A hard truth

Day-to-day veterinary practice is difficult for a variety of reasons. Veterinarians are often faced with emotionally challenging decisions, client resistance to recommendations, financial constraints, demanding work schedules, time pressure, and the risk of lawsuits, board complaints, or social media bashing. The crisis our industry faces isn’t rooted in medicine, but in psychology. There is a widening trust gap between pet owners and veterinary professionals. Many pet owners love their pets, but have financial constraints and are skeptical about our motivations and recommendations.  Most veterinary professionals have never been taught how to minimize this friction, which leads to mistrust, feelings of inadequacy, and disappointment on both sides.

Pets don’t get the care they need. Pet owners don’t feel cared for.  Veterinary team members are frustrated and practices don’t thrive financially. There is a better way.

Thank you

I can’t say enough praise for this course! So few of us get ANY exposure to anyone’s professional communication style (other than the teeny bit we’re often afforded in vet school) other than our own….it’s so easy to think we’re doing an outstanding job, when we actually have significant room for improvement. Even though role playing and watching videos of ourselves and colleagues can seem uncomfortable, it is by far the most effective way to see our strengths and weaknesses. While I’ve certainly learned some of these lessons organically through the years of my career, this course allows those insights and adjustments to be made over a much shorter time period…this can have a huge positive impact on our careers as veterinarians.

Visit our Testimonials page

Bringing science to communication skills

We will help you develop the same confidence and success with your communication skills as you have with your medical skills.  You will learn the tools and skills to help your clients feel heard, understood, in control, and cared for as active participants in their pet’s medical care.

When a client feels truly seen and cared for, they are much more likely to feel safe and willing to cooperate. It’s human nature. There will be a stronger, healthier, more trusting relationship with the veterinary team, and they will be more likely to approve recommended care.

When their owner is more trusting of the veterinary team and complies with recommendations, pets receive a higher standard of care. They will lead longer, happier, healthier lives.

Rather than feeling frustrated and powerless, veterinarians and other team members feel equipped to communicate effectively and build more trusting relationships with clients.  It feels good to know that we’ve made a real positive difference in the life of a person and pet.  We’re reminded of our roots – why we fell in love with veterinary medicine in the first place. Our daily routine is better, our inner world is more healthy, and we feel more joy in our work.

When relationships between clients and veterinary professionals become healthier, more pets get the recommended care that they deserve. This means better top and bottom-line financial performance.  Financially successful practices can invest in better equipment and facilities, pay higher wages, and provide better medical care.  This in turn leads to a better practice culture and improved client loyalty and word of mouth.  These are the ingredients of a sustainable, thriving business.

About Pet Practice Partners

Pet Practice Partners was founded in 2021 by Dr. Jim Clark and Dr. Cassy Linder with the goal of making a powerful positive contribution to the profession they both love. Using their combined decades of experience in general and referral practice melded with their teaching background and research findings, they set out to provide impactful, evidence-based, interactive learning opportunities for the veterinary profession. Clark and Linder feel deeply connected to many struggles of today’s veterinarian, including the stress of daily practice, challenging client interactions, and well-being concerns.

How it works

Our innovative, time- and cost-efficient training program begins with brief on-line presentations and video demonstrations to lay the foundation and give learners an overview of the skills they will gain, along with supporting evidence for this methodology.  The heart of WISE COACH® training, however, are the live, online, interactive small group Zoom sessions with fellow colleagues and a skilled Pet Practice Partners coach.  We create a safe environment where participants are free to take risks, learn about their habits and blind spots, and develop new, more effective communication skills.  This coaching is evidence-based, supportive, and transformative.  There are several program options, progressing from fundamentals to mastering challenging communication situations.  Upon successful completion, participants receive a three-year certification.

Once you have completed certification…

You will gain the tools, skills, and confidence to become an elite communicator. Difficult situations won’t seem so difficult because you will connect with clients better, provide better care for your patients, and enjoy your work more. Because, while WISE COACH®  will help your practice thrive financially, the real gift will be falling back in love with your profession.

Learn more about our training. You deserve it.

Once you have completed certification…

You will gain the tools, skills, and confidence to become an elite communicator. Difficult situations won’t seem so difficult because you will connect with clients better, provide better care for your patients, and enjoy your work more. Because, while WISE COACH®  will help your practice thrive financially, the real gift will be falling back in love with your profession.

Learn more about our training. You deserve it.

Thank you

I can’t say enough praise for this course! So few of us get ANY exposure to anyone’s professional communication style (other than the teeny bit we’re often afforded in vet school) other than our own….it’s so easy to think we’re doing an outstanding job, when we actually have significant room for improvement. Even though role playing and watching videos of ourselves and colleagues can seem uncomfortable, it is by far the most effective way to see our strengths and weaknesses. While I’ve certainly learned some of these lessons organically through the years of my career, this course allows those insights and adjustments to be made over a much shorter time period…this can have a huge positive impact on our careers as veterinarians.

Visit our Testimonials page