Author: Christpina

Most of us in veterinary medicine are pretty good at rolling with the punches. I have worked in this field for 20 years, and I struggle to think of a day where everything was “ideal.” There is always a piece of equipment broken, a staff member absent, a computer system that was down. Truth be told, I love problem solving and the “get it done” attitude in veterinary medicine. It has always provided me with ample opportunity to flex my adaptability and that skill has served me well.

If your practice is anything like mine, things are busier, clients are more stressed, and staffing is lower than usual. Veterinary medicine was already a tough job, and the pandemic, fires, and social unrest have made things harder for everyone. Recent polls in the Not One More Vet support groups found that 67 percent of veterinarians and 49 percent of our support staff members reported worse mental health and wellness than at the same time last year. We have been living in a state of emergency since March and it’s exhausting.