Laurie's Blogs.

Last week / weekend it was Thanksgiving in the USA.  In Canada, we have ours in October… and I don’t think it’s celebrated anywhere else in the world. However, being that the United States is our closest neighbour, we see all of the advertisements for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and of course Thanksgiving themed TV advertisements, TV shows etc.  So between the Thanksgiving messages and various little events recently, this got me thinking about what (or who) I’m thankful for.  And this week, it’s been for the ‘created families’ in my life!

Firstly, what do I mean about ‘created families’?  These are the people you gather in your life in various circles.  People you feel close to and whom you care about.  They are your clients, your co-workers, your colleagues, your friends, your partners, your neighbours, etc..  If you are conscious about your interaction, then these groups of people can feel like family as well.  

This week, I had a few different event where I felt connected to my ‘created families’.  One, was in response to a Facebook post.  A person had posted on a Calgary dogs Facebook page about his neurologic dog, people had told him to go for rehab and one of my physios came in on her day off to see the dog.  It was a great experience and the owner then reposted on Facebook exclaiming about how delighted he was with the service provided.  So, I was proud of that whole turn of events, but equally proud of the comments under his post.  Dozens of our clients piped up to exclaim the virtues of the clinic.  I was almost teary reading the comments!  I am so grateful for my personal clients, for all of the clinic clients – past and present.

Then my thoughts turned to staff and colleagues at my clinic.  It is wonderful to have a group of coworkers that feel like family, that you care about, and with whom you share values.  The creation of a work-family is special indeed and most certainly something for which to be grateful.  

As well, there are the colleagues - other animal practitioners from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds.  I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have met so many wonderful people from all around the world and to be connected enough to think of them as friends.  My canine rehab family – And they are special indeed as well.

And I am thankful for all of you.  All of you who are caring to keep learning and striving to be the best canine rehab professional you can be!  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey.  

With immense gratitude,

Laurie