How to keep your team feeling appreciated all year-round

Employee retention is a significant challenge in the veterinary industry. With high burnout rates, emotional stress, and demanding workloads, keeping veterinary professionals engaged, motivated, and loyal is vital. Team members need to feel valued, recognized, and empowered in their roles to maintain a thriving practice. But how can veterinary leaders achieve this?

This article will explore actionable strategies to foster a culture of appreciation within veterinary teams. From recognizing achievements to prioritizing financial incentives, this article covers everything you need to know to create a positive and productive workplace.

Why employee appreciation matters in veterinary medicine

Veterinary professionals dedicate their careers to helping animals, but the work inevitably involves interacting with people. These interactions with team members, leaders, and clients and how they are handled, can have a significant impact on their desire to stay. According to American Animal Hospital Association, a lack of appreciation and a lack fair compensation are the most likely factors to cause employee attrition.¹ When veterinary professionals feel valued, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to their work.

By incorporating the following employee appreciation strategies, veterinary leaders can create a practice where their teams feel recognized and motivated.

Foster a culture of gratitude

A simple “thank you” can go a long way in a high-stress environment like veterinary medicine. Expressing gratitude regularly helps employees feel valued for hard work and dedication. However, sincerity is key as people can easily detect when appreciation is forced or inauthentic. Veterinary teams can express gratitude effectively in the following ways:

• Say thank you in the moment
• Verbally thank your team during group meetings
• Send personalized messages recognizing exceptional work
• Write handwritten notes of appreciation
• Implement a “Hero of the Week” program

Demonstrating gratitude fosters a culture of appreciation among team members, which boosts workplace morale and alleviates stress Teams could also consider doing a digital “Wall of Gratitude” in their practice where staff can recognize each other’s contributions.

Empower employees with responsibility

Veterinary teams thrive when given meaningful responsibilities and the autonomy to perform their roles effectively. By trusting them with their responsibilities, it fosters a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Employers can empower their teams by:

• Clearly define job roles and responsibilities
• Provide the necessary tools, equipment, and resources
• Trust veterinary technicians, assistants, and receptionists to excel in their roles
• Encourage independent decision-making within appropriate boundaries

An empowered team leads to improved efficiency, client satisfaction, and overall morale.

Pro tip: Set high expectations. People will meet the bar you set so raise it as high as you can. 

Recognize achievements publicly

While a simple thank you is a key part of recognition it should also extend beyond that one-on-one acknowledgement. Public acknowledgment of hard work can boost morale and encourage employees to continue striving for excellence. Teams can recognize employee achievements by:

• Announce accomplishments to your whole staff at meetings, rounds, or digitally
• Feature team members in newsletters, on your website or in social media posts
• Provide awards for outstanding performance
• Celebrate work anniversaries and major milestones

Pro tip: Never take credit for your team’s hard work—always give recognition where it’s due.

Utilize employee expertise

Your veterinary team consists of talented professionals with unique skills—make sure you’re leveraging them effectively. Encouraging employees to share their expertise benefits your practice and boosts their job satisfaction. Employers can tap into their team’s expertise by:

• Assigning roles based on strengths
• Identifying the experts within your team and make sure the whole practice is aware
• Utilizing the skills vested in your licensed team members
• Creating an internal mentorship program
• Seeking input from staff when implementing new protocols or procedures

Pro tip: Supporting continuing education and skill development keeps employees engaged and enhances patient care.

Invest in growth and development

Veterinary teams need opportunities to learn and grow within their careers. A lack of professional development can lead to stagnation and higher turnover rates. Effective growth strategies include:

• Offer financial support for CE, certifications and degree programs
• Provide access to industry webinars and training programs
• Establish a regular cadence of onsite CE and skills trainings
• Encourage attendance at veterinary conferences

Pro tip: Develop a structured Growth & Development plan to enhance team skills and career advancement. Create a dedicated team to execute this plan!

Get to know your employees personally

Veterinary medicine is a highly personal and emotionally demanding field. Taking the time to know team members beyond their job roles fosters stronger workplace relationships. Employers can connect with their veterinary team by:

• Remember birthdays and work anniversaries
• Ask about their interests, hobbies, and pets
• Know what’s going on outside of work and check in regularly
• Show empathy during stressful or challenging times

Building genuine connections strengthens team cohesion and boosts morale.

Pro Tip: Take notes, add milestones to your calendar, whatever helps you remember these details. You don’t need to memorize to show you care.

Prioritize financial recognition

While a positive work culture is essential, fair compensation remains a crucial factor in employee satisfaction. All veterinary professionals deserve to be compensated fairly for their hard work. Employers can utilize these tips for ways to offer financial recognition:

• Ensure competitive salaries that set new standards and support cost of living
• Implement performance-based bonuses and incentives
• Offer profit-sharing or student loan assistance programs
• Provide annual raises based on performance evaluations

Pro Tip: Small, unexpected bonuses or gift cards can be a powerful way to show appreciation.

Create a veterinary workplace employees love

Creating a positive, inclusive workplace encourages long-term commitment. Whereas a toxic work environment can drive even the most passionate veterinary professionals away. A great veterinary workplace culture should have these key elements:

• Encourage open communication and feedback
• Support work-life management through flexible scheduling
• Offer mental health support and resources
• Foster a supportive and respectful team environment

Build a valued and supported veterinary team that wants to stay

Employee appreciation in veterinary medicine is not just a one-time initiative—it requires consistent effort. When people feel valued, they are more likely to stay committed to the practice, perform better, and contribute to a thriving work culture. By implementing these strategies, it can foster a motivated, engaged, and loyal team that enhances both patient care and client satisfaction.

Want to improve employee retention and satisfaction in your veterinary practice? Start implementing these appreciation strategies today!

Reference

Phase 1: A review. AAHA. Published February 26, 2025. Accessed March 7, 2025. https://www.aaha.org/resources/stay-please-phase-2/phase-1-a-review/