The veterinary industry today feels louder than ever.
Every week brings a new issue, a new controversy, a new debate. Social media amplifies everything. Opinions multiply. Judgments spread faster than facts. And suddenly, it feels like every situation demands a reaction.
But the truth is, not everything requires your opinion.
In a profession as complex and emotionally charged as veterinary medicine, constant commentary can become exhausting and counterproductive. Sometimes, the wiser choice is to pause, observe, and learn quietly.
Not Every Issue Is Yours to Solve
Veterinarians are trained to diagnose, to treat, to intervene. That instinct can spill over into how we react to industry issues. We feel compelled to explain, defend, or criticize.
Yet not every mistake, conflict, or shortcoming in the profession is yours to fix or publicly analyze.
Silence does not mean indifference. It can mean discernment.
Choosing not to comment is often a sign of maturity, not apathy.
Learning Without Judging
There is a powerful difference between judging and learning.
Judging your fellow veterinarian assumes moral superiority. Learning from their mistakes assumes humility.
When we watch situations unfold without immediately taking sides, we gain perspective. We see system failures, communication gaps, training deficiencies, or pressures that are not obvious at first glance. These observations become lessons we can quietly apply to our own practice.
You do not need to shame someone to grow from their experience.
Observation Is Not Gossip
Some confuse observation with being “chismoso.” They are not the same.
Gossip is driven by malice or entertainment. Observation is driven by growth.
Watching industry issues unfold and asking, “What can I do better in my own clinic?” is not gossip. It is professional self-improvement.
It is often safer and smarter to learn from the experiences of others than to wait until you personally suffer the consequences of the same mistake.
Protecting the Profession and Yourself
Public judgment has long-term consequences. It damages trust within the profession and fuels a culture of fear rather than learning. Younger veterinarians become hesitant. Clinic owners become defensive. Conversations turn toxic.
Choosing restraint protects not only your peace but also the profession as a whole.
Veterinary medicine needs fewer loud opinions and more quiet competence.
Do Better, Quietly
Growth does not always need an audience.
Sometimes the best response to industry chaos is simple: reflect, improve your systems, strengthen your ethics, train your team better, and move forward without fanfare.
Watch. Learn. Adjust. Do better.
That is how the profession truly moves forward.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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