Roles

Most of my clients would never suspect that I'm an active skateboarder. I'm certainly not a stereotypical skater who speaks in "dude" ...

Don't wait until you collapse on the floor of your clinic to make much-needed changes to your lifestyle. Personal wellness is crucial to fulfilling, successful practice ... and it could save your life.

I'm a new associate at a small-animal practice. Some of the team members seem resentful of me. What can I do to earn their trust?

Q. I'm looking to retire in a couple of years. How long would $600,000 last me if I withdrew $31,000 annually?

Your compassionate care for patients, clients, and staff has a limit. Here's how one doctor learned where his responsibility ends.

Did your last new hire fail to live up to his or her potential after a promising interview? Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM, owner of Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care Center in Belton, Mo., solves this problem with a little lunch.

Firstline gathered a group of consultants to discuss how to keep technicians in the profession.

In the words of Freddie Mercury, "This is what you wanted. This is what you're gonna get!" If it seems like this issue came a little sooner than you expected, you're right. You asked for more issues of Firstline, so this year we're boosting our frequency from six to nine issues.

Q I'm a technician, and I often suggest dental care for pets. But not everyone sees the value. How do I get the rest of my team on board with dental care?

Is your practice ready for a disaster? Even when your team members and patients are safe, fires and tornadoes may destroy critical records that help you match pets with their owners.

Compassionate caregiver. Teacher. Go-to person. These are all words co-workers use to describe Kathy Coffman, the 2007 Firstline MVP, sponsored by Virbac's C.E.T. University.

Every day at our practice is a scheduling nightmare, and our doctor just does not see the problem. Our practice is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We accept drop-offs from 7 to 8 a.m., but our doctor refuses to schedule a team member that early. He says he'll help clients, but when my manager and I arrive at 7:30 a.m., clients are waiting and upset. My doctor also complains if he has to pay us overtime, but if someone comes to the door or calls at 6:55 p.m., he lets them in. I understand he wants to generate revenue and help the pet, but whether it's an ear infection, an abscess, dental care, or a hot spot, he wants to treat the pet immediately. How can we run an efficient, regularly scheduled hospital?

Ask a client for a fecal sample and you'll likely get a range of responses-from slightly sickened to totally grossed out. Hey, playing with pet poop's not your favorite hobby, either, but fecal testing helps you keep pets parasite-free.

What's weighing you down? Use these tips to let go of the attitudes and behaviors that keep you from moving upward and reaching your career goals.

Does dingy, drab, or dungeon-like describe your practice? It might be time for a makeover. Use these quick and thrifty ideas to take your practice from blah to beautiful.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to excerpts from the Firstline roundtable, "Why do technicians leave?"

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Listen to audio from the Firstline roundtable.

Orlando, Fla. –– Reality-show veterinarian Holly Knor learned to trust the strength of the human-animal bond as a toddler more than three decades ago. Her faith in it continues today, guiding the care she gives her patients.

Keep your clients happy-from when they make an appointment until they're done with follow-up care.

Don't dump healthcare choices in clients' laps. You're the expert, so don't be afraid to tell them what's medically necessary.

Clients complain about our $100 consultation fee for specialty dental care. Could I have a veterinary assistant do a less thorough estimate exam for $25? We would avoid the hassle of creating a medical record and providing a communication letter to the referring doctor.

Plan morale-boosting events sporadically-not just during the holidays.

Ask employees to rank the top five features they value in their job with this exclusive form.