Veterinarians & Pets
| 2016 Q1 | story by EMILY MULLIGAN | photos by STEVEN HERTZOG
Veterinarians are ultimately scientists, but being the doctor for beloved pets who can’t speak for themselves is a job with many (usually furry) layers. Vets must contend with pet owners’ emotions, their own emotions, scientific data, finances and, of course, somehow relate to every single animal that comes in the door of their clinic.
Tom Liebl does not remember actually deciding to become a veterinarian. That is because his father was a farm vet in western Kansas, and his dad’s job was a family affair that involved the kids and Liebl’s mom cleaning out kennels, and even pulling calves and corralling pigs. Liebl is one of three veterinarians among the four kids in his family, and his own son will graduate from veterinary school this May. Liebl’s clinic at Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital is much more a “city” practice than his dad’s, focused mainly on dogs and cats. After veterinary school at Kansas State University, Liebl joined his brother’s veterinary practice in southern California. Then, after his first child was born, he and his wife decided to move back to Kansas. He took the job in Lawrence thinking he would work here until he found something in Kansas City. “That was 1990, and I’m still here,” he says.
Matthew Coles is a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Lawrence. When he was in seventh grade in Oklahoma, he wrote a paper about becoming a vet. Within two years, he was working at a local veterinary office doing cleanup and “grunt work,” and then moved on to another office, where he worked like a veterinary technician, giving injections, developing x-rays and starting IVs. During veterinary school at Oklahoma State University, he worked at a clinic in Overland Park and lived with friends in Lawrence. So when the Animal Hospital was looking for a new vet, his wife encouraged him to apply. Now, 12 years later, he is in the process of buying the business from William Bayouth.
Jennifer O’Driscoll, owner and veterinarian at The Cat Clinic, was one of those kids who knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age. She grew up mostly in Dallas and went to veterinary school in Massachusetts, and says she moved to Lawrence “randomly.” But it has been a great fit for her practice that exclusively treats cats. After veterinary school, she did an internship and part of a residency in veterinary neurology before doing both emergency vet work and general practice for dogs and cats. Through her experience, she says she thought that not as much attention was paid to cats’ medical needs in practices that saw both dogs and cats, so she decided to open her own cat-focused clinic in 2011. She says cat behavior, in particular, is interesting to her, and she likes to be able to go in-depth into “cat problems.”
The bulk of the four years in veterinary school is spent learning the science aspect of veterinary medicine. Even though the animals are usually smaller than humans, their body systems are no less complicated. Add to that the animals cannot speak for themselves, so the vets must use their strong science base and their five senses to assess the patients.
“It does take a high level of attention. We’re looking for clues that are nonverbal clues,” Liebl says. “We see problem after problem that span a multitude of body systems—it could be heart, kidney, orthopedic, behavior, ophthalmology. The majority of us deal in the situation that we have to be all of those on any given day.”
O’Driscoll says that many of cats’ most common physical medical problems actually are caused by mental issues, such as stress from life changes or being alone.
“One of the main differences between cats and dogs is that cats hide illness very well. Often, it has been going on for a while by the time they are showing symptoms,” she says. “Dogs are usually better at showing their people that something is wrong.”
Helping animals is what they do, but the veterinary clinics are still businesses that have to pay bills. And with many medical procedures and tests that are available to humans, such as CT scans and endoscopies, now available to animals, veterinary care can become pretty pricey.
Coles, Liebl and O’Driscoll all agree that balancing pet owners’ finances with diagnoses and treatments is a daily challenge of their work. Coles says he has had to learn to navigate those conversations on the job, because it’s not something that is taught in veterinary school. As much as possible, they all work with the pet owner to find the best, most affordable paths to diagnosis and treatment.
“One of the most difficult conversations to have is for a cat that has an illness or problem that is probably fixable but expensive. It is hard for people to make a decision, and my crystal ball is always broken—I can’t tell the future,” O’Driscoll says.
Finances present their set of challenges for the vets, but the emotional toll can be rough, as well. A 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association says that veterinarians have higher rates of depressive episodes and thoughts of suicide than the national average. It explains that it is likely a combination of personality traits that vets share and the stress of operating a clinical practice that accounts for those higher rates. Regardless, the vets say being in the position of seeing animals suffer and having to make a decision to end their lives is not an easy task.
“There is an emotional toll it starts to take. There is a lot of counseling and hand-holding you have to do,” Coles says.
When it comes time for a pet’s life to end, the veterinarians must console themselves along with the pet owners and the animal.
