From the veterinary community: “I’m thankful for...”

Happy Thanksgiving from dvm360! As we celebrate this season of gratitude, we asked veterinary professionals to share what they’re most thankful for in their careers and in the veterinary community. Here’s what they had to say:

Danny Sack, DVM, veterinary surgery resident at MedVet Columbus in Worthington, Ohio:

“I am thankful for my family (2- and 4-legged). They have stuck by my side throughout my entire career and have been a massive support system for me in the toughest of times. I absolutely would not be where I am today without them, and I am so lucky to have them in my life.”

Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia):

“I’d say the thing I’m most thankful for in veterinary medicine is folks willing to be mentors. I’ve been so lucky to learn from some really amazing technicians (Vickie Byard, CVT, VTS (Dentistry); Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia); Stephen Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, CVPP, VTS-LAM; Amy Dowling, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia); Megan Brashear, RVT, VTS (ECC); David Liss, MBA, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), CVPM, PHR; and more). I think that for new technicians, there is nothing more impactful than a great mentor!"

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC:

“I’m grateful for the moments when a family begins to truly understand their animal—when behavior starts to make sense and the path forward becomes clearer for everyone involved. The animals we work with push us to stay present and adaptable, and they’re constant reminders of why this work matters.

I’m also thankful for the colleagues and teams who choose to approach the practice of veterinary medicine with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to learning. This field requires emotional stamina, collaboration across disciplines, and a willingness to sit with complexity. The people who show up for that work every day make the profession better.”

Courtney Campbell, DVM, DACVS-SA, founder of Stitches Veterinary Surgery Center:

"Celebrating the one-year anniversary of Stitches Veterinary Surgery fills me with deep gratitude, especially for the incredible team that has made this journey possible. Every day, we experience a special synergy I call "CareTrio"—the beautiful convergence of 3 profound joys: helping families, working alongside a dedicated veterinary team, and caring for animals with compassion. The trio of care for families, animals, and colleagues is the essence of our work. It’s seen in the grateful smiles of pet owners, the collaborative spirit and expertise of our team, and the gentle healing we offer our patients.

I am profoundly thankful for my team’s unwavering commitment and love, which bring CareTrio to life at Stitches every day. Their dedication transforms challenges into triumphs and transforms moments into lasting memories for families and pets alike. As we celebrate this milestone, I am inspired and motivated to continue growing, healing, and sharing this extraordinary journey with the wonderful people and animals who make it all worthwhile."

Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA:

“Having been around veterinary medicine for over 50 years, I have a lot to be thankful for. Universally, I am thankful to have been in this field and to have met so many wonderful partners, friends, colleagues, co-workers, students, team members, industry supporters, clients, leaders—I could go on. There is no profession like veterinary medicine that is so close knit and really so supportive of one another.

My thanks are to all of you who have been cheerleaders and advocates for all of the stakeholders that impact the lives of the vast diversity of species for which we care. Each and every one of you has made a difference in the human-animal bond. In reality, that is the foundation for all the great work that we do. A big THANK YOU to all who read this for caring as much as you do.”

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA:

“I am very grateful to have colleagues that have a passion for teaching and engaging with our fellow veterinary professionals at not only our Fetch conferences, but also our virtual events, content creation, social media posting, and everything in between. Thank you to everyone for all the hard work and dedication you put into your work each and every day, it truly makes all the difference.”

From all of us at dvm360, happy Thanksgiving to the veterinary community. Thank you for all you do for animals and the people who love them!