CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VETERINARIAN
OF THE YEAR ~ 2008!
Dr. Peter Müeller of
Kleintierpraxis Lyssbach
Lyss, Switzerland
Peter Müeller, Dr. Med. Vet
International Credentials
Our winner of "Veterinarian of the Year" for 2008 brings an international flair to the award for excellence in veterinary medicine. Dr. Müeller has studied and practiced in both the United States and Switzerland and enjoys extensive travel all over the world. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Bern school of veterinary medicine in Switzerland.
Dr. Müeller has also studied at Louisiana State University where he completed a dissertation on long-term adverse reactions to an epilepsy drug for dogs. He completed his internship at Purdue University in Indiana specializing in small animal care. He has practiced in Switzerland since 1999 and joined the Kleintierpraxis Lyssbach located near Berne, Switzerland in 2007.
Dr. Müeller with Prof. Kendra Ryan,
Chairman of the National Veterinary Education Association
Dr. Müeller was presented with the NVEA's Veterinarian of the Year Award by its Chairman, Professor Kendra Ryan at his office in Switzerland.
On the selection of Dr. Müeller as this year's recipient of the award, Prof. Ryan commented, "In the selection process for this award, we review hundreds of nominations. It is important that a veterinarian be recognized not solely for academic or medical achievement, but equally important is the veterinarian's ability to interact with veterinary clients and patients. I believe the most important quality in a veterinarian is compassion. Dr. Müeller demonstrated extraordinary compassion coupled with outstanding medical proficiency in a way that was deeply personal to me and to my family. I meet hundreds of veterinarians each year from all over the world. I would not have wanted anyone other than Dr. Müeller to have supervised the care of my German Shepherd, Xena Warrior Princess, during what was for my family, one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to face. His empathy and extreme compassion made it possible for us to let Xena go. Dr. Müeller has earned this award by demonstrating the very finest qualities any veterinarian can possess - superior medical competence coupled with extraordinary compassion for the patients he treats."
Dr. Müeller first wanted to become a veterinarian as a child when he used to walk home from school and made friends with a cat who lived in the neighborhood. When asked what he felt were some of the most important aspects of veterinary medicine he said, "For me, it's about solving the mystery . . . when it works, why it works and how it works. I believe that interaction with my veterinary clients is essential to providing quality veterinary medicine. It's my responsibility to give pet owners guidance as to the best possible treatment options, even when it means telling a client this animal is lost. It is important for a veterinarian to know his limitations. I believe in duty within reasonable ethics. If I do not feel comfortable that I have the ability to provide the best treatment for an animal, I will not hesitate to refer my clients to a specialist in a particular field of veterinary medicine."
Dr. Müeller continued, "I view each pet I see as a chance to learn and improve myself as a doctor. Discovery is essential to improvement. I've known doctors who, after practicing for many years, simply burn out and stop growing. This is why continuing education in areas such as technology, drug therapy and new procedures is necessary in order for a veterinarian to continue to grow and become a better doctor."
When asked what was the funniest thing that ever happened to him as a veterinarian, he told a great story about a "cat" he treated while in residency at Perdue University.
"I was on duty in the veterinary clinic when a veterinary assistant told me we had an emergency on the way into the hospital. Someone's pet Serval cat had swallowed a fish hook. I asked the veterinary assistant if she knew what a Serval was, and she said 'no'.
I explained that a Serval is a wild African carnivorous cat that gets up to about 55 pounds. It turned out that the owner had taken his pet Serval with him fishing, and when the Serval saw a catch on the fishing line, he dove into the water and swallowed the fish AND the fish hook."
The Serval eventually passed the fish hook and we assume that the pet Serval is still enjoying fishing trips with his owner in Indiana!
Dr. Müeller's areas of interest are internal medicine and ultrasound. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, scuba diving, and water sports. He is a world traveler and enjoys visiting new places and cultures as a way to broaden his experience and better understand the world. He has a 16-year old cat named "Mutz" who also works with him supervising everyone at the veterinary hospital.
CLICK HERE to visit Dr. Müeller's Web Page
in English or French !
For German, visit www.LyssbachVet.ch
Kleintierpraxis Lyssbach
Fabrikstrasse 23 - 3250 Lyss, Switzerland
Telephone: 41 + 032 + 385 - 1515
E-mail: Info@lyssbachvet.ch