"There is nothing more soul-crushing in life than having the skills and ability to help something helpless and you can't do it because someone can't afford treatment." This is exactly it, thank you.
Sadest thing is most veternarians are leaving not because they are not intrested or incapable but because of accumulated dissatisfaction and impatience
That hits me deep. The reason I became a vet was because of the same incidence that happened to me twice. I saw a bird hit the window and break its neck. If I had acted quickly and done something it wouldn’t have died. I watched it die. I felt responsible. Then the next one was my dog, who died because of my parents ignorance.
Bobby Gene Tummolo: Most people do not have health insurance, and if they do, their insurance doesn’t cover nearly enough. As well, most people that file for bankruptcy do so for medical bills even though they have insurance.
There's literally hundreds of careers that pay the same/better than vet that are a fraction of the stress. No one goes into this field "just for the money."
Absolutely. With how absolutely competitive and difficult it is to even get into vet school... In some cases, it's harder to become a vet than a doctor. For some reason, people have the idea that doctors are superior to vets, when in reality the amount of studying and hands-on clinical practice you need is the same. Not to mention course fees are pretty much the same, but vets don't even get paid a quarter of what doctors are paid. People also don't realise that there are many more universities offering courses for human medicine than veterinary medicine, so the demand for vet courses is very high, and the entry requirements are extremely tough. If vets were in it for the money, they were better off becoming doctors... but they stuck to their guns and chose to be vets. Mad respect.
Rhiannn :3 One of my husband’s vet school classmates did not get into vet school when he had first applied, so he went to medical school instead. He spent a few years working in an underserved area that got him much (if not all) of his student loans paid off, then reapplied to vet school. (He was accepted this time 😉) He paid for vet school by covering weekend emergency room shifts at small rural hospitals (for humans) while attending classes during the week. Several years ago, my husband looked up his number and gave him a call. “So, are you living the dairy vet dream you always had?” “No, I do veterinary work 2 days a week, and human medicine 3 days a week” “Why?” “You wouldn’t believe how much better the human clinic was willing to pay me” Mind you, general practice MDs aren’t exactly rolling in the dough either in many cases. Us? We live a comfortable life, but we certainly are not “loaded” as our daughter’s friend once assumed. My husband’s vet school loans were about equal to what my parents had paid for the house they lived in when he and I got married. But they had 30 years to pay off that loan, at the time my husband graduated vet school, student loan repayment plans were for 10 years. Every dollar not spent on food, clothing, or housing pretty much went to debt reduction.
@@rhiannn3416 I just graduated as a vet, and I disagree with some points. At least from my experience with friends who are or studying to be doctors, they learn much more details than we do. A former classmate of mine started out in vet school dropped out to go to med school was easily the top of the class in vet school, but just average in med school.
Both my parents are vets and when I was little it was all I wanted to do. As I got older and watched them get repeatedly barraged at 3am, on holidays, on their few and far between days off, by clients demanding free or discounted work, calling them greedy, calling them horrible things, I decided I couldn’t handle the profession, and I didn’t pursue it as a career. I cannot tell you how much money my parents have spent out of their own pockets giving “free” and discounted work over the decades. I’ve watched them lose loyal clients they’d helped for many years because another client lied about them. You would be shocked to hear the many, many stories vets could tell you. Please, please, please be considerate of your veterinarians.
thank you for this inside as a child of veterinarians. I wish I could have more perspective from people in your position actually. Growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian but everything just took a turn for me as I got older. I ended up working in a pet hospital for almost 2 years, but I couldn't handle it ( let alone, any employment for that matter), but Im currently a pet groomer and I still feel almost the same pressure, giving discounts and explaining the same thing I do almost daily to the everyday pet owner. Its not fair to pet professionals who have to make a living do what they LOVE. It's like, its either you want a trustworthy place to take your pets, or you don't. Money should not be an issue when it comes to our pets. I hate that. I think, regulation for who can own a pet should be tightened, and like Melanie said MINIMUM 1 year vet appointments. Even though 2 is better, because they have such shorter lifespans, so many things can spring up in a shorter amount of time with our babies. I just love this video so much. I knew we had a hard job but I feel like she's an angel sent because pet parents really had no idea. I will share this video to EVERYone I know.
Clearly it isn't the animals who are the problem, it's the people which is why I prefer animals and probably one of the key reasons that people go into the veterinary profession...
So I’m 15 I want to be a veterinarian , I’m trying to learn some stuff from the internet but I couldn’t find anything that actually veterinarian study. So if you know from where or a way to help me please dm me on insta. And I’ll be so grateful. And thanks a lot for reading this. !!! My insta. Shmhart. ❤️❤️❤️
I’m a pre-vet student right now and this video was so insightful and struck me. I know it’s not going to be easy. I know that I’m at high risk for suicide because of the profession I’ve chosen. But I also know that I love animals and want to help them.
Hi, I wish you good luck ! Being a vet was my dream so I understand, I'm in vet school right now and I want to quit (I'm currently looking for a new path, a new career). So here is just a tip : be extra careful of your mental health, take care of you and communicate whenever what you see/feel does not get along with your values on how we should treat animals. Take care !
You have no idea how much a card, or a simple honest thank you makes to our day. I personally have all our cards and kind messages on a pin board in the break room. Many days it's one of the few things that keeps me going.
Same here! I think many of our problems can be solved through assertive communication and understanding. I saved this video to re-watch it when i get a pet of my own. Thank you all hardworking veterinarians for your service❤️
Just a reminder: pet insurance is a thing and it’s way cheaper than paying for just annual visits! do some research on the best ones and tell people who have animals as well!
As a small animal veterinarian, this is a beautiful and honest talk.. nothing hits us more than when a sick pet, who can’t afford treatment, say words about how we don’t care.. we have devoted our life to animals, their care, letting them a quality life, and when the time comes, humane euthanasia... I love my patients, it hurts to let them go... we truly spend so many night, after a long day, for the ones we can’t see. Thank you for your talk, and I am going to share it ❤️
Kimberley Herron Thank you for helping our pets. I hate to hear that people will try to use hurting words in that situation. Pets experience health problems and that’s not the vet’s fault!
Yeah clients will never win that one haha! We give up 8 yrs of income and acrue 200000 debt to help other's pets but they won't spend money on a vaccine for their own pet. I once had a woman who allowed her sweet litte spaniel to be chewed up badly by the neighbor's dog. For lack of a 6 dollar leash she now faced a 600 dollar bill. She told me I didn't love animals because I didn't treat her dog for free. I told her I loved animals but the guy who held mortgage and the checkout lady at the grocery store didn't really care. The look on her face was priceless...
I think veterinarians are the most compassionate people. You have to put down your patients while trying to be there for their owners. I had to put my elderly cat down this year and my vet clinic sent me a rose and a card as condolences. They really don’t get the recognition they deserve. Also, they don’t get the pay offs from Medicare or Medicaid while reaping the benefits of working for a hospital.
Potpuno istinito ali ja imam macu i stvarno nemam novacA spasila sam ju s ulice i sad je stara i treba veterinara neznam kako cu to izvesti mislim da bi drzava trebala pomoci nama siromasnijima i placati bar dio za to veterinarima jer i mi siromasni volimo zivotinje i nekoliko puta sam zaista morala uspavati zivotinju jer nisam mogla platiti lhecenje molim svatite koliko puta sam ja razmisljala da se zbog slicnih stvari ubijem
Really great job Dr. Bowden. I'm a veterinary oncologist and I was stressed re-living that day with you. Sometimes I want to scream, "I am just one person"
Dr. Kaz- thank you for your work. Our schnauzer just passed at 14.5 years after battling nasal carcinoma. The oncology profession is so valuable and gave our little guy almost 2 years of additional time with us.
It must have been so tough and I prob can't even imagine how tough it was. I am so glad that you survive! Just wanna tell you that you are really brave and I really support you!!! -from a vet student
@@cay3926 Must have been! I'm trying to be a vet-tech, suicide isn't an option, animals need help and one less person means one less animal surviving. We must learn how to take care of ourselves together and maintain a healthy mind even with the stresses our job holds on us.
What we're asking is for people to take responsibility for their actions. Don't get a pet if you can't afford treatment, and if you do, don't blame the vet for when your bad decision and inability to properly care for the animal is the primary problem.
Okey, I get your point and it's completely right nobody should blame the vet but when you get a pet, you instantly think about the basics food, vaccines, etc. but you never really think of when they get sick or develop diabetes or cancer. Although they will get something, they will die and I think that every owner is conscious about that fact and it's hard to let them go
@@valeritys3330 Which is why you she's saying that you SHOULD. It's like saying you have a child and don't think he/she will ever go to school and you have to pay for their school fees. It's irresponsible to think that your child/pet will never be sick and never grow old. Pets will die within your lifetime and you have to think of everything before you think of having one.
Valeritys 33 ... and don’t get a breed that’s prone to cancer, or a breed that’s prone to arthritis or hip dysplasia or a breed prone to... heck, better stay away from getting any dog. Period. Because they’re ALL prone to SOMETHING. Fact is ANY animal you get is bound to get sick at some point, and if you research the kind of pet you’re getting they DO “come with a side note with the diseases they will have in the future”. Two of my Rotweillers and one of my Dobermans all got bone cancer and I knew they were prone to that disease when I was making the decision to get another one. You absolutely must consider the possibilities of what’s down the road for you and your pet. One day the end always comes and it usually comes with a lot of vet expenses from treating whatever disease your pet might get right to putting it down and having to make that very hard decision but the point is you have to know that this is what you’re going to have to face in the end and it’s not going to be your vets fault.
@@jihyundaisychoe97 I mean yeah, of course pets get sick, I never said they don't I just pointed out that when you get one you just think of the basic stuff that they would need
@@adeaxel3125 No, they would get sick they are not inmune to anything, it's just that you think of the basics nobody wants to think about your pet getting sick, although they will die someday I know, that's inevitable
Honestly, from my experience, it seems like the reason so many people are surprised at a Vet's life is because to this day, people fail to understand that Veterinarians are Doctors, as much as an MD or DO is a doctor. We both study the very same systems, drugs, processes... the list goes on. The difference lies in that while MDs learn specifically about Humans, Vets learn about everything from fish to our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. I genuinely believe a Veterinarian is more capable of treating a human than a Medical Doctor is capable of treating our pets. To a vet, a human is just one more species. To a md, a dog or cat is a whole new world of muscles, bone structures and medications they may have never heard of before. Respect your vets. Society and, unfortunately, even some doctors see vets as our dumber, second cousins but the truth is far from that. I have no greater respect for anyone than I do the vets and vet colleagues I know from my time in medical school, till now.
Human Medicine is way more specialized and in-depth than veterinary medicine will ever be. Becoming a practicing veterinarian is difficult, but become a practicing physician (MD) is a longer, harder challenge without a doubt. I'm a veterinarian from a medical family (my mom was a nurse, dad was a pharmacist, brother is an MD, my girlfriend is an MD/Ph.D student, and my gf's mother is a nurse practitioner).
@@kuchmatt807 I'm a practicing MD, and I spent the same amount of time in Med School as some of my close friends spent in Vet Med School. We almost went through school perfectly simultaneously, but because of both schools being part of the same larger university, we spent most of our school lives in regular contact. I can confidently say, having personally seen the things they covered and compared it to what I did, that what they had to study to complete their DVM was just as comprehensive, in-depth and complex as what we had to study to complete our MBBS. In fact, in the university we actually had a number of shared classes over the years with the DVM students because the content being covered was near identical. I can't speak on how MPhil or PhD students compare in terms of studies because I have not personally been able to compare the content required of those in Vet Med School vs Med School. Given that, I find it incredibly difficult to say that it was longer or harder to become an MD versus becoming a practicing Veterinarian, because from my experience this has not been the case. In fact, in some ways I could argue that they had it harder in Vet Med than I did in Med School given that they did indeed cover multiple species as comprehensively as I did for one. I do recall some species being given much more in-depth coverage than others (which is understandable as I can't imagine it is possible to be that extensive with every known species of animal) however those species that they did go in-depth with (cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and fowl are among those I remember) their syllabus rivaled our own extensive studies.
@@envytee9659 Agreed. I'm a veterinarian and my girlfriend is an MSTP student in M2 year. Biomedical coursework is similar, but clinical studies are very different. Without a doubt, human medicine is more specialized. Yes, we SOMETIMES study the same systems, SOMETIMES the same drugs, and SOMETIMES the same diagnostics. There are way more drugs and diagnostics utilized for human health. In veterinary school, we mainly focus on dogs, cats, horses, cattle. It's a myth that we learn all species in vet school. The depth of practice varies between species, still does not compare to human health. Research in veterinary medicine is poor compared to human medicine. Humans have insurance, pet insurance works on reimbursement. Most veterinary care is paid out of pocket. This all limits the scope of practice of a veterinarian vs MD. Although there are similarities and parallels, the differences are huge.
I have said more times than I can count that I would much rather be treated by my veterinarians (and all their specialties) than by my own medical doctors. In fact, when I was being treated for cancer and one of the questionnaires said "tell us something we should know about you", I said I wanted to be fully informed and accepted as a member of the treatment team, as I am by my veterinarians. There is no perfect science and we can expect no more than any medical professional acting on the best information available at the time. I think veterinarians are put in untenable situations much more often than other doctors.
My daughter is a 28 yr old vet. I am so proud if her. She asked me to watch this. I had no idea what she goes through. Thank you for helping me understand. Greg
I am now a 4th yr student in veterinary medicine in the Philippines. And, most people (not saying all of them) here dont really appreciate vets, they always say that being a vet is easy because they only take care of dogs and cats... But they dont know the whole truth... I am so proud to be a vet student.. And so proud of all the vets all around the world...
Alexie John Lood I'm also planning to take up vetmed here in the Philippines but the negative perception of Filipinos towards the profession is holding me back a little bit. Most of the people here get pets out of impulse.
@@u_u6308 there is that but dont let that get in your way in becoming your dream job.. Like i said not all. There are people who really appreciates vets. So dont let fear interfere with your dream.
As a kennel attendant, I have never thought about a veterinarian’s day being like this. The vet I work for isn’t always the nicest, but I think I can understand why a little more now. Thank you for your beautiful words and for allowing me another point of view. I hope as many people as possible can see this.
