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Work & Life
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Veterinarians seek adventure, perspective working abroad
5/23/2017
U.S. practitioners find many options among English-speaking countries
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How veterinarians handle aggressive patients
11/15/2016
Bites can be life-altering
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‘How could I get duped by these people?’
6/21/2016
Veterinarian spurred to handle own debt repayments
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Student borrowers susceptible to shady debt-relief pitches
6/20/2016
Veterinarians among vulnerable population
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Wrist pain: occupational hazard for veterinarians?
4/6/2016
Practitioners susceptible to hurting thumb tendon sheath
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Electronic stethoscopes aid veterinarians with hearing loss
3/22/2016
Iconic medical tool goes digital
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Veterinarians rally for uprooted colleague
11/12/2015
Somali practitioner-turned-refugee needs better prosthetic leg
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Veterinary documentary featured at film festivals
10/7/2015
New York Vet stars hospital-chain owner, community volunteer Dr. John Charos
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Violence in homeland forces veterinarian to start over
10/5/2015
Struggles from Somalia to Switzerland
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Sense or subterfuge?
9/17/2015
Questions arise about halted veterinary contest
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Psychological stress affects nearly 1 in 10 veterinarians
8/12/2015
Researchers aim to reduce stigma, distress and suicide
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Student-loan advising company in trouble
3/12/2015
Graduate Leverage LLC accused of investor fraud
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Weak passwords persist despite recurring hacks
1/15/2015
Breaches affect community of users, not only individuals
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First canine Ebola quarantine met with good luck
11/17/2014
Texas veterinarians recount 16 days with Bentley
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Dr. Sophia Yin leaves legacy of compassion, insight
10/1/2014
Death of celebrated veterinary behaviorist brings shock, grief
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Seeing health links between mountain gorillas and people
7/31/2014
Veterinarian envisions photo documentary through lens of public health
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Dr. Murray Fowler's legacy lives in those he inspired
5/29/2014
Veterinarian who revolutionized zoo animal medicine dies at age 85
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A colleague’s suicide opens our Pandora’s box
3/10/2014
Tragedy spotlights vulnerabilities in veterinary profession
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Navigating student debt, income-based loan repayment
2/4/2014
Veterinarian shares experience, advice about dealing with government programs
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Variety, challenges characterize veterinary general practice
12/31/2013
Financial aspects are frustrating
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Unusual dog leads veterinarian on unusual path
11/26/2013
How a sick shar-pei puppy steered clinician to research
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Veterinarians find their personal contact information listed online
10/17/2013
Directory-maker acknowledges misstep
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Veterinarians concerned about phony service dogs
8/31/2013
Unscrupulous owners seek perks afforded to working animals
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Advising aspiring veterinarians: spur or deter?
8/1/2013
Financial clouds dim career outlook
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Returning to clinical work after leave takes practice
7/15/2013
Planning makes a critical difference
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Dr. Douglas Blood dies at 93
6/20/2013
Australian veterinarian revolutionized large animal medicine
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Human medical emergencies pose conundrum for veterinarians
6/7/2013
Many are unsure of their responsibility and liability
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Veterinarians see eye-to-eye to help kitten with birth defect
5/16/2013
Colleagues bridge distance to provide restorative eyelid surgery
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GHLIT to unveil private health insurance exchange
2/15/2013
Veterinarians carrying GHLIT medical coverage forced to find new plans
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Shift worker syndrome impacts some veterinarians
1/31/2013
Studies tie sleep deficiency to health consequences
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Free pet food offer brings deluge of requests
12/26/2012
All 10,000 pounds now spoken for
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Free pet food available by the ton
12/21/2012
Surplus from Hurricane Sandy relief sits in warehouse
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Veterinary clinic collects holiday donations for military dogs
12/19/2012
'Joy to the Woof' successful beyond expectations
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Is the doctor in?
