PetVet December / January 2020 Issue

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VOL. 2 ED. 6 • DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020

THE unsinkABLE

Dr.

Kat

Kathryn Primm’s Story

VETS ON

VACATION 8 Destination Ideas for the Veterinary Professional

PHOTO BY EAST IVY PHOTOGRAPHY

DECEMBER 2019 / January 2020

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

WHY IT MATTERS

CONTENTS 4

Veterinarian Life Advice

6

PetVet Advisory Board

8

Success Doesn’t Equal Happiness

14

How to Get More Online Reviews for Your Veterinary Practice

SAVING A

LIFE 12

24 Aquamation: The New Cremation 28 Vets on Vacation: 8 Vacation

Destination Ideas for the Veterinary Professional

30 Should I Stay or Should I Go:

The “Sick Day” Debate

PETVET PROFILE

32 PetVet 10: Ten Things to Do

This Month

I

t was late afternoon on a very hot July day. Shirley Severs, 76, was relaxing, drinking a cold soda and nursing a minor leg injury she received that morning while water skiing. The entire Severs family was out enjoying a weekend of camping at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, PA, and no one was more surprised than Mrs. Severs’ son, James, when his mother complained of being light-headed and weak.

Raystown Lake was several miles away

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VOL. 2 ED. 6 • DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020

WHY IT

THE unsinkABLE

Dr.

from a hospital so the family called 911 immediately. But panic set in, and while most of the family stayed with Mrs. Severs and waited for emergency professionals, James ran through the camp frantically looking for someone with medical training.

While he couldn’t find a single doctor or nurse in the camp, he did find Connie Thomas, a Registered Veterinary Technician and AVECCTN 2019 candidate with PET + ER, in Towson, MD.

Kat

Kathryn Primm’s Story

VETS ON

VACATION 8 Destination Ideas for the Veterinary Professional

12

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ABLE

“When I heard about Mrs. Severs, my years of training kicked in and I wanted to help,” said Thomas. “I ran over to her camp and helped keep her calm while we waited for the paramedics to show up.”

PETVET MAGAZINE

By Jill López DVM, MBA PHOTO BY EAST IVY PHOTOGRAPHY

DR. KATHRYN PRIMM PHOTOGRAPHED BY EAST IVY PHOTOGRAPHY

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DR. KAT Photos by East Ivy Photography

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Copyright December 2019. PetVet Magazine is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Vet Magazine c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com 18

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Your Motivation Starts Here LIFE ADVICE FROM THE COOLEST VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS WE KNOW

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that you are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to fail; it’s not failing, it’s learning.”

Angela Demaree, DVM, Principal Consultant, PAWS Consulting, LLC

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Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola Marketing Coordinator Alyx Robertson Social Media / PR Coordinator Evan Gummo

ADVISORY BOARD

Meet our EDITORIAL

ADVISORY BOARD!

PetVet’s advisory board is here to help ensure quality content to motivate & educate Veterinarians and their staff.

Courtney Campbell DVM

Jenifer Chatfield DVM, DACZM

“My passions ultimately drove me towards becoming a veterinarian, but when I was growing up I briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a magician. As a veterinarian, the ability to save lives, keep animals healthy, and strengthen the human–animal bond makes me realize there’s nothing more magical than that.”

Alberto Fernandez DVM, DACVECC "The human race will not be possible without the animal kingdom. It is our duty to take care of those that provide to us and to me it is an honor to do so."

Lisa Powell DVM, DACVECC

“People should be so lucky as to get to be a veterinarian. The broad-based education empowers us to be successful in multiple fields and affords us the opportunity to choose how we spend our professional time.”

Julie Legred CVT “I have had the privilege of working with a variety of animals in my career and my passion has allowed me to be involved in teaching veterinary students, interns, residents and other veterinarians. I continue to enjoy going to work every day to help critically ill dogs and cats, and love the client interactions as well. I am proud to be a part of this advisory board to help teach and spread my love for this profession to others in the veterinary community.”

Jill López DVM, MBA

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

“Do something every day to make an animal’s life better.”

“I have worked in many areas of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology over the last thirty five years, and it is amazing how far our profession has grown and paved the way for the betterment of animals' lives and happiness, as well as improving public health issues. It is an honor for me to be a part of this advisory board to offer additional education and opportunities to grow in our profession.”

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Beyond the Stethoscope

SUCCESS

DOESn’T

EQUAL happiness

By Angela Demaree, DVM, MPH, CHPC

H

ow many of us have fallen victim to the idea that, once I graduate veterinary college then I will be happy, or, once I own my own practice then I will be successful? How many of us have actually achieved those goals and suddenly realized that the goal post keeps moving? Or that the people we were trying to please may never see us as successful and that working towards other people’s goals isn’t making us any happier?

Simply achieving a goal or some pre–determined metric won’t make us magically happy or even successful in the eyes of our peers and colleagues.

