The University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and Zoetis, an animal health company, have teamed up to study ways to help veterinarians handle stress.
Zoetis will provide $130,000 over three years to help OVC researchers understand factors affecting the mental well-being of veterinarians. The study will be used to help develop training and other support programs for students and practitioners, said Jeffrey Wichtel, OVC dean.
“Like many professions, veterinary work often comes with long hours, financial pressures, employee management and other stresses that can affect the mental and physical health of veterinarians,” he said.
“This gift from Zoetis will help us identify ways that veterinarians can become more resilient in the face of these challenges.”
Nicole DeFraeye, senior manager, veterinary operations, companion animal division, for Zoetis in Canada, added: “It is a tremendous source of pride for Zoetis to support this important research to benefit the veterinary community.”
The study will be conducted by OVC’s Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Research and Education (AWAR2E) group, consisting of researchers, professors and administrators from across the college.
They will conduct interviews and online surveys, and video-record client appointments.
Results expected by 2017 will be used “to develop evidence-based educational resources and intervention strategies to help veterinarians better respond to the stresses associated with their work,” said Andria Jones-Bitton, an AWAR2E member and a professor in the Department of Population Medicine.
“We believe this will contribute to a stronger and healthier veterinary profession.”
