Skiing While Australia Burns: A Tale of Two Realities
I am on a ski vacation. It’s 20F (-7C) and my suitcase is packed to the brim with fleece lined everything and thermal underwear. My biggest concern for the next few days is avoiding frostbite on my toes. This is my current reality. But on the other side of the...
Why I Didn’t Like Going to Vet School in the Caribbean…And Why I Would Do it Again
I did not enjoy going to vet school in the Caribbean. Don’t get my wrong—St. Kitts is a beautiful island. And Ross was an amazing school. I regret nothing about my decision to go to vet school there. But let’s be honest, island life has its challenges. My recent...
The Anticlimax: When Reality Doesn’t Meet Expectations
Well guys, I did it. I presented at my first major conference. And I have to say it felt…nothing like I expected it to. I had all these expectations, but life had other plans. Sure, I had fun. I spent time with friends and connected with people I’d never actually...
C Students Make the Best Doctors”…Imposter Syndrome is for Everyone
“’C’ students make the best doctors.” It’s something I heard quite a bit in vet school. Perhaps it was just something people said to make themselves feel better when they didn’t ace that test. But as an “A” student, it was a major trigger for imposter syndrome....
“Easy” A New Year’s Resolution
The Encounter Yesterday morning as my dog, Frankie, and I were walking, a neighbor was passing through the parking lot with his two pups. The Labradoodle and the Bernese looked to be about four months old and had all the exuberance you would expect of a couple of...
I’m Fat and so is Your Dog
I am fat. This is not me being self-deprecating, nor am I looking for reassurances or external validation of my size. It’s simply a fact. By any objective standards, I am clinically obese. I acknowledge that this is a problem. I’ve struggled with weight my entire...
The Vet Tech Problem and What You Can Do About It
October 16-22 is Veterinary Technician Appreciation week. In the wake of the recent AVMA article discussing the high turnover of vet techs, it seems clear that they are not feeling very appreciated. Veterinary technicians are the heart of an animal hospital. They do...
Vet Med is a Marathon
In addition to being a vet, I’m also a runner. For runners, as the heat and humidity of summer winds down and autumn brings its colorful foliage and crisp, cool air, race season hits full throttle. As I put on my running gear and make sure I’ve packed my banana and...
Why I’m Selfish–And You Should Be Too
[sel-fish] /ˈsɛl fɪʃ/ adjective characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself I am browsing through my Facebook feed. I scroll by another article about women who don’t want children. I peruse the piece, agreeing with many of the reasons the...
The Real Reason Your Wait at the Vet’s Office is so Long
I recently read a Huff Post article entitled “The Real Reason Your Wait at the Doctor’s Office is So Long.” Veterinary Medicine and Human medicine vary in a lot of very meaningful ways, but we are also often the same. And in this we share a common weakness—we...