It’s no surprise that many of the guests I interview on my podcast state (in some way, shape or form) that the one thing they know now that they wish they knew ten years ago would be to embrace who they are and live their most authentic life. Great! But how on earth do we accomplish this, practically speaking, while juggling careers and family responsibilities, trying to make everyone happy and failing to make anyone happy—most notably ourselves?

According to the executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study published in JAVMA1, “spending time with family and socializing with friends” were factors that were “strongly associated with high levels of wellbeing.”

Ok. I know what you’re thinking, how do I spend more time with friends and family, spend more time on hobbies, and still meet all of my current obligations in the same 24 hours?

So maybe more time isn’t what we need, maybe deciding how to spend

1. Volk, J. O., Schimmack, U., Strand, E. B., Lord, L. K., & Siren, C. W. (2018). Executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,252(10), 1231-1238. doi:10.2460/javma.252.10.1231

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3 questions to help on your quest TO

our time is what’s most important. How do we improve the quality of time spent with family and friends, and how are we able to be fully present in these activities while simultaneously wondering how our patients are doing?

I’ve spent the past three years learning about high–performance in order to better understand and answer the age-old question, “How do some people seemingly accomplish more in one day than others accomplish in one week or even a month?” Not surprisingly, the answer lies within Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of our desired outcomes will come from 20 percent of our actions.

REclaim your time,

authentically live the life of your dreams, and finally indulge in that hobby you love but have been putting off until you accomplish that next level of success: 1. Is this something that I can delegate? It’s true, not everyone has the same resources available to delegate activities. But when you identify tasks that could be delegated, then we can start to look for solutions. Our superpower as veterinarians is being able to find creative solutions to difficult, if not seemingly impossible, problems. Be patient; not everything can be immediately delegated and often

Everything that leaves your practice should have your name on it.

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BOLT SNAP

times we need to find the right staff or family member to take on additional responsibilities, and then we need to train them and provide the resources and support needed to succeed. It’s a longer–term solution, but the extra effort is often worth the additional time we can reclaim.

2. Is this something that still needs to be done? How often have we looked at our to-do list? I mean, really looked at what’s eating up all of our time. Is it even something that still needs to be done? If not, stop doing it.

How often have we looked at our to-do list? I mean, really looked at what’s eating up all of our time.

3. Is this activity the best use of my time? The best advice I ever received, and at the same time, the most difficult to implement, was to stop doing low–dollar tasks and to start focusing on the high–dollar, high–value tasks. This applies across all professions and to every area of our lives. If ever you find yourself saying, “I just don’t have time, I just can’t,” then this is for you.

The biggest time–savers and wins in this area weren’t professional, but personal for me. I hired someone to help keep my house clean and automated my grocery shopping through several online, automatic delivery services. When I looked at the cost to outsource these tasks, the joy they didn’t bring me, the time freed up versus the additional hours I’d have to work to afford to hire someone, it was a no–brainer. I saved myself more than five hours a week to work an additional 1-2 hours to pay for the additional cost of these services! In fact, simply cutting the cord and cancelling the cable services I never used was another solution with no additional time worked. In five hours I can record and edit a podcast or spend nearly a whole day with my horse!

What’s the value of an additional five or ten hours in your week? Would it get you closer to living the life of your dreams?

Taking a hard look at how I was spending my time and money allowed me to reduce my debt, cash-flow major

expenses, and free up more time to ride my horse and pursue professional opportunities that seemed out of reach only a few months before I decided to take intentional action towards accomplishing my goals and living the life of my dreams.  Dr. Angela Demaree currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Pinpoint Pharma, a 21st century veterinary compounding pharmacy.

Angela is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves, a Certified High Performance CoachTM and the host of Beyond the Stethoscope, the podcast for veterinarians and busy professionals who want actionable, implementable solutions surrounding worklife balance, accomplishing your goals and living your dreams. She spends her free time with her horse, Tommy and teaching her quaker parrot the Purdue Fight Song. You can connect with Angela on Twitter and LinkedIn @DemareeDVM.

WHY IT MATTERS

SAVING A

LIFE

By Jill Richardson-López, DVM, MBA

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t was late afternoon on a very hot July day. Shirley Severs, 76, was relaxing, drinking a cold soda and nursing a minor leg injury she received that morning while water skiing. The entire Severs family was out enjoying a weekend of camping at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, PA, and no one was more surprised than Mrs. Severs’ son, James, when his mother complained of being light-headed and weak.

Raystown Lake was several miles away

from a hospital so the family called 911 immediately. But panic set in, and while most of the family stayed with Mrs. Severs and waited for emergency professionals, James ran through the camp frantically looking for someone with medical training.

While he couldn’t find a single doctor or nurse in the camp, he did find Connie Thomas, a Registered Veterinary Technician and AVECCTN 2019 candidate with PET + ER, in Towson, MD.

WHY IT

“When I heard about Mrs. Severs, my years of training kicked in and I wanted to help,” said Thomas. “I ran over to her camp and helped keep her calm while we waited for the paramedics to show up.”

