Dr Paulo Lencioni – a companion animal vet turned computer coder turned practising accountant specialising who now works with vet clinics to grow their practices answers the question “The impact of the pandemic – vet clinics are busier – but are we treating our patients better or worse?”

If you haven’t listened to the first part yet, then I recommend you do because it gives context to today.   

We continue with the findings in the report commissioned by Profit Diagnostics – one of Paulo’s businesses – together with Virtual Vet Nurse – one of Dr Steve Merchant’s  initiatives.  [Dr Steve Merchant founded IndieVets]

The report’s entitled “The impact of the pandemic – vet clinics are busier – but are we treating our patients better or worse?”

You can get your free copy of the report here.  

Today we talk about:

•  what Paolo’s most profitable client clinic is doing that others aren’t which includes removing psychological ceilings and judgements on what clients will spend;
• some easy to deal to in-clinic inefficiencies that will help improve both profitability and reduce stress for nurses and vets
• and something totally left field – how doggie dancing helps calm reactive and angry dogs – I never knew doggie dancing was such a thing but Paolo and his wife take on problem dogs and turn them around – he shares what that looks like for the dog and them.

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.

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Veterinarian Dr Paolo Lencioni - co-author of September 2021 Vet Clinic Practice White Paper “The impact of the pandemic – vet clinics are busier – but are we treating our patients better or worse?”

Today is part one of a two parts where I caught up with Dr Paulo Lencioni – a Companion Animal Veterinarian turned computer coder turned practising accountant specialising in vet clinic practices - mostly in Australasia but spanning a few global continents.

If you’ve been listening to Paws Claws & Wet Noses for a while, you may remember that back in April I had the pleasure of catching up with Dr Steve Merchant of IndieVets in episode 25.

Steve and I talked about IndieVets – where independently owned vet clinic can go, for, among other things, collaboration.

In September Steve sent me a white paper report that was commissioned by Profit Diagnostics – one of Paulo’s businesses – together with Virtual Vet Nurse – another of Steve’s initiatives.  

“The impact of the pandemic – vet clinics are busier – but are we treating our patients better or worse?”

The report is entitled “The impact of the pandemic – vet clinics are busier – but are we treating our patients better or worse?”

If you haven’t read the report and you’d like to, then here's where you can find your free copy.

The way the pandemic has played out in vet clinics - so far

In Q1 last year – 2020 - when COVID-19 first emerged, veterinary clinics throughout Australasia (and indeed, the world) were apprehensive.

As with all businesses, no-one knew how the pandemic would play out – or how it would affect our communities, our society, and our livelihoods.

Within the first 30 days, it became clear that veterinary businesses weren’t being negatively affected – at least, not financially.  Instead, they experienced a noticeable spike in demand for services.

This trend has continued, to varying degrees, during the ensuing 2020/2021 lockdown periods in Australia and New Zealand.

Key questions raised 

• What’s driving the increased demand for veterinary services?
• How long will the trend continue?
• What are the in-clinic impacts of increased levels of busyness?
• What’s the correlation between revenues and profitability?
• What’s the impact on clinical standards and patient advocacy?
• How can clinics address this to create a win-win situation?

That’s what this episode and next week’s looks at – the results of these findings plus the answers to other questions I asked Paolo.

IndieVets webinar

You’ll hear Paolo mention a webinar that he and Steve did together.   If you’d like to watch that webinar please get in touch with Steve as that was an IndieVets webinar.   

Profit Diagnostix webinars

Paulo also mentions other webinars his consultancy firm does – the last one he held was with approximately 50 vets across Australasia discussing environmental and pandemic issues and strategies.    It’s well worth listening to.   You can attend by donating a few dollars for Paolo to plant a tree.

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

Sustainable Vet Clinic Practice - CeeJay Donovan of Massey Vets in Palmerston North - chats about her 6 in 6  - six easy to implement sustainable practices she implemented at Massey Vets in six months and the differences she noticed.

For international listeners that’s the on-campus clinic of the Veterinary Science Faculty of New Zealand’s Massey University.

CeeJay has a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology from Massey, a Certificate in Science and Technology from Massey as well as a Certificate in Captive Wild Animal Management from Unitec in Auckland.  

