I am Not You, But I am You
I've worked in the veterinary industry for eleven years or so.
I've never cleaned a cage, but I've written to the kennel attendants who do and suggested that doctors should pitch in and not observe too much job hierarchy in practice.
I've never helped hold and pet an anxious dog for a physical exam, but I written to the veterinary assistants who do and suggested they might enjoy their day better if they'd send really anxious dogs home to come back and try again another day.
I've never managed anesthesia for the veterinary surgeon, but I've written to the licensed veterinary technicians who do about talking their bosses into buying newer, better machines for the job.
I've never worked on ProSal for a practice owner, but I've written to the associates who do that they need to negotiate their percentages better and argue for themselves in practice.
I've never managed a hospital full of veterinary team members, but I've written to the practice managers who do and given them advice to save their business-frightened bosses from themselves.
I've never built a veterinary hospital, but I've written to the practice owners who do and spend all year (and a three-day conference) helping them make that dream happen.
I've never answered a phone or faced a busy veterinary reception area, but I've written to the client service representatives who do and offered them different communication strategies and emotional coping techniques to make a busy, bad day better.
I've never done any of that, but I've spent eleven years putting on continuing education conferences and presenting data and writing articles and cultivating relationships with the smartest people in veterinary medicine and management so I could help all the kennel attendants and veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians and practice managers and associates and practice owners.
I hope it's helpful.
Now I have to get back to work ...
