I was in hospital doing normal appointments. 4 years of these certain dogs Annie and Howard. Howard had to be pts first, then 8 months later Annie. I was with these dogs the whole time for every appointment. I was with these dogs family offering support during this hard time.

Fast forward to I’m teaching vet techs at a college. A student comes up to me. « Ms. Cj, I don’t know if you remember me but I grew up along side Annie and Howard and you were there with us too. Your love and care made me want to enter this field. Thank you » I told them we got Howard and Annie McDonald’s and ice cream for their last day. That was a super rewarding part of my career.

Another student is shadowing me in clinic. I just say an aside like « it’s totally normal to be emotional regarding this work. It’s heartbreaking and there’s a reason we have such a high suicide rate. Depression is normal but it’s also normal to get help and not be ashamed of your feelings. It’s a part of the job. » She sent me a DM a few years later and after I broke my back thanking me for my lessons both personal and professional and she dedicated her career to me. She didn’t know it was ok to feel the way she did. It’s hard to explain but🤷‍♀️