According to an independent survey of 380 small business customers and 350 small business owners commissioned by business software provider Weave, small businesses that allow clients to pay for services using a variety of methods earn 29% more revenue than those that offer fewer payment options.

“Studies have repeatedly shown that providing more payment options, including Apple Wallet and Google Pay, increases customer satisfaction and encourages repeat business,” Jeff Lyman, Weave’s chief product officer, told dvm360. “Additionally, businesses that do not begin to explore ways to offer expedited services risk falling behind their competitors who can allow clients to take their ill or anxious animal out of a crowded lobby, settle them down and then pay their bill.”

Nearly half of the small businesses surveyed said that the more payment types they accept, the more money they make.

Credit card fees are a major point of contention for business owners and customers alike. Upwards of 35% of small business owners surveyed believe they overpay for credit card transaction fees, and 21% say they’ve had to cut back on spending elsewhere because of processing fees, forgoing investments in marketing, new products and updated technology. But should those fees be passed onto the customer?

Nearly half of the small business owners surveyed (41%) worry that charging a credit card fee will cost them customers—and with good reason. Almost three-quarters of customers surveyed (71%) said they try to avoid businesses that charge fees to use a credit card.

But limiting payment options to check or cash could prompt clients to look for pet care elsewhere. According to the survey findings, more small businesses have lost a sale because they didn’t provide sufficient payment options than because of negative online reviews. In fact, respondents reported, not accepting the right payment options has cost small businesses more customers than inconvenient hours, poor customer service or unfriendly employees.

With online sales in the United States totaling an astronomical 

, many customers are looking for that same purchasing ease at physical locations. While cash, checks and credit cards remain the three most commonly used and accepted forms of payment, they aren’t the only options. Carrying cash is becoming a thing of the past. In fact, only 36% of the customers surveyed say they always carry cash and just 20% are sure they carry enough cash to make a purchase in the stores they frequent.interested in paying via their phone. If given the option, 30% of small business customers would frequently or always pay via text. That number more than doubles to 62% for buyers under 35 (these younger buyers are also nearly twice as likely to avoid small businesses that don’t accept their preferred payment type).

Lyman also suggests that practices consider instituting a text-to-pay option. “This allows the practice to bill for services without forcing clients to wait and pay if an animal is experiencing anxiety in a crowded lobby or if the appointment was a no-show,” he says.

Instead, customers are much more likely to carry a cell phone and a growing number are 

“Billing for no-shows is becoming more of a norm in today's world and without an efficient way to collect those payments, practices are leaving money on the table,” he adds.

Apple Pay and Google Wallet are two of the most popular mobile payment technologies on the market. Each allows users to upload credit card information onto their smartphones. Accepting this form of payment requires two things:

Your hospital must have an account with Apple or Google.

Your point-of-sale terminal must be capable of accepting contactless payment.

To pay via phone, the client simply hovers their phone over the terminal to transfer data and make the payment.

Amanda Carrozza is a freelance writer and editor in New Jersey.

Articles

New data highlight another way your veterinary practice may be able to increase revenue: Offer additional payment options. 

Why you should consider adding mobile payment options

To continue caring for patients while maintaining social distance during the COVID-19 crisis, many healthcare providers have turned to telemedicine services, but what about veterinarians?

In its efforts to provide flexibility during this critical time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it’s temporarily easing telemedicine requirements for veterinarians so they, too, can use this service to augment patient care during the pandemic, according to an 

“The FDA recognizes the vital role veterinarians play in protecting public health … and during this time, we need to provide veterinarians with the latitude to expand the use of telemedicine in the care of animals, not only pets but also the animals that produce our food,” says FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, MD, in the release.

“The FDA is providing flexibility that will help veterinarians maintain the health of animals during the pandemic, while allowing for the social distancing that is so important in limiting the further spread of coronavirus disease across the country and the world,” Dr. Hahn adds.

According to current federal and state regulations, before veterinarians can provide telemedicine services they must physically examine an animal and/or make medically appropriate and timely visits to the location where the animal is kept. In other words, the VCPR definition cannot be fulfilled with telemedicine alone.

During this crisis, however, the FDA “generally does not intend to enforce the animal examination and premises visit portion of the VCPR requirements relevant to the FDA regulations governing 

Relaxing these federal regulations will allow veterinarians to prescribe extralabel drugs or authorize the use of VFD drugs without having to first examine the animals, in turn limiting the interactions between veterinarians and other people and decreasing the potential community spread of COVID-19.