If you’ve listened to the previous two episodes on sustainability, you’ll have heard CeeJay’s name mentioned a few times – especially in relation to the social media initiatives she’s kicked off Sustainable Vet Practice – NZ communities on both FB and Insta – so go follow and connect there.

We also talked about some of her big picture goals such as 

• finding a way to compost cat poop without exposing the environment to toxoplasma; 
•  is there a way you can capture and reuse your anaesthetic gas, 
• and what’s she doing in regard to responsible antimicrobial disposal.

 As you’ll hear her say more than once – one person can make a difference!

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

it’s critical that vets with visas can get into NZ without having to play the MIQ lottery game of chance – you can sign it at Get2VetsNZ at Facebook or via tinyurl.com/get2vetsnz -  thanks heaps!

Stay tuned right to the end - if you’re interested you can listen into the after we wrapped everything up chat that CeeJay and I had.

Sustainable Vet Practice - NZ - Facebook
Sustainable Vet Practice - NZ - Instagram

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

When it comes to matters "immigration" in New Zealand there are all sorts of changing scenarios - almost weekly.

Licensed Immigration consultant Katy Armstrong of IntoNZ chats with Julie South about what's news. 

Here's what Katy and Julie talked about:

Julie's petition to have two MIQ spaces allocated each week to vets issued visas by Immigration NZ

• Is the median wage expected to change?    If so: 
  • What difference is that going to make and when does it kick in?
•  For vets wanting their Permanent Residency what:
   
  • Visa do they need to be on to get that?
  • When can they start applying? 
  • Who’s eligible?   
  • Is it just a visa or is there an entry date / arrival date criteria too?
• Long Term Skills Visa – is that still a thing?
• Skilled Migrant Visa – what is that?   Does this apply to vets?
• What are processing times, do you know?
• How many vets have so far been approved under the “June 50”?
• How many vets have been approved this year?
• Do you know how many vets per annum are usually approved in normal times (ie, pre-pandemic)?  
  • Do you know what we’re averaging 2020 and 2021?
• What else do vets and/or vet clinics need to know as at today?

Katy's website - IntoNZ
2021 Residence Visa that Katy mentioned
Book a chat with Katy

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

Veterinarian Dr Liza Schneider is one of New Zealand’s leading authorities in holistic animal healthcare. 

In 2003 Liza established – what is today – award-winning Holistic Vets in Tauranga – located in New Zealand’s spectacular Bay of Plenty region.  

Holistic Vets is a fully integrated veterinary practice combining conventional veterinary medicine and surgery with complementary therapies.   This was the first of its kind in New Zealand. 

Liza is also the founding trustee of ARRC Wildlife Trust – that’s the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.  

The ARRC is a charitable trust which provides veterinary care and services to rehabilitate wildlife and has been the recipient of community awards.  

Education is a key focus of ARRC, especially of children. To help achieve this ARRC has produced a series of children’s books illustrating the human impact on wildlife and what children can do to help. 

As you’ll hear today, throughout her veterinary career, Liza has sought and applied complementary and natural therapies which are easy to learn, practical to apply, and highly effective at assisting her patients to heal. 

 She’s always believed that as a vet, it’s not simply her job to practice veterinary science, but it’s her responsibility to make sure she always gives her patients the best possible care; knowing that she’s explored every option to enhance their health. 

 Liza has served as the president of the NZ Vet Association’s Complementary Veterinary Medicine branch since 2010.

 Over the years Liza has been recognised for her work in the community, her entrepreneurship and business acumen with several awards. 

 Last year – in 2020 - she was the recipient of the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s Veterinary Impact Award which is bestowed on an individual who’s made a considerable positive impact for the veterinary profession.

Liza delights in educating, inspiring and entertaining people about sustainable healthcare and the importance of preserving our natural heritage. 

Liza’s extremely passionate about what she does and what she believes in.

