Practicing on My Terms

From Independent Relief to IndeVets

Before joining IndeVets in 2024, I had already experienced veterinary medicine from a lot of different angles. I worked in private practice, spent time in corporate medicine, and even ran my own relief company.

Starting my own relief business taught me a tremendous amount. I covered hospitals across Arkansas and later Florida, worked in a wide variety of settings, and learned how to adapt quickly. It also came with a lot of responsibility. Every shift mattered because I was responsible for finding the work, managing the business side, handling taxes, and making sure I had enough income coming in.

There was always the question in the back of my mind: What does next month look like?

When a change of plans in my career led me to reevaluate my options, I found myself looking for a way to keep the parts of relief medicine I enjoyed while gaining more stability and support. That search eventually led me to IndeVets.

Relief With a Safety Net

I still get to practice relief medicine and experience different hospitals, but I am no longer carrying the entire burden myself. That’s the buffer I was looking for. I have benefits, paid parental leave, continuing education opportunities, and a team supporting me behind the scenes.

One of the biggest differences is the sense of security. When I owned my own relief company, there was always pressure to say yes because every shift affected my income and my business. With IndeVets, I have the freedom to make decisions based on what works best for my family and my life.

I also appreciate that my compensation is not tied to production like it was earlier in my career. Today, I know exactly what to expect financially. I feel secure in my job, and knowing a paycheck is coming every two weeks gives me a level of peace of mind I never had when I was managing everything on my own.

A Schedule That Works for My Family

My wife and I have two young children, so having a schedule that works for our family is incredibly important. One of the things I value most about IndeVets is that I get to choose both how many days I work and which days I work.

Right now, four days a week is the right fit for my family. I typically work Tuesday through Friday, and because my schedule is planned well in advance, we’re able to build our family life around it.

I typically work shifts from about 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which gives me enough time to help with daycare pickups and be present for my family when they need me.

Having a consistent day off during the week makes it easier to schedule appointments, handle everyday life, and enjoy longer weekends with my family.

The Benefits I Value Most

There are several IndeVets benefits that have made a meaningful difference in my life:

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive benefits
• Continuing education opportunities
• Access to a large network of hospitals
• PTO Power Ups, which allow me to bank extra shifts as future PTO or receive additional pay
• A support system that makes relief medicine sustainable long term

The PTO Power Up program has been especially useful. If I decide to work extra shifts, I can turn that effort into additional time off later. That option allows me to plan for holidays, family events, and vacations in a way that wasn’t possible in many previous roles.

More Continuity Than You Might Expect

One misconception about relief medicine is that you lose continuity with patients. That hasn’t been my experience.

Because I frequently return to the same hospitals, I’m able to follow cases over time, schedule rechecks, and continue managing patients rather than always handing them off to someone else.

I also enjoy surgery, and IndeVets has allowed me to continue doing that work. Being able to pick up surgery shifts and help hospitals in different ways keeps the work interesting while allowing me to practice areas of medicine I particularly enjoy.

The Value of Having Support

One person who deserves a lot of credit for making this work is my scheduling coordinator, Jesse. He coordinates scheduling, logistics, and hospital relationships so I can focus on practicing medicine.

I jokingly refer to him as my “handler,” and honestly, that’s probably the best description.

I know Jesse is always looking out for me. He is great with communicating about possible PTO Power Up opportunities. And I never feel like I can’t adjust my schedule when life happens and things come up.

When you’re practicing relief medicine on your own, every scheduling conversation falls on you. With IndeVets, I have someone advocating for me and helping coordinate everything behind the scenes.

Why It Works

At this stage of my life, my priorities are clear. I love practicing veterinary medicine, but I also want to be present for my wife and children.

IndeVets gives me the ability to do both. I can focus on practicing medicine, supporting hospitals, and continuing to grow professionally while still being present for my family.

For me, that’s the best of both worlds.