featuring Stith Keiser and Kate Crumley, DVM, MS | Blue Heron Consulting
A veterinary hospital can be a stressful environment to work in. Combine that with the incredible level of dedication and passion veterinary staff bring to their jobs, and it’s not difficult to understand why burnout and compassion fatigue are prolific in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary professionals carry an extraordinary emotional load. Between short staffing, emotionally intense cases, and constant client demands, it’s no wonder burnout and compassion fatigue are so prevalent. In this episode of Colleague Consult, we explored how to not only cope—but thrive—in the face of those daily stressors.
Why Veterinary Burnout Is So Common
Ask any veterinary professional what stresses them out, and you’ll likely hear a long list: client expectations, underappreciation, financial strain, or the emotional whiplash of transitioning from euthanasia to a joyful puppy visit. Often, it’s not just one challenge—it’s the accumulation of many, all happening at once.
And the impact doesn’t stop at the clinic doors. Many carry these stressors home, where they mix with personal pressures. The result? Exhaustion, doubt, and a sense of being overwhelmed.
Reclaiming Your Energy: The Power of Self-Care
Several team members shared the moment they realized things needed to change. Whether it was crying on the way home or skipping too many meals, these experiences marked a turning point. They began to prioritize their well-being—and saw the positive ripple effect on their work and personal lives.
“If I don’t look out for myself, I can’t look out for anyone else.”
Well-being isn’t about checking every box on a wellness list. It’s a mindset. It’s deliberately creating a life where you feel happy, healthy, and whole. That starts by listening to what your body and mind need—and giving yourself permission to respond.
Rediscovering Joy in the Everyday
One veterinarian found happiness simply by petting a familiar office cat. Others lit up when talking about behavior cases, chatting with coworkers, or helping a diabetic cat eat. The key is to notice what brings you joy—and build more of those moments into your day.
Try this: Create a short list of things that make you come alive. Puppies? Organized workspaces? Fresh air? Recognizing these small but powerful sources of energy can keep you going—even on the hardest days.
Mood Journaling: A Small Habit That Builds Awareness
Ever wonder why some days feel harder than others? A mood journal can help. By tracking how you feel at different points in the day, you can spot patterns and take proactive steps to improve your emotional baseline.
Try color-coding your moods and reflecting on how specific events or interactions affect you. Over time, this awareness can help you make better choices—and better boundaries.
Shifting Your Mindset: Positivity as a Skill
You can’t control everything about your day, but you can choose how you respond. Practicing gratitude or adopting a growth mindset helps shift your perspective from frustration to empowerment.
“I choose to see the good in everything. I choose to turn expectations into appreciation.”
When the situation is especially tough, try a gratitude exercise: list everything you’re grateful for on one side of a page, and your current challenges on the other. Then explore what each challenge is teaching you and how you might grow from it. This practice doesn’t erase the problem—but it can change the way it feels.
Finding Time for Well-Being (Even When You’re Busy)
Lack of time is one of the biggest barriers to prioritizing well-being. That’s why “stacking” can be such a game-changer. Try combining two or more restorative activities—like exercising while listening to a motivational podcast or taking a walk during a break instead of scrolling your phone.
You do have time—it just takes a little creativity to find it.
Creating a Culture of Well-Being at Your Hospital
Well-being isn’t just personal—it’s cultural. When one team member prioritizes their health, others take notice. And when leadership encourages breaks, healthy boundaries, and support, the entire hospital grows stronger.
“We all laugh, we cut up, and it energizes me.”
Simple changes—like recognizing when someone needs a breather, working together during high-stress days, or celebrating small wins—create an environment where people feel safe, valued, and inspired.
When You Just Need to Get Through the Day
We all have tough days. Sometimes, you just need to blow off steam—literally. Whether it’s screaming outside by the kennels or simply pausing for a glass of water, having a “pop-off valve” can help you reset and carry on.
You don’t have to solve every problem in the moment. But you can give yourself the space to breathe, eat, rest, and recover.
Cost Conversations & Their Impact on Well-Being
Few things affect veterinary teams more than client conversations about cost. These moments can leave staff feeling drained, devalued, or even attacked.
Imagine a world where financial limitations didn’t get in the way of care. More insured clients or well-prepared pet owners can shift these conversations from stress-inducing to collaborative. And that can do wonders for the emotional health of your team.
You Are Enough—Even on the Hard Days
This episode closed with an emotional reminder: You are doing your best. On good days and hard ones, your effort is real. Your care is real. And your well-being matters.
“Even when you aren’t doing really well—still love yourself. Take that moment. Drink that water. Tell someone what’s hard.”
It’s in those small moments of self-kindness that we start to reclaim our energy and rewrite the story of what it means to work in veterinary medicine.
