Dr. Peter Surkan (left) of Park Range Veterinary Services in Prince Albert said being a veterinarian can be a stressful job. (submitted photo/Brenda Smith)

By Ronald Quaroni

Mental health

Local veterinarians speak on stress after report on mental health

Mar 3, 2020 | 1:31 PM

Veterinarians in Central Saskatchewan say sleep deprivation, long working hours, and stressful working conditions can make their job difficult at times.

A recent study published in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association says Canadian veterinarians are at a greater risk of struggling with mental health-related issues than the general public.

Dr. Victor Kernaleguen is a veterinarian at Melfort’s Gateway Veterinary Services. For him his major stressors are work days that start at 4 a.m. and go until 1 a.m. during calving season, that his patients that can’t tell him what’s ailing them, and the business side of the clinic.

“As veterinarians we have a business model that is private enterprise. There’s no health care for pets,” Kernaleguen told paNOW. “You always want to help the animal, but you get into this wedge of having to work within a client’s budget. You can come up with a great plan but if it’s not affordable for the patient you have to come up with another plan.”

Kernaleguen said it’s very important for those in the profession to reach out and seek help if the pressures of the job build up.

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“The biggest thing you have to do is talk through your problems so that they’re not bothering you. If you keep things cooped up inside and never talk about it, pretty soon everything seems overwhelming and gloomy,” he added.

Dr. Peter Surkan, an owner of Park Range Veterinary Services in Prince Albert said while rewarding, the job can be demanding.

“It is one of the more stressful professions out there. Working longer hours than most professionals end up having to work. There’s a lot of after hour calls. The other thing is you’re often dealing with life or death situations with people’s treasured animals,” Surkan told paNOW.

Surkan explained at his clinic having a multi-vet practice has allowed them to alleviate some of the stress related to burnout.

“If you’re by yourself it’s often increasingly difficult to get away,” he said. “A bit of it depends on your co-workers and your work environment. If you can enjoy what you do each day… it makes it very good. Prince Albert is a wonderful place to have a job.”

Both Surkan and Kernaleguen noted having a great staff and being able to create a good work environment helps them enjoy what they do day to day. They also credited the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine as being great resources for those in the field to rely on.

Erin Wasson said veterinarians in the province should reach out for help if they are feeling stressed. (submitted photo/Caitlin Taylor)

Erin Wasson works as a veterinary social worker at the college. A large part of her role is to provide support around veterinary well-being.

“Because veterinarians are in the company of trauma and distress, they sometimes downplay their own experiences of distress because it doesn’t seem as bad,” Wasson told paNOW.

She explained the support provided to those in the veterinary field in Saskatchewan is a great resource and should be used.

“If you want to have longevity in your practice, then you also need to do preventative work to manage your welfare. We can’t be all things to all people and then not put anything back in. We’ve got to make sure we’re looking after ourselves,” she said.

(With files from the Canadian Press)

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni