September 30, 2009

“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”  --John Steinbeck

September 23, 2009

“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” –Niels Bohr

This quote made me smile when I read it.  I know how true it is!

There aren’t many fields more ‘narrow’ than pet loss counseling and, during my two decades in the profession, I’ve made every mistake there is.  I’ve said things that have caused my clients’ faces to cloud up with confusion or offense.  I’ve tried humor when that was the last thing a colleague wanted to hear from me.  I’ve gotten ‘hooked’ by cases that seemed to hit ‘too close to home’ and, in my early days of teaching, I told students what to think rather than teaching them how to think.

Still, it’s my mistakes that have refined and honed my unique knowledge and skills.  Every time I messed up, I replaced my technique with one that worked better.  And, knowing that my clients often experienced our work together in ways that I wasn’t aware of, I followed up with them and asked them questions.  “What could I have done differently?”  “What helped you the most?”  “Is there anything I should know about that feels unfinished or is still upsetting for you?”  You can’t imagine the helpful information their answers provided me.

If you’re an expert in your field, a professional who has had great success, consider your mistakes, as well.  What can you learn from them that might make you even more masterful?

September 16, 2009

"I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn how to do it." --Pablo Picasso

I wish I had Picasso's confidence and curiousity! Too often, I find myself turning away from opportunities where I could learn and stretch in favor of my own 'comfort zone'. Speak at a national conference? Too scary... Help a friend understand his pet's diagnosis? That's someone else's job... Check out a new cat rescue in town? Who cares, I have dogs...

Yet, I'm a person who learns by doing and seeing for myself. I need to have an experience in order to really understand the why and how of something. Yet, often, I deny myself new experiences.

What new experience can you (and I!) have today? Just imagine what we might learn...

September 2, 2009

In our current political and economic climate, there is a renewed call for volunteers in our communities.  The AVMA heeded this call during their recent annual convention in Seattle, WA.  During the July conference, dozens of attendees took part in the AVMA Foundation’s second “Our Oath in Action” project.  The AVMA refers to the project as ‘voluntourism”, combining volunteerism and tourism to allow a closer experience with their host city.

Last year, AVMA members helped those in need in New Orleans.  This year, conference go-ers helped clean up an animal shelter, paint a barn at a horse rescue, and prepare for a major adopt-a-thon at King County Animal Care shelter in Seattle.

“It’s very small groups of individuals who have a very large impact on their community,” said Dr. Kristyn Richardson.  Kudos to the AVMA and project sponsors for their wise leadership!

---adapted from a report in JAVMA, September 1, 2009, p. 501.