Sustaining the Healer: A Resilience Guide for Veterinary Professionals
It was a typical visit to the clinic, Samson—my beloved dog—had become somewhat of a "frequent flyer" at her office, dealing with health challenges that had included everything from bilateral enucleation (both eyes removed)l to a splenectomy. My vet and I had shared many celebratory as well as difficult moments together, supporting Samson through each procedure and recovery, and I deeply appreciate the care and compassion she pours into her work.
On this particular day, I asked how she was, and while she answered in her usual professional manner, “I’m okay,” there was something in her eyes that told a different story. It was subtle, but unmistakable: a weariness, a heaviness behind the words. We paused. She took a breath, and in that brief moment, she shared a little of what she was navigating. Between the pressures of her demanding job, caring for her staff, patients and their owners well, and the personal challenges she was facing, she let me in, if only for a few minutes.
It reminded me again of something vital: veterinary professionals—who are so often seen as pillars of strength for their patients and clients—are sometimes struggling quietly themselves. I see how much of herself she and the other veterinarians at the practice give to her work, and I also know how burnout and the risk of suicide is extremely high in veterinary professions. There are great organizations who are working to change this pattern.
The conversation with Samon’s vet stayed with me. Countless veterinary professionals are carrying the complexities of the emotional and physical demands of caring for animals, supporting the owners, making critical healthcare decisions, directing the medical portion of the practice, overseeing and making decisions, and they are human! They also have personal life stressors, events, busyness, and more! So often, the people who care for our pets need care themselves—but they often don’t have the time or space to prioritize their own well-being. In a career that requires deep empathy and constant emotional labor, building resilience isn’t just important—it’s essential.
Understanding the Roots of Burnout in Veterinary Medicine
Burnout and compassion fatigue is more than just feeling tired—it’s a profound sense of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. For veterinary professionals, the roots of burnout and compassion fatigue are often deep and multifaceted:
Emotional Load: Veterinarians and vet techs must deliver difficult news, witness suffering, and help clients make heartbreaking decisions, all while maintaining professionalism and empathy. The emotional toll of these interactions can be draining.
High Workload: Long hours, emergencies, and at times understaffed clinics can quickly lead to burnout.
Ethical and Financial Stress: Balancing the ideal care for an animal with what clients can afford is a frequent challenge. Feeling the weight of these decisions can be overwhelming, especially when options are limited.
Unrealistic Standars: Many in the veterinary field are perfectionists by nature, holding themselves to impossibly high standards. This can lead to overwork, self-criticism, and a struggle to ask for help.
Nervous System Wiring: The very thing that brings veterinary professionals into the field and makes them amazing at what they do, can also create a heightened susceptibility to compassion fatigue and burnout. Their sensitivity, care, compassion, and desire to help often comes with a nervous system wiring that feels deeply, takes in experiences to a deeper level, and is profoundly impacted by experiences.
Lack of Support: Many veterinary professionals work in high-stress environments with little time or resources for personal support. The emotional toll can go unnoticed until it reaches a breaking point.
When these stressors compound, it creates an environment ripe for burnout and compassion fatigue, leaving you feeling disconnected, exhausted, and at times questioning your passion for the work.
The Cost of Caring
Compassion is at the heart of the veterinary profession. This is a great strength and if we aren’t careful in how we harness it, burnout and compassion fatigue become companions. Warning signs of burnout or compassion fatigue often start subtly, but with time, they can begin to affect every aspect of your life. Here are some identifying factors of compassion fatigue
Feeling Numb or Detached: You may find yourself becoming emotionally disconnected from your patients, your colleagues, or even your own feelings. It’s a survival mechanism, but it can lead to apathy.
Increased Irritability: The stresses of the job can leave you feeling frustrated, not just toward your work but also toward the people around you.
Fatigue and Physical Ailments: Feeling tired all the time? Stress takes its toll on your body—leading to sleep disturbances, headaches, nightmares, GI distress, muscle pain, and even triggers auto immune illnesses.
Feelings of Inadequacy or Helplessness: The overwhelming demands of your work may make you feel like you're never doing enough, even though you're giving everything you have. This is a common sign that you’re running on empty.
Social Withdrawal: You may retreat from your social circles. Connecting with others, even for brief moments, can feel like a drain instead of a reprieve.
These are just a few of the many warning signs of compassion fatigue. It impacts every aspect of a person - mentally, physically, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. Recognizing these signs early is vital. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you need support, rest, and a break from the constant pressure of your demanding career so that you can continue the amazing work that you are doing. We, as pet owners, need you!
Building Resilience: A Path Forward
Building resilience isn’t about pushing through the pain or ignoring the signs of compassion fatigue—it’s about learning how to adapt, recover, and strengthen your emotional stamina. Here are key steps to take in building resilience and creating a sustainable, fulfilling career in veterinary medicine.
1. Self-Assessment: Know Where You Stand
Self-awareness is the first step to resilience. Take time to check in with yourself regularly. Tools like the Burnout & Resilience Checklist can help you understand where you stand. By honestly assessing your emotional, mental, relational, spiritual, and physical health, you can make proactive decisions to care for yourself.
2. Boundaries: Protect Your Energy
Setting clear boundaries between your work and personal life is critical. This could include:
Declining extra responsibilities when you’re already stretched thin.
Scheduling regular breaks and ensuring you stick to them. This includes lunch breaks for consistent nutrition, time off on the weekends, vacations, and more.
Turning off work communications after hours (if you can) to create space for recovery.
Saying no to emotional labor that drains you without replenishment.
Maintain a sleep schedule so that you operate from a place of being rested and your body can work to replenish as you sleep.
Setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for your long-term health and well-being.
3. Building a Support Network: You’re Not Alone
You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your own. Seek out colleagues, mentors, or support groups who understand the unique challenges you face. Having someone to talk to—whether it’s a fellow vet, a coach, or a therapist—can make a huge difference in reducing feelings of isolation and stress. You don’t have to shoulder everything yourself.
4. Reconnect with Your Purpose: Remember Why You Chose This Work
Sometimes, compassion fatigue can cloud the reason you became a veterinarian in the first place. Reconnect with your passion by:
Reflecting on your proudest moments: Remember those moments when you made a difference in an animal’s life or helped a client through a difficult situation.
Noticing the Glimmers: Don’t wait for the big victories. Celebrate every positive outcome, no matter how small. Look to find moments of joy, hope, and beauty in your day to day experiences.
Giving yourself space to replenish. Sometimes a break is needed. Time to step away and fill your own cup. Then you can revisit what draws you, what you are passionate about.
Revisiting your purpose will ground you and give you strength.
Seeking Help: When Burnout Takes Hold
If burnout has already set in, it’s okay to seek help. You deserve to care for yourself just as much as you care for your patients. Coaching or therapy can help you navigate burnout and rebuild your resilience.
Recovery from burnout is possible, but it requires intentional action and support.
Embrace Support Through Coaching
At Balanced Life Strategies, we offer coaching designed specifically for veterinary professionals who are seeking to build resilience, avoid burnout, and maintain a sustainable career in this emotionally demanding field. Explore our coaching offers and take the first step toward a more balanced, fulfilling career.
The demands of your work as a veterinarian are immense, but you don’t have to face them alone. By recognizing the signs of burnout and taking proactive steps to build resilience, you can continue providing exceptional care for animals and their owners—without losing yourself in the process.
