Parker County Today December 2016 | Page 53

people. To date I have never had one patient come to see me without being attached to a human. If anyone feels they can answer these questions positively and achieve these goals, this is likely the profession for them.   PCT: What advice can you give to your clients? LANGERHANS: This could become a very lengthy answer but I will try to keep it short. I would just like for clients (pet owners in general) to remember their pet is potentially the most accepting, loyal, and loving friend they have in their life. Of course, the obvious answer, they should keep their pets current on vaccinations and heartworm tests and prevention. They should also just pay attention to them to pick up on any changes of their body condition, elimination habits, attitude, locomotion, respiration, stamina, water consumption and appetite. Sometimes even the slightest change could mean they are developing a health problem. I also want everyone to know that all of us in this profession are here to help them keep their pets healthy so they can be a companion, buddy, friend for a long time.   PCT: What is something your clients do not know about you? LANGERHANS: I suppose many people don’t know this story: Many years ago, two very young close friends aspired and dreamed together of becoming veterinarians. Both were inducted into the Order of the Arrow of the Boy Scouts of America at the same time at the age of 12. Both worked at the same veterinary hospital in high school. The two friends lived together at the veterinary hospital the summer before they were leaving their homes and families to begin the pursuit of their dream at Texas A&M University. Both did well in college, but in the end reached different heights. Each were proud of the other for their eventual achievements. One of those boys did achieve the dream and became a veterinarian and the other, he became the longest serving governor of the State of Texas. Now you know the rest of the story. PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY job? LANGERHANS: Of course, as a veterinarian, making the correct diagnosis, proper treatment plan, and a great positive result to make our patient well, normal, and happy again makes all this worthwhile. Just knowing you did this by using the history given by their owners and the results of diagnostic tests or procedures as well as the application of the correct course of action for a patient that will never have as voice or a vote in any of it. However, I guess the best part for any of us in this profession is that 90% or more of the time our patients are very accepting, loving and caring.   PCT: What advice could you give to those who are just entering your field? LANGERHANS: Through the years, I have been approached by many people wanting to become a veterinarian because they love animals and they want to help and hold them. I say this is a great profession, and can be very rewarding and [I] love what I do. I tell them that it is not an easy trek to get here. There are a few things they and everyone need to consider, and a few questions they need to ask themselves before taking this endeavor, because pursuing this profession and practicing veterinary medicine is not for anyone faint of heart. I will put forth these questions and food for thought: Do you love going to school? Because you will be in school for a minimum of seven to eight years of college. Do you like and do well in science and math? Because you will be taking a lot of these classes before being in veterinary school. Do you make very good grades overall? Because each year the entering class of any veterinary college has an average grade point of 3.7 (perfect maximum grade point is 4.0). And (one very important question to answer) Do you like people? Because if anyone has a problem with having to deal with people this part of the profession is not for them. What many people do not realize is that it does not matter if a person is the most knowledgeable and the most skillful veterinarian on planet Earth, that person will never see a patient i f they do not like DECEMBER 2016 felt there was a need and it would be a great place for a 24-hour hospital in the Weatherford area. Thus, we decided to start another veterinary hospital.   PCT: How did you get into your profession? LANGERHANS: Having grown up in a small West Texas town and living a rural type life, I have always had animals to care for — be it pets or livestock. At the same time, I also had interest in medicine. I had decided at age 13 that combining the two would be interesting, challenging, and [I’d be] able to help and speak for those who can’t help themselves. Our local doctors thought I should consider going into medicine, but I began working for our veterinarian while in high school, though he was located in another town. It was everything I thought it would be and [I] became hooked. After high school, I went to Texas A&M University for seven years and finished with two B.S. degrees and my DVM degree. I remember reading a quote of Will Rogers that did help as well — “The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what is the matter — he’s just got to know.”    PCT: What is the biggest challenge in your business? LANGERHANS: Like many business owners, especially service businesses, the biggest challenge is staffing. Being able to find and keep doctors and staff that have the compassion, passion, knowledge, skills — people and medical — and stamina to work in the hectic and sometimes difficult environment of a 24/7 animal hospital. It can become stressful at times because of the challenging cases and emotions that are involved, but at the same time this can be tempered with wonderful outcomes. I have learned through the years that we really have a great profession and have more positive outcomes than negative outcomes — though sometimes it is difficult to let go of the unfortunate outcomes which just makes us human.   PCT: What is the best part of your 51