InfoStream Staff Writer
Who is Dr. Jason Coe?
And why will his presence at the
Regional Conferences be so important to you?
With his
impressively long list of credentials and accomplishments relating to research
and education in the urban animal industry, Jason Coe, DVM, PhD was first
invited to be a part of the Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in 2011.
Since then, he has become an integral part of the Regional Conferences and annual Summits’
experiences and has been instrumental in orchestrating the events’ Automated
Response System, which facilitates the collection and analysis of data.
“When I
first heard Jason speak I realized that he had a very different view of the
world,” explains Larry Evans, President of PetLynx Corporation. “His research
and work is as if he is examining the very DNA and genetics of the urban animal
experience through the eyes of a veterinarian, a sociologist and an
epidemiologist. What he is discovering is helping the industry move forward in its
understanding of the gaps in the Pet Experience.”
This
year, OVC 2001 graduate Dr. Jason Coe, who is now an Associate Professor at the
Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and the Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Chair in
Communication, will be the Facilitator for the 2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences. InfoStream staff writer, Terri Perrin, caught up with Dr. Coe at the University of Guelph campus to discover what drives his passion for the Pet Experience.
InfoStream (IS): Jason, you have an
impressive list of professional accomplishments, achieved in a relatively short
time, what life experiences started you down this path of being a veterinarian,
a teacher and a researcher?
Jason Coe (JC): I grew up with animals constantly
being part of my life. I became a vet as a result of many positive animal
experiences that created in me a desire to be able to take care of them. I have
also always been interested in education and communication. My current position
at the OVC allows me to fulfill all of these interests by working to
improve the relationship between companion animals and people through research
and education. It’s perfect!
IS: You worked in a clinical
setting after graduating from vet school and then, in 2008, earned a PhD in the
area of veterinary communications. What inspired you to take this extra
training?
JC: I always had plans to return to graduate school after a
few years in mixed-animal practice. I’ve
always been curious about the relationship between people and animals and
wanted to explore this further. When I
returned to OVC they had just started a program designed to assist veterinary
students in their communications with clients.
As I became involved in this program I quickly recognized the importance
of our human-to-human interactions on the health and wellbeing of animals. Recognizing the importance, I wanted to be a
part of this important area of the veterinary profession.
IS: For those readers who don’t
know about your work, can you give us the ‘Reader’s Digest’ version of what it
is you are exploring?
JC: I guess you could say that I’m
looking at the pet experience from three angles. The first would be through my
Research Chair, generously supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada, to
further our understanding of pet overpopulation and pet relinquishment through
research and education. Second would be my work examining the role of
interpersonal communication within veterinary practice and the impacts this has
on the outcomes of veterinary care for all involved (e.g., animal, client,
veterinarian and staff). Third would be my interest in veterinary education and
looking at how to best prepare today’s veterinary student for tomorrow’s
society.
IS: You say that you had pets
while growing up. Were there any in particular that made an impact on you?
JC: I am staring at two pictures on
my wall right now. One is of a black cat we called Optimus. He was named after the
Transformer Optimus Prime. He lived to be about 19 years old and saw me through
many stages of my life, from adolescence right through to my first job as a veterinarian.
I also need to mention a special German Shepherd Dog named Duke. He was my
first pet. Both of these animals played extremely influential roles in my life.
The other picture I’m staring at is of Max, a St. Bernard, who was the most
recent of the many animals that have had an influential role in my life.
IS: Do you share your home with
any animals now?
JC: This is an interesting question
and one I get asked often! A few years ago Optomis and Max passed away …
ironically on the same day and from similar ailments. At the time, my wife and
I were at a point in our lives when we had to decide whether to get another pet
or start a family. We opted for children. We are making a very conscientious
decision as to when will be the right time to introduce a pet into the chaos
that is currently our lives … with three young kids under the age of five!
While we would love to have a pet, our decision to not have one right now is a conscious one influenced by my work
experience and understanding of companion animal relinquishment and the need to
be prepared for the life-long commitment that is made when acquiring a pet.
IS: Your research and your
appointment as the Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Chair in Communications is
putting you in high demand for speaking engagements in both North America and
around the world. How do you feel about this and what do you gain from this
exposure?
JC: It is really exciting to be able
to travel because it provides me with opportunities to understand different
cultural urban animal experiences and to share my research findings. In May, I
will be addressing the Australian Veterinary Association’s Annual Convention.
I’m looking forward to that.
IS: Do you ever miss the hands-on
work as a veterinarian in a clinical setting?
JC: While I am not clinically
practicing right now, I have been quite involved with forwarding primary care veterinary
education and this has kept me connected to the clinical side of things. In
practice, I was always interested in everything large or small. I actually
continued practicing part-time in a large-animal clinic up until 2010. Then,
much like my reasons for not having a family pet right now, as young children
came into my life, I had to make some tough decisions. Not working in a clinic
… for now … was one of them.
IS: What is your view on the
Regional Conferences? How do you believe they are influencing the companion animal
industry in Canada?
JC: The Regional Conferences draw
representatives from very different areas to share their Pet Experiences … and
I believe that differences in perspectives that are brought forward create
opportunities. I find it fascinating to watch as thought leaders from such
diverse areas come together. You see what is being accomplished across the
country and in various sectors of the companion animal industry. It often demonstrates
that more can be accomplished as a collective, rather than on your own. This
collaboration encourages respect and is making a difference. Personally, understanding
the many different perspectives allows me to look at my research in many
different ways.
IS: Where do you see yourself in
the next ten years?
JC: I’ve never really thought about
that! I have no idea! (Laughs.) I love new projects and taking learning
experiences to the next level. So, I hope that 10 years from now I will be exploring
something that today I have not even thought of. I look forward to continuing to take
advantage of new opportunities to learn and that any opportunities presented to
me bring about larger discussion to move the companion animal industry forward.
I feel very fortunate in what I have accomplished so far. Who knows what the
future will hold?
IS: Thank you, Dr. Coe. We look
forward to seeing you at the Urban Animal Regional Conferences.
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