“I take comfort knowing they’ve had a great life and don’t have to spend the next days, weeks or months suffering.” Liebl says. “It’s one of those honors and duties as vets that we have to take that responsibility seriously. You have to find a place in your heart that it all makes sense.”
The vets agree putting animals down is still difficult and emotional, even when it is clearly the best course of action.
“Being a vet is a very emotional job dealing with people and animals,” O’Driscoll says. “The cats I euthanize, it is always in the best interest of the cat. But it is hard for the owner, even if the cat is sick and not getting better. Cats are around for a long time. I definitely have tried to get better at helping people when their cat passes away.”
There are also happy emotions in being a veterinarian: puppies, kittens and happy families who have found a new friend. So the vets must reconcile all of the emotional extremes.
“After you put an animal down, you can’t leave the clinic and take the rest of the day off to go grieve. The next half-hour is someone with a different problem. That’s the hardest part, is the roller coaster all through the day,” Liebl says.
At least half of each day is spent doing checkups, the vets say. But at any moment, an animal with an urgent medical need can come through the door.
“Things change so quickly here that what looks like a boring day can turn hectic in a minute,” Coles says.
Even with emergency veterinary care available late at night and on weekends in Overland Park, the vets have a hard time keeping their work contained to regular hours.
“The career itself is very time-consuming. It’s never going to be 9 to 5,” Liebl says. “It stays with you most of your day. I knew that going in. It’s a lifestyle more than a job.”
Even with just one species at The Cat Clinic, O’Driscoll says the variety in one day can be dizzying. She attempts to illustrate the range:
“I might see a 20-year-old cat that is skinny and has a disease and arthritis, and we need to balance meds for the rest of its life. The next visit might be a 1-year-old cat that ate a string and needs surgery,” she explains. “Then, a 9-week-old kitten is bouncing around the exam room. And then, I see a 7-year-old cat that eats Doritos and too much cat food.”
When pets and their owners come for routine checkups, Coles says he spends a lot of time discussing the most common issues for dogs and cats: dental problems and weight problems. He says pet owners can avoid costly dental procedures by starting early with brushing and giving them dental chews regularly. As for the weight problems, “You’re in complete control of that. Limit food, and give them exercise,” he says.
Liebl explains that similar to the human world, veterinarians are about preventative health care, such as vaccines, nutrition and parasite control. He says the physical exam is the most important part of a vet visit, along with a discussion with the owner about how the animal is doing at home—because, unlike humans, the pets often behave quite differently at the vet’s office than at home.
Despite the “roller coaster” of the day-to-day job and the challenges of dealing with patients that can’t talk, the veterinarians say their work might be some of the most satisfying. And not just because they can help make pets (and their owners) feel better when they’re sick.
“Pets bring a level of enjoyment to everyone. The relationships that this job allows us to have with our clientele, their families and our staff are very rewarding. The intimacy I get to have with families over years of seeing their pet—watching the kids grow up and families evolve—it becomes a partnership thing that I really love,” Liebl says.
244 Comments
ivermectin brand: stromectol fast delivery – generic name for ivermectin
https://stromectol1st.shop/# buy ivermectin uk
muse for ed
https://stromectol1st.shop/# ivermectin 2mg
best online pharmacy india
rybelsus: cheaper – rybelsus price
order Rybelsus: semaglutide – buy semaglutide online
https://stromectol1st.shop/# stromectol drug
medication for ed dysfunction
buy plavix: check clopidogrel pro – cheap plavix antiplatelet drug
ivermectin 50: stromectol 1st – ivermectin buy online
antiplatelet drug: best price on generic – Plavix generic price
rybelsus: rybelsus cost – cheaper
http://stromectol1st.shop/# stromectol 6 mg dosage
indian pharmacy online
Hello, i read your blog from time to time
and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback?
If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
order Rybelsus: buy rybelsus – rybelsus cost
Cost of Plavix on Medicare: Plavix generic price – plavix medication
http://1winrussia.online/# 1хставка
pin up kz
пин ап кз: pin up – пинап
пин ап пинап кз пин ап
1хставка: 1xbet официальный сайт – 1xbet официальный сайт
https://1winindia.tech/# пин ап казино вход
pin up
pin-up casino giris: pinup az – pin up 306
пин ап: пин ап вход – пин ап зеркало
dunyan?n en iyi casino siteleri: casino siteleri – casino sitesi
casino oyunlar? casino sitesi casino oyunlar?
