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 Links

Learn more about burnout and compassion fatigue in the veterinary space: https://www.avma.org/news/addressing-causes-burnout-veterinary-medicine

Connect with Dr. Hill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-hill-84b68b95/?originalSubdomain=uk

Check out this program, "Supporting Veterinary Wellbeing," by Royal Canin Academy: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bronwen-slack_veterinarywellbeing-beyondburnout-mentalhealth-activity-7303534852375465984-lcB0

Want 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_1

Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

02:02 – Key Statistics on Veterinary Burnout

03:18 – Personal Stories from Practicing Vets

10:25 – Introducing Drs. Joe Hill and Frank Niles

12:28 – A Day in the Life of a Veterinarian

14:19 – Burnout from a Psychological Perspective

15:02 – Expectation Versus Reality

16:41 – Understanding Compassion Fatigue

23:24 – Personal Coping Strategies from a Former Emergency Vet

27:31 – Systemic Issues Contributing to Veterinary Burnout

33:20 – Advice for Pet Parents

36:35 – The Future of Veterinary Well-Being

39:28 – One Final Vet Story

42:53 – Final Thoughts and Farewell