About Us
We are mental health advocates
We don't believe in impersonal lip service webinars to plug wellbeing holes. We believe in making wellness part of the culture of our profession. We believe in having honest discussions about how we can start changing harmful attitudes to overworking, stress and mental ill health right now. We believe in breaking down stigma and in sharing experiences and tools for navigating life's storms. Ultimately, we believe in community, connection and mutual support.
Founder
Veronika Smart VetMB MA (hons.) MRCVS
Like so many, I dreamed of being a vet since I was tiny. After graduating, I worked as a solo ambulatory equine vet in Madagascar for 5 years and dabbled in some wildlife medicine too. On coming back home as a new mother, I made the difficult but rewarding transition from equine to smallies and have been working in GP small animal practice ever since.
Although I never realised it at the time, my childhood and early adulthood were dominated by dysfunctional perfectionism, a need for control and a crippling fear of failure. This, coupled with motherhood and a hugely unsupportive full time role ultimately led to a combination of burnout, anxiety and depression.
Through cognitive behavioural therapy, I began to understand myself and my needs and was able to shake off others’ expectations and start to make decisions with my wellbeing and happiness in mind and I’ve never looked back.
My own mental health journey and recovery made me passionate about supporting others in our profession. I am a Mental Health First Aider and hold a Level 5 Diploma in Mental Health and Wellbeing. I also began creating mental health, clinical and career content for my Instagram page, and this is how Mentavet was born.
Together with Steph, we believe that although empowering employees is hugely important, it's not enough. We need to start changing the rhetoric and changing the mentalities of senior stakeholders too, so if you are a veterinary decision maker, get in touch and find out how you can be a pioneer in making our profession a happy one again.
Working in our industry can be tough but I believe all of us deserve to be happy doing the job we love and we are committed to equipping and empowering teams to make that happen.
Stephanie Sorrell BVetMed(Hons), MANZCVSc, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS; RCVS Recognised Specialist in Interna
Having suffered from anxiety since childhood and having learnt how to manage this through a variety of coping mechanisms, I am passionate about sharing this knowledge with others.
After graduation, I spent a short time in general practice before undertaking an internship and residency. Although I adore clinical work, I suffered burnout and severe anxiety during my demanding full-time role, so I know first-hand how difficult this job can be at times. I also know that by working together and with professionals in the wellbeing field, we can support ourselves and each other through this.
My mission is to nurture and support any vet who may be struggling and to promote and create wellbeing plans for all practices. I have successfully completed a Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Diploma as well as Mindfulness Champion Training and am currently working towards becoming a fully accredited Mindfulness teacher. As the founder and director of The Mindful Vet Ltd, I also provide internal medicine and feline medicine consultancy and locum work to practices as well as bespoke internal medicine and feline medicine CPD. In addition, I provide non clinical CPD on mental health topics such as burnout, self-care and wellbeing.