Saving Pets, Losing Ourselves: The Realities of Veterinary Burnout

Veterinary professionals dedicate their lives to caring for animals—but at what cost? Burnout in the veterinary profession is reaching a crisis point, with long hours, compassion fatigue, and financial stress pushing many to their limits. In this episode, we explore the realities of veterinary burnout with Dr. Joe Hill, DVM, and Dr. Frank Niles, PhD, uncovering the emotional, financial, and systemic challenges that make this field so demanding. We’ll discuss what pet parents can do to support their vets and why industry-wide change is essential for the future of animal care. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the pressures behind the exam room and what can be done to create a healthier, more sustainable profession. Helpful LinksLearn more about burnout and compassion fatigue in the veterinary space: https://www.avma.org/news/addressing-causes-burnout-veterinary-medicineConnect with Dr. Hill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-hill-84b68b95/?originalSubdomain=ukCheck out this program, "Supporting Veterinary Wellbeing," by Royal Canin Academy: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bronwen-slack_veterinarywellbeing-beyondburnout-mentalhealth-activity-7303534852375465984-lcB0Want to learn more? Discover this book on reshaping the veterinary profession for the better by Joe and Terry Hill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vets-Business-Joe-Hill-Terry/dp/1398484792/ref=sr_1_1Show Notes00:00 – Welcome and Introduction02:02 – Key Statistics on Veterinary Burnout03:18 – Personal Stories from Practicing Vets10:25 – Introducing Drs. Joe Hill and Frank Niles12:28 – A Day in the Life of a Veterinarian14:19 – Burnout from a Psychological Perspective15:02 – Expectation Versus Reality16:41 – Understanding Compassion Fatigue23:24 – Personal Coping Strategies from a Former Emergency Vet27:31 – Systemic Issues Contributing to Veterinary Burnout33:20 – Advice for Pet Parents36:35 – The Future of Veterinary Well-Being39:28 – One Final Vet Story42:53 – Final Thoughts and Farewell

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