I've also worked as a kennel assistant. The last vet I worked at goes non-stop. She is making her phone calls on her lunch break. She'll be there after we are closed filing out her medical notes and making phone calls. She'll take in all emergency cases even when she's booked solid. She's really amazing.
Hey this comment was kinda from a while ago, but as someone who worked as a kennel attendant too before moving into more of a vet assistant position (and is now about to start vet school), I definitely remember feeling the same way about one or two of the vets I worked for initially. Moving into that assistant position though, I got more perspective of their daily struggles, and came to understand how hard it was being in their position. It was stressful, and it takes a lot of communication skills I think people don’t usually associate with vets. At the end of the day, you have to see the people too to see the animals, and interactions with them (and coworkers too) can make or break your day.
This is so horribly sad. As someone who paid anything and everything i could to save my pets, I have never blamed the vet. I always suspected that it is heart breaking to be a vet
It is so heartbreaking because they have to put animals down they know they couldn't save. Being a vet is all about the love of animals and having to put them down or not being able to save them makes a veterinarian feel like a failure and they have to mask their true emotions to remain professional. It's so sad when people blame the vet for anything that happens. Sometimes doctors just unfortunately lose some patients.
Every day you watch innocent animals suffer for the cheapness, carelessness and heartlessness of humans and you can't take them all yourself. I had one woman threaten to report me to the licensing board because i refused to put down her fiance's husky. Even though i gave her husky rescue info then offered to take the dog myself. Somehow she thought i was a killer for hire...
@@danarzechula3769 that's terrible... It's so bad how people will get animals and then they don't want them anymore and their next step is to just immediately kill them. It's sick what people do to animals.
I figure it's probably just the stress of their own lives and the life-threating conditions that might afflict their pet, but I wonder what some think vets are like While fictional, there's this situation where a nurse accidently mislabeled a dosage on medicine and the patient is essentially unable to be saved, but the documentation stating this is still around, it just hasn't been seen except by the nurse, so after disposing of the documentation, they walk through the "ghost" of the recently deceased patient, and I wonder how accurate it sticks to the selfish and malicious nature some people label emergency workers
I'm a vet student rn, and I've spoken to many vets, worked in my fair share of clinics and vet hospitals and the most common thing I hear is that it isn't euthanasias that are the hardest. Euthanasia is most often a good thing. When you a patient presents to you struggling to breathe, walk, stand, drink, urinate, etc. Putting them to sleep is the right thing to do. That's not the hard part. The hard part is seeing patients suffer because clients don't want to treat their animals due to financial reasons, or simply just not caring. In those situations, trained as we might be we can do nothing to help those patients. So we must watch them suffer, struggle to walk out the door, struggle to catch it's breath. We might be lucky to send them away with painkillers in those cases. That's the hard part. Vets also often get pinned as the bad guys too, later, when clients complain that their pet has declined further. "why isn't this medication working". And then believing that we just want money for them. There is only so much drugs can do. We can only give so many painkillers until they're not strong enough anymore. My only advice to anyone reading this is. 1. Be kind to your vets 2. Don't get a pet if you can't afford the time or the money. Period. Just don't. Pets are a luxury, not a right.
I’m speechless. We have a close family friend who’s a vet. He always seems so happy. I can’t believe he could be going through this and no one knows he’s struggling. I’ve hidden my struggles before and I would never wish that on anyone.
Erings Grace You would be SHOCKED by what is going on under the surface. I have known of several veterinarians that didn’t seem in distress who took their lives. Part of being a professional is putting on that face that Dr. Bowden described and just looking at that situation in front of you. There is a lot of compartmentalization involved.
I wish they could get the recognition they deserve and get paid more. They do lifesaving procedures like surgeons with the increased difficulty of the patient not being able to describe their pain, what happened and when it happened, and where areas of pain are isolated. Vets also have to know the anatomy of multiple breeds and species and they have to know pediatrics to geriatrics and all the specialities in between whereas surgeons specialize in trauma, cardiology, neurology...etc and work together when needed while vets do all this thinking by themselves (or with a small team) and have to know the same spread of information that 3 or 4 surgeons would know when combined. And there's the argument for "human lives are more valuable" but vets get yelled at and told they don't care about the animals precisely because this thinking exists. Veterinarians take their patients lives just as seriously as doctors and surgeons do.
@Jenny Lake If you don't want to see a vet, don't get a pet. Simple little rhyme for you to remember. If you get a pet and don't bring it to get checkups bc you don't like paying vets, you're putting what you want over what your pet needs. If that's the case, get a fish.
Vets to not take their patients lives just as seriously as human surgeons do. A human surgeon would never suggest to euthanize a patient. It would be against the law. Whereas a vet will. Vet are the only medical profession where it is acceptable to kill the patient. Perhaps that has something to do with the suicide rate for vets. Euthanasia is actually considered "treatment."@@gingechicken7394
When I was 23 I got two kittens because they were cute. I didn't think about the decades-long commitment I was making. Now, 18 years later they both cats have kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and a slew of other health issues. They will need medications administered daily for the rest of their lives. It's expensive and time-consuming. But I love them and I accept it. I want them to be happy and comfortable in their golden years. Over the last 18 years, I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on bloodwork, vaccines, dental cleanings, etc. I have had to put expensive vet bills on my credit card and then slowly try to pay it off. If I could go back, I would tell my younger self to do exactly what Dr. Bowden said: get pet insurance or create a savings account specifically for your pets. Thank you to all the vets and vet technicians out there who work tirelessly to care for our fur babies!
J P yes. I believe you need to get a relatively inexpensive disaster like insurance and then have a savings account for the deductible and copay. It sounds like a lot but I think this will work best. I am a retired veterinarian and have insurance on all 3 pets because when my pet gets sick I want to do everything in terms of diagnostics and that gets expensive. So instead of trying to figure out which pet will need the most care I am going to do more of a disaster insurance with a high limit and have a savings account for the copay/deductible.
As a mixed practitioner for 29 years, it doesn't get any easier. Just last week I lost a dog to something I missed, and the owner graciously forgave me because she hadn't thought the actual problem was a viable one either. I appreciated this doctors perspective. Hang in there, enjoy the successes, learn from the failures. We never reach a point where we've seen it all.
I wouldn't blame my vet for missing a disease because experienced doctors miss out diseases on humans every day and that is normal. When a pet dies it dies no ifs or buts. If you know you did your best job that's all other people and customers can ask for.
What if the problem the animal had was viable and they died because of the vet's negligence? Should the owner forgive the vet, and feel sorry for the vet, and say "oh well" about their family member? If vets are so overworked and suffering burnout, how is that ultimately in the interests of animals? The vet in the video says she told the owner of the dog she saved that the dog needed to be taken to the emergency clinic or euthanized. Taking the financial part of out the story, the vet did not tell the owner he truth, because the vet then did save the animal's life without them being taken to the emergency clinic. That is the sort of thing that owners deal with, that vets seem to callous to the effect on the owner. Vets do not love the animal they are treating equally as much as the owner, any more than pediatrician loves a child equally as much as the parent. The difference is that a pediatrician would not say that they love the child as much as the parent does. Where honesty is lacking, whether in human or veterinary medicine, family members have a right to be angry.
As an emergency vet assistant and an exotic animal nutritionist, I can confirm this is not only accurate, but the compassion burn out is real. We care more about your animals than you think. We cry out of sight, and cheer for basic miles stones. Be nice to us and we’ll give you everything we have in our hearts.
Being a Mom to a Veterinarian, I will say this is 110% correct. I have watched over the years as she has "suffered" with pets/owners and you can't be a good doctor if you don't feel every situation.
This made me cry. This is my life. Every day. I love veterinary medicine. I love the animals. I hate the unrealistic demands and one angry mean or unreasonable client can ruin the day or even the week...
Thank you Dr. Bowden for starting this conversation on this level. As a veterinary practice manager I also believe that WE have to make this change by opening an honest dialog with our clients to make them aware of how their comments and lack of wiilingness to accept responsibility for their own pets affect us. Change has to come because our entire profession is at a tipping point, not just a percentage of veterinarians. It's technicians, experienced receptionists and managers too; they are all leaving the profession. Thanks again and I'm going to try to start a dialog at my practice.
IMO, a part of the solution is to have credentialed (LVT,RVT, CVT…) technicians leveraged at their full skill level to reduce the nursing care that I hear/see vets providing. Additionally, it’s controversial but I’ll say it, a mid level practitioner of vet med is needed more than ever. It’s frustrating that the profession is continuing to push back on this. I was a veterinary student 19yrs ago and after completing the first year, I had to withdraw from the program due to financial hardship. It’s in my heart to return but only with complete financial freedom and funding first. Debt is a soul crusher.
Thank you, Dr. Bowden! I’ve been a veterinarian for 20 years and can’t imagine doing anything else, but I found myself sitting here in tears listening to your beautiful talk. I love this profession, but you have also summed up the things I hate about it. Thank you for pointing out the responsibility that our profession needs to take for what needs to change from within, and thank you for clarifying for the public that their pet’s care is THEIR responsibility. I am there to help and give 110% but it’s not all on my shoulders. Please, people, save for pet emergencies, get pet insurance, GET THEM YEARLY CHECK UPS, and don’t get pets that don’t fit your lifestyle.
I've been a vet for about 2 years now and watching this video made me nervous as all the situations are so familiar. I am already thinking about changing the job, I don't know how people cope with it for 20 years!
I’m 15 and plan on become a vet assistant/tech, this video has almost made me rethink it.... not sure if I can handle all that stress, but maybe assistant/techs are not nearly as bad
@@therhinotronI'm a vet student right now but it's pretty easy to say that no, it's not as hard for a vet tech/assistant but it is still an incredibly difficult job with harsh standards
I'm going to write my vet a thank you card today. Our pet passed away at home this week from old age, and she'd been treated by them for various illnesses over the past year. She was only a little hamster (we're renting, and can only have small pets), but she was important to us and we were always treated with kindness and respect. If it weren't for our vet, she would have died last year when she got sick. Maybe just a few kind words from us might cheer someone up on a difficult day.
So sorry for your loss! A hamster, a dog, a cat, a bird, or turtle is not something little. It's a beautiful pet you loved and loved you back. Your Vet knew this and he treated your hamster as if it was a dog or cat. No difference. That's how you know you have a kind hearted Vet. What a beautiful gesture, the note. I'm sure will bring much cheer!
As a former veterinary technician and current veterinary receptionist, I can guarantee you that everyone in that clinic will be unbelievably deeply touched by that. Cards from clients make an *enormous* difference in our day. The people who hate us are very, very loud. Having the people who appreciate us be a little loud too means the world to us.
This is my day almost daily. You have ultimately have 3 choices. Don't care, quit, or suicide. Everday the pendulum swings from one extreme to the other usually in just an instant. If it doesnt go the way an owner wanted, then you are the next terrible person to vilify on social media. Combine that with your friends expecting you to be their personal vet on call for every little twitch they deem as abnormal. Personally I live a life isolated from anyone besides immediate family. No friends and no social life. After 17 years in this profession I don't like people anymore anyway.
As a freshman in college who plans to do this as a profession, I don’t know if I can do this. I only want to help, I could never put down a helpless animal or not give treatment because of financial obstacles. It would kill me. I don’t know what I’ll do at this point
@@zadkya he obviously went through years of vet school and paid tons of money for his education to be a vet because he loves animals in the first place. why else do you think he is still in the vet industry even after 17 years of fatigue. stop assuming that a fatigued vet secretly hates animals.
Saul re read the comment you replied on and re listen to talk. Imagine now and take the talk and multiply that a few times. That might be your worst day. And the talk as your best day. People want to say so long as you love animals. Ever hear the phrase. Love is not enough. I am not married but I think the phrase wasn't meant for marriage. Read up on comparison fatigue and burn out. You would be excused for thinking you are immune to these things if you are young. But no person is.
This was very eye opening. I want to become a veterinarian when I am older, and I knew a bit about compassion fatigue, but wow. Those statistics are crazy. I've never had mental health problem in the past but this does make me nervous. I still want to help animals though!
Please I'm in the same boat as you I'm taking classes and plan on continuing my veterinarian career listen it is scary it does sound like a crazy thing but you have to push past that and find the reason you wanted to become a vet in the first place and why it's special in your heart and keep on keeping om
Since you haven't already become addicted to an inflated take-home, don't. Charge people a REASONABLE amount of money and more people will gladly and quietly pay, and then you won't have all these uber-firat-world problems.
Don’t get pets if you can’t afford to take good care of them. After working in a vet clinic for almost a year, it’s one of the biggest issues we run into daily. A pet is not an accessory, it’s a living breathing thing. Also, be mindful with your words when interacting with clinic staff. Contrary to what it may seem, it’s a high stress environment. It’s like a hospital, but the patients can’t talk. So before you do something just think: “Would this be acceptable at a hospital?” Assumptions people make that are incorrect: 1) all vet hospitals and clinics are the same, have the same records on every pet, offer the same services, and accept the same forms of payment 2) if I don’t want to pay for something, I can scream at the billing department/receptionist until I get it for free 3) Vets don’t have the right to refuse me service 4) my pet can be treated anytime I want because I’m a paying customer (This is a big one. If you know something is wrong with your pet, don’t wait until they’re hanging on for dear life before you bring them in. If the vet techs and the doctor have left for the day, you’ll be redirected. No exceptions) 5) baths, nail trims, shots, grooming etc are simple things that should be free (this is another big issue we run into. It’s a service so it will not be free. These things can be so time consuming that there are actual positions delegated to different people to get these tasks done. In order for them to get paid, you need to pay for the service. Otherwise, you can teach yourself to do these things at home). 6) I can continue to ask the doctor questions even after I have left the office/hospital (it’s important you come with your questions. Doctors don’t have much time so after you leave the office, you’re no longer a priority. Not to say you don’t matter, but now that you’re gone we have other things to finish) 7)my vet will have everything I need and I can request anything and get it at the drop of a hat (vets often work with other vendors to have food, medicines, and other products in the clinic. But we do not always have everything at the drop of a hat. Especially with the pandemic happening, items can’t be promised. If you need something, make sure your hospital or office has it in stock before you run out. And if you need medical records, it’s always good to get those ahead of time instead of waiting until you’re in the lobby at your specialist visit. Records include a lot of info and the doctor has to approve them before they can be sent so more than 2 minutes notice would be great). TLDR: Love your vets so they can love on your pets ☺️
I cannot stress this enough!!! Please don’t get a pet unless you can afford it. While I try to be empathetic towards people who can’t afford treatment, I also think it is irresponsible to do. I have an emergency fund for all my pets and make sure if they’re sick they get the care they need.
