Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina)) Answer 4) C

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 2) A

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 3) A

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina)

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 1) A

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 1) C

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 2) C

References for References for ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina)

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 3) B

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 1) B

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 5) D

ClinQuiz: Is this pet overweight? (Sponsored by Nestlé Purina) Answer 3) C

Caffeine and sugar may get you through your day at the veterinary practice, but they won't get you to your happy place. Exercise your mind by exercising your body and your rights to healthy food.

How do I handle 'sugar pushers'-clients or team members who bring in sweet treats for our staff or who place fund-raising cookie and candy order forms in the break room? I don't want to be rude, but I also want to live a healthy lifestyle.

With a few preventive measures, clients can spend less and keep their dogs pain-free.

These are issues concerning your interpersonal and leadership behavior. These are the everyday annoyances that create toxic workplaces. This is something you do that negatively affects someone else. This is great because they can be fixed, often by doing nothing.

Success – it's what we all strive for in life. Whether we want a successful career or relationship, we all seek the best in ourselves and others. And most veterinarians achieve success.

Have you ever had one of "those" days? You know, the kind where things started of slow, your energy seemed low and your enthusiasm even lower.

How do you take a new hire and mold them into a productive team member in 90 days? Methodically. The key to developing successful staff members (or quickly weeding out those that won't benefit your practice) is to have a training plan in place before they start.

Lots of leadership books and experts detail steps you can take to become a better leader. Trouble is, many times they omit the single most important trait of exceptional leaders – a positive attitude.

Let's face it; things are just not the same anymore. The recession of 2007 until now has changed the way we earn, spend, and think about money. Many of our clients have lost or changed jobs during this period.

Dr. Ernie Ward offers tips on maintaining focus during appointments in order to keep on schedule.

My team members get sick a lot. How can I promote a healthier lifestyle among our staff?

Don't underestimate the power of a post, a tweet, or a video upload. Social networking can help you.

Social media rules: Be yourself, ask questions of your audience, and don't talk only about pets.

Obese dogs, potentially diabetic cats, and kidney problems: Break down the savings in diet foods and diagnostics vs. disease management and expensive procedures later.

Combine staff training with an inventory count.

Download a customizable copy of a client attrition report form.

The right levels of income, costs, fees, and clients lead to a strong, balanced veterinary clinic.

How can I help my team become career-seekers and not jobholders?