A Bichon Frise, the same breed as Cotton.
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Local veterinary hospitals refused to treat a dying dog—and not because they didn't have the skills or the client wouldn't
pay. Cotton, who was seizing, was turned away from her regular veterinarian because he couldn't see her right away. So her
owners took her to a second clinic that also turned them away. And the staff at the third hospital told Cotton's family to
take her to the emergency clinic, which at that time of day was closed. Cotton arrived at Dr. Woloshyn's hospital nearly lifeless,
where she later died.
Learn from clients
Dr. Marisa Gerth with her dogs Kyra and Cody.
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I've read years' worth of journals, and many articles have caused me to think or laugh, but few have produced an outburst
of tears so strong that my dog Kody came over to comfort me. I was horrified that nobody would see Cotton. I've spent too
many evenings and weekends seeing those patients and will stop practicing the day I turn a non-client emergency away. I'm
going to show this article to all the staff members at my hospital and to others in our field to remind everyone of the importance
of why we're here. Hopefully there are few Cottons out there.
—Marisa Gerth, DVM
Alexandria, Va. Dr. Woloshyn's response
Dr. Craig Woloshyn tried to save Cotton's life after three veterinary clinics turned her away. A Veterinary Economics Editorial
Advisory Board member, Dr. Woloshyn owns Animal Medical Clinic in Spring Hill, Fla. He also owns Sun Dog Veterinary Consulting.
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Here's another way to remind ourselves of why we're here: Think like a client and see our world through their eyes. As a profession,
we exist to serve our patients and clients, so it's imperative that we're truly empathetic toward them. The bond we share
with clients is, of course, our compassion for pets.
Over the years, my pets have been under the care of other doctors, usually specialists of some sort. This has given me a broad
lesson in compassion. Though in this situation we're both doctors—and often friends—the referral doctor doesn't experience
the emotional component of my pet's illness that I do. (That's one reason to refer.) And though I certainly don't wish illness
on my pets, I try to learn from their afflictions and various treatments, no matter how minor. Over the years other doctors
have illuminated me on pain management, quality-of-life decisions, drug compliance, and a host of other subjects that I then
incorporate into my own practice.
We can also learn about compassion from our team members' pets. My employees receive pet care as an employment benefit. In
return, I learn from their bond with their pets through all phases of life and health. And practices showing clinic-wide compassion
generally have happier employees, better staff longevity, and much higher professional satisfaction.
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