Veterinary Mentorship: Shaping the Future of Equine Veterinary Practice
Veterinary mentorship isn’t just a nice-to-have in equine medicine – it’s a lifeline. For many new graduates stepping into this exciting yet challenging field, the guidance of a seasoned mentor can mean the difference between thriving and burning out.
The recent report published The Economic State of the Equine Profession 2024 produced by the AVMA and AAEP underscores this reality, revealing that mentorship plays a critical role in attracting and retaining talent while also advancing clinical expertise.
As someone who has both benefited from and provided mentorship throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how this dynamic can transform careers and strengthen the equine veterinary profession as a whole. If we’re to secure the future of equine veterinary medicine, mentorship must take center stage.
Someone very wise once told me you spent the first third of your life taking – from your parents, from your teachers and from your mentors. You then spend the middle third of your life applying, then the final third of your life giving back – to your mentees, your family and your community.
These days we are seeing more and more veterinarians in the ‘middle third’ of their life stepping into the role of mentor, in particular supported by industry initiatives such as those provided by The Australian Veterinary Association Graduate Mentoring Program and the AAEP’s mentoring program “Outrider.”
This program facilitates relationships between newer AAEP members and more experienced practitioners, focusing on non-clinical areas critical to long-term success and well-being, such as career advice and professional relationships
The High Stakes for New Graduates
The Economic State of the Equine Profession (2024) delivers a sobering reality: “58% of equine veterinarians cite lifestyle factors, work-life balance, emergency coverage responsibilities, or inadequate salary and compensation as their primary reasons for considering leaving equine practice.”
However, there is a silver lining – remuneration for new graduates has seen significant progress in recent years. The report highlights that the average starting salary for 2023 graduates entering full-time equine practice has surged by an impressive 62.9% since 2020.
Despite these gains, retention in equine veterinary medicine remains a persistent and critical challenge. While higher starting salaries are a step forward, they often clash with the economic realities of equine practice.
The ability of practitioners to generate the revenue needed to sustain these salaries is strained, compounded by a lack of confidence in clinical skills and limited practical experience.
This gap leaves many young professionals feeling unsupported and overwhelmed,which may have a hand to play in ultimately leading to attrition.
Mentorship emerges as a vital piece of the puzzle, providing new graduates with both a safety net and a platform for professional growth. It consistently ranks as the top reason new graduates choose one job offer over another.
Effective mentorship not only builds clinical competence but also fosters resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging – key ingredients for retaining bright, capable individuals within the profession.
By addressing these underlying issues, the equine veterinary community can work toward sustainable solutions to the ongoing retention crisis.
Why Veterinary Mentorship Is a Win-Win
Mentorship benefits extend far beyond the individual mentee. Practices that invest in mentorship are rewarded with loyal, confident veterinarians who contribute to a stronger team dynamic.
Practices with established mentorship programs tend to report lower turnover rates and higher levels of employee satisfaction.
The good news is that a mentorship program doesn’t have to be in-house, in-fact, it may even be better to have the mentor-mentee relationship at arms length: allowing free and frank talk without preconceived ideas relating to individual practice culture and personalities.
For the mentee, mentorship provides more than technical knowledge – it instills confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. For the mentor, it’s an opportunity to give back, refine teaching skills, and even learn from the fresh perspectives that new graduates bring.
For those who have heard me talk about this before, you may remember that as a new graduate I had three mentors I could lean on. This could be anything from how to deal with a challenging client situation to an adverse drug reaction to advice on a frustrating non-healing corneal ulcer.
Mentorship isn’t just about improving clinical outcomes. It’s about fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration that elevates the entire profession.
Practical Steps to Build a Meaningful Equine Mentorship Program
As an equine practice owner, you have the power to create mentorship opportunities that genuinely make a difference. Here’s how you can get started:
- Commit to Intentional Mentorship
Mentorship isn’t something that happens by accident. It requires a structured approach. Set clear goals for your program, whether that’s refining surgical skills, enhancing client communication, success in the business of equine practice or fostering work-life balance. Define what success looks like for both the mentor and mentee. - Pair Mentors and Mentees Thoughtfully
Not every seasoned vet makes a great mentor, and not every new graduate will mesh with every mentor. Consider personality, learning styles, and professional goals when matching mentors and mentees. - Foster Open Communication
A successful mentorship hinges on trust and honesty. Encourage regular check-ins and create an environment where mentees feel safe asking questions or admitting challenges. - Celebrate Milestones
Recognizing growth – whether it’s a first successful dental procedure or a seamless client interaction – reinforces progress and builds confidence.
My Personal Take: Why Veterinary Mentorship Is Non-Negotiable
At the American Association of Equine Practitioners Conference in Orlando last December, I spoke with dozens of new graduates who shared a common theme: they felt isolated and unsure of how to navigate the early years of their careers. Their stories hit home for me because I’ve been there.
When I first started in equine practice, I was fortunate to have mentors who didn’t just teach me technical skills – they taught me how to handle the emotional weight of the job, how to communicate with clients effectively, and how to recover from mistakes.
Those lessons were invaluable and became the foundation for the mentorship programs I’ve since developed in my own practice.
This belief in mentorship is also why I founded The Equine Practice Company – to support equine veterinarians who lack access to a mentor to guide their professional growth.
Take our Practitioner’s Program, for example. This program incorporates over 250 veterinarians around the world who believe in raising the standard of care and supporting their profession by offering immediate access to equine-specific learnings available right there in your back pocket.
As an equine veterinarian entering my fourth decade in practice, I realise now more than ever the immense value of capturing expertise and making it accessible to veterinarians worldwide.
Since its launch in April 2022, the Practitioner’s Program has empowered over 3200+ equine veterinarians, passing on her unparalleled knowledge and ensuring her legacy continues to elevate the profession. This is the power of mentorship – creating opportunities for growth, even when a mentor isn’t physically present.
To take it a step further, the Equine Practice Company’s Business Mastermind provides mentoring on the business of equine practice for those veterinarians who strongly desire a happy, effective and profitable equine vet practice.
A Call to Action
If you’re a practice owner, ask yourself: What legacy do you want to leave? Veterinary mentorship isn’t just about training – it’s about building a profession where every veterinarian feels empowered to excel. Start small, but start today.
And to new graduates, know this: You’re not alone. If you’re looking for advice or guidance, I encourage you to reach out through my website. Let’s build a brighter future for equine veterinary medicine together.
