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  • Writer's pictureDr. Katie Ford MRCVS

Why do I need a coach? 10 Surprising benefits to coaching for veterinary professionals

Updated: Jul 4, 2023


Vet Empowered Founders
Vet Empowered Founders: Claire Grigson and Katie Ford

At Vet Empowered, we believe in the power of growth, living in alignment with your true self, and unlocking your full potential.


Today, we want to shed some light on the incredible benefits that come with having a coach as a veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse, or indeed, any other member of this community. We are true believers that we are all human, so we coach you are an individual, not as a post-nominal.


Coaching for veterinary professionals is not just about becoming better at your job; it's about embracing personal growth, enhancing well-being, and living a fulfilled and purposeful life. Sometimes there is a narrative within the profession that coaching is just for those who struggle - it's not - it's for those who want to thrive.


No professional singer had a vocal coach because they were asbolutely terrible at singing, they had one to channel their inner talents but also to understand how to look after their voice, because it is valuable. Equally, Olympic athletes all have coaches too. Success leaves clues... and often the clue is having a coach.


So, let's dive into the 10 transformative benefits of having a coach by your side.

  1. Self-Discovery and Clarity: Working with a coach provides a safe and supportive environment for self-discovery. They help you uncover your strengths, values, and passions, enabling you to gain clarity about who you truly are and what brings you joy and fulfillment beyond your veterinary career. We truly believe at Vet Empowered that we hold you in your highest potential, seeing you for who you really are, and reminding you of that even when you forget.

  2. Goal Setting and Action Planning: A coach helps you set meaningful goals aligned with your aspirations, values, and vision. They assist you in creating a strategic action plan, breaking down your goals into manageable steps, and holding you accountable as you navigate your journey towards success. We aren't about beating you into unaligned goals, we start with figuring out what you want, past societal expectations.

  3. Personal Empowerment: Coaching empowers you to take control of your life and career. A coach helps you identify and overcome self-limiting beliefs, fosters self-confidence, and encourages you to embrace your unique skills and talents. You'll learn to trust your instincts and make empowered decisions that align with your authentic self. We are called Vet Empowered for a reason! We love helping you to raise your self-awareness, build self-compassion, boost emotional intelligence and know yourself moving forward - real power.

  4. Work-Life Balance: Coaching emphasises the importance of work-life balance, work-life integration - whatever we want to term it. Your coach will help you establish healthy boundaries, prioritise self-care, and find harmony between your personal and professional life. By achieving balance, you'll experience greater well-being, reduced stress, and increased fulfillment in all areas of your life. It's easy to get caught into the do-do-do cycle, we're here to sprinkle in a bit of being; this actually supercharges you.

  5. Enhanced Communication Skills: Communication is vital in veterinary practice. A coach can help you refine your communication skills, both with your colleagues and clients. You'll learn effective listening, empathy, and conflict resolution techniques, fostering positive relationships and improving the overall experience for everyone involved.

  6. Stress Management: Veterinary medicine can be demanding and stressful. With a coach, you'll develop resilience strategies to navigate challenges and manage stress effectively. They'll guide you in developing healthy coping mechanisms, fostering emotional well-being, and maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity. Everyone is different in what helps them, we are here to help you identify stressors and put into place the things that benefit you. We are proud at Vet Empowered to have a superb team that are trained in multiple modalities so we gift you a variety of tools from meditation to breathwork to navigating thoughts and beyond. The most wonderful thing about what we do? We help you to see you are the person to use the tools, rather than them being left in a pile in the shed with the others.

  7. Authentic Leadership: Coaching empowers you to become an authentic and influential leader. By working closely with a coach, you'll develop your leadership style, strengthen your emotional intelligence, and inspire and motivate your team. Authentic leadership creates a positive work environment, leading to enhanced collaboration and productivity. Side note: we are all leaders, not just those in senior positions.

  8. Life Transitions and Career Development: Whether you're transitioning into a new role or contemplating a career change, a coach provides guidance and support throughout the process. They help you explore new possibilities, overcome fears and uncertainties, and navigate the path towards your desired career development, ensuring alignment with your values and goals. Through the Vet Empowered Signature programme, we've seen people have radical life shifts, but also seeing the same things differently.

  9. Holistic Well-being: Coaching takes a holistic approach to well-being, considering all aspects of your life. Your coach will support your physical, mental, and emotional health, encouraging self-care practices and promoting a balanced lifestyle. Embracing holistic well-being enhances your overall quality of life and positively impacts your veterinary career. We are always thrilled to welcome in guest speakers and experts in a variety of topics; we always treat you as a whole, unique, one off human.

  10. Authentic Fulfillment: Ultimately, coaching empowers you to live a life of authentic fulfillment. By aligning your career with your values and purpose, you'll experience a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. Coaching enables you to create a life that brings you happiness, success, and a profound sense of meaning. At Vet Empowered, we are all about being CREATORS not WAITERS.


We know we aren't for everyone, but if you love our vibe, get in touch and we'll see if you're a good fit for one of our programmes.

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