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“Every patient leaves a paw print on my heart.” – Unknown
Today I celebrate a special milestone: 20 years of veterinary care. Twenty years in which I have been able to help countless animals, learn countless lessons and continue to develop my passion for holistic and integrative care for animals.
On the one hand, those twenty years have flown by. I can still vividly remember my student days. On the other hand, it has been a long journey in which I have experienced and learned a lot. Every journey has highs and lows, straight roads, winding paths and mountains that climb. So too with this journey as a veterinarian.
To celebrate this journey, I thought it would be fun to share with you 20 lessons I have learned in these two decades.
Obviously, you don’t become a veterinarian if you don’t like animals. From an early age I have had a huge passion for animals and it was therefore no surprise to anyone that I started studying veterinary medicine.
But what I didn’t expect is how deep my love and respect for animals would grow the more I worked with them. Through my experiences, I have discovered that animals are so much more than we often think. They have an incredibly deep emotional experience, which allows them to feel love, joy, sadness, and even grief in a way that closely resembles our own emotions. I learned more about not only how intelligent animals are, but also how much they are similar to us in their feelings and needs.
Animals communicate in their own unique ways, show unconditional love, and often live with a wisdom that can inspire us as humans. They are our partners, our mirrors, and our teachers. Through my work, I have not only learned how to help animals, but I have also learned from the animals themselves. They are truly extraordinary creatures that make our world so much richer.
Communication is at the heart of everything I do as a veterinarian. Whether it’s understanding the subtle cues animals give, reassuring a concerned owner, or working with colleagues to provide the best care—good communication is essential.
Good communication is the foundation of the trust and collaboration needed to make a real difference in the lives of animals.
In my 20 years as a veterinarian, I have developed a deep appreciation for the value of a holistic approach in animal care. But what exactly does “holistic” mean? A holistic approach looks at the complete picture: an animal’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Every animal is unique. It’s about not only treating symptoms, but also addressing the underlying causes and looking at the animal as a whole.
Integrative medicine has become an essential part of my approach. Integrative medicine combines the best aspects of traditional Western medicine with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, and nutritional modifications. This combination provides a more balanced and comprehensive care for animals.
A simple example of this is treating a dog with osteoarthritis. Traditional medicine would prescribe anti-inflammatories and painkillers, which can be effective. But by applying integrative medicine, we can also use acupuncture to reduce pain, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, along with supplements and dietary modifications that support the joints. This allows for a holistic recovery process that not only combats symptoms but also improves the dog’s overall health and quality of life.
Thus, integrative medicine provides a broader toolkit to ensure animal welfare, which is why it has become indispensable for me.
When you work with me, you hear me say it every day; Nutrition affects everything!
I can literally talk about this for months but for this blog I will keep it short. Nutrition is the absolute basis for the health of every animal. What an animal eats affects literally everything—from behavior and energy levels to the gut microbiome and even the way genes are expressed.
Nutrition is the fuel for the body and plays a crucial role in every aspect of an animal’s well-being. A balanced diet can help prevent and cure diseases, strengthen the immune system, and positively influence behavior.
When I first left university, I only knew Western medicine. My training was focused on diagnosis and treatment according to the methods of modern medicine, and that gave me a solid foundation to help animals. But as I gained more experience, I discovered that there are other visions and approaches that are valuable.
Because of my interest in complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbalism, and nutrition, my world as a veterinarian has broadened. I’ve come to see illness and health differently—not just as something that needs to be solved with medication, but as a balance that can be supported on multiple levels. This broader view has taught me that there are often multiple ways to help an animal, and that combining different approaches often yields the best results.
This wonderful profession, like other professions, has highs and lows. It’s a fulfilling calling, but it also comes with challenges. For example, there are the times when you get a call in the middle of the night for an emergency, or the pain of losing a patient despite all your efforts.
In addition, ethical dilemmas are common. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions that are not black and white, such as when treatment is possible, but the animal’s quality of life is at stake. These situations can be tough, and it takes time and experience to learn how to deal with them properly.
These challenges have taught me to be resilient, to act with compassion and wisdom, and to do my best for the animals and their owners every day. Despite the difficult moments, working with animals remains the most beautiful profession there is, and every challenge brings me closer to finding the best care for each animal.
After 20 years as a veterinarian, I have developed something that cannot be learned with any training: intuition. This intuition is the result of years of experience, countless patients, and a deep understanding of animals. It’s that gut feeling that sometimes tells me something before I have the evidence in my hands.
Trusting that intuition is an important lesson I’ve learned over the years. Sometimes all the test results can seem normal, but I still feel that something is wrong. Those moments remind me that veterinary medicine is not just science, but also art. It requires a balance between knowledge and intuition.
This ‘gut feeling’ has often helped me to make the right decisions, even when the situation was complicated or unclear.
In recent years, I have learned how indispensable good colleagues are in this profession. They are not only there to share knowledge and experience, but also to support you in difficult moments and to get through challenging situations together.
It’s a great advantage to have a team around you that you can count on—whether it’s discussing a complex case or listening after an emotionally taxing day. Colleagues understand the unique challenges of our work better than anyone, and it’s that mutual support that allows us to do our best work for the animals that rely on us.
Together we form a strong network, in which we have each other’s backs, motivate each other, and ensure that we can make a difference as a team. Good colleagues not only make work more pleasant, but also better. So dear colleagues: thank you!
