Does it matter what we call ourselves and our pets? What are the implications? Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, analyzes the nomenclature, legal implications and nuances of our role with pets.
No matter the label, every pet deserves to be as free as possible from:
- Discomfort and exposure
- Fear and distress
- Hunger and thirst
- Illness, disease, and pain
- Inability to perform normal behaviors
Source: Veterinary Team Brief, September 2018. Link.
Anthropomorphic interpretations of dog behavior without ruling out other causations can lead to misunderstanding.
INSIGHTS: Practice owners and managers need to consider this article, how owners are reflected in medical records and educate staff members appropriately. In multi-species or livestock practices, the issues of animals as property are more complex depending on animal age, intended use and the accounting practices of individual livestock owners.