They say it takes a village, and this is mine. This photo was taken during a moment of celebration, but I am sharing it today for a different reason: because this is the team that keeps me and your pets safe when things aren’t perfect.

I made a mistake this week.

A mistake can become dangerous when you do not have safety nets in place or open communication to identify and prevent it moving forward. In this situation, I was fortunate enough to work with a team that is detail-oriented and willing to question things.

In this case, an owner was also double-checking details for their pet. Because of that “village” effort, the mistake was caught, we learned from it, and modified our processes to prevent it for the future.

Here is the truth: No one is infallible.

Intentions may be good, but perfection, whether in human or animal medicine, is not possible. This is why I surround myself with some of the smartest, most humble people I know. They advocate for our patients, our clients, and our team. They aren’t afraid to speak up, because they know it makes us better.

To our clients: You are your pet’s best advocate.

Never feel bad about questioning or advocating for your loved ones (two-legged or four). Medicine is a team event, and you are a vital part of that team. We love information, details, and education. We look to you to help us be better by:

• Asking questions when you’re unsure
• Saying “I don’t understand
• Pointing out when something doesn’t seem right

I will make mistakes; we all do. The question isn’t whether they happen, but how we handle them and how we prevent them. Thank you for being part of our safety net.