I wrote this to remind myself what I truly do each day and what matters the most to me. Like others, it is easy for me to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day tasks, to get burnt out, and to forget what really matters. I wrote this to show others that Veterinarians care – they care about you and your family and they care about the animals that bring joy to your lives. The job description of a Veterinarian is so much more to me than what you see when you walk into the office.
Job Description of a Veterinarian
- To foster the intuitive sense in others that all life is precious and deserves respect, love, and when in need – protection and care
- To help the people and animals around me thrive
- To alleviate pain and suffering
- To impart feelings of warmth and support
- To make decisions that support the long term well being of those that I care for
- Commitment to incremental improvement in quality of life
- To practice any type of medicine that promotes healthspan, not just lifespan
- To respect shared time with others by being fully present in each moment
- Making an impact by teaching that every creature matters
- Knowing that anyone can serve and anyone can love, therefore anyone can be great
It is not….
- To see more appointments in less time
- To over-communicate a list of tasks and duties required of a “good” pet owner and miss the chance to truly bond with a patient or client
- To pass judgment on others for having a different life view on animals or ability/life circumstances to care for their pets
- Prioritizing organizational rules over doing the right thing
- A license to stop receiving feedback from others
- Allowing your profession to become your identity – no one can take away your gift to care for animals and your inherent worth does not depend on your employment status
~ Being a Veterinarian is to always remember that being a steward of animal life is a calling, not a job ~