This year, on a day that’s meant to be spent with the one you love, Mother has abandoned me for a trip to London.
Mother has gone on what is called CPD. It stands for Continues Professional Development, and is legally required by all vets and vet nurses. Each year they have to do a certain amount of additional learning (on top of their working hours) to show that they are keeping up to date and relevant with new learning, new drugs, new techniques, new research etc. The RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) keeps track of their CPD that is logged to make sure they are keeping up with the requirements. Vets need an additional 35hours a year, vet nurses need 20hours.
Sometimes, CPD is an online webinar, online courses, or a lunch meeting with drug reps, or colleagues. It can be reading medical journals, or discussing cases with referral clinics, or even seeing practice at a referral to try and learn new techniques. But sometimes it is a physical in person course. Mother prefers these. She says its easier to feel involved, and stay focused, compared to online webinar where she often zones out. In person learning allows better opportunities for asking questions, understanding the overall, and creating new professional relationships.
Mothers course in London is for two days, from February 14th. It was rather last minute arranged, as Mother put her name on a waiting list cause the course was full originally. She was messaged last week saying she had a spot if she still wanted it. I will be staying with Auntie Charlotte on her farm for those days. I love Auntie Charlottes farm so it’s no hardship for me, but Valentines Day should be spent with those you love. And the only person I love is Mother. At least that should be true but to be honest I’m such a happy dog I probably love everyone, so it’s probably more accurate to say the one I love the most is Mother. So Mother owes me big time for abandoning me on this holiday.
Mother is going to learn a new (for her) surgical technique for a common orthopaedic problem. She’s tried to learn it before, but Covid-19 happened (I don’t know what that means but Mother assures me it’s a good reason) and basically it put a lot of courses on hold, and Mother couldn’t go see practice in places etc. Hopefully this time will all work out and Mother can start offering the new procedure at work. Mother loves surgery, all surgery, soft tissue and orthopaedics. A lot of clients don’t like being referred or travelling, so being able to offer this operation in clinic will give more opportunities to the clients.
Anyway, that’s why Mother isn’t spending Valentines day with me. Do we think that its a good enough reason?