News & Views

When was the last time you truly switched off from work? For many of us in veterinary medicine, the answer might, unfortunately, be…you can’t remember. Between emergency calls, complex cases, and the emotional weight of caring for our patients, the line between professional dedication and personal time often blurs until it disappears completely.

Yet there is hope. Veterinarians, nurses, and techs across our profession have found ways to reclaim their time and energy while maintaining excellent patient care. From thoughtful scheduling to setting clear boundaries, these are real strategies that work in real clinics, with real teams, treating real patients. Whether you’re early in your career or a few years in and wondering how long you can keep this pace, there’s something here for you…

You’re proud of your veterinary practice. You’ve built a skilled team, your patients thrive, and your clients genuinely value your care. But you’ve probably noticed the market becoming increasingly crowded with well-funded corporate veterinary chains, agile telehealth providers, and ambitious new “de novo” practices appearing regularly. All this competition is making it harder to attract new pet owners and retain your existing client base.

This increasing pressure can quickly impact more than just immediate revenues and profitability. Over time, it can affect the long-term valuation of your practice, which matters significantly when you’re planning for future growth or even considering succession or sale.

The key isn’t simply doing more marketing or spending bigger budgets. Real success comes from clearly understanding who your ideal clients are, connecting authentically with them, finding more just like them, and nurturing relationships that last…

What if clinical practice doesn’t quite fit you anymore? Or never really did?

Most people imagine a veterinary career means working in a clinic, hospital, or emergency centre—stethoscope on, consults rolling, adrenaline high. But for some, that vision no longer aligns with your current reality—or with who you’ve become.

A veterinary degree is more adaptable than you were told—and probably more than you ever imagined. It’s a professional passport that can lead to unexpected places, well beyond the familiar alternative paths you or your lecturers most likely envisioned. With the right mindset (and a bit of curiosity), there are meaningful roles where you can still make an impact—just not in the usual ways.

Whether you’re craving more freedom, creative expression, or simply a better balance, these seven career shifts show what’s possible when you step off the well-worn track…

Today’s veterinary practices are navigating an environment defined by rapid innovation, shifting client expectations, and ever-increasing competition. Practice leaders who anticipate rather than react to these developments position their businesses to thrive, turning potential disruptions into meaningful opportunities. Cultivating this forward-thinking mindset isn’t merely beneficial—it’s essential for maintaining relevance, growth, and lasting success in a profession that’s continually evolving.

This guide offers practice managers and owners targeted insights and practical strategies designed to reinforce your practice’s resilience. From improving operational efficiency to nurturing client loyalty and building a culture of professional fulfillment, these proven approaches provide a clear roadmap to confidently shape your practice’s future…

Running a veterinary practice is hard enough without having to worry about international politics—but here we are. With a new 10% minimum across-the-board U.S. tariff on all imports (even on the penguins of Heard and McDonald Islands), and targeted tariffs reaching 50% or more for specific countries and goods, the veterinary sector is not immune to the risks. These policy changes don’t just affect big corporate end of town and their supply chains—they will impact right down to the individual practice or mobile service tier – your monthly drug order, the cost of your next equipment upgrade, and your pricing and service levels and how you communicate these to clients.

This isn’t about theory or macroeconomics—it’s about practical, day-to-day impacts on your business. Whether you’re in New York, Sydney, or London, the growing complexity of global trade is no longer just background noise. It’s showing up in inventory availability, pricing volatility, and profit margins. And while it might be early to call this a crisis, neither is it “business as usual.” It requires attention, planning, and smart decision-making to avoid being blindsided…

The leap from veterinary school to your first professional role marks an exciting milestone in your career journey. As a soon-to-graduate or recent graduate in the veterinary field, you’re standing at the threshold of a profession filled with diverse opportunities – from specialty hospitals to rural practices, emergency medicine to research facilities. Your years of rigorous training have prepared you for this moment, but navigating the job market requires a different set of skills altogether.

Job searching while finishing your studies or during those first post-graduation months can feel like a balancing act. That’s why we’ve created this practical roadmap to guide you through each step of securing that crucial first position. With thoughtful preparation and strategic action, you’ll be well-positioned to find a role that not only matches your clinical interests but also supports your professional growth and personal wellbeing…

Your job advertisement is your practice’s handshake—the first impression that either draws in top veterinary talent or sends them scrolling past. When your carefully crafted job posting isn’t generating the applications you expected, it’s worth understanding exactly why. The truth? Veterinary professionals told us exactly what makes them skip your ad, and their insights are both revealing and actionable.

Our recent poll across our Community captured the unfiltered feedback of over 1,100 veterinarians, nurses, and technicians across six global regions. These professionals didn’t hold back when sharing what makes them instantly dismiss a job opportunity. For practice owners looking to build strong teams in today’s competitive market, this feedback isn’t just interesting—it’s essential intelligence that can transform your recruitment results…

As a veterinary professional at any career stage, you know that both giving and receiving guidance accelerates your growth. When mentorship is done right, it creates a powerful two-way exchange—mentors gain leadership skills and fresh perspectives, while mentees develop clinical confidence and career momentum.

Let’s explore three key aspects of successful mentorship and what they mean for both mentors and mentees in the veterinary profession…

Leadership is hard. In veterinary medicine, the challenges are uniquely amplified—you’re balancing clinical decisions, emotional client interactions, and business demands, often with minimal leadership training. Many talented clinicians find themselves suddenly responsible for team performance with little guidance on how to succeed in this crucial role.

Developing your leadership abilities isn’t just about someday running a practice. It’s about enhancing your daily satisfaction, advancing your career, and making a more meaningful impact right where you are. When you strengthen your leadership skills, you’ll likely experience less stress, better patient outcomes, and stronger connections with colleagues and clients.

Whether you’re aiming to advance your career, improve your current workplace, or find more satisfaction in your daily practice, strengthening these leadership dimensions will serve you well at every stage of your professional journey…