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Photo credit: Bob Alaburda, Senior Editor for dvm360. 

One of the most prevalent challenges within the veterinary sector is learning how to sustain happiness and well-being. During her keynote address at the Fetch 

 conference, Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), vice president of medical excellence and education at Thrive Pet Healthcare, spoke on the value of cultivating purpose and laid out a roadmap that leads to lasting personal and professional satisfaction. “There is growing research that shows a clear sense of purpose is one of the cornerstones of human flourishing,” Cairns imparted.

To drive home the overwhelming need for a focus on well-being in the veterinary industry, Cairns posed a question to the attendees: “How can we be such a passion-driven, purposeful group of people with such a relatively high burnout rate, high suicide rate, substance abuse rate, and physical and mental exhaustion rate?” She said, adding that this passion often comes at the expense of what veterinary professionals need as individuals in terms of self-care, family, and balance.

The solution, Cairns proposed, is to create a personal checklist and systematic plan for sustained happiness. Although there is no one-size-fits-all roadmap to lasting personal and professional fulfillment, she shared the following 10 steps that everyone can take today.

Cairns advised carving out quiet time to check in on oneself. Assess what is going well and what is going sideways. Determine if goals are being worked toward or if they need correction. Finally, she said to create a system that comes out of these self-check-ins to hold oneself accountable and work toward fixing problems that may arise.

2. Set achievable goals and realistic expectations.

Cairns said it is important to set oneself up for success. “When I started running, I set a goal to run one mile, not a million,” stated Cairns. “The goal was achievable; the expectation was realistic and reasonable. Setting a goal of one mile at a time allowed me to run my first marathon in 2006, and this applies to more than just running.”

Cairns recommended focusing on matters that are within one’s control. She explained that people often dwell on conflicts or negative situations, which then cascade into a vicious cycle that results in an enormous expenditure of mental and emotional energy that can then interfere with other projects or situations.

Another key in actively cultivating well-being is to determine one’s skills. Figure out where their skill set can be contributed and consider how to do more things that utilize those talents. She said that, intuitively, people experience more fulfillment by doing things they are good at. Therefore, be sure to set aside time to discover those things and search for a way to do more of them.

Shortcomings can become strengths if harnessed strategically, in the right amount, at the right time, said Cairns. She told an anecdote about her internship in cardiology. During a review, she was told her talkativeness left the attending physician “exhausted.”

“Let’s just say it’s not a coincidence that I’m up here for almost an hour with a semi-captive audience,” noted Cairns. Look for opportunities in which weaknesses can become positive attributes.

Cairns revealed another secret to sustaining purpose is to be a lifelong learner but not in the sense of studying and acquiring knowledge. Rather, she advised the audience to always be open and receptive to feedback. Think about what can be taken away from every interaction and how it can be used for self-improvement. “Sometimes the things that are the most frustrating, difficult, or disappointing present an opportunity for you to learn something,”  Cairns disclosed. 

Cairns encouraged attendees to opt for kindness at every opportunity and to always have their team’s back. “Choose kindness for yourself as well,” she urged. “Give yourself the latitude to be human. It’s okay to make a mistake. It’s okay to not be perfect. Be kind to you, too.”

Wins can be easy to overlook in the chaos of the day. Create a system in which these successes are acknowledged and shout them proudly in whatever way works best for the team. Whether it’s a bulletin board for posting shoutouts and kudos, a special moment in the daily huddle, or a special treat, positivity goes a long way.

Cairns remarked how impactful it is to simply acknowledge a colleague's efforts. “Many times, the single most impactful thing you can do for someone is just to tell them 'thank you,' and express your gratitude for them,” she added.

Cairns concluded her final tip with a story about what brings her joy. One day, she decided to bring a bandana into the clinic and gave it to a patient when its parent came for pickup. “She felt like she and her puppy were special, and this filled me with joy,” shared Cairns. From that moment on, she was obsessed with bandanas, pulling her staff in to help make more and track which patients had received them. “With every bandana placed on a patient, I continued to feel joy, a rekindling of a spark that brought me to this amazing profession,” expressed Cairns. “Find your bandana obsession.”

