Last week I returned from the AVMA Leadership Conference. I attended workshops on resolving workplace conflict, emotional intelligence, and of course…a better understand of leadership.

I returned with a sense of excitement. I returned more knowledgeable than when I left. I returned a better leader to help drive our profession.

I then saw this email:

<img src="http://garretpachtinger.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/america-576×1024 Find Out More.jpg” alt=”” width=”576″ height=”1024″ class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-498″ srcset=”http://garretpachtinger.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/america-576×1024.jpg 576w, http://garretpachtinger.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/america-169×300.jpg 169w, http://garretpachtinger.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/america-768×1365.jpg 768w, http://garretpachtinger.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/america.jpg 1242w” sizes=”(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px” />

Racism. Ignorance. Cyberbullying.

According to the AVMA, Cyberbullying, also known as cyberharassment, is the use of email, instant messaging, and derogatory websites to bully or otherwise harass an individual or group through personal attacks, according to U.S. Legal Definitions. Cyberbullying can also be used to threaten, embarrass, or frighten, and can even result in physical harm to its victims.

We all know the stress that veterinary team members face on a daily basis. Justine and I get very excited when we have great VETgirl webinar attendance, but it is saddening that one of our most popular webinars is the webinar on Suicide Awareness in veterinary medicine. The attendance numbers and webinar replays is staggering.

As a veterinary leader and leader in continuing education, VETgirl’s mission is to provide the most clinically relevant, practical, and convenient CE to the veterinary community. Why does this have to be solely in the United States? We provide this CE to veterinary team members around the world.

In fact, our content has been viewed and downloaded in over 150 countries.

To you, the writer of this disturbing email: While you speak English, you are but one part of our audience. You are but one part of the veterinary community around the world.

I will not cyberbully you. I have not used your name in my blog. I have redacted your name in the email screenshot. You do not deserve to be mentioned.

We invite you to participate in our continuing education webinars and listen to our podcasts. We invite you to become a better veterinary team member. We invite you to become a better person.

Respectfully,
Garret Pachtinger, VMD, DACVECC
Board Certified Emergency and Critical Care Specialist
Co-Founder, VETgirl