In our modern, fast-paced world time is always short. In a practice that prides itself on spending time with client and patient, this also holds true. so, how does one juggle time?
A while ago I travelled to the USA to attend a physical rehabilitation symposium. I was exposed to many new and exciting possibilities. Upon my return, there was the usual demand for my expertise, always intensified when I have been away. I moved straight into my old patterns of practise. The ease with which we 'do what we have always done' is not surprising. It is efficient and saves time.
I was ambling along as usual, comfortable in my therapeutic processes. My patients were responding to therapy so why change? Recently, my boat was rocked again!
A rehabilitation colleague spent a few days at our facility. Her forte is manual therapies. She always says her hands are her best pieces of equipment, and they are the least expensive. It was a joy to watch her work. I asked her to evaluate a few of my 'tricky' patients and I gained new insight into the value of manual therapy. Whilst I do not have her experience in this field, I have much knowledge to utilise, and I have attended joint mobilisation and massage courses. I also have excellent palpation skills after years of performing acupunture. But in the face of her example, I realised how I had underutilised and undervalued these skills.
Stimulated by her demonstrations, I have focused on integrating more of these hands on techniques in my day to day routine. The results are nothing short of spectacular!
My existing patterns have been challenged and I have emerged revitalised, with a set of skills I previously failed to use because I perceived that I had insufficient time. I have adjusted my schedule to examine all the new techniques and ideas to which I have been exposed. Can I use them in my practice? Do they require extra equipment, and at what price? These are my new challenges. I intend to emerge triumphant!
I urge you to evaluate your patterns and time management, honestly. What knowledge do you have that is lying dormant, waiting for release? Explore these opportunities to break through stagnation and habit. Accept the challenge. You will be pleasantly surprised!
After more than 20 years in the small animal veterinary business, I would like to share a few things I have learnt, make observations and have conversations about them.
Sunday 24 January 2016
Sunday 10 January 2016
The Natural Order?
More than a year ago there was a horrifying story in the news of a Husky that had
chased and attacked three goats living at the neighbour. The neighbour
retaliated by trapping the dog in an outside room and beating it to death. This
process took more than an hour and the skull of the Husky was pulverised. The
dog, however, did not die from this severe injury but rather, he drowned in his own blood. The ribs were fractured and the lungs punctured. The dog’s crime:
chasing and injuring a number of goats. The punishment: death.
Why
have I highlighted this story? It is gruesome. Usually my eyes flick over such
excerpts because I choose not to fill my days with bloodshed, horror and
negativity. I have raised this incident because there are points to be made
about this scenario.
Firstly,
it is never the animal’s fault.
Goats
are herbivores. As such they are prey animals and not at the top of the food
chain. When threatened, they instinctively run in an attempt to remove
themselves from imminent danger.
Dogs
are carnivores. They sit at the top of the food chain. They hunt. They are
instinctively geared to chase.
Bring
dogs and goats together and there is a recipe for disaster.
Should
the goats (domestic animals and in our care, as humans) have suffered the
attack? No.
Should
the Husky (also domesticated) have been given the opportunity to chase? Should
his actions have been punishable by death? No, on both counts.
These
animals were being true to their nature. The set of circumstances in which they found themselves, was not their fault.
Secondly,
these precious beings are our responsibility.
Both
sets of humans were at fault for allowing this sequence of events. The goat
owner (I dislike this word – goat guardian) should have ensured protection for his
4-legged charges. He should have erected boundaries to prevent the attack;
sufficiently high walls, electric fencing, thorny barriers, noise deterrents.
There are many options. Since mankind has been herding animals they have
grappled with this daily dilemma. Ignorance is not an excuse. Neither is
laziness or a lack of funding. By taking on the goats, the humans acquired a
responsibility for their safety especially because they had no option to outrun
the dog.
The
dog guardian could also be in the wrong. Huskies are working dogs, bred to be on the
go all day. Was sufficient care taken to stimulate this dog both mentally and
physically? Was he exercised? Was he given tasks to perform? Was there adequate
training? Was the human aware of the breed’s natural tendencies? Did he place
boundaries to prevent this and keep his dog safe? Was the dog moved into the
house when there was no human supervision? Again, ignorance is not an excuse.
Both
parties must take responsibility for their role in this bloody chain of events.
Playing the ‘blame game’ will only lead to further victim mentality, and
possibly more revenge. Stand up and own it.
The
third point is about the nature of humans. We still have a reptilian brain.
When placed under pressure we revert to survival mode, so-called ‘fight or
flight’. The results are often fatal.
I
believe we are on this earth plane to learn. We must face physical hardships
and emotional traumas. How we deal with these events is our choice. We can
continue to be reactive, as in this case. Alternatively, we can consciously
strive to know ourselves and our soul, making decisions from this space
instead.
We
must focus on setting ourselves, and our animal companions, up for success.
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