Vet’s Best Friend to host in-person mental health discussion

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Vet’s Best Friend (VBF)—a group of veterinary practices located in the Northeast—is hosting a mental health talk for veterinary professionals in the New Jersey suburbs. Headlined by Kimberly Pope Robinson, DVM, the free event will not only extend support to battling burnout and stress within the industry, but will also offer attendees 2 Continuing Education (CE) credits in an engaging way.

“Vets have a demanding job to begin with, and with the added-on stresses of COVID-19 precautions, we want to make sure everyone has the tools to manage anxiety and also take care of themselves outside of the hospital setting,” said Cheryl Brocki, DVM, VBF’s vice president of veterinary relations, in the company release.

“We’ve teamed up with Dr. Kimberly Pope-Robinson, a well-known veterinarian, author of The Unspoken Life, and dynamic speaker to discuss her own path toward self-forgiveness, resilience, and maintaining a fulfilling career in the industry,” added Brocki.

The event will take place on Tuesday, September 21 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EDT at the Seasons 52 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (located at the Cherry Hill Mall), making it accessible to industry professionals in New Jersey and Philadelphia. Additionally, attendees are welcome to complimentary food and drinks, plus have the opportunity to network with the VBF operations and talent acquisition teams.

VBF's efforts in prioritizing its employees' mental health reflect the company's core mission to "take care of the people who take care of our pets.” According to the release, a few wellness initiatives VBF is rolling out includes a company-wide wide yoga series at the end of this month and additional regional discussions. Each team member is also provided free mental health counseling and above industry-standard paid time off and benefits.

Additionally, with the added challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, VBF stands firm on its dedication to exploring new options for promoting the mental health of its staff and the greater veterinary industry.

Reference

Vet’s Best Friend to host mental health discussion for veterinary professionals. News release. September 9, 2021; Vet’s Best Friend. Accessed September 16, 2021. [email].

Editors note: All veterinary technician content for this month is supported by Banfield Pet Hospital.