I've known Dr. Rule before he became a veterinarian - I won't say how long, but let's say, "more than a decade".
It disturbs me to see things that people have said about his activity. He has been, and _is_ calm and even tempered in situations which many could describe "an emergency". Those who have met him since these allegations arose will also know that he has since widened his experience expanded his offerings to the community at large.
His methodical approach and calm manner usually wins most situations over, such that, if someone hadn't been paying attention, they may not have even noticed that there had _been_ a problem - or, if there was, it could have become much worse.
His light-hearted manner and unique humor puts most people at ease immediately. No - he's not perfect, and no one is, but personally and professionally, in private and in public, he maintains a very consistent walk and talk. He admits his failings, picks up, and keeps moving - despite egregious slander or accusations.
In the 10+ years since these reports, it's been quite interesting to note that there's been little to no media followup on the complaints, which we would have seen, had they been the least bit newsworthy. He has since appropriately completed the probationary requirements placed upon him by his professional board. No one reported about that, did they?
Let me tell you a little about working with animals...
In several ways, they are like humans, but there are many more ways in which they are not. I grew up on a ranch and remain "connected" to animals (small and large) throughout my life. Under experienced tutelage, I've learned and practiced many tasks/procedures which are ordinarily performed by "the medical professionals", and no...I've no medical "certifications" except for some vaccinations and diagnoses, and more than a handful of low-level first-aid courses.
There are times (possibility of death by blood loss, imminent loss of limb (or function of limbs), threat of imminent infection to open wounds in less that ideal surroundings, bovine bloat, to name a few) that permit nothing except a quick prayer followed by decisive action. With these cases, there was not enough time to _both_ contact medical help _and_ provided remedial support to the patient to ensure success or recovery.
Whether it was myself in a primary role, or assisting someone else (likewise "unqualified"), if action had not immediately been taken. those patients would have had a less than satisfactory outcome. All were successful, despite unconventional circumstance, people, patients, or procedures.
Patients "need" to survive. Those caring for patients "need" to help them survive.
There are often times when security guards at hospitals have to intervene when staff (or patients) get out of line - yet medicine is ultimately still practiced, and most staff and patients survive the process. Sometimes the police are even brought in.
At veterinary facilities, there is (usually) no paid muscle onsite. The staff themselves must step in at times, and just like in real life (with people - on or off the TV set!) patients (and staff) are sometimes harmed. Sometimes one has to wrestle a wounded cat/ dog/ goat/ calf/ horse/ cow/ ...?/ to the ground. Sometimes one feels that one must defend one's self. That someone is sometimes the human, and sometimes it's the animal. Vets get bit, assistants get scratched, doctors get punched - some of them develop disease as a result of their profession. Medicine is an art which attempts to use science to deliver comfort and health to patients - animal and human. Art is never exact and it is sometimes messy.
As is sometimes said: things happened.
Folks, let's not turn the veterinary arts into the disgustingly litigious environment that modern human medical practice seems to have become. People make mistakes.
The court of public opinion starts at your own doorstep and in your own checkbook. Yes, you have the right to an opinion, but you do not have the right to destroy someone's reputation or their way to earn a living.
If you don't like something/someone...go somewhere else.
The Internet lives "forever" - until the power goes out, that is - and very little of what is posted on the web can ever be taken back, expunged, corrected, or erased.
And if dragging someone's name through the mud in public on the internet is something you enjoy doing, then you probably should stay away from all electronic devices and invest in a good insurance company that isn't (yet) familiar with your hobbies or interpersonal tendencies.
I stayed out of this discussion for years, but since it hasn't been "erased", I've finally weighed in with my own nickel's worth of opinion. (They don't make pennies any more, and I had to make adjustments for inflation.)
* * * No animals, humans (or medical personnel) were injured or defamed during the drafting, posting and hosting of this message! * * * read more
