Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. —Cicero

Many people know what gratitude is and when asked to define it, we can reflect upon our own experiences, which is having received a positive outcome as a result of another person’s actions.

Gratitude in Veterinary Medicine, will explore the concept and origins of gratitude and how veterinary medicine can benefit from using it in their practice.

This article discusses recognizing and addressing another contributor to burnout: moral distress in veterinary medicine. We experience moral distress when we find ourselves in a situation where we are asked or expected to make an ethically challenging choice that is in conflict with our values. 

This is the third article in our series on Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders in Veterinary Medicine. This article discusses the AVMA’s guidance on impairment; the assessment process for AUD/SUD; the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria and treatment; and recovery, including return to practice.

This article is Part 2 in our Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders in Veterinary Medicine Series. We’ll look at the history of addiction treatment in the U.S.; the advancements in the neurobiology of addiction; and the impact of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 on addiction.

This article is part one of a three-part series that addresses the subject of alcohol and substance use disorders and its impact on veterinary medicine. Today, we’ll discuss the diagnostic criteria for alcohol and substance use disorders; its impact on veterinary medicine; and the prevalence and costs associated with alcohol and substance use disorders.

This article explores grief within the veterinary profession. The loss of a companion animal is seen by some mental health professionals as a loss just as significant as the loss of a relative or friend in terms of grief symptoms and grief reactions. Read more to understand grief and how you as a veterinary professional can support your clients through their grieving process.

Feedback is an essential part of growth. When delivered in a compassionate way, it can be especially effective. However, just as with any other skill, some veterinary mentors and supervisors are better at delivering it than others. When receiving feedback, we have little control over how or when it is delivered. We do have control over how we receive it and how we respond. Learning to receive feedback with grace is a skill that can serve us well in all parts of our lives but especially professionally. 

This article explores depression and how it affects veterinarians. If you are a veterinary professional who has symptoms of depression or you suspect that you might have depression, we recommend discussing this with a psychiatrist or a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist, social worker, etc. These professionals will be able to provide you with individualized guidance on how to move forward with your mental health needs.

The veterinary career can be stressful, and stress may exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. This article will discuss recognizing generalized anxiety disorder in veterinarians and the intervention and prevention strategies that address it.

Embracing spectrum of care requires that veterinary professionals offer a range of options that fit the individual socioeconomic factors as well as expectations and goals of care for each client. Veterinarians may worry that by offering alternative treatment plans, they can open themselves up to liability. Yet, with effective communication, client education, and diligent medical record-keeping, veterinarians can practice compassionately and lower their risk of a complaint.

Transitioning from veterinary school to general practice often presents unique challenges for early-career veterinarians. Learning to provide care given limited financial resources is vital for promoting early-career veterinary wellbeing. This article explores why spectrum of care is so important for early-career professionals and tips to provide care along a spectrum.

We want to post information that will act as a beacon of hope for those who may be having challenges, and if we post information about suicide incorrectly, it actually has the potential to harm others. In this article, I will discuss safe ways to talk about suicide, resources available, and how to learn more.

The veterinary profession is challenging. There will always be tough cases, ethical dilemmas, demanding clients, and a myriad of other stressors that veterinarians experience daily. While the profession is challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding—particularly when we have the tools to make the stressors not so stressful! This article discusses leveraging the Veterinary Wellbeing Debrief, a tool that you can use to help your mentee process a stressful situation.

Upon graduation from veterinary school and starting their first job, many early-career veterinarians feel lost. Helping our mentees develop their personal and professional identities is one of the many ways that we promote wellbeing in the early veterinary career. In this article, I will discuss some of the core literature around identity development within the veterinary profession then discuss how veterinary mentors can help promote early-career identity development.

Finding a good veterinary mentor is not always easy. Read about these 7 tips to help you on your search for an amazing veterinary mentor.

Having a good vet mentor is key for succeeding in the early veterinary career. This article discusses 6 key benefits of having a vet mentor.

Perfectionism is extremely common in the veterinary profession. High levels of perfectionism may contribute to high levels of stress and poor veterinary wellbeing. Self-compassion — cultivating self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and mindfulness — is a tool that can be used to help combat perfectionism.

What makes a good veterinary mentor? In my experience working with new and recent veterinary graduates, I have identified several attributes of an excellent mentor. By improving your mentorship skills, you will be better able to support and promote veterinary well-being for early-career veterinarians.

In the most recent Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, veterinarians were more likely to experience burnout than physicians despite fewer hours worked. Why is burnout occurring at such high rates in the veterinary profession, and what should we do about it?