IV AAEP News February 2022
ASSOCIATION
5 things to know about AAEP this month
1. Secure one of only 60 spots for Focus on Sport Horse Pre-Purchase Exam, May 2–3 in Lexington, Ky., by registering for the hands-on CE event at
aaep.org/meetings.
2. AAEP Virtual Convention participants are reminded that CE from on-demand recordings of educational sessions must be claimed by March 31.
3. Solicit advice on a difficult case or share your expertise by joining the more than 1,400 members of AAEP Member Vet Talk on Facebook. Search for the private group on Facebook to join.
4. Submit a paper by March 15 for consideration for presentation at the 2022 AAEP Annual Convention at
https://s3.goeshow.com/ aaep/annual/2022/ AAEP_paper_submision. cfm.
5. New practitioners: Acquire advice on navigating the early stages of your career by signing up for AAEP’s Outrider mentorship program at
aaep.org/ mentoring-program.
New Practice Life podcast offers insight into equine veterinary business trends
Despite an increase in demand for services among existing clients, equine veterinary practices are navigating some difficult trends in dually providing the highest quality of care to clients and a fulfilling and satisfying work environ- ment for employees.
During the January episode of the AAEP Practice Life podcast, which recaps the Business News Hour session from the 2021 AAEP Annual Convention, Dr. Mike Pownall explores the state of the equine and veterinary economy as well as the challenge of attracting and retaining equine veterinarians with session panelists Dr. Caitlin Daly, owner of Mid Coast Equine in Waldoboro, Maine; Dr. Amy Grice, veterinary consulting practice owner in Virginia City, Mont.; and Dr. Kelly Zeytoonian, owner of Starwood Equine Veterinary Services and Starwood Veterinary Consulting Inc. in Redwood City, Calif.
During a discussion of retention, it was noted that many practices are becoming more progressive to attract and retain veterinarians due to the surplus of available jobs. Dr. Zeytoonian highlighted safety (due to lack of support staff), debt-to-income ratio, practice culture and
emergency coverage as the top reasons employees leave a practice.
“What an amazing opportunity if we take advantage of this moment to say, ‘people need us, there is a demand for our services, it’s time for us to reconfigure our expecta- tions for the clients we deal with, the expectations we have from them, and, in turn, build up and improve the practices we are bringing employees on to,’” said Dr. Zeytoonian.
Among the topics explored during the 38-minute episode are the causes and effects of “The Great Resignation,” the wide discrepancy in average starting salary by gender in equine practice, lack of diversity within the profession and suggestions for improving, importance of purpose and autonomy, and tips for establishing boundaries with clients and colleagues.
Download or listen to the episode at
podcast.aaep.org or on iTunes.
The AAEP Practice Life podcast is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
The ethics of hard work, continued
to have a career that does not define their identity to the same degree as established practitioners. If desire for excellence as a professional remains unchanged, quality of care is not sacrificed and a shift in mindset may result in greater sustainability over the course of a career.
Our population of horse doctors is shrinking. More veteri- narians are retiring than entering our sector of practice. We need all of us working together to care for our equid population. Collaborative, supportive environments must replace competitive, cut-throat and toxic cultures. Improved wellbeing and retention can result in a career that ultimately feels like one of the coolest jobs in the world when done well.
The current rate of attrition from veterinary medicine, continuous escalation of educational costs and documented increased risk for self-harm make evolution essential to steady our path forward. Change comes hard to all of us, but I am reminded of the immense clinical knowledge gained personally from working with new graduates and interns. Hearing our young comrades and implementing new information for the staffing and wellness side of practice only makes sense. Consider the Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they would like to be treated. An unintended consequence may be learning that how we want to be treated is no longer equivalent to what we have traditionally accepted for ourselves.
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