PETVET MAGAZINE

Thomas was able to check her pulse and found that it was unusually high and her skin was cool to the touch. She stayed with Mrs. Severs until the paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later.

“As a veterinary professional, we have an innate sense to help those in need, whether it is animals or people. I was happy that I could help the situation,” says Thomas.

Mrs. Severs was taken to a hospital and treated for dehydration and recovered a few days later.

“Having someone with me at that stressful time that had medical training helped me remain calm,” said Mrs. Severs. “It also helped my family, who was very worried about Grandma.”

Thomas is a graduate of the Community College of Baltimore County, was previously a volunteer EMT, and she has also been an active member of the Chesapeake Search and Rescue Team for two years.

WHY IT

Connie Thomas, a Registered Veterinary Technician and AVECCTN 2019 candidate with PET + ER, in Towson, MD.

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“I want to believe that the human race has the ability to be kind and selfless”, says Thomas. “I believe that we all can be better, kinder and more giving. This is why I help and why I search for lost people. I want to be the kind of person that someone can come to in time of need. I want to be able to help them and hopefully, in turn, they help others.” 

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CLIENT SERVICES

H Ow TO G E T

more FOR YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE

By Melissa Connolly

S

o, you’re not getting any online reviews, and what little feedback you have received hasn’t really helped at all. Despite all of your social media posts, you’re just not getting the interactions you hoped for. Don’t worry though, whether you’re struggling with negative feedback or not getting enough reviews on your website, you’ll be barking up the right tree in no time.

If a customer is willing to take a moment to sit down and write a review of your practice, then they have either really enjoyed your service or completely hated it. These reviews, regardless of nature, are important for your company’s continuous growth—for a number of different reasons.

What really gets a business going online is positive reviews and feedback from your clients. If somebody searches for your company and a negative review pops up, then you might be in a bit of trouble.

This article will provide some handy tactics you can implement to help your business get more out of your customers’ satisfaction.

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Nowadays, people don’t just book with whoever they see first. They don’t just listen to the advice of others, either.

They listen to the only opinion that matters—the opinion of Google.

Google My Business Before we get our hands dirty with all the ins and outs of feedback, it’s important to note that the way online reviewing systems are used has changed quite a lot over the years.

Nowadays, people don’t just book with whoever they see first.

They don’t just listen to the advice of others, either. They listen to the only opinion that matters—the opinion of Google.

So, do you have your business listed on Google?

It’s easy to find out, just search your company name. If your listing appears on the right hand side of the screen, you will be able to click ‘Claim this business’ to start.

PETVET MAGAZINE

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If they benefit from leaving a review and get some sort of reward in return, then they’re definitely going to consider doing what you ask of them. So, try to give a little incentive to your customers when it comes to reviews.

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You’ll be asked a couple of questions and they’ll send you out a postcard to confirm you’re the owner of the business. Then, you’re all set up to start checking in on those Google reviews.

If your company doesn’t come up, just go to the main Google My Business site (www.google.ie/business) and click ‘Start Now’. You can fill out all the information, add photos and begin to respond to reviews from your clients.

Now that you can promote your business for reviews on Google, it’s time to ask everybody you know and love to send in those five–star reviews.

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People are always more likely to do things for you if there is something in it for them. If they benefit from leaving a review and get some sort of reward in return, then they’re definitely going to consider doing what you ask of them. So, try to give a little incentive to your customers when it comes to reviews.

You could send around an email to your clients asking them to submit a review to your website, Google or even Facebook, and perhaps in return they get some free dog treats during their next visit or an entry into a raffle to win some other pet–related prizes.

Make your email as happy and friendly as possible in order to coax your client into taking the bait and

sending you a fantastic piece of feedback. Be sure to be specific in your email and provide instructions on how (and links to where) to leave a review. Some of your clients might not be as familiar with online services as others.

Just Ask! If you’re struggling with getting reviews from customers, then it may be time to take more of a direct approach.

There is no harm in asking your clients, in person, to leave a review on your website or on Google to help boost your numbers. You can ask your clients during their visit if they’d leave a review and then follow up with an email a few days later; something short and sweet to make them feel wanted and appreciated.

Many clinics have signage up in their waiting area, encouraging people to leave reviews on Google, Facebook and Yelp.

Video Reviews Reviews don’t have to be written in a suggestion box or published on Google. You can also ask your clients to do a short video review. They could talk in front of the camera with their pets and describe how their visit to your business went for them.

You can display these videos, with permission from your clients of course, on your website to help draw more customers into your practice. Known as video testimonials, they are one of the best (and most persuasive) types of reviews out there.

Nasty Bites We’ve all had a nip or two in this line of work, and sooner or later, if you haven’t already, you’ll run into negative feedback. It’s annoying to deal with, and it can even make you unhappy about your own work, but this is a completely normal occurrence when running a vet clinic.

