Let’s do this Canada! COVID-19, you can’t get rid of us without a fight!

Before I begin my first President’s Message, which in the present circumstances may well be a somewhat unconventional message, I want to say THANK YOU. I have never been so proud to be Canadian and part of such a committed and caring community of professionals. Our now past-president Dr. Melanie Hicks, aka “COVID-time president” and our CEO Jost Am Rhyn have demonstrated the truth in the saying, “In times of crisis, true leaders emerge.” In collaboration with the tireless efforts of the CVMA staff and the COVID-19 working group, they have brought, and continue to bring, our members the most relevant and vital materials, in the form of webinars and direct guidance to Canadian veterinary teams. The continued collaborations with Canadian veterinary registrars, provincial associations, federal government agencies, and industry are once again a testament to our core belief that we are stronger as One Voice.

I can tell you in all honesty that in February of 2020, when I first began jotting down my possible subjects for the upcoming President’s Messages, I barely knew what COVID-19 was. As we planned the many events and activities for the CVMA this coming year, I never imagined that most, or all, of these activities would be cancelled/rescheduled for some unknown date in the future. My year of presidency went from hotel rooms and airports and speaking engagements, to tripods, microphones and laptops for a seemingly endless stream of web-based meetings. Finding the right spot in my home, where I am often surrounded by 3 kids, 2 cats and a lovely but high-pitched barking dog, has been a challenge to say the least. You may see my locations change over the year! Fear not, I promise to wear pants!

Admittedly, it has been extremely difficult maintaining a positive attitude these past months, and I certainly hope that by the time this message is printed, we will be seeing far fewer cases of COVID-19 and that our world would have started to “open up.” Just as I knew little of COVID-19 only a few months ago, I still have no certain idea of what “opening up” will mean. New terms like PPE, social-distancing, covidiot, quarantini, drivecation, Zoom-bombing, or just Zooming have become common usage in only a short time! And then there is my all-time favorite new acronym, WWSWD (What Would Scott Weese Do)!

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us time to reflect on who we are and what was important to us before the pandemic struck. Was it that pat on the shoulder from your colleague when you were having a bad day? Was it a heartfelt hug from your mom? Was it seeing the happy, smiling faces of your clients when they bring in their new kitten? Was it shaking the hand of the farmer after a successful caesarean? Was it being able to hold closely that client you have known for 20 years when she says goodbye to her dog? Was it going out to have drinks with your co-workers after a long week? Was it getting excited about that upcoming family trip? Was it knowing your family is healthy and safe?

What is likely happening here is that some, and probably most of us, are grieving over the losses of our “ordinary” life and concerned about what the future will bring. We are likely going through all 5 of the steps of grief. Denial: this won’t affect ME. Anger: making me stay home, how could you! Bargaining: in a few weeks, everything will be all right. Sadness: I don’t know when this will end. And last, but not least, Acceptance: I have to learn to live with this.

Perhaps it is time to stock up on COMPASSION for others, including our colleagues and clients, because we simply don’t know what stage of grieving they are in at any moment.

I have always been a strong believer that, “It’s not the mistake that matters. It’s how you deal with it, what you learn from it, and how you apply that lesson to your life.” COVID-19 was a giant global mistake. We are certainly learning from it, perhaps in an involuntary fashion at times. Personal mentors from my old alma mater such as Dr. Scott Weese and Dr. David Waltner-Toews, have been instrumental in the past months as I try to “make sense” of what COVID-19 is and how it has turned our global community upside-down. I believe we have the “learning” part down pat. Now, my question to myself and to you is “how are we going to apply this lesson to our lives?” I do not know if I will have a personal answer to this question before the end of my term as president of the CVMA but for now what I can say is: Be ready for the unexpected and be ready to switch gears fast!

I am proud to walk this arduous walk with you, Canadian animal health team members! It may not be what we expected, but it certainly will be one we will never forget. Dear COVID-19, you can’t get rid of us that easily!