Week 1 - Introduction to Foundations of Veterinary Wellness

The purpose of this course is simple: to help you create a clear plan for your finances and give you the tools you need to start reaching your personal and professional goals. At its core, Personal Financial Success is about you—your wellness, your peace of mind, and your future.

We know the reality. Many veterinarians today are burdened by overwhelming debt and anxiety about their careers. Some have faced serious depression, and tragically, some have been lost to suicide. These struggles deeply concern us, and they’re exactly why we created this course.

Financial distress is one of the biggest contributors to unhappiness in the profession. But here’s the encouraging part: the knowledge and strategies needed to turn things around already exist. What’s missing is an accessible, practical way to share them. That’s what this course is designed to do—give you simple steps and insights learned by veterinarians who have been in your shoes.

Our goal is to show you that a fulfilling career and a balanced life are not only possible—they’re within your reach. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Many veterinarians care deeply about you and your well-being, and this course is a reflection of that support.

And let’s be clear, financial success is not about chasing wealth. True success is about stability and confidence. It’s about managing your student debt wisely, making informed decisions, and ensuring that your finances work for you. Not the other way around.

This is a journey. You can’t master financial wellness in a single weekend or a one-hour lecture. But step by step, with the right guidance, you can build habits and skills that will serve you for a lifetime. We’ll walk this path with you and make the process as clear and approachable as possible.

Why “Drip Teaching”?

You might be wondering: Why can’t we just cover this in a few quick lectures? Why spread it out?

Great question. The reason is simple: learning about complex (and often not-so-exciting) topics like finance works best when delivered in small, steady doses.

“Drip teaching” means information is delivered consistently, in manageable pieces, and reinforced over time. This makes learning more effective—especially when the subject isn’t the reason you went to veterinary school in the first place.

Through real-life examples, clear explanations, and regular email updates, we’ll help you absorb financial concepts in a way that sticks. Think of it as building a new habit. Review the material as it comes, and you’ll find yourself gaining confidence in your financial skills without feeling overloaded.

Why Your Financial Success Matters

The veterinary profession is facing a well-documented debt crisis. Alongside that comes high rates of job dissatisfaction, compassion fatigue, and mental health struggles.

Research shows that nearly a quarter of male veterinarians (24.5%) and over a third of female veterinarians (36.7%) have experienced depressive episodes since graduation—about 1.5 times higher than the general U.S. adult population. Some have left the profession entirely, while others have tragically lost their lives.

New graduates often report postponing major life milestones, because of financial uncertainty and heavy debt loads.

These facts are sobering, but they’re also motivating. They remind us why this course matters so much: we want you to feel confident, satisfied, and supported in your decision to become a veterinarian.

It’s important to recognize that many veterinarians are thriving—financially, professionally, and personally. What separates them isn’t luck, gender, grades, or geography. The biggest difference comes down to planning. Those who take the time to map out both their career path and their financial future consistently report higher levels of control, comfort, and satisfaction.

Here, success is defined by clarity, balance, and peace of mind. It means understanding your financial picture, having a plan to tackle debt, and eliminating the stress that comes with uncertainty. People who plan feel less anxious and more empowered. With the right plan, you can avoid letting debt dictate your life.

The Power of Asking “Why”

In surgery, in school, and in life, it’s always smart to pause and ask: Why?

So, why this course? Because it’s about your empowerment. We want you to see that you can master your personal finances. You already tackle complex concepts in veterinary medicine. If you can understand renal physiology, you can absolutely learn to budget, save, and plan for the future.

That said, big mindset shifts take time. For years you may have thought: I’m not a financial person. That’s for accountants, not veterinarians. I just want to care for animals.

Those thoughts aren’t wrong. But we want to add another: Only I am in control of my financial state. That’s the mindset this course will help you build.

Veterinary medicine as a profession still faces major challenges: unsustainable debt-to-income ratios, high levels of unhappiness, and a higher-than-average risk of depression and suicide. Personal Financial Success is designed as a direct countermeasure. By taking control of your finances, you significantly reduce your risk of falling into that cycle.

Ultimately, the “why” is about you. Success isn’t defined by wealth; it’s defined by wellness—financial, mental, physical, and emotional.

So here’s your challenge: define your own “why.” Picture what financial stability looks like for you. Envision the life you want to build. Starting next week, we’ll begin working together to make that vision a reality.

Your Guides:

Lance Roasa, DVM, MS, JD

Steve Kellner, Director, College Teaching Program