Veterinary policy and mental health with Dr Lydia Pethick

A common misconception about veterinary sciences is that it’s all about puppies and kittens, but that’s not always the case. Like other care providers, vets can have it tough in the service of the community and there is a lot of active work being done to ensure the vet industry, its people, the community, and not just the animals, can thrive.

Join us as we speak with Dr Lydia Pethick, veterinarian, motivational speaker, and television presenter about working in policy and biosecurity as a vet, the state of mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary industry, and the actionable things we can do to positively impact our mindset and prevent burnout.

Note: This episode contains a content warning. Please see the show notes below for more information.

About Dr Lydia Pethick 

Dr Lydia Pethick is a policy veterinarian at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia where she works in the area of Biosecurity and Sustainability, to grow and protect WA's agriculture and food sector.

She is passionate about increasing wellbeing, resilience, collaboration, and camaraderie within the Veterinary profession, raising awareness of mental health struggles in the wider community, and journeying from a place of judgement to joy. She uses her veterinary, permaculture, and wellness training to holistically, creatively, and practically integrate animal husbandry, therapeutic horticulture, and regenerative practices to build resilience within self, family, our communities and beyond.

Lydia is a speaker at national and international conferences, where she shares her passion about the exciting work in the veterinary industry to improve the health and lives of animals and humans, and is also a TV presenter on Garden Gurus.

Show Notes (link)

[00:01:27] Lydia's journey to veterinary science.

[00:02:12] Biosecurity through veterinary science.

[00:03:10] What biosecurity policy entails.

[00:05:56] Mental health and well-being in the vet space (Content warning: mentions of suicide, emotional blackmail)

[00:08:41] The initiatives to raise awareness and support vets and their communities.

[00:11:24] Bringing in broader professional skills and support at the university level for future vets.

[00:13:20] Support at the industry board level in this capacity across multiple sectors.

[00:15:10] SMART, and strategies for managing individual well-being.

[00:15:44] 'S' is for self-acceptance, state of mind, and self-care.

[00:18:26] 'M' is for mood boosters like morning sun, movement, and music.

[00:22:23] 'A' is for awareness.

[00:23:38] 'R' is for relationships.

[00:24:25] 'T' is for treasure hunting.

[00:26:16] Take things a little at a time to improve yourself or your situation.

[00:27:31] Lydia's own experiences with burnout and a desire for change.

[00:28:44] The stigma and loneliness of personal struggles and wanting people to know they're not alone.

[00:30:31] Horticultural therapy in Lydia's life and work.

[00:34:55] Finding coaches for your own direction finding.

[00:35:51] What advice would you give someone who would like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?

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