I’m 35 years old and still feel very young. Understandably so, you might say! It’s true, I am still quite young, even though I have now reached 35 years of veterinary practice.

Of course, my hair has taken on a lighter shade, and some of my younger employees have started addressing me with a formal “vous.” A few clients have even dared to ask if I’m thinking about retirement. I do think about it, I’m planning for it, but I’m still having fun, so I keep going.

The early days

I was born on a dairy farm. We had beautiful, gentle little Canadienne cows that I loved accompanying out to pasture when I was a child. I loved them so much that I would wake up earlier than my father to go meet them in the field just before milking time. I loved my childhood years. There was always a dog to follow us to the field or during playtime, we were surrounded by a dozen cats, we had a horse, rabbits, goats, geese… I learned about life, illness, and death as well. We grew attached, then had to let go, often with tears. We never forget, but we keep moving forward and keep on loving.

A natural continuation

I chose to become a veterinarian because it felt like the most natural continuation of my childhood.

I received my veterinary license in June 1987 and became the owner of my current clinic in July 1995. The clinic has moved, we’ve expanded, and I went from having two employees to twenty. From one client to several thousand. I’ve performed many surgeries thinking someone else might have done it better. I’ve treated animals without being able to precisely identify what was wrong. Twenty-five years ago, specialists were few and far between, and practices were smaller, so we often felt alone. Thankfully, the veterinary world has evolved and now allows us to care for animals and support their owners in a much more appropriate way. It’s hard to believe we once practiced without all the communication tools we now take for granted. How could I ever walk away from this amazing profession, especially now that we have so many ways to keep improving?

Love for the profession

I love practicing veterinary medicine more and more because I now work alongside other veterinarians who are skilled than I am in some areas or with certain procedures. And sometimes I’m the one who’s more experienced in other situations. It’s a beautiful example of teamwork. We also now have quick access to excellent specialists who support us when cases get more complicated. I’m never alone anymore. Earlier in my career, I often felt isolated when facing difficult cases. That’s no longer the case, and it’s one of the reasons I appreciate my work so much.

I’ve always loved animals. Over 35 years of veterinary work, I’ve had to say goodbye to countless furry or not-so-furry friends. Some losses have stayed with me more than others. But I’ve learned to accept defeat in moments where I knew I couldn’t have done more. It wasn’t my failure, but that of the body I was trying to heal. I was able to carry on by focusing on the victories and on the support I can bring to my clients. My presence and my guidance remain valuable and meaningful to them, even after their pet has passed.

Over the years, the affection I feel for my clients has become almost as great as the love I feel for their animals. I love people who love animals. After more than three decades, many clients now come to me with their third or fourth pet. We often reminisce fondly about the very first animal that started our relationship. Life went on, and it continues still. This long-standing bond of trust nourishes me every day.

What helped me keep going?

Every victory over illness, every thank you from a client, every smile from an employee happy to see a patient recover gives me that wonderful feeling of having fulfilled my purpose. It’s not easy every day, but overall, the balance is excellent.

In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about veterinarians leaving traditional practice, that branch that cares for your small companions. For some, this is more a career shift than a departure. There are many needs in other fields, and so many opportunities, that it’s only natural for some to seek a better fit, whether it’s for their schedule, location, and quality of life. A new challenge can be stimulating and help reveal other aspects of our personalities and skills. However, in other cases, it’s truly heartbreaking to see colleagues leaving the profession with discouragement or sadness. It is such a beautiful profession. Let’s hope that the organizations involved in reflecting on this troubling trend will find real solutions. In the meantime, please be patient and understanding with your family veterinarian. Your smile and your kind words always make a difference in our day.