Veterinary Voices

What makes a "good" veterinarian and/or a "good" veterinary clinic.   Today Dr Paul Unsworth challenges me - Julie South - with specificity.   

As he says, "good" and "bad" aren't easily classified.

If getting fit is on your to-do list for 2023, then stay tuned to the end to find out how to save $500 on an ebike.

Today, UK-qualified New Zealand locum veterinarian, Dr Paul Unsworth talks about and reflects on:

·       What determines a “good” vet

·       What determines a “good” clinic

·       Some of the “best” medical advances he’s seen over the course of his career

·       His favourite gadget?   [Hint:  it’s a type of endoscope – have you used this specific type of endoscope?]

·       Should vets specialise (lower case “s”) such that pet owners would then take their pets to different clinics according to the specialisation / interest of a clinic?   And………..

·       Pet Insurance – how to increase NZs take-up rate of pet insurance in kiwi clinics.

In 2023 the NZVA turns 100
If you'd like to name a nomination for the 2023 NZVA Awards, entries close on 03/03/2023.

Entry categories are:

• Outstanding Services Award
• President’s Award 
• Honorary Life Membership  Award
• Veterinary Impact Award
• Young Veterinarian Award
• Veterinary Business Excellence Award
• Antimicrobial Resistance – the AMR – Award 
• And the new award – the Environmental Sustainability Award

For more info - NZVA website.

How to save $500 on an ebike

Is getting fit on your plan for 2023 and/or you’ve been thinking about buying an ebike then your NZVA membership entitles you to a $500 saving on any full priced KTM, Gepida or Haibike e-bike at Electrify NZ or $300 off any full priced Black or SmartMotion e-bike.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Crystal Ball Gazing

Today we do a bit of crystal ball gazing with Dr Paul Unsworth – Companion Animal Locum Veterinarian.   This is the first of a multi-part series.

We’re talking about some of the changes Dr Paul has seen since he started his career.

Gender Equality and Diversity

We also talk about gender equality and professional representation which always a topic that results in passionate debate.  Using my words, not his, the veterinary profession has evolved into having not much diversity.

We’re trying to change the way things ARE, to work within a way that WAS.   And that WAS no longer works.

If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode with Dr Jade Hackney, have a listen – because she makes some really valid points about the change that needs to happen to bring out professional longevitiy.

Menagerie of pets growing up

If you’re involved in the veterinary profession, it’s probably fair to say that most of us grew up with at least one pet.

You probably had a cat or a dog.  Maybe a bunny or another type of pocket furry … or maybe a bird… perhaps even a pony.  But I’ll be surprised if you’ve had a menagerie of pets like Dr Paul Unsworth.

Companion Animal Locum Veterinarian Dr Paul Unsworth, who’s married to Dr Rose Unsworth, who’s been a guest on this show a few times, shares what life was like as a veterinarian back in the day where James Herriot was making headlines and inspiring lots of British young men and women to become veterinarians.

James Herriot

If you’re too young to know who James Herriot is, that’s the pen name of James Alfred Wight who worked as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales in England.

His first book, published in 1969, was “If Only They Could Talk”, followed up by “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet”.

Both of these books were published as a volume in the US as “All Creatures Great and Small”.

We start of the conversation where I asked Dr Paul about starting out as a veterinarian when James Herriot was known to many…

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

The old model of running a veterinary business no longer works - it's time for a fresh look and different approach.

This is the final episode (of 3) is Dr Jade Hackney’s series about life after veterinary burnout and recovery.

At the Christchurch wellness symposium I - Julie South - spent the first day sitting next to a part-time vet - she:  

• worked 3x 10-hour days... 
• was a fully engaged, high producing, veterinarian totally committed to her clinic...   
• had a life outside of her clinic which lit her up.

If you’re a veterinary professional who wants to work part-time but doesn’t know how to re-enter professional clinical life, please get in touch with me at vetstaff.co.nz because I’d love to help you.  

Your skills and expertise are valuable – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise “just” because you’re a part timer.

Today, Jade and I both invite clinic owners to consider the benefits of employing part timers – that’s where we join the conversation.

Jade calls out clinics who're still working the "old" business model that clearly, no longer works today.   It's time for a shakeup and reboot!

I hope you find Jade’s story enlightening and encouraging.

If you’re a clinic owner and would like to see whether you can change things around a bit at your clinic then please get in touch with me through vetstaff. 
 
Let’s find out what questions need to be asked at your clinic to have a happier team at your place.

If you’re a veterinary professional wanting to return to clinical practice but have some of those fears, uncertainties and doubts Jade mentioned, please get in touch with me – I’d love to help you return to the workforce in a way that respects, honours and values you as a person and professional.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit that follow button (it’s free) and give it a 5-star review wherever you’re listening to it right now.  Why? Because it makes a huge difference to helping the search algorithms serve it up for others to listen to.  Thanks heaps!

