Veterinary scene Down Under: Yoga for well-being, plus AVA new president

VetYogi Collective expands into Australia and New Zealand

Having served as a locum veterinarian in many different practices across the world, Chloe Hannigan BVetMed, MRCVS, has seen first-hand the same universal challenges impacting veterinary wellbeing. Having benefited from her own experience teaching yoga, she developed VetYogi, providing online yoga and meditation services for veterinary professionals, taught by fellow veterinary professionals.

Dr Chloe Hannigan of VetYogi.

“VetYogi aims to deliver wellbeing and self-care content in ways that are meaningful and realistic for the veterinary community, meaning that we believe in teaching in evidence-based ways, and making our classes and content relevant and accessible for those working in busy veterinary environments,” Hannigan explained to dvm360^®.

“We recently launched the VetYogi Collective, an online on-demand yoga and meditation subscription service for individuals, practices and associated businesses, and I am thrilled to be able to offer something for the global vet community.”

Hannigan previously worked in Australia and New Zealand, and while she is now based in the United Kingdom, she had developed a strong network of friends and colleagues Down Under and is keen to share VetYogi with the veterinary community here, with tailored services for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and non-clinical practice staff. “When you look at the research on veterinary occupational hazards and mental health issues, the same things crop up time and time again. The VetYogi Collective offers yoga, meditation and self-care content in ways that allow you to choose what you most need based on factors such as time, energy levels, level of yoga experience, and even what part of your anatomy feels like it needs the most help,” said Hannigan.

“We have content suitable for everyone, but one thing I am particularly proud of is our bespoke content for the different roles in the vet community. For instance, we have classes designed specifically for the vets, vet techs, receptionists, managers, and even students, as we know that each valued member of the team will have different wellbeing requirements based on things like whether they spend most of their shift on their feet, sat at a desk, leaning over a consulting table or operating table, or were on the phone.”

The VetYogi Collective offers monthly and annual subscription options and provides on-demand access to all their yoga session recordings. “Whether you’re in Bondi or Broome we’ve got you covered! We are currently working on ways to bring the live class elements as well, at times that suit our Aussie and Kiwi members. We are able to welcome individual members, or those practices and businesses who are looking to support the wellbeing of their whole team by providing it as a benefit to staff,” shared Hannigan.

New AVA president Dr Alistair Webb

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) new president, Alistair Webb, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Feline Medicine), has been busy strengthening the AVA’s connection with other veterinary associations internationally. He recently attended the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Denver, Colorado, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Convention in Quebec City, Canada, and shared an update with dvm360.

AVA president Dr Alistair Webb.

“There are many issues affecting the veterinary profession and the AVA is well placed to gather the right intelligence on these issues both here in Australia and from overseas. It is remarkable how the veterinary professions of many different nations share similar issues. The delight of meeting and working with different overseas veterinary associations is that we can compare discussions about issues and share potential solutions for them,” said Webb.

Already a few months into his 12-month presidential term, Webb highlighted 2 priorities that he is keen to progress. “My priority is to ensure that the AVA moves towards embedding into our DNA 2 very important projects. The Thrive wellbeing initiative has generated tremendous enthusiasm within the profession, and it is vital that it is able to develop and support the mental wellbeing of the veterinary profession in Australia,” said Webb.

“The AVA Chartered Veterinary Practitioner (CVP) is a new accreditation program for small animal practitioners. The first intake of CVP students started in the program this year. The potential for this program to give future public and professional recognition of an advanced practitioner status is very exciting.”

The AVA’s CVP program can be completed in 2 to 4 years, and involves flexible online self-paced learning complemented by structured interactive sessions, with the outcome that participants can be recognized as accredited veterinary practitioners with post nominals.