CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A veterinarian shortage may get worse in years to come.
What You Need To Know
Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Wolf and Veterinary Technician Mandy Baker bounced back from burnout
A study shows veterinarians have higher burnout than doctors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate female veterinarians are 3.5 times as likely to die by suicide
According to a study from Banfield Pet Hospital, 75 million pets may not have access to care by 2030 due to the shortage.
Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Wolf and Veterinary Technician Mandy Baker said they considered leaving the field before because of burnout.
They said their roles in a new mobile vet care service company called The Vets is helping them combat burnout. The Vets, which conducts appointments at the homes of clients, offers the same services expected of a veterinary clinic, including wellness exams and sick care for pets.
At a visit in early December Wolf and Baker checked on two cats belonging to their co-worker.
Wolf and Baker said they are treating fewer pets and providing longer appointments than when they worked at brick-and-mortar clinics.
“I love my job. I love that we get so much one-on-one time. I love people see everything that we do,” Wolf said.
Before this job, she experienced burnout, working for 10 years mostly as an emergency and urgent care vet.
“At a clinic, one thing is really hard for me is you are constantly back and forth, and you have 8,000 things stealing your attention all at once. It’s also hard because of what you are seeing. You are seeing pain, you are seeing suffering,” Wolf said.
In 2019, a study by Merck Animal Health revealed veterinarians have higher burnout rates than doctors.
“I would wish for easy days. If I had a really bad day, I would get so tired and so stressed, I noticed I would take it home more,” Wolf said.
The study shows stress, student debt and suicide among veterinarians are their top three leading concerns.
“I had gone from hard job to hard job to hard job because I felt I had something to prove, I think. It was the job and the financial stress. Vets have an enormous amount of debt," Wolf said.
Wolf and Baker have either known or heard about women in the veterinary field who have died by suicide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to the general population, female veterinarians are 3.5 times as likely to die by suicide.
“I think it’s important they know they are not alone, and I think being vulnerable and actually talking to somebody is probably the first step,” Baker said.
Both women bounced back from burnout. They said seeking outpatient therapy and transitioning to mobile vet care service made a difference.
“I get to drive around. I get to see the sunlight. I get to get to go into people’s homes,” Baker said.
Wolf agrees.
“I have that sense of fulfillment. I have autonomy. I have a sense of purpose,” Wolf said.
If you or a veterinarian is experiencing burnout, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association. If you are experiencing a crisis, dial 988.