The coping strategies that help veterinarians survive hard cases may also be the ones that wear them down over time.

The hidden cost of staying strong: How emotional armor protects you, and what it costs

Veterinary medicine asks a lot of the people who practice it. To continue showing up for difficult cases, emotional clients, and challenging demands, many veterinarians learn to put on “emotional armor,” like humor and control. However, what happens when this “armor” stops protecting and starts wearing down? In this episode of 

The Resilient Vet: Mind and Body Strategies for Success,

 hosts Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, explore how emotional armor forms, when it becomes costly, and how veterinary professionals can find a healthier balance that supports their humanity and longevity in the profession.

When we are dealing with the difficult client, the sad case, the euthanasia, the economic situations that might prevent a patient from getting the care they need, the difficult coworker, supervisor, or employee—whatever we’re dealing with on a daily basis—the physical exhaustion, the pain, the physical pain we might be in, we need to develop these strategies or we’re not going to last.

So, it comes down to where we find this balance—where it’s constructive and helping us build resilience and get through without crossing the line into being detrimental. And like anything, one of the things I always like to ask is, 

By that, I mean, when we have certain strategies, personality traits, or ways that we do things, and we can do so intentionally—when we can have a choice about it, and even, just for a second, decide when it’s to our benefit to use that and when it might be appropriate to set it aside—then 

, that means we don’t have a choice. We just do it.

A lot of us are in that zone for a lot of things about ourselves. So what happens then is we keep reacting and doing things and doing things—maybe pushing people away, walling ourselves off, shutting down our emotions, putting on a poker face, or just ignoring a coworker or not dealing with it. And that’s fine in the moment, but what happens is we’re building this shield around ourselves, and that’s maladaptive, right?

Next thing you know, you fast-forward 6 months or a year, and you’re alone, you’re not happy, you don’t have relationships, and you’re exhausted. So, when we start to think about it—and for each person we’re all different—it’s [about asking]: what are the tools you use on a daily basis, the strategies you use to withstand all the stuff that’s coming at you?

And when is it time to take a deep breath? When is it time to let the emotion out, to sit and have a cry, to share your experience with a coworker, to comfort a coworker—maybe even one that you don’t like so much? When is it time to put all those strategies and coping mechanisms down so that we can start to experience our humanity, which is really what will keep us from burning out and from hitting that point of pure exhaustion.

Transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and cohesion.

Podcasts

®is keeping readers informed and entertained. The following articles and video offer news about Santa's reindeer and seasonal safety tips as well as a bit of holiday magic:

USDA issues a permit for Santa’s reindeer to enter the US

One reindeer has a physical anomaly, but all passed a health examination. The permit was issued to S. Nicholas Claus, a North Pole distributor for Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc.

Holiday hazards for pets: Common toxic ingestions and foreign-body risks veterinarians should flag

Top toxic ingestions in cats and dogs and average cost of treatment, according to a pet insurance provider.

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA (left), and Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD, sing karaoke during a 2023 holiday episode of 

Holiday karaoke extravaganza with Julia Miller and Adam Christman

In the episode of dvm360 Live! the veterinarian duo sings with a special guest appearance from Mariah Carey.

Articles

These 2 articles and a video include help navigating news on Santa's reindeer, holiday hazards for pets, and veterinarians bringing karaoke to your celebration. 

3 must-sees for Christmas 

What do a Marine Corps corporal, a high school basketball coach and an A-list movie actor have in common? They all delivered inspiring keynote addresses at US veterinary conferences in 2025, sharing their personal stories and words of encouragement for attendees. Read more about each of these individuals as follows:

Megan Leavey on stage at the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Washington, DC.

Megan Leavey, a former military police canine handler with the Marine Corps, took the stage at the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Washington, DC, to discuss her life in the armed forces and fight to adopt the dog she worked during her enlistment.

Kevin Costner at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner shared heartfelt stories about animals, purpose and perseverance during the opening-day keynote address at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), in Orlando, Florida.

Donnie Campbell addresses the audience at the NAVC SkillShop meeting in Orlando, Florida.

, shared experiences leading teams and players with NAVC SkillShop attendees in Orlando. His former players included a then-teenaged Jason Sudeikis, the actor and comedian in the show’s eponymous role.

Megan Leavey, Kevin Costner and Donnie Campbell share their personal experiences with veterinary audiences.