Everybody (in every industry) gets harsh feedback at some point, and the most important thing is knowing how to deal with criticism. You may even be able to learn from these reviews and make something positive from something negative.

If a customer is complaining about your service, always stay calm. Address their issues, apologize (if necessary) and ask them how you can make it better. It’s important to never remove any negative feedback as it may affect the standards of your review system—as well as make you come across as dishonest.

Responding professionally to an upset or distressed client will benefit you by showing future clients that you’re a calm, kind and helpful person to work with. It will also show clients that if they do have any queries or concerns, they can be addressed proficiently and professionally by you.

You can’t satisfy everybody. And it’s important to remember that negative feedback is still feedback and that’s how you can grow, improve your services and make your customers happy. 

Melissa Connolly is the founder of Zoomies, the home of the BrandZoom, your vet brand website in one month or less. She's a brand strategist who's worked with leading brands like FedEx and Snyder's-Lance, but her A Practical passion has alwaysGuide beenforcentered around pets.

Pet Health With Zoomies,Professionals she works with animal clinic owners and their teams to create custom online solutions to help grow their businesses long-term.

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PETVET PROFILE

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By Jill Lรณpez DVM, MBA

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Photos by East Ivy Photography

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KATHRYN PRIMM’S STORY

T

he morning of May 29th, 1999 was like most other summer days in Eastern Tennessee; very sunny, very warm and very beautiful. But for Dr. Kathryn Primm, at the time, a recent graduate of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, it was a day she will never forget.

That morning, she was “test driving” a new horse. The horse was a Quarter Horse with a chest so wide that Dr. Kat didn’t see a sapling had slipped under the breast collar. Soon afterwards, the breast collar snapped and Dr. Kat fell off with such force that her helmet cracked on impact. She was airlifted by a Lifeforce helicopter to an emergency hospital where her family was told that she was

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She had to recover from surgery, relearn how to walk and deal with memory loss.

She never forgot that she was a veterinarian. unconscious, suffering traumatic brain injury (TBI)—and very lucky to be alive.

After surgery for a broken jaw (where the helmet strap was) and dealing with the aftermath of TBI, she was on the road to a very slow recovery. She had to recover from surgery, relearn how to walk and deal with memory loss. She didn’t recognize her family, but for some reason, she never forgot that she was a veterinarian. After her hospital stay, she went to a physical rehabilitation center and she was able to return to work (part–time at first) after about six weeks.

PetVet catches up with Dr. Kat to chat about her life, love and plans for the future:

Why did you become a vet? I grew up spending time at my family’s farm and fell in love with animals at a very early age. I never wanted anything else. It is my destiny.

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My vet school days at Mississippi State are full of great memories.

I MET MY

HUSBAND while we were both students.

What was the best part about vet school? My vet school days at

NATURAL DOG PARK PRODUCTS

Mississippi State are full of great memories. I met my husband, Shane, while we were both students. Best day ever was when Shane found a stray kitten that I named Merlin. Merlin helped me study by keeping my textbooks nice and warm.

We’ve all heard reports of female veterinarians not wanting the responsibility of owning a clinic, so why did you? I am extremely strong– willed and independent. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and I also wanted the freedom to practice medicine the way I wanted.

How do you balance owning a clinic with your family? I have GymsForDogs.com sales@GymsForDogs.com 800-931-1562

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been happily married for 22 years to my soul mate. He gives me love and space, and is always there when I need him. He also understands my practice demands, which means we don’t get to

eat dinner together every night, but when we do, it is wonderful. We also have a 14–year–old son, Will, who has no interest in becoming a veterinarian. But he is a lot like me, so when he finds his passion, I know he will give it his all.

What is the best part about being a boss? I own a two–doctor practice in Ooltewah, Tennessee, Applebrook Animal Hospital. Being a boss is a double–edged sword. The best part is also the worst part. I like being responsible and able to effect change when it is needed, but being responsible also means that my choices affect others’ livelihood.

What’s the best part about being a Veterinary mom? Because I am a practice owner, I was able to balance being a mom and being an owner in ways that associate veterinarians may not. When my son was very little, another staff member also had a small child. We set up my office like a nursery. The kids had a great time and we both had the peace of mind having our kids close.

What’s your biggest challenge? The hardest part

Being a boss is a double-edged

of owning a business is people management. Over the years, I have dealt with staff members who would steal from our inventory or drive away clients by being very rude. Now I have a carefully chosen team of individuals that share our practice’s core values. However, I always remember that no matter how great your team is, life happens and there will always be changes and turnover. I have learned to embrace each person for what they can bring to the team, but as we grow, adding new team members is scary.

sword. TheA best part is also the Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

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You are known to be a great client communicator, what’s your secret? I am a big believer in creative pet owner education. I use my social media sites to blend pet care advice with a touch of humor. I also host two podcast series on PetLife Radio and I published a book this year, “Pet Parent’s Guide to Infectious Diseases”. People these days have limited attention spans and even less time, so I think that by making learning fun, I am more likely to get important messages across to them…like the need to vaccinate or use heartworm prevention.

