The genesis of VetGo goes back to our deep and long history in the veterinary industry. Over the decades we have had the pleasure of working with veterinary team members across Canada (and around the world) and have developed a deep love and respect for this community.

Not one more vet. A movement. A plea. A hope.

Many of you will recognize these words. Borne from the appallingly high suicide rate amongst veterinary professionals. Veterinarians are 4 times more likely to kill themselves than other professionals. And so, a movement. Not one more vet. Not one more vet (or veterinary team member) lost to suicide. Not one more person pushed too far. Not one more life lost to compassion fatigue.

I have spent my entire career in the veterinary industry. From my start, before I was old enough to drive, riding my bike to my local clinic to clean cages and walk patients, to years at a reception desk, to on-the-job technical training, to decades in veterinary nutrition. These are my people. I have traveled coast to coast being privileged to spend time with the most caring, compassionate people you will ever meet.

So I take these words very seriously. These are my friends, mentors, and colleagues. These are the people who tirelessly care for my beloved pets. They are tired. More than that, they are exhausted. Long hours for mediocre pay. The stress of ill patients compounded by irate owners.

They struggle to pay their crushing education debt while simultaneously being called crooks for charging fair prices for high level medical care. They are told that ‘if they cared’ they’d work for free, by owners who are oblivious to the significant overhead costs of having a clean clinic with necessary equipment. (nevermind that the vet they’re hurling abuse at is likely not even in a position to make the decision on prices).

When my business partner and friend Kevin and I sat down 3 years ago to build a framework for our next chapter in the veterinary industry we started with a simple goal. How can we help practices? What can we do that would make their lives easier? Their business run more smoothly?

Over the years we had both seen the astonishing turnover in veterinary clinics. Highly trained technicians come into a clinic wanting to put their vast education to work caring for animals. Soon they’re faced with the reality of low wages, long hours, and challenging clients.

They move on to other roles or stay home with new families and the industry loses their experience, expertise, and enthusiasm. Could we create something that could bring these people back into the industry in a way that worked for their lives? With flexible hours? Allowing them to work from home (or anywhere)?

Clinics are overworked and understaffed. Finding great team members is challenging. There simply aren’t enough, and not enough budget to retain them. Finding and training new team members costs time and money. Instead, clinics carry on. Taking on more tasks while already stretched thin. Always willing to stay late or come in early or work through lunch to ensure their patients continue to get top-notch care.

VetGo is a team of veterinary professionals who can help provide support, remotely, to practices across the country. Highly trained technicians and experienced receptionists can be a seamless extension of the clinic team. Another set of hands to answer calls or return messages or send out reminders. Whatever task your team needs off their plate so they can focus on patient care.

Whether you need help to cover vacations, or pick up some slack on busy mornings, or just during your busy times, VetGo is completely flexible, no contracts and no minimums.

I have worked in clinics, for clinics, and with clinics for the past 25 years (my co-founder also has decades of veterinary experience). In this next chapter of life, I want to give back to the industry that has given me so much. I hope VetGo will allow me to do that.

We know that providing a bit of extra support won’t change the reality of the demands of the veterinary profession. This won’t fix everything. But if we can be a small piece of making the world a better place for our veterinary colleagues and friends, we will enthusiastically jump at that chance.