Welcome to the Tales of the Veterinary Receptionist. I hope that the title explains it all. But, since I like to share, let me expand on what that means.
I have been a receptionist at a local veterinary clinic for almost two years now. It was a job I got on absolute chance after other opportunities I was offered fell through. Money constraints, trying to find secure housing after moving to town and other factors meant that I was after any job that would earn me money (legally.) As fate would have it, I applied for a vacant receptionist role at a veterinary clinic that was on the search. Now, in hindsight, it was a choice I made that has forever changed the course of my life, my outlook on it as well as my skillset and knowledge.
Being a veterinary receptionist, you see some of the best and much of the worst of the human race. No day is ever the same and how you feel about work one day will be polar opposite within 24 hours. It is most definitely not all puppies and kittens. I spend a majority of my days explaining to fully grown adults why their animal should be wormed and that their dog can still get heartworm even though 'there is no mosquitos in their yard.'
A personal favourite is asking a client to please place their pet on the scales to double check his weight prior to his health check appointment. Being an older person (who possibly may have had hearing difficulties) I watched as they pulled their pet to the side, stood on the scales and proceeded to make direct, strong and very uncomfortable eye contact with me as I attempted to not let a giggle escape. I then kindly thanked them and assisted them to placed Teddy on the scale to get his weight. You would be surprised at how many stories like that I have in my arsenal.
On the flip side, I have had the privilege of hearing many stories around the exploits of many interesting people in my community. Some were shared in casual conversation and others in times of grief. Every one of them is just as important as the one that follows. Originally trained in Journalism, I have been itching to scratch my need to write and share stories after not doing so for a very long period of time.
The aim of this blog is to share these stories with you all. In doing so, I hope to educate, enlighten and possibly shed a tiny bit of light on the people behind the closed doors of clinics that can often be taken for granted. And, just maybe, these small steps will help to bridge the rift between pet owners and veterinary professionals.
To quote Michelle Obama, "When we share our stories, we are reminded of the humanity in each other. And, when we take the time to understand each other's stories, we become more forgiving, more empathetic and more inclusive."
I look forward to bringing you all along with me as I share the behind the scenes of my life as a Veterinary Receptionist.
~ Jessie Kate
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