Roles

Data shows team members are in search of stronger leadership. So prevent kinks in teamwork and breaks in communication by taking these six critical steps—and set a positive tone for the practice.

Yes, it can be hard to trust other people to manage the tasks you've been doing. But effective delegation makes for happier staff members who feel genuinely appreciated.

Nearly 30 percent of practitioners are at risk for compassion fatigue. Would you recognize the symptoms and know what to do?

When it comes to service, associates may think owners see the world through rose-colored glasses. But in general, you may all be more alike than you think.

Despite occasional grumbles about life balance, the latest Veterinary Economics survey shows that 88 percent of practitioners find their normal level of stress manageable—and they're enjoying their work.

Associates and support staff weigh in on the factors that attract them—and keep them on the job. Is your practice attractive to potential team members? (And is it equally attractive to potential buyers?)

During a continuing education meeting held by local orthopedic specialists, Dr. Mike McLaughlin, owner of Animal Medical Center of Cumming, in Cumming, Ga., was intrigued about a surgical procedure called TPO, or triple pelvic osteotomy. He heard the specialists say that some large-breed dogs with hip dysplasia can enjoy an improved quality of life, or at least a slowed disease progression, by undergoing TPO.

A mystery shopper form to get critical feedback (PDF).

My partner and I recently learned that we're paying associates more than other practitioners in our area do. How should we get our compensation more in line with prevailing wages-with a salary freeze or a pay cut?

According to Gallup's annual Personal Finance poll, American's top financial worry is retirement.

The Secretary of Agriculture announced a proposal that calls for mandatory registration and reporting of movement of U.S. livestock through the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Enjoy a happy veterinary career by leaving your angst at the door.

If you're not careful, the hustle and bustle of the day could distract you from communicating your deep caring for clients' pets. To avoid this pitfall, Dr. Jason Palm, of Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic in Orlando, Fla., imagines that every pet he examines is his own.

As we discussed last month, the first day on the job sets the tone for everything that follows. And a great first day leads to a smoother transition, improved performance, and less turnover. Here's more on how to make a new employee's experience a great one

A problem staffer asked for a copy of her personnel record. Must I release it?

We took in a boarder from a longtime, good client, who said the pet was a stray that he acquired from the local groomer. During our exam, we found a microchip and were able to locate and contact the original owner, who said the dog had been stolen about six weeks earlier. What are our rights and responsibilities in situations like this?

Regardless of his or her work history, a staff member's first day on a new job can be intimidating. For some, it's so overwhelming and confusing that they don't return for a second day.

Think you're working too much? Odds are you're not delegating enough to team members-who are hungry to help.

Use these strategies to address discord before interpersonal issues undermine your business-and your passion for practice.

Take these steps, and find that new person who fits with your team perfectly.

Bob Barker, longtime host of "The Price is Right," has always encouraged viewers to spay and neuter their pets.

Recent pet-related news from the courts.

Consider these important steps to improve communication at staff meetings, or help resolve conflicts.

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Using a laparoscopic technique to perform ovariohysterectomy, cryptorchidectomy, and exploratory laparotomy with abdominal biopsy, and using thoracoscopy to perform thoracic exploratory means less pain and quicker recovery time for patients. And for Dr. Rex Bailey, owner of Michigan City Animal Hospital in Michigan City, Ind., laparoscopic services mean better pet care, happier clients, more rewarding work for himself, and good news for his business.

As pets grow nearer and dearer to the human heart, they also grow nearer to legal trouble. Here are a few recent sticky situations pets and their people have found themselves in:

When you remove barriers, you're free to realize your true potential.

Acres Animal Hospital in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has found a way to help both the practice and its clients see green.

I'd wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 7 years old, but after 12 years in practice, I didn't know if I could stand another day. I was frustrated, tired, and worn out by the constant stresses of practice, including staffing headaches, client turnover, and financial strains. And those stresses were having a profoundly negative influence on my personal life, too.

You may need to change your credit-card receipts this year to comply with the The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT), which demands truncation of credit-card and debit-card numbers.