12/5/2012
Veterinarians grapple with demand for extended hours
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‘The Incredible Dr. Pol’ asserts innocence despite board discipline
10/8/2012
Star of reality TV show placed on probation
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Veterinarians with disabilities: Practicing a full life
10/1/2012
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Catanzaro named Bustad recipient
8/6/2012
Coveted award honors veterinarians fostering human-animal bond
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Dog breed genetic tests put to the test
7/10/2012
Science is solid but results aren’t precise
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Hospital chain headhunts for talent among veterinary practice staff
7/3/2012
Veterinarians debate ethics of Banfield's recruiting methods
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Remembering Rosenthal: 'People from all walks of life loved him'
5/24/2012
Celebrated oncologist emphasized academics, family, joy of living
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Pilot filmed for veterinary television show
5/16/2012
‘Super Vets’ would highlight veterinary capabilities
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Veterinarians ponder ideal number of daily appointments
5/7/2012
Personality, staff, community expectations shape preferences
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‘Why are vets so expensive?’
4/13/2012
Practitioner tackles sensitive question
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‘Special Direct Consolidation Loan’ offer confuses borrowers
3/19/2012
Limited offer exemplifies complexity of school-debt repayment options
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Veterinary clinic owner pays heavy price for military service
3/5/2012
Financial recovery elusive following deployment
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Memorial to honor dogs that perished in veterinary practice fire
2/29/2012
Veterinarian recalls chaos, sadness following devastation
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Heartwarming stories of healing boost spirits of veterinarians
12/21/2011
Good news welcomed in profession
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Veterinarian tells story of chaos, relief in tornado's aftermath
6/1/2011
Dr. Ben Leavens sets up makeshift ER while family is missing
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Russian veterinarian becomes impromptu seal expert
5/31/2011
Stranded pups show up three years in a row
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Veterinarians prone to suicide: fact or fiction?
5/9/2011
Several studies suggest it’s true, but research in U.S. spotty
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Veterinarians and suicide: Personal stories from the edge of the precipice
5/9/2011
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Veterinarian, three others die at hands of Somalian pirates
2/22/2011
Dr. Robert Riggle is UC-Davis alumnus
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Renowned veterinarian Dr. Robert W. Kirk dies
1/20/2011
Veterinarian had worldwide impact on profession
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Debt problem is everyone’s
1/4/2011
Most student loans financed by taxpayers
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Veterinary student debt continues to climb
1/4/2011
Despite years of concern, solutions remain elusive
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Veterinarian saves cat; stranger saves cat's owner
12/30/2010
Tale of generous acts heartens spirits
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Work-life balance a tightrope for many veterinarians
11/30/2010
Practitioners battle burnout, stress
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Veterinarian's recipe for stone soup serves up aid, cooperation
11/30/2010
Pay-it-forward idea fosters collegiality within profession
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From treating dogs to transporting tigers: A military veterinarian's duty
11/16/2010
Life of military veterinarian is diverse
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Human bites veterinary clinic owner
11/3/2010
Victim takes it in stride
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Germ that causes cat scratch disease not necessarily mild
9/20/2010
Veterinary professionals at risk of Bartonella infections
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Just say 'no' to telephone solicitors
8/23/2010
Clinic owners describe latest scheme involving Discover, Legal Club of America
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With friends like these …
8/6/2010
The perils of Facebook; how to protect your practice
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Veterinarian plans to rebuild following clinic fire
7/19/2010
Smoke claims lives of pets in N.Y. practice
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Clinic security increases after technician’s rape, murder
6/29/2010
Veterinarians urge safety precautions in the face of the unimaginable
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"Click and treat" for staff appreciation
6/15/2010
Positive reinforcement improves employee morale
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Who’s on VIN?