3 Must-read inspiring stories

Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, breaks down the high-impact eye exams and treatments every general practitioner should be comfortable doing: Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, and tonometry. He also gives clear, practical guidance on triaging corneal ulcers and glaucoma. Edited from his interview at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Long Beach, California, this concise Q&A gives clinic-ready steps you can implement today to protect vision and improve patient outcomes.

Image Credit: © Михаил Решетников | stock.adobe.com

 Q&A has been lightly edited and consolidated from a verbal interview to better fit a written format while retaining the substance of the original conversation.

For geriatric patients, what routine ophthalmic checks should every GP perform?

: Prioritize comfort and function. Do a dilated ophthalmic exam. Check the lens so you can tell cataract from nuclear sclerosis and do a fundic exam for retinal degeneration. Ask about vision and night-vision. Owners will often notice hesitation at night or disorientation. Inspect the cornea for deposits like mineral or calcium that can predispose to ulcers. And remember, frailty matters more than chronological age when thinking about surgery.

What is the minimum workup for a “red eye” that every clinic should be doing?

: The minimum database I recommend is Schirmer tear test, fluorescein stain, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Those 3 things will screen for dry eye, corneal ulcers (including melting ulcers), and glaucoma—the scary diagnoses you don’t want to miss. Bundle them as a single ophthalmic exam fee if you can so owners aren’t tempted to decline essential testing.

: Glaucoma is time-sensitive. If pressures stay high, vision can be lost in days. If you don’t have a pressure reading, someone might start steroids and recheck too late, and you can lose the eye. A tonometer lets you detect elevated IOP early and avoid that dangerous delay.

For a newly diagnosed glaucoma case, what should a GP do before referral?

: Measure the IOP. Then try to determine whether it’s primary (inherited/idiopathic) or secondary (uveitis, lens-induced, intraocular mass or hemorrhage). Secondary glauc­oma can be harder to manage because something is physically blocking outflow. Start appropriate medical therapy, but know some drugs only drop the pressure a few mmHg (for example, timolol). They may be insufficient for very high pressures, so escalate based on response and refer when needed.

How do you decide between medical and surgical management for corneal ulcers?

: Depth and risk of perforation drive the decision. Ulcers that are roughly ≥50% stromal depth, down to Descemet’s membrane or perforating, are commonly surgical candidates (grafting). Consider anesthesia risk, owner resources, and expected postoperative vision. A large graft can leave a permanent visual axis scar. Shallow ulcers often heal with medical therapy but require closer monitoring.

Do you change plans for older patients or those with comorbidities?

: Yes, balance risks and benefits. Be mindful of systemic absorption and side effects of topical meds. Timolol can affect heart rate and bronchoconstriction in patients with heart or respiratory disease. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can affect electrolytes (monitor when indicated). Topical steroids and NSAIDs have systemic absorption. Weigh those risks in patients with GI/hepatic/renal disease and tailor monitoring.

Practical tips for owners of visually impaired senior pets?

: Keep pets engaged and maintain routines. Provide lighting for night-vision deficits, use verbal cues, and avoid sudden changes. Keep furniture placement consistent. Small accommodations help confidence and quality of life. For walks, verbal cues and keeping them on leash are helpful.

To read more news and view expert insights from Fetch Long Beach, visit 

’s dedicated site for conference coverage at 

https://www.dvm360.com/conference/fetch-long-beach

Alex Sigmund, DVM DACVO, discusses the minimum eye exam, why a tonometer matters, how to triage corneal ulcers, and simple advice for visually impaired senior pets.

Q&A: What every GP should know about ophthalmology

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Mississippi State University (MSU) is entering into a new partnership with educational travel provider Loop Abroad. The collaboration aims to expand global learning opportunities for undergraduate students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine and related fields at US universities, according to MSU.

A sea turtle under the care of Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is pictured.

This partnership establishes the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Veterinary Internships. These credit-bearing international programs aim to provide immersive, hands-on veterinary experiences abroad for undergraduate students enrolled at any US university. Beginning in summer 2026, students can enroll, through the program, in 2 distinct courses, Companion Animal and Elephant Veterinary Medicine, and Food Animal, Marine, and Wildlife Medicine in the Tropics; held in Thailand and Belize, respectively. The application deadline for these summer 2026 courses is February 10, 2026.

“This partnership reflects Mississippi State’s land-grant mission and its commitment to preparing students for impactful careers in a global society,” Dan Reynolds, executive director of the International Institute at MSU, said in a news release.

Students will have an opportunity to enroll in an internship that focuses on elephants in Thailand.

