What are Veterinary Professionals?
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Credentialed veterinary technicians/nurses
Veterinary technician/nurse specialists
Non-credentialed/seasoned veterinary technicians/nurses
Veterinary assistants
Client Service Representatives & Receptionists
Board certified doctors and specialists of veterinary medicine
Most of all, veterinary professionals are human. For many of us, the vet industry can be a desensitizing work experience. Our self-worth and work ethic is measured by our productivity, which often means surpassing our emotional and mental capacity, going above and beyond our threshold. When putting the needs of everyone else before our own becomes the norm, it’s no wonder we are riddled with burnout and compassion fatigue. Our humanity is necessary to thrive in this very demanding industry, in a society that focuses on hustle culture. It's vital that we instill these values into our community, so that we can continue serving our pet patients.
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VETERINARY HUMANS is an initiative that focuses on community rather than the individual self.
Self-care can only get us so far. Humanity thrives on community and connection, yet the veterinary industry is in a deficit. The longevity of our career depends on a perspective shift! We cannot carry on, being desensitized to our basic needs. When we choose community, we let go of individualism, the “every man for themself” ideology. When we seek interdependence, we foster safety for showing vulnerability, for leaning on one another, for sharing the work-induced burden of our veterinary work loads.
Despite the posters all over your clinic that discuss strategies for minimizing & managing stress, I find it moot, because our jobs are inevitably stressful. What good is a coping strategy if we’re not comfortable using it in the moment due to an unsupportive work environment.
VETERINARY HUMANS is our gentle reminder that above all, we’re human first.
Start the conversation with a colleague and if/when you have the emotional & mental bandwidth, let someone lean on you. While they put their patients, clients, doctors and co-workers first, be their reminder. Help instill some humanity back into their moment, day, week and see what happens.
You don’t have to do this alone.
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How do we revitalize a desensitized profession? How do we move away from an “every human for themself” mentality and reclaim a team-care approach? Here are ways to connect with our community