Peer Support
Confidential peer-to-peer wellness support for the veterinary profession
Peer Support
Confidential peer-to-peer wellness support for the veterinary profession
When we are struggling it can be difficult to know exactly what we need- what might help- which path to take- these questions can be hard to sort through. Veterinary colleagues tend to be pretty self sufficient, and that can come with the feeling that we “aren’t suffering enough” to need help.
We’re here to rewrite that script- we encourage you to reach out before the challenge becomes worse- before you lose sleep, before you lose that anticipation of a cool day at work.
Your workday should be fun- not terrifying and while we all have difficult days or weeks that might include a difficult case or two, these experiences should be balanced with feelings of growth and accomplishment.
If your experience of veterinary medicine is not bringing a good mix of reward and satisfaction along with the normal difficulties one expects, we encourage you to reach out for support. We’ll listen and work with you to find what’s missing and help you get to that next step. Sometimes all we need to get back into a happy rhythm will be a bit more knowledge, a mentor, or even a new hospital in which we can learn and grow.
Whatever your next step brings, we are here to support you!
Connect with Vets4Vets® to start with a confidential 30 min conversation with a veterinary colleague ready to help. Together you will determine the best path forward, or simply have a supportive chat.
Most importantly, please know you are not alone.
How Vets4Vets® Works
Confidential peer-to-peer wellness support since 2010.
Step One
Connect with Vets4Vets®
Step Two
Have a one-on-one private session with a veterinarian and trained mental wellness supporter
Step Three
Receive customized peer support and/or referral guidance
Vets4Vets® is free.
As with all VIN Foundation programs, no VIN membership is needed.
We're here to help, but if this is an emergency please:
Call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
Vets4Vets® Confidential Support Programs
These peer-to-peer support programs are facilitated by veterinarians and trained support professionals and offers a peer supportive community for veterinary students, veterinarians, and veterinary professionals to share their experiences, receive emotional support, and gain insights on how to navigate difficult situations.
CancerVets Group
Started at the request of multiple colleagues, CancerVets is a confidential support group for veterinarians dealing with any form of cancer diagnosis, in any stage.
ChallengeVets
Veterinary medicine can be challenging in heart, mind, and body. Each of us shows up to do our good work with our full selves and our very best intentions, but how will we show up fully as our authentic selves while also working through physical or emotional challenges? ChallengeVets is here to help.
Mentor Match
The Vets4Vets® team finds a Mentor Match for folks in any stage of their career. The best way to get matched is to to start with the one-on-one conversation to share about your situational needs. From there the Vets4Vets® team will find a match for you so you will have someone to run cases with, discuss challenges with, get life experience support from someone who has dealt with a similar situation. With over a decade of experience in this program, the team is here to support with a deep bench of mentors ready to help.
NAVLE Support Workshop
Learn ways to manage anxiety, study “smarter and not harder” and enter the exam with confidence, all within a safe space that fosters collegiality.
NeuroDivergent Vets
Confidential group for veterinarians whose brains function in ways that may be dissimilar to the general population.
One on One
One on one peer support with a veterinarian and mental health supporter who has been through the trenches and provides wellness assistance based on individual needs and situations. Together you will work on the best next steps based on your specific situation. In the almost fifteen years Vets4Vets® has been around, supporters have helped with every type of situation, you are not alone.
Online Weekly Meeting Groups
These weekly self-help groups provides a safe space for veterinarians to discuss personal and professional challenges with peers.
Peer Support
When we are struggling it can be difficult to know exactly what we need- what might help- which path to take- these questions can be hard to sort through. Vets4Vets® has a deep bench of resources ready to help. Whatever your next step brings, Peer Support is here to help you!
You are on the Peer Support program page. Connect with Vets4Vets® to get support.
Support4Support
Support4Support was created by the VIN Foundation Vets4Vets® specifically for the veterinary support team-member. This confidential one-on-one peer-to-peer support covers a wide range of issues, from shelter and hospital management, to the newest members of a veterinary support team, interpersonal challenges, family challenges, compassion fatigue, and more.
Team Trauma Triage
Specialist support when your hospital team experiences a traumatic event. Vets4Vets® is here to provide your team with peer-to-peer trauma support through one-on-one conversations, group grief discussions, and additional customized support. This support is for veterinarians and veterinary support team members.
Veterinary Students
One-on-one peer support specifically for veterinary students with a veterinarian and mental health supporter who has been through the trenches and provides wellness assistance based on individual needs and situations. Together you will work on the best next steps based on your specific situation. In the almost fifteen years Vets4Vets® has been around, supporters have helped with every type of situation, you are not alone.
Vets in Recovery
This confidential support group helps veterinarians who are seeking recovery from any form of substance or behavioral addiction.
Who is Vets4Vets®?
A team of humans from all areas of the veterinary profession, here to help colleagues. Vets4Vets® support team members are experienced, active and retired, veterinarians, and veterinary professionals. Support4Support team members are experienced veterinary technicians and veterinary support staff educators. All team members care about you and all colleagues.
Therapists with years of experience supporting veterinarians and veterinary support staff complete the teams. Vets4Vets® and Support4Support are not replacements for individual or local support. We do not provide mental health diagnosis or treatment. We do understand, and have years of experience helping colleagues overcome the challenges facing you and all veterinary team members. We’re here to help.
What can Vets4Vets® help me with?
- Tough work situations
- Difficult school circumstances
- Stress
- Depression
- Emotional unrest
- Physical challenges
- Addiction
- Plus anything and everything colleagues experience
What about support staff?
Testimonials
The Vets4Vets® confidential veterinary support group is part of the Thrive in Five Toolkit to help recent veterinary school graduates thrive in their first five years out of school. Learn more about the Thrive in Five Toolkit.
Download the Vets4Vets® Flyer
Filled with helpful information for about the Vets4Vets® confidential support.
Additional Mental Health Resources
The Vets4Vets® team has compiled a list of resources to help those looking for more information about mental health.
Vets4Vets®
on Facebook
Engage with the Vets4Vets® team and veterinary colleagues on Facebook.
Inhale, Exhale Series
Check out the latest in our mental health podcast series
