The Super CSR: How 20 Years of Vet Med Makes Barb Britton a Frontline Hero
When you walk through the doors of an animal hospital, the person greeting you at the front desk isn’t just receptionist—they are the heartbeat of the hospital. They are the calm in the middle of a storm, the reassuring smile when you’re anxious, and the absolute frontline of patient care.
On this episode of Soda City Unleashed, host Emily White sits down with a true veterinary industry hero: Barb Britton, a Client Service Representative (CSR) at CVETS.
With over two decades of experience in veterinary medicine, Barb’s career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. But what makes her story truly unique isn’t just how long she’s been in the field—it’s the intentional choice she made to step away from the executive desk and back to the front counter.
From Managing 70+ Staff to the Frontlines of Care
For years, Barb called the shots behind the scenes, managing a massive primary care veterinary practice with a staff of over 70 people. She handled the logistics, the scheduling, and the day-to-day operations that keep a high-volume clinic running.
But along the way, Barb realized something powerful about herself: her true passion wasn’t in corporate management. It was with the people and their pets.
Driven by a desire to make a direct, daily impact on families during their most stressful moments, Barb made the intentional choice to return to a frontline role. Today, she brings her 20 years of deep industry knowledge straight to the lobby of CVETS, serving as a dedicated Super CSR.
Why the Front Desk is the Most Critical Role in Vet Med
In our conversation, Barb opens up about what it’s really like to be the face of a 24-hour emergency and specialty animal hospital. When a family rushes into CVETS in the middle of the night, they are often overwhelmed, scared, and looking for answers.
Because Barb has seen it all over her 20-year career, she possesses a rare blend of deep medical understanding and profound empathy. She knows how to triage a stressful situation with grace, ensure that patients are seen quickly by our emergency and critical care teams, and offer a comforting shoulder to pet parents when they need it most.
A Culture That Feels Like Family
At CVETS, we were founded by husband-and-wife team Drs. Mike and Tracy Schlicksup with a simple mission: to provide world-class specialty care without losing the warm, family-oriented touch. We aren’t a cold, corporate clinic—we are a privately-owned team of passionate animal lovers.
Barb is the living embodiment of that “people-first” culture. Her decision to pivot her career toward direct client service shows exactly what makes the CVETS family so special. Every single person on our team—from our board-certified specialists in neurology, oncology, and cardiology, to the incredible CSRs at our front desk—is here because they genuinely love what they do.
Tune In to the Full Episode!
Whether you are a fellow veterinary professional, a pet owner wondering what happens behind the scenes of an emergency vet hospital, or just someone who loves an inspiring story about following your true passion, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Catch the full conversation with Barb Britton and Emily White on YouTube!
👉 Watch the full episode of Soda City Unleashed on YouTube here!
Need peace of mind for minor pet injuries without the emergency room wait? Don’t forget to check out our CVETS Urgent Care facility in West Columbia, open until 10 PM daily for non-life-threatening events! For 24/7 emergency trauma and advanced specialty care, CVETS Emergency & Specialty animal hospital in Northeast Columbia, SC is always open.