There’s a quiet pressure in our profession—a subtle but constant expectation to be available around the clock.
As veterinarians, we carry the weight of our patients’ health and the trust of pet owners who, at times, forget something essential:
We are human, too.
Dear fellow vets, this is our shared truth:
There are moments when we don’t answer the phone.
We see the messages, the missed calls—sometimes after hours, during dinner with family, or in the middle of personal time—and we choose not to respond immediately.
And that choice is not wrong…
That choice is necessary.
1. You Are Not On-Call for the World
If your clinic isn’t a 24/7 emergency hospital, you are not obligated to answer every call at midnight or on weekends.
You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to take a step back and recover.
Protecting your time does not make you less dedicated—it makes your dedication sustainable.
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2. Texting Is Not a Consultation
A photo of a swollen paw sent at 10:43 p.m. isn’t a clinical exam.
A text asking “anong gamot diyan?” isn’t a proper workup.
We were trained to investigate thoroughly—not to guess over Messenger.
It’s okay to wait until morning.
It’s okay to recommend a proper consultation.
Good medicine requires context, examination, diagnostics, and professional judgment—not assumptions made through a chat window.
3. You Can Care Deeply and Still Set Boundaries
Choosing not to answer doesn’t mean you don’t care.
It means you’re making space to care better when it truly matters.
Our emotional reserves are not unlimited.
Preserving them is a sign of professionalism, not apathy.
You can be compassionate and still say:
“I’ll be happy to discuss this during clinic hours.”
“Please bring your pet in so we can properly assess the situation.”
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4. You Deserve Your Time Off
Weekends, holidays, after-clinic hours—you deserve them.
Other professions have clear start and end times.
Ours often doesn’t.
That’s why it’s even more important that we create our own margins.
Rest is not a luxury.
It is part of professional longevity.
5. Boundaries Protect Everyone
Saying “not right now” protects your focus, your wellbeing, and ultimately, your ability to serve each patient with clarity and compassion.
Healthy boundaries don’t distance us from our clients—they protect our capacity to serve them long-term.
When veterinarians are rested, focused, and emotionally healthy, patients receive better care and clients receive better service.
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To Every Veterinarian Reading This
You are not failing when you step away.
You are not less compassionate when you say, “Let’s discuss this during clinic hours.”
You are not unprofessional for protecting your space.
You are a veterinarian—and that is enough.
Take care of yourself.
Because the best care starts with a well-balanced, respected, and whole you.
Veterinary medicine needs skilled professionals, but it also needs healthy professionals.
Protect your time. Protect your energy. Protect your purpose.
Sharing this helps others understand what it really means to be a vet. Like and follow if you’re with us.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
