Dear Friends,
As founder of Wolf Creek Equine Clinic, I truly think veterinary practice is a type of ministry, my own personal ministry. I no longer believe I have to travel to a foreign land to make a difference and to touch people’s lives in a Christ-like way. When telemarketers call to solicit funds from me, I tell them our money is already invested in noble causes. Many of the people who come to us have significant problems and challenges to resolve. We are a voice of reason, compassion, and direction. We provide leadership and problem solving for our clients and our communities.
Across America, veterinarians are among the largest, most unrecognized bargains any of our cities and towns contain. We serve our communities without recruitment, tax breaks or handouts of any kind. We are well-educated, goal-oriented, and public-minded professionals whose contributions as citizens are impressive. We educate ourselves and build/equip our own hospitals without municipalities, church affiliations, or mega-insurance companies to foot the bill. We are not accustomed to eating at the public trough. If we were, we would at least make sure the trough was spaced adequately and there was plenty of ventilation!
Please remember, even the most altruistic of ministries collects revenue to meet its obligations and further its ends. Also remember, before Christ fed the crowd of 5,000 people, he collected two loaves of bread and some fish. Thank goodness for the guy who thought ahead to bring his own lunch!
Dr. Susan Mende, DVM, ABVP
