I see you, I see the battles you fight through.
I see you on the days that feel like they'll never end and I see you in your car, wondering whether you should turn around and head back in.
I see you, my Vet friend and I see you in all of my fellow Vet friends.
I know that you shed tears for all the ones you couldn't save, I know this because I do it too.
Are you okay?
I don't have to be a fly on the wall, to hear what they say. They've said it to me, they say it to us all. We hear it alot more than we should.
"YOU DON'T CARE."
"YOU'RE MONEY HUNGRY AND GREEDY."
"IF YOU CARED, YOU'D DO IT FOR FREE."
Don't listen dear Vet friend, I see your capable hands at work. I see you put your blood, sweat and tears in to all that you do. I see your heart pour out in the task at hand.
So much knowledge, so much study to be so underrated within our community it seems, with a less than expected award wage too.
I see you. Rich with love, but not with cash.
It's all for the passion that they say you don't have.
I know what you see day in day out. I see it too.
The cases that come in three days late, yet only moments too soon, so they place the blame on you. You did all you could and all they'd allow you to do.
You do all you can, dear Vet friend. I see it. I live it. Day in day out, we're there to lend our helping hands.
For the welfare cases, cases of neglect, human ignorance and even plain abuse. You just can't understand it and no one should have to. Yet, you're kind and too forgiving, you give everyone plenty of chances to do what's right.
I hear them, as they spit venom in their words when they speak to you. On the phone, in consult, outside, online, in their email, and on social media too.
They talk down at you. They talk to me that way aswell. How can't they see, just how much we just want to help. We want to help so much that it becomes baggage that we drag around at our feet.
Are you doing okay?
The exhaustion from feeling so much compassion. All that caring, it really takes it's toll. It can make us heavy and constantly tired. Yet still, you run on fumes even when your tank is already empty.
On the days that almost every other paitent needs some help over the rainbow bridge, I can see your struggle. I can feel it in my core. It's alot when so many need this, in just one day. But you won't ever complain.
It's always so bitter-sweet to assist in end of life procedures to allow beloved paitents the dignity of a peaceful and painless passing. Even when we can please the family so perfectly, it can leave a dark cloud hanging over the day.
Could anyone even imagine screaming in a Vet's face; "YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL MY DOG"? And can you even imagine that some members of the public expect euthanasia to be a free service, because it's so heart breaking for them. It's heartbreaking for us all.
Have you ever had to hear someone tell you not to worry about the estimate for care or an end of life procedure because a bullet is cheaper or have them tell you that they'll "JUST RING IT'S NECK".
It's the guilt trips over bills that you cannot control, a guilt that you don't need to carry at all.
Are you okay, my Vet friend?
It's so hard to hear the voices of reason over so many unreasonable voices of clientele. But hang in there Vet friend, because so very many know that your heart is true.
I see you, my Vet friend. I know how you carry your patients with you, every where that you go.
I know how they stay on your mind when you try to switch off at night. I know it, because the thought of my patients keeps me up too.
You work long days, nights and weekends. You miss your lunch more often than you take it. You must be dehydrated, I guess that helps with the lack of toilet breaks.
Are you okay?
I see how you raise and nurture animals that had to be surrendered. It all comes out of your own pocket and keeps you up around the clock. You do it anyway because you know the sweet babies deserve more than the humans that failed them. We all end up doing this at one point or another.
I see you Vet friend. You do it all. You do it for little reward. You expect no praise. You're a super hero in my eyes. A warrior for living kind.
Be brave, soldier. For I see you.
You're passionate, compassionate, an advocate.
You're the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Please be okay, my Vet friend and lean on me when you're in need. Off load everything that you're so used to holding in.
For this earth cannot afford to lose one more angel like you.
You are loved and you are needed.
It's okay to not be okay. Please tell me honestly; Are you okay?
*****************
Note to the public:
If you have read this far, thank you so much.
I would like to acknowledge that some of the points that I have tried to outline are very triggering. They are also a very real part of working and making a career in the Veterinary industry.
I would also like to mention that the vast majority of clientele that we see across the board are absolutely beautiful people, that are caring, understanding and supportive of their Vets, Nurses and support staff.
However, although they're the minority far too many clients are rude, aggressive and abusive. It needs to be said that this behaviour is unacceptable in all fields, to all people and to all professionals wherever you are in the world.
Can you imagine another human being ending their life because 'you' had a bad day, said some harsh, uncalled for words and inevitably pushed them over the edge? Please consider the impact that you can have on another. Try to put yourself in the shoes of those trying to help you.
And ofcourse, remember, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
If you love your pet, love your Vet. Love your Nurses, love the support staff. We're here to help and I assure you, we're trying our best.
Be kind.
Statistics:
👩⚕️ Veterinary professionals are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general public.
🧑⚕️ On average in Australia one Veterinary professional will commit suicide every twelve weeks.
👩⚕️ 42% of Veterinarians experience burnout during their career, this is twice the number of that of the general public.
🧑⚕️ 1 in 6 Veterinarians have contemplated suicide.
👩⚕️ 37% of Veterinarians consider leaving the industry within the next twelve months.
Resources:
Australian Veterinary Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Ltd is one of the only organisations providing training for wellbeing skills.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) offers a Graduate Mentoring Program that provides training for mentors to recognise depression and anxiety and support graduates through their transition into the workforce.
The AVA also provides a 24/7 telephone counselling service on 1300 337 068.
If you or someone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 131114, or Beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
It's so great to see many Veterinary practices getting staff qualified in Mental Health First Aid courses also.
I highly recommend everyone in the industry to undergo training in MHFA at the earliest opportunity.
Further viewing:
I would like to encourage everyone that hasn't already, that would like to know more and understand how Veterinary professionals are treated and the struggles that they face on a daily basis, to watch the following program that first aired on SBS.
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