Articles

Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), shared her roadmap for developing purpose and conquering burnout. 

A sense of purpose: 10 steps to unlocking your secret superpower

 San Diego conference in California, Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, lead clinician and practice owner of Animal Behavior Clinic located in Portland, Oregon, defined what feline nuisance behavior is and revealed how this problem behavior displays in cats. 

View the video below for the entire discussion. The following is a partial transcript

: A feline nuisance behavior is typically something that is a normal behavior...something that the cat would ordinarily do during routine daily operations for them, but there is something about that [which] is problematic for the owner, caregiver, or someone in the home. So, normal but problematic is typically what we look at when we're considering that definition of nuisance behavior. 

Videos

In an interview at the Fetch dvm360® San Diego conference, Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, outlined the traits associated with this behavioral condition, plus provided examples of how this problematic behavior presents in cats. 

What are the signs of feline nuisance behavior?

“What’s the ultimate endgame of veterinary social media? We want those followers who we convert into dollar signs from a practice perspective,” said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, during his talk at the Fetch 

Social media can be a loaded topic, Christmas explained. Some veterinary professionals feel it gives them an edge in positioning their practice within their community. Others consider it a waste of time and valuable resources. Many still have no idea where to begin. Christman espoused that social media is not going away anytime soon, so veterinary professionals would be wise to embrace this tool and use it to their advantage.

However, there’s more to social media success than simply posting fun, educational content said Christman. There are various platforms to contend with, each with their own considerations, as well as scheduling and pacing questions. Finally, how do veterinary professionals capitalize on social media success and turn it into new clients and happier patients?

With more than 630,000 followers on Tik Tok and 52,500 followers on Instagram, Christman loves to engage with fellow pet parents and veterinary professionals across all social media platforms. During his talk, he shared these key points as follows:

“Your nucleus is your website,” said Christman. “That’s your core. Make sure it’s strong.”

Christman said a practice’s website should be the primary target of social media and calls to action. The goal of social media is to drive potential clients back to the site so they can turn into new or repeat clients. He pointed out that the website should be mobile-friendly, as many people are browsing with their phones. He also emphasized the importance of the “about us” and “our services” sections on a practice’s webpage for clients. He said to ensure the “about us” page tells a relevant and compelling story of the practice, and that the services offered are current.

Additionally, Christman warned conference goers to pay attention to staff bios and photos, as nothing will turn a client off faster than asking about pets from the website, only to discover they are deceased. He shared a short anecdote: “At my hospital, we had a client that came because 1 of our technicians had a Great Dane. The Great Dane passed away 2 years ago, and we never updated the website. She was livid.”

Christman said pet owners pay particular attention to these areas and often make their hospital choice based on the doctor’s pets. Because of this, it’s critical that all these sections are well-done and up to date.

Finally, the website should act as a gateway to the practice’s social media channels to promote a virtuous cycle of social engagement and website visits. Include links to any social media profiles the practice is active on.

With a well-designed, up-to-date website, it’s time to engage with social.

“You have to find content that resonates on Facebook,” said Christman. “Every day we always do something great: celebrating a win, a new employee, a birthday, or a patient that’s surviving chemo and doing great.”

Christman explained that the end goal of engagement is to generate clicks back to the website. Content that is “shared” drives the most website traffic, followed by comments and likes, respectively. With that in mind, it will tend to be more valuable to a practice to post interesting content and information that links back to their site, as opposed to commenting and answering questions all day. Discussion is valuable, too, but weigh the time investment accordingly.

He also recommended joining Facebook groups relevant to the practice, such as veterinary job boards, interesting veterinary cases, veterinary technician groups, and more. These groups are a great way to connect with the community and serve as a source of ideas for the practice’s own content. He shared a story about the community coming together to find a home for a dog by sharing a post more than 600 times in 2 hours.

