The Tails of Truth Podcast:

5 Things Pet Parents Do That Vet Staff Hate

The relationship between a pet parent and a veterinary team works best when both sides understand what the other is carrying. In this episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo share five things pet parents do that make veterinary care harder, and the simple changes that help pets get better care. They explain how kindness toward front desk staff can actually help a pet get seen, and how to prepare a family member who brings a pet in, so no information gets lost. They also cover when to book a consultation instead of calling, and why pre-visit medication matters when it has been prescribed. JoJo talks about why sharing a pet's complete history, without leaving anything out, gives the team what it needs to help. The conversation closes with an honest look at the emotional side of veterinary work, and why Dr. Angie says the hardest part of her job isn't what most people think. 

Questions Answered in This Episode

  1. Does being rude to the front desk get my pet seen faster?
  2. What should I do if someone else is taking my pet to the vet?
  3. Can I book a vet consultation without bringing my pet?
  4. Why does my vet prescribe medication before a visit?
  5. What if I decide not to give pre-visit sedation?
  6. Will my vet shame me if my pet got into something embarrassing, like cannabis?
  7. What is the hardest part of being a veterinarian?

Key Takeaways

  • Being rude to front desk staff doesn't get a pet seen faster. Dr. Angie says kind, anxious clients are easier to call back, and she tends to get to them sooner.
  • The front desk team is the one advocating to fit patients in, so a good relationship with them works in a pet's favor.
  • If a partner or family member brings the pet in, send written notes or a voice memo so the appointment isn't built on missing information.
  • A 20 minute phone call is really a consultation. Dr. Angie asks clients to book an appointment instead, and no pet is required.
  • Skipping prescribed pre-visit medication without warning the clinic often means a failed visit, a second appointment, and a pet that has to go through it twice.
  • Leaving out part of a pet's history, even the embarrassing part, makes it harder to help. The team isn't there to judge.
  • Dr. Angie says the hardest part of her job isn't euthanasia. It's when people are mean.
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Sound Bites

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  • "Because everyone thinks that the hardest part of my job is euthanizing animals. It's in fact not."  — Dr. Angie

  • "We're not here to shame. We're here to educate."  — JoJo

  • "We go to the back and cry when you are mean to us. The doctors cry, the nurses cry."  — Dr. Angie 

  • "And so there's this hierarchy of madness."  — JoJo

  • "It's okay to not like me. It's okay to be frustrated if I'm behind. I get it." — Dr. Angie

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