Supporting Veterinarians in Their Challenging but Rewarding Careers

Being a veterinarian is not simply a job. It’s a calling built on care, compassion, and trust in vulnerable moments. Veterinarians’ days begin early, often before the sun rises, and end long after their last client leaves. They work in exam rooms, barns, and surgical suites, assessing needs, and applying their expertise to each situation. Their efforts support not only the animals in their care, but also the people and communities who rely on them.

Because veterinary medicine is not only medicine. It is an emotional connection. It is a responsibility. It is about helping others, even when it’s tough.

The demands placed on veterinary professionals are significant, and support is essential—even for the most resilient members of the field.

The world sees the diagnostic skill, steady hands, and clinical judgment that define veterinary medicine. Less visible, however, is the emotional weight carried by professionals—moments that linger and challenges that often go unseen. The role demands scientific expertise, compassion, education, and business leadership, with an expectation of unwavering strength.

Zoetis invests in the veterinary profession, not just because animals deserve excellent care, but also because the people caring for animals deserve support. Zoetis partners with organizations dedicated to improving veterinary workplace culture and supporting mental health because well-being should not be treated as a luxury. It is a prerequisite for a long and sustainable career in animal care.

In addition, the Zoetis Foundation supports programs that focus on mental health and provides resources on emotional resilience and workplace well-being so that veterinary teams feel less isolated and more connected to one another and to the broader profession. Encouraging open dialogue and shared experiences makes it easier for individuals to seek guidance and offer support to colleagues.

The path into veterinary medicine can feel overwhelming long before someone stands in their first exam room. It’s academically rigorous and financially demanding. Student debt often shapes career decisions and limits what new veterinarians believe is possible for their future. That’s why the Zoetis Foundation supports initiatives that widen the profession’s entry points — including scholarships and financial assistance through grants provided to organizations like AAVMC and others, as well as debt relief programs and grants that help reduce financial stress and broaden access to opportunity. The cost of education should not determine who gets to serve animals.

Beyond education and mental health, support also means providing opportunities to grow and to stay connected to innovation in the field. Zoetis invests in continuing education and professional development, supporting veterinary technicians and nurses as well as veterinarians, ensuring access to science, training, and leadership resources. Instructional videos, educational webinars, and conferences help veterinary teams stay informed and prepared to deliver excellent care. Programs like Zoetis Learning Solutions and other CE offerings make learning more accessible—whether advancing skills in pet care or strengthening impact in livestock health.

The responsibility of educating pet owners can be challenging, especially when balancing complex cases, limited time in the exam room, and the need to explain treatment options or long-term care plans in ways that are clear and comforting. Zoetis believes that part of supporting veterinarians means helping carry that communication load. That is why ongoing investment in medical education for veterinary teams, along with the development of educational resources for pet owners, increases understanding of conditions, treatment pathways, and the long-term value of care. Real-world insights from post-launch research, expert partnerships to share safety and efficacy information, and disease-awareness and educational campaigns help ensure that information is accessible to all.

The impact of veterinary work is profound—it matters to families who sleep easier because their dog is no longer in pain, to farmers who can continue a legacy with healthy herds, and to communities whose food systems are safer and more secure because of vigilant care. This aligns with the Zoetis Foundation’s focus on livelihoods through capacity-building initiatives that help veterinary professionals and livestock farmers develop sustainable practices. The work has impact, meaning, and consequence — even on the days when it feels routine.

Zoetis exists to advance animal health, and that purpose is inseparable from recognizing the people at its heart. Supporting veterinarians is essential to our mission. Investing in well-being, future, possibility, and connection is an investment in the future of animal health.