Start with the relationship.

A good veterinary relationship should feel like a partnership between the doctor and pet parent.

Your veterinarian should take the time to get to know your pet—not just their medical history, but their personality, their habits and what makes them them. Those little details can become surprisingly important when we're trying to understand a change in their health.

And you should feel comfortable talking openly with your veterinarian. There really are no silly questions when it comes to your pet.

Look for someone who listens.

You know your pet better than anyone.

You may be the first person to notice that your dog isn't greeting you at the door quite the same way, or that your cat has become a little quieter than usual. Those observations matter.

A veterinarian should listen carefully to what you are seeing at home and take your concerns seriously. Sometimes those seemingly small changes are the first clues that something needs our attention.

Ask questions—and expect answers.

Veterinary medicine can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are tests, medications, recommendations and decisions to make, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed to ask, “Can you explain that to me?”

I believe you should understand what we're recommending, why we're recommending it and what your options are.

There isn't always one perfect answer. Good medicine means looking at the individual pet, considering the circumstances and making thoughtful decisions together.

Look for experience, but also honesty.

Experience matters. Over the years, veterinarians see a vast variety of illnesses, injuries and personalities, and that experience helps us recognize when a pet's symptoms or behavior may point to a problem that needs closer attention.

But experience also teaches us something else: we don't know everything.

A veterinarian you trust should be willing to tell you when a case would benefit from another opinion, a specialist or additional expertise. Knowing when to refer a patient is not a weakness. It's part of taking good care of them.

Think about continuity of care.

I have always believed there is tremendous value in knowing your patients over time.

When I see a pet year after year, I learn what is normal for that individual. I know their history. I know the things we've watched together and the changes we've made along the way.

That history matters.

Sometimes recognizing that something is different is just as important as recognizing what is wrong.

Notice how you feel when you leave.

Did you feel heard?

Did you understand what was discussed?

Did you feel comfortable asking questions?

Did you feel that your veterinarian genuinely cared about your pet?

You should leave a veterinary appointment feeling that you understand what is happening and what comes next—not confused or afraid to ask for clarification.

And remember that trust can take time.

You may not find the perfect veterinarian in one visit. But, hopefully, you feel that "click" early on that lets you know you've found your place.

Pay attention to how the relationship develops. Look for a veterinary team that treats you with respect, treats your pet as an individual and is willing to be there with you through both the easy seasons and the difficult ones.

Because eventually, your veterinarian isn't just the person who gives your dog a vaccine or treats your cat when they're sick.

They become someone who knows your pet.

Someone who remembers them.

Someone you can call when you notice a change in your pet and aren't sure what it means.

And when the time comes to make important health decisions, you want someone beside you who knows both your pet and you.