Women in Veterinary Medicine trying to do it with(out) a broken heart

We can do it with a broken heart, but we are changing the narrative. We honor women who are doing it with a full heart and finding joy in what they do.

When our beloved T Swift wrote “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart”, I doubt that she had in mind that a large number of women in human and animal healthcare would relate so deeply. For anyone that has spent time working in veterinary medicine, we have pushed through days where vet med has left us fatigued (physically and emotionally) and broken. Unfortunately, vet med is the profession with the highest rate of suicide, which weighs very heavily on me and my peers.

However, I am appreciating a shift, a changing narrative, pioneered by strong women, which I am so excited about. Female entrepreneurs are on the rise (many of those women are in this video!). We are realizing that we have a choice to find an opportunity in this profession where we can seek joy and spread positivity. It is hard to leave something you know to try something new, but change can be rewarding and fulfilling, especially if you are advocating for yourself, your family, and the team you bring with you. There will always be hard days when we do it with a broken heart, but that should be a rarity, not the norm.

This video highlights and honors women around the country (and Canada!) that are with me, reclaiming joy in this profession.

Share this to recognize others that are doing the same. Share this to inspire others that feel stuck and know they are not alone if they need to make a change.

And just share this to make someone smile.

** All rights to this song belong to @taylorswift **

Taylor Swift - I Can Do It With a Broken Heart (Lyrics)