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

This is the second in the multi part series where Companion Animal Veterinarian Dr Jade Hackney  shares her path to living life to the full as a healthy and loving, long-term life partner and fully engaged veterinarian.

Dr Jade talks about:

• the moment she and her life partner realised they no longer wanted to work fulltime in jobs they didn't enjoy to pay someone else's mortgage;
• their journey to owning their own home in their 30s - mortgage-free;
• what 'living life to the full' means to Jade;
• living the dream with 'pinch yourself moments' each day;
• the freedom available to you when you start something with a Beginner's Mind and how knowing how something should be done can be an impediment;
• living the WWOOF lifestyle for a while;
• how vet clinics can employ part timers and be better off for it;
• how it's easier to blame others, but that's not what being emotionally intelligent is;
• how it's important - critical! - to focus only on what you can control - your own thoughts and feelings - and not worry about what you can't - other people's thoughts or feelings.

Listen to the first part of the conversation - episode 107.

 If you're a vet or vet nurse considering your next vet job (locum or permanent) in New Zealand the team at VetStaff is here to help.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

You can take the person out of vetting but can you take vetting out of the person?   

This series of episodes with Dr Jade Hackney was recorded a few months’ ago but I thought the topic was very relevant – especially for veterinary professionals who may be reconsidering their careers in the veterinary space… especially the clinical veterinary space.

For example, when you reconsider your career as a veterinarian – not once, but twice – what might that look like and what’s life like on the other side?

This episode is personal and emotional.  If you’re standing on a bit of shaky ground right now, hopefully you’ll find Jade’s journey both insightful and hopeful.  

If you’re standing on VERY shaky ground please call or text 1737 and chat with someone who won’t judge you.  That’s 1737.  

Today’s episode doesn’t talk about suicide but it is about burnout.   And hope and recovery.

I’m with locum Companion Animal Veterinarian - Dr Jade Hackney – a graduate from the University of Dublin - shares her personal burnout, meltdown and recovery journey about what life is like on the other side as a practicing veterinarian.

Jade was born in Northern Ireland but when she was 11 months old her parents moved to Malawi, where she lived until she was 11.   

She encountered a huge culture shock when her parents returned to Northern Ireland.  This lead to the beginning of unpleasant times for Jade.

In 2014 she experienced burnout through working 1-in-4 weekends + 1 night a week on call, with no time off in lieu, and minimal collegial support.   As she shares, she thought at this point she’d never practice as a clinical veterinarian again.   

In 2015 Jade started her journey of self-care, recovery and work-life balance.   

One thing that really struck me with Jade’s language is her ownership of her own EQ – her own emotional intelligence.   

It’s a very small thing but when Jade catches herself referring to the “global you” when she’s really meaning herself, she corrects from “you” – disownership, to “I” – full ownership.

Listen out for it as it’s something that people who have high emotional intelligence do … she starts off by saying “you” and will correct to say “I”.

We kick off with me asking Jade when she knew she wanted to be a vet.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

This is the second of the two part series with Dr Jane Ough – Companion Animal Veterinarian at South Wairarapa Vets – who’s wearing her very new New Zealand Veterinary Association Climate Change Ambassador’s hat.

If you haven’t listened to the first part – 105 – I recommend you do that, to give you context for today’s continuation of our chat.

We join the conversation where Jane expresses how worried she is that not enough people are taking steps to offset their own carbon footprint ramifications and global warming.   

She also talks about more initiatives South Wairarapa Vets have implemented and the responses she’s getting from both staff and clients.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Today we’re with Dr Jane Ough – Companion Animal Veterinarian at South Wairarapa Vets – who’s wearing her very new New Zealand Veterinary Association Climate Change Ambassador’s hat.

This is the second time Dr Jane has been on Paws Claws Wet Noses.   

You can listen to her previous episodes 87, 88 and 89 – where she introduced the climate change initiatives South Wairarapa Vets has implemented.  

Today, Jane talks about how the NZVA Climate Change Ambassador volunteer position came about and some of the first steps the Vet Association is taking to find out more about its own carbon footprint.

She also talks about more initiatives South Wairarapa Vets have implemented and the responses she’s getting from both staff and clients.

 We start the conversation here with me asking Jane what she’s been up to since the last time we caught up, which was before the NZVA Conference in June 2022.

I think you'll be equally impressed by her passion (even if you don't agree with everything she says) as I am!

If you enjoyed this podcast please hit that follow button (it’s free) and give it a 5-star review wherever you’re listening to it right now.  Why? Because it makes a huge difference to helping the search algorithms serve it up for others to listen to.  Thanks heaps!

Tune in again next week where Dr Jane shares more of what they’ve been doing at South Wairarapa and the differences they’re making.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

The second in the two part series where Professor John Munday talks about his world-first RAS research to treat cancer in cats and dogs.   

