Are Rude Pet Owners Causing Vets to Rethink Their Careers?
Recent research, carried out by psychologists at the University of Aberdeen has found a correlation between rudeness to veterinary staff and increased levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression in the profession. Findings even found that rudeness to staff may be prompting some veterinary professionals to reconsider their future in veterinary medicine.
The study, published in Veterinary Record, was based across the UK and Ireland and aimed to look at both client and coworker incivility towards veterinarians and veterinary nurses.
Research leader, Dr. Amy Irwin said:
“We found that self-identity as a veterinary professional, linked to the desire to protect and help animals, was a contributing factor to responses to incivility.
When that desire was questioned, or the veterinarian was blamed for a poor outcome, this had an adverse impact.”
Find out more here.
Survey Seeks Information Regarding Pay and Employment Conditions of Australia’s Vets
The union for Australia’s veterinarians, Professionals Australia, has recently launched a national survey that aims to investigate both pay and workplace conditions of Australian veterinary professionals.
Researchers of the survey hope to use the information from the data collected, to advocate for better pay and conditions across Australia.
Professionals Australia CEO Jill McCabe has said that:
“While being a vet is perceived as an attractive and rewarding career, we have heard from many vets that the reality of their working life is very different…
This survey will provide hard data on the current pay and working conditions of Australia’s vets, that we will use to bring about change in the careers of our dedicated, highly skilled and hardworking vets across Australia.”
Find out more about the survey here.
New AVMA President Introduces Self
The new president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Lori Teller, has recently spoken out about the announcement of her presidency.
“I am so excited to be your new AVMA president. I cannot think of a group of smarter and savvier people than veterinarians. I regularly tell my students you can put seven veterinarians in a room and you will get eight different opinions—but together we will make the right decisions.
I love being a veterinarian. The profession is a massive family: it’s beautiful, intelligent, messy, joyous, compassionate, frustrating, and loving, all at the same time. One thing that is certain about this family is that our hearts and souls are intertwined by our care for animal and human health. This year, I am honored to be the “mom” of the AVMA family. This is noteworthy because I am the first mother to serve as AVMA president.” Said Dr. Teller.
Find out more about Dr. Lori Teller here.
Veterinarians Aid Flood Crisis in Eastern Kentucky
Veterinarians have been helping out in Eastern Kentucky, after the devastating after-effects of floods that were brought on by thunderstorms and heavy rain between July 25th and July 30th. The floods brought in 10.5 inches of water in just a 48-hour period, sweeping away communities, homes, and farms. So far 39 people have been reported dead and livestock perished.
Dr. William Hagans, the owner of two veterinary clinics in Eastern Kentucky, has spoken out about the aftermath of the floods:
“People lost their homes but were able to save their animals, and now I have them. Some need medications, [and] they’re unable to pay. A lady who lost her home was asleep in her car when I went out to get her puppy, who has [parvovirus]. I took it and paid for it, but you can’t keep the doors open that way.”
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association), recently pledged $25,000 to support Kentucky through the crisis by providing emergency veterinary care, food, boarding, and supplies.
Find out more about the flood devastation here.
UK’s Largest Remaining Independent Practice Owners To Be Bought Out
The UK’s largest remaining independent owner of veterinary practices, Goddard Veterinary Group is poised to be bought out by a corporate consolidator.
The family-owned business currently owns 47 practices (most of them being in and around London), with three being specialty clinics, and the remaining 44 being emergency hospitals.
Last year, Goddard Veterinary Group made a deal with VetPartners (a corporate company that invests in veterinary practices, currently owning over 550 within the UK), however, the country’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have recently intervened, maintaining that the deal would substantially lessen competition in 11 local geographic areas.
In order to appease the regulator, VetPartners has said it will sell eight of its practices to Linnaeus (the UK unit of Mars Inc).
Find out more here.
4 Easy Ways to Make Work Enjoyable
Whilst the words ‘work’ and ‘fun’ are often antithetical, they shouldn’t need to be. With the average person spending upwards of 90,000 hours at work over their lifetime, it’s important it’s not all doom and gloom. While it’s probably unrealistic to think that every day will be laughs from beginning to end, having moments of joy and laughter in the workplace can increase job satisfaction, and help employees get through tougher times.
So how can you create fun in the workplace:
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- Create a nice workspace: the first step is creating an environment you enjoy being in! Whilst it’s not particularly possible to redecorate a whole veterinary clinic, keeping cards from clients, thank you notes, and messages from coworkers on the wall can help brighten your day.
- Laugh: Ok this one sounds simple, but really, work doesn’t have to be all business, all the time. Cracking a joke or a smile helps spread joy and help others feel the same.
- Check-in with your colleagues: Having good colleague relationships are a great way to make work more enjoyable. Be sure to check in with one another and use each other for support.
- Celebrate every employee’s birthday: Because who doesn’t need an excuse for a celebration? Take advantage of every cause for celebration to spread joy in your work! This doesn’t have to be a huge extravagant party every time, just a cake and a 30-minute break to enjoy can help spread the smiles.
