Wow! I cannot believe it has been almost three months since we opened the doors to VIP! What a whirlwind!
As I predicted, blog posts have taken a back seat since then. Although I know it is hard to imagine, we have had so much pressing work to do and so many fires to put out that I haven’t been able to pull together the will to update everyone!
At any rate, the atmosphere and community we’re building in and around VIP could not be coalescing more perfectly! Despite not having a full schedule, we are extremely happy with the progress of building the business and practicing elevated medicine and delivering personalized client experiences. The VIP Daycare opened this past month and is becoming very popular. We already have “regulars” that come and hang out with us and play all day in the large playrooms. By the time they go home, they’re exhausted and ready to relax at home after a hard day. We continue to improve and personalize our web-based Practice Management Software, Ezyvet, and the efficiency of being paperless and keeping completely digital records has been amazing. The web-based Ezyvet client portal is highly integrated with our side of things and the ability for clients to access their pets’ records, request appointments, pay bills, upload pictures, and add new pets could not be easier or more helpful in efficiency. As we continue to improve our proficiency at operating and utilizing all the features of Ezyvet, we continue to further improve your experience at VIP.
Although it seems like I have eight hands sometimes, I really need eight more. Obviously that would literally not be possible without the extremely talented and versatile team VIP has, aka the “Core Four.” Each of these exemplary dream-team members are vital to our mission and I don’t know what we would do each one of them!
Mandy has been learning so much about business operations, customer service, as well as keeping on top of a ton of other tasks with poise, talent, and grace; you would never know she’s hasn’t been doing it for 10 years. Beyond the business administration aspect, Mandy has been heading up daycare supervision and management as well. For the time being, we do not have a fenced in play yard, so she has been ensuring all the daycare pups have a leashed walk and bathroom break every two hours! Most days she doesn’t have to worry about getting all of her “steps” in! To top it off, and despite all that she already does, Mandy has been cross-training with Alisa, Markesha, and Carisa to help keep building a strong base of veterinary knowledge and skills.
During the late spring and summer months, Carisa went way above and beyond when she was here, every day, helping me prepare VIP for opening. She really came in clutch by painting at least 90% of all the new paint on the walls, but also by holding all manner of boards/panels/levels/tape measures, cleaning up construction dust, cleaning up poop, scraping paint, looking for all the tools I set down somewhere, and pretty much anything else I needed. You can think of her being the equivalent of a Sous Chef for DIY construction and renovations guru! Even today, Carisa will bring “construction clothes” to change into incase I start any number of various projects that have nothing to do with veterinary medicine that weren’t quite finished before we opened. To top it off, Carisa is also making amazing strides while cross-training with Alisa and Markesha to expand her own nursing skills across the board. However, wouldn’t it be great if we could only get her to wear her reading glasses regularly!
Markesha is also shining bright with her huge heart, sharp wit, and amazing organizational skills! Throughout VIP, if you see things, medications, or supplies organized on a shelf, you can guarantee Markesha has thoroughly enjoyed organizing and labeling that space. Now, if we could only get her to stop re-arranging the shelves every few weeks! Everyone loves hearing her infectious laugh and outrageous stories involving any one of her animals at home. Markesha is also genuinely concerned for every patient’s comfort and care. Before we can even set a patient in a cage, she’s running up behind with a blanket and water and a toy. Her gentle way and true care for each animal we see is a rare quality! Every business dreams of a team member like Markesha!
Last but definitely not least, Alisa is killing it too, that is…after we learned NOT to hand her a paint brush! Ha! All jokes aside, she has been excelling in everything she does and her well numerous and seasoned nursing abilities are readily apparent to the team and clients alike. In addition, her advanced computer skills are crucial to our smooth operation and her effortless ability to manage the nuanced operation of Ezyvet, is the envy of the rest of the team. During the two weeks before we opened, Alisa quickly became familiar with Ezyvet and provided a critical component needed before opening by entering and editing all of our products, inventory, treatments, procedures, medications, and supplies into the program as well as designing and constructing our new client paperwork, discharges, spreadsheets, and client handouts (to be sent by e-mail, of course)!
I am just the luckiest guy on the planet! And beyond that, even if you don’t know it, all of VIP's clients are extremely lucky to have these intelligent, strong, compassionate and independent women taking the best care of your pets! These gals are all VIP’s in my book!
Alright, with that being said, I’ve got an appointment and I think that is a great place to wrap up this post, don’t you?
I hope everyone has a great morning, day, afternoon, evening, and good night!
Take care,
Dr. Jones
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