July MentorVet Mentor of the Month: Samantha Cantor, VMD

Our July 2022 Veterinary Mentor of the Month is the amazing, Samantha Cantor, VMD.

Samantha Cantor, VMD

MentorVet Mentor

We chose Dr. Samantha Cantor because of her strong empathy towards early career veterinarians. She stays actively involved in the community by attending training events and networking sessions.

Samantha is proactive about regularly meeting with mentees and is always so calm and thoughtful. We are honored to have her a part of our community! Read below about why she is passionate about the MentorVet community and being a mentor.

Dr. Cantor, tell us a little bit about your career journey. What do you currently do in veterinary medicine and how did you end up here?

I started in a busy small animal practice, and quickly burned out when my physical and mental health took a toll. After my first position, I joined IndeVets in 2018 and have been an IndeVet ever since! I am now on the leadership team, and I absolutely love helping other vets find joy and fulfillment in veterinary medicine.

Why did you choose to be involved with MentorVet?

When I was in school, and when I was a very new graduate, I was desperately searching for someone like me to talk to about this giant transition. I wanted to hear someone say, ‘things will get better,’ and ‘there are options,’ and ‘you can be happy in veterinary medicine.’ Instead I was met with burned out and exhausted colleagues who looked like they needed support more than I did at that moment.

Mentorship is about medicine, but it is also about the way we approach our careers and dynamic lives. The mentors I did find at IndeVets helped me find passion in medicine, and also outside the clinic. I am forever grateful to them, and I am able to pass that along through my work as a mentor.

Share an example of something you and your mentee have discussed?

My mentees and I have worked on how to approach change in their careers, and how to set appropriate boundaries at work. Everyone comes in to their career with different needs and limitations - physically, emotionally, and mentally. To pretend we all have the same abilities is not only harmful to us as individuals, but also to the profession because we would lack the incredible diversity of lived experiences we face as individuals.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of being a vet mentor?

I really enjoy watching my mentees thrive, challenge themselves, and try new things! It's exciting and a privilege to witness.

What is one thing that you have learned through your time mentoring for MentorVet?

I have learned so much! The coursework was incredibly helpful in my daily work, and my mentees have taught me tons about resilience, medicine, and life. I've also learned that there are lots of vets looking to change the industry from the inside out.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received from a mentor or the best piece of advice that you have ever given?

My first boss often told me on hard days, "no one can stop the sun from setting." This reminds me that no matter how tough the day or the case or the situation, it will eventually end and the world will keep moving forward. It helps me keep things in perspective.

Would you recommend volunteering as a mentor for MentorVet to other veterinarians?

Absolutely! It's fun, soul-nourishing, and helpful to remember what it felt like to be fresh out of school. It reminds me to keep it all in perspective, and how proud my former self would be of where I am today.

What is your favorite self-care activity?

Traveling and coffee walks! Exploring a new place with a great coffee in hand, my partner by my side, and my toddler tagging along is my idea of a perfect activity.

Fun Fact:

“My toddler and my French bulldog are absolute best pals! It is the cutest thing.”

Thank you, Dr. Cantor!

We value your commitment to our mentees and this community!

Interested in becoming a mentor for MentorVet? We still are needing more mentors for our Fall 2022 semester — Check out some next steps here!