007: Bouncing Back Better: The Case For Resilience in Vet Med

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore the power of resilience—not just as a personal trait, but as a skill we can teach, build, and share.

Grounded in a 2017 study by Jenny Moffett and David Bartram, this conversation uncovers what happens when veterinary students receive formal resilience education early in their careers—and what it means for the rest of us who never got that kind of support.

From skepticism to mindset shifts, and from group learning to individual bounce-back moments, this episode is a hopeful look at how wellbeing education can change the trajectory of a veterinary career—and why it's never too late to learn.

You’ll hear:

• Why resilience education matters in vet med (and why it’s not just for students)
• What the research says about resilience as a learnable skill
• How one workshop changed the way students saw themselves and their capacity to cope
• The social power of building resilience together—not alone
• What this means for long-time professionals who never got this training early on

Whether you’re just starting out or mid-career and building the plane mid-flight, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the science of resilience—and the role education can play in making thriving possible.

Resource Links: 

Episode Article:

Title: Veterinary Students’ Perspectives on Resilience and Resilience-Building Strategies
Authors:Jenny E. Moffett and Davi d J. Bartram

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0216-046r1

Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience
Flourish Academy - Introduction to Applied Veterinary Resilence
Florida Veterinary Medical Association - Inspire program - This program is FREE for ALL Florida veterinary professions regardless of status with the FVMA.  

Florida Man This Week - Dog 

What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [e-mail]

Your Hosts:
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC 

Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP

At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction to Resilience Education

00:42 Casual Conversation and Weather Talk

01:25 Horse Care in Hot Weather

03:05 Dog Days of Summer

05:30 The Joy of Dad Jokes

06:00 A Thought-Provoking Question

09:26 Hope in Veterinary Medicine

12:22 Resilience Training in Veterinary School

17:50 Skepticism and Resilience

20:53 Handling Skepticism in the Workplace

21:59 Embracing Skeptics for Better Conversations

23:56 The Importance of Wellbeing in Vet Med

25:49 Balancing Wellbeing Across Career Stages

29:21 Practical Ways to Show You Care

31:04 Making Resilience a Group Effort

34:21 Educational Opportunities for Building Resilience

38:35 Florida Man: A Humorous Conclusion