Why do so many equine vets burn out in silence? Can boundaries really exist in such a demanding field? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and guest Dr. Chelsey Fishenfeld for a raw, revealing episode of Irreplaceable Truths about the emotional demands of equine medicine, the financial realities no one talks about, and how early-career veterinarians can begin setting boundaries without losing their compassion. With hard-earned experience and practical insight, Dr. Fishenfeld breaks the silence on what it really takes to survive and grow in this field.

What you’ll discover:

• Why boundaries are essential in emotionally intense veterinary roles
• What a day in the life of an equine vet really looks like
• How 75 Hard reshaped her outlook on work-life balance
• The truth about financial pressure and client pushback
• How emotional intelligence helps sustain a career in veterinary medicine

Who will love this episode:

• Equine veterinarians & large animal vets
• Early-career veterinary professionals
• Veterinarians redefining work-life balance
• Practice owners building emotionally intelligent teams
• Animal lovers fascinated by the equine world
• Anyone navigating boundaries in a caregiving profession

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if you found value in this discussion!
• Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments.
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Resources Mentioned:

• Email Dr. Fishenfeld: [email protected]

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

Contact: [email protected]

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Dr. Fishenfeld’s journey into equine medicine

03:55 Mentorship, horse-girl beginnings, and clinical identity

07:27 Balancing burnout, emergencies, and boundaries

12:05 Financial disconnect and payment struggles in equine care

18:44 When compassion meets emotional labor in the field

26:05 What a real day in equine medicine looks like

33:00 Energy drinks, 75 Hard, and staying grounded

36:45 Equine medicine, motherhood, and the challenge of balance

39:12 Boundaries, depersonalization, and learning when to say no

43:01 Practicing emotional intelligence with difficult clients

47:20 Practicing—not perfecting—medicine

52:58 Controversial calls and clinical risk in emergencies

56:02 What technology and travel models are changing in equine care

Ep. 34

#equinemedicine #earlycareervet #vetburnout