Tips from the Team: Dr. Susan Kirk
Dr. Kirk was raised in Northern Virginia and has practiced there since her graduation from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008- Go Hokies! She’s been a member of the All Four Paws team since 2017. Dr. Kirk enjoys preventative care visits as well as more complex internal medicine cases. She has a fondness for seniors and focuses on maintaining the human-animal bond through communication and education. She advocates for the best interest of all her patients through Fear Free handling.
What do you do to relieve stress?
- Exercise
- Walk my dog
- Take time to be calm and sit with my cat
What are your tips for burnt out veterinary professionals?
- Don’t be afraid to schedule a day off – remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint
- Find a mantra and practice it. Everyday before I enter work, I tell myself that I will do my very best to practice “compassion, patience, and acceptance”
- Practice self-care: time with your family, time for hobbies, take care of basic things like doctor appointments and haircuts
- Work with management to find solutions to the most troubling things about a practice
How do you deal with stress and anxiety during the work day?
- Leave the building for lunch, no matter what. Even if it is only 30 minutes. Remove yourself!
- Don’t be afraid to say “No”. NO that sick patient cannot come in at 5pm – it needs to be a drop off. NO we will not see a client who arrives 15+ minutes late for their appointment
- Stay connected with the team throughout the day via our group chat- for support, laughs, and a safe space to share the ups and downs of your day.
Written by: Dr. Susan Kirk & Morgan Guiffre