Over the years, I’ve learned that you can’t win every battle. Sometimes it’s better to focus your energy on the things that really make a difference, rather than fighting things you can’t change.
In my years as a veterinarian, I’ve learned that there are different types of clients, and not all of them are right for me—and that’s totally okay. Every customer has their own expectations, values, and way of caring for their animal. It’s important to recognize that not everyone is comfortable with my approach, just as I’m not always the right vet for every client.
What I’ve learned is that it’s important to work with clients who share my vision and approach. This allows for better cooperation and ultimately better care for the animal. It’s okay if we’re not always a perfect match; There are plenty of other vets who may be a better fit for what a client is looking for.
By staying true to my own values and way of working, I can give the best to those customers and animals that suit me. This ensures mutual trust, understanding, and the best outcome for the health and well-being of the animals in my care.
The job of a veterinarian can be tough and emotionally taxing at times, which is why it’s important to have fun and enjoy the little moments as well. This keeps the passion alive and ensures a healthy balance.
It is essential to occasionally reflect on the reason why you chose this profession. The long working days, the emotional moments, and the challenges can be overwhelming at times. It helps to refresh your memories of the positive impact you have on the lives of animals and their owners.
A simple yet powerful way to do this is to keep a folder with photos and cards from grateful owners and dear patients. They remind you why you started: to improve the lives of animals and bring the joy and support to their owners.
This folder not only provides comfort and motivation on difficult days, but also strengthens your passion for the profession. It reminds you that every challenge and difficult moment is softened by the smiles and gratitude of those you have helped. It is an ongoing reminder of the meaning and value of your work.
As a veterinarian, you never stop learning. After 20 years in the profession, I am still fascinated by the continuous discoveries and new insights that the profession brings. Every day there are new developments, from advances in medical technology to innovative treatment methods and deeper insights into animal health.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, another patient comes along to prove otherwise.
This continuous learning keeps my work not only engaging, but also dynamic and inspiring. It reminds me that there is always room for growth and improvement. It’s a constant journey of discovery and keeping up with the latest knowledge, which allows me to continue to provide the best care for the animals I treat. The adventure of learning never ends, and that’s what keeps my passion for this profession alive.
As a veterinarian, you will not only work with animals, but also with people.
Interacting with owners can be complex; They bring their worries, fears, and expectations to every appointment. It’s my job to support them, inform them, and work with them to determine the best care for their pet. Through open communication and empathy, I can not only improve the animal’s health, but also provide the reassurance the owner needs. Dealing with different personalities, emotions, and expectations is an important part of the job and something you need to learn over the years.
Over the years, I have developed a deep respect for nature and its wonders. Animals and their complex systems never cease to amaze me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them on a daily basis.
The body of an animal, with all its delicate systems and balances, shows how wonderfully and perfectly nature is arranged.
Although we can learn and imitate a lot, I realize more and more that we can never fully imitate nature. The natural balance and resilience that exist in every living thing surpass our human attempts to imitate them. This realization has deepened my appreciation for nature and motivated me to treat both the animals and their environment with even more care and respect.
In the past few years of busy workdays as a veterinarian, I’ve learned that you can’t pour from an empty teapot. The realization that I can’t take optimal care of my patients if I don’t take good care of myself has become crucial.
It’s easy to lose yourself in caring for others, but it’s important to pay attention to your own well-being as well. This means getting plenty of rest, choosing healthy foods, and making time for personal relaxation. Only by taking good care of myself can I do my work effectively and with full energy. It is a valuable lesson that helps me to both maintain my own health and continue to provide the best care for the animals.
In my years as a veterinarian, I have learned that healing takes time. Whether it’s physical recovery time after surgery or slowly improving chronic conditions, patience is essential. Healing is a process that is not always quick or straightforward.
Owners often want a simple solution that leads to quick results. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.
Every step forward, no matter how small, is important and contributes to the bigger picture of recovery. It is crucial to guide and support owners during this time, and to set realistic expectations. This experience has taught me that patience and perseverance, both of the animals and their owners, are indispensable for a successful recovery.
In my 20 years as a veterinarian, I have unfortunately learned that not all animals can be saved. As much as I would like to. Despite the best care and efforts we provide, nature plays a major role in the recovery process. The body has its own way of dealing with illness and injury, and sometimes it’s simply not enough to save life.
Learning to accept that some situations are out of our control is a difficult lesson, but also an important one. It reminds me that, even with all the knowledge and dedication, there are limits to what we can do. This reality helps me to deal with the grief of owners with compassion and understanding and to continue to strive for the best for each animal, knowing that some things simply cannot be changed.
Last but not least, I am incredibly grateful for the past 20 years. Grateful for the animals I have been able to help, for the owners who have put their trust in me and for the lessons I have learned along the way.
Gratitude comes in many forms: a smile, a handshake, or simply seeing an animal that is happy and healthy again. These moments of recognition and appreciation make all the efforts worthwhile and strengthen my passion for the profession. They remind me to approach each day with an open heart and grateful mind, both for the progress we make and for the lessons we learn along the way.
Celebrating 20 years as a veterinarian is more than just a milestone; It is a moment of reflection and gratitude. Every animal and owner I’ve met has taught me something valuable. And while I’ve learned so much, I’m looking forward to the next few years full of new challenges, discoveries, and most importantly—the chance to help even more animals.
Thank you for your trust, love and support. Here’s to the next 20 years!
What lessons have you learned from and with your animals in recent years? I’d love to hear them!
