When we got our dog from the shelter (not our local one) she was a medical mess.  I couldn't get an appt so I just had them do a fecal on her so I could sort out all of her issues.  Doc did a fecal, and came out in the lobby with one syringe clasp in his mouth and two in his hand.  After he shot her up, I was provided some pills.  They never charged me for an office visit because we were never treated in an exam room.  Yes, that's just how cool my Doc is.  I dont' want to provide free advertising so I won't use his name, but there is a magazine cover with on his wall for an industry magazine that named him one of the top 200 in the nation.  I won't argue that.

With Tina's unique history, the one thing I do is try to stop during off hours with Tina for a visit.  The docs and staff always get to see either sick animals or animals that genuinely don't want to be there.  It's a nice change for the whole office, I think, and since there are people there, Tina loves it.

I also try to drop money in the jar they have for donations to treat animals that have impoverished owners.  I do think that pizza might be a good idea though.

EAB February 2nd, 2010 08:50:17 AM

Our Pit Bull Forum put together a few calendars this year and one of them is a cancer calendar with my dog's pic in November. I'm giving his oncologist & staff one for the chemo room.

Dee February 2nd, 2010 09:36:25 AM

I try to find something personal.  My vet owns a Viszla, and I found a humorous print of one that she now has over her fireplace.  Luckily I can buy wholesale, so pet themed ornaments have alway been a hit.  She has done an exceptional job with my pets so I do try to find something particularly special for her.

Carol February 2nd, 2010 10:21:53 AM

Food.  No contest.  Having  been on the "other side of the counter" and remembering how much we loved to receive anything from pizza to home-made cookies, I'd have to say food should be at the top of the list to make your vet's staff happy.

Ingrid King February 2nd, 2010 12:39:16 PM

We managed to do something unique. One visit to the vet who has since left the practice we use, my husband was wearing a t-shirt that the vet exclaimed over. (http://www.watersafety.com/aed-cpr-long-sleeve-t-shirt.html) So we got one for her and brought it to the next appointment. She always did such a great job with my cats and spent so much time working with me on the complex, geriatric cases I had, I would have done far more if I could.

Feline February 2nd, 2010 01:27:35 PM

A few years ago, my veterinarian made a donation to UC Davis's feline internal medicine research in the name of my cat, Topaz, who died at 13 after a long and painful battle with kidney failure.  It was above and beyond, and completely unexpected.  I was really touched that he would honor her in that way.  He was always so happy to see her, and took such amazing care of her.  I knew he really loved her.  He loves my other babies, too, but there was something special about her.  I still have the letter UC Davis sent me.

I send thank you cards, photos and homemade baked goods to my veterinarians.

Catie February 2nd, 2010 02:21:03 PM

For Christmas 2008, I had a mug made through a website.  I put a small picture (like 1" x 1.25") of each of my 14 kitties (7 across, 2 high) toward the top, which wrapped around the whole mug, then toward the bottom on one side I put my vet's name and the words "Senior Member" and on the other side the words "Hawkins Herd Health Management Team".  He proudly uses it every day!

Kaatje February 2nd, 2010 03:13:46 PM

I agree that food is ALWAYS appreciated.  Nothing like working a 13-hour shift and not getting a lunch break but being able to dip into a "goody pile" from a client!

anna February 2nd, 2010 03:16:09 PM

Over the years:

• thank-you card w/pictures
• gourmet cookies or chocolates
• flowers
• breed remembrance (mine)
• vet's breed gift (vintage or new)
• gift card
• basket of various items
• cookies, candy for staff & vet
• local coffee shop gift card
• locally produced gourmet items
• holiday cards
• practical or useful items:umbrella, personalized pen, scented soap
• lavender sachets-staff
• homemade pies
• internationally published  "thank you & acknowledgment advertisements" with copy of publication sent!

I feel confident to say, I have expressed heartfelt appreciation through the years , not only with promptly paying for services rendered, but to show appreciation when I have felt someone has gone to extra mile for my "loved ones".

Barbara A.

Barbara A. Albright/NH February 2nd, 2010 04:07:19 PM

Food is always good for my spirit but not so good for my waistline ;)

I really like getting a card with a picture of the pet now doing well (or in the case of a recent euth a picture of the pet in its younger days).  That way the entire staff gets to read it and feel appreciated.  (We don't recycle these BTW we scrapbook them.)

I am sometimes a little bummed when the doc gets a gift and a big thank-you and I get bupkis.  Not because I am greedy or the doc doesn't deserve it but because I worked just as hard (usually more 'hands on' and longer hours) with that patient but not in a way that the client sees.

Meghan RAHT February 2nd, 2010 04:51:27 PM

I used to give homemade cookies, back in the day. Now that I'm in practice myself, I've only received one (and not for any of the heroic efforts, either, just a patient I've been seeing since she was 8 weeks old who was in for her spay). The owner brought in a box of chocolate for me, a bigger box of chocolate for the rest of the staff to split and a little card. The chocolate was nice (very nice!) but the card was what really touched me. It's in the empty box now, which will become my "scrapbook".

