I used to think seniority in veterinary medicine was about years.
More surgeries.
More cases.
More experience.
I was wrong.
You become a senior vet the moment you learn how to handle pressure without losing control.
For me, that turning point was learning how to handle irate clients.
When Clients Are Angry
As a senior vet, you do not react.
You do not argue emotionally.
You do not protect your ego.
You study the case.
You review the records.
You see the patient yourself.
You ask your team what truly happened.
Then you talk to the client. Preferably face to face.
You allow them to speak. You do not interrupt. You do not dismiss their emotions. Most complaints are not about medicine. They are about feeling unheard.
When you finally speak, you speak with preparation and conviction. Not arrogance. Not aggression.
And I have seen this again and again.
Within two to five minutes of calm, sincere, structured conversation, the tension drops. Understanding happens. Sometimes even apology.
Not because you won.
But because you led.
Knowing When to Apologize
There are things you can apologize for.
- A grooming result that did not meet expectations.
- A long queue.
- Delays beyond what the client anticipated.
If it does not compromise your medical integrity, apologize. It does not make you smaller. It makes you mature.
A senior vet knows when to stand firm and when to simply be human.
Another Secret Most Young Vets Overlook
Befriend the veterinarians in your area.
Yes, even the ones you think are competitors.
Build relationships. Attend events. Say hello. Share ideas. Respect their space.
Because one day, you may need them.
- A difficult client may clinic hop.
- A complicated case may need referral.
- A misunderstanding may require professional confirmation.
When you have healthy relationships with fellow vets, you are not isolated.
And in this profession, isolation is dangerous.
Strong networks protect you.
They protect your name.
They protect your sanity.
They protect the profession.
A senior veterinarian understands that leadership is not only inside the clinic. It is within the community.
You know you are becoming a senior vet when:
- You stop reacting emotionally.
- You start preparing before speaking.
- You protect your team with clarity, not aggression.
- You build bridges instead of burning them.
Seniority is not declared.
It is demonstrated.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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