• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Commentary: You're more than just a doctor

July 1, 2011
Marty Becker, DVM

Sometimes clients need a shoulder to cry on. That's when you can go beyond your role as a medical expert and offer much-needed emotional support.

In the practice where I work in Sandpoint, Idaho, I met a Lab-shepherd mix named Barney. He was my first appointment of the day and his owner seemed delighted when I made his tail thump against the chair. Barney was in for vaccinations and to have a recurring ear problem checked. But as I listened, I soon realized that Barney's biggest problem wasn't his ears.

My first clue was a sense of frustration in Barney's owner's voice. Before I started the exam I turned to her and said, "I sense you're having some other problems with Barney you haven't told me about."

Advertisement

That's when the dam broke and the story came pouring out. This woman had recently gone back to work, and Barney was tearing the house apart in her absence. Her husband called it the "unwanted extreme home makeover." And he wasn't joking. He'd told his wife that if Barney didn't straighten up, they were going to have to get rid of him.

I refrained from offering any marital counseling. She seemed to have a handle on that part of it. "I've had Barney longer than I've had my husband," she said. However, it was easy to see she was scared.

What I did next is something the Internet can never ever do. I put one hand on Barney's head and the other on her arm. "This is a common problem," I said. "I've helped dozens of other families who've had pets with separation anxiety, and we'll get this fixed. You won't have to get rid of Barney—or your husband."

I put Barney on the path of medication and behavior modification, both parts of a powerful, state-of-the-art and state-of-the-heart treatment plan in modern veterinary medicine. We certainly saved Barney, and we might have even saved a marriage. But even more than that, we kept veterinary medicine relevant for this woman and, no doubt, for every person she talks to. We had the power to do this. We did it through passion and compassion—and we kicked the Internet's butt in the process.

Dr. Marty Becker is a Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member, writer, speaker, and resident veterinarian for Good Morning America.

Related Content:

BusinessClient Relations & Marketing
Paw Prosper acquires brands and becomes one-stop destination for pet aging
Paw Prosper acquires brands and becomes one-stop destination for pet aging
3 tips for selling your practice
3 tips for selling your practice
AmeriVet Veterinary Partners makes 2023 Inc Southwest Regionals List
AmeriVet Veterinary Partners makes 2023 Inc Southwest Regionals List

Advertisement

Latest News

Kentucky Humane Society with Louisville Metro Animal Services to host mega adoption event

San Diego Zoo celebrates Andean bear cub twins

Spring’s pet toxins have sprung

IBPSA and Zoundz Music for Pets team up to reduce pet anxiety in pet care facilities

View More Latest News
Advertisement