Pulse - September 2021 - 60

FROM THE SCVMA OFFICE PETER WEINSTEIN, DVM, MBA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PWEINSTEIN@SCVMA.ORG
BELONGING
T
he strength of a profession and more significantly a professional association is the feeling of belonging -
that feeling that you are NOT alone and that you have a group of others who are similarly inclined.
As a member of an association, you should never feel isolated,
and you should always feel that there are others who are
going through similar if not exactly the same challenges that
you are confronting.
Many of us were very competitive and isolated as we tried to
get into veterinary school. While in veterinary school, the focus
was on the coursework and curriculum. We buried our heads
in the books, individually for the most part, to get through and
survive. After graduation, the opportunity to belong comes
with the veterinary oath that admits you into the profession.
As an associate in the right practice, you have colleagues
with whom to partner and commiserate. And hopefully, your
boss/owner/chief of staff introduces you to colleagues - not
competitors - outside your practice. And you get that first
feeling of belonging...at least you should! If not, that's a different
conversation.
As you progress in life, you may own a practice. Frequently,
as an owner, you are by yourself with a support team of paraprofessionals.
It is your role as an owner to provide a feeling of
belonging for your team. But what about you? That is where
a professional association and organized veterinary medicine
come in. You are not in this alone. There is a world of others
in the veterinary profession eager to help you succeed. You
just may not have met them yet.
To owners reading this, it is time for you to get your associates
involved. Yes, it has been reported that younger-generation individuals
are not joiners. Yes, we are all super busy. And yes, there is
a cost. But the involvement, inclusion and investment all pay off
with a stronger associate, practice and profession when everybody
is part of the team. So think about getting yourself and your associate
on board so you can feel that you are part of the veterinary
profession - and also the veterinary family.
To young associates reading this: you are not alone! There
are others like you trying to find their way through fat dog
spays, uncontrolled diabetic cats, itchy skin that won't go away
and fractious owners, too, who won't go away. By belonging,
you will find your partner in pain. And you can be each other's
analgesic. We all need someone to talk to who has walked
in our shoes...
What would a PAW piece be without some song lyrics?
Rolling Stones, " Let It Bleed "
Well, we all need someone we can lean on.
And if you want it, you can lean on me.
Yeah, we all need someone we can lean on.
And if you want it, you can lean on me.
Or Bruce Springsteen, " If I Should Fall Behind "
We swore we'd travel, darling, side by side.
We'd help each other stay in stride.
But each lover's steps fall so differently.
But I'll wait for you, and if I should fall behind wait for me.
60
SEPTEMBER 2021
PULSE
So for an associate, recent grad or a new or experienced
owner (notice I didn't say " old " ), the past 18 months have
created an uncomfortable feeling of loneliness as a result of
the isolation created by the pandemic. Now, more than ever, a
feeling of belonging is needed. And now more than ever, the
SCVMA is trying to keep the profession together through
communications (PULSE, list-serv) and education (virtual
CE, half-day CE, and coming soon live CE) and collegiality
(chapter meetings, live CE) and support (employee assistance
programs). The cost of membership is a pittance when compared
to the value of belonging.
And this message is extended to our para-professional
members, who have their own chapter; our industry members,
who have their group, and to our DVM and RVT students,
who can learn about belonging from mentoring at
school and work. Become a member, passive or active. Learn
how others are handling the good (kittens and puppies), the
bad (HBC, bloats, linear foreign bodies) and the ugly (you can
fill this in on your own).
With the stressors that we feel every day in practice and in
life, isolationism is not healthy. Knowing that you are not in
this alone comes from knowing that you belong to a profession
that is caring for our patients - but, more importantly, is caring
for one another. The feeling of belonging and support is necessary
to address the mental health issues that weigh on us.
And one more lyric, Sister Sledge, " We are Family "
Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of this world's delights.
(High) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight.
No, we don't get depressed.
Here's what we call our golden rule:
Have faith in you and the things you do.
You won't go wrong, oh no,
This is our family jewel.
We are family (hey, sing it to me).
I got all my sisters with me.
We are family (oh, I can hear you now).
Get up everybody and sing!
Join the SCVMA. Become part of the family. Until next
time, join in at www.scvma.org.

http://www.scvma.org

Pulse - September 2021

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