https://1winbrasil.win/# pin up
пин ап кз
pin up kz: pin up – пин ап казино
1xbet скачать: 1xbet официальный сайт – 1xbet зеркало
pin up: pinup az – pin up casino
1xbet скачать: 1хбет – 1хбет
https://1winrussia.online/# 1хбет
pin up kz
pin up azerbaycan: pin up azerbaycan – pinup az
1хставка: 1хбет – 1хбет
pin up pin up azerbaycan pin up
pin-up: pin-up casino giris – pin up azerbaycan
https://1wintr.fun/# slot casino siteleri
пинап казино
пин ап официальный сайт: пинап зеркало – пин ап официальный сайт
pin up 306: pin up 306 – pin up azerbaycan
matrass kz, центр матрасов кызылорда демокриттің атомдық теориясы деген не, антика философиясындағы өнер мастер
мен цена, мастер мен – как принимать
шахмат ойыны эссе, шахмат тарихы презентация
h?zl? casino: canl? casino – slot casino siteleri
https://1winci.icu/# пин ап
пин ап кз
пин ап официальный сайт пин ап вход пин ап
pin up: pin up azerbaycan – pin up
casino oyunlar?: guvenilir casino siteleri – h?zl? casino
pinup az: pin up azerbaycan – pin up 306
пин ап казино: пинап казино – пин ап
dunyan?n en iyi casino siteleri: casino oyunlar? – guvenilir casino siteleri
1хбет 1хбет 1xbet официальный сайт
пин ап казино вход: pin up – пин ап кз
пинап кз: пинап кз – пин ап казино
1хбет: 1xbet официальный сайт – 1хставка
https://1wintr.fun/# casino oyunlar?
пин ап казино
pin-up: pin up 306 – pin up casino
пинап: пинап кз – pin up
http://1winbrasil.win/# pin up
пин ап казино вход
пин ап кз: пин ап – pin up kz
http://drugs1st.store/# erectyle dysfunction
mexican rx online: mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa – mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
best online pharmacy comfortis without vet prescription pills erectile dysfunction
how to help ed: pump for ed – online ed drugs
http://drugs1st.store/# ed meds online pharmacy
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs mexican rx online purple pharmacy mexico price list
mexico drug stores pharmacies: buying from online mexican pharmacy – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
http://indianpharm1st.com/# pharmacy website india
https://mexicanpharm1st.com/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
best online pharmacies in mexico: medication from mexico pharmacy – buying prescription drugs in mexico
https://drugs1st.store/# diabetes and ed
https://indianpharm1st.com/# best online pharmacy india
https://pinupzerkalo.fun/# пин ап
pinup-az bid pin up 306 pin up
http://pinupzerkalo.fun/# бонусы пин ап
pin up casino
http://pinup-az.bid/# pinup az
http://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza oyna
pin up zerkalo
sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r sweet bonanza tr sweetbonanzatrpro
sweet bonanza: sweet bonanza – sweetbonanzatrpro
pin up casino: pinup – pinup-az bid
пины: пинап казино – пин ап 634
sweet bonanza tr: sweet bonanza – sweetbonanzatr.pro
пин ап 634 Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт пин ап казино онлайн
pinup az: pin up 306 – pinup
pin-up casino giris: pin up casino – pinup az
https://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza oyna
pin up zerkalo
pin up 306: pinup az – pin-up
pin up casino pin-up pin up azerbaycan
пины: Пин Ап Казахстан – пинап
Пин Ап Казахстан: Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт – пинап
http://pinup-az.bid/# pin-up
pin up win
http://pinup-az.bid/# pinup az
sweet bonanza tr: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza oyna
http://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пин ап кз
pinup bet and casino
пинап пинап пин ап 634
Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт в России: pin up zerkalo – Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт в России
https://pinup-az.bid/# pinup az
пинап казино: Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт в России – бонусы пин ап
pinup: pin up – pin up casino
https://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweet bonanza tr
pin up zerkalo
sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r sweetbonanzatrpro sweet bonanza nas?l oynan?r
время работы дома быта
полоцка временная подработка для мужчины
в москве подработка бухгалтером
набережные челны работа от прямых работодателей в томске работа на дому
amoxil: shop – amoxil price
http://stromectol1st.store/# stromectol
amoxil 1st shop: amoxil – amoxil 1st shop
good price: find bets price – good price
https://gabapentin1st.pro/# involves multisystem
semaglutide: semaglutide online – Rybelsus
Visit store: see a healthcare provider – see a healthcare provider
работа в доме престарелых московской области фриланс для
сметчиков делать сайты на фрилансе подработка оператором в выходные дни
