Help Shape the Future of Veterinary Education
|Articles|April 21, 2014

Confronting the emotional toll of negative reviews

The daily stress of working in the veterinary profession, plus client conflict, doesn't just put a strain on business, it leads to compassion fatigue.

Negative reviews, Yelp and your veterinary clinic

Many veterinarians worry about how online critics might-or are-affecting their business, but those reviews can also take an emotional toll..

Veterinarians may ignore signs of compassion fatigue

Negative reviews can contribute to a condition veterinarians are exceptionally prone to-and often suffer from in silence.

Treatment option for a tense situation: Communicate, educate and de-escalate

Certain situations can get heatedquick. Get them under control before a tough exchange turns into much more.

Angry beyond words? Try this when you or your veterinary team has been attacked online

Turn negative reviews into positive opportunities.

Talking to your veterinary practice's "mission-driven" clients

It can be a delicate balance to guide passionate community cat caregivers to providing basic standard care.

Take the bite out of negative veterinary client interactions

Implement this action plan to deal with your volatile clients-and avoid any dangerous situations in the process.

Veterinarians don't always have to put on a brave face

Compassion fatigue and burnout are high in the veterinary profession. It's time to stand up and support one another.


Related to this article

Q&A: Caregiver burden can begin early in pet illness. Are veterinary teams equipped to support clients, and how can veterinary social workers help both parties?
Caroline Cox, LSW, MSW, and Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), discuss the role of veterinary social workers in supporting clients, communicating with veterinary teams, and helping practices address the human side of veterinary care in this Q&A from an interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference.