Meet Dr. Kate Moore

We recently connected with Dr. Kate Moore and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Kate, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?

This is a very important question to me because my field is so full of burn out and compassion fatigue. It’s important to talk about for a couple of big reasons – other vets need to hear that they aren’t alone, and many clients don’t know vets struggle with burnout. The first step for me was recognizing that I had reached the point of burn out – feeling unhappy with my job, severe sleep issues, and becoming very isolated. Once I realized I had started down the path of compassion fatigue, I had to come up with a plan. As a doctor, I always have to come up with a plan, it’s just usually not for myself. I knew I didn’t want to leave the field, because this has been a lifelong dream, but I was no longer enjoying my career. I knew I just needed to find my niche. So I took a huge leap of faith and did something very different. I took an amazing course put together by an even more amazing veterinarian, Dr. Eve Harrison, about how to start your own house call practice and I did it! House calls have always resonated with me because of how personal it is. I can spend an hour with a client getting to know them, learn about their pet, and make it a stress free experience. It’s been an amazing transition, and this is definitely where I belong. I still have some clients ask when I’ll open my own practice, and I tell them that I did, it’s just not a traditional clinic. I know I won’t be going back to that brick-and-mortar clinic experience because I truly love the time I can spend getting to know clients and their pets.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Dr. Kate Moore and I do house calls for all types of pets – dogs, cats, and all exotics! I provide most of the same services you receive at a traditional brick and mortar clinic in the comfort of your own home. I also offer holistic options like laser therapy, acupuncture and herbal therapy. It’s an amazing experience because it means that our pets don’t get overwhelmed/stressed, and owners get the time they deserve with the doctor. So many times I hear clients complain that they only saw the doctor for 5 minutes, and they were very frustrated because of it. I had worked in traditional clinics for about 7 years, and it was intensely busy. I was seeing appointments every 15 minutes, on top of walk-ins/emergencies means there just wasn’t enough time for clients. But now, I block off about an hour for every appointment so clients don’t feel pressured to ask all of their questions in a short amount of time. It also gives me time to make sure an animal feels comfortable before even starting an exam. Many animals get stressed at the clinic, and this way they are in an environment they know, without any strange smells or sounds. Most of the time, they don’t even realize they’re getting an examination; they think a new friend is coming over to hang out!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the most important skills is communication. Obviously, our pets can’t talk to us, so instead, I have to rely on the owners. This is where being a house call veterinarian can really benefit. Communication isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening to what someone is saying. Being at home, in a comfortable environment, means an owner is so much more relaxed and that means we can have a better discussion about what’s going on with their pet. I am able to devote the time to listen to them, and they can feel open to discuss all of their concerns.
Another skill I would recommend developing is resourcefulness. There are too many things to know in veterinary medicine, and it’s impossible to learn it all. So you have to know where you can find the answers you need. The internet is a gift and a curse – it can give us quick answers, but you have to know that what you’re researching is accurate. Textbooks can also be helpful but by the time a book is published and released, a lot of information may already be outdated. Knowing how to do proper research is part of what separates a doctor from someone just using google to find the first answer.
Last, I think having passion is important. Not just ‘wanting to save animals,’ a strong desire to be a doctor is necessary. This is a very difficult field to be in. It’s emotionally overwhelming at times, and is a lifetime of learning. And that’s not to mention the huge student loans. If you aren’t passionate about this career, it will quickly burn you out. You have to love your job, or all of the abuse from clients, the high debt to income ratio, the sad cases, the long days, the continuous learning – it will all become too much.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I am so grateful for my parents, and my entire family in so many ways. They have always supported me, shown me love, and given me the tools I need to become the person I am today.
My mom put in so much work to help me get into vet school. She helped me make spreadsheets on what schools required which classes, how many volunteer hours I needed, and what schools had the highest out of state acceptance rates. She would spend hours practicing interview questions with me, reading all of my many different application essays, just to make sure I had the best chances of even getting in to school. She did all of it while also being an amazing mom, AND working! She’s such a wonderful woman, and I’m lucky she’s my mom.
My dad is also very important to me – he’s such an intelligent man with a very strong work ethic. He’s helped me with math homework, he’s taught me how to use a drill, and most importantly, he taught me that you don’t do a job unless you do it right. “Measure twice, cut once” is the old adage I learned from him. When it comes to thinking like a doctor, you need to be as close to perfect as possible. I wouldn’t have that mentality without him.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,