6/4/2010
Online community debates merits of exclusivity; panel report clarifies access policies for non-veterinarians
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Balancing practice ownership, motherhood
5/7/2010
With women now a majority among veterinarians, stakes are high for entire profession
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Veterinarian struck, killed while aiding dog
4/19/2010
Police searching for driver involved in hit-and-run
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CSU professor remains in critical condition following accident
4/2/2010
Support pours in from community
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Memorial services help veterinarians, clients process grief
3/10/2010
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Bah Humbug? Veterinarians risk Scrooge label despite charitable acts
12/28/2009
Growing need for free care can conflict with business side of practice
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The kindness of strangers restores faith in human nature
11/16/2009
Anonymous donors help pay for emergency care
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Ed Eames, service dog advocate, dies in Fresno
11/13/2009
Death of educator, speaker leaves void in community
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Programs support senior pets, senior clients
9/16/2009
Efforts call attention to pets’ need for lifelong care
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Veterinarians Without Borders takes stock in Liberia
9/8/2009
Education, rabies vaccinations at the top of their list
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Giving back in Central America
7/24/2009
Medical mission to aid Honduras' impoverished headed by VIN member
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War hero, veterinarian dedicated his life to students, profession
7/17/2009
Dr. Erwin Small is remembered
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From bathtub to the Baltic Sea
6/12/2009
Rescued seal pup returns to the wild
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Veterinary charity highlighted by economic woes
3/30/2009
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Contest honors those who make house calls
2/25/2009
Winners include some who work with animal rescue, injured wildlife
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Veterinarian shrinks waistline, expands fan base
12/9/2008
Dr. Brian Spar commended for 'inspirational' life change
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Victim takes it in stride
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November 3, 2010
By: Edie Lau
For The VIN News Service
In two years of running a discount veterinary clinic for low-income pet owners, Gina Brashear said, she’s gotten used to the occasional dog bite.
But being bitten by an angry pet owner — that was a first.
A week after tangling with an unhappy client, Brashear, a hairdresser and owner of Affordable Animal Care Clinic in Fort Myers, Fla., said she looks on the event as “a learning experience” and holds no animosity toward her assailant.
“My dad’s my attorney, and I’ve got three civil attorneys who handle stuff at the clinic,” Brashear told the VIN News Service. “Thing is, I’m not suing her. I’m not that type of person. ... I feel more sorry for her husband than anything.”
The alleged attacker, Kathleen Minneker, 61, faces a misdemeanor battery charge. She did not immediately respond to telephone messages from the VIN News Service seeking comment.
According to the arrest report and interview with Brashear, the ruckus began the afternoon of Oct. 26 when Minneker, one of the clinic’s regular clients, arrived late for a grooming appointment for her two shih tzus. Brashear said her groomer, Adrian Banks, 21, agreed to stay late to complete the job, which took until 6 p.m., an hour after closing time.
When Minneker arrived, she was upset to find the front door locked and angry that her dogs were last, according to the Brashear and the arrest report. Brashear, who had been going through mail when Banks let in Minneker, said she heard a commotion and ran out to see Minneker grab Banks by the shirt and push him.
Brashear said she got between the two of them. Minneker then attacked her, she said. “When she knocked me to the ground, I heard my tailbone crack,” Brashear said. “I’m like, 'Oh God.' ”
Brashear, 48, said she is 5-foot-1. Minneker is 5-foot-6, according to the arrest report. Brashear said she managed to get up eventually while Banks called 911. By the time authorities arrived, Brashear said, she’d been bitten three times — in the face, finger and big toe.
Brashear admitted to breaking her own clinic rule requiring close-toed shoes. She said she rarely works at the clinic, usually leaving it in the hands of five part-time veterinarians and a staff of volunteers.
Brashear said she has been involved in dog rescue work for nine years and decided two years ago to open a clinic serving pet owners of limited means. Although it is a for-profit business, Brashear said she subsidizes the operations with her and her husband’s personal income.
Many of her volunteer staff, including Banks, aspire to careers in veterinary medicine. Brashear said she pays for schooling for those interested in becoming veterinary technicians.
Minneker was known to the clinic as a difficult client, Brashear said, but things were going smoothly until the incident. Looking back, she said it was unbelievable, like something out of “The Jerry Springer Show,” the television tabloid talk show.
“We all just need to laugh about it,” she said.
VIN News Service commentaries are opinion pieces presenting insights, personal experiences and/or perspectives on topical issues by members of the veterinary community. To submit a commentary for consideration, email news@vin.com.
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