BellaVet

“Are there any other questions you have for me before you head out?

No actually, you’ve explained everything very clearly and in detail.”

This was said to me multiple times this week and it’s one of the biggest compliments I can receive.

With every sick appointment I have a big to do list walking in the door:
Greet the pet and their owners
Do an exam
Figure out the problem
Explain the problem
Offer diagnostics to find answers
Explain the value of these diagnostics
Run the diagnostics
Explain the test results and plan moving forward
Offer treatments to fix the problem
Get treatments done, medications filled and the bill finished so they can check out

And do that all within 30 minutes.

Obviously I can’t do this all alone and my techs and receptionists keep me and my patients alive during a busy day.

But this is a complicated and sometimes confusing process for pet owners. So I’m not surprised if someone is easily frustrated when they’re worrying about their sick pet, or impatient when things are “taking too long” especially if we’re short staffed.

And sometimes those feelings turn into complaints, even from the smallest miscommunication.

This week I made someone upset because I didn’t ask permission when I changed their pet’s medication from a tablet to a liquid, in order for it to be dosed more appropriately and be easier to administer. I didn’t tell them about this change, because I was trying to be efficient, so they wouldn’t have to wait as long. But, in hindsight, I should have asked.

My mind gives so much weight to the complaints, but the compliments are feather light. Even though the compliments far outnumber the complaints, sometimes it seems like the bad still outweighs the good.

So starting now, I’m making an effort to tip the scales to actively give more weight to the good, while still acknowledging the critiques to do better.

What’s one good thing you were told this week? One compliment? One win?

LETS TALK CONTRACTS (Part 1)

To all my new grads graduating next month and looking to sign their first employment contract, this one’s for you.

This time can be so exciting but also scary. It’s your first time spelling out how much you’re worth in literal words. And the worst part? You’ve never done this before. You haven’t worked as a vet yet and you don’t have a career of evidence to point to and say “this is why I’m worth what I’m asking for.”

But I hope this advice can give you the confidence you need to walk into that board room (or zoom call) and walk out with terms that you are proud of.

1)Veterinarians have never been in such high demand. You are in a place of power. You can ask for a LOT. Yes you’re a new grad, yes you need time and mentorship but the effort and resources your employer puts into you will end up being a FRACTION of the money you’ll make them. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

2)Negations are business decisions, not personal ones. Don’t get me wrong they can definitely feel personal sometimes, this is how you make a living! But try your best to understand where your future boss is coming from. They want to know what you can do for them. Try to frame all of your arguments as to why they should pay you $X as why it is a good business decision for *them* to pay you that amount, not why your need that amount.

3)Do not sign a non-compete. A non-compete is a clause where your employer can sue you if you go work for another clinic inside a certain radius from your old hospital for a certain amount of time, typically a year or more. This clause applies after you quit, no matter if you quit on good terms or not. There I said it. I hate them and I hate that I have one in my current contract. Non-competes are in my opinion unethical and can keep people in jobs that they hate or force them to move away from towns, family and friends that they love. I’ll never sign another one. But life isn’t perfect and if you do end up signing one, make sure you get a signing bonus included as *payment* for that non compete.

What questions do you have about contracts? Ask in the comments!

So you adopted a quarantine puppy?! NEW VIDEO IS UP!

In my newest YouTube video I give you all of my tips on adopting a new rescue dog! Link in bio!

I chat you through everything you should consider before adopting and how to handle separation anxiety, crate training, your first vet visit, which dog food to buy and (my favorite) that first trip to the pet store!

What questions do you have about rescuing/adoption?

What advice do you wish you knew as a new pet parent? Comment below!👇🏼

NEW VIDEO! Quarantine Puppy Adoption Tips!

I hope you all enjoy my latest video giving advice to new pet parents adopting rescue dogs! I cover topics like age, breed, separation anxiety, crate training, your first pet store shop and your first vet visit!

