Saving Paws Without Losing Your Mind: Self-Care Tips for the Veterinary Soul
Let’s face it – being in the veterinary field means you’ve chosen a career where you can be checking in an adorable litter of puppies for their first vaccines one minute and counseling a grieving pet parent the next. You’re part therapist, part detective, and part human lint roller. It’s no wonder veterinary professionals are burning out faster than a chihuahua after espresso.
Burnout is real. Compassion fatigue is real. And pretending that a “quick nap” in your car between appointments is self-care? Not so much. So, let’s get honest about how to take care of yourself while taking care of everyone else’s furry, feathered, and scaly companions.
1. Schedule Self-Care Like It’s a Surgery
You wouldn’t casually skip a spay-neuter appointment, right? Treat your self-care the same way. Put it on the calendar, block off adequate time, set an alarm, and write “DO NOT IGNORE” on a sticky note. Whether it’s a week-long camping trip where there’s no cell service, a walk, a bath, or 45 minutes of sitting in your car listening to true crime podcasts (no judgement, we love a good true crime podcast), honor that time like it’s critical care – because it is.
2. Stop Being a Hero 24/7
Yes, you’re a life-saver. But even Batman takes a night off (probably to cuddle Alfred’s cat). Repeat after me: you’re allowed to say no, you’re allowed to refer out, and you’re allowed to leave the clinic at closing time without guilt. Superheroes need sleep too.
3. Feed Yourself Something Besides Coffee & Peanut Butter Cups
We’re not judging – we’ve all had lunch from a vending machine (and not just once or twice). But you can’t pour from an empty cup, especially if that cup is full of caffeine and regret. Try keeping snacks with protein and actual nutrients on hand. And water. Real water, not just melted ice from your iced coffee.
4. Talk it Out (Not Just to the Patients)
Sometimes the only ones listening are the pets – great for venting, not so great for advice. Make time to talk to your colleagues, mentors, therapists, or support groups. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to pretend you’ve got it all together. No one does. Not even the clinic cat.
5. Set Boundaries Like Your Life Depends on it (Because it Kind of Does)
It’s okay to not answer work texts on your day off. It’s okay to decline a double shift. It’s okay to tell Karen that no, you will not euthanize her “aggressive” 6-month-old puppy because it chewed up her “prize-winning rose bush” (I wish this was an exaggeration, but this is exactly how I ended up with a basset hound at home 6 years ago; spoiler – he is one of the most loving dogs I have ever owned and I couldn’t imagine my life without him). Boundaries are not mean – they’re vital.
6. Remember Why You Started – But Also Know When to Take a Break
Most of us got into this field because we love animals, not because we enjoy emotionally draining 12-hour days and surprise anal gland explosions. Reconnect with the parts of the job that bring you joy – but if it’s been a while since you felt any joy, that’s your cue to hit pause. A break doesn’t make you weak, it means that you’re wise enough to preserve your passion.
7. Laugh When You Can
Sometimes laughter is the only thing standing between you and a full-on existential meltdown in the breakroom. Share memes. Tell ridiculous pet stories. Humor doesn’t cancel out the hard stuff – but it can help you survive it.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of others is noble. Taking care of yourself is necessary. You are not a robot (though if you were, we’d name you VETPROBOT 3000 and we’d still insist you take a nap). The work you do matters, but so does your mental health.
So go ahead – take that vacation. Eat that real food. Set that boundary. And for the love of all things furry, please don’t skip your own checkup while scheduling annuals for guinea pigs.
You are valued. You are needed. And you are allowed to rest.
Know you need to talk, but not sure who to talk to?
Not One More Vet Peer Support is there for you!
Go to https://nomv.org/peer-support/ for more information.
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