The First Veterinary Job Where I Truly Felt Like I Belonged

After years of searching for the right workplace, I finally found a place where being myself was enough.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing people who I now consider friends, and even family. During that same time, I 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 single day. A place 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 honestly, I didn’t want to be asked to work on Christmas Eve.

Discovering IndeVets (and being a little skeptical)

I first came across IndeVets while doom scrolling on Instagram. Typical millennial behavior. The vets looked genuinely happy. But don’t they always look that way on company profiles?

I listened to one of their webinars about becoming an Associate IndeVet. It sounded great. Maybe even a little too good to be true.

After years of hearing what people thought I wanted to hear, only to realize later that the grass wasn’t actually greener, I wasn’t sure I could trust it.

A Conversation That Changed Everything

Then I learned that an acquaintance, who’s now a friend, worked at IndeVets. We met for lunch and started talking about veterinary medicine.

She shared her experience at IndeVets and introduced me to others who could explain what working there was really like. Those conversations were some of the most transparent and low-pressure discussions I’d ever had about a job.

I left intrigued, but I wasn’t quite ready to make the leap.

Over the next year, I thought about what I actually wanted for my future. I’d spent almost ten years moving from one GP position to another, hoping the next one would finally feel different.

The classic definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

That’s exactly how I felt.

But IndeVets never rushed me. There was no sales pitch. No subtle pressure.

My questions were answered honestly, and I was trusted to make the decision on my own timeline.

The Pattern I Needed to Break

In many of my previous roles, no matter how much I gave, there was always more expected.

More to do.
More to fix.
More to prove.

Expectations were high, sometimes unspoken and sometimes unrealistic. I took pride in my work, but I often felt pressure to mold myself into someone else’s version of the ideal doctor.

Over time, I became more guarded.

Openness could be used against you.

Promises rarely led to real change.

Eventually, I stopped asking for help.

Instead, I followed the routine many veterinarians know too well. Keep your head down. Do the best job you can. And move on when burnout catches up.

It was a cycle I couldn’t stay in forever.

What Felt Different at IndeVets

Joining IndeVets was the moment that pattern finally broke.

• Curiosity instead of checklists.
• Appreciation for individuality, not just output.
• Gratitude expressed often, not for perfection, but simply for presence.
• Information flowed freely and collaboration felt natural.
• I was asked what I wanted to bring to the table, not just how I could fit into someone else’s system.

IndeVets genuinely wanted to know who I was. For the first time in a long time, I felt appreciated for the strengths, perspectives, and lived experiences that make me who I am.

I’m simply thanked for being me.

That shift has completely changed how I show up at work.

Belonging Beyond One Hospital

At first, I didn’t realize this sense of belonging wasn’t tied to one hospital or one team.

It came from being part of a broader community of veterinarians who support one another across clinics and cities.

There’s always someone willing to talk through a case, share advice, or listen after a difficult day.

That kind of support changes how you experience this profession. You’re no longer navigating veterinary medicine alone.

Growth Without Burnout

IndeVets has supported my growth in a way I hadn’t experienced before.

In past roles, growth often meant taking on more responsibility without meaningful support. Development opportunities tended to benefit the company more than the individual.

Here, growth feels different.

I’m encouraged to explore my interests.

I have support to expand my skills.

Quality medicine is prioritized.

And importantly, I’m encouraged to maintain clinical boundaries. Saying no isn’t seen as a weakness.

Instead of being pushed toward someone else’s version of success, I’m supported in becoming a better version of myself.

Advocacy That Feels Like Support

Another meaningful difference is the advocacy team.

In past roles, managers often felt like extensions of corporate leadership, focused on what I needed to do differently. At IndeVets, advocacy feels like support, not scrutiny.

My whole person matters.

Wellness is a priority.

HQ never feels like an “us versus them” dynamic. There’s transparency, shared values, and a genuine commitment to collaboration.

Part of what makes this possible is the structure behind the scenes. IndeVets has clinical leaders and support teams whose job is to advocate for doctors and ensure we have the resources to practice great medicine.

If something isn’t working at a placement, we aren’t left to navigate it alone.

Looking Ahead

For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful about the future of veterinary medicine.

When doctors are supported as whole people, not just producers of work, the entire profession benefits. We become better clinicians, stronger teammates, and healthier individuals.

I’m grateful to have found a place that believes in that vision.

That’s what I spent a decade looking for. I’m glad I finally stopped settling for less.

And I’m excited to be part of building a better future for veterinary medicine, one clinic, one day, and one doctor at a time.