as well as for trainers, groomers, pet sitters, boarding facilities, shelters and even pet parents. With this model, no matter if the pet is at a temporary home (e.g., vet’s office, shelter, groomer, boarding) or their forever home, we are always looking to reduce fear, anxiety and stress, and increase happy and calm. Additionally, knowing that pets need to express their genetic exuberance, Fear Free is at the forefront of promoting enrichment activities for animals.

Some of the many benefits of reducing fear, anxiety and stress in pets through Fear Free include:

1. Less fight-or-flight responses. These responses increase the release of cortisol, a hormone that can have severe negative long-term effects.
2. Less fear of handling/procedures. Animals, like humans, move towards pleasure and away from pain. Knowing fear is caused by something painful or disturbing (for example, trimming nails too short is painful; now seeing nail trimmers is disturbing) will make them negatively associate those experiences.
3. Less pets being rehomed or surrendered to shelters. Many pets that bite, scratch, have inappropriate elimination or destroy household items because of fear-based aggression or behaviors are removed from the home. These same fearful pets, once in shelters or rescues, are slow to be adopted and are often bounced from home to home.
4. More animals receive the care they need. More animals are receiving the medical, behavioral and grooming care they need since this approach makes it easier for the professionals providing the care to handle and treat the animal.

In addition, Fear Free also benefits those practicing it in many ways, including:

1. Better medicine. Fear Free results in more accurate vital signs, more accurate diagnostic tests, and more accurate physical exams as pets don’t hide pain and sensitivity because they’re stressed. These pets also heal faster because they don’t suffer from immunosuppression and have less frequent digestive upsets.
2. Fewer injuries. When you dramatically reduce fear, anxiety and stress, become proficient in detecting signs of it and monitor the levels of it, incidents of bites, scratches and other injuries plummet. 
3. More enjoyable career. Cooperative and relaxed pets make for a lower-stress environment for everyone involved, including the pet owners who no longer feel like you’re hurting their pets by trying to help them. 
4. Increased practice growth and profits. We have four years of white papers showing that practices that become Fear Free certified have increases in all major practice KPIs and make more net income than similar practices that aren’t Fear Free.

Nobody gets into professions working with animals to make life worse for them. Quite the contrary; we love animals and want them to love us back. We want to use our skills to help make them healthier, happier and living a full life. By embracing Fear Free in a veterinary practice, you set yourself and the animals you care for up for low-stress success. +

The post Fear Free: A Commitment of Physical and Emotional Care appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Over the past seven years, AHS has provided a safety net for the region’s most vulnerable animals. Located in fast-growing Maricopa County, AHS has established a comprehensive medical, behavioral rehabilitation, surrender intervention and spay/neuter program that has saved an additional 115,000 lives in its seven years. 

AHS Vice President of Development, Lauren Martich says, “Our President and CEO, Dr. Steven R. Hansen is a visionary and gives people the chance to act on their visions. One of those visions was saving Parvo pups. We began the Parvo Pup ICU seven years ago. From there it was natural to enact other life-saving programs like our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™, Mutternity Suites, Kitten Nursery, and Bottle Baby Kitten ICU. Overall, we’ve realized an 82% reduction in euthanasia over the last seven years.”

The generous grant contributes to a state-of-the-art medical facility in the Phoenix area for these at-risk animals. In October 2021, AHS will break ground on the Lazin Animal Foundation Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital™. It will be the largest shelter-based trauma center west of the Mississippi. 

Martich says, “The new hospital will offer life-saving medical care as well as complex ventilation systems and flexible isolation spaces to reduce illness, expand and contract for hoarding and other large-scale intake situations, and treat conditions commonly considered untreatable in the shelter environment. Our life-saving teams are so ready to have more space and technology to do what they do. We are excited and grateful for this gift. It really makes a statement about the value of the animals’ lives.” 

Martich continues, “Every day, I meet generous people who love animals and want to help them. Terry Lazin was so dedicated to the most vulnerable animals. She had beloved dogs and wanted to help dogs have a second life. We also believe those animals need and deserve that second chance. We’re so grateful for this gift that moved the needle.”

Why It Works

The Central Campus & Animal Medical Center will be known as the Lazin Animal Foundation Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital^™. It replaces a 1957 building and represents an opportunity for Arizona’s animal population to receive state-of-the-art care in a modern facility. 

There is also an educational element. Children will be able to learn about animal welfare and see surgeries through the glass. In addition, there will be externship opportunities for veterinary school students. 

