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In Their Own Words.


Veterinary medicine has vastly improved over the last 10 years. Many of us can remember a time when the best solution to a dog’s chronic illness or a debilitating injury was humane euthanasia. Today, thanks to research facilities like the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine many more treatment options are available. And yes, the price of healthcare for our dogs has gone up exponen- tially as a result of the new options - from breakthrough drugs and rehabilitation therapy to equipment and surgeries. This opportunity often brings us face to face with the reality of whether or not we can afford the treatment to save our pets. We are faced with the daunting decision on how best to proceed, and the costs associated with the treatment are often the tipping point. Pet health insurance is no longer considered a luxury, although many of us are still not able to afford the additional monthly cost. Veterinarians and vet techs are faced with


scared, angry and stressed-out pet owners every day. They are presented with intense sit- uations of trauma, illness, abuse and neglect. Feelings of caring are often stretched to the limit, resulting in compassion fatigue or total burnout Veterinarians are also faced with the deci-


sion on whether or not to offer new services that would improve the health and well-being of their clients. Will pet parents be interested in new treatments and therapies? Will they pay more for these services? In spite of these dilemmas, many veteri-


narians improve their skills with ongoing contin- ued education. They update their facilities to ensure better treatment will be available for their clients. And many still love to care for ani- mals.


The veterinarians on The New Barker


Veterinary Advisory Board are some of the most compassionate, caring individuals in their field. They are innovative, often thinking outside the box for solutions, and enjoy working with the pet parents as much as the animals. We are better for their guidance, input and expertise. In answer to the qustion – Why did you


become a veterinarian? Here are some of their responses – in their own words.


www.TheNewBarker.com


Why I Became A Veterinarian.


Elizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP To say I became a veterinarian because I love animals is overly simplistic, but nonetheless rings true. I’ve always known I want- ed to spend my life surrounded by animals of all kinds. But it was my love for science and problem solv- ing that made it possible. The desire to fix everything I find and make it per- fect helped too, however unrealistic that may be. And yes, I did bring home every animal I found as a child and drove my mother nuts with the collection of lizards, frogs and baby bats I tried to bring into the house. And I nagged my poor father inces- santly for a horse of my own. Little


did I know how fulfilling it would truly be to spend my days helping pets and their people and I am so grateful my childhood dream of being a veterinarian became my reality. Country Oaks Animal Hospital & Barding Kennel, Pam Harbor. 727.785.6524. CountryOaksAnimalHospital.com


Tim Hodge, DVM I suspect the basic core answer to this question is my love of ani- mals. I grew up in rural Mississippi and having pets and farm ani- mals were very normal and routine. We had both house pets (dogs and cats), and outside pets. The routine farm animals were chickens, goats, pigs and cows. So learning to care for these animals started at a very early age. My grandfather performed many of the basic aspects of veterinary care for his own animals, but also for many in the community. I think his gift passed to me. There is one specific incident that


sealed my decision to become a veterinarian. As I said, many of our dogs lived outside. One day, a dog of ours was hit by a car on a nearby road. I witnessed the entire event. I was about 10 years old. I ran to the edge of the road, where my dog was dying. I didn’t know what to do. Tears streaming down my face, I swore then and there, that I would never, not know what to do. My medical profession, healing career and life’s mission were sealed. And so the journey began and continues, with no end in sight. Harbourside Animal Hospital, Tampa. 813.229.3322. HarboursideVet.com. Cross Creek Animal Medical Center, Tampa. 813.994.6929. CrossCreekVet.com


Winter ~ 2014/15 THE NEW BARKER 71


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