The 2-week Companion Animal and Elephant Veterinary Medicine course offers students 3 academic credits with lectures, labs, and hands-on learning opportunities in clinical and field settings. Students will observe and participate in activities with a focus on elephant medicine. Enrolled students will also have time to experience Thailand’s communities and culture including food, history, traditions and daily life, while working with peers in a global environment.

The 3-week Food Animal, Marine, and Wildlife Medicine in the Tropics course offers 4 academic credits with lectures, labs, and hands-on learning experiences as well as immersion in the Belize culture. Through observation and participation, students will focus on veterinary medicine with activities that focus on a variety of species.

Founded in 1974, Mississippi State University’s CVM offers state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research programs. The CVM provides students with hands-on training from their first day. Veterinary students at MSU perform an average of 90 surgeries before graduation, reflecting the college’s commitment to experiential learning where passion for animals meets a legacy of excellence, according to the university. Additionally, faculty, staff and students are actively engaged around the world, addressing challenges across all aspects of One Health—an integrated approach that recognizes the interconnected health of people, animals and the environment and promotes collaboration across disciplines to achieve better health outcomes for all.

Loop Abroad is one of the largest pre-veterinary study abroad organizations in the US. The organization, which caters to high school and college students as well as professional learners, maintains partnerships in more than 12 countries and provides funding to projects worldwide that support wildlife conservation, research, animal welfare and One Health initiatives.

“Through this partnership, students will gain exposure to different veterinary practices, species and cultural contexts while earning academic credit through Mississippi State University,” Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LA), dean of the CVM, said in a news release.

 “The programs are designed to complement our undergraduate, professional and graduate degree programs while emphasizing ethical, sustainable engagement with global communities.”

The Mississippi State University International Institute Office of Study Abroad will serve as a central hub for the CVM’s partnership with Loop Abroad, supporting program coordination and student participation. The office plays a key role in the university’s international activities by mobilizing faculty, staff and students to engage globally and positively influence the lives of Mississippians and communities around the world, according to the institution.

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine announces new partnership with Loop Abroad. News release. Mississippi State University. December 22, 2025.

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Veterinary Internship— Companion Animal and Elephant Veterinary Medicine. Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed December 23, 2025. 

https://msstate.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=76874

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Veterinary Internship— Food Animal, Marine, and Wildlife Medicine in the Tropics. Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Accessed December 23, 2025. 

https://msstate.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=76875

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine entered into a collaboration with Loop Abroad to expand its international learning programming.

Education partnership provides more global learning opportunities

Use empathy first: acknowledge the owner's concerns, explain why a recommendation is clinically needed, and check understanding to build trust and encourage compliance.

How to correct internet misinformation in client conversations

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), explains the importance of a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach when discussing nutrition and treatment with pet owners. Instead of reacting to misinformation from "Dr Google," ask about the owner's concerns, acknowledge their love for the pet, explain the clinical rationale clearly, and check for understanding so owners are more likely to accept evidence-based recommendations.

The following is a transcript of the video, edited for readability:

: I think one of the biggest things I always think about is that we cannot judge. The minute you judge someone, they shut down. For example, a client might be feeding something inappropriate because Dr. Google told them to. A well-meaning person on the internet posts something and the owner believes it. As veterinary professionals we know that is not the right thing to feed, but if you react with a face or a mean remark like, "What a bad owner you are," the owner will just shut down and we lose them.

I try to think about it from the owner’s perspective. The pet parent loves their pet. I do not think anyone who brings an animal to a veterinary clinic hates their animal. They are listening to Dr. Google because they love their pet and they do not know where to find reliable information. Someone online says, "I know this for a fact," and the owner has no way to confirm it.

So I approach these conversations with compassion. Ask what their concern is and acknowledge it. Owners do not want to hear, "No, you are wrong." They want to feel heard. Say something like, "I understand you really love Fluffy and you heard this on the internet. Let me give you some information. That is not quite correct and here is why." Then check in: "How does that sound? Do you have any other questions? Does that make sense?"

When I do this the pet parent usually realizes veterinarians are experts in nutrition and says, "Oh, I did not know that. Thank you for explaining." You have to explain. If you are changing the pet from an inappropriate food to a therapeutic food for a medical condition, most owners will accept it once they understand, because you explained compassionately why that food is needed.

Sometimes the internet makes them think we are doing it for money. Remind them we love animals and we are recommending what is best for their pet. 

Videos

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) explains the power of empathy in addressing owner concerns.