October 7, 2024
Dear B.V.H. clients,
These past few post-COVID years have been a very challenging journey for all of us at Bethany Veterinary Hospital, to say the least. As you all know, I have been running our multi-doctor practice solo for over three and a half years. On behalf of myself and our staff, we appreciate your patience, understanding and encouragement that has made it possible for us to move forward despite the challenges. Although it was a journey that I never hope to repeat, it has taught me several important life lessons.
I realized that striving to please everyone is an impossible goal. My parents raised our family of seven in an environment that fostered a deep sense of compassion and empathy for a neighbor or stranger regardless of their background. My father was an extremely dedicated physician that devoted over 50 years of his life caring for those around him in our small town. Although he is no longer with us, that sense of responsibility to care for others runs very deep and is an integral part of me and how I view my profession. Over these recent years, many of my dear clients offered the following advice, “Take care of yourself.” It took me a few years, but I have finally been able to implement that repeated advice. Taking care of myself both mentally and physically meant that I had to learn that it is OK to say “no”. I learned that saying “no” does not mean that I care less about my clients and patients.
Although it sounds cliche, I also realized how short and valuable our lives are and that we need to cherish our time together. I have lost several immediate family members over the past few years and my children are almost ready to leave the nest. As you may have noticed, I took off several weeks over the past year to spend time with my family to enjoy precious moments together. I had wrongly anticipated that my clients would be upset because I wasn’t always available. Instead, your responses of “Good for you!”, “You deserve it!” were reassuring and helped me validate my decision to spend time with my family.
I also realized what an amazing and wonderful staff we have at B.V.H. Being a solo doctor forced me to rely on my staff and delegate increased responsibilities and duties to them. I am very proud of how each of them has grown professionally and taken on additional responsibilities in the interest of helping me survive while continuing to provide excellent care to you and your pets. They learned new skills, took on new roles and were vital to making sure I survived the past few years.
And finally, I realized what makes B.V.H. so unique…our clients, our patients and our staff! I know that we have something very special here that I am very proud of…..a pleasant work environment and culture that values treating everyone with dignity and sincere empathy.
Which brings me to some exciting news in the next chapter of the B.V.H. story! I am thrilled to announce that we have a veterinarian joining us…finally! We are very fortunate to have Dr. Sarah Petrario as a new, highly valued addition to our team. I am confident that you will all find her a compassionate, caring person who fits well into the deeply ingrained values that make B.V.H. such an awesome hospital! And I know she is also looking forward to getting to meet our wonderful clients and patients.
Again...Thank you all for your support!
Fondly,
Dr. Katherine A. Jackson
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January 21, 2022
Dear Valued BVH Clients,
I hope that this letter finds you and your family well as we begin the new year. I would like to thank those who took the time to read my previous letter, where I explained the current state of the veterinary field, not only in general, but at BVH specifically. Our staff greatly appreciated the outpouring of kind words, support, and understanding. It helped us all get through a particularly difficult period. The surprise goodies were consumed immediately and appreciated!
As 2022 begins, I have a renewed hope that the situation at BVH will continue to improve. BVH has several new, experienced, and enthusiastic staff members that we are excited for you to get to know. I am planning to utilize this increase in support staff. Hereafter I will be relying on them to be my liaisons in client communication and education. This is my attempt at improving our service to each of you. The success of BVH depends on our teamwork, and the utilization of my staff’s assets.
Unfortunately there has been no progress made on a full time veterinarian joining our team. However, some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Nerone, or Dr. Kenzora, who are relief doctors that lend their time to BVH whenever available. As the only permanent veterinarian at BVH, I am confident that I can continue to provide quality care for your four legged fur babies, and I remain optimistic about who or what the future of 2022 may bring!
Fondly,
Dr. Katherine A. Jackson
September 22, 2021
Dear Valued BVH Clients,
I hope that all of your families are doing well since the COVID pandemic entered our lives. I needed to take this opportunity to speak on a serious topic, give you an update on the current status at BVH, and provide you with insight into the veterinary profession in general.
Most of you are aware that I have been the only veterinarian working at BVH since this past April. Our hospital's current situation is a reflection of the entire veterinary field. Shortages are occurring on a national level within the industry. In fact, the veterinary profession is among the TOP industries experiencing a serious staffing shortage of doctors, technicians, receptionists, and all other support staff.
COVID has contributed to our current situation in many ways. When COVID arrived, the veterinary field was deemed “essential”. In other words, we worked tirelessly through the entire pandemic. We never got a break to physically or emotionally recharge. In addition, during 2020 & 2021 Americans adopted over 18 million new pets. Veterinarians have been trying to accommodate this unprecedented number of new patients in addition to continuing to care for their pre-existing patients, again, not having adequate time or staff to deal with the everyday demands.
A fact that I would like to share with you all about the veterinary field is that veterinarians have the highest suicide rate of any profession. It has been this way for decades. Contrary to popular belief, our days are not filled with cute puppies and cuddly kittens. Being in the veterinary field means long hours, physical and mental exhaustion, irreplaceable lost time with family, and often multiple euthanasias in one day. COVID has exacerbated our daily stresses, resulting in a plethora of valuable professionals and support staff leaving the industry.
The reason I am sharing these facts about the veterinary field is not because I want sympathy. Instead, I am pleading for empathy, understanding and patience. Please be kind and respectful to our receptionists. Threatening, abusive, and rude comments or actions are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Please be considerate and appreciative of our technicians and assistants who care for your pets. They are working endlessly to ensure that all of your pets are receiving the best care possible. We treat your fur babies like part of our family, now please do the same with my staff and respect them as if they are a part of yours. They are critical for me to function as the sole veterinarian at Bethany Veterinary Hospital. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Dr. Katherine A. Jackson & The Staff of Bethany Veterinary Hospital