Summary

In this vulnerable Tails of Truth episode, Dr. Angie and JoJo open up about the mental health challenges in veterinary medicine and the hidden struggles of running a small, independent practice. They share raw stories of burnout, the relentless demands of caregiving, and the financial and emotional toll that few outside the profession truly see. Together, they unpack the pressures of balancing deep compassion for pets and their people with the harsh realities of small business ownership. They also offer practical ways pet parents can show kindness and support to veterinary professionals — simple gestures that can make a big difference in sustaining the humans behind the care.

Key Takeaways

• Veterinary professionals are deeply compassionate — but compassion fatigue is real and often overlooked.
• Small practice ownership brings financial stress, constant pivots, and heavy administrative burdens.
• Many veterinarians feel forced to stretch themselves too thin to meet unrealistic client expectations.
• Veterinary nurses often work for wages lower than other service jobs, despite critical roles.
• A lack of boundaries and constant “on-call” demands can lead to burnout and breakdowns.
• Clients can support veterinary teams by respecting boundaries, paying for time, and shopping local.
• A simple thank you, card, or small act of appreciation can have a huge positive impact.
• Sustaining small vet practices requires community understanding — big-box retailers undercut them.
• Veterinary mental health must be part of the conversation for the sake of pets and people alike.

Sound Bites

“It’s exhausting. And it’s more than just the medicine.” — Dr. Angie

“I trained people that I was always on.” — JoJo

“Veterinarians are just people. Nurses are just people. We have a breaking point too.” — Dr. Angie

“I promise you, many veterinary nurses make less than my kid at McDonald’s.” — JoJo

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