Veterinary professionals are going to feel all the love on Veterinary Appreciation Day, thanks to a new initiative from Trupanion.
The pet insurance company is encouraging owners to submit a formal “truthankyou” to their veterinary hero. Extending beyond words, the initiative, Trupanion says, is a rallying cry for pet owners to recognize and applaud the veterinary community for their invaluable contributions to pet and public health—not only on Veterinary Appreciation Day (June 18), but all year long.
In celebration, the company has pledged $10,000 worth of new scrubs to “truthankyou” recipients.
“The majority of our team members come from a veterinary ecosystem, so we are exceedingly aware of the long hours and hard work that veterinary professionals put in on a daily basis to care for the pets we all love,” says Margi Tooth, president of Trupanion. “It’s our goal to bring joy and inspiration to our veterinary heroes and to create a touching tribute to their unwavering commitment. It’s a chance for our members to share their story and the impact their veterinary hero has had on their pet’s life.”
A survey conducted by Trupanion in May of this year saw 83 percent of veterinarian respondents say the demands of their jobs cause significant stress, with top stressors including compassion fatigue and/or emotional burnout, as well as stressful financial conversations with clients. Additionally, among those surveyed, 47 percent reported feeling only “somewhat valued” regarding their work as veterinary professionals.
Despite the stress, emotional fatigue, and lack of recognition, when asked how long they will stay in the veterinary profession, most respondents said they could not imagine doing anything else.
“Veterinarians are often overlooked in the appreciation of medical professionals, but, with the truthankyou program, we can support our veterinary heroes and show appreciation for all the incredible work they do,” says the company’s chief veterinary officer, Steve Weinrauch, BVMS, MRCVS.
For more, click here.