Words by Smiley Team
It is commonly said that you cannot help others until you’ve helped yourself. So for those working in caring roles, such as vets, wellbeing is a top priority. To support those in the industry with their mental health, a flexible working ethos has proved vital, according to Vet-AI, the research and development company behind online vet care app Joii.
Founded by experienced vets Robert Dawson and Sarah Warren, with tech entrepreneur Paul Hallett, Vet-AI aims to support good mental health among veterinary professionals by offering them jobs working from home. For pet owners, the app offers affordable and accessible pet care from the comfort of their own homes.
Their flexibility and emphasis on remote working have helped reduce the devastating number of people quitting the profession or committing suicide due to stress.
A survey of the firm’s vets and nurses revealed that 94 per cent thought flexible working conditions were ‘very important’ for improving their wellbeing and 74 per cent said working for Joii Pet Care had improved their mental health. All of those surveyed said they felt connected and supported by the company due to it involving everybody no matter where they are based.
Among those who have benefitted from Joii is Nienke Oostra (pictured), who quit her job in a stressful veterinary practice to work remotely for the app in the French Alps.
She said: “I absolutely love being active; Joii offered so many opportunities for me personally and professionally because it’s the first time I’ve been able to fit both in my life and feel happy. I can work from anywhere, as I just need a good Wi-Fi connection.”
This is a huge improvement on her previous working environment, as she explained: “I’d lost my passion for veterinary medicine in my previous role because of the demands on me and the damage it was having on my mental health. I would have absolutely left the profession if I hadn’t found Joii. That was such a hard thing to deal with as I love animals and have worked as a vet since graduating in 2002.”
Similarly, veterinary surgeon Nadine Cerny joined Joii so she could live in the Carribean and divide her time between online veterinary appointments through the app and running the the charity Carriacou Animal Hospital.
“Working and living here means that I get to enjoy the lifestyle of Caribbean living without needing to commute,” she said. “It also allows me to stay up to date with practising as a veterinarian in the UK and the developments within the veterinary world.”
A poor work-life balance is the top reason for vets to leave their jobs, with over 60 per cent of those in the profession citing this as their motivation to quit. This is part of the reason why flexible working hours from remote working opportunities such as those provided by Joii are so beneficial to vets like Nienke and Nadine.
To help more vets with their mental health, consider donating to the charity Vetlife, which offers vets emotional support and practical advice for their wellbeing.
For more information visit vetlife.org.uk.
