What a Relief
For years, relief veterinarians were viewed primarily as temporary fill-ins, called upon to cover vacations, maternity leaves or unexpected staffing gaps. Today, however, relief work has become a significant segment of the veterinary workforce, offering practitioners greater flexibility while helping clinics navigate increasingly complex staffing challenges.
As veterinary practices continue to compete for talent and seek ways to maintain productivity, relief veterinarians are playing a larger role than ever before. At the same time, the profession is learning that relief work is not simply a solution for burnout or workforce shortages, but a distinct career path with its own opportunities and challenges.
“Relief veterinarians are no longer a niche segment of the profession,” said Ivan Zak, DVM, MBA, co-founder of Serenity Vet and founder of Galaxy Vets. “They have become a significant structural part of the veterinary workforce.”
A changing role
Historically, practices used relief veterinarians sparingly, primarily to cover temporary absences. That model has changed significantly.
Dr. Zak noted that many clinics still view relief staffing through an outdated lens, treating it as an emergency solution rather than a long-term workforce strategy. As more veterinarians choose relief work, practices increasingly rely on them for regular scheduling needs.
Julie Hunt, DVM, MS, FAMEE, veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, has witnessed the shift firsthand.
“Historically, relief veterinarians were used to cover short-term gaps, but today, relief veterinarians are also being used on a regular long-term basis to cover everyday needs in the clinic schedule,” she said.
The trend reflects broader staffing challenges across the profession. Dr. Hunt noted many practices struggle to recruit, train and retain both veterinarians and veterinary technicians, with emergency hospitals and smaller independent practices often feeling the greatest pressure.
Therefore, rather than serving as occasional substitutes, relief veterinarians are increasingly becoming a critical part of maintaining operational continuity.
Burnout drives interest
For many veterinarians, relief work offers an appealing alternative to traditional practice models.
Caren Carney, DVM, founder of Holiday Vet, turned to relief work after experiencing the demands of a busy multi-doctor practice that included emergency coverage.
“It was common to get called in late at night, perform emergency surgery, and then come back just a few hours later for the day shift,” Dr. Carney said. “It wasn’t sustainable, and when I had to talk myself into going to work, I knew I had to make a change.”
Relief work gave Dr. Carney greater control over her schedule while allowing her to travel and work in different locations. As she developed relationships with clinics, she began referring fellow veterinarians when she couldn’t fill requests herself. That eventually led to the creation of Holiday Vet.
The ability to choose when and where to work remains one of the strongest attractions of relief practice.
“For those facing burnout, it allows you to fully control when and where you work,” Dr. Carney said. “You pick the clinics and the shifts. You can say no to shifts.”
So, relief work can benefit both veterinarians and practices. For clinics experiencing unsustainable workloads, relief coverage can provide doctors with needed time off, parental leave or schedule flexibility. For relief veterinarians themselves, the model can support family responsibilities, travel or other personal priorities.
Adaptability is essential
While flexibility is appealing, relief work also requires a unique skill set. Relief veterinarians regularly enter unfamiliar clinics, work with new teams and navigate different workflows, software systems and practice cultures.
Dr. Hunt noted successful adaptation begins with communication.
“I always ask the practice owner what their goals are for hiring me,” she said. “I lean heavily on the practice staff, particularly senior veterinary technicians, to help me with typical workflows and how patient care is generally delivered.”
Dr. Zak believes the most successful relief veterinarians understand both the clinical and business sides of the profession.
“When you choose a relief career, you also become a business owner,” he said. “You’re the one who is responsible for scheduling, contracts, accounting, taxes, business development and much more.”
Veterinarians who intentionally build relationships with clinics, establish financial goals and invest in professional networks tend to create more stable and successful relief careers, he said.
Balancing freedom and financial reality
Although relief work is often associated with improved work-life balance, industry leaders caution against viewing it as a cure-all for burnout.
Dr. Zak noted one of the biggest misconceptions is assuming that changing employment models automatically eliminates professional stress.
“What relief work does offer is greater control over your schedule, workload and career decisions,” he said.
However, relief veterinarians must also manage challenges such as income variability, financial planning, scheduling and administrative responsibilities.
“If you’re doing relief as an independent contractor, there’s some uncertainty, especially when you’re starting out,” Dr. Carney said. “You have to find your shifts, make sure you get paid, and ensure that licensing and drug-related paperwork is all in order.”
Technology shapes the future
As relief work becomes more mainstream, technology is playing an increasingly important role in connecting clinics and veterinarians.
Dr. Zak believes the future extends beyond simply matching available doctors with open shifts.
“The future is not about filling shifts — it’s about optimizing labor costs and creating a more effective staffing strategy,” he said.
Relief veterinarians are no longer used only for vacations or emergency coverage. Many practices now rely on them regularly to fill ongoing scheduling needs and support long-term staffing strategies.
2. Flexibility attracts veterinarians seeking greater control.
Relief practice allows veterinarians to choose when, where and how often they work, helping many achieve better work-life balance. However, it also requires managing the responsibilities of running an independent business.
3. Success depends on adaptability and business skills.
Relief veterinarians must quickly adjust to different clinic cultures, teams and workflows. Strong communication, financial planning and relationship-building are increasingly important as relief staffing becomes a larger part of veterinary workforce planning.
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