The veterinary profession is one of deep compassion, requiring a blend of medical expertise, emotional resilience and a profound commitment to animal welfare, writes Dr Rose Hasegawa, medical director Te Are Manu Vet Clinic.

As a pet owner, you’ve likely seen the dedication and care your veterinary team provides to keep your pets healthy.

Yet, behind our dedication and care lies a profession grappling with significant mental health challenges. Long hours, on-call responsibilities and the emotional toll of client interactions create a demanding environment that often goes unnoticed.

Our veterinary team frequently works long hours, often extending beyond the standard 9-to-5 schedule. Emergency cases, sick patients and unforeseen medical needs mean that their days are unpredictable and often exhausting.

On-call work compounds this stress, requiring veterinarians to be available at a moment’s notice, even during personal or family time. This lack of clear boundaries between work and rest can lead to burnout and fatigue.

For veterinarians and clinic staff, providing care is about more than just medical expertise – it’s about supporting you as a pet owner. Delivering difficult news, guiding you through end-of-life care and navigating the expectations of grieving or stressed owners are emotional challenges we face daily.

Balancing empathy with professionalism is crucial, but it can leave us emotionally drained. Your understanding and kindness during these moments mean more than you might realise.

Everyone plays a crucial role in creating a positive environment at our veterinary clinic. Treating every member of the team with patience and understanding fosters a supportive atmosphere where compassion thrives. From veterinarians to nurses and receptionists, each person contributes to the care your pet receives. A simple thank-you or a kind word can brighten their day and remind them why they chose this rewarding yet challenging field.

These sentiments also extend to the fantastic people who run SPCA and Paws ‘n’ Claws. Animal charities play a vital role in supporting veterinary care and advocating for animal welfare. These organisations rescue and rehabilitate abandoned or stray animals. Like veterinary clinics, animal charities face their own challenges, including funding limitations, staff burnout and the emotional toll of dealing with vulnerable animals. Collaborating with these organisations strengthens the broader network of care and helps ensure more animals receive the help they need.

As we reflect on 2024, we would like to celebrate the partnership between dedicated pet owners, SPCA, Paws ‘n’ Claws and Te Are Manu team. Your trust and collaboration make a difference every day, helping us provide the best care possible.

To all the pet owners who’ve shown kindness and patience this year, thank you. And to our volunteers and staff who continue to advocate for animal health with perseverance and compassion, we are deeply grateful.

Together, we’ve created a community where care and understanding make the challenges worthwhile. Here’s to another year of keeping our beloved pets happy and healthy!