The AHS is an independent non-profit and not affiliated with any other humane societies. As a result, they raise all of their own funds. This grant is a milestone in animal welfare and will provide medical and behavioral rehabilitation for the most vulnerable animals. And, in the fastest-growing county in the country, it’s important to keep a handle on pet overpopulation, keep them off the streets and help them find loving homes. 

Why It Matters 

The Lazin Animal Foundation seeks to honor the legacy of its founder, Terry Lazin. Terry had illustrious careers in government service, as a corporate attorney and ran a consultancy that worked with high-profile clients like the NFL Players Golf Club as they raised money for nonprofit organizations. But at the heart of her life was her love of dogs. Terry established the Lazin Animal Foundation in 2011 to provide grant monies to organizations that care for and protect at-risk dogs. 

Susana Della Maddalena, Chairman of the Board of the Lazin Animal Foundation says, “Terry loved dogs and in particular the underdogs. She had a soft spot for dogs seen as problem breeds.” 

Since AHS takes in dogs from the community who otherwise probably wouldn’t have a chance, the missions of the two organizations are well-aligned. 

Della Maddalena adds, “The scope of what they’ll be able to do within the community will be impressive. They’ll be able to accept the dogs, treat them, and ultimately, get them adopted. It’s a great thing to put her name on the trauma center because it’s a great tribute to her love for animals and the positive impact she wanted to have on their lives.” +

The post A Helping Hand to Transform Animal Welfare appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Why It Matters

His is a story of the American dream achieved. “My parents came to this country with nothing. It was hard for my parents to understand my educational path. They don’t come from an educational background and only completed elementary school. After each graduation, they’d ask, ‘Are you a doctor yet?’”

He can finally say, “Yes!” 

Why It Works

Victor grew up helping his parents on their Luling, Texas ranch, and probably would have continued in that line of work if it weren’t for one particular sick calf he encountered at the age of 10. He accompanied his dad and calf to the vet where he could serve as a translator for his Mexican-born father. 

There, the seed for the veterinarian dream was planted. “This is what I want to do,” Lopez said. 

The road to medical school is rarely an easy one, and in Victor Lopez’s case, it came with not one, but three rejections from his first-choice veterinary school. 

He says, “It was discouraging to get those rejection letters. As a Texas boy, I wanted to attend Texas A&M’s veterinary school.” But after three rejections, he decided he needed to look further afield. 

“I didn’t want to have ‘what if’ lingering in the back of my head, so I decided I needed to apply elsewhere.” He was then accepted into Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. 

Dr. Lopez leaves those who might find themselves in a situation similar to his own with this piece of advice; “Never give up.” +

The post Dr. Victor Lopez: Perseverance in the Face of Rejection appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Some walked confidently up to other early risers, begging for breakfast, while others moved cautiously, low to the ground, trying to go unnoticed as they made their morning rounds. Many stopped to frantically scratch and bite at their dirty coats before continuing on their way. By the time the sun had fully come up and bathed the beach in light, the dogs were mostly gone, seeking shelter from humans and heat and looking for a way to pass another uncertain day. 

I was first made aware of Mexico’s stray dog problem when a friend of mine returned from her honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta and told me about the number of dogs she saw roaming and visibly uncared for. This friend also happened to be a fellow veterinary technician and coworker, so we began searching for a way we could use our skills to help the homeless animals that had captured her heart while she was traveling. 

While looking for organizations addressing pet overpopulation near Puerto Vallarta, we came upon the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue. Located in Los Ayala, Nayarit, Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR) consists of a core network of passionate volunteers who partner with local and international organizations to host twice-yearly free sterilization clinics, in addition to helping with day-to-day needs of underserved animals in the Jaltemba area. 

We reached out to Lin Chimes, the founder of JBAR, and she enthusiastically welcomed us to participate in their upcoming four-day free clinic. We made our arrangements, gathered donations of medications and supplies, and went to Mexico to fulfill our dream of making a difference.

At 8 a.m. we left our hotel and walked twenty minutes to the home where the clinic was being held. Pet owners and rescuers had begun lining up at 7:30 a.m., and by the time the volunteer meeting was held, 133 dogs and cats were checked in for the first day of procedures. 

All animals were marked with an identification number and matching paperwork, then placed in a crate and taken to the back patio where examinations, surgeries and recovery would take place. Stainless steel surgery and fold-out picnic tables were set up under tarps stretched to provide shade. Volunteers ranged from experienced to novice; veterinary professionals to (extra)ordinary animal lovers, and came from as close as down the block and as far away as Canada.

