Last year I spoke at New Orleans, and while my presentation was on ultrasounding a mouse, a good part of it centered on "scripts" I have when I have to have difficult conversations with owners or when I need to refer them to a specialist. I would like this lecture to build on that. As both a non traditional aged student who did not do an internship or a residency and as a mother of a college student who snuck a pet into his dorm, I have often found myself balancing the lines between what is "best medicine" and what is realistic medicine for my clients and my setting. I am both the MVMA wellness coordinator and also volunteer as a Mentorvet. A lot of times I think there is a struggle over knowing the right words and phrases, how to connect with other vets, how to chose CEs, and how to find resources both to help new grads as well as to build up an exotics practice. I was able to build up a very successful exotics base in my first practice and am doing the same at the practice I just joined. I have been practicing for 7.5 years. I'm an extrovert and I really enjoy working with people.