Book excerpt: This issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, guest edited by Drs. Christopher A. Adin and Kelly D. Farnsworth, will cover Effective Communication in Veterinary Medicine. This is one of six issues each year. This issue will provide insights on the most critical and contemporary issues facing veterinary practitioners—from compassion fatigue to the use of social media. The material can be applied by veterinarians both inside and outside the workplace. Articles in this issue include, but are not limited to: Generational Difference in the Team, Intercultural Communication with Clients, Valuing Diversity in the Team, Compassion Fatigue, Suicide Warning Signs and What to Do, Performance Evaluation for Underperforming Employees, Leading and Influencing Culture Change, Veterinary Clinical Ethics and Patient Care Dilemmas, The Mentor-Mentee Relationship, and Communicating Patient Quality and Safety in Your Hospital.