During the orientation session, volunteers who were assigned to recovery (many of whom had no medical background) received instruction in how to obtain vital signs including temperature, pulse and respiration. Recovery was also the time to remove ticks, clean ears, trim nails and determine if treatment for mange or other superficial conditions was necessary. A large number of animals receiving services at the clinic had loving homes and were beautifully cared for, but some were strays and required extra attention. 

As a visiting veterinary technician, my role during the clinic was primarily to circulate and help volunteers with questions, attend to any animals whose recovery was abnormal and be available to consult with veterinarians about any medical concerns. Veterinary technicians who regularly work at free clinics in the area efficiently handled induction, intravenous catheter placement and intubation. The veterinarians performing the sterilization surgeries worked quickly, and before long, the recovery area was filled.  

All animals were carefully monitored after surgery, with vitals recorded every five minutes by attentive volunteers. Hyperthermia in the 86 degree Fahrenheit heat was a concern for adult animals, while tiny kittens and puppies often needed to be warmed with hot water bottles. Dogs woke up quickly, and I rushed to confirm which patients were ready for extubation and to have their IV catheters removed. 

As surgeries wound down, all veterinary professionals turned their attention to final examinations of patients before discharging them to their owners or foster families. By the end of the first day I was exhilarated and exhausted at the same time—also simultaneously amazed by what we accomplished and excited by how many more animals we could help over the remaining days.

While curbing overpopulation is the clinic’s main goal, many animals also received care which improved their comfort and quality of life. All patients received flea and tick treatment before they left the clinic, and suspected cases of mange received oral medication. Volunteers spent hours removing engorged ticks from dogs who had the parasites lodged between their toes and clustered inside and behind their ears.

The animal I will remember most was a dog brought in by a local woman who had rescued him from a neglectful situation. He was a bichon-type neutered male so matted that he was unable to walk. His rear legs were fused to a mat covering his back and sides, and his jaw was unable to open fully due to his tangled facial hair. Another volunteer and I worked together to slowly free him, shaving away his filthy hair in one piece like a sheep’s fleece. Under the hair, dead fleas and ticks littered his thin body. We finally managed to clean him up, treat him for topical parasites and send him home with his grateful rescuer. Seeing him walk away unencumbered was one of the highlights of my time in Mexico.

I also found it very fulfilling to work with an international team of people focused on a common, compassionate cause. Ten years ago, Canadian veterinarian Dr. Malcolm Macartney was so affected by his experience volunteering at one of JBAR’s sterilization clinics that he formed the Mexi-Can Vet Project, a group of veterinary professionals who, since 2010, have traveled from Canada twice yearly to assist in the Jaltemba clinics and fly adoptable dogs back with them. 

In one conversation I had with Dr. Macartney, he summarized the value of participating in veterinary volunteer work, saying, “For me it has been a great joy to be part of something which has made an obvious difference in the lives of so many animals and people of the Mexican communities who, until JBAR existed, had very little means of helping reduce the large overpopulation of dogs and cats in these towns. In addition, it has raised the animal welfare and health education bar and we have seen pet care awareness improve dramatically.”

JBAR also partners with veterinarians and veterinary technicians from Mexico through PEACE Mexico and Pets for Life, an incredible team of dedicated individuals who hold year-round clinics to serve the local communities. 

Why It Works

In the four days offered by the clinic 437 animals were sterilized. This brings the total of dogs and cats spayed and neutered by Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue, since its founding in 2003, to an astonishing 9,241 animals.

Additionally, this clinic led to a number of stray animals finding permanent homes, some locally and some in Canada through the Mexi-Can Vet Project. 

Why It Matters

Many lives, both human and animal, were changed in those four days—not the least of which was mine. I have never been prouder to be a veterinary technician than I was during my time there, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of something making such a big impact. +

The post Making a Difference in Mexico appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Through vet school, these two spent morning, noon and night together studying for class, and later, prepping for national boards. They shared their first—and Dr. Franny notes “awkward”—kiss at a party in their junior year. However, they both decided that they didn’t want to chance losing their friendship and didn’t pursue a relationship. 

After graduation, they went their separate ways—she to an internship at UGA and he to a practice in Washington DC, but pledged to keep in touch. Fortunately, things didn’t end there. Despite the miles that separated these two, they were meant to be. And three years after graduation, they tied the knot in front of friends and family. 

