<>A life-long advocate for pain management
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Could you introduce yourself to our members?
I have been working in general practice since 1980, and started my own clinic in 1985. Most of my pain patients come from my own practice – remember that over half of our middle aged and older patients have some form of pain, usually osteoarthritis, so I am always busy in that regard. I also take appointments from both referrals or word-of-mouth, and have many pain patients that travel several hours to see me for diagnosis and treatment
Could you briefly summarize your career?
When I was in school, I really wanted to go into equine medicine and took as many of those optional courses that I could. But 1980, my year of graduation, we were in a deep recession. In fact, one year later, half of my classmates had not found employment. There were no jobs available in the equine field, so I cobbled together a full-time job by working for two separate small animal clinics part-time. By 1985, I felt I was ready to strike out on my own and started my own veterinary clinic.
What stimulated your long-term interest in pain management?
One of my first jobs in high school was with a clinic that was very forward looking for pain management: They used morphine for every surgery and employed drugs like ketamine and local blocks for their surgeries. When I got to veterinary school, I found that this little two-doctor practice was doing a better job at pain management than the university! So, I always knew there was a better way. A few years after graduation I saw my mother die a painful death from cancer, because even in the last moments of her life, the doctors refused to give her opioids because they were ‘concerned about the side-effects.’ I vowed on her deathbed to never be that uncaring care provider who placed self-interest and legal concerns above the welfare of my patients. And I have never looked back.
Could you tell us a little about your work in this area so far?
I always realized that my education was lacking in the field of pain management, so as classes became available, I got certified in things like acupuncture and rehabilitation. These opened up a new world of treatment possibilities. My practice caught the attention of some major pharmaceutical companies, and I have had the privilege to work with them and help steer the course in the development of new pain pharmaceuticals.
What are you looking forward to in your new role on the Global Pain Council?
We are never sure how long we are going to be on this planet, and although I am very healthy, at 66 years old I am also realistic. I feel it would be a shame to not pass along the knowledge I have accumulated in 43 years of practice, the majority of it in pain management, to those that will follow. I see this as an amazing opportunity to disseminate my knowledge beyond my usual lecture circuit.
If you could give our members one message to help them optimize pain management for their patients, what would it be?
Treating chronic pain is not that hard. Diagnosing it can be: resistance of owners to recognize that there is an issue, the time we have to examine our patients, and the skill set to recognize the mostly behavioral signs of pain in dogs and especially in cats, all need to be overcome. But it is easier than you think, and with the proper training and education, everyone can become a pain expert.
Tell us something about you that might surprise us
I have always loved horses, and my favorite thing to do with horses was to play polo. It was my all-consuming passion for many years, and I actually met my wife on the polo field! I have never been good at sports because of my own health issues; bad hips and a bad knee, but suddenly I found a sport where someone else, the horses, were my legs. I excelled in the sport but finally had to give it up when the responsibility of parenthood and the many serious injuries I sustained playing, told me it was time to hang up my mallet.