Dr. Jody Bearman, DVM, CVH, CVA, CVCH, CVSMT graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Bacteriology and from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with a DVM in 1992. She worked in small town mixed practice (horses, farm animals, small animals) then small animal and exotic practice using Western medicine for 16 years.
Wanting to help animals that couldn’t be diagnosed or treated with Western medicine and those that developed severe side effects from Western medicine, she took the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine mixed animal course and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2005. Dr. Jody was an instructor at the Chi Institute, the first of it’s kind outside of China. She is a certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist and practices tui-na (Chinese massage and physical therapy) and food therapy. She took courses in Advanced Applied Kinesiology (advanced manipulation, testing and treatment techniques) and became certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy at The Healing Oasis Wellness Center, and is a member of the College of Animal Chiropractors.
Dr. Jody is a graduate of the Pitcairn Institute for Veterinary Homeopathy and is a certified Veterinary Homeopath. She is a diplomate of classical homeopathy and certified classical homeopath, and has spoken at the Joint American Homeopathic Conference for the last 3 years.
In This Interview:
- Dr. Jody Bearman’s path to vet school
- Pressing pause as a step forward
- Walking away isn’t failure
- Pain can bring new perspective and new passion
- Building her integrative practice and rediscovering homeopathy to help animals heal
- Healing the healer matters
- Animals who healed when their whole selves, not just symptoms, were treated
- Restoring joy, purpose, and connection in your practice after burnout
- Resources for vets ready to explore new paths to health, hope, and renewal
Interview Resources:
facebook.com/AnShenHolisticVet
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YT: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
Sara Wilkins is a licensed veterinary nurse who graduated from Michigan State University 28 years ago. She is certified in critical anesthesia and pain management as well as palliative care. Sara spent the majority of her career in anesthesia but was also very passionate about her time spent in medical oncology and clinical pathology.
Sara is a yoga teacher with certifications in trauma informed/sensitive yoga approach, athletic performance, as well as YIN and chair yoga. She is also a licensed massage therapist and certified in Reiki for both humans and animals.
In This Interview:
0:10 - The beginning of Sara's veterinary journey
3:02 - How burnout creeps in quietly
9:50 - In the middle of chaos, one breath can change everything
16:54 - The problem isn’t always personal, it’s systemic
22:18 - Learning to say “no” as a form of healing
29:01 - When business outweighs wellbeing, culture and people suffer
34:54 - Proof healing is possible
Interview Resources:
FB: facebook.com/SaraWilkinsYoga
IG: @yogabysara_
Blue Dog Counseling for Veterinary Professionals: bluedogcounseling.com
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zXWwEO6ZDjOQ7YeC8ZYuV?si=Q2jVYLdzSqy_qLROQTOIQw
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
“Having personally experienced compassion fatigue and witnessing the immense challenges faced by our profession, I hope to be part of the solution—giving a voice to the overwhelming exhaustion in our community and offering practical ways to restore well-being.” ~Dr. Erin Holder
See you on the next one! 🩵
Gigi Tsontos, LCSW, MPA, aka, Angelique, joined Not One More Vet (NOMV) in January 2024. After studying Social Welfare Policy at the University of Kansas, Gigi spent two years in Mali West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, returning to complete a Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University and a second Masters in Public Administration from San Diego State University. Her career led her to work in social services, homeless services, mental health, victims’ rights, and nutrition supporting administrative roles and becoming a clinical social worker licensed in California and Kansas. Gigi lives in Kansas with her husband and 4 furry children. She sees the world as her home and has traveled extensively.
NOMV is a vital organization dedicated to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of veterinarians across the globe. With a mission to survive and thrive within the veterinary community, NOMV offers peer support, educational resources, and a range of outreach programs. Through compassion and collaboration, NOMV empowers veterinarians to seek help, share experiences, and build a more resilient professional community.
In This Interview:
- When you feel like you're carrying it all, it's vital to know where you can turn for support
- Gigi's story
- Managing the pet while managing our own hearts and the hearts of our clients
- What if wellbeing skills were as fundamental to our training as clinical skills?
- The simple, compassionate act of checking in
- The weight of this work is too heavy to carry alone, and the beautiful truth is you don't have to
Interview Resources:
Not One More Vet (NOMV): nomv.org/
NOVM FB: facebook.com/NotOneMoreVet/
NOVM IG: instagram.com/notonemorevet
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YouTube: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Lennon Molofsky is a certified somatic coach and bodyworker - he is certified through the Strozzi Institute for Somatics, as well as the International Coaching Federation. Since 2013, he has immersed himself in the field of somatics. In addition to holding a private practice in Petaluma, Ca, and working with clients virtually on Zoom, Lennon works for the Strozzi Institute as an on-site bodyworker for participants enrolled in their coursework. Lennon’s focus is on helping people learn to live in their bodies to support them in creating the changes they want for themselves.
In This Interview:
- What is Somatic Bodywork and why does it matter in medicine?
- What if asking for help wasn’t just a mindset shift, but a body-based practice?
- Lennon’s Journey into Somatics
- What if your presence, not just your skills - was the most healing part of your work?
- Real healing isn’t a quick fix, it’s a daily, embodied commitment to change.
Interview Resources:
Lennon’s Somatic Coaching & Bodywork: https://mindbodysomatics.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lennon-molofsky-7286aa187
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YT: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP, believes all veterinary professionals deserve to feel fulfilled and energized in their work, each and every day. Through his company, Flourish Veterinary Consulting, he combines more than 25 years of veterinary experience, a master’s in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology, education in positive leadership and positive organizational scholarship, and a passion for guiding leaders to cultivate workplaces in which people thrive. He's also the author of the book, "Lead to Thrive: The Science of Crafting a Positive Veterinary Culture".
Josh has taught the art of practicing positive leadership at hundreds of organizations, conferences, and events. To further his mission of empowering veterinary leaders with practical guidance, in 2024 he began pursuing graduate education in conflict management and applied positive communication at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock.
When he’s not cultivating ways to elevate the veterinary community, Mr. Vaisman spends his time with his wife, Greta, and their many creatures in Firestone, Colorado. To fill his bucket, he’s a soccer-playing, reef-keeping, cookie-eating, beekeeper.
In This Interview:
- What if the darkest point in your career became the start of something revolutionary?
- Are you surviving in vet med, or actually thriving?
- What if you could diagnose and treat your practice culture with the same precision you use on patients?
- Why vet med needs to teach people skills
- When your team feels like they matter, they stay
Interview Resources:
Website: flourish.vet
FB: facebook.com/flourishveterinaryconsulting
IG: @flourishveterinaryconsulting
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/flourish-veterinary-consulting
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YT: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Dr. Rebecca Bailey is a leading trauma therapist who specializes in complex case scenarios. With over 30 years of experience in the field, she remains dedicated to the belief that authenticity, common sense, and kindness are the most essential components of effective treatment. A lifelong equestrian and animal lover, Dr. Bailey continues to find that animals—particularly horses—have much to teach humans about curiosity, compassion, and connection.
She is the author of Safe Kids: Smart Parents and Equine Connections, Polyvagal Principles: A Book of Story, Theory, Practice, and Hope, co-written with Margie McDonald and Jaycee Dugard. She is also the co-author of several peer-reviewed articles on abduction, high-conflict families, and, in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Porges and Jaycee Dugard, the concept of appeasement as a survival strategy.
Dr. Bailey co-founded the Polyvagal Equine Institute to support the application of polyvagal principles in therapeutic and educational settings, using the power of horse-human interaction to foster connection and healing.
Her work continues to bridge neuroscience, trauma recovery, and the healing power of the human-animal bond.
In This Interview:
- What do horses teach us about healing?
- What Is Polyvagal Theory?
- Healing begins with presence, not perfection
- How horses model what we forget
- How healing can start with something as simple as brushing a horse
- How connection, not isolation - is the real medicine
- Healing for vets begins when you bring that compassion back home to yourself
Interview Resources:
polyvagalequineinstitute.com
IG - @polyvagalequineinstitute
FB - facebook.com/PolyvagalEquineInstitute
VCP Retreat 2026: veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YT: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue—why it happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
In this episode, I’m very excited to introduce you to someone special in my life and business… my financial advisor!
Joshua Abrahamson has been part of the Econologics Financial Advisors team since 2018. He graduated from University of Memphis with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. He is also a Registered Financial Consultant® with the IARFC.
Josh has worked with over 200 private practice owners and associate households nationwide in the last six years at Econologics. He is dedicated to meeting with his clients on a monthly basis to stay in the loop of changes in the business and market climates.
He has intimate knowledge on how to help veterinary practice owners utilize their greatest asset, their business, to create wealth so they may achieve their personal and professional goals to create a more secure and stable financial future.
Outside of work, his biggest priority is taking care of his kid, a 6 year old German Shepherd named Marley. He loves visiting wineries, traveling and golfing.
In this interview:
-Meet my own financial advisor, Joshua Abrahamson!
- Navigating the financial fog post-grad
- Been practicing for years but haven’t built a financial plan yet?
- You’re not failing - it’s just that no one taught you this part
- Big decisions don’t have to mean big stress
- How more and more vets are finding their way back to private practice
- What they don’t tell you about selling your business
- Your work is unique and so is your worth
Interview Resources:
Econologics Financial Advisors: https://econologicsfinancialadvisors.com/about-us/meet-our-team/josh-abrahamson/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-abrahamson-rfc-b2487413b/
At Veterinary Compassion Project, we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving and providing essential support and community for their wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit us online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
IG: instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VeterinaryCompassionProject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Dr. Katie Kangas is well known for empowering pet parents across the globe with actionable knowledge, holistic care and beneficial products, helping pets to be more resilient to disease and live better quality lives.
She owns and operates Integrative Veterinary Care, a private practice offering holistic and integrative health care options for dogs and cats. While the practice is physically located in San Diego, California, Dr. Kangas meets with clients via telemedicine across the globe.
In addition, she is principal partner of Share Your Bowl, LLC, a business focused on education and Dr. Katie’s Remedies, a new line of truly natural products to enhance the well-being of pets.
Her areas of expertise include gut health, dental health, nutrition and functional medicine, with an approach focusing on preventative health and supporting natural healing or wellness through many holistic options in combination with traditional veterinary medicine.
She is the author of hundreds of articles published in veterinary journals and pet magazines, a frequent guest on pet focused podcasts and radio shows, as well as an in-demand speaker presenting locally, nationally and internationally.
In This Interview:
- Feeling like “This isn’t what I signed up for…” Sound familiar?
- Feeling stuck in your vet career? You’re not out of options
- Even healers need healing
- The body keeps the score—and healing starts from within
- What do you have to lose by just trying?
- Want to start feeling better? Start with what brings you joy
- You can’t pour from an empty cup
Interview Resources:
intvetcare.com
shareyourbowl.com
Follow: @intvetcare @shareyourbowl @dr.katiekangas
VCP Monthly Zoom Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
IG: instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/
YouTube: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Dana Croschere is an award-winning producer who found her life’s calling after going through one of the darkest seasons of her life. She endured two failed spine surgeries as she desperately tried to heal from chronic pain, and it led her on a journey of self-healing that forever changed her life.
Her most recent film, LOVE HEALS, was created as a result of that journey, and it helped her realize her gift as a Storyteller and Producer. As the film is now helping millions around the world, Dana and her partner Krisanna decided to dedicate their lives to creating films that spread love and hope.
Dana spent time over the last 15 years volunteering at various ranches, immersing herself in the transformative world of equine-assisted therapies and witnessing the healing power that was present in these sacred connections with horses. As she navigated her own healing journey, Dana has always felt drawn to creating a film about the healing power of horses, and RESCUED HEARTS is her dream come true.
In This Interview:
- Rescued Hearts Film
- When Science Meets Synchronicity
- Moving from Heartbreak to Purpose
- Exploring the Power of Heart-Centered Healing
- How Rescued Hearts Changed Everything and Why It's the Perfect Fit for the VCP Retreat
- How Self-Awareness and Healing Modalities Can Transform Your Life
- Addressing the Past to Heal the Future
Interview Resources:
LiveWildFilms.com
RescuedHeartsFilm.com
LoveHealsFilm.com
VCP Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
FB: https://www.facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zXWwEO6ZDjOQ7YeC8ZYuV?si=Q2jVYLdzSqy_qLROQTOIQw
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Dr. Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT has over 40-years-experience as an integrative veterinarian, acupuncturist, chiropractor, food therapist, best-selling author, international speaker, podcast host and owner of Dr. Judy Morgan’s Naturally Healthy Pets. Her goal is to change the lives of pets by educating and empowering pet parents worldwide in the use of natural healing therapies, and minimizing the use of chemicals, vaccinations, and poor-quality processed food.
Dr. Judy Morgan also has a long list of stunning accomplishments in and around the pet industry including:
- 2018 Woman of the Year in the Pet Industry
- 2019 Pet Age Woman of Influence
- 2019 IAOTP Veterinarian of the Year
- 2019 Veterinarian Hero Award Nominee
- 2021 IAOTP Empowered Woman of the Year
- 2022 Game Changer Award Winner
- 2023 People's Choice Award Winner
- 2024 IAOTP Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade
In This Interview:
- What drew Judy to veterinary medicine?
- The common passion for helping animals amongst aspiring veterinarians
- Navigating tough conversations
- What do you wish someone prepared you for?
- Owning your own clinic
- Why you have to be willing to say “No"
- The challenges of owning your own practice
- Shifting out of negativity and into gratitude
- The VCP Retreat
- Scholarships opportunities
Interview Resources:
NaturallyHealthyPets.com
DrJudyMorgan.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM
IG: @drjudymorgan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudyMorgan
VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
Check out Dr. Judy’s most recent best-selling books, Raising Naturally Healthy Pets: A Guide to Helping Your Pets Live Longer and Keeping Your Pets Naturally Healthy: Holistic Care and Nutrition for Dogs and Cats available on DrJudyMorgan.com or on Amazon.
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
IG: @veterinarycompassionproject
FB: facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject
YouTube: youtube.com/@veterinarycompassionproject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Lynn Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, receiving her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Utah in 1995. She first developed a program integrating horses as a primary treatment component while serving as Executive Director of Aspen Ranch. Lynn co-founded Eagala, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, in 1999 and co-founded and presently serves as CEO of Arenas for Change (ARCH), an organization focused on a values-based community learning and supporting one another in facilitation concepts that increase emotional safety.
Thanks to the work over the years of Lynn and her team, involving horses in psychotherapy sessions has gone from a little-known approach to a widely accepted and credible mental health option, backed by research.
With Lynn’s experience, vision, and passion for the impact horses have on well-being, she co-founded Horses for Mental Health (HMH) in 2021 to build momentum, expand the movement, and uplift programs worldwide to impact and strengthen global mental health through horses.
In This Interview:
- The transformational power of being in the heart field with horses
- What is Horses for Mental Health?
- How taking better care of ourselves helps our communities
- Why we need to bring awareness to the struggles we're facing
- Why work with horses for your mental health?
- Horses for Mental Health resources to support your mental health journey
Interview Resources:
Horses for Mental Health: horsesformentalhealth.org
YouTube: YouTube.com/@horsesformentalhealth
VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zXWwEO6ZDjOQ7YeC8ZYuV?si=Q2jVYLdzSqy_qLROQTOIQw
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Angie Arora, MSW, RSW, is a social worker supporting the human needs that arise from human-animal relationships, specializing in veterinary wellbeing, pet loss, and equity issues within veterinary medicine. As a Veterinary Social Worker and Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist, she provides trauma-informed support, coaching, and psycho-educational training to veterinary professionals and organizations to improve professional quality of life by addressing issues of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue.
She served on the inaugural Board of Directors for the International Association of Veterinary Social Work and is actively involved in other relevant veterinary medicine initiatives including blendVET, the International Association of Veterinary Social Work and the Canadian Collective for Equity in Veterinary Medicine. Her current organizational clients include the Toronto Zoo, King Animal Hospital, ACCT Philly, as well as several veterinary practices across North America.
In This Interview:
- The hidden gift of grief
- Changing the landscape of veterinary wellness
- The rude awakening that is unresolved traumatic stress and burnout
- The telltale signs of compassion fatigue
- The unspoken trauma of being in the veterinary field
- The power of holding space and being heard
- Reconnecting to Self and cultivating inner safety
- What is veterinary social work
- How stressful experiences shape us and show up in our practice
- The healing energy of community
- Boundaries as an expression of self compassion
Interview Resources:
More about Angie: https://www.angiearora.com/
Follow Angie: @veterinarywellbeingcoach
VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
🔹 VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zXWwEO6ZDjOQ7YeC8ZYuV?si=Q2jVYLdzSqy_qLROQTOIQw
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded one of the largest integrative veterinary hospitals in North America where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying why compassion fatigue happens, how to prevent it, and ways overcome it. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one!
