How to Develop Core Values and an Equine Mission Statement for Your Practice
Embarking on the journey to establish your own equine veterinary practice is both exciting and challenging. Among the critical foundations of a successful practice are its core values and mission statement.
These elements serve as a compass, guiding your team’s behavior and decision-making while setting expectations for your clients.
In this article, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to crafting meaningful core values and a mission statement tailored to the unique needs of equine veterinary practices, with comparisons to broader veterinary fields to highlight what makes equine care distinct.
Why Core Values and a Mission Statement Matter
Core values are the fundamental beliefs that shape your practice’s culture and priorities. They define how you and your team treats patients, interacts with clients, and collaborates internally.
An equine mission statement, on the other hand, is the essence of your practice’s purpose. It articulates what you do, who you serve, and why your work matters. Together, these elements are critical to:
- Attracting clients who share your approach to equine care.
- Retaining motivated and passionate employees by fostering a shared sense of purpose.
- Setting your practice apart from competitors in the veterinary field.
Equine veterinary practices face unique challenges that make these elements even more essential. Unlike small-animal clinics, equine practices certainly involve more physically demanding work, unpredictable schedules, and strong reliance on client trust and education.
These factors require a clear and unified sense of direction within your practice.
Defining Your Practice’s Core Values
The first step in establishing core values is to gather input from your team. If you are self employed, you can ask your old University friends or previous co-workers to help you with some input and will be invaluable.
Hosting a collaborative session is a great way to uncover shared values. Discuss what matters most in delivering exceptional equine care, creating a supportive workplace, and engaging with the broader equine community.
For example, compassion, precision, adaptability, and teamwork may emerge as central themes.
Once you have compiled ideas, begin organizing them into broader categories. Values such as empathy, kindness, and respect might fall under a theme of compassion and care, while innovation and commitment to excellence could reflect a dedication to quality.
Narrowing these down to five to seven key values helps focus your practice’s culture and ensures clarity for your team and clients.
Equine practices, unlike small-animal clinics, must often emphasize values like adaptability and safety.
The nature of working in diverse environments such as farms, stables, and competition grounds demands flexibility, while maintaining safety for both the team and the animals is paramount. These considerations should be reflected in your core values.
Crafting Your Equine Mission Statement
Your mission statement should be a concise and inspiring expression of your practice’s purpose. To create it, start by asking key questions: What do we do? Who do we serve? Why do we do it?
For example, you may define your mission as providing comprehensive equine healthcare, serving horse owners and trainers dedicated to their horses’ well-being, and striving to enhance the health, performance, and quality of life of every horse under your care.
Once you’ve drafted some ideas, refine them into a short and clear statement. Your mission should align with your core values while being aspirational yet achievable.
Seeking feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors can ensure your mission resonates with your intended audience.
Equine practices often face distinct challenges that should be acknowledged in their mission statements.
For instance, emphasizing mobility and emergency care reflects the realities of equine medicine. Highlighting expertise in specialized areas such as sports medicine or equine dentistry can further differentiate your practice.
Engaging Your Team and Clients
A well-crafted mission statement and set of core values are only effective if they are embraced by your team and understood by your clients.
Share these foundational elements with your team through discussions that connect the values and mission to daily operations. Encourage feedback and foster a sense of ownership among your staff.
For clients, these principles can be shared through your website, social media platforms, and visible displays in your practice. When clients understand and resonate with your values and mission, they are more likely to trust your care and remain loyal to your practice.
Reviewing and Evolving Over Time
As your practice grows and evolves, so too should your core values and mission statement. Revisiting them every three to five years ensures they remain relevant and aligned with your practice’s goals.
Including your team in this process reinforces their commitment and strengthens the shared vision of your practice.
My Final Thoughts
Developing core values and an equine mission statement is not merely an exercise in branding or marketing; it is about laying the foundation for a thriving equine practice.
These elements provide clarity and direction, creating a culture that attracts like-minded clients, fosters a supportive workplace, and positions your practice as a leader in the field.
Take the time to define what truly matters to you and your team. These guiding principles will shape every aspect of your practice and ensure a meaningful and enduring impact on the horses and clients you serve.
