Author: Christpina

There’s no denying that the threat of negative reviews, comments, and cyberbullying looms in the minds of many veterinary professionals. But we also know that our online reputation and social media presence can be a positive driver for our practices, facilitating connection, education, and service utilization that we may not have had otherwise, especially over the last year.

This past year has been one of the most difficult many of us have had to face. On top of an ongoing pandemic, which in itself is enough, we have had to face natural disasters such as record-breaking wildfires and hurricanes as well as a continuing political crisis that has caused immeasurable division. Many of us have experienced the death of a loved one or beloved pet, extended separation from loved ones and friends, and an abundance of endless change that has kept us from feeling the slightest hint of normalcy again.

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.