March 2023

Marcum Barkin’

By Dr. Todd Marcum

“Fire on Fire"

Everyone understands that burning wood produces fire. But when fire feeds on fire, that is a rare condition that yields the greatest illumination. Two flames come together and yield light more magnificent than either could have given forth alone.

In the case of PetVet365, this means that when we cooperate with others, the accomplishments are far greater than what we could have done on our own. Such a situation requires a harmony that will generate ideas, inspiration, as well as momentum for growth and action. If the combinations occur properly, the results will be like "fire on fire" and will illuminate the world.

Ego is the enemy of cooperation. Humble yourself, be kind and ask for help. Only then can we illuminate the world and transform veterinary medicine.

Celebrations

We have a lot to celebrate at PetVet365 including the opening of the following hospitals:

• Dr. Resek opened PetVet 365 Shadyside, Pittsburgh

• Dr. Hickson opened PetVet 365 Hyde Park, Cincinnati

• Dr. Davis opened PetVet 365 Richmond Rd.

We are committed to continuing our growth in order to offer the best fear free medicine to clients and their pets, not to mention true ownership! Congratulations to Dr’s. Resek, Hickson and Davis!!

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Self-Care Quote of the Month

"Loving yourself isn't vanity, it's sanity" - Katrina Mayer

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Head to Tails with Dr. Amanda Brooks-Collins

Name: Amanda Brooks-Collins DVM

Role: Current associate veterinarian at Florence PetVet 365 and future partner

doctor in PetVet 365 Jeffersonville.

Best Thing about PetVet365: Work/life balance and the ability to spend time

with my clients and build relationships. I also respect the ability to shape our

individual hospitals in the way we imagine.

What do you do daily that brings you joy: I lift weights and work out as much as possible. I spend time with my husband and plan and cook meals.

Favorite indulgence: Sushi

What do you want people to know about you: I want people to know that I will

always do my best to put my patients and my clients first. I will never

recommend something that I would not do for my own pets. I will always work

hard to be honest and open and strive to enlist ideas from all partners that can

improve the way our hospital works and flows.

Something you would like to give to others: I am a generous person by nature so

I give all I can freely to the people who are important in my life. However, I

would like to give the advice that all people are created equally and everyone

deserves the same respect whether they have something to offer you or not.

PetVet365 in the Community

By Dr. Jeffrey Mills

PetVet 365 was well represented with nine doctors and one practice manager at the first area Vet Connect in Indianapolis. Sponsored by Wedgewood and located at Half Liter Beer and Barbecue, right on the Monon Trail, the event was a great way to mingle with other like-minded professionals who have a shared interest in taking great care of pets. It also helped build on our sense of community. For anyone in the area, the next area Vet Connect is April 12th.

Fear Free Tip of the Month

By Dr. Laura Click

Words Matter

Providing a Fear Free experience is as much about improving fear, anxiety, and stress for the pet parents as our patients. Notice what I did there when I said pet parents and not owners. The words we use to explain the Fear Free experience can increase or decrease FAS with the parent as well. Many pet parents have negative associations with words like sedate, muzzle, fractious, and yes even the “cone of shame” has a negative connotation.

I remember the first time someone told me, “Don’t call it ‘the back’, call it ‘the treatment room’, because owners are always afraid of what goes on “in the back.” Most of us have learned over the years to say things like kennels and not cages, treatment plans and not estimates, and many better ways to communicate things.

Fear Free is no different, and adjusting our language can truly help pet parents accept and understand the goals we have for them and their furry children.

This is a chart from a Fear Free handout that may help your teams understand words that help us advocate best for everyone. I especially like “Step 1 of anesthesia given at home.” I think that really helps the pet parent understand, and hopefully have less FAS about giving those medications we often must BEG them to actually give.

The complete handout can be downloaded from FearFreePets.com, and I have added it to our Google Drive.