2022 VIRGINIA VETERINARY AWARD RECIPIENTS

VVMA members Dr. Melanie Walters & Dr. Brittany Beckner share their insight on mental health in the veterinary practice. Veterinarians take a vow to protect animal health and welfare and to prevent animal suffering. And they do so willingly, humbly and compassionately, often going above and beyond to do whatever is necessary for an animal.

But is that taking a human toll? Compassion fatigue is real, and veterinary practices are increasingly recognizing the need to encourage a cultural standard of collaboration, support, encouragement, and recognition of the emotional well-being of their veterinarians and staffs.

Dr. Melanie Walters and Dr. Brittany Beckner of Companion Animal Clinic, a VetEvolve practice in Blacksburg, make mental health a priority at their clinic.

“Positive mental health plays a factor into every week, every day and every appointment, ” says Walters. “When the veterinary team is happy, then patient care, client communication and the bottom line improve. We will always try to do our best for patients and routinely put ourselves second. But I am seeing veterinarians start to recognize their limit and voice it.

Beckner adds,

“With busier schedules, demanding clients and workforce staffing challenges, the trend of feeling overworked and underappreciated is high. As a profession, we are more aware of these issues, and mental health has become more readily and easily discussed.

In fact, Beckner recognizes her own limitations.

manage current stress and expectations.

The practice has introduced several programs through VetEvolve’s “Happy Starts Here” initiative. These include a mentormentee program that emphasizes mental health awareness and improvement and the Betterinary Series – webinars focused on well-being. In addition, a series of lunchbreak classes focus on stressmanagement techniques, including yoga and Tai Chi Easy.

Yet mental health awareness often comes down to everyday basics, the doctors agree.

“Prioritizing lunch breaks, encouraging leaving scheduled shifts on-time, and verbal affirmation are a few important things that we do with our team, ” says Beckner. “We highly encourage all employees to use their annual vacation time out of the office, not to come in on their days off, and to establish enjoyable interests outside work.

Walters adds,

“My personal stress relief comes from being outside on our farm with my husband and children. When we are all together, everything else is put into perspective. I am not thinking about that case that could have gone better or that client who was upset even though we did everything right.

But what do they suggest when the stress seems to become just too much?

If it’s a momentary situation, “Take five

minutes and go outside,

” Walters suggests. “Focus on your breathing and return with a clear mind and a plan. Unless the patient is truly critical, there is time for you to decompress.

If it’s more than that, Beckner advises,

“Take a break –don’t forget to take vacations. Getting time to relax and recharge is an important part of every career but is especially needed in the veterinary career. We must put ourselves first and take a little hit in the short-term to ensure more of us are here in the long-term.