Yes!! This so much! We had a client who's cat was gravely ill call everyday for a week just to let us know that it was our fault that she was dying because they did not want to administer the medications and IV fluids at home but could not afford to have her hospitalized. Mind you we only charged after the second emergency hospitilazion and he was sent home with everything he needed at basically cost. Being blamed for an animals death and suffering is hard when you know you have done everything you could've
Misanthropic TM That’s so responsible of you! I love pets but I won’t be getting another until I can finally afford the responsibility of having a pet full-time. Even fostering can be expensive so it’s important to think to keep money in mind when getting a pet.
Thank you Melanie. Continue to be strong and soft, thankful and yet cautious, healer and hopefully healed. My 30 years as a veterinary surgeon were the most fulfilling life I could imagine - complete as it was with countless: victories and defeats; saves and losses; solutions and frustrations; and times of elation as well as deep depression - in sum, a noble life. I spent almost as much time encouraging personal growth and development for my staff, my colleagues and their staffs, as I did the quality of veterinary medicine - for these goals are inextricably inter-related. I am not sure if I made much of a difference, but I still think that it is a critical undertaking for anyone in our profession (or not). It is shameful that such debt must now often be accrued by those entering the profession - a true failing of our profession, but more so of our society - and at a time where there is less chance to recoup those expenditures through practice ownership than anytime before. I desperately wanted to keep the ethos of veterinary medicine protected from private equity and corporate influence, came incredibly close to doing that, and failed. I am sorry, for that will forever add a burden to you and other younger veterinarians that few understand and it is now a trend unlikely to ever be reversed. Good luck with your career, continue to love all life, know that you make a real difference in the world, and despite it all, find peace - before scent rolling in it and sharing that peace with everyone you touch.
Pet insurance pet insurance pet insurance! I pay that premium every month and my words to anyone who thought it was silly to get my dogs health insurance was "I never ever want to be put in the place to make a choice between my pet living and me going financial debt and turmoil." My husky once ate an entire bowl of grapes and the relief I had being able to say to the vet "do anything you have to"...I can't even put into words. You should never blame the vet or office bc you can not afford to care for them. It's not their fault. They have to make a living as well. Understand the costs of owning a pet. Thank you for this. More people need to understand how their words can really effect others. ❤️
Pet insurance only covers you a few times before they complain and deny claims and blame it on pre existing conditions. I just set money aside for future expenses.
@@MrTmenzo not my insurance. I've made multiple claims. She ate grapes, she tore her tendon in her hock. Upset stomach issues. It's in my contract that they don't deny for multiple claims as long as there is justification from a vet of the illness. They also can't raise my premium just for filing a claim. Also I've had her on it since she was 6 months old...can't claim a pre-existing condition.
I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian but I chose practicality over aspiration. I chose to study business because it’s more feasible than Veterinary Medicine. And after watching this video, how I wish I could turn back time to pursue my dream. Being a veterinarian is truly grueling yet rewarding that’s why I have so much admiration and gratitude to them because of the dedication they give to our beloved pets. Thank you, Dr. Bowden and to all veterinarians out there! 💛
That is interesting. I always wanted to become a vet; instead I became a doctor and I am glad about my decision. Being a (human) doctor and at least in my country knowing that people can generally afford the treatment they need is much less stressful than the life I would have had as a vet. I also earn enough so I can give back to charity and help animals that way. That talk makes me really sad, veterinarians should get more acknowledgement for what they are doing.
Cyndertrack hey! Indeed, being a veterinarian is a tough job. Especially when dealing with terminally ill patients and then resorting to a heartbreaking option. But on another note, I’d love to volunteer and donate to animal rescue organizations, in that way I can still fulfill my dream of helping pets and animals. 😄
@@Cyndertrack That's interesting. How do you find medicine? I'm in my early years of vet school (our system works differently from the USA) and have recently been struggling with thoughts of maybe moving to medicine. Its hard to learn things only for it to be followed with a "if we were human doctors we would fix it, but with an animal they will be left/euthanized."
@@CeceSepi Don't you think every single vet has thought that at some point? Nobody is special. When someone is describing how the suicide rate is what it is, the dire mental health, the inability to have a work life balance, comments like this come across naive at best. But good luck to you, I hope you're right.
I am a veterinary student. I love to learn but as you know it is hard for whole time. I didn't see many videos about being vet and how it feels like.. this talk encouraged me! Best TEDx talk ever~
My beloved pomchi became very sick last weekend and I took her to an emergency hospital in Hoboken. Dr Bowden was her doctor. She was wonderful with my baby, but the treatment did not work and we had to say goodbye the next day. This was no fault of Dr. Bowden, and I came across this video while searching for ways to cope with the loss of my little girl. Your commitment makes a difference and I am so glad you are here to do it.
This was so informative and relatable. I’ve been a veterinarian for 6 years and vet school did not prepare me for compassion fatigue, being a financial consultant and days of burn out in this field. I had to take a year break doing relief so I wouldn’t spiral into a deep depression and almost considered a different career. I wish this was a course offered or educated to students to prepare them for the reality of vet med. Thanks for sharing.
With the statistics the way they are (and have been for so long), the fact that a class or presentation like this ISN’T a standard yet is baffling. Vet work will smother you into a fraction of the person you KNOW you are... And to walk into (or worse yet, get stuck in) the profession, initially totally oblivious just seems unfair.
Dont forget, on top of all that we are also having people arguing about what we learned in school, vs what a breeder or someone of facebook told them. Every day I hear the most outrageous things of what someone without any veterinary education told an owner to do... and in some cases, it becomes a life threatening situation for the pet.
I know! There is a terrible bulldog breeder in my area that has been giving out papers to new owners telling them: 1. never allow a vet to treat them with clavamox; it doesn't work. 2. Feed only grain free. never anything from Hill's, Purina, or Royal Canin. 3. they must free feed their bulldogs because they'll know when they're full. That's right, FREE FEED BULLDOGS
When I was younger I wanted to become a vet. Now I'm working with the opposite of a living creature: doing my masters as geologist (rocks, yaay). Even just seing a stray, skinny kitten or a dog with a lumping leg makes me cry and persuing that path would have been a bad idea because I don't have the emotional strenght it takes. So thank you to all the vets out there who are passionate and strong to help those animals in need !!
I started college as a bio/pre vet major. Half way through, I changed my major. For a while, I regretted that choice, but as I worked in Vet Clinics for almost 15 years as a tech, I stopped regretting that decision. I saw the toll it took on the doctors and the long hours they had to put in. I said NO THANK YOU ma'am. I respect veterinarians very much for what they do. They deserve kudos for sure.
what are the minimum requirements to work at a vet clinic? I want to get into the vet field but I do not want to be near the surgeries/blood work/etc since i am extremely squeamish. I only have a bachelors in sociology :/
@@puppyboos You don't really have to have any if you want to work as a kennel hand/receptionist etc but these positions may be competitive as many pre-vet and vet students are vying for these positions for extra experience.
Being a vet is an absolute dream of mine, I unfortunately struggle with depression and anxiety which hinders my learning ability, so it's unlikely but I appreciate and love the work you guys do. Thank you so much for your passion and services for our pets.
I’m just a technician, but I’m often in the room to either communicate with clients or on the phone with them in addition to my work in surgery, the lab or performing radiographs and assisting in the kennel. This is the most honest description of a veterinarian’s day I’ve ever heard.
Jeff Miller (& Erin Mathieson) The technicians at my small veterinary practice ARE absolutely “running the show”! They run around multitasking to a degree that makes my head spin. The vets depend on having a talented, quick-thinking, no-nonsense staff in order to keep their practice running efficiently. Don’t undervalue your position, you are an important gear in the works and you experience all of the same emotions as your lead doctor.
this made me cry. I have been wanting to be part of a vet team as a technician for years. After watching this, that feeling has grown. Thank you. Vets are one of the strongest people in the world. There needs to be more compassion and empathy towards your vets. Thank you for your hard work. incredibly said.
A must watch for pet owners. Going into vet school this year (hopefully) and I’ve seen my vet friends really struggle and I can only hope that when I am practising, things will have shifted a little for the better.
Thank you, Dr. Bowden. I know as my daughter works in an Animal Hospital. Her day crushes her and she is not even the Vet. Her love for animals moves her, as I'm sure is what started you down this path. It is not just a job, it's a ministry. God bless you and strengthen you. ❤
The regular population does not understand what all goes on behind the scenes. I’m not a vet, but I work in animal rescue and work closely with vets for the really sick or injured animals we take in... i can’t imagine. Thank you to all vets and animal caregivers. Not only are you dealing with sick and dying animals, you’re dealing with unsympathetic humans who chew you up and spit you out when the outcome isn’t what they expected
I’m a vet student. I want to be a mixed practise veterinarian because I don’t want to deal with small animal workings everyday. I want some large animal work too. At the same time I don’t want to specialise as a large animal vet only. I want to be able to work on anyone’s animal: equine, porcine, ovine, caprine, canine, feline etc.
Jetdot37 Me too! My hope is that by working in a mixed animal practice, I will develop confidence and knowledge in treating both large and small animals so that I can pursue teaching later in life
@@felippevidalsampaio4891 yes, im going to graduate this year too (if not for coronavirus i would have been graduate last month) and in my opinion treating all kind of animals is nearly impossible. maybe some people could do it but they mostly only know 'the superficial knowledge' of each animals. i think its better for us to choose one field so we can really focus on that and be the best at it. (can u understand what i mean? sorry my english isnt good✌)
@@felippevidalsampaio4891 As a current veterinary student, I must admit that this is your opinion and not a fact. At my university, our dermatologists, radiologists, or specialists overall work in the small animal hospital as well as in the equine and large animal hospitals at the same time. There are also other clinicians that prefer to stick to equine or dog/cat or exotics. It just comes down to preference. Some people do best working on the same species every day, others (like myself) prefer working with different kinds because they thrive on variety (as I have during my years as a veterinary nurse prior to veterinary school). Out of curiosity, will you be going into general practice, large animal, and what led you to that choice? I hope you have been able to finish all your rotations and the like even in spite of COVID-19. My uni has had all classes and practicals postponed and I am hoping to catch up soon!
I just graduated college to be a veterinary assistant. I’ve always had such a high level of respect for veterinarians, and this is a topic I feel extremely passionate about. If anyone in the world wants the best for your animal, it’s a veterinarian. They are there to heal, treat, and care for your pets when they need someone who knows how to do it. They give the gift of euthanasia- which literally means “good death”- when a pet is suffering, instead of letting the animal suffer to death. They are incredible human beings who take on so much more than anyone can imagine, all for their love of animals. They are heroic. I’ve been in the animal care industry my whole working life, including some volunteer work. It hurts to hear when anyone says negative things about the vet industry- but when you hear negativity about the industry from other animal care workers, it is beyond disheartening. I struggle with mental health problems, and just knowing how many people don’t understand the veterinary industry and criticize it- that alone is enough to send me into a really dark place. I don’t like humans, most of them are awful. This video made me cry. I’m going to share it with as many people as I can. Spread the word, hopefully more people will start respecting veterinarians the way the deserve to be respected. No one devoting their life to such an honourable cause should ever have to feel suicidal. What an awful world we live in.
Veterinarians are so under appreciated, they study all sorts of animals and help them through years of work. It really is a difficult job. I hope people realize how bad they sometimes treat their vet or more financial programs that could help with their student debt because it’s making more and more take their lives.
Thank you for this insightful talk. As a practicing veterinarian for 18 years now, your speech rings true. I wish more people would understand and appreciate what veterinarians go through on a daily basis and show compassion for those showing compassion to their beloved furry friends.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now..
Great speach and very nicely expressed. I am lucky to have done my Veterinary Degree in India where Government pays most of my college fees. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to be in debt for 30 years just because you choose your profession. Knowledge and education should be available and affordable to all.
As a former tech for 15+ years, I completely agree with all of this. From my own experience, however, many vets refuse to delegate what they can to others in their practice so they can unburden themselves at least somewhat. Many vets believe nobody can do it as well as they can, even for relaying normal bloodwork results or making maintenance recommendations. The right support staff can lighten that load, and still, so many vets don't utilize their staff correctly. I've found that not only does that make things harder for the vets while not utilizing good techs to the best of their training and abilities, it sets up precedence in practices where the clients expect to get everything directly from the vet and then start to refuse to speak with/deal with anyone else/ Smart vets must make good use of their educated staff, set up good protocols for dealing with clients, and then make sure everyone follows them.
Agreed. In addition to what Dr Bowden says veterinarians go through, imagine the technician who also suffers compassion fatigue, long hours with little pay, but also gets berated and belittled by the vet in a bad mood. We are often their punching bag.
I’ve wanted to be a surgeon since before I can remember because “I don’t mind cutting people open, but I don’t have the strength to work on animals”. I have absolutely nothing but respect for all the vets out there and the emotional toll it takes on you guys; I couldn’t do it in a million years. Thank you so much for helping to keep our best friends healthy 💕
I am a veterinarian and I want to applaud Dr Bowden for taking the time and effort to make this talk. These are ideas that need to be shared! Everything in this video is an exact example of my life on a daily basis. I have been a vet for 18 years and the emotional toll it has taken on me is often overwhelming. The extreme highs and lows on a daily basis are often hard to deal with and I agree that most clients have no idea. I do hope we as veterinarians find a way to change how things are done. Maybe this talk will be a pathway to change.
I never knew that being a vet was this hard. I am a students that wants to be a veterinarian in the future. Even after hearing this speech, I still want to be one. I respect all the veterinarians working in our world right now and how hard they are working. I hope that they get the recognition they deserve.
I work as a vet tech at an understaffed clinic and honestly its amazing to see this information out here like this. So many of our clients get angry or upset when we cant tend to them right away or if the vet is busy. We all care and want to do the best we can everyday. This is really accurate and amazing to see. Thank you so much for shedding light on this career.
This truly rang a bell. Every single thing, every single line. I'm a veterinary practitioner in India and I'm surprised that it's still the same world over. People's attitudes and the way they are ready to put the blame on the doctor. Kudos to you! This was so touching. I hope enough people view this video. If it changes even one person to think or act differently . I think that's good enough. And yes, people should NOT be given pets as gifts. They honestly don't know what kind of committment it is. It's exactly like a baby. And most people don't get that. They think it's all cute and furry. Till it's NOT.