“That’s the beauty of social media,” said Christman. “These are feel-good stories.”

People want to share feel-good stories, and that drives engagement, he said.

3. Hashtags (#), tagging (@), and the almighty algorithm on Instagram

“Do not go by the likes, the comments, the followers…Stay true to who you are,” advised Christman.

He explained the importance of staying true to the brand because so much of social media is dominated by an algorithm that decides who sees what. Making off-topic posts or going outside of the practice’s wheelhouse in pursuit of likes will only throw off the algorithm. Posts that are relevant to the practice helps put them in front of the people who really want to see them and who will be the biggest supporters of that content. He also recommended asking for pet social media info on new client intake forms as well as having a social media spot in the clinic. He said these 2 strategies will wow patients and help draw out “your biggest cheerleaders” who can amplify your message online.

Animals are some of the stars of Instagram, so it is no surprise that many pet owners are active on this platform. Although it is a social sharing platform like Facebook, Instagram has its own quirks and nuances that require attention. Christman shared the value of using the @ symbol, which is used to “tag” a company, person, or organization on a post. This means they will receive a notification about the practice’s post.

He illustrated the value of tagging others with an example: “If you’re posting a cute new puppy photo, you better make sure you ask the owner their Instagram username and mention them. The pet owner will be ecstatic to post and share that photo and ultimately turn into 1 of your biggest cheerleaders for the practice.”

“If you’re not using #vetstagram, you should be,” said Christman.

Another important Instagram symbol is the hashtag, represented by “#.” He said that hashtags are an important way to expand the practice’s Instagram audience to reach more people. Using a hashtag on a post causes it to appear for everyone who follows that topic. This makes the post visible to more people, and moreover, the kind of person who is interested in that topic because they intentionally follow it.

Christman recommends avoiding using hashtags with millions of followers, such as #dog or #cat. Because these topics are so broad, “as soon as you post something, it’s gone,” Christman said. He said that finding relevant hashtags with hundreds or thousands of followers instead will drive better engagement, although it may take time to identify those.

“I think TikTok is the strongest social media platform that ever existed on the planet,” said Christman.

He said the key to success on TikTok is to remember to keep it succinct. It is a video platform that allows practices to share their educational content in quick, under-60-second chunks. He shared an anecdote about how a single video went viral and was earning him more than 1000 followers every 3 minutes. TikTok’s algorithm can reach users who are very interested in veterinary content, and because users are highly engaged, the right post has the potential to explode in popularity, he said.

For making a well-received TikTok video, Christman gave this tip: “You have 3 seconds to nail it,” said Christman. “In those first 3 seconds, you have to put the word ‘you’ in it. Why is that so important? Because when I say ‘you,’ all of a sudden, you’re like, ‘He’s talking to me through the camera lens!’”

Wrapping up his talk, Christman urged the audience to not be afraid to dip their toes into social media and harness the power of the engagement it can provide. These tips and tricks serve as a starting point that any veterinary professional can use to begin their foray into social media.

Discover critical insights that every veterinary professional should know to engage with social media.

Demystifying social media: 4 keys to building a community online

Our Fetch dvm360 San Diego conference in California is officially underway! While you prepare for your next session, we continue to deliver our latest (and greatest) coverage of the conference right to your fingertips. 

Here's a look at some of our conference content and articles:

Mary Lopez, MSOL, explored how practices are 

 to provide a plethora of services to clients and patients alike.

 with an awards dinner held at the San Diego Convention Center.

 and debunked common myths associated with the procedure. 

, Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS, ECC, described what veterinary technicians know regarding sepsis, plus he outlined common signs of the condition.

Mia Cary, DVM, shared her thoughts on how a fictional soccer coach, Ted Lasso, holds the 

Stay tuned on social media and dvm360.com for conference updates, articles, and more!

