The complicated reality of the human-animal bond

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Unlike most veterinary professionals, Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, Diplomate, ABVP (Canine/Feline), Diplomate, ABVP (Reptile/Amphibian), Diplomate, ECZM (Herpetology), EBVS, did not decide to enter veterinary medicine until he was older. After developing a love of science and working closely with a veterinarian at local horse stables, Mader pursued a career in veterinary medicine to focus on treating and caring for equine patients.

However, in an unfortunate accident, Mader was struck by an underaged drunk driver, leaving him unable to continue working with the horses, and changing his career path forever. Now, Mader is a triple-boarded veterinarian with an impressive list of awards and achievements.

Mader joins this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast to share with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, his path to veterinary medicine, the inspiration behind his book, The Vet at Noah's Ark, and the true power of the human-animal bond.

Below is a partial transcript. Listen to the full podcast for more.

Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, Diplomate, ABVP (Canine/Feline), Diplomate, ABVP (Reptile/Amphibian), Diplomate, ECZM (Herpetology), EBVS: The human-animal bond knows no bounds, and the human-animal bond doesn't care what color you are, what race you are, what culture you're from, what language you speak, what your socio-economic class is, anything, that human-animal bond is real. And when I get up in the morning, when I started this 40 years ago, and today, when I get up in the morning, my goal is to promote the human-animal bond. And, I have blinders on to everything else other than focusing, laser focusing, on that patient and that client, and what can I do to keep that bond strong? That's my whole goal.

To learn more about Mader's book, visit his website.