Consistent Relief That Feels Full-Time

If you’re a veterinary practice manager or owner, you’ve probably said it (or at least thought it): “We just need someone for ((insert any day of the week)).”

When staffing is tight, it’s tempting to look for relief staffing that solves the immediate problem. Someone shows up. The shift is covered. Check the box.

But here’s the truth: not all relief is created equal – and transactional, inconsistent one-off coverage often creates more stress than it solves. The short-term “fix” often leads to long-term frustration: lost revenue, team stress, and client dissatisfaction. It’s more than inconvenient; it’s risky.

We’ve seen it, you’ve likely experienced it, trusted organizations in our industry have reported on it. The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) for example, underscores how inconsistent coverage – like when veterinarians don’t align with a clinic’s systems, protocols, or culture – can disrupt workflows and ultimately undermine client confidence. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) emphasizes continuity and team integration in its guidelines for quality patient care (but as you’ve likely seen, with relief, many options today fall short).

The good news? Relief doesn’t have to be a gamble. Let’s break it down.

The problem with “hope relief”

Most veterinary relief platforms offer a list of available doctors and promise flexibility. It sounds good in theory. But what happens when most of those vets are “moonlighting,” only picking up one or two shifts a month, as other relief providers have noted is their norm? You get inconsistency. You get unfamiliar faces. You get risk.

• Risk that your protocols won’t be followed. Records may be incomplete. Treatment plans not carried out correctly.
• Risk that clients won’t get the experience you promise – eroding their trust in your clinic.
• Risk that your team feels like they’re onboarding a stranger, again. Time wasted and operational strain are almost a guarantee.
• Risk that what you pay far exceeds the value you got.

In other words, you get “hope relief”: you hope the vet works out. You hope they show up. You hope you don’t have to micromanage them. AAHA’s guidelines emphasize continuity and team integration for a reason, because your clinic depends on it.

“It’s not just about filling a shift. It’s about elevating every part of the hospital – medicine, communication, trust.” – Shelly Jagers, Countryside Vet

The power of consistency

Now, imagine a different kind of relief experience.

When relief is consistent, it’s not just the shift that gets filled—it’s your hospital that runs better. A reliable doctor familiar with your systems keeps everything on track:

• Your relief vet knows your protocols
• They chart clearly, communicate confidently, and practice excellent medicine
• You save time, every time – no repeated training, monitoring, or fixing
• Continuity of care is preserved
• Revenue becomes more predictable
• You maximize ROI – consistent relief reduces inefficiencies, improves patient outcomes, and strengthens financial performance

This is the kind of relief that improves your operations and protects your bottom line—every shift, every time.

Consistency also builds something harder to measure but equally important: trust and team cohesion. When relief vets return regularly and integrate into your clinic’s culture, the entire team feels the difference:

• They’ve built trust with your staff
• Clients ask for them by name
• There’s no need to “start from scratch” every visit
• Confidence grows across the team – and with pet owners

“With 1099s, there’s no consistency. With IndeVets, everything has exceeded expectations.” – Emily, Practice Manager, Westwood Animal Hospital

Relief that’s committed, not casual

IndeVets doctors aren’t gig workers looking for side hustles. They’re fully employed, W-2 clinicians who are part of our team and, more importantly, become part of yours. When you work with IndeVets, you’re not just plugging in a body. You’re gaining a partner – a vet that is fully credentialed, managed by a team of practicing veterinarian leaders, and committed to delivering high-quality care in your clinic, on your terms.

This isn’t a fluke; it’s a feature of our model. Consistency isn’t only about knowing who is walking in your door, it’s knowing that they will always practice great medicine. AAHA has long advocated for credential verification, yet in relief veterinary medicine, there’s no standardized credentialing process. That’s why IndeVets created the only fully credentialed relief veterinary model, bringing a level of clinical oversight and consistency more akin to human healthcare.

Every IndeVet:

• Undergoes an 8-step credentialing process
• Is matched to your clinic’s medical and cultural fit
• Returns regularly to build continuity
• Delivers care that aligns with AAHA-level standards
• Gets dedicated support from our team so relief never becomes a burden on yours

“IndeVets always set the bar – for documentation, demeanor, and patient care. Our clients even ask for them by name.” – Brenda, Moore Veterinary Hospital

The cost of the unknown is too high.

Team disruption, inconsistent care, and unpredictable revenue are key stressors for managers. Relief that feels like a gamble only makes it worse.

You’ve built your team, your processes, your reputation. Relief staffing should protect that, not threaten it. When your bottom line is on the line, we know you have to make tough choices to find the best vets. So before you go, here are some questions to consider before selecting your relief vet.

Stop hoping for the best, staff with IndeVets and you’ll get it.