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What is next for Dr. Kat? I have recently remodeled my

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clinic and it has a totally new look. One of the most important parts of the new facility is our new cat-friendly exam room, which features a window kitty hammock. We have doubled our exam rooms and treatment area. I am very excited about what the future holds. 

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BUSINESS TRENDS

THE NEW CREMATION

By Leah Parris, RVT, CCFP, HABc

H

elping a client determine when to euthanize their pet is one of the hardest conversations veterinary professionals encounter throughout their career. At such a sensitive time, it can be a bit uneasy for veterinary hospital staff to educate clients on the different aftercare options available.

Few owners may choose to keep their pet’s body to bury it in a meaningful area, but most pet owners elect cremation, a well-known service that provides the option of group cremation or individual cremation in which the pet’s ash remains are returned to the owner for a keepsake. However, a lesser known aftercare has recently become another choice for owners and could potentially be a better alternative to traditional cremation.

It is called aquamation.

Tyler Stewart, President and CEO of Heavenly Paws Pet Aquamation in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, has been providing the service of pet aquamation since 2015. After losing his Golden Retriever, his interest in aftercare for pets piqued and he started researching it, eventually leading to the position of CEO of his own company.

His facility is equipped to provide not only aquamation, but euthanasia services as well for owners that don’t want the memory of their pet passing at home or at a veterinarian’s office. As with most aftercare providers, he advertises a wide selection of items of remembrance including jewelry, glass sculptures, paw prints and more. Stewart’s background in service generates a source of pure client satisfaction as well as honor and respect.

What is aquamation?

Aquamation is the trade name for alkaline hydrolysis, a 24

process that was first patented by Amos Herbert Hobson, a farmer in 1888 who was exploring how to separate the nitrogenous material from bones to use as fertilizer. He discovered the possibility to use the process for animal disposition when filing his patent. It was also used in the 90’s during the mad cow disease outbreak to sterilize the bovine bodies of the deceased, as cremation sent the disease airborne and burial allowed access of the disease to the water.

Alkaline hydrolysis has been used by pharmaceutical industries as a way of sterilizing pathogens and medications to make them safe for disposal in water treatments. Since then, aquamation has evolved into a more commercial space, allowing 23 states to legally use the operation on humans, and every state to use for pets.

When asked how to explain aquamation to a client, Stewart describes the process, “Aquamation is an alternative to cremation. The way it works is we’ll place your baby into an alkali bath. Alkali are the salts from the earth that would help the body to break down if buried naturally. What remains is the same ashes received from a traditional cremation.”

Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are added to the bath based on tissue weight. If the ratio is too low, the bones will still be considerably hard and difficult to break down. Gentle water, flow, temperature and alkalinity are used in combination to stimulate the breakdown of organic materials.

After the body has gone through the process of aquamation, the remains are left out to dry and then put into a device called a cremulator. This device granulates the remains, delivering 20% more ashes than flame–based cremation. And what is left

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Environmentally friendly

20% more ashes returned Powder consistency

is a delicate ash powder returned to the owner for commemoration.

What makes aquamation a preferred alternative to traditional cremation?

As a new option for aftercare, clients can be hesitant to try something unfamiliar if knowledge regarding the alternative hasn’t been disclosed.

However, when introduced to the opportunity of aquamation, Stewart says, “Some of our clients are drawn to the fact that more of the ashes are returned, some of our clients just appreciate how it’s more environmentally friendly and sustainable, and a good

chunk of our clients just don’t like the idea of burning their pet, especially when there’s an alternative.”

The image of a pet being incinerated is not the last memory a client should have of their treasured companion.

Aquamation brings closure and offers a comforting and pleasant thought for pet owners who choose this option.

Ashes from traditional cremation are primarily the mineral remains from the bone, along with some ash from added items such as toys, blankets or collars. The consistency of ashes from flame-based cremation resembles tiny bone fragments and is usually gray in color due to the carbon discoloration

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from burning. Ash produced from aquamation is of powder consistency and can range in color from white to tan, furnishing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance to owners.

Comparing cost, aquamation is reasonably competitive with traditional cremation, thus giving owners a more considerate choice by providing a more pleasant visual in their mind of how their pet’s body is being cared for.

Besides providing 20% more ash than traditional cremation, aquamation is also more gentle. And because there are no gaseous emissions, it is environmentally friendly—completely eliminating the risk of pollution. During traditional cremation, some inorganic mineral remains are lost, but with aquamation, the system flows gently, like a stream, which allows more final mineral remains to be in tact at the end of the process. The gentle process of aquamation allows for even the smallest of animals, like guinea pigs or snakes, to produce a significant amount of ash to present to the owner.

How do owners know they are getting back their personal pet’s remains?