LINKS FROM TODAY'S SHOW

Episode 049 - the first in the #SustainableVets series

Julie's petition to help get more vets into New Zealand

Holistic Vets in Tauranga

Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Wildlife Trust

Sustainable Vet Practice NZ - on Facebook

Sustainable Vet Practice NZ - on Instagram

Paws Claws & Wet Noses at Facebook

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

Vet Clinic Sustainability - three vet panel discussion on what vet clinics can do to start or further their sustainability journey

GUESTS:

Dr Francesca Brown:
Head of Programmes and Principal Lecturer, Vet, Nursing Education and Chair, Educational Standards committee at Otago Polytech
Previous guest episodes:
Episode 28
Episode 29

Dr Rose Unsworth - Companion Animal Veterinarian
Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch of the NZVA.  Rose has also featured twice as a guest on Paws Claws & Wet Noses:
Episode 09
Episode 21

Dr Liza Schneider - Companion Animal Veterinarian
Prinicipal and owner of award winning Holistic Vets in Tauranga.   
Liza established Holistic Vets in 2003.   
You’ll hear more about Liza’s journey next week.

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

Guest:  Dr Lucy Scott - New Zealand Registered Veterinarian from the Massey Veterinary Science class of 2015 recently branched out into veterinary behavioural work and starting her own behaviour business.

Lucy started off in a rural mixed animal practice – where she spent six years before pursuing her dream of making a difference in animals’ lives through behaviour modification and training. 

Lucy uses positive reinforcement training with her own animals and introduced fear-free principles into her former practice.

This year - 2021 - she sat her Australian College of Veterinary Scientists Membership exams in Veterinary Behaviour and started her business Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ.

Lucy's website

Julie's Parliamentary Petition to Get2VetsNZ

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

Vets and Vet Clinics:  how to incorporate an attitude of gratitude in your life for well health

I’ve noticed the light of positivity in my mind dim over the last couple of weeks, and if I’m feeling it, then I know that others must certainly be a little shaky too.

Since that episode I’ve had a few people ask me how can they have an attitude of gratitude – what does that look like – as part of their lives?   The conversation usually goes something like this:

I journal.

What does journaling look like?

Or 

Who’s got time to journal?

Or 

How do you start?

Or 

What’s the purpose of that?

So today I’d like to share what journaling looks like for me – there’s no right or wrong way to journal – the important thing is to just do it.


What does it mean to practice gratitude?

Put simply, gratitude means the state of being grateful. 

It involves expressing thanks or appreciation for something, from a gift to life itself.

Gratitude is an active state – you have to go looking for it – it doesn’t just happen without having an open heart and an open mind… well I don’t believe it can.

Gratitude involves the recognition of the positive things in your life and how they affect you. 

It can range from noticing and truly stopping to look at and smell the roses through acknowledgement of a beautiful flower you pass when you’re out walking … or being wowed by the beauty of a full moon … or a rainbow … or sunrise or sunset … the smile on a baby’s face … when your pet greets you with such enthusiastic love when you get home … when your kids show you their work of art that’s just for you…  

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

Vet clinics:  how secure is your website or internet system?

Do you have a recovery or contingency plan if you're the victim of a cyber attack?

What aspects of your vet clinic practice are vulnerable?

Today Julie South looks at:

• how to protect your vet clinic against a DDoS attack, 
• internet failure contingency plan(s) 
• how to recognise phishing scams & emails
• latest password management recommendations
• identity theft
• free wifi dangers

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

Vet Science Student Q&A - part 2 of 2

Although today’s episode specifically answers Massey students’ questions, as you’ll hear, the information Janet shares is relevant to just about most people.  

Because her profession requires full disclosure – which you can read in its entirety at smartmoneyadvice.co.nz I’ll just go over the top level stuff.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor of Business Studies - Massey University 
• Diploma in Business endorsed in Personal Financial Planning - Massey University 
• Authorised Financial Advisor (FSP no 67543) 

Professional Membership / Roles 

• Institute of Financial Advisers - Waikato Branch Secretary and former member of The National Council 
• Financial Advice NZ – Committee member, Waikato/BOP 

She’s also held roles on National Investment Advisory Committees for The National Partnership and Advanced Investment Solutions 

Experience 

Janet’s owned her own business since 2008.   She worked in it as a part time employee, for 2 years, prior to purchasing it. 

She’s also worked as a fire and general insurance underwriter for 4 years, a bank adviser for investment and insurance for 2 years and as a Professional Trustee for 12½ years with Public Trust.

Smart Money Advice

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