Coping With Critical Incidents in Vet Med

Critical incidents can strike when we least expect them. A client collapses in the clinic, a patient codes unexpectedly, or a team member experiences a medical emergency. These moments are shocking, emotional, and often leave us questioning if we handled everything “right.”

In veterinary medicine, we’re trained to care for patients and support clients—but not always to process the intense emotions that arise when things go wrong. And yet, how we respond in the aftermath of these events can profoundly impact our mental health, our team, and our ability to continue providing compassionate care.

This month, I want to share some dos and don’ts for coping after a critical incident, inspired by evidence-based approaches like Critical Incident Group Debriefing (CIGD):

🩺 Do acknowledge your feelings. Shock, sadness, anger, guilt, or fear are normal. Suppressing them can prolong stress and increase the risk of PTSD.

💬 Do talk to someone you trust. Whether a colleague, supervisor, or trained facilitator, sharing your experience helps you process the event and feel less isolated.

🔥 Don’t blame yourself or others. Critical incidents are complex. Assigning fault often intensifies emotional distress rather than solving it.

🧠 Do recognize common stress responses. Sleep disruption, irritability, intrusive thoughts, or physical tension are normal reactions. Knowing this can reduce anxiety about “losing control.”

🌱 Do seek professional support when needed. Sometimes, talking to a mental health professional or participating in a structured debriefing session is the most effective way to process a traumatic event.

Veterinary teams face emotionally charged events regularly, and learning to navigate them safely is key to personal wellbeing and team resilience. This month, I encourage you to reflect on how your team supports each other—and explore structured approaches like CIGD to ensure no one carries the burden alone.

Because in veterinary medicine, it’s not just the patients who need care. We do too.

Warmly,

Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, DACVECC

Founder, Reviving Veterinary Medicine

Blog

When the Unthinkable Happens: Supporting Veterinary Teams After Distressing Events

Critical incidents are an unavoidable part of veterinary practice, but they don’t have to define our wellbeing. In our latest blog, we explore the emotional toll of these events and share how you can support your team with evidence-based practices to prevent PTSD and other stress responses. You’ll learn why teams are vulnerable, what critical incident debriefing is, and how it can ensure veterinary professionals can continue to provide high-quality care while protecting their own mental health.

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Podcast

The Power of Critical Incident Debriefing in Vet Med

So often, we rush past distressing moments without processing them, but what if we didn’t have to carry this weight alone? In this episode of the Reviving Vet Med podcast, we interview Julie Morse Elliott, a registered professional counsellor (candidate), trained CIGD facilitator, and RVT, about the power of Critical Incident Group Debriefing. We discuss what a typical CIGD session looks like, common signs a team might need one, and how leaders can begin to introduce debriefing into their workplace.

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Resource

Critical Incident Group Debriefing: What You Need to Know

After a critical incident, it’s normal to experience physical, emotional, and behavioral stress responses — sometimes right away, other times days or weeks later. Our latest free handout outlines common reactions, practical coping reminders, and important do’s and don’ts to support recovery. It’s designed to normalize these experiences, encourage self-care, and remind veterinary professionals that they are not alone — and that seeking help is a sign of strength. Place it in your break room or share with your team to spark open conversation and foster a culture of care.

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Service

Critical Incident Group Debriefing

When one team member is affected by a critical incident, the impact spreads. Without structured support, teams may experience reduced cohesion, increased conflict, and lower job satisfaction. Reviving Veterinary Medicine offers Critical Incident Group Debriefing (CIGD) led by trained facilitators — a structured, short-term group intervention that helps teams process the immediate aftermath of emotionally intense events. With this support, veterinary teams can move forward together and foster workplace cultures rooted in compassion, understanding, and resilience.

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