Today, they are a classic example of modern success, with a supportive marriage, three thriving practices, a brief stint on reality TV (Nat Geo Wild’s Love and Vets) and four beautiful children (David, 21; Tyler, 19; Gabrielle, 17 and Olivia, 15).

Why It Works

Dr. Will says, “We do have opposite personalities—I am the risk taker and she’s the voice of reason. Being friends first is our secret to our happy marriage, but making our family a priority is the secret to happiness.”

Why It Matters

Morning time is Dr. Franny’s proclaimed special time when she can show her family how much they mean to her. “Above all else, our family comes first,” she says. 

When criticized online after shown on Love & Vets, making her teenaged kids lunch for school, Dr. Franny stood her ground. “This may sound strange to some folks but I rejoice in making my kids homemade lunches. I get to put some “love” into their dishes, plus I can make sure they are eating healthy homemade treats.”+

The post Love, Veterinarian Style appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Raystown Lake was several miles away from a hospital so the family called 911 immediately. But panic set in, and while most of the family stayed with Mrs. Severs and waited for emergency professionals, James ran through the camp frantically looking for someone with medical training. 

While he couldn’t find a single doctor or nurse in the camp, he did find Connie Thomas, a Registered Veterinary Technician and AVECCTN 2019 candidate with PET + ER, in Towson, MD. 

Why It Works

“When I heard about Mrs. Severs, my years of training kicked in and I wanted to help,” said Thomas. “I ran over to her camp and helped keep her calm while we waited for the paramedics to show up.” 

Thomas was able to check her pulse and found that it was unusually high and her skin was cool to the touch. She stayed with Mrs. Severs until the paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later.

“As a veterinary professional, we have an innate sense to help those in need, whether it is animals or people. I was happy that I could help the situation,” says Thomas. 

Mrs. Severs was taken to a hospital and treated for dehydration and recovered a few days later.

“Having someone with me at that stressful time that had medical training helped me remain calm,” said Mrs. Severs. “It also helped my family, who was very worried about Grandma.”

Thomas is a graduate of the Community College of Baltimore County, was previously a volunteer EMT, and she has also been an active member of the Chesapeake Search and Rescue Team for two years.

Why It Matters

“I want to believe that the human race has the ability to be kind and selfless”, says Thomas. “I believe that we all can be better, kinder and more giving. This is why I help and why I search for lost people. I want to be the kind of person that someone can come to in time of need. I want to be able to help them and hopefully, in turn, they help others.” +

The post Saving a Human Life appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Veterinary technicians have a great desire to work with animals and that is why education is so vital for this career. You will see veterinary technicians in hospitals, specialty clinics, research labs, animal shelters, zoos and wild life centers. The education required to become a veterinary technician is not easy. It is actually rather hard and requires a lot of hands–on and willingness to put all effort in to be able to take care of the animals and do no harm.

TECHNICIAN  EDUCATION

A licensed veterinary technician, or RVT, LVT, or CVT, earns an associate degree in a veterinary technology accredited program. The program must be an accredited AVMA school and the program must meet CVTEA accreditation. Many technicians go on and further their education and earn a Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology. There are also veterinary technician specialties.

The NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technicians Specialties (CVTS) was formed in 1994 and is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The CVTS provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to facilitate the formation of a specialty organization. Academies develop advanced pathways, which a candidate must follow and complete in order to be awarded the designation of VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialist) in their specific discipline. 

When you look at the amount of education a veterinary technician is required to become licensed or can further their education, this is quite a commitment they make to the animal profession.

In the day of a Technician

Following are the day–to–day duties of Shannon Patsko, RVT, from the Poland Veterinary Centre in Poland, Ohio. 

“A normal day for me is usually crazy with me running around the clinic, performing all types of job duties. Some may think it is impossible to perform or complete all my duties in one day, but I do. 

In the morning, I admit patients for surgery and perform pre–anesthetic physical examinations, obtain lab work, calculate doses of medications and fluids, and administer medications according to protocol. This is all done before we start seeing patients for the day. I check patients in for exams and assist in physical assessments, administer vaccines and educate clients with the latest information available in veterinary medicine.

My daily responsibilities include, operating laboratory equipment to evaluate chemistry panels and CBC, interpreting urinalyses, intestinal parasite exams, cytology exams, blood smears and radiographs. I also assist our veterinarians in surgery. Typical procedures include, gastropexy, orthopedic surgeries, exploratory laparotomy and cystotomy. When I’m not assisting, I monitor our patients under anesthesia, operate monitoring equipment and maintain normal parameters of vitals.

