Are you satisfied? Finding fulfillment as a veterinary professional

Are you satisfied with your life as a veterinary professional? 

So many times I have questioned why I became a vet and whether I should stay in this profession or not. I love animals and want to help them heal, but at what cost to my own mental and physical wellbeing and family life? 

What if I told you that there was a solution to veterinary burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health problems? A solution that allows you to stay in the profession you worked so hard to be part of in the first place? 

Well, integrative medicine has been that gift for me, and I am so excited to share how it has positively impacted my career in the hope of inspiring your own personal search for professional wellbeing and fulfillment.

It started twenty years ago when I sustained a severe soft tissue injury to my right (dominant) wrist. I endured seven years of chronic pain (after surgical correction), which became debilitating. Ultimately, I had to take a hiatus from vet school for one year due to the unrelenting pain and lack of full functional use. 

I felt defeated and depressed with this physical challenge and it caused me so much grief. My dear friend, who was in Toronto attending the Canadian naturopathic college at the time, recommended that I try acupuncture. My initial response was, “Why would I let someone stick needles in my arm? That sounds ridiculous!” 

After many acupuncture treatments, however, I regained full use of my wrist and have been able to play sports and drums again, as well as perform surgeries. Most importantly, I am able to use my wrist for my daily function of being a mother, including spending time with my kids and holding my baby. 

Fast forward to today, I am now a certified veterinary acupuncturist and have been using acupuncture for my patients regularly. The benefits of acupuncture are numerous, targeting neuromodulation at a physiological level. Every disease process can benefit from acupuncture, which works to harness the body’s own innate healing abilities to restore homeostasis within the patient. It is just one example of whole-body healing.  

I became so fascinated and impressed with alternative therapies that I continued to research and educate myself in multiple holistic healing modalities. In addition to acupuncture, I use veterinary therapeutic massage, Chinese herbal medicine, Western herbal medicine, homoeopathy, and integrative rehabilitation (including using pEMF and red light therapy) for regular case management. 

More recently, I became certified in animal aromatherapy and have been incorporating therapeutic essential oils in many of my treatment plans. Therapeutic essential oils improve patient wellness through minimizing patient distress. I find they are an incredible adjunct to conventional pain management and a game-changer for dermatologic cases. Certain oils can also help to manage seizure threshold, while others help with gut inflammation and digestion, as well as behavioural issues like fear-aggression and separation anxiety.  

There is a whole new world of possibilities when you practice with an open mind. With alternative therapies, I have more tools in my toolbox for treating my patients. I no longer have to say, “Sorry, there is nothing I can do,” or, “Unfortunately, that’s the only drug available for this condition, and if it’s causing your pet serious side effects, you have to decide whether it’s worth continuing treatment or not.” Instead of treating with a “band-aid” approach, I can help address the root cause of the illness or injury while supporting the patient’s emotional wellbeing throughout their healing journey.  

With holistic care, there is something we can do to support the physical and emotional health of our patients at every stage of their life, even if it’s enhanced palliative care. To me, this fact is incredibly comforting and rewarding, and has made my job immensely more fulfilling.

My clients are so grateful to have treatment plans tailored to their pets, and are invested in holistic therapies themselves. Many clients are seeking less invasive options and with fewer side effects to ensure they are providing the best care for their beloved pets; their furry family members.  

With more treatment options that are safe, effective, and have evidence-based research to back them up, it’s no wonder why I can confidently say that I am so happy I stayed in this profession! I truly believe this is the most amazing profession and I want others to feel the same way too. 

I used to feel stuck, but I don’t anymore. I can practice in a way that I am comfortable with and with treatment options that I truly believe are the best for my patients.