We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeffrey Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeffrey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you ever experienced a times when your entire field felt like it was taking a U-Turn?

Veterinary medicine has moved into the human medicine field and can accomplish things only dreamed of for our family pets a few years ago..Our profession is driven by referrals and specialist just like the human field and being more and more dependant on technology..We have further separated pet animals from food production animals when it comes to welfare..We have seen the influx of corporate america taking over what use to be family practices with very disturbing results..Based on current research only about 40% of americans can afford regular veterinary care..This has lead to the rise in economic euthanasia in our industry resulting in higher rates of deprssion and suicide in our field..While none can argue that we can care for our beloved family friend better than ever it comes at a price that most americans cannot afford..As the standard of care rises so does the euthanasia rate for things that could be fixed or delt with by cheaper alternative means..The failure of helping and finding some middle ground is the absolute failure of the veterinary profession and large rich humane societies to establish low income clinics across this country, which would be easy to do..I believe in informed consent and as long as people understand that a specialist is not doing a surgery for example but the vet on the case will attempt to help in any way possible then that should be allowed..Economic euthanasia is the new threat to the majority of pets with issues in this country, currently..Compassion cannot be replaced by greed and fear of trying..

Jeffrey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a vet student I worked animal control which really had an impact on how I viewed companion animals in our society..At that time we were killing around 24 million dogs and cats a year in america..We have come a long ways in that we only kill around 4 million, still far to many, but huge improvement..I was driven to spay/neuter and educate people on the problem of overpopulation..I have lectured and taught surgery in 42 countries and have offered free training for vets and vet students my whole career..I have been lucky enough to have a tv program on Animal Planet, called Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet, which has helped with my desire to educate pet owners..Over time I have become a very accomplished surgeon and have performed over 175,000 surgeries..There are very few soft tissue surgeries I cannot do which does allow me to offer difficult surgeries at lower prices for those in need..We recently moved to be 100% non-profit and while a struggle my long term goals is to establish a state of art training facility so vet students can be prepared to truly help the many people in need with their family friends..I have never been driven by money but I do recognize even low cost vets need to make a living and with current trends of corporate clinics and rising school costs it is very hard for non-profits to compete..Having said that the job satisfaction is amazingly high in what I do..I really want to help the single moms, fixed income elderly and military vets in any possible way..With a very high suicide rate and depression rate in my profession I see this work as life saving and rewarding for all involed..The health benefits and need for companionship is universal and provided by our furry friends for people worldwide..We as a profession, a so called humane organization or society in general cannot choose money over compassion, greed over need, except euthanasia over life..I have never had an issue with high in facilities and what they can provide and do..It is amazing, but the reality is not everyone can afford top of the line treatment..What I know to be true is low cost works very well and saves lots of lives..I recall one of my professors saying you can take a Mercedes to the prom or you can take a Volkswagon and in the end, you end up at the prom..When we start requiring for example a dental x-ray before every dental you just increased the price that many people will not be able afford..I believe in knowing and always reaching for best practices if they truly make a difference in outcome, but sometimes it is better to try something than allow suffering..I have been lucky in my life and my experiences are many..I love what i do and nothing is more rewarding than helping someone who really cares about their companion animal..A society driven by only technology and finance is destined to leave friends, family and neighbors behind..The society we live and work in helps make us and maybe it is time for more of us to give back..

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I have had cancer twice, have had over 12 major surgeries..I still get every morning and go for a run, then work out with my sensei for an hour..This is how I try to start each and every day..Personal health challenges can be very depressing but then again what are your other options..I have suffered from depression but I look for a reason to get up and move forward and do find the exercise very helpful..I want to be at work and I look forward to being at work..Even when I was at my lowest from chemo I went to work and just being around the animals and my crew gave me a sense of purpose..I truly feel that to many people go through life with no sense of purpose and I will tell you now get one, hold on to it and do your best..Life is full of obstacles and being able to confront and move through them becomes very important..I am lucky because what brings a bigger smile to your face like a puppy or a kitten..Our society eats a very poor fattening diet and eating better and exercise is one way you can live longer and be more mobile in the future..

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think my ability to truly look at the big picture and pay attention to small details has help me a lot in what I do..We often go off on tangents in medicine and a few years later they tell us all we have been doing is wrong and I feel I catch some of these things early.I always say I study does not make science..We do a lot of things based on dogma with little or no evidence..Pay attention to your patient and see what they are telling you and don’t look at them as just another case..Animals are amazing and they can teach us many things..Having traveled so much and worked under so many conditions I have seen and done things that most vets will never see or get to do in a normal life time..I do incorporate that knowledge and try my best to pass it on whenever possible..In my travels I have run into many incredible people who are so smart and tuned in, that it is hard not to learn and get better..In the medical profession traveling and working in different environments is truly a learning experience, if you allow it to be.. My advice to all in my field of work is to volunteer and travel a little and embrace change, it is fun and very much a learning experience..It might just help a lot of people in need..

Contact Info:

• Website: plannedpethoodinternational.org
• Instagram: drneuter
• Facebook: jeffrey young
• Other: facebook..planned pethood international