Owners

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.

Most veterinarians don't see malpractice threats and lawsuits as their most pressing issue.

A new Web site will help you and your clients easily locate safety information about drug products regulated by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Have you or are you successfully managing this balancing act? Share your strategies, struggles, and triumphs here.

Almost half of illicit drug users who are employed full-time work at businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Find out how you can make your practice a drug-free zone.

Practice managers lower turnover, free up the doctors' time so they can focus more on patients and clients, and improve the owners' sanity. Could you use one of these gems in your practice?

I've been with the same clinic for seven years. There's a lot of turnover, and my boss hires new graduates. Depending on my day, I'm stuck playing teacher with up to three new veterinarians. My boss isn't around much and says I'm not pulling my weight given what I'm being paid. How can I explain the situation to him?

It's tougher than ever to get a strong new associate. But these strategies can help your practice stand out.

We'll soon have Internet services available for employees to use for ordering. We've said that personal use isn't allowed, but should I add this to the clinic's policy manual? What should I include?

Juggling a career and kids may seem impossible. But with a little thought and planning, you can bring a baby onboard-and still keep your head above water.

Once I discovered mountain climbing was something I could do, I wanted to push myself," says Dr. Michael Andrews. "When I was 20, I never thought I'd be doing something like this."

As we communicate more through e-mail, electronic etiquette is evolving. Make sure you're evolving, too.

Few pets miss their regular test or get behind on their medications at Lost Mountain Animal Hospital in Marietta, Ga. That's because Tiffany Gluckman, a receptionist, sends out reminders to clients to make appointments for procedures, tests, and medications, such as T4 levels and phenobarbital screens every six months, heartworm medication every year, and regular dentals.

Laminated educational review sheets for annual wellness exams engage clients and save paper. With National Pet Wellness Month around the corner, it's a great time to spice up your wellness exams.

Salaries make up a big chunk of your total expenses, but when team members cover their basic living expenses, there may not be much left.

When a staff member leaves, it's more than just an inconvenience. In fact, Well-Managed Practices estimate it costs them $22,360 on average when an employee leaves, says Cynthia Wutchiett, CPA.