Photo courtesy Dr. Andrew Ciccolini Relief veterinarians have become an essential part of today’s veterinary business. In 2025, nearly one in 10 veterinarians in private practice were reportedly working in relief or contract roles–a number that has been steadily climbing over the past decade.1 They ensure continuity of care, reduce pressure on in-house teams during peak seasons, and keep clinics running during staff shortages. Yet despite their growing value, many clinics still view relief veterinarians as temporary support rather than essential contributors to business performance. Here’s the reality: that approach may have worked in the past, but it no longer serves your clinic. In fact, in the long term, it may be costing you. In the current economy, when veterinary clinics are facing flat patient volumes, rising operating costs, and tight margins, the business needs to extract more value from existing operations. That means every shift–relief or not–must be performed, and every person on the schedule must be set up to succeed. At this point, relief doctors are no longer a stopgap, but an investment. Like any investment, they need to be planned for, structured thoughtfully, and supported to protect their performance. The environment relief veterinarians’ step into makes a big difference. The way they are welcomed, equipped, and treated during a shift can directly affect how they deliver, how they feel about the work, and whether they accept shifts from your clinic again. The 2026 Serenity Vet study reports burnout among relief veterinarians at its highest level in five years–a 25 percent increase since 2022.2 Every third relief veterinarian reported unstable or unpredictable income, discomfort with rate negotiation, and limited leverage to advocate for themselves. Many also cite lack of protocols, unclear expectations, and poor communication as in-clinic stressors. By creating a better experience for relief veterinarians, you don’t just contribute to a more sustainable, healthier model of relief work–you also see the returns. Better patient care, stronger staff morale, higher shift fill rates, and improved business performance all follow when relief professionals are treated as a strategic asset. A few simple, intentional practices can make that difference–turning every shift into an opportunity for long-term value. 10 ways to plan for unpredictability 1) Plan shifts as far in advance as possible Vacations, parental leave, and seasonal peaks can all be anticipated, and so can your relief staffing needs. Nearly one in four relief veterinarians report difficulty managing their schedules, so planning and early booking help achieve greater predictability and confidence for both parties. 2) Build a network of trusted relief vets If you have good experiences with certain relief veterinarians, create a go-to network to offer the first right of refusal on open shifts. Relief practitioners with repeat clients report greater financial stability and lower burnout than those constantly sourcing new work. Maintaining consistent relationships not only helps improve fill rates but also reduces training time and ensures continuity of care. 3) Outline shift terms clearly It may sound obvious, but key details are often missed, especially in last-minute bookings. Along with date, time, and pay, share a clear picture of what the day may look like: expected caseload, support staff availability, any special procedures, and policies. More than 28 percent of relief vets report difficulty in finding shifts that are well-paid, well-scheduled, or aligned with their preferred type of work. The more transparent you are, the more likely you will find someone whose expectations and skills align with your needs. 4) Discuss overtime compensation upfront Terms around potential overtime (or undertime), compensation policies, time tracking, and payment methods–all these questions are best discussed beforehand. Even if you are 99 percent sure overtime will not occur on the day the relief veterinarian starts their shift, there is still a one percent chance it will happen. If it does, both you and the doctor should understand and agree to the terms in advance. 5) Build in flexibility incentives Emergencies are part of the job. Extra procedures, last-minute appointments, and added hours happen, but when expectations shift mid-day without acknowledgment or compensation, it can lead to frustration. Consider a hybrid pay model that combines a flat rate with a production bonus, especially if you operate an ER or urgent care clinic. More than 17 percent of relief vets said they would welcome this compensation structure, which aligns hospital needs with fair, performance-based pay. Dr. Andrew Ciccolini, performing castration to a canine patient at his time serving in the U.S. Army. Photo courtesy Dr. Andrew Ciccolini 6) Start with a quick orientation Even experienced relief vets feel some first-day jitters. Walk them through the clinic, staff lounge, and explain the work process and workstation specifics. What is intuitive for your team may not be obvious to someone new. Survey respondents frequently cited the absence of an onboarding protocol and the lack of team integration for relief veterinarians as stressors. For you, it may only take 10 minutes, but for them, it means saved nerve cells and increased productivity and confidence throughout the workday. 7) Review protocols and documentation Cover PIMS shortcuts, recordkeeping policies, controlled substances, and communication expectations. A quick refresher reduces friction and avoids mid-shift surprises. 8) Ensure access to tools Provide login credentials and cheat sheets for any clinic software. If you use AI scribes or time-tracking tools, set those up ahead of time. Nearly 29 percent of relief vets say they are more likely to accept shifts at clinics with AI scribe support. Those who use them report higher fulfillment and slightly lower burnout scores. 9) Acknowledge their contribution Gratitude matters. Whether a verbal thank you or a quick email, taking the time to acknowledge a job well done makes relief vets feel seen and respected and more likely to return. 10) Invite feedback Relief vets work across many clinics and spot patterns others miss. Ask what worked, what didn’t, and what could be improved. You might uncover valuable insights into workflows, communication, or scheduling. Andrew Ciccolini, DVM, MSOL, is a relief veterinarian and co-founder of Serenity Vet, a subscription-based veterinary relief management platform. He is the former medical director at the National Mill Dog Rescue, a non-profit located in Colorado, and director of Non-Profit Initiatives at Galaxy Vets. Dr. Ciccolini’s background includes serving in the U.S. Army, where he rose from associate veterinarian to vice president of Operations. References https://ebusiness.avma.org/ProductCatalog/product.aspx?ID=2215 https://serenity.vet/burnout-study-among-relief-locum-veterinarians/
