Pulse - August 2023 - 14

Marty Becker, DVM
Founder, Fear Free
" America's Veterinarian "
I
've been a practicing veterinarian for over four decades but now primarily work on Fear Free. I'm blessed
to say that, despite my having depression, veterinary medicine is a constant positive in my life. Sure, there
are negative things that happen daily, including some that are gut punches, but there are way more positives.
Some of them are:
* Celebrating, protecting and nurturing the
human-animal bond, that phenomenon
that's nebulous but easily understood by
anyone who has felt it. It is an affection connection
that's an inexhaustible, irrefutable
source of energy that only our profession is
blessed with.
* Knowing that there's only one greatest pet in
the world, and every family has him or her.
See first item above.
* Returning a pet to health that's injured, sick,
in pain, or suffering from fear, anxiety and
stress. For example, a dog that has had an
infected ear that looks like a firepit. A cat
whose gums look like a flame-thrower went
across them. A dog or cat suffering from
crippling arthritis that's treatable. A dog terrified
of thunderstorms or fireworks. To take
pets that are hurting and return them to optimal
health and happiness is such a big win
for pets, pet parents and the profession.
* To witness a dog so happy to see their mom
or dad when going home, that they wag their
tails so vigorously, that it lifts alternate back
feet off of the ground.
* Watching a dog dragging their guardians
into the practice for nail trim (because we
put the treat into treatment).
* Having the vast majority of cats take treats
during a vet visit. Adding another " f " to a feline
visit, instead of just fight/flight/freeze/
fidget. ... We can have the preferred " Far out "
from gabapentin and treats!
* Knowing that you have provided living wages
and meaningful career paths for team members.
* Committing to the paradigm that the very
best examinations you do are for team members'
pets.
* Seeing the " final grace " handled flawlessly. A
perfect death to go with a perfect life.
* And the most positive thing of all: puppy
breath.
When I have a bad day, I take out the file of
thank-you letters received over the years (most
often upon saying goodbye to a pet) and read a
few. Sometimes I call my beloved wife or family
member. Other times I read jokes online or, my
favorite, go on TikTok.
My role model and mentor has always been
Dr. Ross Clark. Ross had so many wonderful
qualities, traits, habits and sayings.
His Top Two:
* Clairvoyance 101 wasn't taught in veterinary
school. You never know what a client's relationship
is with their pets or their ability to
pay. Always recommend what's in the pet's
best interests.
* You can be financially successful and emotionally
wealthy in veterinary medicine.
Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, CVA
PantheraT Veterinary Management Consulting
I
14
've worked both in practice and as a consultant to practices for over 20 years. When I was in practice, I
loved the clients (most of them anyways!) and the pets. It felt good to make a difference and to have those
warm, fuzzy relationships. I also have great memories of a couple of really tough cases that ultimately did
well-it felt good.
As a consultant, I don't have as much contact
with pet owners and pets but do have lots of
contact with practice owners and other team
members. For the most part, the people in veterinary
medicine are a warm, caring, nice group
of people and I love working with them.
Not every day goes perfectly but when I have
a bad day, I just get away from it for a while-
take a walk, read, focus on a hobby and usually
the things I was worried about don't happen
and the next day looks better.
Knowing that there's only one greatest
pet in the world, and every family
has him or her. - Marty Becker
AUGUST 2023
PULSE

Pulse - August 2023

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