Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Words of wisdom, Tabitha. It's a path, and everyone starts out knowing nothing but what they believed from earlier times. Following that path into full daylight can be a bit blinding at first, and scary. It's bright, dazzling even, but also unfamiliar.
The smart ones take it a step at a time, trying the new path on for size. Animals are perhaps the most helpful ones of all to verify that we've taken a good turn. They are simple. When we give good inputs and stop the damaging ones, they shine. Irrefutably. They encourage us to step out further, trusting that health really is inherent in us all. It just needs to be cultured, encouraged, and not impaired through blindly following instructions that may have no basis in the real world.
Same with you as a vet taking this new path. Your nervousness will become a distant memory when you see how much good you achieve for each and every patient you treat this way.
I think we can all identify with Mrs. Z. The question just becomes, how quickly will we move on?