“I feel isolated and alone. How do I get more connected?”

If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone - even though it can feel that way.

Veterinary medicine is a people profession, yet many vets describe it as one of the loneliest careers they’ve ever experienced. You spend your days surrounded by clients, colleagues and animals… and still feel deeply disconnected.

So why does vet med feel so lonely - and what can you actually do about it?

The Hidden Isolation of Veterinary Work

“The effects of feeling isolated in your role as a vet can have a huge impact on mental health - and it hasn’t been taken seriously yet.”
- Liane Nelson, Veterinary Services Manager, Zoetis

On the surface, veterinary work looks social. You’re constantly communicating, leading teams, supporting clients and making high-stakes decisions.

But beneath that is a quieter reality.

• You carry responsibility that few people truly understand
• You’re expected to cope, stay professional and keep going
• You often feel you can’t fully share doubts, fears or exhaustion

Over time, this creates a gap between being around people and feeling connected to them.

All the Roles You’re Carrying (And the Ones Being Neglected)

One of the biggest contributors to loneliness isn’t a lack of people - it’s imbalance.

Try this simple exercise.

Take a piece of paper and write down all the roles you play in your life:

• Vet
• Leader or business owner
• Colleague
• Partner
• Parent
• Sibling
• Friend
• Carer
• Pet owner

Now ask yourself:

• How much time do I actually spend in each role?
• How healthy do those relationships feel?
• How much time would I ideally like to spend in each one?

For most vets, the result is stark.

Some roles are over-invested in. Others - often friendships, parents or wider support networks - are quietly neglected. Not because you don’t care, but because there’s only so much energy to go around.

Loneliness often creeps in when too many “relationship accounts” are left overdrawn.

Rebalancing Without the Guilt

The solution isn’t to do everything perfectly. It starts with awareness.

Once you see the imbalance, ask:

• What’s one small shift I could make?
• Who do I need to reconnect with?
• Where can I gently put something back into the bank?

That might mean:

• Reaching out to a friend you haven’t seen in months
• Spending intentional time with family you’ve sidelined
• Rebuilding a relationship that’s drifted

At first, this can feel uncomfortable - even guilt-ridden. But over time, small changes create a more sustainable, connected life.

Care for Yourself Before You Care for Others

Self-care is talked about a lot - often badly - but connection starts here.

For some, it’s getting up early to enjoy a quiet coffee and reflect.
For others, it’s using the commute home to think, rather than scroll or mentally rehearse the day.

Reflection matters because it helps you ask:

• Where am I right now?
• What am I proud of?
• What’s missing?
• What would make life feel more fulfilling?

Without stopping to ask those questions, it’s easy to drift further into isolation - even while working harder than ever.

Commit to You

We encourage you to find just one hour to do this properly.

Write a list of things that would bring:

• More enjoyment
• More connection
• More fulfilment

Then ask:

• How could I introduce these into my life?
• What would need to change to make space for them?

This isn’t about adding pressure. It’s about choosing yourself with the same intention you bring to your work.

Three Questions to Reflect On

1. Who is in your network?
   Are you surrounded by the people you actually need?
2. What are your habits around people?
   Do you ever meet “your people” just to relax, laugh and switch off?
3. Where could support help?
   Have you explored communities or resources designed specifically for vets who feel this way?

You’re Not Weak - You’re Human

Feeling lonely in vet med isn’t a personal failure. It’s a predictable response to a demanding, emotionally loaded profession that rarely makes space for connection.

But loneliness doesn’t have to be permanent.

With awareness, intention, and support, it’s possible to find your way back - not just to others, but to yourself.

Feel Connected with The Lost Vet

At The Lost Vet, we help you find your passion and purpose again. 

You’ll have:

• The job you always dreamed of
• More time for you and your friends and family, hobbies and interests
• Increased profit and growth with less stress
• An empowered team
• Clients that truly value the service and advice you provide

Don’t take our word for it, contact us today to find your passion and purpose again.