Not One More Vet’s Post

What are some of the challenges for neurodiverse individuals within the veterinary field? In this blog, RVN Nikki McLeod shares her personal journey with #dyscalculia and late-diagnosed autism. #NeurodiversityAwareness #Neurodiversity https://lnkd.in/euA22FYz

Coco Lederhouse writes: If #veterinary teams can effectively recruit and retain #neurodivergent employees and highlight their strengths, then the whole workplace will benefit, said Dr. Debra Nickelson, DVM MBA (she), founder of Trillium C, a consulting firm for #veterinarians. Dr. Nickelson along with Dr. Erika Lin-Hendel, founder of Empathy at Large consulting and member of the Not One More Vet board of directors, presented the session “Recruitment and Retention: #Neurodivergent Individuals Are Valuable Members of the Veterinary Team” at AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Convention 2024 in Austin, Texas. Recruiting neurodivergent employees takes intentionality. In job descriptions, including a #diversity, equity, and #inclusion (#DEI) statement; using #inclusive language; and focusing on specific skills can all set the tone for how current and future team members view a veterinary practice. Using clear instructions, an accessible font, adequate spacing between large text blocks, and a space for the applicant to share their personal pronouns is helpful, Dr. Nickelson said. Including clear timelines and steps for the application process can make applicants more comfortable. When interviewing job applicants, managers are encouraged to offer a phone or video call option, share complex questions in advance, and ask open-ended behavioral questions instead of personal questions. “Really consider how you can best communicate,” Dr. Nickelson said. Using #inclusive language, sharing personal pronouns, and mentioning a list of accommodations provided for all employees demonstrates an #equitable workplace. A supportive manager works with the employee to determine any helpful accommodations and regularly provides guidance. Feedback helps foster an ongoing conversation. Examples of accommodations include adjustments to the workspace, flexible hours, modified job tasks, paid or unpaid leave, and intermittent family and medical leave. Keeping an open dialogue is key to retaining neurodivergent employees. “Check in with your team about the sensory environment because that is something that takes energy away from people,” Dr. Hendel said. Proactively providing safe spaces and opportunities to break from overstimulation is an effective way to support neurodivergent veterinary team members. Celebrating workplace culture, providing adequate time for tasks, and practicing active listening help create an encouraging environment. “Neurodivergent individuals are incredibly loyal to spaces where they feel supported,” Dr. Hendel said. #NeurodiversityAtWork #InclusiveWorkplace

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝙊𝙋𝙏𝙄𝙈𝘼𝙇 𝘼𝙂𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝘾𝘼𝙏 𝙎𝙋𝘼𝙔 𝙊𝙍 𝙉𝙀𝙐𝙏𝙀𝙍 💡To help minimize confusion and provide evidence-based guidelines, in January 2016, the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization met to review the literature. 💡They found no evidence of increased risk for complications or long-term adverse health effects after sterilization of pediatric and juvenile cats. 💡The resultant Consensus Statement describes the benefits of spaying/neutering cats younger than 5 months of age Benefits of Spaying/Neutering Cats Younger than 5 Months of Age 🔸Decreases the risk for mammary carcinoma 🔸Eliminates reproductive emergencies such as pyometra and dystocia 🔸Prevents unintended pregnancies (which may occur as early as 4 months of age) 🔸Potentially decreases behavioral problems linked with cat relinquishment CONCERNS ABOUT EARLY SPAY/NEUTER 🟣❓ Is Early Spay/Neuter Associated With Orthopedic Problems? Three fairly recent articles discuss orthopedic concerns associated with early neutering of large breed dogs. With regard to these articles, 2 key points should be considered. First, the articles focus on large breed dogs, and their findings should not be extrapolated to cats. Second, no similar studies have found a relationship between spay/neuter and orthopedic conditions in cats. 🔴❓ Does Early Neutering Increase the Potential for Urinary Tract Obstruction? The myth that neutering a cat before it reaches sexual maturity results in a smaller penis and predisposes the cat to urinary tract obstruction has been proven to be false. No difference in urethral diameter between cats neutered at 7 weeks, neutered at 7 months, or left intact. 🟡❓ Is Early Spay/Neuter Associated With More Surgical or Anesthetic Complications? In 2000, Land reported on a survey of 85 veterinarians who had collectively performed approximately 200 000 early spays/neuters (dogs and cats). The veterinarians unanimously stated that early spays/neuters were safer, faster, and easier than the same surgeries in dogs and cats 6 months of age or older. 🔵❓ Does Early Spay/Neuter Lead to Undesirable Behavior? Researchers tracked undesirable behaviors from immediately after adoption up to 24 months after adoption and found no evidence that age at the time of sterilization had an effect on the number of or occurrence of undesirable behaviors. 🟠❓ Early Spay/Neuter in Animal Shelters? Many shelters will not spay/neuter kittens that weigh less than 2 pounds or are younger than 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS ✨The optimal age to spay/neuter a cat is before it reaches 5 months of age. For owned cats, the optimal age would be 4 to 5 months; for cats in shelters, the optimal age could be as early as 8 weeks. Credit Text: https://lnkd.in/gKJfhj5i Pict: https://lnkd.in/gpyqCjbP