Partnering veterinarians are stocked with ID tags and each tag has a number that is designated to a specific pet. The veterinarian can show the client the tag being placed on the pet’s paw at the time of euthanasia to evade any doubt the pet owner may have. If the client

patent pending

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what they need to gain closure.

Comforting alternative

How can more people become aware of aquamation?

Suitable for small animals

For veterinarians, the easiest approach for clients to develop interest in aquamation is to add the option of aquamation to release forms that clients are already filling out.

“If the client asks about it, give them a brochure, have a brief conversation with them, and that’s really all it takes,” says Stewart.

Veterinarians also have direct relationships with specific crematories and often, they won’t allow another crematory service a client, even if requested.

Stewart hopes that every veterinarian provides complete transparency with aftercare by offering all the options, including cremation and aquamation, and simply wants clients to be educated about every opportunity available.

Enlightening pet owners on all the choices they have to remember their pet must be something that veterinary professionals can feel confident about. In order to give owners the closure needed to progress through grieving, our responsibility as veterinary professionals is to prepare owners for the inevitable and then guide them to the perfect way to honor and remember their pet.

Competitive cost

brings the pet directly to the facility, the client can be shown the same visual of the tag being placed on the pet’s paw; however, depending on the client’s emotional strength, some clients prefer not to see this action carried out. The tag is attached to the pet and is verified at every stage of the cycle. The number on the tag is confirmed when the pet is prepped and when paw prints and fur clippings are made. Prior to the pet being placed into the machine, the tag is validated again and also when the pet is removed from the machine. The tag remains intact during the aquamation process and emerges unblemished after the cycle is complete.

Supportive hardware like pins or plates, which the pet may have had in their body, can also be returned back to the owner upon request. As a result of these items being inorganic in nature, they are also intact and flawless after aquamation, similar to the ID tag. For those owners who opt not to receive these items back, Stewart has started a collection and plans to contact a nearby veterinary school to contribute them for research and practice.

With traditional cremation, some owners request that the pet’s collar, favorite toy or blanket be cremated with the pet, but with aquamation, these items aren’t broken down during the process due to their inorganic nature. Stewart mentioned that, if a client requests these

items be processed with the pet, he will put the items on top of the machine directly over the pet to still provide an honorary option. Any linens, beds or food that the owner does not want to receive back are donated.

Since anything inorganic is essentially untouched with aquamation, this has allowed Stewart to see multiple interesting things, like underwear that a pet has eaten. He’s also seen a full Sunday edition of the AJC still in the plastic that a 120 pound German Shepherd consumed.

Regularly, bits of toy and tennis ball are found along with baby clothes, socks and more. Even more fascinating, things like bone cancers and entities of that manner can also be identified, providing an extra level of support to clients that can’t afford a necropsy, giving them closure knowing the possible cause of death.

Owners sometimes have the desire to watch their pet be placed in a crematorium and some crematories are equipped to allow for that. At Stewart’s facility, he does his best to coordinate with the client so that they may be able to watch the pet be placed in the machine or place the pet themselves if they wish to do so. Aquamation is about a 20–22 hour cycle but Stewart is happy to work with owners if they want to be present when the cycle has been completed, although no one has taken that option as of yet.

Heavenly Paws maintains an open door policy and strives to deliver to clients

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Leah Parris is a registered veterinary technician and has been working in the veterinary field for over 11 years. She has written articles for Firstline and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). While in the process of building a new home, Leah and her husband are living on a houseboat with their toy poodle, Lily. In her free time, Leah enjoys cooking, watching football, and going kayaking with her pup!

27

LIFESTYLE

VETS ON Vacation Destination Ideas for the Veterinary Professional

By Jen Phillips April

I

t’s important to take a break and recharge, whether it’s for an afternoon or a long vacation. Studies show that those who take vacation time have lower stress and are more motivated—and even a short break can give you a fresh perspective on life.

But what type of vacation suits you? Does your ideal vacation involve a tropical beach with blue water and swaying palm trees? Or, do you prefer a hike with your best friend? No matter your leanings, we have inspiration for your next vacay.

Relax in the Riviera Maya

If the white sand beaches and swaying palms of the tropics are calling you, then look no further than the Mayan Riviera.

Covering approximately 50 miles of sun and sand from Cancun, Mexico to Tulum, Mexico, it’s easy to get to and has options galore. Active sorts can enjoy zip lining through the jungle or scuba diving. For others, there’s spa activities, Mayan ruins, and yes, beachside lounging while being waited on hand and foot.

Wondering where to stay? You can go the resort route for the ultimate pampering, or rent an Airbnb to build you own experience. And if you want to bring your dogs, the paperwork is easy to complete to bring them into Mexico. The toughest aspect is the flying. If you’re flying, then call your airline of choice to find out their current requirements, as they frequently change. Some airlines have a two-pet per flight limit.

