"Suicide rates amongst vets are some of the highest of any profession. Yoga helps me process the heartbreak, joy, grief, guilt I face daily
Being a vet is more than a job; it’s a vocation, a key part of your identity, & for many of us, the fulfillment of a childhood dream
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However, it can be physically challenging, mentally overwhelming, & emotionally draining. We bounce from joy to heartbreak, deal with grief, anger, loss, & guilt, whilst trying to stay focused & practice best medicine over very long shifts
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Not many people are aware that my profession tragically claims the top-spot for the highest suicide rates in several countries worldwide. We are 4 times more likely to kill ourselves than a member of the general public, and twice as likely as doctors. It didn’t take long before I started to experience some of the mental health issues for myself, such as stress, sleeplessness, & compassion fatigue. I’ve had times when I’ve questioned if I even still want to be a vet, and that is hard to deal with, especially after the years of hard work that it took to get here
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Fortunately, I’ve never been suicidal, but I know friends and colleagues who have felt that way, and it’s never too long before as a community we hear the devastating news that another vet has taken their own life
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Over time I have learned some of the ways I best deal with the negative impacts my job can have on me, & I have always gravitated back to yoga. Together with meditation, it keeps me sane. It helps fix me when I come back from an awful day a little bit broken. It helps to keep me strong and look after my body in a physical job. It helps me to reflect, process, & grow as a person & a vet. Depending on the day, yoga just gives me what I need
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I trained as a yoga teacher & set up VetYogi because I want to share the power of yoga & meditation primarily with my veterinary colleagues. I hope it helps if it comes from someone who likely feels what they feel, can come at it from a more scientific perspective, & can relate from first-hand experience to the unique challenges we face"
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