Big vet energy, fading fast

Big vet energy, fading fast

April 24, 2025

By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

The only photo I have on my desk at work is one a classmate snapped during my field service rotation 30 years ago last month. Dinosaur that I am, it was one of those pictures you print at the drugstore photo lab in doubles to give away to your new colleagues at graduation. In it, I'm cradling a Pygmy goat kid…and I'm beaming. It exudes "big vet energy" in the best way possible. Everyone has a picture like that—one that captures their veterinary essence in peak bloom. It represents the moment you first recognized yourself as a real veterinarian. It says, "This is what I am. This is what I do. I was made for this." If your version of this picture isn't already on your desk, it probably should be. It will keep you grounded and inspired, humbled yet exultant. When things go wrong, it'll soothe you to recall why you made the choices you did. When everything's just as you think it should be, it will boost your mood all the more. Ironically, though, it is this photo that made me realize I was ready to end my career as I knew it. Sitting at my desk, crunching …
The importance of One Health to the veterinary team

The importance of One Health to the veterinary team

April 2, 2025

By Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT

NAVTA president on how vet team members contribute to One Health partnerships by developing early warning systems that help detect disease outbreaks in animals and humans, and the four ways they add to their own skillsets.
10 lessons veterinary medicine can learn from human healthcare's biggest challenges

10 lessons veterinary medicine can learn from human healthcare's biggest challenges

March 27, 2025

By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

Human healthcare has a lot to teach us, especially since its challenges tend to precede ours. The industry serves as a reliable sentinel for up-and-coming concerns we are likely to confront in the near future, which is what this post is all about. Although these scary prospects don’t yet keep us up all night, they are well worth contemplating as we head into the second half of the decade.
Tech Talk: Unionization in the veterinary industry

Tech Talk: Unionization in the veterinary industry

February 27, 2025

By Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT

Unionization in the veterinary industry is not a new concept, but it has gained increased attention in recent years. A few pioneering practices have successfully unionized, marking a shift in how the veterinary community views worker advocacy.
The fight between generalists vs. specialists

The fight between generalists vs. specialists

February 12, 2025

By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

Who does the heavy lifting in veterinary medicine? I argue it’s the generalists vs. specialists who do the bulk of the work and make the biggest difference in the lives of animals. They treat more than just the tippy top of the iceberg of patients who enjoy the great luck of belonging to those who can fork over $10,000 for a TPLO or $20,000 for spinal surgery.
Tech Talk: 44 increased skills/volunteer opportunities you can achieve and explore

Tech Talk: 44 increased skills/volunteer opportunities you can achieve and explore

January 29, 2025

By  Jamie Rauscher, LVT

Volunteering in leadership roles within the field of veterinary medicine is a profoundly rewarding endeavour that offers many benefits both for the individual and the profession at large. The advantages of stepping into a leadership role are extensive, from enhancing professional skills and career opportunities to fostering personal growth and contributing to the community. This article will delve into how volunteering in such capacities can shape your career, enrich your personal life, and drive the advancement of veterinary medicine.
A comparative education doesn't mean all species are understood equally—or should be

A comparative education doesn't mean all species are understood equally—or should be

December 27, 2024

By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

We ingest a comparative education with an eye toward a more profound knowledge of our patients and their care when we eventually apply it in practice. It does not mean we pretend to know how to manage the care of invertebrates, for example. Nor does it mean we expect, after four years of basic education, to manage the care of fish, ferrets, tigers, and terrapins with equivalent success.
Tech Talk: 15 fresh takes on recognition – beyond pizza parties

Tech Talk: 15 fresh takes on recognition – beyond pizza parties

December 18, 2024

By Jamie Rauscher, LVT

While pizza parties are a fun and easy way to show appreciation, they might not fully capture the gratitude your staff deserves. If you are looking for more meaningful and varied ways to thank your veterinary team, NAVTA president provides 15 creative and impactful ideas.
Tech Talk: 8 steps to create a positive culture and 5 benefits

Tech Talk: 8 steps to create a positive culture and 5 benefits

November 21, 2024

By Jamie Rauscher, LVT

NAVTA president details the importance of fostering a positive culture of learning and growth in veterinary practices, provides practical steps for implementation, and discusses the benefits this culture can bring to both the staff and the practice as a whole.
Need better work-life balance? Get a hobby!

Need better work-life balance? Get a hobby!

November 8, 2024

By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

Before you know it, the only meaningful, nonveterinary skills you possess get relegated to those you might accumulate via YouTube osmosis and Discovery Channel pseudoscience. None of us wants that. So, in the hopes of improving the collective veterinary psyche, I offer you this list of vet-adjacent hobbies as my veterinary public service for the month.
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