When I was in junior high, or middle school as they call it these days, Dr. Barb Teter of the Pet Clinic here in Omaha led our Veterinary Explorers group.
Dr. Teter and her team took care of ALL of our pets growing up.
When I was in my first year of veterinary practice in Littleton Colorado, Dr. Teter was there for my family when they had to have our first cat Winston euthanized. I wrote Dr. Teter to thank her, and she wrote back (in part),
"I am glad you have become a vet and wish you a highly successful career. I think you'll find, as I have, that euthanasia never gets easier, no matter how long you have been a vet."
It is such a joy for me to be back in my hometown, in practice parallel to the veterinarian who introduced me to veterinary medicine.
We do not cross paths often, but when we do, I enjoy it.
Thank you for your kind and wise words. Indeed, when others, vets included, have told me I need to toughen up to survive this career, I have fallen back on your words, and have never allowed euthanasia to get easier, and have been blessed many times over because of it.
Thank you Dr. Teter for taking care of our pets.
Thank you for introducing me to veterinary medicine.
Thank you for being a veterinarian I could look up to as a kid, and look up to still.
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Post from one year ago today...
December 16, 2015