This was a heartbreaking video and should be viewed by all pet owners. We must respect our veterinary professionals. We must understand what a day in their life feels like. We are witnessing a great shortage of these people in this profession. It haunts me to think about what we will do without them to turn to when our animals are in need.
Thank you thank you thank you!! I'm a veterinary technician. I relate to all of this. The hectic day, the switching from crying one minute to being cheerful the next. Not every day is like that, but there are enough to weigh on a spirit. I have been accused of not caring about animals and being in it for the money. If pet owners only knew........
Keep trucking! you guys all do amazing work! I'm currently studying to become a VT and regardless on how hard it may be. I want to do it. My husky puppy who is 7 months now, at 4 months was diagnosed with seizures and had to be put on medication for life. (Thankfully she is doing great now!) Vet and VTs were amazing and so compassionate.
I'm a veterinarian as well. Each and every bit of this makes sooo much sense in every day Life. One of the best TEDx talks. Everyone needs to understand this that our duty isn't just about cuddling pets. Thank you Dr. :) XOXO
let us also remember that even though it wasn’t stressed in the video, vet techs and receptionist need to be taken more into consideration. most vet techs and receptionists spend more time with the client than the actual veterinarians do. when it comes to payment, and phone calls, and deciding when to send to emergency clinics because we’re already double booked and understaffed to accept another urgent care exam. this is a profession wide issue. we are struggling. and it is so hard, but so rewarding in the long run. saving lives every day. very well spoken. as a receptionist at a large hospital, the morning she described is exactly spot on with what my clinic goes through everyday. not good, not bad, just flows. some days are harder than others. but we get through. NOMV
I am not a vet, but I have pets, so visits to a vet are usual. It is so strange - Dr. Bowden smiles and laughs through her whole speech, while I am crying and sobbing over a pile of napkins. When my dog died last year, I felt like I have lost everything, I just wished I could die there with her. I cannot even imagine how painful it is for vets to see pets die every day, and still stay strong and continue helping people and their fur babies. I just want to say thank you very much to this beautiful woman and every veterinarian out there for everything they do to help animals.
I currently have a horse with a tooth abscess that’s costing me a fortune and he needs a specialist to come, I have been working alongside my vet to treat him till the tooth can be removed, he has had X-rays done among other things. It broke my heart when he felt the need to thank me for being “such a good client” and being “such a relief to have a client that’s so easy to communicate with and so understanding”, I told him “there is no need to thank me, I couldn’t imagine how hard your job is, you’re doing everything you can to keep animals alive and happy and you’re helping my horse stay comfortable until his surgery and I’m forever thankful for that, you don’t need more stress with dealing with awful clients”. We also unfortunately had one of our old vets commit suicide a few years ago, it was awful, we lost a friend and out vet
I completed a Bachelor Degree of Veterinary Nursing and work alongside many Vets, whom I see as great friends. We are underpayed, underappreciated and often overwhelmed. Particularly with covid 19 restrictions this year in Victoria. My team is currently struggling with compassion fatigue BUT we all chose this career because we are passionate about what we do. It is hard. Very hard. But at the end of the day its worth it. It has to be. Thank-you to the Veterinary staff of the world 💖
Your story touched me greatly. It is inconceivable that you who have sacrificed so many years to provide us with the care of our pets have to work in these conditions. My hope is that there are enough people to advocate for all of you for better working conditions and more consideration, including ourselves as clients. You deserve respect and to work in a healthy environment where there is no risk to your health or life. Best wishes.
I'm not even five minutes into this video and I've already started crying and I have no idea why. I'm not a vet, but I have a deep love for animals and it makes me emotional to hear any animal's struggles. Thank you for what you and all vets do!
This is amazing. My wife is a veterinary oncologist and these are very similar to some of the stories she tells me everyday. When you factor in the emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis it can get very draining. I think open discussions like this that can educate pet owners is one of the many keys to improving the compassion fatigue that can be incredibly consuming.
This was a very well spoken TED talk. I didn't expect to be brought to tears towards the end of the comment of how after a long day or bad case we tend to go to a dark place. I have done that countless number of times. The only thing that gets me through those tough times is knowing that I tried my best! I am always striving to be a better veterinarian for my patients. I came out of school with a similar debt load and am always feeling the pressure of being in major debt that never seems to get down thanks to interest. Thank you for this speech and I hope more pet owners can see where we are coming from and that we do really care.
Thank you to this brave young woman for “coming out” on the HUGE stress load most vets carry. As a well informed individual, this talk has given me an even better insight into the strains vets encounter. I am forwarding this to one of the complainers!
I have nothing but the utmost respect for vets and vet techs. I have been fortunate to have ones in my life who have helped me so much with my 2 cats. I remember seeing the stress on their faces, as well. I could not do that job. My girls are gone now, sent Home by my wonderful hospice vet. Maggie on 11/30/16 and Hobbes (4/7/20)....
Thank you for mentioning Vet Techs as well. Although we don't carry the weight of diagnosing and figuring out treatment plans, we do everything else and get spread thin like butter trying to help the doctors, assistants, receptionists, and anything else. I'm a new Tech but I already see the compassion fatigue and burn out in others and how easily it can happen to anyone.
@@lonestray989 as a vet student i respect all vet tech and all people who work in the clinic. without vet tech, being a vet would be much stressful. i cant even imagine it. thank you for being a vet tech🙏
@@lonestray989 - Thank you for what you do. I know about compassion fatigue - it is excruciating to the heart, soul, and spirit. I was a police officer and got burned out after a year... 😒 BUT, that being said, the vet techs who took care of my girl, Maggie, who needed fluids three times a week, were always so gentle and kind to her - I will never forget that. I know they were/are overworked, and underpaid, but man oh man, when my girl and I needed someone to help us - they were there. God bless you and your work... there are many who appreciate what you do - honestly. 🧡
All my life I wanted to become a veterinarian. Once I graduated college and was about to apply, I realized that I knew I wasn’t mentally prepared or strong enough to be a veterinarian. Veterinarians are amazing people who are so well rounded and knowledgeable. There needs to be change.
Thank you for the powerful and poignant talk. I'm a retired ER nurse and one of my daughters is a DVM so we sometimes share our experiences but you have provided yet another perspective and it was very moving to hear you speak. Thank you for your candor and best of luck and success to you in your new business (Vacation Vet).
I am a small animal veterinarian here in the Philippines. Everything Dr. Bowden said about the practice, except for the high suicide rate, happens the same way here in our country. It is a consolation that as the number of small animal veterinarians here are increasing people become more conscious about responsible pet ownership. As a third world country this is a great challenge for us. The struggles of a small animal veterinarian everywhere in the world is one and the same. However, it is a consolation that despite the lockdown in our country pet parents have more time to spend with their pets and veterinary clinics are allowed to operate. We feel grateful that we continue to serve the pets and their human family amidst the global pandemic. To all the veterinarians in the world let us continue to practice our profession with great honor and dignity. To God be all the glory.
thank you. This was very emotional to watch. I appreciate the profession and the dedicated, compassionate professionals in the veterinary field even more so after watching this. I will always be grateful for how veterinarians have helped my dogs. Tell us how we can help communicate to the public to understand a day in your life as a veterinarian. I wonder what may have happened Dr. Bowden if you had cried in front of Ollie’s owners? Maybe, people need to see your vulnerabilities, too? I’d having nothing but respect and empathy for any of you to have you share that side of yourself. Please take good care. With gratitude.
I’m coming to the end of my first year at vet school and recently wrote a reflective piece about my “experience of the profession” including key organisations, issues and where I see the profession going in the future and this video perfectly links with everything I’ve written about. I’ve never felt so heard.
Thank you Dr. Bowden for speaking the truth. I am a vet as well, and feels amzing to see another female college describing ,high and clear, the reality that we have to deal with, every single day.
Man, I'm a veterinary student in the Netherlands and my debt isn't going to be anywhere near that. I can't imagine having that weighing down on you too!
N E Wow, that’s quite a feat. Personally I get quite a bit of money from government because I have no contact with my parents, so the debt isnt too much.
American vet assistant here. One of our associate veterinarians privately told my mother (they're friends) that she's going to be paying loans until she's in her mid-60's. She's around 30 now, so I can't even imagine. I'm half-way through my undergrad now and I dearly want to pursue vet school in the future, but I'll have to seriously consider where my money will come from.
@@lightning_elextra That's pretty much the only reason that I'm incredibly grateful to be a UK citizen. Our student debt is incredibly easy to manage. Something like 80% of people don't (fully) repay their debt and it just gets written off, they don't lose their house or car for it. And even when you do pay, they take a small amount of your earnings each month.
I was in the unfortunate situation where I had to put my pet down, the vet i went to was one of the sweetest people i have Ever meet. He told me how putting her down was a way of love since she no longer would be suffering. It was one of the hardest things of my life but he helped me through it. Hearing this reminded me of him, his compassion. Thank you for doing what your doing. Thank you for advocating for animals! Thank you for teaching the public of what it is really is like being a vet.
Amazing! As a vet nurse for 12 years i’m so passionate about getting this message out! So many people have no idea what a day in a vet clinic is like and the constanr money remarks are one of the hardest parts of working in the industry!
hello! firstly, thank you for all that you do as a veterinarian, you have my upmost respect. secondly, in your opinion was all of the hard work and school worth it? would you go back in time for a different career path if you could? I am 15 and have aspired to be a vet the entirety of my life. I couldn't imagine another career path for me, but with the mass amount of depressed vets in the comments I now have further concerns on if I can succeed in this field of work.
I am one of the veterinarians that burned out and left the profession 8 years ago. I knew 2 veterinarians who committed suicide. Your talk resonated....to my gut. You gracefully and successfully covered many points, and particularly hit the nail on the head in explaining what they DON'T teach you in school. That has been a common thread in my answer to "Why did you leave that career?". Your description of your day was true to form for me, plus we had "walk-ins", non-emergent, that we had to see despite timing of scheduled appointments per the bosses. And, a second nail, so true, that if you sit TO WORK and the staff need something, then you can because "You're not doing anything"! Veterinary medicine IS wonderful. I do miss many parts of it, and change agents like yourself will hopefully pave the way for that better future for this career.
Veterinarians are amazing! They are angles on earth. I work at a vet hosptial and the vet I work with is amazing! You deserve the world. No one goes into veterinary medicine for the money.
It's unbelievable how accurate her description is. I am a vet and I just gave up on general practice due to everything she described. As someone who is under treatment for depression, I just need to put my mental health first.
"There is nothing more soul-crushing in life than having the skills and ability to help something helpless and you can't do it because someone can't afford treatment." This is exactly it, thank you.
Alyssa B In that way M.D.s have it easier in that most people have health insurance or Medicare or Medicaid.
Sadest thing is most veternarians are leaving not because they are not intrested or incapable but because of accumulated dissatisfaction and impatience
That hits me deep. The reason I became a vet was because of the same incidence that happened to me twice. I saw a bird hit the window and break its neck. If I had acted quickly and done something it wouldn’t have died. I watched it die. I felt responsible. Then the next one was my dog, who died because of my parents ignorance.
Bobby Gene Tummolo: Most people do not have health insurance, and if they do, their insurance doesn’t cover nearly enough. As well, most people that file for bankruptcy do so for medical bills even though they have insurance.
In the US most people DO have an insurance and in most other countries there is universal healthcare. I am not sure where you got your data.
There's literally hundreds of careers that pay the same/better than vet that are a fraction of the stress. No one goes into this field "just for the money."
Absolutely. With how absolutely competitive and difficult it is to even get into vet school...
In some cases, it's harder to become a vet than a doctor. For some reason, people have the idea that doctors are superior to vets, when in reality the amount of studying and hands-on clinical practice you need is the same. Not to mention course fees are pretty much the same, but vets don't even get paid a quarter of what doctors are paid.
People also don't realise that there are many more universities offering courses for human medicine than veterinary medicine, so the demand for vet courses is very high, and the entry requirements are extremely tough.
If vets were in it for the money, they were better off becoming doctors... but they stuck to their guns and chose to be vets. Mad respect.
Rhiannn :3 One of my husband’s vet school classmates did not get into vet school when he had first applied, so he went to medical school instead. He spent a few years working in an underserved area that got him much (if not all) of his student loans paid off, then reapplied to vet school. (He was accepted this time 😉)
He paid for vet school by covering weekend emergency room shifts at small rural hospitals (for humans) while attending classes during the week.
Several years ago, my husband looked up his number and gave him a call. “So, are you living the dairy vet dream you always had?”
“No, I do veterinary work 2 days a week, and human medicine 3 days a week”
“Why?”
“You wouldn’t believe how much better the human clinic was willing to pay me”
Mind you, general practice MDs aren’t exactly rolling in the dough either in many cases.
Us? We live a comfortable life, but we certainly are not “loaded” as our daughter’s friend once assumed.
My husband’s vet school loans were about equal to what my parents had paid for the house they lived in when he and I got married. But they had 30 years to pay off that loan, at the time my husband graduated vet school, student loan repayment plans were for 10 years. Every dollar not spent on food, clothing, or housing pretty much went to debt reduction.
Except the Corporations
@@anthonysakal1983 we are talking about individual human beings here lol
@@rhiannn3416 I just graduated as a vet, and I disagree with some points. At least from my experience with friends who are or studying to be doctors, they learn much more details than we do. A former classmate of mine started out in vet school dropped out to go to med school was easily the top of the class in vet school, but just average in med school.
Both my parents are vets and when I was little it was all I wanted to do. As I got older and watched them get repeatedly barraged at 3am, on holidays, on their few and far between days off, by clients demanding free or discounted work, calling them greedy, calling them horrible things, I decided I couldn’t handle the profession, and I didn’t pursue it as a career. I cannot tell you how much money my parents have spent out of their own pockets giving “free” and discounted work over the decades. I’ve watched them lose loyal clients they’d helped for many years because another client lied about them. You would be shocked to hear the many, many stories vets could tell you. Please, please, please be considerate of your veterinarians.
