1st Edition
Your Veterinary Wellness Journey An Interactive Guide to Thriving with Growth, Resilience, and Purpose
Author Biography
Foreword
Introduction
Glossary of Terms
Chapter 1. The Trail Map: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Why This Workbook Exists
Chapter 2: The Path Towards Holistic Wellness: It starts with a healthy and “happy” you.
Chapter 3. Building Thriving Teams: Veterinary Medicine Is a “Team Sport”
Chapter 4: Sustainably Healthy Practices: Leadership Development & Culture Cultivation
Chapter 5: Global Perspectives on Burnout and Occupational Wellness in Veterinary Medicine
Chapter 6: Beyond the Summit: Support for the Trail of the Future
Chapter 7: Uplifting Community and Inspirational Connections: The Fuel to Keep Us Moving Forward
Biography
Dr. Sonja A Olson (C-MMT, C-Neuroinformed Coach, MentorVet Certified Veterinary Mentor) is a credentialed veterinary wellness coach, educator, and emergency room veterinarian with nearly 30 years of experience. She specializes in helping veterinary individuals, teams, and leaders navigate personal and professional stress with more skill, optimize their holistic health, and cultivate emotional well-being. Combining evidence-based neuroplasticity coaching, mindfulness, and her clinical expertise, Dr. Olson creates compassionate, transformative spaces that empower her clients and audiences to thrive in their lives. She is an author of 2 books (one to be published mid-2026) and a contributing author to many other veterinary textbooks and journal articles.
Through her tailored sessions, keynote presentations, webinars, retreats, and resilience-focused writings, she shares practical tools to manage change, enhance self-awareness, and foster healthy veterinary teams and culture. As a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, neuroinformed and trauma-informed coach, and Mental Health First Aid instructor, she is dedicated to inspiring calmer, kinder, and more resilient communities. Dr. Olson’s mission is to harness the innate human potential for healing and growth, guiding veterinary professionals toward a healthier, optimized way of living.
"Dr. Olson's earlier book opened important conversations about well-being and compassion in veterinary medicine. This new volume builds on that foundation. It is evidence-informed, realistic, and infused with hope. She offers practical guidance for sustaining a meaningful career, acknowledging both the systemic pressures that shape the work and the small, daily actions that can restore steadiness and purpose. Dr. Olson brings the science of human sustainability to life, offering tools that are both accessible and aligned with the realities of veterinary teams today.
Your Veterinary Wellness Journey is a companion for those navigating the highs and lows of veterinary life. It is a reminder that the goal is not perfection, but steadiness, connection, and meaning. Dr. Olson offers a wise and compassionate path forward, one that strengthens not only individual practitioners but also the culture of care that sustains them. I hope this book offers a moment to pause, reflect, and carry on with renewed purpose in this demanding and meaningful work."
Françoise Mathieu, M.Ed., RP, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
