35 Times Vets Encountered The Cutest Pets At Work And Just Had To Take A Picture

As pet lovers, we know how badly we need vets.

So today, we are paying this tribute to people who have the power to end our tears, give hope back, and let us know that all is fine. Dear vets, we couldn’t do it without you!

Below is a wholesome collection of heart-warming pictures of vets having the best time with their furry, adorable patients.

#1 I’m A Horse Vet. This Adorable Little Guy Fell Asleep On My Feet While I Talked To His People

#2 A Moving “Thank You” To A Vet

#3 Proud Mum

To find out more about what it is like to devote yourself to animals and become a veterinarian, we talked to Ivan Zak, a doctor of veterinary medicine and the CEO of Veterinary Integration Solutions. Ivan practiced veterinary medicine for 12 years, until experiencing severe burnout. It led him to explore the psychological triggers of burnout and business methodologies that veterinary organizations can apply to work against them. Researching this topic, Ivan obtained an MBA degree in International Healthcare Management.

Today, Ivan is leading Veterinary Integration Solutions (VIS), a business consulting company helping veterinary groups implement an operating framework for sustainable integration of practices and ultimately empowering the healthcare team to live their passion.

“Being a veterinarian, no day is the same,” Ivan said when asked what it is like being a vet. It turns out, not everything is picture perfect and there are many challenges that come with the profession. “There is a lot of stress, unpredictability, and long hours. A less obvious and frustrating challenge is accepting that not every pet owner will be able (or willing) to do everything for their animal.”

#5 German Shepherd With Golden Retriever Mix. Cuteness Overload

#6 I Work At A Vet Clinic And Haven’t Had A Pet In Quite Some Time. Someone Brought This Fella In To Be Neutered And Stated She’d Be Returning Him Back Outside

Moreover, “Veterinary care can be expensive when you don’t have pet insurance, and veterinarians often find themselves in moral dilemmas when they can’t do what’s best for the animals because their clients can’t afford it,” he said and added that that’s probably one of the toughest aspects of the profession.

“The most rewarding part that makes up for all of it is being able to apply your skills and experience to get to the bottom of a problem and diagnose a patient. An animal can’t tell you where it hurts, so connecting and being able to help is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a veterinarian.”

#7 Vet’s New Assistant

#8 Benefits Of Being A Vet

#9 My Friend Posted A Photo Of A Cat He Took Care Of While On His Vet Internship In Taiwan

#10 This Vet With A Kitty In Her Pocket

#11 My Mom’s A Vet And Today My Wife And I Got The Chance To Play With This Little Girl

#12 Hammie Going For Checkup

#13 Most People Keep Office Supplies In Their Desk. I Keep A Sleeping Pomeranian

#14 My Coworker Brought In Her Baby Goat, Matilda. 2.3 Lbs

#15 The Second Male Calico The Vet Has Seen In Over 54 Years Of Practice

#16 I Will Scratch You All, Once The Vet Is Done

#17 We Really Take Post-Op Care Seriously At My Job. Cuddles Is The Best Medicine

#18 Wolf Pupper That Came Into The Veterinary Clinic

#19 A Beaver Kit At The Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic

#20 My Step-Dad Is A Vet And One Of His Patients Looked A Little Different Today

#21 Damascus Was A Bad Man At The Vet And Was Very Bitey So He Got Put In The Lizard Straight Jacket For His X-Rays

#22 Shocked Pupper Is So Shocked. My Equally Shocked Coworker Katie

#23 Bone Went To The Vet And Passed All His Yearly Checkups

#24 My Baby Huxley Is Going Into Surgery Right Now, The Vet Techs Sent Me This

#25 Dylan, 11-Month-Old Norwegian Forest Cat. Our Vet Tech Carried Him Around The Office To See The Rest Of The Staff For Pets And Pictures. He Was Feeling Proud

#26 Working At A Vet Clinic Has Its Perks – Like This Pocket Full Of Cuteness

#27 Today Is The 8 Year Anniversary Of What Was Definitely My Most Interesting Shift As A Veterinary Receptionist

#28 Our Australian Shepherd Puppy Slept Through His First Vet Visit, Even Shots And When Being Held Up For A Physical Exam

#29 This Little One Rolled Into My Father-In-Law’s Veterinary Clinic This Week

#30 Created An Account To Share This, GF Had This Little Fella In The Vet Clinic She Works At Today

#31 We Have To Hold Off The Jugular Vein After Drawing Blood, But This Sweet Old Girl Thought I Was Just There For The Hugs. This Is Why I Love My Job

#32 Reception Has Been Turned Into Reese-Eption Ever Since Our Doctors New Puppy Reese Came To Take Over

#33 Oh My Ears

The CEO of VIS also warned that veterinary schools are extremely demanding, which means they “often leave no time for personal life. While it’s something you just need to get through, don’t take that mindset into your work life because it’s a straight road to burnout.” For this reason, “You must learn to set personal boundaries and say ‘No.’ Learn to take good care of yourself and your emotional wellbeing,” he added.

Turns out, burnout is something Ivan refers to as “a chronic illness of the veterinary profession.” He explained: “Veterinary schools do a great job teaching medicine, but they often overlook mindfulness coaching, as well as courses on self-care, self-motivation, and work-life balance.”

This lack of work-life balance is named the top reason that practicing vets say they might leave the field, said, Ivan. “So, avoid institutions that do not understand the importance of work-life balance and dictate an unreasonable work situation,” he concluded.

#34 My Friend’s Dog Ate A Pot Brownie Yesterday

For anyone considering becoming a veterinarian, Ivan reminds them that “it’s a long and challenging path with many milestones to work toward: a bachelor’s degree, veterinary school admission, a veterinary degree—perhaps specialty certification. These are clear objectives that help maintain focus, so don’t lose that North Star once you get your license and go into practice.”

Moreover, he suggests setting goals, writing them down, and reviewing them regularly. “If you don’t set new goals, the motivation and passion that initially brought you into the profession will quickly fade away in the daily routines,” he explained.

Another tip from Ivan is “to develop soft skills: communication, problem-solving, positivity. A day as a veterinarian can be very stressful, and you will really need that dexterity in dealing with clients when they are frustrated. Most veterinarians choose their profession because they want to help animals, but talking to pet parents is a big part of it, too.”

#35 With The Best Doctor