Thank you I’m dreaming of being one
thank you for this inside as a child of veterinarians. I wish I could have more perspective from people in your position actually. Growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian but everything just took a turn for me as I got older. I ended up working in a pet hospital for almost 2 years, but I couldn't handle it ( let alone, any employment for that matter), but Im currently a pet groomer and I still feel almost the same pressure, giving discounts and explaining the same thing I do almost daily to the everyday pet owner. Its not fair to pet professionals who have to make a living do what they LOVE. It's like, its either you want a trustworthy place to take your pets, or you don't. Money should not be an issue when it comes to our pets. I hate that. I think, regulation for who can own a pet should be tightened, and like Melanie said MINIMUM 1 year vet appointments. Even though 2 is better, because they have such shorter lifespans, so many things can spring up in a shorter amount of time with our babies. I just love this video so much. I knew we had a hard job but I feel like she's an angel sent because pet parents really had no idea. I will share this video to EVERYone I know.
❤
Relate. So sad, right? 🙂
Clearly it isn't the animals who are the problem, it's the people which is why I prefer animals and probably one of the key reasons that people go into the veterinary profession...
I am veterinary student. This talk crushes my heart. But this talk really made me 100% sure that I want to be nothing but a Veterinarian.
best of luck
❤
Im with you on this one!
welcome ma bro.... welcome to the vet world....
So I’m 15 I want to be a veterinarian , I’m trying to learn some stuff from the internet but I couldn’t find anything that actually veterinarian study. So if you know from where or a way to help me please dm me on insta. And I’ll be so grateful. And thanks a lot for reading this. !!! My insta. Shmhart. ❤️❤️❤️
I’m a pre-vet student right now and this video was so insightful and struck me. I know it’s not going to be easy. I know that I’m at high risk for suicide because of the profession I’ve chosen. But I also know that I love animals and want to help them.
ocelot4444 yes I have, but I’ve also chosen a career path that I know I will love. It’s hard but worth it.
Hi, I wish you good luck ! Being a vet was my dream so I understand, I'm in vet school right now and I want to quit (I'm currently looking for a new path, a new career). So here is just a tip : be extra careful of your mental health, take care of you and communicate whenever what you see/feel does not get along with your values on how we should treat animals.
Take care !
@@blobyeol27i72 dont forget the mind crushing debt.
@ocelot4444 very hard. i am finishing school and i have zero interest in companion animals. going into aquaculture
Im still trying to get into vets, but I too am ready for the slightly more difficult life because I love animals
I don't know about you guys, but I'm writing a card to my vet immediately
This is my favorite comment ❤️❤️. We love getting cards!!
lol
Please do!! We love cards ❤️
I promise, we always appreciate them! It’s amazing to know we’re appreciated when we get so much rudeness through a day.
You have no idea how much a card, or a simple honest thank you makes to our day. I personally have all our cards and kind messages on a pin board in the break room. Many days it's one of the few things that keeps me going.
wow definitely changed my view of the veterinarian profession as a pet owner. thank you to all of my vets.
Wendy Hu Good! If it “changed your view” then you are the perfect target client this video was made for.
Same here! I think many of our problems can be solved through assertive communication and understanding. I saved this video to re-watch it when i get a pet of my own. Thank you all hardworking veterinarians for your service❤️
Wendy Hu I felt the same way. I will be sure to thank my vet for his care of my older dog.
Just a reminder: pet insurance is a thing and it’s way cheaper than paying for just annual visits! do some research on the best ones and tell people who have animals as well!
I am afraid to ask what it *was.*
As a small animal veterinarian, this is a beautiful and honest talk.. nothing hits us more than when a sick pet, who can’t afford treatment, say words about how we don’t care.. we have devoted our life to animals, their care, letting them a quality life, and when the time comes, humane euthanasia... I love my patients, it hurts to let them go... we truly spend so many night, after a long day, for the ones we can’t see. Thank you for your talk, and I am going to share it ❤️
Kimberley Herron Thank you for helping our pets. I hate to hear that people will try to use hurting words in that situation. Pets experience health problems and that’s not the vet’s fault!
Yeah clients will never win that one haha! We give up 8 yrs of income and acrue 200000 debt to help other's pets but they won't spend money on a vaccine for their own pet. I once had a woman who allowed her sweet litte spaniel to be chewed up badly by the neighbor's dog. For lack of a 6 dollar leash she now faced a 600 dollar bill. She told me I didn't love animals because I didn't treat her dog for free. I told her I loved animals but the guy who held mortgage and the checkout lady at the grocery store didn't really care. The look on her face was priceless...
I think veterinarians are the most compassionate people. You have to put down your patients while trying to be there for their owners. I had to put my elderly cat down this year and my vet clinic sent me a rose and a card as condolences. They really don’t get the recognition they deserve. Also, they don’t get the pay offs from Medicare or Medicaid while reaping the benefits of working for a hospital.
Potpuno istinito ali ja imam macu i stvarno nemam novacA spasila sam ju s ulice i sad je stara i treba veterinara neznam kako cu to izvesti mislim da bi drzava trebala pomoci nama siromasnijima i placati bar dio za to veterinarima jer i mi siromasni volimo zivotinje i nekoliko puta sam zaista morala uspavati zivotinju jer nisam mogla platiti lhecenje molim svatite koliko puta sam ja razmisljala da se zbog slicnih stvari ubijem
Really great job Dr. Bowden. I'm a veterinary oncologist and I was stressed re-living that day with you. Sometimes I want to scream, "I am just one person"
Kathy Kazmierski ...The specialized field of oncology is a particularly trying one.
Hugs .... you are doing your good job ...
I am going to be a exotic veterinarian.
Practice vipassana for cool and tranquility for energy I am a vet what to ask some questions regarding dog food
Dr. Kaz- thank you for your work. Our schnauzer just passed at 14.5 years after battling nasal carcinoma. The oncology profession is so valuable and gave our little guy almost 2 years of additional time with us.
I'm a vet, and I'm a suicide attempt survivor, this talk hit me so hard
I’m glad you’re still here ❤️❤️ (I’m currently a tech and am applying for school soon. I definitely see the struggle)
What made you want to commit suicide?
It must have been so tough and I prob can't even imagine how tough it was. I am so glad that you survive! Just wanna tell you that you are really brave and I really support you!!!
-from a vet student
@@cay3926 Must have been! I'm trying to be a vet-tech, suicide isn't an option, animals need help and one less person means one less animal surviving. We must learn how to take care of ourselves together and maintain a healthy mind even with the stresses our job holds on us.
I'm so glad you're here ❤
What we're asking is for people to take responsibility for their actions. Don't get a pet if you can't afford treatment, and if you do, don't blame the vet for when your bad decision and inability to properly care for the animal is the primary problem.
Okey, I get your point and it's completely right nobody should blame the vet but when you get a pet, you instantly think about the basics food, vaccines, etc. but you never really think of when they get sick or develop diabetes or cancer. Although they will get something, they will die and I think that every owner is conscious about that fact and it's hard to let them go
@@valeritys3330 Which is why you she's saying that you SHOULD. It's like saying you have a child and don't think he/she will ever go to school and you have to pay for their school fees. It's irresponsible to think that your child/pet will never be sick and never grow old. Pets will die within your lifetime and you have to think of everything before you think of having one.
Valeritys 33 ... and don’t get a breed that’s prone to cancer, or a breed that’s prone to arthritis or hip dysplasia or a breed prone to... heck, better stay away from getting any dog. Period. Because they’re ALL prone to SOMETHING. Fact is ANY animal you get is bound to get sick at some point, and if you research the kind of pet you’re getting they DO “come with a side note with the diseases they will have in the future”. Two of my Rotweillers and one of my Dobermans all got bone cancer and I knew they were prone to that disease when I was making the decision to get another one. You absolutely must consider the possibilities of what’s down the road for you and your pet. One day the end always comes and it usually comes with a lot of vet expenses from treating whatever disease your pet might get right to putting it down and having to make that very hard decision but the point is you have to know that this is what you’re going to have to face in the end and it’s not going to be your vets fault.
@@jihyundaisychoe97 I mean yeah, of course pets get sick, I never said they don't I just pointed out that when you get one you just think of the basic stuff that they would need
@@adeaxel3125 No, they would get sick they are not inmune to anything, it's just that you think of the basics nobody wants to think about your pet getting sick, although they will die someday I know, that's inevitable
Honestly, from my experience, it seems like the reason so many people are surprised at a Vet's life is because to this day, people fail to understand that Veterinarians are Doctors, as much as an MD or DO is a doctor.
We both study the very same systems, drugs, processes... the list goes on. The difference lies in that while MDs learn specifically about Humans, Vets learn about everything from fish to our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. I genuinely believe a Veterinarian is more capable of treating a human than a Medical Doctor is capable of treating our pets. To a vet, a human is just one more species. To a md, a dog or cat is a whole new world of muscles, bone structures and medications they may have never heard of before.
Respect your vets. Society and, unfortunately, even some doctors see vets as our dumber, second cousins but the truth is far from that. I have no greater respect for anyone than I do the vets and vet colleagues I know from my time in medical school, till now.
Human Medicine is way more specialized and in-depth than veterinary medicine will ever be. Becoming a practicing veterinarian is difficult, but become a practicing physician (MD) is a longer, harder challenge without a doubt.
I'm a veterinarian from a medical family (my mom was a nurse, dad was a pharmacist, brother is an MD, my girlfriend is an MD/Ph.D student, and my gf's mother is a nurse practitioner).
Veterinarians have to know about more than one species, too. MDs only need to learn one.
@@kuchmatt807 I'm a practicing MD, and I spent the same amount of time in Med School as some of my close friends spent in Vet Med School. We almost went through school perfectly simultaneously, but because of both schools being part of the same larger university, we spent most of our school lives in regular contact.
I can confidently say, having personally seen the things they covered and compared it to what I did, that what they had to study to complete their DVM was just as comprehensive, in-depth and complex as what we had to study to complete our MBBS. In fact, in the university we actually had a number of shared classes over the years with the DVM students because the content being covered was near identical.
I can't speak on how MPhil or PhD students compare in terms of studies because I have not personally been able to compare the content required of those in Vet Med School vs Med School.
Given that, I find it incredibly difficult to say that it was longer or harder to become an MD versus becoming a practicing Veterinarian, because from my experience this has not been the case.
In fact, in some ways I could argue that they had it harder in Vet Med than I did in Med School given that they did indeed cover multiple species as comprehensively as I did for one. I do recall some species being given much more in-depth coverage than others (which is understandable as I can't imagine it is possible to be that extensive with every known species of animal) however those species that they did go in-depth with (cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and fowl are among those I remember) their syllabus rivaled our own extensive studies.
@@envytee9659 Agreed. I'm a veterinarian and my girlfriend is an MSTP student in M2 year.
Biomedical coursework is similar, but clinical studies are very different. Without a doubt, human medicine is more specialized. Yes, we SOMETIMES study the same systems, SOMETIMES the same drugs, and SOMETIMES the same diagnostics. There are way more drugs and diagnostics utilized for human health.
In veterinary school, we mainly focus on dogs, cats, horses, cattle. It's a myth that we learn all species in vet school. The depth of practice varies between species, still does not compare to human health.
Research in veterinary medicine is poor compared to human medicine. Humans have insurance, pet insurance works on reimbursement. Most veterinary care is paid out of pocket. This all limits the scope of practice of a veterinarian vs MD.
Although there are similarities and parallels, the differences are huge.
I have said more times than I can count that I would much rather be treated by my veterinarians (and all their specialties) than by my own medical doctors. In fact, when I was being treated for cancer and one of the questionnaires said "tell us something we should know about you", I said I wanted to be fully informed and accepted as a member of the treatment team, as I am by my veterinarians. There is no perfect science and we can expect no more than any medical professional acting on the best information available at the time. I think veterinarians are put in untenable situations much more often than other doctors.
My daughter is a 28 yr old vet. I am so proud if her. She asked me to watch this. I had no idea what she goes through. Thank you for helping me understand. Greg
How long does being a veterinarian take?
@@clar567 depends on the school. Some are 4 yrs, some 5 and some also 6 years.
You have a strong daughter.
I am now a 4th yr student in veterinary medicine in the Philippines. And, most people (not saying all of them) here dont really appreciate vets, they always say that being a vet is easy because they only take care of dogs and cats... But they dont know the whole truth... I am so proud to be a vet student.. And so proud of all the vets all around the world...
Alexie John Lood I'm also planning to take up vetmed here in the Philippines but the negative perception of Filipinos towards the profession is holding me back a little bit. Most of the people here get pets out of impulse.
@@u_u6308 there is that but dont let that get in your way in becoming your dream job.. Like i said not all. There are people who really appreciates vets. So dont let fear interfere with your dream.
Wow. God bless in your journey!
@@glenngildoria2471 same to you gil. Hahahaha.
@@u_u6308 don’t let that stop you!
As a kennel attendant, I have never thought about a veterinarian’s day being like this. The vet I work for isn’t always the nicest, but I think I can understand why a little more now. Thank you for your beautiful words and for allowing me another point of view. I hope as many people as possible can see this.
Jami N SHARE
I've also worked as a kennel assistant. The last vet I worked at goes non-stop. She is making her phone calls on her lunch break. She'll be there after we are closed filing out her medical notes and making phone calls. She'll take in all emergency cases even when she's booked solid. She's really amazing.
You should ask if you can shadow a tech or the vet one day. I was a kennel tech and that’s how I learned I wanted to move up.
My vet is the best. She's amazing and never fails to help me. I am so grateful for her.
Hey this comment was kinda from a while ago, but as someone who worked as a kennel attendant too before moving into more of a vet assistant position (and is now about to start vet school), I definitely remember feeling the same way about one or two of the vets I worked for initially. Moving into that assistant position though, I got more perspective of their daily struggles, and came to understand how hard it was being in their position. It was stressful, and it takes a lot of communication skills I think people don’t usually associate with vets. At the end of the day, you have to see the people too to see the animals, and interactions with them (and coworkers too) can make or break your day.
This is so horribly sad. As someone who paid anything and everything i could to save my pets, I have never blamed the vet. I always suspected that it is heart breaking to be a vet
It is so heartbreaking because they have to put animals down they know they couldn't save. Being a vet is all about the love of animals and having to put them down or not being able to save them makes a veterinarian feel like a failure and they have to mask their true emotions to remain professional. It's so sad when people blame the vet for anything that happens. Sometimes doctors just unfortunately lose some patients.
Every day you watch innocent animals suffer for the cheapness, carelessness and heartlessness of humans and you can't take them all yourself. I had one woman threaten to report me to the licensing board because i refused to put down her fiance's husky. Even though i gave her husky rescue info then offered to take the dog myself. Somehow she thought i was a killer for hire...