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Visit a Historic Hotel by the Pacific For those on the West Coast who’d like to stay stateside and go upscale, why not book you and your pup into the Hotel Coronado? This iconic hotel has welcomed guests of the two–legged and four–legged variety since 1888. It presides across San Diego Bay and features Yappy Hours, a Bark Brunch and a nearby dog beach for a pup–friendly good time. Plus, San Diego is super dog-friendly so there are lots of welcoming shops and restaurants.

Northern Exposure For those who don’t mind frigid temperatures, consider a visit to the Winter Carnival in Quebec City, Canada. Held over 17 days in January and February, there are life-size ice and snow sculptures, a canoe race along the St. Lawrence River, maple-tapping and more. Its French–style architecture and narrow streets make for a very European feel.

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So Much to See in The Big Easy If it’s a warmer city experience you’d like to enjoy, then it’s hard to top New Orleans. Famous for its own carnival (Mardi Gras) and a general bon vivant cheer any time of the year, you can eat, drink and shop til you drop. Galleryhop along Royal and Magazine Streets. Enjoy live music all over town, especially street musicians in the French Quarter and the jazz clubs tucked into Frenchmen Street after hours. Eat fried oysters and red beans and rice and walk it off admiring the 19th c. mansions in the Garden District. Expect to be charmed.

PHOTO VIA RIVER RAT TUBING FACEBOOK

Water Rafting with Rover It is not too early to plan a summer or fall getaway.

The Smokey Mountains are filled with hiking trails and pet-friendly options including river rafting. River Rat Tubing and Water Rafting reportedly has pet–friendly tubing. It’s best to call ahead of course, but if you have a water–loving pooch, this could be a fun option.

A Safari-like Experience…In the U.S.?

Sleepaway Camp for You & Your Dog Enjoy all the fun you remember about camp, but dog-centric.

Located about three hours from Chicago, Camp Dogwood in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, offers endless games of fetch, agility training and much more. There’s even a winter version with dog sledding and other outdoor sports.

Lions, elephants, rhinos, oh my! Many people dream of going on an African Safari. What holds them back is the time, distance and cost, which is considerable. If you aren’t able to leave your practice for 10 days or more, fly to Africa and spend $400–$1500/night/person once you get there, you may be interested in safari options closer to home.

The Out of Africa Wildlife Experience in Arizona mimics the Serengeti Preserve with free–roaming zebras and giraffes, and you can even camp within the preserve.

Arkansas is home to the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari, which includes African Lions and Camels. They also have a petting zoo where you can get close to kangaroos and spider monkeys.

As you can see, there are plenty of vacation options for veterinarians who need to get away, with or without your pets.

Which of these do you find most enticing?

A web writer since 2005, Jen’s written over 1000 articles on pet-related topics. She works with veterinarians and pet professionals around the world to help them attract and retain customers through effective content marketing practices. Passionate about both pets and digital marketing, you can find out more at jenphillipsapril.com. When not working with her fabulous clients, you can find her eating tacos and practicing her Spanish in her adopted home of the Riviera Maya.

PETVET MAGAZINE

29

BEST PRACTICES

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? THE “SICK DAY” DEBATE

By Elycia Degenhardt, CVT

We have all been there: we wake up with a stuffy nose, sore throat or a cough, and we know there is a busy work day ahead. Staying home would be great, but we’re not sure if we are really “sick enough” to justify calling in. So how do we decide when taking a sick day is the right choice?

Here are some tips that might help the next time you find yourself under the weather.

The Problem It is easy to think to yourself, “If you are sick, then stay home!” But there are a number of factors that influence the decision to miss work. Many veterinary professionals work in close-knit, high-pressure environments where one person plays a big role in how the day goes for everyone. This can lead to concern about letting coworkers, clients and patients down by staying home. Some individuals have jobs that include daily tasks other employees may not know how to do, meaning that a sick day leads to a backlog of work waiting when they return. Additionally, someone earning an hourly wage may be under financial pressure to attend work, even when unwell. Any or all of these reasons can cause us to ignore our discomfort, take some over-the-counter medication and hope we feel better as the day goes on.

Cold or Flu? Identifying the cause, and therefore potential severity, of an illness can help determine whether going to work or staying home is the better decision. During cold and flu season, it often seems like everyone has the sniffles, so knowing how to differentiate between a mild cold and influenza is a good foundation for assessing and making choices about your own health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes influenza as a generally sudden illness accompanied by fever, body aches and weakness1. Influenza may cause a stuffy nose, but chest discomfort and coughing are more common. In contrast, a cold usually comes on gradually with nasal congestion being one of the first symptoms.

Colds rarely cause a fever and overall have a milder effect on the body. While a cold can certainly make you feel pretty awful, it is rarely associated with more serious disease and is

1. Cold Versus Flu | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm. Accessed October 20, 2019.

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something you may be able to treat with medication while maintaining a regular work schedule.

Influenza is both highly contagious and potentially dangerous, and anyone who suspects they may have influenza should err on the side of staying home. The CDC recommends anyone with influenza remain away from work for 4–5 days after the onset of symptoms and not return to work until they have been fever-free (temperature has remained under 100 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications. Following these recommendations will allow you to recover to the best of your body’s abilities and protect those around you from becoming infected.

