Owners

A local high school student who wants to be a veterinarian asked to volunteer in my clinic after school. I could use someone to straighten up the reception area, file, and run errands. But she wants to be a doctor, not a file clerk. If she's capable, should I train her to do simple clerical tasks?

Sometimes, as the saying goes, "'tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." Remember this when you feel the need to discuss rectal diseases with your colleagues-in a crowded public place.

The former FDA commissioner fessed up on stocks.

Drive here, go there, do this, finish that-you're really busy today! And every day, for that matter. Try these tips to smooth the kinks from your schedule and bring sanity back to your day-without hurting the bottom line.

Walkie-talkies keep this practice connected. Could this gadget help your team?

You can't discriminate against a qualified person because of his or her disability. But you also aren't required to hire someone if he or she isn't a good fit.

Men: Don't marry a woman with a career because you'll run a higher risk of having marital problems (read: divorce).

Show respect for your clients, your profession, your family, and yourself over the holidays-leave work at work.

Murder, animal cruelty and pointing guns --check out misbehaving animal docs.

Make sure your goods and services are available to handicapped pet owners.

"Bad things happen. Animals die. Surgeries don't go as planned," says Bonnie Lutz, JD, an associate with Klinedinst Attorneys at Law in Orange County, Calif. "But that's not why veterinarians get sued."

Dancing keeps this veterinarian on her toes.

Reward associates for their knowledge, education, time, and experience level.

Use this form to document verbal warnings when you're disciplining employees.

Avoid miscommunication and use this referral form to help improve patient care.

Take these three steps to make sure you can reach your team members and communicate critical news.

Position descriptions help you maintain your focus during the search for employees, communicate the responsibilities of the position to potential candidates, structure the orientation and training process, and assist in employee evaluations.

Obesity is a growing problem in pets. Use educational handouts like this one to help your clients better understand obesity, the associated health risks, and what they can do.

Take the next step to show your staff members the way to safety.

"After the cards dry, we put a couple pieces of clear packing tape over the front of the card," says Jeremy Gerhard, LVT, CVT, at Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield, Mich.

To breed cats in Rhode Island, owners must obtain a breeding permit. The fee: $100 per cat per year.

Four years ago, my business partner Dr. Ed Farnham and I purchased the Hexagon House, a bed and breakfast in Pentwater, Mich., off Lake Michigan.

Written training guidelines define the path your employees will take. Use these guidelines to develop yours.

If an employee quits, do I have to pay that person for his or her remaining vacation days?

How much should I compensate a mobile veterinarian who wants to perform surgeries and dentals at my clinic? She'd conduct the procedures but use my clinic's equipment, staff, and drugs for her clientele.

15 tools and tips to take your team from good to great.

An estimated 45 percent of pets in the United States are overweight or obese. So now's the time to tip the scale in favor of leaner, healthier pets.

Based on an analysis of seven years of BSE surveillance data, the USDA has concluded that the prevalence of the disease is less than 1 case per million adult cattle. Because of the low level of the threat, it plans to pull back on its surveillance program.

Should we offer walk-in appointments?

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, MS, Dipl. ACVB, stood up in July against a bill that would ban horse slaughter for human consumption. The past-president of the AVMA says, "The legislation doesn't address the financial support required to care for the horses given up by their owners.