Then there are those times where an emergency comes in and now I’m in triage mode. Yes, veterinary technicians make decisions on this, too. We assess the animal’s condition, take vitals and then discuss the evaluation with the veterinarian for treatment.

One of my favorite aspects of my job is dentistry. I regularly complete oral assessment, treatment and prevention; scale, polish, probe, chart and obtain intraoral radiographs. I administer local nerve blocks, prepare periodontal equipment and assist the veterinarian in surgical extractions.”

VETERINARY TECHNICIAN CHALLENGES

As you can see, veterinary technicians are nurses, laboratory technicians, anesthetists, surgical assistants, radiologists, dental assistants, educators, and most of all, an advocate for the patients.

One big challenge is salary or wage. Their salary is lower than many other comparable jobs in medicine. This career requires devotion and compassion, and veterinary technicians realize they will not get paid that well for everything they do. But they are there every day as an advocate for the animal and devoting hard work to assure the animal lives a long life.

However, with all this hard work, there are many other challenges to being a veterinary technician. Many times, they are preparing emotionally for a euthanasia that is scheduled to come in. Sometimes the patients live a long time, and for others, their lives are cut short due to disease or other unforeseen circumstances. There is a lot of grief that a technician feels for their patients. It does not matter how many years one has been a veterinary technician, the grief is always the same and can become overwhelming. 

Not only is their concern for the pet, but also for the owner. They explain to the owner what is going on, step–by–step, to make an unbearable moment as comfortable as possible. A veterinary technician’s compassion is remarkable.

The future is very promising for veterinary technicians. One student from the San Juan College Veterinary Technician Distance Program has taken the program to become licensed so she can further her education to perform Physical Therapy for animals. There are technicians working in Mobile Veterinary Clinics, reaching those areas that may not have access to veterinary care. The future is inspiring as to what these technicians, or “Angels for Animals,” can bring to the veterinary profession and care for the animals. +

October is National Veterinary Technician Month!

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“I didn’t want to see any more animals die from being hit by cars or homeless and in need of help and medical care,” she said. “I had to take action and do something about the animal overpopulation. And I knew spaying, neutering and educating owners and the communities–at–large were the best solutions. However, I didn’t know where to begin.”

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2012, she quickly immersed in the veterinary field. She became an Animal Behavior College Certified Veterinary Assistant (ABCVA) in 2013 and worked as a veterinary assistant in Decatur and Atlanta, Georgia and as a triage supervisor for an animal shelter in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was while working as a clinical operations manager for a spay/neuter clinic in Duluth, Georgia that she realized it was time to return to Georgia and tackle the animal overpopulation problem.

“I always knew I’d return to my home county [Clayton County] to help animals, but didn’t know what the best solutions were,” Carter recalled. “Working in the veterinary field clarified everything, and I gained a better understanding of what needed to be done.” 

Ready to get started, Jazzmyn moved to Jonesboro, Georgia and soon founded Jazzy Paw, Inc. on March 10, 2017. Jazzy Paw is a canine and feline spay, neuter and wellness clinic for cats and dogs; it offers heartworm tests, deworming, microchipping and preventatives.

“Wellness is an essential aspect of what the clinic teaches. There’s a lot more to owning pets than merely feeding them,” she said. “Pet ownership entails much responsibility and an investment of an owner’s time and resources. Part of that responsibility is ensuring the animal is neutered or spayed, is appropriately tagged with identification information or micro–chipped, is up–to–date on vaccinations and receives medical care when necessary.” 

Why it works

Southern states such as Georgia and Texas have some of the highest euthanasia rates in the U.S. at 2.4 million and 2.7 million, respectively. In Henry County Georgia, for example, 482 dogs and 561 cats were euthanized in 2016. That number increased in 2017 to 560 dogs and 649 cats killed, according to Metro Atlanta Animal Control Statistics 2017 Statistical Data compiled by the Georgia Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together Society (SPOT). 

Jazzy Paw serves all residents, but primarily low–income individuals, including the elderly, college students and veterans who reside in four metro Atlanta, Georgia counties, including Clayton, Fayette, Henry and Spaulding. It began offering spay/neuter services in March 2019, and since then, it has neutered and spayed 633 animals—119 felines (161 of which are feral) and 353 canines to date. 

Why it Matters

“Animals depend on us to help them and provide the care they need. Overpopulation hurts them and our communities. We must use our knowledge to help them, their owners and each other by providing food, medical care, as well as shelter and companionship. It takes a village to successfully do this, and collectively we can fix this problem”, concludes Carter. +

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