Saving the Soul of Veterinary Medicine
I just returned from Ithaca, New York, having celebrated a veterinary college reunion (45th!) Dean Warnick blessed us with three days of perfect weather during which old memories and old acquaintances were renewed and revisited in all their youth and splendor. While the class of ’77 is now in their early 70’s, I could only visualize classmates through the eyes of a mid-twenty year old---and why not?
Before, during, and since that glorious weekend, I have enjoyed ample opportunity to ponder my veterinary career with all its twists and turns, what-ifs, and why-nots. More so, I have spent many moments reflecting on our profession as a whole; where it started for me, and where I see it now.
It saddens me, in no untold terms, to proclaim that veterinary medicine is quickly losing its soul. I choose this word, “soul” because for me it denotes a life-sustaining spirit, an inner force of sustenance, a vibrant, glowing core.
For four decades plus, I have always viewed veterinar…
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