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Rick LeCouteur
Inviting young readers to marvel at the wonder of nature's creatures
Rick's Blog
#bunyipsbooksbeyond
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From Veterinary Clinics to Storybooks: The power of anticonventional thinking (#198)
In a world that often emphasizes conformity and efficiency, creativity can sometimes feel stifled. Jeffrey Baumgartner’s book on...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 18, 20245 min read
The Power of Empathy: A bridge to understanding (#196)
In a world that often feels divided, empathy stands as one of the most powerful tools we can use to build meaningful connections and...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 17, 20243 min read
The Human Animal Bond: Mozart and the marvel of a starling (#194)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , one of history's most celebrated composers, found inspiration in an unlikely source: a common European starling...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 16, 20242 min read
Sir William Osler (Part 4of4): 10 fascinating facts (#193)
Sir William Osler’s contributions to medicine, education, and humanism continue to resonate over a century after his passing. 1. ...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 15, 20242 min read
Sir William Osler (Part 3of4): Father of modern internal medicine (#192)
Sir William Osler (1849–1918) is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the history of internal medicine. Known for his...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 15, 20243 min read
Unlocking the Science Behind Pet Food: Why transparency matters (#190)
When it comes to pet food, we’ve entered an age of unprecedented innovation, offering companion animals high-quality nutrition crafted...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 13, 20243 min read
The Corporate-Sponsored Residency Debate: Opportunity or inequity? (#189)
Imagine earning a fully funded spot in a prestigious veterinary residency program - but there’s a catch: you’re bound to work for the...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 13, 20244 min read
Behind the Price Tag: Corporate greed in veterinary medicine (#187)
Picture this. You walk into your once-cozy neighborhood veterinary clinic, expecting the familiar face of your trusted vet and staff who...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 8, 20244 min read
Waking Up to Nostalgia: The joy of a perfect replacement (#186)
In 1976, as I prepared to leave Australia for what was intended to be a six-month world trip, my mother handed me a gift. It was a small...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 7, 20243 min read
Selling Out the Match (2 of 2): When corporate funding and closed-door offers define veterinary residencies (#185)
[Continued from Part 1] Graduates begin viewing the match as a rigged game or an unnecessary formality. Similarly, institutions that do...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 5, 20244 min read
Selling Out the Match (1 of 2): When corporate funding and closed-door offers define veterinary residencies (#184)
The Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP) was originally designed to ensure a fair and transparent placement...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 5, 20242 min read
Hachiko: Japan’s enduring symbol of devotion (#183)
What would you do for someone you love? For one loyal dog in Japan, the answer was simple: wait for days, months, even years. A Tale of...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 5, 20242 min read
Early Is on Time: Respect the clock and others (#180)
Time may be free, but it’s the most valuable thing we can give. Early Is on Time, On Time Is Late, and Late Is Inconsiderate: A Lesson...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 4, 20243 min read
Sir William Osler (2 of 4): Aequanimitas (#172)
In 1996, while seeking inspiration for a Commencement Address to the graduating class of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, I...
Rick LeCouteur
Dec 2, 20243 min read
When Lightning Strikes Twice: The truth about simultaneous scientific breakthroughs (#164)
What if the next groundbreaking scientific discovery is being made right now – by two different teams, thousands of miles apart, without...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 28, 20243 min read
The Science of Sleep: How the secret of narcolepsy was uncovered (#163)
This is the untold story of how curiosity, coincidence, and persistence cracked the code of narcolepsy. For over a century, narcolepsy ...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 28, 20244 min read
Veterinary Specialty Care in 2024: Challenges, innovations, and future (#162)
In 2024, veterinary emergency and specialty practices are busier than ever, facing a surge in demand, mounting workforce challenges, and...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 28, 20243 min read
Degrees of Deception: Is AI undermining education? (#160)
In the age of generative AI, universities are grappling with a growing crisis: cheating. Once symbols of knowledge and hard work,...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 27, 20243 min read
T-Shirts, Taylor, and Timeless Hopes: A story from the outback (#157)
In the heart of the Australian outback, where the red dust stretches endlessly and stars light up the night, two young girls dare to...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 25, 20243 min read
Small Creature, Big Lessons: A morning with Xena, Avery and Jimmy (#156)
This morning began in the most unexpected and delightful way. At 6:00 am, as the first light crept into the house, Xena, a spirited...
Rick LeCouteur
Nov 25, 20242 min read
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