24/09/2026
We need to talk about how we treat veterinarians.
Because yes, veterinary care can be expensive.
Yes, the bill can be shocking.
Yes, you are allowed to ask questions, advocate for your animal, and say, “I can’t afford that.”
But your veterinarian is not the enemy.
There are fewer than 4,000 equine-only veterinarians in this country. Add mixed-animal and large-animal veterinarians, and the number is still remarkably small relative to the number of animals depending on them.
And we’re asking these people to carry an enormous amount.
The long hours.
The difficult cases.
The emotional exhaustion.
The responsibility of trying to save an animal someone loves deeply.
Your veterinarian didn’t set the price of the medication.
They didn’t create the cost of fuel, equipment, staffing, insurance, or running a practice.
They’re often just the person standing in front of you, delivering information that nobody wants to hear.
We talk about the veterinary mental health crisis, but then sometimes treat the very people experiencing it as if they’re the problem.
We have to do better.
You can question a bill without attacking the person handing it to you.
You can advocate for your animal without being cruel.
You can be frustrated without making someone else pay for your frustration.
So next time you see your veterinarian, ask how they’re doing.
Bring them a coffee.
Bring them a snack.
Say thank you.
Small acts of kindness matter more than we realize.
Because the people we expect to be there for our animals when everything goes wrong deserve to know that someone is there for them, too. 🖤
