Resource Management -- Sam Berube

August 21, 2026

Sam Berube, AVC 2027, travelled to Port Hope Simpson as one of the student participants on the Chinook Project. As part of the experience, the students craft various pieces of writing.

Emily and Sam managing resources in small spaces

Veterinary work is often a game of managing resources.  Beyond the typical thought of the medications stocked in the clinic, resources also encompass the emotional reserves of the veterinary team and the owners, the stability of the health of the animal, the financial support for the animals care, and much more.  Finding a plan that balances the emotional and financial needs of an owner and the wellbeing of their animal, or solving a problem in the clinic using only what’s on hand can be some of the most satisfying aspects of the job.   Conversely, the most frustrating and sorrowful moments come when there is not a solution that accounts for all of these factors; like a puzzle missing one or two of the final pieces.  Navigating limited resources and considering all of the traits unique to a given patient and client is a cornerstone of good medicine, and was highlighted during our clinic in Port Hope Simpson.

The Chinook Project stretches resource management due to the nature of rural medicine.  The challenges posed by distilling all of the equipment from a veterinary clinic into a truck bed’s worth of boxes and bins means that we left much of the equipment that is relied on daily at home.

Every tablet of medicine needed to be considered: if we prescribed a longer course to a patient early in the week, we may run out by the end.  While it was possible to have a courrier bring more from Goose Bay if necessary, it encouraged mindfulness of our tools and supplies and deepened the learning experience.  Rather than sending every patient home with four days of pain medication because it wouldn’t hurt them to be on it for an extra day or two; it encouraged us to think of each patient as an individual and make plans that would specifically fit their needs.

This same mindset came into play when considering the ability to match the needs of pet owners in Port Hope Simpson.  The question, “how can we help you today?” took on an extra specific meaning.  It opened a dialogue not only about what the community’s pet owners wanted, but also how we could achieve those goals as a team with what we had on-hand.  Spending the time to talk with individual owners clarified the resources available for each case.  For instance, some owners regularly traveled to Goose Bay, while others would leave town very rarely.  

Sam, far left and team.

Critically, we weren’t the only group managing resources within the town.  Port Hope Simpson was an amazing community that made sure nothing went to waste.  At the same time, everyone was so generous with sharing their resources.  From the delicious food that people brought in, to the volunteers who donated their time, to the much appreciated folks who ran our scrubs through their personal laundry machines- we were so lucky to work with such an incredible town.  

This concept also served as one of the main takeaways for me from this experience.  Both in life and in the clinic, it is important to mind your store of resources.  We all have limitations to our time, energy, money, and supplies.  However, the most satisfaction comes from when we share them as freely as possible.