For example, a client can send a video of their sick dog to their veterinarian and, if necessary, the veterinarian can prescribe drugs extralabelly, says the FDA. Or, a veterinarian could remotely examine and diagnose a group of food-producing animals with a skin disease, and then authorize the use of certain drugs in the animals’ feed.

What does it mean for small animal practitioners?

This action comes at a time when veterinarians are trying to ramp up the use of telemedicine so they can continue to care for animals while protecting the health of their employees and the public, says dvm360 Chief Veterinary Officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. “But the reality is that while relaxing these regulations is beneficial for food animal producers, it doesn't really change much for the small animal general practitioner,” he says.

“An established VCPR—having physically seen the animal within the past 12 months—remains a requirement for practicing telemedicine in most cases,” Dr. Christman continues. In other words, a veterinarian still must physically examine a patient before prescribing any medication that is labeled for dogs or cats.


The agency is temporarily suspending enforcement of certain aspects of the federal veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) requirements, but state requirements remain in force.


FDA loosens veterinary telemedicine restrictions amid COVID-19 crisis

In horses, administering a caudal epidural anesthetic into the sacrococcygeal or first intercoccygeal space provides regional analgesia to the tail and perineum, thus facilitating surgical procedures of the vagina, cervix, urethra, bladder or rectum, as well as select cases for correction of a prolapsed uterus; it is also helpful for managing dystocia.

A major benefit of performing caudal epidurals in horses is the ability to complete surgery and other invasive procedures with the patient standing; loss of sensory innervation without affecting motor control forgoes the need for and potential risks associated with general anesthesia. In addition, the technique accommodates placement of a catheter in the caudal epidural space for repeated dosing of medications and long-term pain management in horses with specific hindlimb musculoskeletal issues or other conditions.

The horse should be restrained in stocks; judicious use of sedation is paramount. Caution should be taken not to sedate the horse too heavily, which may cause ataxia and impede the animal’s ability to stand squarely, thereby making it more challenging to insert the needle on the midline.

The landmark for needle placement is the first intercoccygeal or sacrococcygeal space, which can be located by raising and lowering the tail. The exact distance from the tail base varies among horses; however, usually the space can be located 2.5 to 5 cm from the origin of the tail hairs.

 This area should be clipped and aseptically prepared. Optionally, a small bleb of local anesthetic, either lidocaine or 2% mepivacaine, may be placed under the skin at the proposed site of injection.

An 18-ga, 1.5-inch needle should be inserted with the bevel facing cranially on the midline and perpendicular to the surface of the skin for a more accurate trajectory to the space; it should not be inserted perpendicular to the floor (

). Once the needle is through the skin, the hub can be filled with sterile saline or the anesthetic solution (

As the needle is advanced in the correct location (

), it will puncture the arcuate ligament, thus creating a popping sensation for the practitioner; fluid within the hub will then be aspirated into the epidural space via negative pressure. This procedure, known as the hanging drop technique, confirms accurate needle placement and accommodates using minimal pressure for injection of the local anesthetic. If the needle hits bone, it should be withdrawn approximately 0.5 cm, but not removed from the skin, and redirected. Loss of anal sphincter tone is a common finding when caudal epidural anesthesia is achieved.

 With the hanging drop technique, the hub of the needle is filled with anesthetic solution and the desired needle position is confirmed.

 The needle is slowly advanced until the anesthetic solution is aspirated into the caudal epidural space, confirming accurate placement. Then the remaining anesthetic solution is injected.

Commonly used anesthetics are xylazine and lidocaine or 2% mepivacaine. Xylazine has the benefit of analgesia without ataxia, while detomidine has a profound analgesic effect but can cause undesirable ataxia. Using a combination of 2% mepivacaine (1-2 ml) and xylazine (50-100 mg) diluted to a total volume of 7 to 10 ml using sterile water or sterile saline has been successful in many surgical cases. Combining the two drugs can also produce longer analgesia with only mild ataxia, as compared with using either agent alone.

 Morphine can also be combined with an alpha-2 agonist for prolonged analgesia in select hindlimb musculoskeletal disorders.

