Behind the Curtain

One of the best parts of having my own practice is that I get credit for making and keeping pets healthy.

Of course, when something goes well, it is completely because of me. When something goes wrong, it is because of my staff.

I actually worked with a vet in Maryland who believed that to be true.

I, however, have no such delusions. Believe me, there are plenty of people in my life who make sure that I never get a big head. Plus, I've found real life to be the biggest preventer of Big Headedness. Plenty of things happen in our day to day to make sure that our egos don't get out of hand. Well, mine anyway.

For me, it is a heck of alot easier to look good with such awesome people on my team. I hate to have Toto pull back the curtain and expose the fact that I am at best a very eager and earnest Wizard of Kindred.

Last week alone:

Donna answered lots of phone calls and was able to help so many people know that their pet would be ok, and got them in if she thought that something should be checked out. She can do that because she loves animals, but also because we have monthly continuing ed meetings to answer the whys of our recommendations. Plus, 40 hours a week we work together and by now she knows what I'm gonna say in most situations.In her spare time, Donna designed and picked up the Friends of Kindred Spirits calendars.

Jim donated 200 candles to Friends of Kindred Spirits for us to sell to fund our mission to help seniors with pets and spay/neuter.
He also checked the bloodwork on my son's dog who had drank anti-freeze to let me know he was going to be ok.

Vicki took her 12 years experience as a dental assistant before she came to Kindred Spirits to clean and polish our patient's teeth. In between cleaning teeth, she sent out bills, helped Donna be the face of Kindred Spirits and assisted in surgery. Vicki is our smile, our heart. She can play any position with grace and style.

Yvonne used her 20 years of experience as a licensed veterinary technician to calm the most anxious pets. She shares the title of cat whisperer with Christina. She helped me in surgery, helped design our new electronic whiteboard for patients in our care, make sure our drugs were in stock from 5 different distributors, and answered the phone and your concerns in her down time. When Yvonne comes to me concerned about a patient, I know that patient needs to be checked.

Christina used her creativity (and she is a McGyver) to develop a rack system for our charts, cleaned and organized our clinic, got blood from our kittens and named one of them Shrimpboat. OK, that was weird, but we love her anyway. Christina is a licensed veterinary technician as well, which is a 3 year program after which she worked for years at the Emergency Clinic. She can put a catheter in anything and adores old cats with lots of problems.
If you have an old cat and Christina is your tech when you come in, make sure your cat is in the carrier when you leave. I'm thinking she might be a clepto.

Did you ever work with someone who worked hard, laughed heartily, loved her job and came to you frequently to see how she could do better? Well, if you haven't you are not going to because I won't let you hire Erin. 3 years of intense schooling to be a licensed veterinary technician, our job is her first real job in the field. Her communication skills are amazing...even when she is communicating to me that its Panda Time.

Traci is in her last year of tech school. Last year the coordinating technician at the college's LVT program called me and encouraged me to give Traci an opportunity to be part of the team. She balances motherhood, school, and yet still works two days a week here. She brings ambition and intelligence in a whole 'nother level. She just won a scholarship from the State Dog Breeders Association. Christina won that same award a few years ago.

Mary keeps it all moving. Nurse practitioner by day, a visionary and leadership machine by day too. She meets with the staff and gently whacks me in the head when I am being a guy. She scurries in on nights and weekends to doll the practice up for the season. She is responsible for the polish on the clinic, organizationally and spiritually.