OK - well, Sukie, thank you for letting me know who all does list their
credentials..  although that wasn't really necessary, like I said - I
guess I just missed them - but maybe I should have said I don't really
care - along with my musing... left that part out because I thought it
would be rude.  Also I guess I missed where someone was digging around
for someone else's credentials.
 
and YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS SAYING THEY [credentials] ARE
UNNECESSARY FOR DISCUSSIONS I think everyone who has posted on this
subject has said that- I just said it in my last post - so that emphasis
was not necessary either.  But I'm thrilled to see you accept my
explanation of the difference between yelling and emphasis.
 
[ ME: Does the fact that she's not a vet matter?  YOU: Yes, it sure does!
You are getting that right from the horse's mouth, ]
 
ME AGAIN: No, it does not matter..  Only if you are holding yourself out
as a professional might you need to exhibit credentials... NOT AS A
LAYMAN..  and there are professional websites that laymen can not enter.
Just because people ask questions does not make one list one's
credentials.  If someone is going to take someone's advice without
benefit of a vet trip they are going to do it no matter how many times
you say, No I'm not a vet..  etc... and those walls you're talking about
because of the gaps..  everyone's got them..  even vets..  that's why
they do tests or refer to specialists, so that doesn't wash..  and
choices can ALWAYS be taken seriously or with a grain of salt without
someone reading each time.  "No I'm not a vet" OR WHATEVER.  It does get
to a point where one may think, "me thinks thou doest protest too much".
I get asked from time to time..."gee are you a vet", and all I say is,
"no, but I can refer you to some good ones", I don't list my experiences,
education, readings or publications... I just say "No..." and also I
add, "I've been doing this a while.  I pay attention and ask A LOT of
questions".  Then I tell them that they too can become knowledgable.  And
that I'll help them through discussion, referral to knowledgable vets,
good quality online sites, and conversations with other people who also
have learned through the (School of Hard Knocks -SoHN).  I don't have to
keep my 'life vita' in front of them.  I don't list where I've been or
what I've gained or what I'm not and go on and on ... I just say NO - I'm
not!  - Hey to drugs too - LOL... And I do allow that I probably don't
get asked NEARLY as often as you do, but NO is enough for me.
 
After those descriptive examples of tradesmen I have to say..  yes!  HE
or SHE whom we select to treat our children or pets really does matter -
but selection for performance is different from talking with "friends"
or others to get opinions.  Unfortunately most people do not RESEARCH
credentials first..  well not beyond looking for someone who is listed
in a phone book as this or that speciality.  But they do ask friends,
neighbors, relatives, thrice my car broke down (I put 3 fuel filters on
that baby before she was fixed) and I asked an RN who picked me up once
for doctor recommendations.
 
But these days people turn to the internet, to chat rooms and specialty
sites and might ask if anyone has experienced this or that..  and whether
what they are asking about sounds really bad bad, just kinda bad or
don't worry it's normal.  I really don't think they care or need to know
the credentials of the person/people answering them.  If they say, "hey
I live in BFE does anyone know of a good vet here" well maybe give the
vet's credentials but not yours..  does the referred have to say... I
have a vet tech license or I'm qualified to tell you this vet is
whatever... but if someone says, "my ferret just did this so has anyone's
ferret pooed army ants" or whatever -- they're not looking for medical
advice..  they just want to know if it's happened and what happened in
the end... should they rush to the vet or should they wait for the flea
circus... what did the vet do in the way of treatment so they know what
to expect or freakout over... and credentials be damned.
 
I'm not sure what the point of the professions discourse was but - As far
asking someone a question not related to their career field, well you
certainly might ask your electrician what he thinks of this or that hair
or clothing style and you might ask his or her opinion of that style on
you, or you might discuss with your hairdresser a lawsuit that you are
involved in and solicit her opinion as well ETC ETC.  That doesn't mean
you expect more than an opinion and as I said before --- I, me, Yo, Ego
do question, in the very least, the sense of anyone who would post to
any list, even the FHL, a question, and then rely on an answer from that
venue for longer than the time it takes to get to the vet for his medical
opinion/prognosis/diagnosis - but it does happen - credentails again be
damned.  In other words ask for encouragement, first aid, comaradere,
curiosity, agreement, mothering, WHATEVER but not for treatment other
than first aid.  SO credentials are NOT needed nor needed to be denied
unless specifically askedn - are you a vet.  Now for the "does it reduce
her competency or level of knowledge" reply, and "no but it also does not
increase"... then so what - a credential REALLY DOESN'T MATTER IN THIS
CASE... sigh....
 
Now if you are saying if someone posts the question, "hey has anyone
ever used Dr. Up-my Street for ferret issues, and someone knows that
this vet is not only incompetent with ferrets but doesn't want to gain
competency..  like he/she said, "I don't treat ferrets, I don't want
to treat ferrets" or he's been practicing for X-number of years and
graduated from YZ University in 1900 whatever... well then yes it would
be nice to have someone say..His/her credentials are that he wants
nothing to do with ferrets..  OR if he/she is good or great with ferrets
then that too... but that's all I see as necessary...
 
WHAT I WAS ASKING -- just in case it was misunderstood --which looks like
it was -- was..  did someone go checking and why would anyone go checking
up on the credentials of someone who posts an opinion.  It was just a
nosey query.  And in case I was unclear - IF that did happen - then I see
it as arrogant, rude and catty, whether Tom Catty or Queen Catty... If
someone is trying to debunk someone then I wonder why - and that's the
nosey part - did someone do something bad?  But before you answer --
remember ... I am wondering...
 
And finally... since I won't be back for 3 days... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO
ALL YOU MOMS OUT THERE... WHETHER YOUR BABIES ARE 2-LEGGED OR 4, SLICK
SKINNED OR COVERED IN FUR... HAVE A BLESSED DAY...
 
Vicki
[Posted in FML issue 4870]