@@danarzechula3769 that's terrible... It's so bad how people will get animals and then they don't want them anymore and their next step is to just immediately kill them. It's sick what people do to animals.
I figure it's probably just the stress of their own lives and the life-threating conditions that might afflict their pet, but I wonder what some think vets are like
While fictional, there's this situation where a nurse accidently mislabeled a dosage on medicine and the patient is essentially unable to be saved, but the documentation stating this is still around, it just hasn't been seen except by the nurse, so after disposing of the documentation, they walk through the "ghost" of the recently deceased patient, and I wonder how accurate it sticks to the selfish and malicious nature some people label emergency workers
I'm a vet student rn, and I've spoken to many vets, worked in my fair share of clinics and vet hospitals and the most common thing I hear is that it isn't euthanasias that are the hardest. Euthanasia is most often a good thing. When you a patient presents to you struggling to breathe, walk, stand, drink, urinate, etc. Putting them to sleep is the right thing to do. That's not the hard part.
The hard part is seeing patients suffer because clients don't want to treat their animals due to financial reasons, or simply just not caring. In those situations, trained as we might be we can do nothing to help those patients. So we must watch them suffer, struggle to walk out the door, struggle to catch it's breath. We might be lucky to send them away with painkillers in those cases. That's the hard part.
Vets also often get pinned as the bad guys too, later, when clients complain that their pet has declined further. "why isn't this medication working". And then believing that we just want money for them. There is only so much drugs can do. We can only give so many painkillers until they're not strong enough anymore.
My only advice to anyone reading this is.
1. Be kind to your vets
2. Don't get a pet if you can't afford the time or the money. Period. Just don't. Pets are a luxury, not a right.
My dog has a vet appointment in an hour. Glad this popped up on my recommended videos.
You have just googled a vet.
hope it went well.. asking four years later 😁
I’m speechless.
We have a close family friend who’s a vet. He always seems so happy. I can’t believe he could be going through this and no one knows he’s struggling. I’ve hidden my struggles before and I would never wish that on anyone.
Erings Grace You would be SHOCKED by what is going on under the surface. I have known of several veterinarians that didn’t seem in distress who took their lives. Part of being a professional is putting on that face that Dr. Bowden described and just looking at that situation in front of you. There is a lot of compartmentalization involved.
You should reach out to him and let him know you have compassion for what he's experiencing, it could mean the world 🙂
ANYONE can be going through depression and suicidal thoughts?
I was so angry at my vet for not saving my dog’s life but you have given me perspective. Thank you
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
theyre not super heros. you should never be angry at another human for not being able to save a life.
Sevira Asynjur nobody can save a life, a doctor can only prolong the lifespan, everyone eventually dies
@@leanntan3229 that quote has honestly changed my perspective on many things, I’ve never thought of it like that but it’s true
@Jenny Lake oh yeah! I’m so crazy and out of touch with death that I am a funeral director. 🤔
Thank you for sharing. Vets are heroes and humans need to respect that.
I wish they could get the recognition they deserve and get paid more. They do lifesaving procedures like surgeons with the increased difficulty of the patient not being able to describe their pain, what happened and when it happened, and where areas of pain are isolated. Vets also have to know the anatomy of multiple breeds and species and they have to know pediatrics to geriatrics and all the specialities in between whereas surgeons specialize in trauma, cardiology, neurology...etc and work together when needed while vets do all this thinking by themselves (or with a small team) and have to know the same spread of information that 3 or 4 surgeons would know when combined. And there's the argument for "human lives are more valuable" but vets get yelled at and told they don't care about the animals precisely because this thinking exists. Veterinarians take their patients lives just as seriously as doctors and surgeons do.
@Jenny Lake If you don't want to see a vet, don't get a pet. Simple little rhyme for you to remember. If you get a pet and don't bring it to get checkups bc you don't like paying vets, you're putting what you want over what your pet needs. If that's the case, get a fish.
Vets to not take their patients lives just as seriously as human surgeons do. A human surgeon would never suggest to euthanize a patient. It would be against the law. Whereas a vet will. Vet are the only medical profession where it is acceptable to kill the patient. Perhaps that has something to do with the suicide rate for vets. Euthanasia is actually considered "treatment."@@gingechicken7394
Pet insurance is literally $10 for me. Most large companies do this. For the people gilt tripping the vet, please do your research.
We don't have pet medical insurance in our country, though.
@@salahhe you can put money aside every month and save it for emergencies for your pet
Lol if it was 10 dollars for most people everyone would get it. Try hundreds of dollars a month.
@@MJ_M yeah that’s true. Mine is through my employer.
what company provides pet insurance?
When I was 23 I got two kittens because they were cute. I didn't think about the decades-long commitment I was making. Now, 18 years later they both cats have kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and a slew of other health issues. They will need medications administered daily for the rest of their lives. It's expensive and time-consuming. But I love them and I accept it. I want them to be happy and comfortable in their golden years. Over the last 18 years, I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on bloodwork, vaccines, dental cleanings, etc. I have had to put expensive vet bills on my credit card and then slowly try to pay it off. If I could go back, I would tell my younger self to do exactly what Dr. Bowden said: get pet insurance or create a savings account specifically for your pets. Thank you to all the vets and vet technicians out there who work tirelessly to care for our fur babies!
J P yes. I believe you need to get a relatively inexpensive disaster like insurance and then have a savings account for the deductible and copay. It sounds like a lot but I think this will work best. I am a retired veterinarian and have insurance on all 3 pets because when my pet gets sick I want to do everything in terms of diagnostics and that gets expensive. So instead of trying to figure out which pet will need the most care I am going to do more of a disaster insurance with a high limit and have a savings account for the copay/deductible.
As a mixed practitioner for 29 years, it doesn't get any easier. Just last week I lost a dog to something I missed, and the owner graciously forgave me because she hadn't thought the actual problem was a viable one either. I appreciated this doctors perspective. Hang in there, enjoy the successes, learn from the failures. We never reach a point where we've seen it all.
I wouldn't blame my vet for missing a disease because experienced doctors miss out diseases on humans every day and that is normal. When a pet dies it dies no ifs or buts. If you know you did your best job that's all other people and customers can ask for.
What if the problem the animal had was viable and they died because of the vet's negligence? Should the owner forgive the vet, and feel sorry for the vet, and say "oh well" about their family member? If vets are so overworked and suffering burnout, how is that ultimately in the interests of animals?
The vet in the video says she told the owner of the dog she saved that the dog needed to be taken to the emergency clinic or euthanized. Taking the financial part of out the story, the vet did not tell the owner he truth, because the vet then did save the animal's life without them being taken to the emergency clinic. That is the sort of thing that owners deal with, that vets seem to callous to the effect on the owner.
Vets do not love the animal they are treating equally as much as the owner, any more than pediatrician loves a child equally as much as the parent. The difference is that a pediatrician would not say that they love the child as much as the parent does. Where honesty is lacking, whether in human or veterinary medicine, family members have a right to be angry.
As an emergency vet assistant and an exotic animal nutritionist, I can confirm this is not only accurate, but the compassion burn out is real. We care more about your animals than you think. We cry out of sight, and cheer for basic miles stones. Be nice to us and we’ll give you everything we have in our hearts.
Thank you so much for everything you do ❤
Being a Mom to a Veterinarian, I will say this is 110% correct. I have watched over the years as she has "suffered" with pets/owners and you can't be a good doctor if you don't feel every situation.
This made me cry.
This is my life. Every day.
I love veterinary medicine. I love the animals. I hate the unrealistic demands and one angry mean or unreasonable client can ruin the day or even the week...
Are you vegan?
Im vegan and always wanted to be vet, since little. Even b4 being vegan@@uniformitydubliner9691
Thank you Dr. Bowden for starting this conversation on this level. As a veterinary practice manager I also believe that WE have to make this change by opening an honest dialog with our clients to make them aware of how their comments and lack of wiilingness to accept responsibility for their own pets affect us. Change has to come because our entire profession is at a tipping point, not just a percentage of veterinarians. It's technicians, experienced receptionists and managers too; they are all leaving the profession. Thanks again and I'm going to try to start a dialog at my practice.
Practice vipassana very useful for vet
IMO, a part of the solution is to have credentialed (LVT,RVT, CVT…) technicians leveraged at their full skill level to reduce the nursing care that I hear/see vets providing. Additionally, it’s controversial but I’ll say it, a mid level practitioner of vet med is needed more than ever. It’s frustrating that the profession is continuing to push back on this. I was a veterinary student 19yrs ago and after completing the first year, I had to withdraw from the program due to financial hardship. It’s in my heart to return but only with complete financial freedom and funding first. Debt is a soul crusher.
Thank you, Dr. Bowden! I’ve been a veterinarian for 20 years and can’t imagine doing anything else, but I found myself sitting here in tears listening to your beautiful talk. I love this profession, but you have also summed up the things I hate about it. Thank you for pointing out the responsibility that our profession needs to take for what needs to change from within, and thank you for clarifying for the public that their pet’s care is THEIR responsibility. I am there to help and give 110% but it’s not all on my shoulders. Please, people, save for pet emergencies, get pet insurance, GET THEM YEARLY CHECK UPS, and don’t get pets that don’t fit your lifestyle.
I've been a vet for about 2 years now and watching this video made me nervous as all the situations are so familiar. I am already thinking about changing the job, I don't know how people cope with it for 20 years!
I’m 15 and plan on become a vet assistant/tech, this video has almost made me rethink it.... not sure if I can handle all that stress, but maybe assistant/techs are not nearly as bad
@@therhinotronI'm a vet student right now but it's pretty easy to say that no, it's not as hard for a vet tech/assistant but it is still an incredibly difficult job with harsh standards
One of the best TED talks I have ever seen. In tears. Thank you Dr. Bowden.
I'm going to write my vet a thank you card today. Our pet passed away at home this week from old age, and she'd been treated by them for various illnesses over the past year. She was only a little hamster (we're renting, and can only have small pets), but she was important to us and we were always treated with kindness and respect. If it weren't for our vet, she would have died last year when she got sick. Maybe just a few kind words from us might cheer someone up on a difficult day.
So sorry for your loss! A hamster, a dog, a cat, a bird, or turtle is not something little. It's a beautiful pet you loved and loved you back. Your Vet knew this and he treated your hamster as if it was a dog or cat. No difference. That's how you know you have a kind hearted Vet. What a beautiful gesture, the note. I'm sure will bring much cheer!
As a former veterinary technician and current veterinary receptionist, I can guarantee you that everyone in that clinic will be unbelievably deeply touched by that. Cards from clients make an *enormous* difference in our day. The people who hate us are very, very loud. Having the people who appreciate us be a little loud too means the world to us.
This is my day almost daily. You have ultimately have 3 choices. Don't care, quit, or suicide. Everday the pendulum swings from one extreme to the other usually in just an instant. If it doesnt go the way an owner wanted, then you are the next terrible person to vilify on social media. Combine that with your friends expecting you to be their personal vet on call for every little twitch they deem as abnormal.
Personally I live a life isolated from anyone besides immediate family. No friends and no social life. After 17 years in this profession I don't like people anymore anyway.
do you like animals though?
As a freshman in college who plans to do this as a profession, I don’t know if I can do this. I only want to help, I could never put down a helpless animal or not give treatment because of financial obstacles. It would kill me. I don’t know what I’ll do at this point
@@zadkya he obviously went through years of vet school and paid tons of money for his education to be a vet because he loves animals in the first place. why else do you think he is still in the vet industry even after 17 years of fatigue. stop assuming that a fatigued vet secretly hates animals.
@@DahliaSapari put the gun down lol when he replies i was going to say '' then, that's what matters the most! :)''
Saul re read the comment you replied on and re listen to talk. Imagine now and take the talk and multiply that a few times. That might be your worst day. And the talk as your best day.
People want to say so long as you love animals. Ever hear the phrase. Love is not enough. I am not married but I think the phrase wasn't meant for marriage.
Read up on comparison fatigue and burn out. You would be excused for thinking you are immune to these things if you are young. But no person is.
This was very eye opening. I want to become a veterinarian when I am older, and I knew a bit about compassion fatigue, but wow. Those statistics are crazy. I've never had mental health problem in the past but this does make me nervous. I still want to help animals though!
become an assistant as well, vets need nurses too!
me tooo
Please I'm in the same boat as you I'm taking classes and plan on continuing my veterinarian career listen it is scary it does sound like a crazy thing but you have to push past that and find the reason you wanted to become a vet in the first place and why it's special in your heart and keep on keeping om
@@Proj3ctTimeLord great advice, thanks! Good luck with your career as well :D
Since you haven't already become addicted to an inflated take-home, don't. Charge people a REASONABLE amount of money and more people will gladly and quietly pay, and then you won't have all these uber-firat-world problems.
Crying.... just. Crying. Please Insure your pets when you can, everyone. Thank you for your presentation. Well said
Don’t get pets if you can’t afford to take good care of them. After working in a vet clinic for almost a year, it’s one of the biggest issues we run into daily. A pet is not an accessory, it’s a living breathing thing.
Also, be mindful with your words when interacting with clinic staff. Contrary to what it may seem, it’s a high stress environment. It’s like a hospital, but the patients can’t talk. So before you do something just think: “Would this be acceptable at a hospital?”
Assumptions people make that are incorrect:
1) all vet hospitals and clinics are the same, have the same records on every pet, offer the same services, and accept the same forms of payment
2) if I don’t want to pay for something, I can scream at the billing department/receptionist until I get it for free
3) Vets don’t have the right to refuse me service
4) my pet can be treated anytime I want because I’m a paying customer (This is a big one. If you know something is wrong with your pet, don’t wait until they’re hanging on for dear life before you bring them in. If the vet techs and the doctor have left for the day, you’ll be redirected. No exceptions)
5) baths, nail trims, shots, grooming etc are simple things that should be free (this is another big issue we run into. It’s a service so it will not be free. These things can be so time consuming that there are actual positions delegated to different people to get these tasks done. In order for them to get paid, you need to pay for the service. Otherwise, you can teach yourself to do these things at home).
