Student Wellness

Veterinary medicine is demanding, emotionally challenging, and rewarding work. Your mental health, resilience, and well-being matter as much as your clinical skills. These resources are here whenever you need them — with no judgment and no barriers.

Immediate support: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline · Text HOME to 741741
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If You Need Help Right Now

Veterinary students face unique stressors: compassion fatigue, moral distress from euthanasia decisions, and emotional exhaustion. Call the Physician Support Line at 1-888-409-0141 or text HOME to 741741. You can also contact UC Davis Counseling Services at any time.

Crisis & Peer Support

Immediate Help When You Need It

Confidential services designed for the unique pressures of veterinary medicine and professional training.

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Veterinary Crisis Line

1-888-409-0141 · 24/7

Free, confidential support line staffed by healthcare professionals who understand the unique challenges of veterinary medicine, including compassion fatigue and moral distress from euthanasia decisions.

Free Anonymous
Visit Website →
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Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 · 24/7

Reach a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor via text for immediate emotional support, de-escalation, and guided resources — available around the clock.

Free Anonymous
Visit Website →
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Togetherall (Student Peer Community)

Online community · 24/7 · Monitored

Anonymous online peer community with trained mental health professionals. Connect with other vet students navigating the same pressures.

Free via UC Davis Anonymous
Visit Website →
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UC Davis Counseling Services

On-campus · Professional Therapists

Free counseling and therapy services specifically for UC Davis vet students. Confidential care from licensed mental health professionals on campus.

Free On-Campus
Learn More →

Resilience & Self-Care Tools

Build Daily Resilience

Proactive tools for stress management, mindfulness, compassion fatigue prevention, and cognitive well-being.

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Headspace

App · Free for vet students

Guided meditations, sleep hygiene, stress management, and focus exercises. Many professional organizations offer free subscriptions for vet students.

Free via some orgs App
Visit Website →
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MindShift CBT

App · Free · Evidence-Based

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools for managing anxiety, compassion fatigue, and stress. Uses thought journals and coping strategies designed for daily clinical work.

Free App
Visit Website →

Insight Timer

App · Free · 40,000+ Meditations

Guided meditations for stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus. A 5-minute session before a challenging case can help.

Free App
Visit Website →
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The Compassionate Veterinarian

Resource · Vet-Specific

Books and guides specifically addressing compassion fatigue, moral distress, and ethics in veterinary medicine.

Reference
Learn More →

Professional & Institutional

Long-Term Support & Advocacy

Organizations and institutional resources working to support vet students and improve wellness culture in veterinary medicine.

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UC Davis VMTH Support

Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

On-site mental health support, grief counseling after difficult cases, and peer support programs specifically for students navigating clinical rotations.

Free
Visit VMTH →
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AVMA Student Wellbeing

American Veterinary Medical Association

Resources and advocacy from the profession's leading organization. Includes guidance on moral distress, burnout prevention, and resilience building.

Free
Visit AVMA →
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ACOS (Association of Companion Vet Students)

Student Wellness Programs

Peer support network for companion animal focus students. Connect with classmates and mentors navigating similar career paths and mental health challenges.

Free
Learn More →
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Vet Student Mental Health Advocacy

Cultural Change Initiative

Working to destigmatize mental health in veterinary medicine and advocate for systemic changes that prioritize student and practitioner well-being.

Advocacy
Get Involved →

You're Not Alone in This

Veterinary students experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and compassion fatigue. Seeking help is not weakness — it's the foundation of a sustainable career in veterinary medicine. Bookmark this page and reach out whenever you need it.

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