Dear Sir,
Contingent upon establishing a good relationship with your clientele is showing them that you care. With the pressure of being in the examination room and other professional surroundings, it may be difficult to do that.
It has been my belief over 50 years of practice that “caring” is most easily shown by your presence outside the office and more in the clients' environment. It should be no great problem for you to meet them at their level.
Try going to the local dog and cat shows regularly. Turn up at the local Humane Society annual meeting. There they are able to see your genuine feelings and talk freely. This establishes a level of communication that is beyond the doctor/client level and is of great value. Also, the kids will love it!
Another useful route of communication is as a member of a community service club where people talk to you and ask good questions. It is another way of showing that you care.
The column, The Art of Private Veterinary Practice by Myrna Milani, in The Canadian Veterinary Journal is a good start on the same subject.