Texas Equine Veterinary Association

www.texasequineva.com • 6 MESSAGE FROM THE Point When Sara reached out to me to get an article written for the winter addition of The Remuda, my first thought was "What on earth am I going to say that's different than the last three articles this year?" As I sit here and think about the last year, I thought that maybe this article would be best served reflecting on what lasting effects 2020 has had in each of our lives. So I polled our board of directors and asked them to send me a few words that sum up what 2020 has taught them. I found their responses to be so true, so wonderfully heartwarming, and so humorous. Too good not to share with each of you! For myself, several things come to mind. On a professional note, I am thankful that our industry is strong. I feel very fortunate that I have a job when so many don't. I have learned to slow down and enjoy every single minute at work which has allowed me to be a better mentor to our interns. I have grown closer to my coworkers, which I didn't even think was possible. We have all learned how to navigate through this pandemic successfully and I am eternally grateful for the ability to continue to be there for our beloved clients and horses when they need us during such a troublesome time. I miss hugging clients, I miss seeing smiles, and I miss seeing all of you, all of which I hope to do in 2021! OTHER PERSPECTIVES FROM SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS THAT EACH OF YOU MAY RELATE TO: "Without physically allowing clients into the hospital for four months of 2020 taught me to be a better and efficient diagnostician without clients looking over my shoulder or constantly chirping in my ear. Which essentially means I got better at asking for forgiveness than for permission. Using this approach allowed for veterinarians and technicians to perform multiple noninvasive procedures rapidly and more thoroughly… which resulted in better client and patient outcomes. In 2020, we altered our hours of operations because of Covid 19…who would have ever thought changing/cutting your business hours would have resulted in business growth…not only do we have a happier and less stressed staff, we have learned that we can see the same volume (if not more) of patients in a more efficient manner. Lastly, whose idea was it to build an open a new hospital in the middle of a pandemic? We moved into our new hospital in July 2020 and it has been one of the biggest blessing of my veterinary career; it rejuvenated why I chose this profession and reinvigorated me to be a better mentor to our younger veterinarians and staf.f"—Dr. John Janicek, Brazos Valley Equine Hospital "I've been wearing a goatee for years to cover up as much ugly as possible. Who knew I didn't need to put up with all that food lodging in my facial hair? All I needed was a pandemic." —Dr. Randy Lewis, West Texas Equine Clinic "2020 was an awakening for me (leading to my word for 2021...renewal). We have experienced so many things that seemed unimaginable. I was on my 12th day at HLSR when we closed the show and emptied the barn in 15 hours. That was a long 30-hour day that I never believed would happen…yet it did. The rest of the year saw many unimaginable things happen. Our students were not allowed on campus, but we got them graduated. Our clients were not allowed in the building but patient care never ceased. We logged over 100 vehicles through our parking lot check point every day. I spent 36 straight days triaging all species through our parking lot system. Everyone was out of their comfort zones (colleagues, friends, students, and family). Resilience and instant flexibility will be the most remembered buzz words for me. Our lives DR. JOHN JANICEK PRESIDENT-ELECT 2021 Program Chair DR. RANDY LEWIS Director and Incoming Treasurer DR. LESLIE EASTERWOOD VICE PRESIDENT 2021 Technician Program Chair

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