The Next 100 Years
Veterinary Medicine of the Future
In this essay, Dr. Don DeForge, Animal Doc AM Multi-Media, explores the Future Road Veterinary Medicine must take to provide and care for the Animal Kingdom
"Rest when you`re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work." Ralph Marston
-In their feature A 100 Year Family Tradition-Veterinary Practice News-October 2012, Marissa Heflin reviews a family that has had ties to veterinary medicine for 100 years. Dr. Jennifer Olson graduated from Cornell University in 2009. Her great grandfather initiated the line of veterinarians in this family when he graduated from Cornell in 1909. Four generations of graduate veterinarians from Cornell, all from this same family, have carried the "torch" of veterinary medical practice from 1909 to 2009. It is quite an accomplishment.
Jennifer states, "My Dad has taught me to be a good veterinary by example...he has a lot of integrity and is very honest with clients. When I watch him talk to people, I know he stands by what he is saying. That's what he would do if it were his cat. If they can't afford something or it is not within their reach, he tries to work with them. You get in the business because you like science, you like animals, but really you are taking care of people, and he taught me that."
The next 100 Years of Veterinary Practice in the United States will be challenging. As a veterinarian who has practiced for four decades in veterinary companion animal medicine and surgery, I have seen great change. We are quickly moving away from the small privately owned practices to corporate veterinary medicine. In the corporate model whether it be human or veterinary, there is more efficiency with the sharing of equipment and the localization of multiple specialists under one roof of veterinary care. With that increase of specialization and excellence in diagnostic equipment comes increased cost to the client. For this model to help all, we much find a mechanism of veterinary health care management that allows each pet owner to experience the finest in diagnostics and treatment. This is one of the major challenges of the next 100 years.
Other challenges must be addressed. As we extend the life of our veterinary patients, there can be no dissociation from senescence with a subtraction of care. As the aging process brings patients greater discomfort, it spells out a need for an addition not subtraction of special assistance.
Another challenge is not to lose our identification with client's feeling. There can be no loss of empathy in our profession. That means we cannot fail to assist or care for the companions of the poor or discard them from having care when suffering or in pain. There must never be an abandonment or lack of concern for ALL aspects of the Human-Animal Bond. This abandonment concern is not just with companion animals but MUST include farm animals, zoo species, aquaria species, wildlife, and all other members of the Animal Kingdom. There can never be a separation of the veterinary field from an active pursuit of preventing suffering. The American Veterinary Medical Association must work hard to create a National Registry of Animal Abusers in all states. Individuals found guilty of animal abuse in a court of law shall be for life be included in a National Registry which prevents ownership, sale, control, or contact with any member of the Animal Kingdom.
The concept of euthanasia on demand of healthy animals cannot continue. If a client becomes weary of their responsibility of being a caretaker of their companion, they must seek an adoption facility, a rescue group, or a new private owner for this pet. Veterinarians along with municipal animal shelters must increase their roles and participation in such companion animal transfers of ownership without remuneration.
It is my belief that in the next 100 years the word COMPASSION must be the key to unlocking all of the doors of growth of our profession. State licenses in veterinary medicine must state:
The individual examined by our State Board according to the laws and regulations relative to registration in this state entitle that individual to the right to practice veterinary medicine and surgery with exactitude, compassion, and respect for all members of the Animal Kingdom. Compassion is a form of social conscience. Once veterinary medicine loses social conscience the profession will become "faceless". A faceless veterinary profession will be scorned with fewer vocations as young brilliant minds look to collateral medical careers.
Dr. Leo Bustad, humanitarian, scientist, educator, and Dean of Washington State University was a pioneer in teaching the significance of the Human-Animal Bond. We must continue his mission and remember that the Human-Animal Bond is not a credit card or a multi-thousand dollar payment for a veterinary service but a contract in CARING and COMPASSION. Being a doctor of veterinary medicine is a privilege and with that privilege we cannot ignore the responsibility connected to our doctorate designation.
Dr. Don DeForge
Animal Doc AM Multi-Media
October 9, 2012
Silver Sands Veterinary Center-17 Seemans Lane-Milford, CT 06460
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
1-800-838-3368
E-Mail DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com
Visit us on FB at Silver Sands Veterinary
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