Gerald Snyder, VMD

Many years ago, I was called in to consult for a practice that was grossing at the time about $700,000.

The turbulent times following September 11 have added an increasingly oppressive burden to already economically stressed veterinary practices.

I want to ask you a question. What I sorta wanna ask you is...is your life a financial joke?

Many years ago, in the good old days of the late '70s, when inflation was 15 percent and the gas lines were long, I got a call from a practitioner from the great and sovereign state of Ohio.

Accounts receivable is not an ugly term in itself.

Accounts receivable is not an ugly term in itself.

Title familiar? O.K. Maybe you have a life. For the rest of our readers, this Swahili mistranslation says basically no worries!

The bluebird of happiness is not dead; far from it. However, for many of his/her cousins, the buzzards are circling.

Think back to the last few times you had complications in surgery; painful thought, but it is usually your fault isn't it?

Practice management: First in a two-part series: If you are reading this, whether you are a veterinarian, technician or receptionist, you fall into the category called, "Dedicated Service Providers Who Work Far Too Long and Hard for the Income You are Receiving."

The only way you can stay current in this changing world of veterinary medicine is to change yourself and your attitudes along with the tumultuous external changes affecting your practice today.

Your most capable receptionist's hubby's job just got transferred 92 nautical miles from your Center For Applied Dog/Cat Maintenance & Repair.

1. I will train my staff in the principles of proper delegation, and delegate everything that can be performed by another qualified staff member, allowing me to spend my time practicing the skills for which I was trained ... diagnostic medicine and surgery. I will perform few if any tasks that do not require a license from my state licensing board.