While sharing my life with animals, I have depended on the support of the veterinary professionals who have always been there for emergencies, routine visits, and providing education. They have also helped me make difficult medical decisions regarding the care of my pets and worked tirelessly to assist in taking care of their needs.
I was shocked to learn about the high incidences of depression, anxiety, and suicide among veterinary professionals. Even though it must be wonderful to be part of that profession, do something you love, and work with animals all day, many other factors make the everyday work in that field extremely challenging.
In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Carrie Jurney. Besides having worked as a veterinarian for more than twenty years, Carrie is also board-certified in neurology and is the President of NOMV (Not One More Vet), one of the world's largest charities with a focus on veterinary well-being. Be sure to stay tuned today to hear Carrie’s story and find out about the day-to-day challenges that veterinary professionals face.
Show highlights:
Carrie talks about what made her decide to become a veterinarian.
Carrie talks about the different roles she has played and the different experiences she has had in the veterinary field.
Veterinary receptionists are the frontline of a veterinary hospital. They have a difficult role to play.
Carrie often has to have tough conversations. That is why she has worked hard at developing non-verbal skills like conveying empathy.
Carrie talks about the growing concern and awareness around the mental health needs within the veterinary profession, and some of the factors that make working in the veterinary profession so hard.
Carrie explains why she recommends pet health insurance.
Carrie talks about the moment that made her decide to become active with mental health education.
Carrie explains what NOMV is all about and the services they provide.
You can ask to join NOMV here. You are welcome on the forums if you work in the veterinary profession.
Compassion fatigue is real. Carrie talks about what she learned in her training that could help to prevent it.
Carrie talks about the Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program that she has almost completed at the University of Tennessee.
Taking care of yourself is just as important as the work you are doing.
Bio:
Dr. Carrie Jurney has worked in veterinary medicine for well over 20 years, filling every role in the clinic from kennel attendant to practice owner. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005 and was boarded in neurology in 2009 after completing a residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Since that time, she has been based out of the San Francisco Bay Area and is currently the practice owner at Jurney Veterinary Neurology.
Her journey to working on veterinary wellness began in 2015 after helping a coworker through a mental health crisis. Shortly thereafter she joined the admin team at NOMV and began taking extensive continuing education courses in crisis intervention and compassion fatigue. She currently has over 400 hours of training and is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional. She is also a member of the inaugural class of the Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program out of the University of Tennessee Veterinary Social Work Program. She has pioneered multiple programs for mental wellness in the veterinary field, including online educational materials, and an anonymous support program for veterinary professionals in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She is the current president of NOMV and a founding board member of the 501c3. While Carrie has worked at NOMV, it has grown to be the largest wellness-focused charity for veterinary well-being in the world, with over 25,000 global members.
As a passionate speaker about mental health and wellness in veterinary medicine,...