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Diffusing Difficult Situations with Veterinary Clients
In the fast-paced and stressful world of veterinary medicine, conflicts are inevitable. Very often these disagreements involve upset or angry clients who make statements like “you’re only in it for the money” or “you should have been able to figure out my pet’s problem by now”. When our self-image is challenged, particularly with accusations of […]
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Navigating the Top Stressors in Veterinary Practice
In the heartwarming yet challenging realm of veterinary practice, we, the dedicated professionals, often find ourselves juggling an array of stressors that shape our daily lives. Acknowledging these challenges is not just a necessity for our mental wellbeing; it’s a vital step toward nurturing a compassionate and supportive community. Let’s dive into the most common […]
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Defining Futile Care and Its Impact on Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine
As an emergency and critical care specialist, I can wholeheartedly attest to providing futile care to patients whose owners who would not consent to euthanasia or discontinuation of intensive care. I remember one dog in particular who had a collapsing trachea that was stented and then had progression of his disease resulting in laryngeal and […]
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Dispelling Five Common Myths About Mental Health
Did you know that almost half of adults have had a decline in their mental health since the start of the pandemic? In fact, mental health problems are on the rise worldwide and across all demographics. This makes Mental Health Awareness Month an especially important reminder to tune in to and talk about our mental […]
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Why Workplace Appreciation Matters and How to Do It Well
If you’re anything like me, then you know what it’s like not to feel appreciated for the work that you do. Whether it’s the client you bent over backward for who didn’t even say thank you, or the team member whose shift you covered who didn’t acknowledge your gesture, it feels hurtful, deflating, and downright […]
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How telehealth can improve the wellbeing of veterinary teams
When people ask me “What is something that we could cultivate within veterinary medicine to improve the wellbeing of veterinary teams?”, one of the first things that comes to mind is telehealth. While still a relatively new concept in the veterinary space, telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to deliver health […]
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Defining Futile Care and Its Impact on Wellbeing in Veterinary Medicine
As an emergency and critical care specialist, I can wholeheartedly attest to providing futile care to patients whose owners who would not consent to euthanasia or discontinuation of intensive care. I remember one dog in particular who had a collapsing trachea that was stented and then had progression of his disease resulting in laryngeal and […]
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Eight Tips for Taking a Self-Care Staycation
I don’t know about you, but the idea of traveling right now has me feeling nauseated. It seems that every time I turn around, I’m hearing about travel disasters from friends and colleagues, who have had flights canceled or severely delayed during the last few months. Apparently the supply of flight attendants, pilots, and other […]
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Why gender inclusive language matters in veterinary medicine
I distinctly remember the first time I was called out for using non-inclusive language. I was an Assistant Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College and had just received student evaluations for my emergency medicine lectures for the 3rd year class. Most of the comments were positive and regarded me as a good lecturer who delivered […]
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10 Tips for Starting a Meditation Practice
Do you ever drive home after a shift only to forget how you got there? Do you find yourself on autopilot throughout your day, while doing household chores or slogging through work? Do you feel like you have the attention span of a goldfish? (FYI: that’s the attention span for the majority of the adult […]
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Seven Strategies for Getting More Exercise
When veterinary team members come to me for wellness coaching, I often hear “I know I should exercise more, but I can never seem to make it happen. What advice can you give me?” First off, I promise you that everyone is capable of exercise, in some form or another. It’s just a matter of […]
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Ethically Challenging Situations Have Risen Dramatically in Veterinary Medicine During the Pandemic
Ethically challenging situations (ECS) are not new to veterinary medicine, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made them much more common. The tremendous toll that ECS impose on all members of the veterinary team cannot be overstated. A 2018 survey study of almost 900 North American veterinarians revealed that more than 70% experienced or witnessed moderate […]
