Episode 72: Happy Vet, Happy Pet: Supporting veterinary professionals

According to Sandy Weaver, program director at Center for Workplace Happiness as well as an author, consultant, professional speaker, and AKC judge, the inspiration behind her book—Happy Pet Happy Vet: Caring for Your Pet's Caregiver—came after browsing through the veterinary well-being section of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website and realizing a majority of the stressors in the field are attributed to people like her, the clients.

“I started looking for a book to recommend to all of my dog show friends because they tend to have the same kind of relationship with their veterinarians that I have with mine and the book didn’t exist," Weaver told Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, in this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast.

"So I just took what I knew about neuroplasticity and positive psychology and QPR [Question, Persuade, and Refer] suicide prevention training and put it all together into a book. The book is to help clients be much better clients and take that piece of veterinary stress away," she continued.

Apart from her book, Weaver disclosed invaluable advice to veterinary professionals struggling with making their mental health a priority and setting professional boundaries.

"Don't take misbehavior personally, so that's rule No. 1. Rule No. No. 2 [is] to put a fence around your time off. You have to have downtime, you have to have downtime, you have to have downtime. If you give clients your cellphone number or if you're connected to them on Facebook, put a fence around your time off," she emphasized.

"Rule No. 3 is to give yourself 15 minutes every day for your mind, your body, and your soul. It can be when you first get up in the morning, [and] just as simple as inspirational reading, journaling, meditation, or a quick run-through of some sun salutations and yoga poses," Weaver concluded.

Listen to the full podcast below for more details on Weaver's book and her insight on veterinary well-being.