6 Reasons We’re Grateful for Veterinarians

Pet parents know their pets are a part of the family. There’s no question, we feel deep love and devotion to our pets. Just like children need a great pediatrician, our pets need the best veterinary care we can give them. When you connect with a good veterinarian, you feel your pets are safe in their hands. Having a loyal family vet brings us peace of mind, so let’s look at the reasons we are grateful for veterinarians and ways to show our vet appreciation! 

6 Reasons We’re Grateful for Veterinarians

Being a pet parent is a big responsibility, and part of that responsibility is having a family veterinarian who will be able to care for your pet throughout their life. If you’re wondering how to find a good vet, you can start by using our vet finder tool. If you’re wondering what makes a good vet, read on for some inspiring stories from a variety of grateful pet parents.

They Treat Our Pets Like a Part of the Family

Even though it’s not part of the veterinarian job description, veterinarians understand how important pets are to families. Matt J. describes his first vet experience after adopting a dog:

“When we first adopted Brandy, we didn’t know what we were doing! We decided to go to our local animal hospital to have Brandy checked out, but we didn’t know what to expect. As soon as we walked in the door, Brandy was treated like a part of the family. She was given pets and treats, they spoke sweetly to her, and they made us feel like we were all working together to give Brandy the best care possible.”

They Give a High Level of Personalized Care

So, what does a veterinarian do that makes us feel confident and comfortable with trusting them to care for our pets? They give a high level of personalized care, making sure to be very familiar with our pets’ medical needs and unique personalities. Jenny H. explains how her vet gives personalized care for her Rottweiler, Adam:

“Adam is a very big boy, and very sweet. He is very reactive to small animals, though. My vet understands Adam’s personality and the temperament of Rotties, so she makes sure that when we arrive, Adam is taken right to an exam room without having to wait in the lobby. Even though he is big, my vet treats him like a special boy and gives him lots of attention. She listens to my concerns and will make suggestions without making me feel pressured. When he has bloodwork, she personally calls me to give me the results. I just love my vet!”

They Give Us More Time With Our Pets

When our pets get older, they often develop medical conditions that need treatment and monitoring. These medical conditions can be expensive and overwhelming, but having a great veterinarian can help us navigate these tough times. Andy A. explains how his vet helped his Cocker Spaniel, Sadie, live another three years:

“Sadie had been through a lot with us, through a lot of heartache and hardship. She was special for so many reasons, and we were willing to do what we needed to do to give her a happy and healthy life. When she developed diabetes later in life, our vet took the time to explain our options for treatment. Our vet coached us on how to give insulin injections and how to monitor her for signs of low and high blood sugar. Our vet was readily available by phone or through the app, which we needed to use a lot in the beginning. With our vet’s help, we became expert caregivers and Sadie was able to stay with us for another three years.” 

They Stay Calm in an Emergency

If you’re wondering what to look for in a veterinarian, you may want to consider someone who is also an after-hours emergency vet. Just like humans, pet emergencies can pop up at any time. Knowing who to call and what to do can make all the difference. Kelly Ann C. explains how her veterinarian was able to care for her cat in an emergency:

“One night, I noticed our cat Isabelle was having trouble breathing. We called our vet and hopped in the car right away to take her right over to their emergency department. When we arrived we were completely panicked, but we were greeted with calm and confidence when we reached our vet. We immediately felt relieved that she was in good hands. Our vet was able to help Isabelle and send her home with us later that night. We will forever be grateful to him for being able to save her.” 

They Help Us Make the Tough Decisions

An important quality of a veterinarian is their ability to focus on the needs of each pet and offer options. In stressful situations, pet parents need a vet who is compassionate and understanding of our circumstances. One of the most sensitive times for pet parents is when a beloved pet is nearing the end of their life. Molly W. explains this situation with her Lab, Thor:

“Thor basically grew up with me, so when he was old and in pain, it was very difficult to decide what to do. At first, I was unwilling to consider letting him go, so my vet worked with me to figure out the best course of treatment to keep Thor comfortable. As time went on, my vet had a frank discussion with me about Thor’s needs. She explained that we could keep giving Thor meds to keep him going, but he did not have a good quality of life. We decided to let Thor go to relieve him of his pain. When the time came, I gave him his favorite cheese and then cuddled him as he drifted off to sleep. Why are veterinarians important? Because they help us through difficult decisions with our pets.”

They Have Endless Compassion

Most veterinarians are also pet parents, so they get it. They really do. They understand how important our pets are to us and the challenges that come with being a pet parent. When it comes time to make tough decisions, they have endless compassion for both pets and pet parents. Let’s go back to Matt and Brandy:

“Brandy was the absolute best and I loved her so much. When she developed a tumor behind her eye, my vet helped me with monitoring her condition to make sure she was comfortable. One day, we reached a point where we could no longer keep Brandy comfortable. We knew it was time to help her pass. When I took Brandy to my vet for the last time, it was devastating for me to let her go. The next day, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to my house from my vet with the sweetest note. It said, ‘We are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss Brandy, she was such a special and loving girl. We thank you for letting us be a part of her life.’ I will never forget how it made me feel to receive those flowers and feel the compassion from Brandy’s vet. I will always be grateful for that act of kindness.”

How to Show Your Vet Appreciation

Through the stories we shared, you can clearly see how impactful a good veterinarian can be. When you’re considering what to look for in a vet, or what questions to ask them, think about how you and your pet would want to be treated. Pet parents appreciate the level of care veterinarians provide, and finding a way to say thank you is a great way to show that appreciation.

Here are some ideas for how to thank a vet:

• Give them a great review 
• Support a charity in their honor
• Give them a heartfelt thank you note
• Drop off treats for the office
• Send flowers

How to Communicate With Your Vet

When you’re concerned about your pet, you will have questions to ask a veterinarian. Veterinarians will listen to your questions and give guidance based on their expertise and understanding of you and your pet. 

The importance of communication in veterinary practice is key, and one of the ways you can make it happen is by using the GreatPetCare account and app. Signing up for a GreatPetCare account gives you access to features like dosing reminders, appointment reminders, a weight tracker, and more. The GreatPetCare app also has a health journal feature to help you keep track of what’s going on with your pet. All of the information you record in your GreatPetCare account and app will help communicate your pet’s needs to your vet. 

To all of the veterinarians out there, we thank you!