Did you adopt a pup during quarantine? Tell me about it in the comments!

QUARANTINE PUPPY ADOPTION TIPS! | BellaVet I hope you all enjoy this video about on a ! Did you adopt a puppy this year? Tell me all about it in the comments below! F...

NEW VIDEO! How to Avoid a CAT EMERGENCY!
We chat all about how the ER works, toxicities, dangerous plants, preventable trauma and what you can do right now to prevent an emergency with your cat in the future!

What questions do you have about the Vet ER? Ask below!

How to Avoid a PET EMERGENCY - Cats | BellaVet I hope you all enjoy this video about how to avoid a with your ! Indoor pet initiative:https://indoorpet.osu.edu/catsPet poiso...

NEW VIDEO! How to Avoid a PET EMERGENCY!

We chat all about how the ER works, toxicities, dangerous plants, preventable trauma and what you can do right now to prevent an emergency with your pet in the future!

What questions do you have about being an ER vet? Ask below!👇🏼

How to Avoid a PET EMERGENCY - Dogs | BellaVet Here are some tips on how to avoid a with your . Follow Me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellavetdvm/FaceBook: https://...

NEW VIDEO! HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE for Pets and Vets!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE for Pets and Vets! | BellaVet I hope this helps you all pick the perfect gift for the parent or vet in your life!Follow Me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be...

I hope you all enjoy Dear First Year , a starting vet school. I hope this shows you a little glimpse of what vet school is like, and gives you some advice along the way.

Follow Me!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellavetdvm/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/BellaVetDVM
TikTok:
Amazon Favorites: https://www.amazon.com/shop/bellavetdvm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uB22Uu7BSE&feature=youtu.be

DEAR FIRST YEAR VET STUDENT | BellaVet I hope you all enjoy Dear First Year , a starting vet school. I hope this shows you a little glimpse of what vet school is like, ...

HAPPY VET TECH WEEK!

As a new grad, I do not know what I would do without my amazing techs like Kiesha!

I remember I was asked in my vet school interview “what qualities are required to be a leader?” I said you need to lead with compassion and from a place of understanding of those you work with. I went on to explain that you need to be compassionate to your technicians because they’ll be the ones saving you on a hard day, catching your mistakes and giving you a pep talk before having to go into a difficult situation.

That’s exactly what Kiesha has done for me ever since I started as a new grad. She’s helped me find perspective with tough clients, given me pep talks before hard euthanasias and above all she has taken THE best care of my sick patients!

(Oh and she makes a mean cocktail too😉🥂)

Who is you favorite vet tech? Comment below!👇🏼

#2020

NEW VET SCHOOL VLOG IS UP!

This year has been full of twists and turns but I couldn’t have made it through without my vet school family.

The MU class of 2020 went through a lot together, well beyond the guaranteed difficulties of a doctorate degree.

We saw each other grow, some get married, some have babies, and we all mourned the loss of one of our classmates.

After that moment, if I had to look for a silver lining it would be that we all had a new perspective. That one unfair question on a test didn’t matter anymore, what mattered was spending time together, celebrating the good moments and never taking them for granted.

So even when graduating during a pandemic, we still had that perspective. No I didn’t get to take my veterinary oath together with my whole class, but I’d did get to take my oath with a small group of very close friends and honestly it was just what we needed.

VET SCHOOL GRADUATION VLOG! BellaVet Hope you all enjoyed watching my ! It was crazy graduating during this time but I'm so happy I got to spend a little time at hom...

NEW VIDEO! I know Vet School Interviews might look a little different this year but the fundamentals are still the same! Here are my tips on how to ACE your interviews!

VET SCHOOL INTERVIEW TIPS | BellaVet I hope you all enjoy all of my tips! Helpfull Links (VIN Foundation): https://vetschoolbound.org Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.inst...

Such a must watch video by the amazing DogtorKristi !

I failed the NAVLE