Horses should be checked to ensure that sensory innervation has returned to the hindlimbs before they are moved out of the stocks. Turning horses out in a small paddock for a few hours after the procedure may be prudent, rather than possibly risking being cast if they are returned to their stall.

Contraindications to use of the caudal epidural technique include neurologic or musculoskeletal disease, or local inflammation surrounding the injection site. A caudal epidural presents low risk for puncture of the dura and subsequent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, while keeping motor function intact with the use of appropriate analgesic doses.

In some cases, motor blockage may occur from cranial diffusion of alpha-2 agonists or anesthetic agents; however, this is associated with the use of doses above recommended values and with high volumes of solution. Studies have shown that cranial diffusion of the solution up to six to 10 vertebral spaces can occur when doses between 10 and 20 ml are used, with the consequential risk for motor nerve paralysis.

 Therefore, the total volume of solution should be less than 10 ml. In horses that have had previous caudal epidurals, a lower total volume (< 10 ml) should be used, as previous injections can make the space smaller, allowing for more cranial migration of the anesthetic solution.

Of note, although rare, some combinations of local anesthetics and alpha-2 agonists have reportedly caused severe ataxia or recumbency, even when used at recommended doses.

 Side effects can be reduced by good patient selection and the use of appropriate doses. Inadequate analgesia can result from incorrect injection technique or abnormal anatomy (e.g. presence of fibrous lesions from previous epidurals), which may result in unilateral effects. Infection can be minimized by thorough sterile preparation of the injection site and aseptic technique.

1. Robinson EP, Natalini CC. Epidural anesthesia and analgesia in horses. 

2. Grubb TL, Riebold TW, Huber MJ. Comparison of lidocaine, xylazine, and xylazine/lidocaine for caudal epidural analgesia in horses. 

3. Hendrickson DA, Southwood LL, Johnson R, Kruse-Elliot K. Cranial migration of diﬀerent volumes of new-methylene blue after caudal epidural injection in the horse. 

4. Skarda RT, Muir WW. Analgesia, hemodynamic and respiratory effects of caudal epidurally administered ropivacaine hydrochloride in mares

Dr. Barton graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London and is currently completing a surgery internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to equine surgery, she has an interest in neurology and lameness diagnosis. Dr. Sandow is a board-certified veterinary surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. His interests include orthopedics, lameness and emergency celiotomy as well as dystocia.

Surgery STAT is a collaborative column between the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and 

 magazine. To locate a diplomate, visit ACVS's 

, which includes practice setting, species emphasis and research interests, at 

Caudal epidural anesthesia allows for invasive procedures while the horse is sedated in standing position without pain or discomfort. 

Surgery STAT: How to perform a caudal epidural in horses

Pets and people share environments, which means they also share parasites and their associated zoonotic diseases. Perhaps the scariest of the blood-sucking hangers-on are ticks. But our understanding of tick parasitism has been sparse thus far.

An 2007 review of more than two million veterinary records in 40 states found ticks that ticks were present on 1.3% of dogs.

 Yet until now, little was known about the respective prevalence of individual tick species and their specific life stages on dogs and cats. In a large-scale study conducted by investigators at Oklahoma State University, ticks collected from pets were identified by species, gender and life stage; characterized by attachment site; and delineated by month and geographic location found.

From February 2018 to January 2019, tick submissions were solicited from 190 veterinary practices throughout the United States: A total of 10,978 ticks were harvested from 1,494 dogs and 336 cats.

Veterinary practices were provided with kits that facilitated submission and sample quality control. Sample data included tick removal date; geographic location and attachment site on pet; age, gender, weight and spay/neuter status of pet; and estimated percentage of time the pet spends outdoors.

Morphologic examination was conducted on each tick to determine its genus/species, gender and life stage. Molecular identification was used when morphologic identification was precluded by specimen damage or ambiguity.

Ticks were submitted every month of the year, with the highest numbers of ticks recovered from both dogs and cats in July, from the South and Midwest.

Canine tick submissions originated at 263 veterinary hospitals in 49 states, and data were collected for most of the dogs. They ranged in age from 40 days to 19 years, with an average weight of 20 kg. Gender and neuter status did not differ significantly from the general population, although fewer dogs were spayed than in the general population (63.1% vs. 67.4%).

 Half of the dogs spent more than 30% of their time outdoors.

