From burnout to belonging in veterinary medicine

Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly amazing and talented people, many of whom I now consider friends, and some even family. But in that same time, I also found myself hopping from one large veterinary corporation to another, searching for greener grass. Every few years, I chased something that always felt just out of reach: a workplace where I didn’t have to prove my worth every day, where I could show up as my full self and trust that it was enough.

I wanted to feel seen and supported.

I wanted work-life balance.

And I wanted, honestly, not to be asked to work on Christmas Eve.

Discovering IndeVets

I first came across IndeVets while doom-scrolling on Instagram (typical millennial). The vets looked genuinely happy—but don’t they always look that way on company profiles? I listened to one of their webinars on becoming an AIV; it seemed a little too good to be true.

“Could it be too good to be true?”

After a decade of hearing what people thought I wanted to hear and then learning the grass wasn’t any greener, I wasn’t sure I could trust it.

A conversation that changed everything

Then I found out that an acquaintance (now friend) worked at IndeVets. We met for lunch and talked about the veterinary industry, our values, hopes, frustrations, and vision for what vet med could be. She connected me with others who could walk me through the specifics of working here. Those conversations were some of the most low-pressure, transparent discussions I’d ever had about a job. I left intrigued, but not quite ready to take the leap.

Over the next year, I took my time really thinking about what I wanted for my future. I’d spent almost 10 years going from GP position to GP position. The classic definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, and that’s how I felt—insane for thinking that I was going to find a place I truly felt like I belonged. IndeVets never rushed me. .

• There was no sales pitch, no subtle pressure.
• My questions were always answered with patience
• Low-pressure, transparent conversations
• Trust to make the decision on my own timeline

The pattern I needed to break

In many of my past roles, no matter how much I gave, there was always more to do, more to be, more to fix. Expectations were high, sometimes unspoken, and sometimes unreasonable. Though I took pride in my work, I often felt pressured to mold myself into someone else’s idea of the “ideal” doctor. Trying to keep everyone happy and do the right thing for your patients is exhausting. And over time, I learned not to trust easily.

• Openness could be weaponized.
• Promises rarely led to real change.
• I stopped asking for help because experience taught me not to bother.

Keep your head down, do your job the best you can, and move on when you burn out. This was not a cyclical pattern that I wanted to remain stuck in.

What felt different at IndeVets, from day one

Joining IndeVets was the moment that pattern finally broke.

Almost immediately, I noticed the differences.

• Curiosity instead of checklists
• Appreciation for individuality, not just output
• Gratitude is expressed often—not for perfection, but for presence
• Information flows freely and collaboration feels natural
• Being asked what I wanted to bring to the table, not just how to fit in

IndeVets genuinely wanted to know who I was and I finally felt appreciated for the strengths, perspectives, and lived experiences that make me who I am. And what stands out most is that I’m not asked to constantly do or be more. I’m thanked simply for being me. That shift has changed how I show up every day.

Growth without burnout

IndeVets also supports my growth in a way I’ve never experienced before. In past roles, “growth” often meant more responsibilities with little support or development opportunities that served the company more than the individual.

It’s so different at IndeVets. Growth is personal and collaborative.

• I’m encouraged to explore my interests
• I have support to expand my skills
• There’s an emphasis on quality medicine
• I’m encouraged to maintain clinical boundaries. “No” is not a bad word.

Instead of being pushed to become someone else’s ideal, I’m supported in becoming a better version of myself.

Advocacy that feels like support

This culture is sustainable, empowering, and deeply motivating.

Another meaningful difference is the advocacy team. In the past, bosses often felt like extensions of corporate, focused on what I needed to do differently. At IndeVets, advocacy feels like support, not scrutiny.

• They lead with curiosity.
• My whole person matters.
• Wellness is a priority

HQ doesn’t feel like an “us versus them” dynamic; instead, there’s transparency, shared values, and a genuine commitment to collaboration. Here, collaboration isn’t just a stated value; it’s a lived reality. I’m invited into the conversation of what we’re doing as a company, what is or isn’t working, and what we’re seeing in the hospitals we visit. This openness fosters a sense of respect and belonging.

Support that makes my work more meaningful

Feeling supported doesn’t just make my job easier; it makes it truly meaningful. When you’re in an environment that recognizes your worth and invests in your growth, you don’t have to chase validation. You can focus on doing your best work with a clear mind and an open heart. And that makes me a better doctor, colleague, and teammate.

At IndeVets I finally get:

• Protected lunch breaks
• Time for thorough notes
• Support through burnout recovery (shout out to Dave Shuey who truly understands mental health and provides the tools to protect it)
• Access to a trusted doctor community to listen and lend support

After years of searching for a place where I could feel aligned, appreciated, and able to grow authentically, I’ve finally found it. And that makes all the difference.

Looking ahead—a better future for vet med

My hope is that as IndeVets grows, we will continue to help shape veterinary medicine into a better, healthier place. It starts with happy, kind, supported doctors doing their best every day in clinics. But there are so many ways we can help the industry—from the burnout-recovery tools I’ve gained through our program, to mentorship, to the leadership programs—because let’s be honest, vet school teaches you a lot of medicine but not a whole lot about communication or tough conversations.

Having access to authentic, thoughtful leadership and communication training is priceless. This is the kind of support that make us not only better doctors, but better teammates, leaders, and humans. And I’m grateful to be part of a place that invests in that kind of growth.

As I look ahead, I feel genuinely hopeful, not just for myself, but for the future of veterinary medicine. If we keep investing in doctors as whole people, not just producers of work, we can create a version of veterinary medicine that feels sustainable, compassionate, and deeply human. I’m grateful to have found a place that believes in that vision and empowers me to live it. And I’m excited for the chance to help make vet med a better place, one clinic, one day, and one doctor at a time.