https://semaglutide.ink/# Urgent Specialists
amoxil online: amoxil 1st shop – amoxil online
https://stromectol1st.store/# stromectol
stromectol delivery usa: find bets price – stromectol best price
cheap: top-rated pills – amoxil online
https://semaglutide.ink/# semaglutide online
semaglutide online: Urgent Specialists – rybelsus price
Rybelsus: semaglutide – semaglutide
ed drugs over the counter https://indianpharm24.pro/# best online pharmacy india
world pharmacy india Best online Indian pharmacy indian pharmacy online
ed cures: cheap medication – ed treatments that really work
cheapest online pharmacy india Indian pharmacy to USA india online pharmacy
erectile dysfunction natural remedies: buy drugs – online ed drugs
ed meds online canada https://pharm24.pro/# ed pills online
https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
buy prescription drugs online
pharmacy online cheap drugs online canadian online drugstore
best ed solution: cheap drugs – ed meds online without doctor prescription
cialis without a doctor’s prescription: cheap prescription drugs – herbal remedies for ed
erectial disfunction http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
best ed drugs affordable medication ed tablets
https://pharm24.pro/# erectile dysfunction medication
best canadian online pharmacy
mexican mail order pharmacies mexico pharmacy mexico drug stores pharmacies
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa mexico pharmacy cheap mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
male dysfunction: cheap drugs online – best non prescription ed pills
levitra without a doctor prescription https://indianpharm24.pro/# top online pharmacy india
https://indianpharm24.pro/# top online pharmacy india
best cure for ed
legal to buy prescription drugs from canada: buy drugs – treatment for ed
Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from
an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your
own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do
you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
india online pharmacy Pharmacies in India that ship to USA online pharmacy india
buying from online mexican pharmacy: mexico pharmacy – mexican rx online
erection pills that work http://pharm24.pro/# ed treatment
http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican pharmaceuticals online
natural drugs for ed
buying from online mexican pharmacy: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – best online pharmacies in mexico
mexican mail order pharmacies mexican pharmacy mexican rx online
best pharmacy online http://indianpharm24.pro/# indian pharmacies safe
indianpharmacy com: Best Indian pharmacy – buy medicines online in india
http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexico drug stores pharmacies
cause of ed
erectile dysfunction natural remedies https://indianpharm24.pro/# Online medicine order
ed medicine: cheap pharmacy online – online prescription for ed meds
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: Mexican pharmacy ship US – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
https://indianpharm24.pro/# reputable indian online pharmacy
cheap medications
cheapest ed pills https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican rx online
buying from online mexican pharmacy: mexico pharmacy – reputable mexican pharmacies online
https://indianpharm24.pro/# indian pharmacy
ed natural remedies
mail order pharmacy india: Indian pharmacy international shipping – online pharmacy india
http://slot-tr.online/# slot siteleri
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org
deneme bonusu veren siteler mycbet.com http://ultrabet-tr.online/# ultrabet bonus
ultrabet giris: ultrabet bonus – ultrabet guncel
matadorbet giris matadorbet giris matadorbet bid
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org: deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni – deneme bonusu veren yeni siteler
deneme bonusu veren siteler https://matadorbet.bid/# matadorbet
matadorbet matadorbet matadorbet giris
deneme bonusu veren siteler: deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com – deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey
deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni: deneme bonusu veren siteler – deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org
https://casinositeleri.win/# Casino Siteleri
deneme bonusu veren siteler
ultrabet ultrabet ultrabet guncel
en cok kazand?ran slot oyunlar?: en cok kazand?ran slot oyunlar? – en kazancl? slot oyunlar?
guvenilir casino siteleri: Casino Siteleri – Casino Siteleri
en kazancl? slot oyunlar? en cok kazand?ran slot oyunlar? slot oyunlar?
