Fear Free tip: Bedside manner counts
It sounds too simple to be true, but accommodating a pets preferences can help take the scary out of a veterinary visit.
Try to pair anxious animals with the team members the dog or cat shows a preference for when you can. These team members have a better ‘bedside manner' or other characteristics that may help the animal relax. For example, at one specialty hospital I work with, I noticed a particular team member generated a happier response from dogs she approached. Her body language and voice were inviting and struck up a playful and approachable response from dogs. Tune into your patients' preferences and see if you can connect with them for a more relaxing experience.
Dr. Marty Becker demonstrates a simple but effective technique ... Do what works. Accommodating the pet makes for a better veterinary visit. Photo courtesy of Mikkel Becker
Proposed midlevel role poses unacceptable risks
October 30th 2024Proposals that would create a new midlevel practitioner (MLP) role raise serious concerns about the future of quality care for veterinary patients. Sometimes referred to as a veterinary professional associate (VPA), their duties would overlap those of a veterinarian and veterinary technician.
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