Missing Work If you have to miss work due to an illness, you may have concerns about lost pay and/or job security. Both of these issues should be addressed in writing in an employee handbook available to everyone at your workplace. It is very important to have consistent protocol regarding illness-related absences to avoid confusion, discrimination or wrongful termination. Whether or not you will receive compensation for work days lost due to being sick will vary based on the state you live in and the policies set by your employer.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are no federal requirements for paid sick leave2. A state may require an employer to provide a specific number of paid sick days, but as of October 2019, only 11 states and Washington D.C. have laws requiring paid sick leave for private companies.

You should familiarize yourself with your company’s policies so you are able to plan appropriately regarding missed work.

Your job security should not be threatened by a few days of illness, but unfortunately there are minimal federal regulations regarding unpaid sick leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act ensures job protection and long-term (up to 12 weeks) unpaid sick leave. But this only applies to companies with 50 or more employees, and only employees who have worked at that company for a minimum of 12 months and 1,250 hours are eligible3.

Additionally, anyone requesting FMLA leave may need to provide a doctor’s note certifying they are unfit to work.

According to the Society of Human Resource Management, any employer can include a doctor’s note requirement as a part of sick leave/attendance policy, but the policy must be applied uniformly without discrimination4. If your workplace does not provide health insurance, you may want to discuss any doctor’s note requirements in advance of becoming ill

in order to establish the company’s responsibility regarding financial compensation for a mandatory physician’s visit.

A Healthy Workplace The fact remains that, at some point, all of us will find ourselves either going to work with a mild cold or working alongside someone who is ill. The CDC offers the following recommendations to keep the workplace healthier during cold and flu season5: 1. Anyone who is recovering from an illness should minimize contact with others. (In a veterinary setting, this may mean staying “in back” and away from the general public, reducing the risk of spreading the illness to clients.)

2. Individuals who are pregnant, immunocompromised or have underlying respiratory conditions can have complications if they catch a cold. (And we may not know which of our clients fall into these categories.)

3. Someone working through an illness should also avoid close contact with coworkers. If possible, it is helpful if the person who is sick sticks to using a single workstation (computer, desk, phone, etc.) and disinfects it after each shift.

4. All employees should wash hands frequently, and surfaces that many people touch, such as doorknobs, light switches and keyboards, should be regularly disinfected.

5. Disposable tissues and hands-free trash cans should be readily available.

6. Finally, if at any point, someone feels they have become too sick to work, that person should be allowed to leave and either return home or seek medical care.

A Caring Profession Most of us entered the veterinary field to take care of animals. It is equally important to remember to take care of ourselves and one another. If you need time off to rest and recover from an illness, you should feel comfortable taking it, and everyone in a workplace should support that decision.

Remembering to show yourself and others compassion during this cold and flu season will make the workplace healthier in every way.  Elycia Degenhardt is a certified veterinary technician working at an AAHA accredited general practice in Wisconsin. She joined the veterinary profession after four years as a high school teacher and remains passionate about education. Elycia earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Madison College and continues to learn new things every day through her career and life experiences.

2. Sick Leave. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave. Accessed October 20, 2019.

3. Employee Leave. National Conference of State Legislatures. http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/employee-leave.aspx. Accessed October 20, 2019.

4. Doctor's note Requirements. Society of Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/doctor’snotes.aspx.

Accessed October 20, 2019.

5. Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html. Accessed October 20, 2019.

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PETVET TOp 10 1

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A study from researchers at the University of Nottingham shows that poor paternal diet, specifically low in protein, may impact the heart health of the offspring by changing their seminal fluid, which bathes sperm.

So, time to sit down with pen and paper and let a friend know how much they mean to you.

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do this month

See how many you can do!

TO BINGE 6 LOOKING ON NETFLIX?

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THAT everyone wants for the holidays?

The gift of experiences. Give your friends and family something that they will treasure forever; sign them up for a fun activity like a language course, riding lessons, singing lessons or even a cooking class.

Get ready for Season Two of You by re–watching Season One. You, an American psychological thriller, portrays a charming first encounter which quickly turns into something notorious when bookish Joe meets Beck.

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DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF Take a day off from work and spend it on selfcare. If you are on a budget, you can spend $30 on some at–home spa supplies and “fake spa” it up at home. If you can splurge a little, spend the day in a real spa—you deserve the best!

WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE REST OF THE

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WATCHING Muk Bangs ON YOUTUBE

PLAN YOUR 2020 CE New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association is planning one killer continuing education program in New Brunswick on May 15–17th.

Book now and save: njvma.org/ annual-meeting/

Muk Bangs are basically eating shows where people slurp, chew and chomp down large amounts of food while interacting with their audience, and the millions of people watching them. A little cringeworthy, but worth checking out!

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33

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