Today's BBC WORKLIFE online narrative gives one a realistic glimpse into the life of a veterinarian in private practice today. However, one likely would still not glimpse the distress I felt as an autistic veterinarian working in private practice every minute of every working day. I was obligated to support my wife and three children financially. I was able to obtain a position as a customer service representative-telephone sales person at a telephone call center. Imagine the stress involved with an autistic person who is uncomfortable around people and disliked telephone conversation, yet supervisor prompted to "upsale" to people. I liked my position as a school custodian, however, I was terminated the day after the 9/11/2001 tragedy in NYC. My temper meltdown unfortunately involved the school principal that day-- who promptly and rightfully dismissed me. I attempted to work as a veterinary medical officer employee of this federal government. That career lasted the longest, I believe. However, we know how corrupt some sectors of government can be and we can also view the incompetence of some in our federal government workforce. Imagine an autistic federal employee, with an obsessive desire and compulsion to inform higher government officials of the incompetence and dishonesty seen. Review the predictable reaction of the co-workers involved--the retaliation that is possible from them. Back to school to receive a diploma for another career. However, I am autistic-- with a single issue focus about exposing people to this Morse outreach and how much value I place on this exposure to vulnerable youngsters. Imagine this autistic older student relentlessly pursuing Morse outreach success in academia. Four months prior to graduation from my two year degree effort, imagine signing a "contract" with my school administrators---agreeing not to mention my Morse outreach to anyone involved with my four month preceptorship at a prestigious university prior to graduation. Imagine being terminated from the degree track I worked hard for because I, with autistic impulsiveness, violated this written agreement and I made an appointment to discuss my outreach with the pediatric section administrator there. This was the majority of my personal autistic life.

US Veterinary Employers of all kinds, this message is for you! I need your input to help move the needle for working parents in vet med. I've created a survey to get a better idea of the current state of parental leave in veterinary medicine, and I need you to complete it! Research has shown the benefits of parental leave in the physical and mental health of working parents and their families, and it's even been shown to be good for business. The problem is that without a parental leave policy at the national level, employers are mostly left on their own to figure out what to offer and to make it happen. As a certified RETAIN parental leave coach, I want to find ways to better support working parents in vet med and those who employ them. The saying "if you can't measure it, you can't manage it" by Peter Drucker applies here. Please help me by sharing what you currently offer and what barriers you face. Your feedback will only be shared in aggregate and anonymously. I'm tagging some industry leaders who are in a position to either complete the survey or help spread my request to those in their network. Even if you're not tagged, please take the survey if it applies to you. And please SHARE this post and link with your network! I'm open to any questions you may have. Thanks for your help with this important project! Link to survey in the comments! Michael Raphael Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, DACVECC, CYT Sandra Faeh, DVM Molly McAllister, DVM, MPH Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM Dr. Tannetje Crocker Cindy Trice

As veterinary professionals, our dedication to the well-being of our beloved four-legged companions is unwavering. 🏥🐕 In the quest to provide the best care for older dogs, a recent article titled "Cognitive Aging in Dogs" brings invaluable insights to the forefront. 🔍 This comprehensive review delves into the nuanced realm of cognitive aging in senior dogs, shedding light on distinguishing between normal age-related changes and potentially concerning pathologic aging. Recognizing that behavioral shifts could signal underlying health issues, the article highlights the importance of differentiation for early intervention. 🧠📊 The article systematically explores various cognitive functions that tend to decline with age in dogs, providing a roadmap for identifying early signs of cognitive dysfunction. 📈🏆 For veterinary practitioners seeking effective screening methods, read all about a multifaceted approach: combining owner-evaluated questionnaires with neuropsychological tests below. This strategy offers a robust means of identifying cognitively affected dogs amidst those experiencing normal cognitive aging. What do you do for your geriatric patients? #OptimumPetVitality #LaurieMc #caninerehab #vetphysio #vetrehab #vetrehabber #veterinaryphysio #dogexercise #dogexercises #vetrehabtech #vetlife #vet #vettechlife #vetinspiration #vetprofessionals #webinar #DogRehab #DogRehabilitation #VetRehabilitation #veterinarian #veterinarymedicine #caninehealth

https://lnkd.in/eVshmWMe I had a great time talking with Stacey Cordivano of The Whole Veterinarian about returning to work after having a baby, parental leave and it’s importance of all parents, the motherhood penalty, and of course, my book! CRC Press

