Put yourself in your clients' shoes

If you're not careful, the hustle and bustle of the day could distract you from communicating your deep caring for clients' pets. To avoid this pitfall, Dr. Jason Palm, of Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic in Orlando, Fla., imagines that every pet he examines is his own.

"How would you want to be approached and spoken to if it were your pet?" he asks. "How would you want your animal to be restrained? And how would you feel if a doctor didn't show genuine concern for your problem or treat you with respect?"

Dr. Palm says taking this step helps him avoid the temptation to make assumptions about a client and helps him remember that things aren't always as they seem. "Working with empathy is something we can all strive for," he says.