Sheva Carr joins us in this very special Veterinary Compassion Project interview with Dr. Erin Holder.
Sheva is a visionary, humanitarian, creator, author, speaker, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, expert HeartMath trainer and coach, and has taught hundreds of online courses in her role as founder and CEO of Heart Ambassadors. Sheva speaks to people all over the world on how to access heart intelligence and peace of mind in order to receive the benefits of the heart’s impact on their relationships, health, performance, creativity, contribution, legacy, social change, and the building of a global culture of peace.
In This Interview:
- Sheva's Story: The Road to HeartMath
- Sheva's Story: From Loss and Grief to Love and Gratitude
- What is HeartMath?
- A Brief Meditation for Heart Coherence
- Why Veterinary Compassion Project?
- What is Heart Ambassadors?
- The Driving Stress in Veterinary Medicine and Why We Need to Talk About It
- What Happens When Profit Takes Priority Over Care?
- Why Do So Many in Veterinary Medicine Face the Darkness of Suicide?
- Connecting To Our Heart As the Vehicle For Connecting to Others
- Continuing Education Resources from HeartMath
Interview Resources:
Heart Ambassadors: https://pages.heartambassadors.com/
HeartMath: https://www.heartmath.org/
VCP Restorative Retreat 2026: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/retreat/
At Veterinary Compassion Project we believe that those who dedicate their lives to caring for animals deserve the same compassion and care they give to others. We are committed to raising awareness about the extreme emotional toll that comes with animal caregiving while providing essential support for your wellbeing. Through our resources, community, and guidance, we aim to empower veterinarians and animal care professionals to thrive both personally and professionally.
📍 Visit Us Online: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com
📞 Join Our Monthly Support Call: https://www.veterinarycompassionproject.com/resources/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veterinarycompassionproject
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veterinarycompassionproject/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VeterinaryCompassionProject
More about Dr. Erin Holder:
At the heart of our mission is Dr. Erin Holder, a compassionate healer and esteemed veterinarian dedicated to supporting animal caregivers. With a passion for holistic care and a deep understanding of compassion fatigue, Dr. Holder leads our efforts to empower those who devote their lives to helping animals.
Dr. Holder graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 where she received the Lerner Family Wildlife Conservation Award and the Bird Fanciers Scholarship for her dedication to wildlife conservation. Her groundbreaking research on cheetahs and early renal disease detection won international acclaim and was published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.
In 2004, Dr. Holder founded her integrative veterinary hospital where she pioneered a holistic approach to animal care. Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, Chinese Tui-Na, Animal Ozone Therapy, and Animal Reiki, Dr. Holder’s hospital provided comprehensive care to a wide variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, exotics, and wildlife. Her innovative work was even featured on the debut series of National Geographic Wild’s Unlikely Animal Friends.
After nearly two decades of serving animals and their caregivers, Dr. Holder made the difficult decision to sell her hospital in 2022 to address her own experience with compassion fatigue. In her own personal healing, she immersed herself in studying compassion fatigue. She completed certifications in meditation instruction and compassion fatigue training for healthcare professionals, dedicating herself to helping others navigate the emotional toll of veterinary work.
See you on the next one! 🩵
There is so much chronic illness in the US that cannot be explained and justified with physical ailments and symptoms alone. There is undoubtedly a connection of the emotions with the physical body, a mind-body connection.
New name, expanded mission and a kick a** website.
How does one keep up the momentum and vigor for a profession long into it? Especially one as difficult as the veterinary medicine.
The veterinary community is starting to realize that we are in real trouble. We are headed towards a massive vet shortage in an already overworked profession. Veterinarians are strong enough now to ask for help and be vulnerable because the alternative is too painful to contemplate. The time is now to make changes within our profession and we must join together to seek a better way of life.
But how do we wake up? How do we stop sleepwalking through life before decades have flown by? The answer is way more simple than you can imagine.
Nothing could have prepared us for what we faced getting our animals to Hawaii and for the most part we kept our sense of humor. It wasn’t until the end that we began to lose it, replaced with fear and fatigue. These are, after all, our family members and we would never leave a man behind.
Even if you are mildly fatigued, do not wait until you have reached your breaking point. Let our loving community surround you. Let’s drink delicious wine together and learn the art of turning inward. Mark your calendar for April 3rd-6th, 2025 and watch our website for the ticket launch. It will be our greatest honor to host you in Northern California.