Check out our coverage of the Fetch dvm360 conference in San Diego, California.

News-wrap up: This week's veterinary news, plus Fetch dvm360 San Diego conference coverage 

 conference in San Diego, California, Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS, ECC, offered insight on what veterinary professionals should know about sepsis such as the top differential, plus he shared risk factors and signs of the condition.

When it comes to sepsis, the biggest thing veterinary technicians should know is that the top differential for sepsis is absolutely...bright red mucus membranes with fragment capillary refill time is the biggest thing I want technicians to know about sepsis, so, whenever you see that—that should always trigger your top differential for sepsis. 

In an interview at the Fetch dvm360® conference in San Diego, Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS, ECC, shared what to know about sepsis including common signs of the condition to bear in mind. 

Insight on veterinary sepsis 

The introduction of curbside care amid the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way in which veterinary clinics deliver their services to clients and patients. Contactless service has enabled clients who may be immunocompromised or at high-risk to receive medical care for their beloved pets. So, what are some ways that clinics can utilize this new standard of care?

 San Diego conference, Mary Lopez, MSOL, hospital manager and area manager at National Veterinary Associates in Boise, Idaho, divulged to attendees how curbside services are delivered in the industry and how this new form of care can help alleviate the workload on both the doctors and supporting staff.

Lopez addressed how to efficiently communicate with clients when employing curbside services. A key component is consistency, especially when talking with clients about your clinic’s current operations and practices. A few initiatives that Lopez highlighted include:

Create quarterly newsletter or email to clients entailing current operation guidelines and curbside services are still available

Add system messages to your online booking tool which will display your message about the COVID-19 process

Include an emergency banner on your website to remind clients that you are still open and providing curbside service

Post on your social media pages (eg, Facebook banner, posts, profile pictures, etc…)

Order outdoor signage about your clinic’s curbside check-in process such as a-frames, window posters, and feathered flags to name a few.

For an efficient check-in process, clinics should have marked parking stalls with a clear message about how clients can check-in for their appointment or pick up medications. Parking signage stalls should also include large font that can easily be read by a vehicle with concise messaging (eg, QR codes or a phone number to check-in). What’s more, virtual care features such as calling, texting, or using a mobile app service can streamline the check-in process, thus easing the stress for the client service representative (CSRs). Additionally, Lopez stressed that it is equally important to educate clients on what their visit will entail and highlight safety precautions such as ensuring dogs are leashed, cats are securely inside carriers, and that staff does not enter a client’s car to retrieve a pet.

The digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic together have brought about many new services such as telemedicine and virtual care. But which platform will enhance the quality of services operated at your practice? To answer this, Lopez detailed a few resources clinics can use during the check-in and examination process:

According to Lopez, resources such as SnoutID or Televet can help practices with the collection of new client information, consent for medical records, or payment method prior to appointment

Incorporate electronic forms into your website through services like Jotforms.

SnoutID or MyVetServices are resources that allow you to offer a mobile app check-in service at your practice.

Lopez recommended utilizing telemedicine platforms such as Zoom for virtual or curbside visits.

Have clients complete pet visit questionnaires for drop-off visits, surgery admission, and/or treatment waivers prior to appointments. Resources like SnoutID employs a service that allows staff to assign forms or direct clients to your clinic’s website to complete the electronic form.

Provide estimates and treatment digitally by using Docusign or SnoutID.

From effective communication techniques to examples of efficient clinic workflows to virtual platforms that streamline services to clients, Lopez broke down how this new standard of care can positively impact operations, workflows, speed, convenience, and safety regulations at your practice.

“Consumers view and values businesses very differently today than they did prior to COVID-19. Today, it is about safety, speed, and convenience,” Lopez concluded.

Mary Lopez, MSOL, discussed several ways in which clinics are utilizing curbside care to offer a variety of services to both clients and patients.