Mobilizing RVT’s.

Solving the veterinary workforce crisis.

I have recently spent 2 weeks with 2 groups of amazing RVT’s from across Canada in our unique, Mobilizing RVT’s, program. This is a dream come true for me and the culmination of a career and lifetime of meeting fascinating people.

We are at a place in history where the future of veterinary medicine is somewhat obscured by a dark cloud. Workforce shortage, increasing mental health distress and disorders, burnout and frustration often directed at clients and colleagues who need help. It paints a bleak picture.

Enter optimism and hope. RVT’s come together for 5 days of intense learning, shared experiences and skill development. What an absolute inspiration to share time and space with these talented veterinary professionals. We spend our days learning dialogue skills, exchanging great ideas and learning from each other. RVT’s leading appointments and communicating with clients is not new, it’s not a wondrous new technology, it’s such a simple thing, really. What this program, Mobilizing RVT’s, adds and develops is the communication skills to build competence and confidence. We communicate better, interactions are less draining and animal care gets better. Win - Win!

The gap that needs filling for many RVT’s is the refined skills to have connected, meaningful dialogue, with all people….even the “difficult” ones! Identifying skills, practicing them and reflecting on them is how we acquire any skill in any discipline. RVT’s are skill machines so this fits will with what they already do well.

Why the term, “Mobilizing” ? Because we are ready.

Definitions to consider:

“. . . prepare something, or someone, to spring into action . . . “

“ . . . to work together in order to achieve a particular aim. . . “

“ . . . shares long term and unifying objectives that target a collective interest . . . “

“ . . . to organize for a purpose . . . “

“ . . . assemble, organize, marshall, prepare, activate and propel . . “

I have enjoyed (and still enjoy) a tremendous career in veterinary medicine; mixed animal practice, education, corporate and now entrepreneurship. This program is my legacy and was not possible without a colourful history of experience, of education and of so many people that are forward thinkers, challenging the norms and thinking inside and outside of the box.

Veterinary friends, we are at a time in history to make positive change, to optimize our teams and bring the JOY back into our work lives.

Becky