matadorbet bid: matadorbet giris – matadorbet.bid
deneme bonusu veren siteler mycbet.com denemebonusuverensiteler.top deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey
matadorbet giris: matadorbet bid – matadorbet giris
ultrabet: ultrabet yeni giris 1125 – ultrabet giris
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org https://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com
slot siteleri slot oyunlar? puf noktalar? slot siteleri
ultrabet guncel: ultrabet bonus – ultrabet bonus
deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com deneme bonusu veren siteler deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni
deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com http://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com
en cok kazand?ran slot oyunlar?: en kazancl? slot oyunlar? – slot tr online
kamagra oral jelly buy kamagra oral jelly Kam Pharm cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm
https://kampharm.shop/# kamagra oral jelly
http://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm cheap semaglutide
kam pharm shop: buy kamagra oral jelly Kam Pharm – kamagra
https://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm rybelsus
https://furpharm.com/# furosemide fur pharm
rybpharm rybelsus rybpharm cheap semaglutide semaglutide
https://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm rybelsus
ED pills non prescription: ere pharm – ED pills non prescription
cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm Kamagra Kam Pharm
https://furpharm.com/# lasix
https://kampharm.shop/# cheapest Kamagra Kam Pharm
gabapentin: cheapest Gabapentin GabaPharm – gabapentin
best ed pill ere pharm cheapest ed pills ere pharm erepharm pills
http://erepharm.com/# ed pills
https://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm cheap semaglutide
ED meds online: erepharm pills – ED meds online
furosemide fur pharm furosemide lasix
https://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm canada
kam pharm shop Kamagra Kam Pharm Kam Pharm
https://erepharm.com/# ED meds online
Kam Pharm: Kamagra Kam Pharm – kampharm.shop
https://gabapharm.com/# buy gabapentin
ere pharm: ED meds online with insurance – ed pills
http://gabapharm.com/# buy gabapentin
erepharm.com: ED meds online – best ed pill ere pharm
best online pharmacies in mexico mexican pharmacy online medications buying prescription drugs in mexico
http://canadiandrugsgate.com/# treatment of ed
best online pharmacy: canadian pharmacy drugs gate – ed treatment pills
http://canadiandrugsgate.com/# cheap ed medication
https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# indianpharmacy com
http://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# india pharmacy
what is the best ed pill: canadian drugs gate – best erection pills
http://canadiandrugsgate.com/# canadian drugs
reputable indian pharmacies Online medicine home delivery Online medicine home delivery
online pharmacy india: Online medicine home delivery – mail order pharmacy india
https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# buy prescription drugs from india
mexico drug stores pharmacies: mexican drugstore online – medicine in mexico pharmacies
https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# best online pharmacy india
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs mexican pharmacy mexican mail order pharmacies
legal to buy prescription drugs without prescription: canadian drugs gate – ed cure
otc ed pills: canadian pharmacy – cure for ed
https://mexicanpharmgate.com/# buying prescription drugs in mexico
п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: Indian pharmacy to USA – indian pharmacy paypal
purple pharmacy mexico price list MexicanPharmGate best online pharmacies in mexico
buying prescription drugs in mexico online: medicines mexico rx online – buying prescription drugs in mexico
https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# world pharmacy india
buy amoxicillin canada amoxil cheap amoxicillin 500mg
priligy max pharm: buy dapoxetine online – buy priligy
buy amoxicillin online no prescription http://clomidrexpharm.com/# where can i get cheap clomid no prescription
buy dapoxetine online: dapoxetine price – priligy
Priligy tablets Priligy tablets max pharm
amoxicillin capsules 250mg http://priligymaxpharm.com/# buy dapoxetine online
buy priligy: priligy – buy priligy
amoxicillin azithromycin amoxil amoxicillin 30 capsules price
buy amoxicillin 500mg canada https://prednisoneraypharm.com/# order prednisone online canada
cheap clomid: buy clomid – where buy cheap clomid pill
amoxicillin 500mg capsules uk: Amoxicillin for sale – amoxicillin cost australia
prednisone no rx Prednisone Without Prescription can you buy prednisone over the counter
can you get cheap clomid without insurance: clomid online – cost cheap clomid
prednisone 0.5 mg: prednisone – prednisone 20 mg purchase
cheap priligy: buy dapoxetine online – dapoxetine price
prednisone cost canada: generic Prednisone – buy prednisone online no prescription
prednisone 20 mg tablets coupon: order Prednisone – average cost of generic prednisone
amoxil generic: Amoxicillin buy online – amoxicillin for sale
өзен өлеңі, ыбырай алтынсарин өзен өлеңі талдау қыстың күні көңілді текст, сағыныш
деген текст отпариватель тефаль технодом, отпариватель тефаль отзывы бақыттың білмей бағасын
скачать, сәби бақыты аккорды
cheap clomid without rx: cheap clomid – generic clomid for sale
online prednisone 5mg: cheap prednisone – prednisone buy canada
қасқырша теңеу, берген бе тәңірім саған өзге
туыс құда туралы әндер скачать, құдалар туралы
әндер текст ооо пищевые технологии, оборудование для
пищевой промышленности каталог жұмыс қоспасы, темір мен қант ұнтақтарының
қоспасын бөлу үшін қандай әдіс
қолданылады
where to buy amoxicillin: Com Pharm – amoxicillin 500
buy amoxicillin 500mg: com pharm – amoxicillin capsules 250mg