VN May 2022

Vetnews | Mei 2022 47 I was enjoying a lie-in this Easter Monday (aka Family day), hopping into bed with our daughter and her rascally almost-3 son. (That's Leigh, who suffered fromChronic Fatigue /Rickettsiosis/Lymes/etc. etc. for 17 years). Wechattedaboutmy joiningan international vetwebinar amonthor soago; thesubjectwas too fewyoungpeoplewanting to join theprofession, toomany leaving it soonafter beginning, and - of course - the tragedy of anxiety, depressionandThe Big S. Fellow delegates were fromOz, NZ, Ireland, Croatia, France, Sweden, Canada, the US, and others I can't recall offhand. Our SA timewas 21h00 – 23h00. Others were joining at all hours of day and night! Our very emotional colleague in Croatia grabbed my heart; she seemed genuinely desperate for her brutally overworked and over-expected colleagues within their small profession. Most from the other countries were excited about having "compulsory attendance" joint sessions at vet congresses/ conferences on this subject: stress, time out, employer understanding, etc. etc. -I was very proud to brag about our SAVA /Vetlink congresses going this way! Mentorship is nowgainingmomentumworldwide, it seems. Good on you, SAVA and dear AnnalieMcCallum! However, the Freudian slip I madewhen saying thewebinar was facilitated by the Royal College ofVeterinary SERVANTS in London got Leigh andme giggling and rollingwith laughter!!!! But on reflection - and this is indeed a huge factor in our profession's leading the list of those sufferers - we ARE servants. If you check out one of themany on par observations/quotes attributed to the American philosopher-writer-entrepreneur Max Depree, he lists the three attributes of great leaders: Whether we know or like it or not, members of our profession are generally looked upon as respected leaders in our communities. SO, GUYS,WEMUST ACCEPTTHAT, YES,WE ARENOTONLYVETERINARY SURGEONS BUTVETERINARY SERVANTSTOO! Prosperity in all its guises, Tod v Life plus 23 without parole Tod Collins Dr Tod Collins shares his experiences and opinions . 1. They define reality. 2. They express gratitude. 3. In between, they are servants of the people. Regulars I Life plus 23 + 23 More thana Freudian slip