After Ownership, I Found My Next Chapter

I have wanted to work with animals since I was about four years old. My grandfather’s dog, Puppy, was my constant companion, and by middle school, I knew veterinary medicine was a path I wanted to pursue.

When I graduated from veterinary school, I thought I would be working in public health by this point in my career. Instead, my path took me into clinical practice and eventually practice ownership.

Before joining IndeVets, I owned a veterinary practice for 11 years. When I was planning a move from the Pacific Northwest to Philadelphia, I knew I was ready for something different. Relief work appealed to me, but I didn’t want to do everything on my own.

I liked the idea of doing relief but having a support system, while still having autonomy over my schedule.

That’s what brought me to IndeVets. The people are what have made me stay.

Autonomy doesn’t have to mean doing it alone

One of the things I value most about IndeVets is having independence in my day-to-day work without feeling like I’m out there by myself.

There are people I can turn to when I have questions or need help, whether that’s my scheduling team, my Director of Clinical Excellence, or other members of the IndeVets team. Everyone I’ve worked with has been welcoming and ready to help.

After being a practice owner, I appreciate that balance. I’ve been the person responsible for scheduling everyone else and thinking about everything happening behind the scenes. Finding reliable relief coverage was always difficult, too. Looking back, I wish I’d had a resource like IndeVets available to help support my practice and team when we needed additional doctor coverage. It’s nice to be on the other side of things again.

Today, I typically work four days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. With the IndeVets’ scheduling model, I choose the days I want to work, mark off PTO or other days I can’t work, and my scheduling coordinator matches me with shifts at partner hospitals based on that schedule.

That gives me:

• A predictable workweek built around the days I choose.
• Support with scheduling, so I’m not spending my own time searching for and booking enough shifts.
• The ability to plan vacations and time away in advance.
• Variety across different hospitals, teams, clients and patients.
• The ability to earn extra PTO if I want it. Extra shifts are never required, but if I choose to work beyond my regular schedule—whether that’s an additional weekday or a weekend shift—IndeVets’ PTO Power Up program lets me add more paid time off to my PTO bank for future travel and vacations.

I still check my schedule to see what’s coming up, but I don’t need to think about it every day. That gives me back time for things I actually enjoy—sleeping in a little longer, taking my dog for an extra-long walk or researching my next vacation.

Variety keeps the work interesting

I’ve always enjoyed variety in veterinary medicine, and working as an IndeVet gives me plenty of it.

A great day for me is one where I’m seeing different cases, meeting new people and learning how they and their animal companions found each other. I especially love working with senior cats, whether they’re coming in for a wellness visit or because they aren’t feeling their best.

Working across different hospitals adds another layer of variety. I get to meet new teams, clients and patients and experience different ways of practicing medicine. That has helped keep the work interesting even after many years in the profession.

Growth without leaving the clinic behind

Earlier this year, I was promoted to Senior Associate IndeVet, a brand-new leadership role.

To me, the opportunity represents something important: career growth doesn’t have to mean giving up the parts of your job you enjoy.

I now spend one day each week focused on my Senior Associate IndeVet responsibilities, while my other workdays are spent practicing in partner hospitals. I get to keep doing the clinical work I enjoy while also taking on a new kind of leadership role.

I feel honored to have been chosen to help set the foundation for what this role is going to be.

I’m excited to meet and mentor other IndeVets, listen to concerns, answer questions and get to know more members of our team. At the same time, I’m still learning from and being mentored by the people around me.

I also value being able to offer suggestions as IndeVets continues to evolve and expand. After owning a practice myself, contributing that perspective while continuing to grow in my own career is especially meaningful.

Your career can change as you do

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is simple: Be willing to adapt to changes.

Medicine changes. The way we practice changes. Animal care changes. Our lives change.

It’s important to know your core values and what matters to you, but also to recognize that those things may evolve as you move through different stages of your career.

That’s also what I would tell veterinarians who are questioning whether this profession feels sustainable for them.

Maybe the role you are in now is not speaking to you at this season of your journey.

Reach out. Talk to people. Explore the different ways you can use your veterinary degree. Sometimes a change in role or perspective can make all the difference.

For me, that path led to IndeVets.

If you’re looking for the flexibility of relief work but also want the stability, benefits and team camaraderie of being an associate, IndeVets can offer both. It’s given me room to practice medicine, keep learning, take on new challenges and still have a life outside of work.

Interested in learning more? Join our upcoming webinar, where our team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.