Career Development

Got to have a plan! Management is control of one's emotions and you are PAID to do this better than the doctor in your practice.

Become a learning practice.

Everyone knows that veterinary practices are busy places! There is always something going on - the phone is ringing, clients are coming in the door, and beloved pets need our help. The life of a veterinary healthcare team member is hectic.

We spend too much time "in" the business and not enough "on" the business.

There are so many calculations to be made during a typical day in a veterinary practice - antibiotic doses, fluid flow rates, anaesthetic and analgesic doses. Every time someone makes a calculation there is a chance for a mistake. Unfortunately, even a small miscalculation can spell disaster for an animal patient.

The internal controls of a veterinary practice is often overlooked by owners, and the ramifications of this can be financially catastrophic.

Our profession has had its ups and downs over the years. We have seen periods of perceived shortages and excesses of practicing veterinarians. We have moved from a profession of mostly male, large animal practitioners to one of mostly female, companion animal practitioners. The human-animal bond has been better understood and developed so that our pets have moved from the barn in the 1950's into our bed by the 1990's.

Like many small businesses, veterinary practices across the country are seeing a lot of the same issues.

The old gray Mac, she ain't what she used to be.

See how a little mentorship can make a big difference.

How do I handle 'sugar pushers'-clients or team members who bring in sweet treats for our staff or who place fund-raising cookie and candy order forms in the break room? I don't want to be rude, but I also want to live a healthy lifestyle.

Portland, Ore., tops the list of Best Places to Live with Pets, according to a new report from Livability.com.

Veterinary practice owners found out that trust and dependability count and that real estate isn't a guarantee.

After experiencing the loss of his own pet, one DVM is fighting to change compensation laws.

We've all had cringeworthy moments. Here's one of mine.

A veterinarian shares why she gave up medical school for veterinary school.

Incorrect answer for Image Quiz: Ultrasonography-A cat with a distended abdomen

Athens, Ga. ? The University of Georgia's veterinary college is partnering with a counseling service to reduce student's stress levels and suicide risks.

Forget the next new thing: One study shows people value what's older.

Lead your practice with its future ownership in mind.

Our monthly meetings are mandatory, and people's days off and time working are being docked. Is this legal?

Team members running work errands for your veterinary practice must be licensed and their cars must be in good shape. Otherwise, guess who's on the hook for liability?

I'm moping about the end of summer. At least until fall hits.

To groom a successor, involve him or her in management, offer regular CE, and answer questions.

If you see them coming, be concerned - and ask them to seek veterinary care elsewhere

Don't beat yourself up for failing to be all things to all people all the time

Ramon Perez's long-running love of horses inspired his move from racing at Belmont to becoming an equine practitioner.

Being an owner doesn't mean you're doomed to work long hours.