By: Dr. Kristi Kantz
If you work in veterinary medicine, you probably know just how much heart it takes to do this job. Most veterinarians are deeply empathetic people — we care about our patients, their families, and the work we do. But caring this much can come with a cost: compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue happens when our natural feelings of sympathy and sadness for others start to leave us feeling exhausted. It’s that heavy emotional weight that comes from wanting so badly to help, but feeling like no matter how much you give, it’s never quite enough. Over time, compassion fatigue can show up as feelings of helplessness, extreme fatigue, and emotional overwhelm. You might even notice physical symptoms like a racing heart, muscle tension, trouble sleeping, or shortness of breath.
And when compassion fatigue sticks around for too long, it can lead to something even bigger: burnout. Burnout is the result of prolonged workplace stress and looks a little different — it’s more about feeling drained, disconnected, and questioning whether you’re making a difference at all. It can sneak up slowly, but once it takes hold, it’s tough to ignore.
If you’re feeling any of these signs, it’s important to know you’re not alone — and that help is available. Talking with a social worker, a therapist, or a trusted mentor can make a huge difference. Sometimes, healing starts with small changes: maybe that means cutting back on hours, setting firmer boundaries with clients and coworkers, or finally prioritizing your own self-care. Things like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and carving out time for hobbies outside of veterinary medicine are not luxuries — they’re necessities.
The good news? Compassion fatigue and burnout aren’t permanent. With the right support and some thoughtful adjustments, you can feel better. It often takes some trial and error, and it definitely takes patience, but recovery is absolutely possible.
It’s also important to remember that compassion fatigue doesn’t just affect individuals — it can impact entire veterinary teams. Practices themselves can suffer from what’s known as organizational compassion fatigue. When a clinic is feeling the strain, you might see things like chronic absences, team conflicts, missed deadlines, gossip, and a general loss of flexibility and morale. If the whole team is burned out, the workplace environment can quickly become toxic.
Practice leaders can make a big difference here. Building a culture that values mental health, encourages open conversations, and supports work-life balance can help everyone breathe a little easier. Regular check-ins, access to mental health resources, team-building activities, and creating an environment where it’s okay to ask for help — all of these steps can go a long way toward healing a struggling team.
At the end of the day, being a veterinarian is hard — but it’s also deeply meaningful. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s the best way to ensure you can keep doing the work you love for years to come.