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By Alice McFarlane

Mental health support for vets

Broadening mental health support to veterinary professionals

Oct 24, 2025 | 5:05 PM

An online peer-to-peer mental health support community has expanded its partnership to better serve people in veterinary medicine.

Togetherall is working with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), supported by funding from Western Financial Group, and Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA).

It will extend Togetherall’s anonymous, clinically moderated, 24/7 mental health platform to thousands of professionals working across the veterinary field in Canada, including veterinarians, veterinary technologists and technicians, students, and all veterinary support staff.

Dr. Kathy Keil, CVMA Director, Wellness, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility said easy and direct access to mental health support is essential for emotional processing and taking steps toward recovery.

“Given that mental health services are sometimes difficult to access, ensuring that every member in the veterinary field now has access to Togetherall fills a crucial gap,” Keil said. “This anonymous platform allows people to connect, feel understood, and find support without pressure or judgment while 24/7/365 constant clinical oversight by licensed mental health professionals provides reassurance that the community is safe and psychologically supported.”

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The veterinary community is uniquely dedicated to animal health and welfare, yet faces well-documented challenges around emotional strain, compassion, fatigue, burnout, and mental health stigma.

With an estimated 50,000 people working in veterinary medicine across Canada – including over 16,000 veterinarians and 10,000 registered veterinary technologists and technicians – the expansion ensures that support extends beyond clinical staff to include technology students, veterinary assistants, client care teams, hospital managers, and administrative staff who all play vital roles in animal healthcare.

The expanded partnership will also be highlighted at several upcoming veterinary conferences and training events, signaling a strong commitment to awareness, engagement, and fostering adoption across professional networks. These include:

CanWest Veterinary Conference in Alberta, MVTA Advanced Training Event in Manitoba, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Conference, and CVMA Annual Convention in Prince Edward Island

At these events, Togetherall, CVMA, and ABVTA will share information about the expanded service, provide demonstrations, and encourage veterinary professionals across roles to utilize the resource as an integral part of their mental health support strategy.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com