Emerging Leader uplifted by 2014 Summit

Anna MacNeil-Allcock

InfoStream Staff Writer 

Serving as the medical director and owner of OrthoPets, Dr. Susan Calverley met all the criteria to receive a 2014 Frederick Lynn Webster Emerging Leader Scholarship. Calverley specializes in canine rehabilitation as a veterinarian with Mission Veterinary Hospital, her work providing consultations, fiberglass impressions, fittings and modifications of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics has truly helped to create healthy communities for pets and people. 

Anna MacNeil-Allcock (AMA): Susan, you were awarded the Frederick Lynn Webster Scholarship for your great work in canine rehabilitation. What is your biggest passion and what would you like to see happen in your sector over the next few years?

Dr. Susan Calverley (SC): I am passionate about the human-animal bond and how we, as veterinarians, play a part in igniting that bond for our families and communities. To this end my "pet" projects are feral cat trap neuter release programs, veterinary orthotics and prosthetics and veterinary rehabilitation in general and mental health and wellbeing for employees in the industry as part of the whole work- life balance challenge.

Over the next few years I would like to see:

1. Cats become better recognized as important family members and not be left out in the cold literally without families or veterinary care. 
2. I would like veterinary orthotics and prosthetics to become mainstream in the veterinary community and taught in the veterinary colleges.
3. I would like wellness in the workplace to be more than just trying to identify and combat compassion fatigue.  I want to see emotionally robust students graduating from tech and veterinary colleges and sources of education for veterinary practitioners about the power of positive psychology and happiness in the workplace.

I did start a conversation on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Pet Industry and we have a group on a conference call including the Ontario SPCA and the Coquitlam animal shelter at the end of this month. We envision a central information location, possibly a website with links to information available industry wide with a blog on happiness in the pet industry.

AMA: What did receiving the scholarship mean to you?

SC: My original reaction when I was initially nominated for a scholarship to the 2014 Urban Animal Summit in Lake Louise was ‘What is this Urban Animal thing?’

As a seasoned veterinarian and practice owner, I had thought I had my finger on the pulse of what was happening in veterinary medicine and the pet industry in general. As a distributor of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics I smugly thought of myself at the forefront of the industry.

Boy was I wrong. 

I really had no expectations other than a very nice hotel and a beautiful mountain setting. What I was unprepared for was the sense of community and collaboration in the room between absolutely all sectors of the pet industry.  

These days we seem to be bombarded by negativity in the news and social media. After several recent, high profile suicides in the veterinary profession, the topic of compassion fatigue and depression in the veterinary profession has weighed heavily on my mind, 

I was so encouraged, after starting the conversation on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the pet industry, to see how the shelter industry, veterinary associations and colleges are addressing this issue and generously willing to share their knowledge to make our workplaces more emotionally robust, supportive and happy. 

AMA: What was your experience at the Summit and how might it help you in your mission?

SC: My experience at the Summit was uplifting and life affirming. It was so refreshing to see people coming together and collaborating for a common purpose. Having experience with the relatively new field of Veterinary Rehabilitation and watching the struggle as veterinarians and human physical therapists and chiropractors are coming together to improve the well being of our arthritic and handicapped pets, I admire the passion that these members of the Urban Animal Alliance are displaying.

AMA: What was the highlight of the Summit for you? 

SC: The Summit really rejuvenated me and clarified for me the importance of having passion for urban animals and the power of teamwork in creating a fulfilling life and career. The contacts that I made will help with all of my passions and hopefully create opportunities  to take them to the next level.

I am still passionate about urban animals and want to participate any way I can.