Laurie's Blogs.

So, if you have been following my e-blasts and/or Facebook posts, you will be aware that I have spent the last week in Germany and then Austria.  I was shown wonderful hospitality and friendship… and I would not hesitate to return!  I even learned new phrases!!  

But all of that aside, I thought, that I should put my own self to the test to think:  What did I learn from my latest adventures, travels, & teachings… So here are my thoughts  (mind you I have had 1 glass of wine and 2 glasses of "stürmen"… which is not what was written on the bottle, but what I was told in English as a translation of "storm" - basically the fermented fruit juice, just before it becomes wine… sweet, tasty, alcoholic, and VERY drinkable…but not quite wine!  The kind of thing you could drink by the pitcher!!!).  So here is what I learned:

• We all are having similar issues (all over the world):  General practice veterinarians do not understand rehab or when they need to refer or how to work with non-veterinarians or other vets with 'different training' (other than surgeons… because most vets are trained by surgeons when in vet school).  

• We still need to work together… no ONE practitioner knows it all

• We need to better educate the surgeons and our (potential) referring general practice vets.

• We need to get CLINICAL research published… because the researchers in the universities don't perform rehab or adequately understand what needs to be researched that will be clinically relevant.

• Savvy dog owners want our services and need our services and deserve our services… and we cannot let them down!

• Adversity and being able to deal with unscheduled changes in plans can oly make you stronger… like missing your buss and having to figure out not only where you have to get to, but how!!

• I should only be photographed from the shoulders up!

So, that's it!  I need to get to bed now… I have a 6:20 am flight to catch!  I really enjoyed meeting everyone over the two courses this week… perhaps another time, I will have to add additional learning learning... about a new hip joint mobilization, new eccentric exercises for supraspinatus and subscapularis and about the coracobrachialis muscle.

Until next time... Cheers!

Laurie