Veterinary service: An unrecognized bargain

or night even though they have no intention of contributing money to the cause. 7. People think that families of Jim Kramer, DVM these professionals somehow do not require their parents to be present at important times. I've often thought that veterinary 6. People think the knowledge these practice is akin to ministry. There are professionals have sacrificed to gain many similarities between veterinarians is somehow a free commodity to be and the clergy. I've taken the liberty poured over the earth; and that they are of making a list. doing some kind of favor by being kind 10. People expect both to work enough to ask and receive. cheerfully on Sundays and holidays. 5. People disbelieve and argue with 9. People expect both to be the obvious and true. understanding and compassionate even 4. People work to test the boundaries though they blatantly ignore the advice of Christian charity and resolve. they are given. 3. People think the physical plant 8. People are happy to call day and ongoing expenses are paid directly by God. 2. People come for help but already have all the answers. 1. Every now and then a miracle happens. I truly do think veterinary practice is a type of ministry. When tele-stealers call to solicit funds from me, I tell them our money is already invested in noble causes. Many of the people who come Large Animal to us have significant problems and Reproduction Ultrasound challenges to resolve. We are a voice of including: reason, compassion, and direction. We provide leadership and problem solving 5.0 MHz Probe for our clients and our communities. Digital Still Recorder Across Nebraska veterinarians Carrying Bag are among the biggest unrecognized 1 year Warranty bargains any of our cities and towns contain. We came to them without Offer good while quantities last recruitment, tax breaks or handouts of any kind. We are educated, goal oriented, public minded professionals whose contributions as citizens are impressive. We educate ourselves and build and equip our own hospitals without municipalities, church affil800-564-8387 iations or mega insurance companies to foot the bill. We are not accustomed to
VETERINARY SERVICE: AN UNRECOGNIZED BARGAIN

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Jim Kramer, DVM, president, Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association sure the trough space was adequate and there was plenty of ventilation. Please remember that even the most altruistic of ministries still collects revenue to meet its obligations and further its ends. You remember that before Christ fed the crowd of 5,000 people, He collected two loaves of bread and some fish. The poor slob who had thought ahead to bring his lunch was probably really ticked. Veterinary medicine has undervalued and undersold itself for so long we've gotten good at it. We do not base our charges on our costs. We base our charges on what we are afraid someone down the road may be charging, even though that person may be more clueless about the cost of doing business than even we are. It will go down in history as one of the great ironies of the 21st century. At a time when more money is being spent on animal care and food safety than ever before in the history Of the world, veterinary medicine is struggling. Why? Mostly because of the way we perceive ourselves; and the value we place on our contribution to society. A new year, a new century, good time for a new attitude. (From Nebraska Veterinary Views,

Nov/Dec 1999,with permission.)

JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE