As the saying goes, sometimes the end is just the beginning.

For Kate and Garry Putland, losing their daughter Sophie to suicide was the start of their campaign to make the veterinary profession safer for other vets, so no other family would go through what they have.

Sophie’s Legacy is on the cusp of being launched, and it is focused on how we can help save lives. But there are also solutions to the vet crisis, from the profession itself, and calls for governments to step in and finally play a part in recognising and resourcing an industry which provides a whole lot of public good.

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host:
Caroline Winter

With thanks to:
Kate and Garry Putland
Dr Kristen Steele
The many vets, vet nurses and vet staff I spoke to at the Australian Veterinary Association conference

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com
The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au

Transcript Episode 8 Sophie’s Legacy

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Jack Levitt isn’t a vet, he’s a guy who lost a mate. And when Dr Flynn Hargreaves took his life, it sent Jack on a search for answers. He started Flynn’s Walk and Flynn’s Talk to honour his friend’s memory, encourage conversations and spread awareness of the mental health challenges faced by veterinarians.

He is just one of the growing band of grassroots campaigners ‘outside’ of the vet profession who are trying to do their bit, to bring about change and help make the profession that his friend dedicated his life to, a safer place to be, while reminding those who rely on vets, just how valued they are.

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to:

Jack Levitt, founder Flynn’s Walk
Peter Hargreaves
Kate and Garry Putland
Hannah Reintals
Sophie’s Crew

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Flynn’s Walk www.flynnswalk.com.au
Flynn’s Talk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/flynns-talk/id1510105118
Love Your Pet, Love Your Pet https://www.loveyourpetloveyourvet.com.au/
Dr Nadine Hamilton https://www.positivepsychsolutions.com.au/
Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com

Transcript Episode 7 Outside Looking In

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Have you studied long and hard or witnessed someone in the thick of it? Then you’ll know how stressful it can be. But what if it was so psychologically damaging that it turned you off the career you had longed for? That’s what happened to veterinary student Claire Bensted.

"I didn't realise that I was going to struggle with mental health during the degree. I thought that was a problem for later Claire.”

And she’s not alone. Vets are clever, compassionate people. Given the score and years of study required to become one, many are driven perfectionists too. These are great qualities for future animal patients, but high personal expectations can bring stress. In a profession littered with confronting moments – from the classroom to the clinic – what needs to change too make sure it doesn’t become too much to bear?

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to:
Professor Wayne Hein, former Dean of Roseworthy at Adelaide University and head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Claire Bensted – vet student Adelaide University
Angelique Cahill – vet student Adelaide University
Teagan van Gaans – vet student Adelaide University
Rory Speirs – vet student Adelaide University

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The University of Adelaide School of Veterinary Science
Charles Sturt University’s Odyssey Program
The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au
Sophie’s Legacy Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com

Transcript Episode 6 Back to the Beginning

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Vets take an oath to treat and care for all animals. But while there’s someone to pick up the tab for pets and livestock needing medical care – koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and the rest, don’t come with a credit card or a purse – so who’s footing the bill?

Vets treat wildlife for free. That’s on top of their normal client list, usually at the last minute, often at the end of a long day and sometimes in the middle of the night. But is it reasonable that they cop the extra work without receiving a cent – or paying for it themselves?

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to:
Dr Bree Talbot, Foundation vet Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital
Dr Warwick Vale, equine vet and past president Australian Veterinary Association

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital https://byronbaywildlifehospital.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/byron-bay-wildlife-hospital/ https://www.instagram.com/byronbaywildlife/ https://www.facebook.com/byronbaywildlifehospital/ The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au
Sophie’s Legacy Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com

Transcript Episode 5 Who’s Responsible

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Working as a vet in regional Australia is a no brainer for Dr Tiaan Gobius, but he’s in the minority. The vet shortage across Australia is critical beyond the city limits – clinics are closing, leaving towns without animal doctors, and the practices that remain, are under even more pressure.

The bigger picture though is that animal welfare and biosecurity are under threat because of the shortage – so how do we lure more vets to rural and regional areas – the tropical regions, the rural outback and the most remote of places – before it’s too late?

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to:
Dr Graham Lauridsen and the Tropical Vets Atherton team
Dr Tiaan Gobius – new graduate
Alina O’Connor – vet student
Pixabay News Report Theme

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Tropial Vets https://www.tropicalvets.com.au/
Sophie’s Legacy Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com

Transcript Episode 4 Critical Shortage

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They get kicked, bitten, spat on and some spend their days with their arm up an animal’s rectum. But have you ever wondered what it’s like on the frontline for veterinarians? The thrill of complex animal medicine and those life and death moments.

Let’s take a walk in their shoes and spend a night at an emergency animal hospital where vets and vet nurses work hard and fast to save lives, solve problems, all while dealing with the pressures of an industry in crisis.

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to:
Adelaide Animal Emergency Referral Centre
Diane Whatling
Dr Helen Palm
Dr Sloane Abraham
Vet nurse Amy
The family of Chooch the Pomeranian
Pixabay News Report Theme

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Adelaide Animal Emergency Referral Centre AAERC
The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au

Transcript Episode 3 In Their Shoes

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Cam and Emily dreamt of becoming animal doctors. It was the career they always wanted, until it wasn’t. They met at vet school, and now married with a baby, this compassionate, conscientious, and clever pair are exactly the kind of vets you want treating your pets.

But a mere five years into the job and they are reassessing their futures. Unrealistic expectations – like worrying about keeping up with consults in the middle of surgery - isolation, a lack of support and client abuse have all been contributing factors. How and where does it end?

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. To get in touch, please email caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to...
Cameron and Emily Rogowski Dunn
Kate and Garry Putland
The Australian Veterinary Association

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Sophie’s Legacy sophieslegacy.com
The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au

Transcript Episode 2 Burnout

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Vets sign up to save animals, never thinking they might need saving themselves. Dr Sophie Putland was one of those – a passionate, talented young vet who hit breaking point with devastating consequences.

Sadly, her story is not unique and this episode establishes the gravity of an industry in crisis, one where the mental load is enormous, burnout and quitting are common, the suicide rate is higher than the general population, staff shortages are severe and abuse from clients is persistent

Sick As A Dog investigates an industry in crisis – uncovering issues and seeking solutions. As community members, pet owners, meat eaters and wildlife lovers these issues affect us all. Discover how we can all be part of the change.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. Say hello by emailing caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

With thanks to...
Kate and Garry Putland
The Australian Veterinary Association
Channel 7 Adelaide

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Sophie's Legacy sophieslegacy.com
The Australian Veterinary Association ava.com.au

Transcript Episode 1 Breaking Point

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Sick As A Dog is shining a light on a crisis that’s making the people who care for our animals very sick, and in some cases it's killing them. Veterinarians signed up to save animals, they didn’t realise they would be the ones who need saving.

From mental health, burnout, and suicide to client abuse, working conditions, and critical staff shortages – they need help. It is a whole of community issue, that without change could have dire consequences for us all.

Whether you have a pet, wear wool, drink lattes, enjoy a steak or like bird watching, this is about you and for you. Begin to understand the issues, note the solutions, and discover how you might make a difference too.

REMINDER: Take care when listening. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out. In Australia you can contact Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24/7); Lifeline via text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

GET IN TOUCH

This is a PodTalk independent production. Say hello by emailing caroline@podtalk.com.au or to find more information www.sickasadogpodcast.com.au

CREDITS

Host: Caroline Winter

Subscribe and listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart | Spreaker | Podchaser