Let’s celebrate your veterinary practice managers!

When in-clinic challenges arise, there’s one type of veterinary professional you can count  on to keep things running smoothly: practice managers! From keeping the clinic’s schedule full and on track to promoting the best possible experience for every person and patient, practice managers do a lot for the clinics they work in—which is why it’s especially important to make sure every practice manager feels supported and valued as they tackle their daily responsibilities.

We’ve got you covered with thoughtful ways you can show your appreciation for the veterinary practice managers in your life, giving them a well-deserved morale boost while letting them know how much they mean to you, your daily operations, and your clinic’s overall success.

Show gratitude with personal and heartfelt gestures

Practice managers are busy, and are therefore often exhausted from their daily schedules. You can give your practice manager a chance to pause and reflect on their many contributions with a simple but sincere thank you, which is often best said through a personal touch. Here’s how you can show your long-term support and authentic appreciation.

• Handwritten Thank-You Notes: Taking the time to create any sort of thoughtful note is a great way to show your team you care, but a note that’s handwritten and comes from your own thoughts can especially have a lasting impact on practice managers.
• Small Gifts, Big Meanings: It’s important to show support in not only a practice manager’s professional development, but also their personal interests. A small but thoughtful gift, like a gift card to their favorite store or a personalized item they can use and admire, can be a fun and genuine way to show practice managers how much they mean to you.
• Public Recognition: Be sure to shout out your team’s efforts and accomplishments as much as possible! Whether it’s during a staff meeting or on social media, publicly recognizing your practice manager’s efforts shows how much you and the entire team value their dedication.

The best gifts of all: relaxation and personal growth 

Everyone needs a break from busy veterinary life every now and then, and practice managers are certainly no exception. You can maintain your team’s long-term momentum and keep them feeling ready for their daily routines by offering experiences or time off outside of the clinic, whether it’s a day at the spa or a chance to further develop their careers.

• Paid Time Off: Let your team recharge with one of the best ways to show them you care—giving them a day off! Allowing them to take a break from the clinic tells them you value their time outside of work, giving them a healthier balance between their personal and professional lives.
• Hit the Spa: Did someone say spa day? You can bring some relaxation to the busy lives of practice managers and keep them feeling rejuvenated for work with a gift card or pre-paid trip to a local spa.
• Good Food, Good Times: Treat your practice manager to lunch or dinner out at their favorite restaurant on behalf of the clinic. Your team will appreciate time away from the clinic without having to worry about their wallet or pick up the bill.
• Development Opportunities: Not all time away from the clinic has to be personal. You can give your practice manager a break from their daily grind by sending them to a veterinary conference or workshop, which shows you’re invested in their current and future skills and want the best for their professional path.

Count on team-building activities for a fun and collaborative environment

You can of course have fun while making your team a stronger, more cohesive unit. Team-building activities are a great way to celebrate with your whole team while building collective camaraderie in a way that everyone can enjoy. Here’s a few ideas to unify your team, and provide every member with a true sense of belonging.

• Go Out or Grab Lunch Together: Put together a group outing or lunch at a local restaurant to give everyone a chance to bond in a relaxed setting.
• Throw an Office Party: Host a casual office party or potluck to celebrate your practice manager and all their contributions. Giving your team a relaxed, no-pressure time in the clinic will create a festive atmosphere that helps bring everyone closer together.
• Volunteer as a Team: Organize a day for the team to volunteer together in the local community. Not only does this provide your practice manager and staff with a real sense of unity, but you’ll also create a positive impact that everyone can collectively feel good about.

Keep your team stable with a healthy work-life balance

It’s essential for your practice manager to have a balanced lifestyle so they can succeed both personally and professionally. Supporting all of your team members’ mental and physical health helps to enhance their overall resilience while showing them how much you care about them as humans, not just staff. With the right resources, you can help your practice manager and other colleagues thrive both inside and outside of the clinic.

• Flexible Work: Whether it’s remote work or flexible schedules, try to offer your practice manager and other team members convenient work arrangements when you can. This will help to build more trust between you and your team by showing how much you value a well-balanced professional and personal life.
• Mental Health Resources: You can proactively support your practice manager by offering them access to mental health resources, like counseling or therapy. These professional resources can help your team better manage stress and remain emotionally strong.
• Wellness Programs and Memberships: Just like the importance of supporting your practice manager’s mental health, consider providing gym memberships or wellness programs to also support their physical well-being. A healthy lifestyle can increase your practice manager’s overall happiness, which in turns helps to increase and maintain their effectiveness in the clinic.

Recognize hard work for a strong and respectful culture

Success is hard to come by without a supportive environment. Be sure to acknowledge your practice manager’s efforts to empower them to do their absolute best, no matter what veterinary challenges they may face. 

• Give Them Authority: Equip your practice manager with more decision-making power to show them you truly trust their judgment and expertise. A bit more autonomy will make them feel even more valued and respected in your clinic.
• Create Mentorships: Connect your practice manager with experienced mentors in the field who will further support and contribute toward their growth. This can help strengthen your team’s skills while also providing your clinic with fresh insights and new approaches to the way you work.
• Review Performance with Feedback: Conduct regular performance reviews to give your practice manager constructive feedback that helps them succeed more and grow professionally. A consistent review cadence offers your team an opportunity to acknowledge their achievements and set goals, keeping you genuinely invested in their development.
• Surprise Them with a Bonus: Whenever possible, giving your practice manager a tangible reward—like a raise or a bonus—reflects your appreciation for their hard work and achievements, ultimately boosting morale and reinforcing their commitment to the clinic.

It’s (always) time to celebrate your veterinary practice manager!

When your practice manager succeeds both personally and professionally, your clinic will find success, too. You can create an environment where every person and pet thrives by showing your practice manager gratitude on a regular basis, recognizing their daily hard work and dedication, and rewarding them with an equal mix of fun team-building activities and career growth opportunities. From the simplicity of a handwritten thank-you note or practice manager appreciation card to surprising them with a financial bonus, there are many ways you can start celebrating  everything your practice manager does for the people and patients in your clinic.