Dr. Colleen Best – Using Self Reflection To Manage Personal and Professional Challenges

“See if you can figure out a way to be your authentic self. See if you can find a workplace where you can be your best self…Find somewhere that you are safe, and that you get to be you…because you matter.”

Dr. Colleen Best graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2009. She then completed an equine internship in ambulatory medicine and surgery, after which she practiced equine ambulatory medicine in Ontario.  Dr. Best returned to OVC to complete her PhD in interpersonal relationships in equine practice in 2015, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. 

At present, she is a consultant and educator focused on nontechnical competencies, including veterinarian-client communication, veterinary team performance, wellness, and resilience. Dr. Best has presented at a number of international conferences about her research including, veterinarian-client and collegial communication, and veterinarian wellness and resilience.  She is a member of the board of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, a certified compassion fatigue professional, and trained in mental health first aid and suicide intervention.