Finding fulfillment in vet med through growth, balance, and helping others thrive

When I graduated from veterinary school, I imagined a career filled with puppy breath, interesting clients, and the joy of healing a complex case. What I didn’t imagine was how hard it would be to sustain that joy over time. Between long hours, emotional exhaustion, and the constant pressure to do more with less, I found myself burning out, fast.

I loved being a veterinarian, but I knew I couldn’t continue the way I was going. I needed a path that would allow me to grow, thrive, and still have a life outside the clinic. That’s when I found IndeVets.

A new kind of career growth

When I joined IndeVets, I was drawn to the perfect blend of flexibility, stability and support that made practicing medicine sustainable again. It was a relief model I’d never seen before. I loved that I could focus on patient care without worrying about overbooked days, messy office politics or unpredictable pay. But what I didn’t expect was how much I would grow – both as a clinician and a leader.

Today, I serve as Director of Clinical Recruiting, leading an incredible team that helps veterinarians across the country discover what I once needed most: a way to continue doing what they love without losing themselves in the process.

It’s a full-circle moment for me. I’ve been where so many of these vets are – passionate, but tired. Dedicated, but drained. Now, I get to help them find the same balance and fulfillment that changed my own career.

And the best part? I get to do it alongside a team of people who are just as passionate, and all are balancing full lives in and out of work. IndeVets brought us together – a community within a community – and we all genuinely want to be part of changing this industry for the better.

Helping veterinarians rediscover their why

One of the things I love most about my role is connecting with vets who are struggling – those who feel like their only choices are to keep pushing through burnout or to walk away from the profession entirely.

I get it. I’ve been there.

That’s why I’m so passionate about showing them that there is another way. It is a completely new way to practice relief medicine, as an Associate. IndeVets offers what so many of us wish we had earlier in our careers – real influence over the hours and days we work, reliable income, comprehensive benefits, clinical and wellness support.

Even more than that, it’s about community. With IndeVets, I am never flying solo. Beyond the many fellow vets I can (and do) call on any day, we have an actual Advocacy Team just to support us. Veterinary leaders to lean on for professional support, and a dedicated veterinary social worker for those mental health and wellness check ins we all need to lean on every once in a while.

I’ve talked with so many veterinarians navigating health challenges, parenthood, or just the overwhelming pace of this profession. Showing them that there is a path to stability – and providing the actual resources to support it – is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Balance that makes life bigger

For me, balance isn’t just about more time off – it’s about having the freedom to truly live the life I’ve built outside of veterinary medicine.

That means spending quality time with my husband, our two amazing kids, and our pup who keep us constantly entertained. It also means travel (maybe more strolling than hiking these days, thanks to our little ones!), reading, and even some needlepoint. These things fill my cup, and because of IndeVets, I finally have the space to enjoy them.

With a schedule that is designed around my life I’m more energized, more present, and ultimately, a better vet and leader. With IndeVets, I finally have balance. My schedule isn’t dictated by clinic demands; it’s built around what makes me feel most fulfilled, both personally and professionally.

Reliable compensation, real support

Veterinarians are caretakers by nature – of patients, clients, and often our teams. But for too long, that care hasn’t been reciprocated by the systems we work in.

Inconsistent pay, minimal benefits, and emotional overload as “part of the job” – the industry should not be accepting these things as status quo.

IndeVets helped me realize it doesn’t have to be that way.

The stability of a predictable paycheck, comprehensive benefits, and a strong support system has allowed me to focus on medicine again – not just survival. And now, as someone who helps bring new veterinarians into the organization, I get to ensure that others have that same sense of security and peace of mind.

That reliability doesn’t just help pay the bills – it restores confidence, pride, and passion for the work we do.

IndeVets helped me realize just how much veterinarians deserve, not just financially, but emotionally and professionally. From tailored CE and growth tracks to a truly supportive community of colleagues, I’ve never felt more seen or supported in this field. I’m an Associate, practicing with a relief veterinary company, in a way that I really never thought possible.

Leading with empathy and experience

As a leader, I try to bring empathy into every conversation I have with potential IndeVets. I know firsthand that choosing change can be scary. But I also know how life-changing it can be to finally work somewhere that puts your well-being first.

Our recruiting team isn’t about filling positions; it’s about building relationships and helping veterinarians reimagine what their careers can look like. Every vet we bring on board adds to a growing community of professionals who support each other, celebrate each other’s wins, and share a vision for a healthier, happier profession.

That’s why my role feels so meaningful, because I’m not just helping people find a job. I’m helping them find themselves again.

Redefining fulfillment

Fulfillment in vet med, for me, isn’t just about loving my job. It’s about feeling whole – in my career, my relationships, and my sense of self. IndeVets gave me the space and support to rediscover all of those things.

To any vet feeling stuck or overwhelmed, here’s my advice: Get curious about what you want your life to actually look like. What’s holding you back from pursuing that? You’ve worked so hard to get to this point, you deserve to feel fulfilled and find joy in your work.

Fulfillment isn’t something that happens by accident. It’s something we create – through courage, community, and the willingness to prioritize ourselves as much as we prioritize our patients. IndeVets helped me do that. And now, I get to help other vets do the same.

The best adventure yet

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that growth doesn’t always look like climbing a ladder – sometimes it looks like building a new one. Through IndeVets, I’ve built a veterinary career that gives me room to grow, space to breathe, and the joy of helping other vets do the same.