Introducing Our Self-Care PTO Program: Prioritizing Your Well-Being

At Companion Animal Partners, we understand the demands that come with being a dedicated veterinarian. The long hours, the emotional toll of caring for sick animals, and the constant need to stay on top of the latest medical developments can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue. That’s why we’ve created our Self-Care PTO Program—an innovative approach designed to give you the time and space you need to recharge and care for your own well-being, while ensuring that you continue to provide exceptional care to your patients.

What is the Self-Care PTO Program?

Our Self-Care PTO program is a unique benefit that allows veterinarians to work a standard 35-hour week while being paid for 40 hours. The goal is simple: to offer you an additional half-day per week specifically dedicated to self-care, without sacrificing any of your income. This extra time off helps combat the risks of burnout and compassion fatigue, giving you the opportunity to rest, recover, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Key Benefits of the Self-Care PTO Program:

1. An Extra Half-Day Each Week

Each week, you’ll have an additional half-day (4 hours) built into your schedule for self-care. This means that, while you’re scheduled for 35 hours of work, you’ll receive compensation for 40 hours. You can use this extra time for any activities that help you recharge, such as taking a walk, seeing a therapist, enjoying a hobby, or spending time with loved ones. This extra time each week helps prevent burnout by ensuring that you’re regularly taking time for yourself.

2. Combat Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

As a veterinarian, you’re constantly giving of yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally. The emotional demands of caring for animals, comforting grieving pet owners, and managing the stress of high-pressure situations can take a toll. Compassion fatigue is real, and without regular breaks, it can lead to burnout. Our Self-Care PTO program is designed to help you manage these challenges by giving you a consistent opportunity to step back, rest, and refresh, so you can continue to do the work you love without sacrificing your well-being.

3. An Additional 26 Days of PTO Per Year

In addition to your standard paid time off (PTO), the Self-Care PTO program offers 26 extra days of paid time off per year. While many practices offer a set amount of PTO for vacations or personal time, this program goes above and beyond to ensure that you have ample opportunity to care for yourself. These 26 days are included in your compensation package and are in addition to any other PTO you may accrue, ensuring that you have enough time to truly recharge when needed.

4. Mandatory Use Each Week to Prevent Burnout

To ensure that veterinarians are regularly prioritizing their well-being, the Self-Care PTO must be used each week. This prevents the accumulation of unused time, which can lead to burnout down the road. The purpose of this policy is clear: consistent self-care is essential for long-term success in veterinary medicine. By making it a part of your weekly routine, we help you establish a healthy work-life balance and protect your mental health.

5. No Carryover—Focus on Consistent Rest

Unlike traditional PTO, which can often accumulate and cause burnout by creating pressure to "save up" days for vacation or emergencies, our Self-Care PTO cannot be carried over. This ensures that veterinarians don’t feel the need to put off taking time for themselves. The system is designed to encourage regular, proactive rest rather than waiting for a larger block of time off. By taking small, consistent breaks each week, you’ll be able to avoid the burnout that can come from working too many hours without enough recovery time.

6. Sustaining Long-Term Career Success

Veterinary medicine is a career of passion, but it's also one that can easily lead to exhaustion if proper self-care isn't prioritized. Our Self-Care PTO program supports the sustainability of your career. With regular breaks and a focus on well-being, you can avoid the burnout that often leads to career changes or burnout in the field. By incorporating this program into your routine, you’ll be setting yourself up for a long, healthy, and fulfilling career in veterinary medicine.

Why This Matters to You

We know that your work is demanding, and we recognize the importance of taking care of yourself so that you can continue providing excellent care to your patients. Our Self-Care PTO program is one of the ways we’re working to create a supportive, sustainable environment for our team. We believe that by prioritizing your well-being, we’re not just helping you avoid burnout—we’re helping you build a career that you love and can sustain for years to come.

If you’re interested in joining a team that values self-care, well-being, and work-life balance, we’d love to talk to you about how our practice and Self-Care PTO program can support you on your career journey.

Reach out today to learn more about our unique benefits and how we can help you thrive both personally and professionally!