6) I can continue to ask the doctor questions even after I have left the office/hospital (it’s important you come with your questions. Doctors don’t have much time so after you leave the office, you’re no longer a priority. Not to say you don’t matter, but now that you’re gone we have other things to finish)
7)my vet will have everything I need and I can request anything and get it at the drop of a hat (vets often work with other vendors to have food, medicines, and other products in the clinic. But we do not always have everything at the drop of a hat. Especially with the pandemic happening, items can’t be promised. If you need something, make sure your hospital or office has it in stock before you run out. And if you need medical records, it’s always good to get those ahead of time instead of waiting until you’re in the lobby at your specialist visit. Records include a lot of info and the doctor has to approve them before they can be sent so more than 2 minutes notice would be great).
TLDR: Love your vets so they can love on your pets ☺️
I cannot stress this enough!!! Please don’t get a pet unless you can afford it. While I try to be empathetic towards people who can’t afford treatment, I also think it is irresponsible to do. I have an emergency fund for all my pets and make sure if they’re sick they get the care they need.
Yes!! This so much! We had a client who's cat was gravely ill call everyday for a week just to let us know that it was our fault that she was dying because they did not want to administer the medications and IV fluids at home but could not afford to have her hospitalized. Mind you we only charged after the second emergency hospitilazion and he was sent home with everything he needed at basically cost. Being blamed for an animals death and suffering is hard when you know you have done everything you could've
Thank you!
I work in the vet field and agree 1000%
I totally agree, especially with number 5. If something is so simple that they don’t deserve to get paid for it, then do it yourself.
Misanthropic TM That’s so responsible of you! I love pets but I won’t be getting another until I can finally afford the responsibility of having a pet full-time. Even fostering can be expensive so it’s important to think to keep money in mind when getting a pet.
Thank you Melanie. Continue to be strong and soft, thankful and yet cautious, healer and hopefully healed. My 30 years as a veterinary surgeon were the most fulfilling life I could imagine - complete as it was with countless: victories and defeats; saves and losses; solutions and frustrations; and times of elation as well as deep depression - in sum, a noble life. I spent almost as much time encouraging personal growth and development for my staff, my colleagues and their staffs, as I did the quality of veterinary medicine - for these goals are inextricably inter-related. I am not sure if I made much of a difference, but I still think that it is a critical undertaking for anyone in our profession (or not). It is shameful that such debt must now often be accrued by those entering the profession - a true failing of our profession, but more so of our society - and at a time where there is less chance to recoup those expenditures through practice ownership than anytime before. I desperately wanted to keep the ethos of veterinary medicine protected from private equity and corporate influence, came incredibly close to doing that, and failed. I am sorry, for that will forever add a burden to you and other younger veterinarians that few understand and it is now a trend unlikely to ever be reversed. Good luck with your career, continue to love all life, know that you make a real difference in the world, and despite it all, find peace - before scent rolling in it and sharing that peace with everyone you touch.
Pet insurance pet insurance pet insurance! I pay that premium every month and my words to anyone who thought it was silly to get my dogs health insurance was "I never ever want to be put in the place to make a choice between my pet living and me going financial debt and turmoil." My husky once ate an entire bowl of grapes and the relief I had being able to say to the vet "do anything you have to"...I can't even put into words. You should never blame the vet or office bc you can not afford to care for them. It's not their fault. They have to make a living as well. Understand the costs of owning a pet. Thank you for this. More people need to understand how their words can really effect others. ❤️
Pet insurance only covers you a few times before they complain and deny claims and blame it on pre existing conditions. I just set money aside for future expenses.
@@MrTmenzo not my insurance. I've made multiple claims. She ate grapes, she tore her tendon in her hock. Upset stomach issues. It's in my contract that they don't deny for multiple claims as long as there is justification from a vet of the illness. They also can't raise my premium just for filing a claim. Also I've had her on it since she was 6 months old...can't claim a pre-existing condition.
Natalie Lamond If you don’t mind, what insurance do you have?
@natalie lamond yes I am looking for pet insurance now, which one do you have?
@@theclaamaterasu I use healthy paws. I've only ever had good experiences with them :)
I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian but I chose practicality over aspiration. I chose to study business because it’s more feasible than Veterinary Medicine. And after watching this video, how I wish I could turn back time to pursue my dream. Being a veterinarian is truly grueling yet rewarding that’s why I have so much admiration and gratitude to them because of the dedication they give to our beloved pets. Thank you, Dr. Bowden and to all veterinarians out there! 💛
not irina this right here hits home. I also want to be a veterinarian but due to things that are out of my hands, I'm turning to business😕
That is interesting. I always wanted to become a vet; instead I became a doctor and I am glad about my decision. Being a (human) doctor and at least in my country knowing that people can generally afford the treatment they need is much less stressful than the life I would have had as a vet. I also earn enough so I can give back to charity and help animals that way. That talk makes me really sad, veterinarians should get more acknowledgement for what they are doing.
Cyndertrack hey! Indeed, being a veterinarian is a tough job. Especially when dealing with terminally ill patients and then resorting to a heartbreaking option. But on another note, I’d love to volunteer and donate to animal rescue organizations, in that way I can still fulfill my dream of helping pets and animals. 😄
Mariana Cura maybe in another life, we would be veterinarians! 😁
@@Cyndertrack That's interesting. How do you find medicine? I'm in my early years of vet school (our system works differently from the USA) and have recently been struggling with thoughts of maybe moving to medicine. Its hard to learn things only for it to be followed with a "if we were human doctors we would fix it, but with an animal they will be left/euthanized."
This just makes me want to become a veterinarian even more.
Daniel Gonzalez me too! It’s going to be hard, but I think it’s worth it!
Speaking as a vet, you must be mad.
@@Tribalique I agree. I am a vet and I dream of delivering pizza for a living.
@@gryphonennis1002 funny reminds me, my veterinarian once told me, I'd rather see my kid in a wheelchair than being an animal's mechanic
@@CeceSepi Don't you think every single vet has thought that at some point? Nobody is special. When someone is describing how the suicide rate is what it is, the dire mental health, the inability to have a work life balance, comments like this come across naive at best. But good luck to you, I hope you're right.
I am a veterinary student. I love to learn but as you know it is hard for whole time. I didn't see many videos about being vet and how it feels like.. this talk encouraged me! Best TEDx talk ever~
Same for me
Agreed
Good luck! We appreciate you!
Really the best ever!
My beloved pomchi became very sick last weekend and I took her to an emergency hospital in Hoboken. Dr Bowden was her doctor. She was wonderful with my baby, but the treatment did not work and we had to say goodbye the next day. This was no fault of Dr. Bowden, and I came across this video while searching for ways to cope with the loss of my little girl. Your commitment makes a difference and I am so glad you are here to do it.
This was so informative and relatable. I’ve been a veterinarian for 6 years and vet school did not prepare me for compassion fatigue, being a financial consultant and days of burn out in this field. I had to take a year break doing relief so I wouldn’t spiral into a deep depression and almost considered a different career. I wish this was a course offered or educated to students to prepare them for the reality of vet med. Thanks for sharing.
With the statistics the way they are (and have been for so long), the fact that a class or presentation like this ISN’T a standard yet is baffling. Vet work will smother you into a fraction of the person you KNOW you are... And to walk into (or worse yet, get stuck in) the profession, initially totally oblivious just seems unfair.
Dont forget, on top of all that we are also having people arguing about what we learned in school, vs what a breeder or someone of facebook told them. Every day I hear the most outrageous things of what someone without any veterinary education told an owner to do... and in some cases, it becomes a life threatening situation for the pet.
Every. Day.
Yes. This!
'vs what a breeder or someone of facebook told them' but they hold and know all truth so........................ :0)
I know! There is a terrible bulldog breeder in my area that has been giving out papers to new owners telling them: 1. never allow a vet to treat them with clavamox; it doesn't work. 2. Feed only grain free. never anything from Hill's, Purina, or Royal Canin. 3. they must free feed their bulldogs because they'll know when they're full. That's right, FREE FEED BULLDOGS
When I was younger I wanted to become a vet. Now I'm working with the opposite of a living creature: doing my masters as geologist (rocks, yaay). Even just seing a stray, skinny kitten or a dog with a lumping leg makes me cry and persuing that path would have been a bad idea because I don't have the emotional strenght it takes. So thank you to all the vets out there who are passionate and strong to help those animals in need !!
I started college as a bio/pre vet major. Half way through, I changed my major. For a while, I regretted that choice, but as I worked in Vet Clinics for almost 15 years as a tech, I stopped regretting that decision. I saw the toll it took on the doctors and the long hours they had to put in. I said NO THANK YOU ma'am. I respect veterinarians very much for what they do. They deserve kudos for sure.
What did you change your major to
@@itzelmontalvo6645 Hi Itzel. I change it to Environmental Policy.
what are the minimum requirements to work at a vet clinic? I want to get into the vet field but I do not want to be near the surgeries/blood work/etc since i am extremely squeamish. I only have a bachelors in sociology :/
@@puppyboos
You don't really have to have any if you want to work as a kennel hand/receptionist etc but these positions may be competitive as many pre-vet and vet students are vying for these positions for extra experience.
Great job shining a light on the issues that need addressing in the veterinary industry
Being a vet is an absolute dream of mine, I unfortunately struggle with depression and anxiety which hinders my learning ability, so it's unlikely but I appreciate and love the work you guys do. Thank you so much for your passion and services for our pets.
I’m just a technician, but I’m often in the room to either communicate with clients or on the phone with them in addition to my work in surgery, the lab or performing radiographs and assisting in the kennel. This is the most honest description of a veterinarian’s day I’ve ever heard.
Jeff Miller you are not just a technician. You are literally keeping the hospital running. 💯
Jeff Miller (& Erin Mathieson) The technicians at my small veterinary practice ARE absolutely “running the show”! They run around multitasking to a degree that makes my head spin. The vets depend on having a talented, quick-thinking, no-nonsense staff in order to keep their practice running efficiently. Don’t undervalue your position, you are an important gear in the works and you experience all of the same emotions as your lead doctor.
You are not just a technician. You are an important and hopefully valued member of a team.
Jeff Miller No, you are not JUST a technician. You are the eyes and ears of the doctor and a very valued member of the staff.
Please don’t ever say you are just a technician. You are an incredibly valuable team member.
I was crying 5 minutes in. I’m a vet tech and this job 100% has a huge impact on my mental health.
Thank you, Dr. Bowden. Veterinary medicine is hard, but it is a labor of love.
Yes it is a labor of love 💗
Well said
this made me cry. I have been wanting to be part of a vet team as a technician for years. After watching this, that feeling has grown. Thank you. Vets are one of the strongest people in the world. There needs to be more compassion and empathy towards your vets. Thank you for your hard work. incredibly said.
A must watch for pet owners. Going into vet school this year (hopefully) and I’ve seen my vet friends really struggle and I can only hope that when I am practising, things will have shifted a little for the better.
I wish you good luck!! I am planning to go the same path
This is exactly how my father lives day to day and he's doing is absolute best! for 30 years! Go dad!
Thank you, Dr. Bowden. I know as my daughter works in an Animal Hospital. Her day crushes her and she is not even the Vet. Her love for animals moves her, as I'm sure is what started you down this path. It is not just a job, it's a ministry. God bless you and strengthen you. ❤
The regular population does not understand what all goes on behind the scenes. I’m not a vet, but I work in animal rescue and work closely with vets for the really sick or injured animals we take in... i can’t imagine. Thank you to all vets and animal caregivers. Not only are you dealing with sick and dying animals, you’re dealing with unsympathetic humans who chew you up and spit you out when the outcome isn’t what they expected
I’m a vet student. I want to be a mixed practise veterinarian because I don’t want to deal with small animal workings everyday. I want some large animal work too. At the same time I don’t want to specialise as a large animal vet only. I want to be able to work on anyone’s animal: equine, porcine, ovine, caprine, canine, feline etc.
Jetdot37 Me too! My hope is that by working in a mixed animal practice, I will develop confidence and knowledge in treating both large and small animals so that I can pursue teaching later in life
same! i hope to study both large and small. I want to save them all!!!!
As a vet, about to graduate, that's not possible. You will be forced to choose a specially.
@@felippevidalsampaio4891 yes, im going to graduate this year too (if not for coronavirus i would have been graduate last month) and in my opinion treating all kind of animals is nearly impossible. maybe some people could do it but they mostly only know 'the superficial knowledge' of each animals. i think its better for us to choose one field so we can really focus on that and be the best at it. (can u understand what i mean? sorry my english isnt good✌)
@@felippevidalsampaio4891 As a current veterinary student, I must admit that this is your opinion and not a fact. At my university, our dermatologists, radiologists, or specialists overall work in the small animal hospital as well as in the equine and large animal hospitals at the same time. There are also other clinicians that prefer to stick to equine or dog/cat or exotics. It just comes down to preference. Some people do best working on the same species every day, others (like myself) prefer working with different kinds because they thrive on variety (as I have during my years as a veterinary nurse prior to veterinary school).
Out of curiosity, will you be going into general practice, large animal, and what led you to that choice? I hope you have been able to finish all your rotations and the like even in spite of COVID-19. My uni has had all classes and practicals postponed and I am hoping to catch up soon!
I just graduated college to be a veterinary assistant. I’ve always had such a high level of respect for veterinarians, and this is a topic I feel extremely passionate about. If anyone in the world wants the best for your animal, it’s a veterinarian. They are there to heal, treat, and care for your pets when they need someone who knows how to do it. They give the gift of euthanasia- which literally means “good death”- when a pet is suffering, instead of letting the animal suffer to death. They are incredible human beings who take on so much more than anyone can imagine, all for their love of animals. They are heroic. I’ve been in the animal care industry my whole working life, including some volunteer work. It hurts to hear when anyone says negative things about the vet industry- but when you hear negativity about the industry from other animal care workers, it is beyond disheartening. I struggle with mental health problems, and just knowing how many people don’t understand the veterinary industry and criticize it- that alone is enough to send me into a really dark place. I don’t like humans, most of them are awful. This video made me cry. I’m going to share it with as many people as I can. Spread the word, hopefully more people will start respecting veterinarians the way the deserve to be respected. No one devoting their life to such an honourable cause should ever have to feel suicidal. What an awful world we live in.
Veterinarians are so under appreciated, they study all sorts of animals and help them through years of work. It really is a difficult job. I hope people realize how bad they sometimes treat their vet or more financial programs that could help with their student debt because it’s making more and more take their lives.
Thank you for this insightful talk. As a practicing veterinarian for 18 years now, your speech rings true. I wish more people would understand and appreciate what veterinarians go through on a daily basis and show compassion for those showing compassion to their beloved furry friends.
