Jeanice Wiard on shooting for contentment and satisfaction and the importance of self-compassion

Listen in as we talk with Jeanice Wiard as she shares her journey in veterinary medicine. She takes us through the highs and lows and lessons learned through multiple veterinary practices and shares her path to self-compassion and finding the importance of emotional wellbeing.    As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.   GUEST BIO: Jeanice Wiard, M.Ed., B. Tech, CVT, CCFP Jeanice attended the State University of New York at Canton, obtaining her associate of science in veterinary technology and her bachelor's in veterinary service management. She was an active member of the New York State Air National Guard from 2004-2010 as a Command Post Controller, providing emergency communications and status reports to the commander and personnel on Hancock Air Force Base. She’s been a certified veterinary technician since 2007 and has worked in various field areas: general practice, academia (University of Illinois), diagnostic imaging, intensive care, and equine/farm animal medicine. She has held many roles within vet med: receptionist, technician, lead technician, charge auditor, and practice manager. While at the University of Illinois, Jeanice obtained her Master of Education, focusing on human resource development, and is a graduate of the Emerging Women Leaders program offered by the University. She previously served as the ISVMA CVT board member from 2021-2023 and actively participated in the CVT committee. She is currently focusing on her role as the assistant director for VSPN and offering mental health and wellness education to veterinary professionals through her business, Veterinary Wellness Education, LLC, or VetWE for short. Her non-professional interests include spending time with her husband, two sons, a spoiled cat, and a troublesome dog. She enjoys meditation, gardening, hiking, yoga, pole fitness, dancing, and loud music. Her favorite music artist is Qveen Herby. Jeanice is passionate about moving the veterinary profession toward a more individual-focused framework, allowing space and grace for all professionals to grapple with and heal from the difficult experiences we all encounter within the field and the daily struggles that all humans encounter throughout their lifetimes. She is particularly interested in teaching, psychology, compassion fatigue, cognitive behavioral therapy, growth mindset, and mental health awareness. LINKS AND INFORMATION: Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN): https://www.vin.com/vspn/ VSPN CE: https://www.vin.com/vspn/default.aspx?pId=8505&id=8286322 Air National Guard: https://www.airforce.com/ways-to-serve/air-national-guard VIN Foundation Vets4Vets®: https://vinfoundation.org/v4v AVMA QPR Training: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing/qpr-suicide-prevention-training Please consider a gift to help support this podcast: https://vinfoundation.org/give Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.  You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!