August 2025
It all begins with an idea.
In terms of vocalization of issues, most of the feedback for this past month emanates from the veterinary field in this category. That said, as with most industries today, workers are reporting toxic workplace cultures. These are often characterized by poor management, a lack of communication, and a "Mean Girls Club" mentality among staff. This further compounds the stress, as employees feel they lack a safe and supportive environment to process the emotional demands of their job. Whether or not goals are altruistic, as we would hope within the fields of human or animal health and welfare, politics and inefficient, irrational, and pathetically “human” emotions that are traced back to insecurities and false pretenses of superiority only make stronger arguments for AI replacing humans, which is a shame in this industry and welfare-related industries in general.
With workers in veterinary care who are deeply passionate about helping animals, this passion is often seen as a double-edged sword. While it motivates them to endure difficult conditions, it can also be exploited by employers who expect employees to go above and beyond without adequate compensation or support. This leads to a sentiment of feeling unappreciated and taken advantage of, which is a major driver for professionals leaving the field. Online discussions are filled with frustrations over under-staffing, which leads to overwork and a lack of support. There is widespread belief that vet technicians and assistants are drastically underpaid for their highly skilled and emotionally demanding work, leading to high turnover.
The most significant source of stress is not just burnout from long hours and low pay, but "compassion fatigue," defined as “the emotional and physical exhaustion from caring for animals in distress.” Veterinary professionals frequently share stories of the profound emotional toll of euthanasia, dealing with pet owners who can't afford treatment, and the daily exposure to animal suffering. The transference of pet owner emotions from sadness to even anger on these employees leads to a sense of disillusionment.