I pray to God to give you a lot of beautiful days and you know God loves us so much,So where are you originally from? I am David originally from Spain but currently living in Texas now..
Great speach and very nicely expressed. I am lucky to have done my Veterinary Degree in India where Government pays most of my college fees. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to be in debt for 30 years just because you choose your profession. Knowledge and education should be available and affordable to all.
As a former tech for 15+ years, I completely agree with all of this. From my own experience, however, many vets refuse to delegate what they can to others in their practice so they can unburden themselves at least somewhat. Many vets believe nobody can do it as well as they can, even for relaying normal bloodwork results or making maintenance recommendations. The right support staff can lighten that load, and still, so many vets don't utilize their staff correctly. I've found that not only does that make things harder for the vets while not utilizing good techs to the best of their training and abilities, it sets up precedence in practices where the clients expect to get everything directly from the vet and then start to refuse to speak with/deal with anyone else/ Smart vets must make good use of their educated staff, set up good protocols for dealing with clients, and then make sure everyone follows them.
Agreed. In addition to what Dr Bowden says veterinarians go through, imagine the technician who also suffers compassion fatigue, long hours with little pay, but also gets berated and belittled by the vet in a bad mood. We are often their punching bag.
This video has really opened my eyes. As soon as she talked about the suicide rates I started crying.
I’ve wanted to be a surgeon since before I can remember because “I don’t mind cutting people open, but I don’t have the strength to work on animals”. I have absolutely nothing but respect for all the vets out there and the emotional toll it takes on you guys; I couldn’t do it in a million years. Thank you so much for helping to keep our best friends healthy 💕
I am a veterinarian and I want to applaud Dr Bowden for taking the time and effort to make this talk. These are ideas that need to be shared! Everything in this video is an exact example of my life on a daily basis. I have been a vet for 18 years and the emotional toll it has taken on me is often overwhelming. The extreme highs and lows on a daily basis are often hard to deal with and I agree that most clients have no idea. I do hope we as veterinarians find a way to change how things are done. Maybe this talk will be a pathway to change.
I never knew that being a vet was this hard. I am a students that wants to be a veterinarian in the future. Even after hearing this speech, I still want to be one. I respect all the veterinarians working in our world right now and how hard they are working. I hope that they get the recognition they deserve.
I work as a vet tech at an understaffed clinic and honestly its amazing to see this information out here like this. So many of our clients get angry or upset when we cant tend to them right away or if the vet is busy. We all care and want to do the best we can everyday. This is really accurate and amazing to see. Thank you so much for shedding light on this career.
When my beagle passed away, I wrote cards to every single vet and vet tech and department that worked with him. They will always be family to me.
This truly rang a bell. Every single thing, every single line. I'm a veterinary practitioner in India and I'm surprised that it's still the same world over. People's attitudes and the way they are ready to put the blame on the doctor. Kudos to you! This was so touching. I hope enough people view this video. If it changes even one person to think or act differently . I think that's good enough. And yes, people should NOT be given pets as gifts. They honestly don't know what kind of committment it is. It's exactly like a baby. And most people don't get that. They think it's all cute and furry. Till it's NOT.
This was a heartbreaking video and should be viewed by all pet owners. We must respect our veterinary professionals. We must understand what a day in their life feels like. We are witnessing a great shortage of these people in this profession. It haunts me to think about what we will do without them to turn to when our animals are in need.
Just emailed my vet to tell her how much I appreciate her lol
Thank you thank you thank you!! I'm a veterinary technician. I relate to all of this. The hectic day, the switching from crying one minute to being cheerful the next. Not every day is like that, but there are enough to weigh on a spirit. I have been accused of not caring about animals and being in it for the money. If pet owners only knew........
Keep trucking! you guys all do amazing work! I'm currently studying to become a VT and regardless on how hard it may be. I want to do it. My husky puppy who is 7 months now, at 4 months was diagnosed with seizures and had to be put on medication for life. (Thankfully she is doing great now!) Vet and VTs were amazing and so compassionate.
I'm a veterinarian as well. Each and every bit of this makes sooo much sense in every day Life. One of the best TEDx talks. Everyone needs to understand this that our duty isn't just about cuddling pets. Thank you Dr. :) XOXO
let us also remember that even though it wasn’t stressed in the video, vet techs and receptionist need to be taken more into consideration. most vet techs and receptionists spend more time with the client than the actual veterinarians do. when it comes to payment, and phone calls, and deciding when to send to emergency clinics because we’re already double booked and understaffed to accept another urgent care exam. this is a profession wide issue. we are struggling. and it is so hard, but so rewarding in the long run. saving lives every day. very well spoken. as a receptionist at a large hospital, the morning she described is exactly spot on with what my clinic goes through everyday. not good, not bad, just flows. some days are harder than others. but we get through. NOMV
I am not a vet, but I have pets, so visits to a vet are usual. It is so strange - Dr. Bowden smiles and laughs through her whole speech, while I am crying and sobbing over a pile of napkins. When my dog died last year, I felt like I have lost everything, I just wished I could die there with her. I cannot even imagine how painful it is for vets to see pets die every day, and still stay strong and continue helping people and their fur babies. I just want to say thank you very much to this beautiful woman and every veterinarian out there for everything they do to help animals.
I currently have a horse with a tooth abscess that’s costing me a fortune and he needs a specialist to come, I have been working alongside my vet to treat him till the tooth can be removed, he has had X-rays done among other things.
It broke my heart when he felt the need to thank me for being “such a good client” and being “such a relief to have a client that’s so easy to communicate with and so understanding”, I told him “there is no need to thank me, I couldn’t imagine how hard your job is, you’re doing everything you can to keep animals alive and happy and you’re helping my horse stay comfortable until his surgery and I’m forever thankful for that, you don’t need more stress with dealing with awful clients”.
We also unfortunately had one of our old vets commit suicide a few years ago, it was awful, we lost a friend and out vet
I completed a Bachelor Degree of Veterinary Nursing and work alongside many Vets, whom I see as great friends. We are underpayed, underappreciated and often overwhelmed. Particularly with covid 19 restrictions this year in Victoria. My team is currently struggling with compassion fatigue BUT we all chose this career because we are passionate about what we do. It is hard. Very hard. But at the end of the day its worth it. It has to be. Thank-you to the Veterinary staff of the world 💖
To all of you Vet's know the majority of us LOVE YOU, and What you do...Thank YOU XO
Your story touched me greatly. It is inconceivable that you who have sacrificed so many years to provide us with the care of our pets have to work in these conditions. My hope is that there are enough people to advocate for all of you for better working conditions and more consideration, including ourselves as clients. You deserve respect and to work in a healthy environment where there is no risk to your health or life. Best wishes.
I'm not even five minutes into this video and I've already started crying and I have no idea why. I'm not a vet, but I have a deep love for animals and it makes me emotional to hear any animal's struggles.
Thank you for what you and all vets do!
This is amazing. My wife is a veterinary oncologist and these are very similar to some of the stories she tells me everyday. When you factor in the emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis it can get very draining. I think open discussions like this that can educate pet owners is one of the many keys to improving the compassion fatigue that can be incredibly consuming.
I thank you all vets....God bless you guys...THANK YOU!
Thank you for all you do. Vets are the reason that my fur babies can live a healthy life.
I have been struggling with burnout for so long....this speech took the words out of my mouth. Thank you for making me feel less alone.
This was a very well spoken TED talk. I didn't expect to be brought to tears towards the end of the comment of how after a long day or bad case we tend to go to a dark place. I have done that countless number of times. The only thing that gets me through those tough times is knowing that I tried my best! I am always striving to be a better veterinarian for my patients. I came out of school with a similar debt load and am always feeling the pressure of being in major debt that never seems to get down thanks to interest. Thank you for this speech and I hope more pet owners can see where we are coming from and that we do really care.
Thank you to this brave young woman for “coming out” on the HUGE stress load most vets carry. As a well
informed individual, this talk has given me an even better insight into the strains vets encounter.
I am forwarding this to one of the complainers!
I have nothing but the utmost respect for vets and vet techs. I have been fortunate to have ones in my life who have helped me so much with my 2 cats. I remember seeing the stress on their faces, as well. I could not do that job. My girls are gone now, sent Home by my wonderful hospice vet. Maggie on 11/30/16 and Hobbes (4/7/20)....
Thank you for mentioning Vet Techs as well. Although we don't carry the weight of diagnosing and figuring out treatment plans, we do everything else and get spread thin like butter trying to help the doctors, assistants, receptionists, and anything else. I'm a new Tech but I already see the compassion fatigue and burn out in others and how easily it can happen to anyone.
@@lonestray989 as a vet student i respect all vet tech and all people who work in the clinic. without vet tech, being a vet would be much stressful. i cant even imagine it. thank you for being a vet tech🙏
@@lonestray989 - Thank you for what you do. I know about compassion fatigue - it is excruciating to the heart, soul, and spirit. I was a police officer and got burned out after a year... 😒
BUT, that being said, the vet techs who took care of my girl, Maggie, who needed fluids three times a week, were always so gentle and kind to her - I will never forget that. I know they were/are overworked, and underpaid, but man oh man, when my girl and I needed someone to help us - they were there.
God bless you and your work... there are many who appreciate what you do - honestly. 🧡
All my life I wanted to become a veterinarian. Once I graduated college and was about to apply, I realized that I knew I wasn’t mentally prepared or strong enough to be a veterinarian. Veterinarians are amazing people who are so well rounded and knowledgeable. There needs to be change.
Thank you for the powerful and poignant talk. I'm a retired ER nurse and one of my daughters is a DVM so we sometimes share our experiences but you have provided yet another perspective and it was very moving to hear you speak. Thank you for your candor and best of luck and success to you in your new business (Vacation Vet).
I am a small animal veterinarian here in the Philippines. Everything Dr. Bowden said about the practice, except for the high suicide rate, happens the same way here in our country. It is a consolation that as the number of small animal veterinarians here are increasing people become more conscious about responsible pet ownership. As a third world country this is a great challenge for us. The struggles of a small animal veterinarian everywhere in the world is one and the same. However, it is a consolation that despite the lockdown in our country pet parents have more time to spend with their pets and veterinary clinics are allowed to operate. We feel grateful that we continue to serve the pets and their human family amidst the global pandemic.
To all the veterinarians in the world let us continue to practice our profession with great honor and dignity.
To God be all the glory.
thank you. This was very emotional to watch. I appreciate the profession and the dedicated, compassionate professionals in the veterinary field even more so after watching this. I will always be grateful for how veterinarians have helped my dogs. Tell us how we can help communicate to the public to understand a day in your life as a veterinarian. I wonder what may have happened Dr. Bowden if you had cried in front of Ollie’s owners? Maybe, people need to see your vulnerabilities, too? I’d having nothing but respect and empathy for any of you to have you share that side of yourself. Please take good care. With gratitude.
What a truly wonderful gift this young Veterinarian is; God Bless her heart for being able to do what she does day after day.
I’m coming to the end of my first year at vet school and recently wrote a reflective piece about my “experience of the profession” including key organisations, issues and where I see the profession going in the future and this video perfectly links with everything I’ve written about. I’ve never felt so heard.
Thank you Dr. Bowden for speaking the truth. I am a vet as well, and feels amzing to see another female college describing ,high and clear, the reality that we have to deal with, every single day.
Man, I'm a veterinary student in the Netherlands and my debt isn't going to be anywhere near that. I can't imagine having that weighing down on you too!
It sucks to live in the US
I’m Dutch and moved to Denmark, learned danish and applied to vet school just to avoid the debt I’d be facing in NL 🥴
N E Wow, that’s quite a feat. Personally I get quite a bit of money from government because I have no contact with my parents, so the debt isnt too much.
American vet assistant here. One of our associate veterinarians privately told my mother (they're friends) that she's going to be paying loans until she's in her mid-60's. She's around 30 now, so I can't even imagine. I'm half-way through my undergrad now and I dearly want to pursue vet school in the future, but I'll have to seriously consider where my money will come from.
@@lightning_elextra That's pretty much the only reason that I'm incredibly grateful to be a UK citizen. Our student debt is incredibly easy to manage. Something like 80% of people don't (fully) repay their debt and it just gets written off, they don't lose their house or car for it. And even when you do pay, they take a small amount of your earnings each month.
I was in the unfortunate situation where I had to put my pet down, the vet i went to was one of the sweetest people i have Ever meet. He told me how putting her down was a way of love since she no longer would be suffering. It was one of the hardest things of my life but he helped me through it. Hearing this reminded me of him, his compassion. Thank you for doing what your doing. Thank you for advocating for animals! Thank you for teaching the public of what it is really is like being a vet.
Every word is true. Your explanation of the typical morning at the clinic was scarily spot on. Down to the detail. Bravo.
Amazing! As a vet nurse for 12 years i’m so passionate about getting this message out! So many people have no idea what a day in a vet clinic is like and the constanr money remarks are one of the hardest parts of working in the industry!
hello! firstly, thank you for all that you do as a veterinarian, you have my upmost respect. secondly, in your opinion was all of the hard work and school worth it? would you go back in time for a different career path if you could?
I am 15 and have aspired to be a vet the entirety of my life. I couldn't imagine another career path for me, but with the mass amount of depressed vets in the comments I now have further concerns on if I can succeed in this field of work.
I am one of the veterinarians that burned out and left the profession 8 years ago. I knew 2 veterinarians who committed suicide. Your talk resonated....to my gut. You gracefully and successfully covered many points, and particularly hit the nail on the head in explaining what they DON'T teach you in school. That has been a common thread in my answer to "Why did you leave that career?". Your description of your day was true to form for me, plus we had "walk-ins", non-emergent, that we had to see despite timing of scheduled appointments per the bosses. And, a second nail, so true, that if you sit TO WORK and the staff need something, then you can because "You're not doing anything"! Veterinary medicine IS wonderful. I do miss many parts of it, and change agents like yourself will hopefully pave the way for that better future for this career.
Veterinarians are amazing! They are angles on earth. I work at a vet hosptial and the vet I work with is amazing! You deserve the world. No one goes into veterinary medicine for the money.
As a Vet Med Professional- this made me cry. Thank you for standing up there and sharing.
It's unbelievable how accurate her description is. I am a vet and I just gave up on general practice due to everything she described. As someone who is under treatment for depression, I just need to put my mental health first.
I'm genuinely curious, agree most vetenetians vegan?