Roles

In a client service industry like veterinary medicine, you will eventually face a customer who's dissatisfied-even when you've done your best. But what should you say when clients complain about the doctor?

I'm a practice manager at a hospital where several team members, including a doctor, come to work looking like they just rolled out of bed. When I hired all of these people I went over the dress code, which includes professional attire, clean scrubs, doctors in white coats, and neat hair. I want our practice to present a well-put-together, professional appearance. Our clients are judging us from the minute they walk in the front door. I've addressed workplace attire at staff meetings and in the employee handbook, but it doesn't seem to stick. What's the next step?-Dressed for Success

Before you choose your interviewees for a job, you'll want to develop criteria to sort the r?sum?s you receive.

Power struggles, disputes and hidden agendas aren't just fodder for TV shows-they're a reality in veterinary practice, too.

This blue-eyed Paint gave this veterinarian a shoulder to cry on and peace I can still feel.

You asked for a little guidance. We've got it.

It's easy to lose sight of why we got into the veterinary profession. But we can get our vision back.

You don't need a degree in nutrition to help veterinary clients make good pet food choices. All it takes is the desire to learn and a willingness to start the conversation with clients.

Tread carefully when someone offers you a loan. Make sure you can comfortably afford it before you sign.

When there's poison in your practice, teams sicken and fail to thrive. Consider this step-by-step approach to involve the whole team in hiring and take your team from toxic to terrific.

To make sure vaccinations don't slip through the cracks, consider this advice from Firstline board member Pam Weakley:

Looking to kickstart your nutrition know-how? Here's a handful of recommended tools and resources to get you started in your quest for nutrition success.

You can't stop life's waves-or the ones you may encounter in veterinary practice-so you might as well learn to surf.

The names Duke, George, and Tiger top the charts, but will their teams win in this veterinarian-friendly college basketball breakdown?

Data suggests focusing on clients and preventive care could bring profession an additional $350 million.

Radiographs of an Airedale revealed a circular object that appeared to be blocking the opening of the dog's intestines from his stomach.

Some toxins are specific to cats, dogs, horses, and ruminants. We'll break down these eight for you in an easy-to-remember list.

Powering through the noon hour is OK. But that doesn't mean you get a free pass to eat poorly.

Enter to win an autographed copy of Dr. Nick Trout's new novel inspired by real veterinary patients.

Plus: Take part in a veterinary fraud survey.

To keep pet owners in the know, take the next step with these tick tips.

It's easy to lose sight of why we got into the veterinary profession. But we can get our vision back.

Follow the tools here and on the next pages to see how each team member can improve your client education.

Lisa Petty, BS, RVT, a technician at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Indianapolis, offers these tips to keep communication lines open when you're guiding clients through their pet's dermatology diagnosis.

Stop making excuses for your inadequacies as a leader in veterinary practice and start focusing on what you can do to improve.

Those soft, white muzzles and wise eyes beg for your attention and compassion. Use these easy adaptations to offer a gentle veterinary experience to aging pets.

When clients start disappearing from your practice, pets don't get the care they need and the business you work for suffers. Learn the steps you can take to pull more visits out of your proverbial hat and preserve pets' health with your near-magical medical prowess.

Busy day at the veterinary clinic? Use this tip to stay on track.

Get a chisel tool to help out in the veterinary clinic

A veterinary team worked together to correct an autoimmune disorder that limits this dog's ability to open its mouth.