After graduating, he worked for 2 years in a mixed animal practice in Whangarei. 

He then returned to Massey and completed a PhD. 

After completing his doctorate John then did a 2-year residency in veterinary pathology at Michigan State University before working as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia for 4 years. 

It was at this time he decided to return home and joined the veterinary pathology department at Massey University.   

In addition to teaching the veterinary students, Prof Munday also developed a research interest in cancer in animals.

This includes investigating the causes of cancer in animals as well as developing ways to better predict how cancers will behave in animals. 

More recently, he started investigating ways that cancers in animals can be treated… although he’s quick to remind people he’s not a veterinary oncologist so that his main interest is in investigating completely novel new ways to treat cancer in animals.

Professor Munday is a Diplomate of the ACVP – the American College of Veterinary Pathologists – so he’s a boarded veterinary pathologist. 

This means he has a better than good knowledge of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of a wide variety of endemic and exotic animal diseases.

He has approximately 20 years' experience as a diagnostic pathologist in both New Zealand and in the US. 

Using his pathology background, Prof Munday has collaborated with studies examining tissues from a variety of animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, fish, and horses. 

Currently, his main research interests are the diagnosis and prognostic markers for neoplasia in companion animals and the role of  infectious agents in the development of cancer in domestic species. 

He recently wrote a chapter in the premier textbook in veterinary cancer pathology and has a broad knowledge of the diagnostic techniques and prognostic markers available both in veterinary medicine as well as for some cancers of people.

His interest in infectious diseases has resulted in him establishing an association between papillomavirus infection and skin cancer in cats and much of his current research is further validating that relationship and developing clinical applications for this knowledge. 

Prof Munday has also developed skills in molecular biology and was the first to fully sequence and classify two papillomaviruses from domestic cats. 

He was also the first to prove that the papillomavirus that causes feline sarcoids has a bovine definitive host. Overall, he’s authored 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and currently has a group of 3 PhD students for which he’s the chief supervisor.

I hope you enjoy listening to his current world-first research taking place downunder in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.   We join the conversation where I ask him how this world first cat and dog cancer research started.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Professor John Munday is a Massey University graduate. 

After graduating, he worked for 2 years in a mixed animal practice in Whangarei. 

He then returned to Massey and completed a PhD.  

After completing his doctorate John then did a 2-year residency in veterinary pathology at Michigan State University before working as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia for 4 years.  

It was at this time he decided to return home and joined the veterinary pathology department at Massey University.   

In addition to teaching the veterinary students, Prof Munday also developed a research interest in cancer in animals. 

This includes investigating the causes of cancer in animals as well as developing ways to better predict how cancers will behave in animals.  

More recently, he started investigating ways that cancers in animals can be treated… although he’s quick to remind people he’s not a veterinary oncologist so that his main interest is in investigating completely novel new ways to treat cancer in animals. 

Professor Munday is a Diplomate of the ACVP – the American College of Veterinary Pathologists – so he’s a boarded veterinary pathologist.  

This means he has a better than good knowledge of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of a wide variety of endemic and exotic animal diseases. 

He has approximately 20 years' experience as a diagnostic pathologist in both New Zealand and in the US.  

Using his pathology background, Prof Munday has collaborated with studies examining tissues from a variety of animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, fish, and horses.  

Currently, his main research interests are the diagnosis and prognostic markers for neoplasia in companion animals and the role of  infectious agents in the development of cancer in domestic species.  

He recently wrote a chapter in the premier textbook in veterinary cancer pathology and has a broad knowledge of the diagnostic techniques and prognostic markers available both in veterinary medicine as well as for some cancers of people. 

His interest in infectious diseases has resulted in him establishing an association between papillomavirus infection and skin cancer in cats and much of his current research is further validating that relationship and developing clinical applications for this knowledge.  

Prof Munday has also developed skills in molecular biology and was the first to fully sequence and classify two papillomaviruses from domestic cats.  

He was also the first to prove that the papillomavirus that causes feline sarcoids has a bovine definitive host. Overall, he’s authored 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts and currently has a group of 3 PhD students for which he’s the chief supervisor.

I hope you enjoy listening to his current world-first research taking place downunder in Godzone Aotearoa New Zealand.   We join the conversation where I ask him how this world first cat and dog cancer research started.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Dr Megan Alderson, Companion Animal Veterinarian  + principal and partner of the Strand Veterinarian in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand, introduces her new initiative The Vet Thrive Collective.

In this episode Dr Megan and Julie talk about the six shields (tenets) that form part of the Vet Thrive Collective wellbeing programme:

• Breathe
• Rest
• Nourish
• Flow
• Forgive
• Compassion

Dr Megan (and Dr Francesca from last week) will be presenting at the NZVA Wellbeing and Business Symposiums in Christchurch, NZ, in November 2022.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics