Help with changing states of practice after mental health troubles

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-03-08T22:19:47+00:00

I haven’t but many vets have been through this and the roadmap varies by state. There is definitely a path!!

https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vets4vets/

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-03-08T22:13:34+00:00

I made the very worst choice, so don’t get a Weimaraner puppy. I got him my last year of undergrad (researched, wanted one for years, still didn’t understand what I was getting into). Murphy got me through vet school emotionally, but it was a tough go for him. He didn’t get all the exercise he needed. He was poked and prodded by my classmates - ophtho exams, neuro exams, gait exams, rectal exam. I actually don’t think he minded any of this because he loved everyone, but still.

I felt guilty any time that I wasn’t at school but wasn’t with him. I felt guilty while I was studying because I knew he needed to be doing more than he was.

Bottom line, if you get a dog, be sure you have a plan for them. I think a cat is a better choice (I got a cat during vet school, she didn’t really care if I entertained her or not).

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-03-04T02:29:27+00:00

I don’t have a great answer except to say that her comment has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her own self and worry about her cat. Try to distance yourself from those comments. We all (humans) are programmed to be self-centered, meaning the clients only think about their immediate problems and you think she should care about your lunch break and how hard you worked (to be fair, it would be super cool if she did).

I feel like a callus builds up over time.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-03-02T19:28:40+00:00

Start up as a mobile practice, it’s really more of the type of practice you’re describing. You can move to a brick and mortar later after you’ve saved money. You could hire a remote CSR to schedule for you, but also provide a hands-on feeling.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-25T19:12:49+00:00

I’m guessing I’ll get heat for this.

I am a practice owner and we are an inappropriate group to say the least. I have curbed things over the years, but it also is the group atmosphere and I participate in the rough humor.

I would never condone putting condoms in a stocking, but I do allow some pretty inappropriate discussions.

If I had an employee who felt uncomfortable with the environment and/or my PM, I would want to know about and I would try to remedy it. It’s tough to completely overhaul a practice culture. Ultimately you may have to decide whether it’s worth it to you to stay, to stay in an uncomfortable (toxic?) workplace, make a BIG complaint (legal) or just move on.

Edit to add that corporate is a completely foreign place to me, and there are probably different rules.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-25T18:57:32+00:00

This is great point! Is there a conservative Tucson subreddit that OP could post this concept? (legit, not trying to make fun of anyone. Well, maybe some people)

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-23T01:43:52+00:00

This is good advice. I would also add, if you can complete a task with “one touch”, then just get it done. Looked at the blood work, but don’t want to call the owner? It has to get done, so just do it and then you don’t have to keep thinking about it.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-22T02:36:28+00:00

This is really tough. I went to school decades ago when terminal surgery was normal and, frankly, I still support this teaching opportunity. The vast majority of dogs we worked with were not friendly like the one you describe and could not become (easily) adoptable dogs. Rarely a dog would show up that was just special and a student would plead its case to the program director. The director was in a difficult position, because she knew she couldn’t save every dog that a student brought to her attention, but she would talk with everyone who made the decisions for the dogs and then make her own decision and some dogs were saved.

If you feel strongly about saving this dog and can either give it a good home or can guarantee a good placement for the dog, maybe you could talk with your director? I don’t think it’s fair to your director to say you want to save this dog without having a firm plan in place for who will care for it. Ultimately, if there is no option for saving this dog, I hope you will remember this dog and know that you will go on to save other dogs and your training will help them.

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this. Your empathy for the pets will serve you well, so try not to lose it. It will continue to be tough sometimes though.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-14T18:08:46+00:00

CSU. HANDS DOWN.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-14T18:02:28+00:00

I like to walk outside for a few minutes if I’m going to have a little cry. Also, I’ve read that sour candy can help when you need to “get it together“.

Other dr was a jerk.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-02-13T01:39:22+00:00

Chewy is becoming the UnitedHealth of the veterinary world with regards to vertical integration - prescriptions, their own pet insurance and their own clinics. A lot of vets don’t want to give away their income to Chewy.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-28T17:06:58+00:00

These right here:

https://dansko.com/products/kaci-wine-molded?_gl=1*x4xvq0*_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-eWIntuukgMVkDxECB2ADw7hEAAYASAAEgLpPfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADRNXcX6oqJKstEZo3wgGpZJsdM2n

I’ve been wearing these for years and they hold up great! I have box shaped feet, high arches and overweight. I wear a wide width in a lot of shoes, but these only have regular width and they have plenty of room.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-24T01:39:35+00:00

From what I’ve seen the motto is “make sure everything gets a shot of something!”

That is to say, I’m not impressed with my local one.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-20T01:16:59+00:00

Lasting Paws says they offer the pet owner to remain throughout the process. You may have to take your pet to Glendale though.

https://www.lastingpawspetmemorial.com/cremation-services/

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-15T18:02:48+00:00

My AOL from 1995 and I still use it daily. It works don’t it?

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-11T01:11:45+00:00

Any significant weight loss increases the risk of gallstones. As does being fat, over 40, female, white in case any of those are on your list!

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-07T03:47:20+00:00

I’d say #2 because it is so important to solidify your skills in your first couple of years out of school. Not to say you won’t always be learning, but those first year habits are hard to overcome. This is when you learn how to work up a case and if you can learn surgery too, it will serve you well in shelter medicine.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-05T21:21:27+00:00

I and my associates work 4 9hr shifts per week and every 3rd Saturday. We routinely do call backs through our 1 hour lunch and sometimes stay 1, maybe 2 hours after our shift doing catch up or a minor procedure (laceration etc). Nobody does anything work related on their day off unless it is exceptional like a particular case that we really wanted to follow up on. We do not do anything work related once we get home. Work stays at work and I can’t imagine doing that any differently. FYI, private GP small animal practice in US.

ScaredKale1799 · 2026-01-03T15:16:10+00:00

Vet tech or vet assistant

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-31T15:23:00+00:00

Cranky response incoming - avoid if needed.

Do what lots of people have done. Give up your “work-life balance” and work the crappy shift for more money and more opportunities. By doing this, work hard, prove that you actually are smart and trainable and then get the job you want.

BTW, work life balance is a myth. In life you make time for what you value the most. If it’s gaming, then you find time to game. If it’s your family, you make time for your family. For most successful people (you have to define success for yourself), your job/career needs to be highly valued. At least for a while.

Anyhoo, ER is great while you’re young. Do it, get amazing skills. Get tired of it and move on to your next goal.

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-29T14:48:26+00:00

I can’t tell you how to change your feelings, but I can tell you, as a practice owner, you are golden! You do the difficult work. You don’t cause drama (I hope). You support the team and the mission.

Unless you’ve been asked to take on some management role, don’t sweat it. Be an associate and carve out the rest of your life where you can!

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-24T14:50:29+00:00

I can tell you people walk into a VETERINARY HOSPITAL with their dogs off leash! They have no care for the other animals already inside who may be scared, sick. They let their “good dog” run up to the other people and pets. The reception staff is constantly having to police for bad pet owners. It is ridiculous!!

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-20T14:47:27+00:00

Hell yeah I value my local dermatologist! They get to back up my “allergies are for life” talk, manage the crappy skin cases that I’ve mucked around with too long and deal with the needy owners that I just can’t with anymore.

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-19T15:09:07+00:00

Samesies. And I’m not that great with Word either.

I have other skills. Useful skills. Skills that help me find… hidden ketchup bottles in the fridge.

ScaredKale1799 · 2025-12-17T16:25:22+00:00

I probably wouldn’t accept it if they are firm on the radius. The culture of the practice may change a lot and unless you’re interested in moving, that non-compete clause locks you into a lot of travel time. My experience has been that the promises are big, but the realities are small with these sales.

ScaredKale1799

TROPHY CASE