The Seen Through Horses Campaign Kicks Off with a New Video Highlighting the Crisis Facing Veterinary Professionals
May marks the launch of the 2025 Seen Through Horses Campaign, and we’re beginning with a story that is often left untold—but urgently needs to be heard.
On April 26th, World Veterinary Day, Horses for Mental Health premiered a powerful new video that shines a compassionate light on the mental health crisis affecting veterinarians—and how horses are quietly helping them heal.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Zoetis Equine, this video was created to raise awareness and spark dialogue about the emotional toll of veterinary care and the life-changing potential of equine-assisted services.
Behind the Smiles: What Veterinarians Are Facing
Veterinarians choose their profession out of a deep love for animals. But behind that calling lies one of the most emotionally complex and high-pressure careers in the world.
According to Not One More Vet (NOMV), veterinarians are at increased risk for mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. In fact, studies show that veterinarians are 2 to 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
“I was a zombie, and I just didn’t care about anything anymore.”
Veterinary professionals are often overworked, underappreciated, and exposed to high levels of compassion fatigue and moral distress, leading to intense burnout. Add in student loan debt, client expectations, and the trauma of frequent euthanasia decisions—and it’s no wonder many suffer in silence.
But they shouldn’t have to.
“I walked away from a profession that I loved, because I wasn’t prepared for what was to come.”
A Different Kind of Healing—With Horses
The new video features real voices from the veterinary field and offers a glimpse into how mental health services incorporating horses are offering veterinarians and their support staff a new way to reconnect with themselves and rediscover hope.
Horses create a unique space to slow down, feel, and process.
Even for those who work with horses every day, stepping into an environment where the focus is emotional wellbeing—rather than job performance—can be life-changing. Veterinarians are given the opportunity to explore their emotions, process trauma, and begin to heal in a safe, experiential setting.
“It brought down my anxiety levels and he [horse] made me be okay with myself. My life is radically different now, and I’m going to return to the veterinary profession.”
Join the Movement—The Seen Through Horses Campaign
We’re proud to feature this new video as the kick off to the Seen Through Horses Campaign, a month-long movement to raise awareness and support for programs providing equine-assisted services for mental health and well-being.
Watch the video: “Healing the Healers: The Power of Horses and Veterinarian Mental Health”
Thank You to Our Partners
Thank you to the organizations that collaborated with Horses for Mental Health to create this meaningful film:
Learn More and Find Resources
- Horses for Mental Health: Supporting Veterinarians
- American Association of Equine Practitioners Wellness Resources: Provides emotional and social wellness resources, including self-assessment tools, suicide prevention training, and sponsored counseling sessions.
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Offers wellbeing tools, workplace culture initiatives, and suicide prevention training.
- International Association of Veterinary Social Work: Brings together professionals to advance the wellbeing of animals, their caregivers, and the professionals who serve them.
- Merck Animal Health: Provides multiple studies on veterinary wellbeing, videos, mentoring, scholarships and other resources for support.
- Not One More Vet (NOMV): With a membership forum of 40,000 veterinary professionals, they provide vital education, peer support, and essential resources to find care.
- Veterinary Compassion Project: A flourishing community and restorative retreats where veterinary caregivers can sustain their passion, enrich their well-being, and continue to make a profound impact in the field.
How You Can Help
Share the Horses for Mental Health video with your networks and veterinarians in your community.
Support equine-assisted services programs for mental health and wellbeing by contributing to the Seen Through Horses Campaign.
Together, we can help those who dedicate their lives to healing others — both human and animal.
Podcast Spotlight
For a deeper discussion on veterinarian mental health, listen to the Veterinary Compassion Project podcast with Dr. Erin Holder: “Horses for Mental Health with Lynn Thomas.”
