SUNY Plattsburgh Retiree Co-authors Book on Effective Communication for Veterinarians

Retired SUNY Plattsburgh Professor John Meyer has joined forces with a professor from Empire State College in Syracuse to teach veterinarians ways to help their businesses through communication.

Meyer, a former member of the college’s communications department, and Dr. Carolyn Shadle wrote “Communication Case Studies: Building Interpersonal Skills in the Veterinary Practice,” published by the American Animal Hospital Association in 2011.

The book discusses how employee retention, performance and business profits all depend on effective communication. It deals with common communication challenges drawn from case studies and real-life situations and offers suggestions on learning from those challenges.

It also contains a communication skills overview, guidelines, questions for discussion and quizzes to test understanding. In addition, the authors provide quick tips and suggestions to build problem-solving skills that will improve communication.

Previously, both Meyer and Shadle have worked with parents, working professionals, military leaders, university students and non-profit groups.

Meyer earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in communication studies. Building on a career of teaching at SUNY Plattsburgh, he shares his experience through case studies, as well as stories, poetry and music.