Clients trust you. But as a new survey highlights, many still don't fully understand just how much your job demands.
And that disconnect matters - especially at a time when veterinary burnout is on the rise.
Let’s unpack what this latest research says about how pet owners view your role, and how the vet industry can bridge the perception gap.
A profession held in high regard
The 2025 Going Beyond survey, released by Boehringer Ingelheim, found something encouraging:
- 94% of pet owners say they appreciate the veterinary profession.
- Even more — 93% — said they value the level of care they receive.
That’s great news. It shows just how much trust veterinary teams have earned, and how essential that trust is in client relationships and pet outcomes.
But…
Many vets aren't feeling the love
When the same question was posed to veterinary professionals, only 49% felt that pet owners truly appreciated their profession.
This gap is hard to ignore and speaks to a deeper issue: the emotional and practical weight many veterinary teams carry behind the scenes, often unseen.
So where does the disconnect lie?
The work-life balance myth
One striking stat from the survey:
65% of pet owners believe veterinarians have a good work-life balance.
Anyone who has worked in a clinic will know how far from the truth that often is. Long hours, back-to-back consults, out-of-hours emergencies, and a never-ending stream of paperwork are the norm.
In fact, nearly half of veterinarians (48%) say pet owners don’t fully appreciate the work-life trade-offs they make to care for animals.
This mismatch can lead to unrealistic client expectations, stress and ultimately burnout.
Resilience is part of the job (but it has a cost)
Another finding:
66% of pet owners say vets need resilience to manage stress.
But that figure was much lower than for other frontline professions like doctors, firefighters and teachers.
Yet we know how emotionally draining veterinary work can be. From tough conversations around end-of-life care to the mental load of clinical decision-making — this profession asks a lot. And it does so quietly.
That’s why it’s so important to not just raise awareness among the public.
So what can be done?
You can’t shift public perception overnight. But small, intentional steps can help:
- Educate clients — not just about their pets, but about the realities of clinic life.
- Foster healthy boundaries — like clear communication protocols and shared expectations.
- Lean into tools that reduce admin strain — so you can focus on what matters most.
- Support your team culture — burnout prevention starts internally, with systems that care for staff as much as for patients.
One last thought
The survey reminds us that while clients may not always say it, they do trust you. They see you as essential. And they value your care, even if they don’t fully grasp what it takes.
At Vetdesk, we’re here to help lighten the load where we can. From automated reminders to ready-to-share pet care content, our platform is designed to make your life easier — without adding to your to-do list.
👉 Request a demo today and discover how Vetdesk can support your team, your workflow, and your wellbeing
