We fight for animal welfare every day.
But somewhere along the way, we forgot about the welfare of the veterinarian.
The veterinarian who skipped lunch because there were still patients waiting.
The veterinarian who stayed after closing because someone came running through the door carrying a dying pet.
The veterinarian who did everything possible, lost the patient anyway, went quietly to the restroom, cried for a few minutes, washed their face, and came back because the next patient was waiting.
And then someone says:
“If you really cared, you wouldn’t charge that much.”
So we give discounts. Extend hours. Accept insults. Sacrifice weekends. Miss family dinners.
Because we are veterinarians.
And somehow, we were taught that loving animals means we should always be willing to give a little more of ourselves.
Until one day, there is not much left to give.
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That is veterinary welfare.
It is remembering that underneath the scrub suit is a person who gets tired too.
Who worries about bills too.
Who has a family waiting at home too.
Who sometimes sits alone after a terrible case wondering:
“How long can I keep doing this?”
Veterinarians do not need applause.
We just need people to remember that compassion works both ways.
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So please, continue fighting for animals.
We will fight beside you.
But while you are protecting the patient on our table, please do not destroy the person trying to save them.
Because sometimes the hands caring for your beloved animal are shaking from exhaustion.
And they still show up.
Tomorrow, they will show up again.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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