Although one dog was infested with over 4,700 ticks, only 5.5% of the 1,494 dogs in the study bore more than nine; most had just a single tick.

A total of 14 tick species were identified among the canine samples. The greatest portion of dogs—35.6%—was infested with the American dog tick, 

was found on27.4% of dogs, followed by the Lone Star tick, 

(11.4%). A smaller number of dogs were infested with 

 Co-infestations with more than one tick species were documented for 93 dogs (6.2%).

When investigators tabulated tick species with respect to percentage of total ticks, the brown dog tick was by far the most prevalent in the canine samples, at 62%; the presence of this large number of ticks—6,252—on a mere 174 dogs suggests large groupings of larvae/nymphs, which can number a few thousand in a single hatch. The Lone Star tick composed 19.1% of submissions; the American dog tick, 10.2%; and the black-legged tick, 5.7%.

Attachment site data from single-species infestations of adult ticks (available for over half of the canine submissions) showed species distinctions in attachment site preference. The American dog tick, the black-legged tick and the brown dog tick were more commonly attached dorsally, specifically to the head, ears and neck; brown dog ticks were also attached, albeit less frequently, on the abdomen, axillae, groin, legs and paws. The Lone Star tick was more commonly attached ventrally, to the abdomen and axillary/inguinal regions.

Feline submissions came from 109 veterinary clinics in 39 states. Cats ranged in age from 18 days to 18 years, and averaged 4.4 kg. Fifty-nine percent were male compared with 49.6% for the general pet cat population; a disproportionately small percentage of the cats were sterilized.

 Over 56% of the cats were reported to spend more than 70% of their time outdoors.

Infestation intensities ranged from one to 38 ticks, with an average of 2.6 ticks collected from each cat. Twelve tick species were identified. The black-legged tick was present on 46.4% of the cats, the Lone Star tick on 29.5% and the American dog tick on 17.9%. A smaller number of cats hosted 

O. megnini, R. sanguineus, A. maculatum, H. longicornis,

 species. Co-infestations were documented in 14 cats (4%).

Most tick submissions consisted of the Lone Star tick (38.5%), the black-legged tick (32.2%) and the American dog tick (13.7%).

Attachment site data from single-species infestations were provided for 33 cats (10%). As in the dog sample, the American dog tick and the black-legged tick were more commonly attached dorsally, and the Lone Star tick ventrally (tail and perianal region in cats).

Several new findings were generated by this study. First, the primary ticks parasitizing the dogs were the brown dog tick, the Lone Star tick and the American dog tick, composing 95% of submissions. For the cats, the Lone Star tick, the American dog tick and the black-legged tick accounted for 80% of samples.

Although some 40% of the ticks removed from dogs and cats in this study were adults—primarily females—nearly half were larvae and 16% were nymphs. Larvae and nymphs constituted the majority of submissions of Lone Star ticks from dogs and cats; in dogs, larvae and nymphs constituted the majority of brown dog tick submissions. This finding confirms that immature stages of some common tick species are significant players in tick parasitism of pets. It also suggests the importance of tick control, as these small stages can be overlooked easily.

The study also revealed an expanding geographic distribution of certain tick species, such as the Gulf Coast tick (

),and a year-round presence of feeding ticks in this country.

While most pets in this study had outdoor access, a small portion were reported to rarely or never go outside, suggesting that ticks hitch rides indoors on clothing and other pets.

Investigators also concluded that cats may be underrepresented as hosts for ticks: While they outnumber dogs as pets in the U.S.,

 cats accounted for only 20% of tick submissions in this study. However, the data in this study were generated by veterinary visits, which are fewer overall for cats than dogs.

Dr. Joan Capuzzi is a small animal veterinarian and journalist based in the Philadelphia area.

A flagship study details tick infestations in pet dogs and cats in the United States.

The who, what, when and where of ticks

Problems involving the real estate where the clinic operates can set the hopeful purchaser’s head spinning at any point in the transaction. Most commonly they seem to happen at the worst time possible—when bank commitments are set to expire, when the buyer’s resignation notice period is about to start and other nifty times like that.

We counsel practice-buying clients to do their level best to predict issues that might pop up as a sale transaction progresses. But there are limits to a person’s imagination and experience.

Because some snags are virtually impossible to foresee, it’s important for both the buyer and the seller—as well as their legal representatives—to monitor closely everything that is happening as the property sale moves from letter of intent through the close of escrow.

