VETERINARY
MENTAL HEALTH
IS IN THE CRAPPER
Veterinary professional at work in a clinic, conveying emotional strain
Veterinarian caring for a patient in a veterinary clinic
Veterinary team member during a demanding moment at work
Veterinarian consoling a pet owner
Veterinary professional with an animal patient
Veterinarian in a moment of quiet exhaustion at the clinic
Veterinary professional caring for an animal
Veterinary team member supporting a colleague

Veterinary professionals

face unseen amounts of

emotional strain

Consoling distraught or distrusting pet owners

17.3%

of vets ages 18-34 are distressed

51%

feel their profession is not appreciated

Managing debt

14%

higher debt than medical school

50%

average salary of a physician

Seeing animals at their most vulnerable

2X

higher level of exhaustion

59%

experience high secondary traumatic stress

The strain may lead to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts

75%

experience medium to very high burnout

3X

more likely to die by suicide

There's support for our most vulnerable pets but not for vulnerable vets

92%

say stress is a significant challenge

$3B

more spent on pet shelters than on veterinary relief

IT'S A HEAVY LOAD. WE CAN LIGHTEN IT.

Veterinary Hope Foundation

Veterinary Hope Foundation is a group of veterinarians and mental health experts on a mission to create nurturing spaces where veterinary teams can connect, heal and grow.

Learn More
Veterinary professionals connecting in a safe, supportive space
Creating
safe spaces
Veterinary team members collaborating together
Promoting
collaboration
Veterinary Hope Foundation raising awareness of veterinary mental health
Raising
awareness
Veterinary professionals gathered in a community support group
Community
groups
Veterinary professionals reviewing educational mental health resources
Educational
resources

Our Offerings

RELIEF COMES IN MANY FORMS

Veterinary Hope Foundation focuses on prevention and early intervention, supporting veterinary professionals in a variety of ways.

Veterinary professionals in a supportive group session
Small group of veterinary professionals in a facilitated session
Veterinarian participating in a peer support conversation
Veterinary professional attending a wellness webinar
Veterinary team members connecting and sharing experiences
Veterinarians building coping and communication skills together
Veterinary professionals in a peer support group
Veterinary professional practicing self-compassion and -reflection
Veterinarians in a guided group discussion
Veterinary professional finding balance between work and personal life
Veterinary team members supporting one another
Mental health services

Developed by mental health experts with education and experience in veterinary medicine.

Virtual groups

Six-week, small-group virtual sessions facilitated by trained leaders.

Webinars

Tools to enhance well-being, reduce burnout and build more-sustainable careers.

Meaningful connections

Safe and supportive spaces to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of the profession.

Protective community

Shared experience and compassion for one another to reduce isolation and encourage help-seeking.

Practical tools

Tools designed to strengthen coping skills, improve communication and set healthier boundaries.

Peer support

Peer groups that allow members to share openly, listen and receive support from people who understand.

Skill development

Tools and education to navigate stress, burnout, compassion fatigue and difficult workplace experiences.

Confidence building

Building vets' self-confidence and ability to support others through education, connection and guided discussion.

Self-compassion training

Helping vets recognize their own needs and approach challenges with greater kindness toward themselves.

Work-life integration

Learning sustainable ways to balance the demands of their careers and personal lives.

Our Impact

2025 IN REVIEW

6,000+
individuals reached
600
weeks of support provided through community groups
$230,000
corporate contributions
$11,000
individual contributions

Join Us

GIVE WHAT YOU CAN

When you donate to the Veterinary Hope Foundation, you strengthen resilience and belonging across the veterinary community.

Individuals

Help ensure people who care for animals have the tools and connection to care for themselves.

Donate

Corporate Sponsors

Become a sponsor, and we'll share partnership options tailored to your goals.

Contact Us
GIVE HOPE TODAY