I wrote this several days ago and I'm just now sending... it's probably too old to matter but here's what I thought.. and now I'm tired of gutting it... so I'm splitting it On credentials I have to agree with John here.. why does anyone need credentials to express themselves on the web? especially on a site like the FML or even the FHL.. This site is not a professional journal, or Veterinarian or animal research professional site... it's PEOPLE... ferret PEOPLE talking... again am I missing something here? Is someone saying you must do this or that that I advise or else you are a bad mommy/daddy (ARE THEY??? did I miss that too?-- sigh)... and if someone takes another's advice as medically competent, even Sukie's, whose advice is arguably very knowledgable and maybe right on in many cases, and then practices that advice on their fuzzies without benefit of a vet's peek at that fuzzy, then I have serious questions about that persons fitness as a fuzzy mom/dad... [first aid - no problemo...but medically correct... come on.. we all know better] I guess I just missed the people, listing their credentials and bragging either directly or through denial of their importance... do we tell them to give it a rest ... that we've heard it and heard it and who cares anyway... Naw - not for me - better just to carry on... Now for awhile I couldn't get the FML that must be when I missed the credentials.. or maybe I just don't care enough if someone is a Rhodes scholar or Ivy League grad or a 2-year college vet tech professional from BFE Jr College or technical school, or whatever, to consider it a big deal or even a little deal.. So enlighten me... WHAT'S THE DEAL ABOUT CREDENTIALS --- and what is considered to be an acceptable credential? Let's start a poll - lol - Shall we discount 24+ years of experience because it wasn't gained under the tutelage or supervision of a PhD -- does it not count because because it's not documented by an independant source? .. or how about that college one went to - is it an ACCEPTABLE SCHOOL? - we're back to PERCEPTIONS here.. one man's trash it another man's treasure... You can skip this rambling... In the 1990's People who graduated from a school of Engineering from a University in a small town in Texas were not hirable as Engineers because after graduation they were so incompetent and lacking in any useful knowledge that they were actually dangerous or shrugged their shoulders saying, "I DUNNO". Finally the state stepped in and said.. NO ACCREDIATION... fix it... and so they fixed it. But for the previous graduates... so sad - too bad.. back to start and don't collect... well you get the point don't you... credentials are not always what they are cracked up to be, schools are not always the answer to one's brilliance or dimness, and even when they are, at the end of the day all that really matters is what one has LEARNED.. however they learned it (University of We're Here to Impress or the School of Hard Knocks) and how well one can expound it - regurgitate it back... I have only ever seen one person list or really deny any credentials and that's Sukie - guess I haven't received the list long enough either. You don't mind if I borrow you do you dear - She has experience to share and I do enjoy and have always enjoyed reading her thoughts on ferret issues... but as she keeps reminding us.. she's not a vet... does that make her info useless.. non-credentialed stuff... what's the big deal about credentials? Does the fact that she's not a vet matter? does it reduce her competency or level of knowledge... and besides Aren't we all just sharing our experiences and knowledge here.. so why in the world would credentials be needed here?.. and what do they prove.. that one went to school or has experienced this or that.. SO WHAT... and Sukie has some nice credentials.. she finished college, like many of us, and she has garnered some grad school credits, like many of us, and she has told us in her own words. "So, again -- no, I am not a vet. That is something I repeat pretty regularly (probably an average of about once a month" and I don't have a need to check up on that.. I believe her... but ya know what.. first -- credentials are not always what they are cracked up to be and, second there is a LOT to be said for garnering ones experience and knowledge from the School of Hard Knocks... and third I'm going to see my vet if there is problem with one of my non-human babies... I'm not going to rely on someone on the FML, or FHL or anywhere else to diagnose... quick opinions and first-aid.. OK but who does rely on the internet for treatment or diagnosis - hhhmmm OH BOY more skip it section hmmm ... in fact.. after someone looks up what previous knowledge has been gained through previous research.. all current research one does is -- trial and error, testing, guessing, working out and on hypotheses... until some conclusion is reached .. either I'm/we're right or I'm/we're wrong to one degree or another; then it's a confirmation process, production, and marketing; or adjust and retry; or just GIVE IT UP... so whether gained knowledge/experience is through a "recognized" school or through that "School of Hard Knocks" I mentioned, one's credentials are all subjective anyway and anyone can gain them... Respect is given or not... high monitoring/low monitoring... snobs or good ole boys.. I guess we've all got to be somewhere... Where are you(pl)? What's in your wallet? Inquiring minds want to know? LMAO [Posted in FML issue 4868]