A card with a photo of the patient will always be at the top of my list. If someone wants to go further, I'd love a donation to a favorite charity, or food that can be shared with the staff. Better than anything material, though, is a referral. I was incognito at the dog park the other day and overheard one of our patients praising our hospital highly, it felt really good! Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, leave a positive review online... and even without a gift or a card, just a "thanks, doc, I know how hard you worked on her," can be the break an overworked vet needs to help get through the day.

Being in a service industry has made me much more aware of how important it is to be thanked. Since entering vet school, I've made an effort to notice and praise good service, be it from the mechanic, the doctor, or the waitress.

wikith February 2nd, 2010 06:10:19 PM

I cook for her her fav cake regularly, I send her nice pics of the dogs and cats I sheltered and put back on their paws, I knitted scarfs for her twins daughters and once I made a basket of culinary herbs to be planted in her garden.

But that's cause I'm a sticky, annoying client: I tend to rush to her regularly with foundlings not everytime in good shape so I give her a lot of work..

Adeline February 3rd, 2010 11:03:26 AM

I draw pet portraits as a hobby.  One of my favorites is of our cocker spaniel, whose quality of life is a million times better thanks to one vet.  We gave her a framed print of that portrait.  I also have had some postcards made of of various other portraits I've done, and I send them as "thank you" cards.  I feel like that adds a personal element, that I hope helps to convey the sincerity of my gratitude.

I've also taken them produce out of my vegetable garden (for the whole office).

For my equine vet--who works outside in all weathers--one year I gave her a pack of those instant heat hand warmer thingees and a few of those "soak in water" cooling bandanas.

I'll keep pizza in mind for the future.

Galadriel February 3rd, 2010 12:42:52 PM

I keep thank you cards and the like in a folder I sort through periodically, especially when I've had a particularly rough day. I think the time it takes to hand write a thank you can keep most vets happy for a long time. That and food. I have NEVER been to a veterinary function where vets/vet students/vet techs didn't swarm the tables for food. And there is no such thing as leftovers.

Sometimes even an exuberant "thank you" is enough. I once treated (and cured) a cat in acute renal failure and the owner told me I "walked on water" in her house. I think I beamed for days.

VMDiva February 3rd, 2010 01:24:58 PM

It is *very* nice as a client to read that little gifties are appreciated and maybe even treasured. It is given sincerely from the heart but you never know what one may think of it.

Especially, since many of those gifts meant absolutely ZERO , in light of what one long-time clinic betrayed

For a time, I thought I may have been just a "gafaw  & yucks"

For a new -to-me Vet, I gave a hand-designed card with this photo and keychain for euthanizing my beloved old gal.

Taken 4 months before death---gosh, how regal. (Barney Bush is related to her!)

Barbara A. Albright/NH February 3rd, 2010 03:34:47 PM

I had a vet & staff that I adored for years until we (sadly) had to part company over a mistake that became compounded and the relationship ended like a bad break up, am still saddened when I think about it.

It is a long story but I feel we both handled it wrong & wish I'd found this blog before all heck broke loose  as we might have been able to resolve some things espceially since I've gained some insight on how ta vet's 'life' can be but anyway, BEFORE the  parting, I would do the following:

For the staff, thank you cards with one of the following:

FairyTale Brownies ( the best brownies I've ever  had!!)

Cookie trays

For the vets, thank you cards with either:

bottle of wine ( depending on the vet)

neck tie

I have not been with the new vet long but am sure I will pick up the gift giving where I left off. I have a soft spot for vets & their staff and really appreciate it when someone provides excellent care and shows compassion.

MassGal February 3rd, 2010 10:16:43 PM

I've sewn themed scrub tops/hats, brought dunkin donuts, M&M's (my vet's favorites) and a bottle of his favorite at xmas....

I also machine embrodered a scarf with a cat and his name, and brought in boxes of candy and fruit baskets over the years....

I think he knows how much I appreciate him.

LorriM February 4th, 2010 01:32:58 PM

I guess most importantly you could add I have sent him dozens of clients over the years...

LorriM February 4th, 2010 01:33:56 PM

Cookies and a card, usually signed by my pups with their pawprints and a picture.  I've seen the picture proudly displayed on their wall and gotten a thank you note in the mail.

I also sent an email to the practice's owner with my accolades, which I was told was read at a staff meeting.  The practice owner later came out during one of my visits to thank me for sending the note, as it apparently put a nice spring in the staffs' steps.  I'd no idea they appreciated my note that much! 

Pizza is a great idea...will have to do that one of these days.  I am so thankful to have such a great vet nearby with a wonderful staff.

Shasta February 7th, 2010 07:55:39 AM

A cat I had long ago had to have a tumor removed from her ear.  I was a grad student living on $3,500 for 9 months (and I'm not THAT old). 

The vet let me pay him off in small monthly increments, no interest, no hassle.  When I finally made the last payment almost 2 yrs later, I went to his office and gave him a Vet Needlepoint I had made and framed for him. 

I don't live in the state where he is anymore, but I'd bet he still has it up in his office somewhere if he's still in practice.

2CatMom February 8th, 2010 04:59:00 PM

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