THRIVE’s primary initiative for 2023

_{Image: Austinmer Veterinary Hospital team} 

Last October we held our Veterinary Wellness Roundtable to discuss the state of wellness in our profession. Those involved reviewed the recommendations outlined by our 2021 Veterinary Wellness Research Report and shared ideas on how we could move forward with an industry-led approach for a mentally healthy veterinary community. You can read the full report here which summarises what was discussed. 

Participants strongly agreed that the culture of the veterinary workplace, regardless of what that workplace looked like, was paramount to the sustainability of the veterinary profession. The consensus was that mentally healthy people and workplaces are good for animal welfare, staff productivity, staff retention and individual well-being and satisfaction. 

I am delighted to share that our primary focus for 2023 will be the planning of a new THRIVE initiative, ‘Cultivating Safe Teams Pilot Program’, which aims to shift the culture of the veterinary workplace from the ground up. 

We are currently exploring funding opportunities as well as formalising a tender process for the development of the pilot program and look forward to sharing more with you over the coming weeks.  

Our pilot program is a key, but not our only focus for THRIVE this year. We will continue to support the profession through our Prevent/Promote/Protect pillars, delivering programs such as Mental Health First Aid, Graduate Mentoring and an inaugural THRIVE Wellness Symposium scheduled prior to the AVA Annual Conference in late May. 

The continued support for an industry-led wellness initiative from the whole profession indicates that the year ahead will be a THRIVING one!  

For more information about the AVA's THRIVE program, please click here.

Monika Cole 
Executive Officer Wellness