AVA receives additional funding to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australian veterinarians

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has been awarded a second grant from the Zoetis Foundation to help deliver the THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams psychological health and safety pilot program to veterinary clinics nationwide. 

“Creating psychologically healthy and safe workplaces for all individuals working in the veterinary profession is a major focus for AVA and our THRIVE initiative,” said AVA President Dr Sally Colgan.

The Cultivating Safe Teams Pilot Program delivers tailored, in-workplace psychological health and safety awareness training that is fit for purpose for all individuals working in the veterinary profession. The pilot has received excellent feedback from participants, including these recent comments. At the conclusion of the pilot, the AVA hopes to have trained more than 500 veterinary professionals across Australia.

“We would like to thank the Zoetis Foundation for their generous support in funding the second year of the pilot program as well as our long-standing industry partners who have pledged their commitment to cultivating safe teams in veterinary workplaces,” Dr Colgan said. 

Jeannette Ferran Astorga, President of the Zoetis Foundation, stated, “It is critical for the future of veterinary medicine that we empower the veterinary community to prioritise wellbeing. Through this grant, we are pleased to support the Australian Veterinary Association and their work in cultivating workplaces that foster veterinary mental health and wellbeing to advance a thriving veterinary community."

Feedback on the training has been very positive, with participants acknowledging positive post-session changes in team communication and bonding and greater individual accountability for team safety.

“Programs such as this are key to supporting our veterinary workforce with tools and approaches that work.  This initiative underscores the AVA’s commitment to improving the wellness and safety of veterinary professionals, helping to create safer and more supportive environments to work in,” Dr Colgan said.

The recent release of the NSW Inquiry report into the Veterinary Workforce shortage in NSW reinforced the importance of wellness programs for the veterinary profession. The report includes 4 recommendations related to mental health support, which is a significant recognition of the need for support for the profession and industry-led initiatives.

The pilot program was initiated to address the 2021 SuperFriend Veterinary Wellness Research recommendations, which outlined the need for preventative measures to mitigate psychological risks within veterinary workplaces.

The AVA is deeply grateful to the Zoetis Foundation for its continued funding of the THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams Pilot Program. The second grant of approximately US$109,000 (AUD $161,000) will enable the AVA to complete the training delivery, assess impact, and continue to provide the necessary resources and support to help improve overall wellbeing in our veterinary workplaces.

About the Zoetis Foundation

The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and farmers adopt sustainable business practices.

The Zoetis Foundation is committed to its goal of $35 million in grants distributed by the end of 2025 to provide opportunities for veterinarians and farmers across the Foundation’s three grant-making priorities: Education, Well-being, and Livelihoods.

To learn more about the Foundation, please visit: www.zoetisfoundation.org.