And realty troubles can pop up even in practice sales that do not involve a real estate purchase. When the clinic being sold is located in a shopping center or when the seller is only willing to part with the practice but not the building, lease terms can get sticky during negotiations and occasionally even scuttle the sale of the practice itself.

We have found that if the parties, especially buyers, can look past the mere terms of the real estate lease or purchase contract and investigate potential trouble areas as they may arise, they will likely be able to predict clinic cash flow accurately, close the sale earlier and see through a smoother transition than would be the case if issues are confronted on a crisis-by-crisis basis.

Often, when a potential practice buyer looks into the cash flow of an interesting clinic, he merely accepts the rent or mortgage service costs as an immutable reality. These buyers look at the business’ income and expenses—but not occupancy costs—with an eye toward coming up with a realistic price to offer a seller. But looking only at the cost of inventory, number of transactions and personnel expenses to the exclusion of the real estate’s current and future carrying costs can be a big mistake.

Instead of ignoring the “occupancy overhead” of a potential practice acquisition, it makes far more sense to look at real estate cost and to evaluate that parameter in a non-emotional way. A property’s price, upkeep (or common area maintenance), depreciation, neighborhood quality and “highest use” characteristics are essential things to be aware of. These need to be considered objectively as they exist, and their future predicted to the extent possible. Remember that taxes, assessment, insurance and value acceleration (or deterioration) are hard and fast realities that can impact business profits far into the future.

But anticipating neighborhood growth or the risk of tax increases that might result from lousy municipal management are only part of the realty Rubik’s Cube.

Regular readers of this column know that I am a big believer in learning from the mistakes and oversights I’ve made myself and seen lots of others make. In veterinary real estate, there are plenty of both, so here are a few of the scenarios that have worked their way across my desk:

 About six months ago, one of the largest venture-capital–driven “roll-ups” ran into an 11th-hour snag that nearly collapsed the acquisition. Literally hours before a closing at which the practice seller was to sign a long-term lease on his building and take home a seven-figure check, he inadvertently mentioned that he only owned the clinic 

. The land underneath was leased property, and nobody involved had arranged to include the landowner in the negotiations. Clearly a potential deal killer.

Awesome location, rent increases eclipse practice growth.

 A young veterinarian invested substantial capital obtaining a professional appraisal of a veterinary practice in a super-popular tourist area in a state with outstanding population growth. The bank evaluated the business financials and agreed to the loan, contingent on the buyer obtaining a 15-year lease on the practice building. Uh-oh! Turns out the landlord was waiting for the existing lease expiration 2 years hence so that they could raise the rent by double digits. The bank could no longer justify the loan based on historical profit figures once the new anticipated rent was factored in.

Sale near closing, buyers reveal demo plan.

 A trio of entrepreneurial veterinarians we worked with recently had identified a great practice in a growing commercial area. The land and building titles were clear, and practice finances added up pretty well, too. The bank signed the initial commitment and the closing was scheduled. Oops! During a meeting with the bank, one of the partners mentioned that they “weren’t concerned” about some roof leaks identified by the bank’s inspector because they planned to tear the building down in six months and replace it. Deal on indefinite hold while the bank re-evaluates the borrowers’ ability to finance a new building once the original building’s demolition 

Veterinarian discovers he doesn’t want to be a landlord.

 One of our very good associate clients started hunting for a profitable practice to buy and found a thriving clinic in a nice building, both of which were fairly priced. One problem: The building’s taxes, insurance, mortgage and upkeep costs were only affordable if the new owner-DVM was willing to manage the upstairs two-bedroom apartment and the CPA office in back, both of which were part of the facility. And a bonus: All the electric and gas to the entire building was handled through single meters in the veterinary clinic. I asked my client if he had any experience being a landlord (i.e. backed-up toilets, repainting commercial space and long, unanticipated vacancies). I didn’t mean to be a naysayer, but I know that landlording just is not everyone’s cup of tea. Our client decided to pass on what would otherwise have been a no-brainer purchase.

Problem properties can be profitable—for clever doctors

My final suggestion is for you “outside-the-box” thinkers not to be discouraged by my litany of unanticipated real estate debacles. “Problem” properties associated with solid practices can prove to be good opportunities—with some creative footwork. But be sure to listen to other, more experienced property owners and veterinarian-tenants and take their stories to heart.

