November 7, 2004: Headlines: COS - Congo Kinsasha: Veterinary Medicine: Las Vegas Review-Journal: Congo Kinsasha RPCV Clarissa Engstrom is emergency room veterinarian

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Congo - Kinshasa (Zaire): Peace Corps Congo Kinshasa : The Peace Corps in Congo - Kinshasa: November 7, 2004: Headlines: COS - Congo Kinsasha: Veterinary Medicine: Las Vegas Review-Journal: Congo Kinsasha RPCV Clarissa Engstrom is emergency room veterinarian

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Congo Kinsasha RPCV Clarissa Engstrom is emergency room veterinarian

Congo Kinsasha RPCV Clarissa Engstrom is emergency room veterinarian

In many ways, every case is an uphill battle. The emergency hospital's veterinarians have to give advice to people who might doubt their expertise and who have no reason to trust them, except that the hospital is recommended by their regular veterinarian. "My people skills have to be four times greater than a regular practice veterinarian. Sometimes, I have to tell them the worst news that's hard to hear from a stranger," explains Engstrom, a former Peace Corps volunteer. "The hardest part sometimes is consoling the owners." Treating the patient while dealing with the owner requires a delicate balancing act: from the assistant who takes clients into exam rooms, to the person who asks for payment, to the veterinarian who stakes her reputation on every case. Engstrom, who worked for a daytime practice until a year ago when she joined the emergency clinic, is as much a people person as an animal lover. A North Carolina native, she exudes a Southern charm and relies on self-deprecating humor to form at the least a tenuous bond with worried pet owners.

Congo Kinsasha RPCV Clarissa Engstrom is emergency room veterinarian

The Price of Pet Care: Emergency clinic a fast-paced worldof ailing animals, emotional owners

Nov 7, 2004

Las Vegas Review-Journal

by Sonya Padgett

By SONYA PADGETT

REVIEW-JOURNAL

[Excerpt]

In many ways, every case is an uphill battle. The emergency hospital's veterinarians have to give advice to people who might doubt their expertise and who have no reason to trust them, except that the hospital is recommended by their regular veterinarian.

"My people skills have to be four times greater than a regular practice veterinarian. Sometimes, I have to tell them the worst news that's hard to hear from a stranger," explains Engstrom, a former Peace Corps volunteer. "The hardest part sometimes is consoling the owners."

Treating the patient while dealing with the owner requires a delicate balancing act: from the assistant who takes clients into exam rooms, to the person who asks for payment, to the veterinarian who stakes her reputation on every case.

Engstrom, who worked for a daytime practice until a year ago when she joined the emergency clinic, is as much a people person as an animal lover. A North Carolina native, she exudes a Southern charm and relies on self-deprecating humor to form at the least a tenuous bond with worried pet owners.



Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2004; Peace Corps Congo Kinshasa; Directory of Congo Kinshasa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Congo Kinshasa RPCVs; Animals; Nevada





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Story Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Congo Kinshasa; Veterinary; Animals

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