What is Animal Assisted Therapy? Animal Assisted Therapy incorporates the use of animals, within a therapy session, to achieve a specific goal. 🐶 Over the years, a building body of research has investigated the positive impact that the human-animal bond can have on both adults and children. As animals are non-judgemental and provide an unconditional love, they assist in increasing the engagement and rapport between therapist and client. 📚 Research has also shown that having animals incorporated within the therapeutic process can assist to reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, increase social interaction, increase communication within sessions, as well as act as an intrinsic motivator to engage with the animal assisted intervention. 🐾It has been suggested that communication between an animal (particularly dogs) and a client with social difficulties is easier than communication with other people. The reason for this is that dogs, unlike people, communicate through body language alone and not a unique and often confusing mix of verbal, subtle facial and body cues, and underlying social rules. Animals also have the unique ability to provide immediate feedback regarding a person’s mood, behaviour and method of communication. ✨For example, for a child that is making a large amount of noise and movement, the dog might shy away from this and may show a level of discomfort, however, once the child calms down, the dog then may proceed to show affection once again. ✨Alternatively, a high energy client might find it difficult to have a calm and quiet interaction with a high energy dog, until they themselves are calm which can then encourage the dog to calm also. 💜Because of the many positive effects that animals can have, particularly dogs, they are being incorporated into many health professions all over the world. These include Psychology, counselling, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and even in school classrooms. Visit our website to learn how you can work in Animal Assisted Services via studying with us online. www.therapydog.com.au 💜 . . #dog #dogsofaustralia #animalassistedtherapy #therapydog #therapydogsaustralia #therapydogsaotearoa #dogtraining

The February issue of our VNJ is now online! 📚 In this issue... We discuss how employers and employees could manage stress and improve workplace wellbeing. Jade Brindley shares her personal experience of egg freezing and provides a helpful guide to the procedure itself and how colleagues and employers can support those undergoing fertility treatment. We have a literature review on perioperative patient nutrition by Kelly Huitson, which looks at the management of nutrition in cats, dogs and rabbits during this period. Ben Witcomb reveals the things he wishes he’d known before training to be a veterinary nurse, and we take a look at the renal system, with a focus on urine production. Plus ... ✔️ Autism in veterinary practice ✔️ Nursing care of the recumbent canine patient after ventral slot surgery ✔️ The impact of ‘sleeping night shifts’ on veterinary staff Log in to your BVNA account now and click on the VNJ tab to read more 📚

It is great that Kirstie Pickles is getting this study and the issue in general recognised in the profession, anyone who has interacted with me in the last year or so knows how passionate I am on autism in the veterinary profession. However We need to ensure we decide to move forward in the right way, not drawing the wrong conclusions or building a strategy that will not address the real issue. Studies on autism can be very challenging, this is because the label 'autism' actually tells us very little about a person, the diversity within autism is vast with common styptoms often being the result of different underlying issues from indvidual to individual. I'd be very confident in saying that some of the people that I considder to be the very best vets and have thrived in the profession would very easily qualify for a diagnosis of autism and in most cases have autistic children, tso the role is not by definition 'bad' or unsuitable for people with autism. The "good news" within this study is that the main issues are not exclusive to the vet profession and in fact are the common issues that come up when we look at employment of autistic people across all career paths. The problem is not to do with the profession of being a vet, yes it is people facing and that can be a challenge but as the study shows it is colleagues who prove a greater challenge than customers and most professions have collegaues. The issue is about environments, assumptions, misunderstandings and communication. The problem exists within management and how veterinary businesses are run, and this isnt just effecting autistic people. Often the toxic environments workplaces become impact on autistic people more profoundly and much sooner. The competencies that make a work environment safe for an autistic person are not limited in their impact to just autistic people, they will be effective for any individual. It is time for the industry to have a long hard look at itself and considder what it has become. The role of a vet is challenging, but I have now doubt that those who choose to enter the profession are up to the challenge. What people need more than anything is to be treated as individuals, understood as individuals and treated humanely. This is something that has been visibly lost in the last 20 years and the damage is clear to see. Here are our 4 top tips to achieve a better work environment for all: 🐶 Become competent at reasonable adjustments 😺 Improve Listenting and communication skills 🐴 Remove assumptions 🐮 Question before you act If you want help achieving the above or have an autistic employee who may be struggling get in touch. #veterinary #VetLife #autism #neurodiversity #RCVS