What makes someone intelligent?
Is it inherent to their genetics?
Is it a learned behavior?
Is it association with others known for their intelligence?
Is it blind luck?
Is it hard work over thousands of hours?
From an early age, I have always said, “Common sense is not profession-specific.” I acknowledge that I may have had an advantage in becoming intelligent, given that my parents were both respected in their fields—one a Procurer for the Military and the other an Executive Secretary. Yet, their work positions were rarely discussed at home. Instead, our conversations revolved around fundamental life lessons, like:
- Don’t run with scissors.
- Don’t play with matches.
- Never jump headfirst into water without knowing its depth.
Thankfully, that upbringing shaped me, along with the many mistakes I made along the way. After all, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found my forte in mathematics. I view almost everything as a problem that can be described and solved with certainty. For example, 1+1=2, and yet, some things are greater than the sum of their parts. I graduated high school near the top of my class—expected, perhaps, given that my twin sisters had done the same four years earlier. I was enrolled in advanced classes, yet I often felt like I didn’t quite belong. I was smart, but something about me always felt different.
This difference became my strength, particularly when it came to innovation and design. After several years at university, I realized the traditional career path—working behind a desk, delegating tasks—was not for me. I’ve always considered my ability for abstract thought one of my greatest strengths. Perhaps this is the true marker of intelligence—not simply regurgitating information for a thesis, but instead grasping diverse influences, refining them into a cohesive plan, and executing it to completion.
This ability may have been what pushed me toward my chosen career as a self-employed Finish Carpenter. For over 40 years, this path has provided for me and my family.
I’ve designed and built countless structures—exquisite and simple alike. Window entablatures, bent-rail staircases, library rooms, mantles, cabinets—just about anything that transforms a house into a home. Beyond my work, I met and fell in love with the woman who became the mother of my two children. She, too, possesses an inherent common sense about life—a sort of streetwise survival instinct.
Some 23 years ago, after moving to a small town in North Texas to raise our children in the countryside, I faced an unexpected challenge. Our dog developed an aural hematoma. Instinctively, I knew she needed help. Relying on common sense and creativity, I devised a solution. That moment became the foundation for what I would later call the Auralsplint.
How and why was I able to accomplish something so far outside my field of expertise? The answer lies in common sense and intellectual curiosity. When I realized the veterinary community didn’t offer an adequate solution, I spent over 100 hours researching the issue at my local library. I found no restrictions that could derail my efforts, so I moved forward. My invention was patented, a better “mousetrap” brought to life.
It wasn’t until I began presenting my treatment to the AVMA and individual clinics that I encountered resistance. The obstructionism I faced was disheartening. There was an air of elitism, as if to say, “How dare you think you can match the intelligence of a DVM?” My response to that was simple: “Can you lay out a staircase or frame a multi-pitch roof?” Just as I wouldn’t presume to perform surgery, I don’t expect them to excel in my field. Intelligence is versatile, and it enables us to solve problems within our respective domains.
When I realized the veterinary community didn’t offer an adequate solution, I spent over 100 hours researching the issue at my local library.
For over 35 years, I’ve run my business successfully – on time, on budget, and with satisfied clients. I’ve never been sued or left unpaid, a testament to my abilities and professionalism. The same skills I use daily in carpentry have also propelled my medical treatment supply business.
Even while raising a family and recovering from a devastating car accident, I self-funded a study on the effectiveness of my product. The resulting document remains the largest singular, selective, published study on aural hematoma treatment in dogs. Today, I continue studying and refining the treatment through voluntary surveys, gathering data from pet owners eager for a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution.
I hope my story inspires others—whether they’re searching for answers about aural hematoma treatment or simply navigating life’s challenges. Sometimes, common sense and intellectual curiosity are all it takes to find solutions that better our world.
