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!