There are numerous clever “overlooked” routes to making what might at first appear to be a lousy practice buy into a diamond in the rough. I will be presenting some creative solutions to real estate problems in an upcoming column. And if you can, please join me in September at the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Fort Worth where I will be discussing veterinary real estate in much greater detail.

Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD is president of the Associates in Veterinary Law P.C., which provides legal and consulting services exclusively to veterinarians. He can be reached via e-mail at info@veterinarylaw.com. Dr. Allen serves on dvm360 magazine's Editorial Advisory Board.


As if making the life-altering decision to buy a veterinary practice isn’t daunting enough, there can arise hidden obstacles and unexpected worries for potential owners.


  Avoid real estate hiccups when buying a clinic 

Just when you feel you have a handle on work and family life (or are getting there…), the bottom falls out.

I’ve been working in a private small animal hospital for just under 13 years and am a mom of two girls, ages 7 and 11. I have always considered myself fortunate to have a job I love and a wonderful family to come home to at the end of the day. But like billions of people throughout the world, my life has taken an unexpected and drastic twist in recent weeks. With the world at the mercy of a pandemic, we have had to make major adjustments in every aspect of our lives.

With 10 years of higher education and three degrees under my belt, it never occurred to me that I would be put into the position of having to teach common core fractions to my 11-year-old. Yet we have been catapulted into just this scenario as schools throughout the country close their doors.

While each family is unique in how they have approached this time, I have found that providing my girls with a schedule has helped them maintain a sense of normalcy and allowed them to motivate themselves to accomplish their daily required studies.

Many type A personalities (me included) are forced to navigate a scary time when we are not in control. I have found comfort in giving myself permission to be a little less than my perceived ‘perfect.’ Things may not be ideal right now, but we have learned as a family that there is more than one way to accomplish a task. A walk or bike ride around the block is a wonderful way to relieve stress and get some exercise, but it can be considered physical education. Baking a batch of brownies incorporates math and science (and provides very positive feedback as a snack or as dessert). While these approaches are not used in classrooms, they prove effective when used in the home by parents, most of whom are not professionally trained teachers.

How has the practice of veterinary medicine changed for you in light of social distancing requirements and COVID-19? How are you coping at home? If you’d like to share your thoughts, ideas and reassurances about the novel coronavirus, please email 

Veterinarians provide care for those without a voice, we work with clients who are concerned about their pet’s wellbeing and we make accommodations for every possible situation. If only these were our sole worries. Unfortunately, this stressful time is teaching us also to be jugglers performing a balancing act, dealing with new stressors at both home and work. As new challenges pop up on a daily basis, and we must find ways to keep both staff and clients safe while still providing the best possible veterinary care.

While practice protocols are tweaked daily, we are finding that our sense of teamwork is possibly stronger than ever and the flexibility of our staff is admirable. Our client interactions are for the most part curbside and over the phone. Physical exams are no longer done in the presence of the owner and we have stepped away from the pleasantries of a handshake or pat on the back. One thing is for sure: At the end of the day our focus is still on providing the best medical services possible to keep our patients healthy and our clients happy.

Worries about payroll and keeping the lights on are ubiquitous as we are forced to limit appointments. One good thing about our veterinary community is that we stand strong. We have been educated to be problem solvers and contributing members of our communities. Add to those responsibilities the need to be the model of stability at home, and you have the life of many veterinarians.

I think it is important to step back and revisit the situation from a bird’s eye view. My intent is not to diminish the severity of the problem, but rather to shed light on the fact that we are not in this alone. We have a strong veterinary community that is pulling together to make things better. People will continue to love and provide for their pets during and after this pandemic. Our days may look different, but we are resilient and we will come through this stronger.

I hope that this forced change in our “used to be” everyday life will permit us time to slow down and appreciate just how lucky we really are as a society. I know that I will be sending an email to my girls’ teachers to thank them for everything they do to create a positive learning environment for children.

Life and work during the COVID-19 pandemic are unusual, uncertain and unpredictable, it is now more apparent than ever that we must work together to get through it.

, who earned her DVM degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, practices at Brick Town Animal Hospital in Brick, New Jersey.


Before our headlines and newsfeeds contained almost exclusively COVID-19 news, who could have imagined the transformation our daily lives would undergo at both work and home?  
