Get support
Support when you need it
From workplace challenges to personal wellbeing, we’re here to stand with you when challenges arise.
Vitae: Free counselling for veterinarians
All veterinarians in New Zealand can access free, confidential counselling through Vitae. This vital support is funded by the NZVA and the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ).
Wellbeing support
Alongside our partnership with Vitae, the NZVA offers a range of other wellbeing initiatives. NZVA members benefit from:
- access to exclusive resources on Vet Support, the go-to platform for mental health and wellbeing resources for the veterinary profession in Aotearoa
- free access to our empowering veterinary mental health course
- free enrolment in our six-week wellbeing and resilience course(worth $100)
- complementary access to Āki, the MAS health and wellbeing portal
Mentoring
The NZVA partners with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), Massey University School of Veterinary Science, and the Veterinary Professional Insurance Society (VPIS) to provide a mentoring programme for veterinarians in Aotearoa.
We use Mentorloop to match veterinarians with experienced professionals. Mentoring is a great way to get advice and support, improve your confidence, and learn about career development opportunities.
Disaster and emergency support
The NZVA provides dedicated support, updates and resources for veterinary teams during disasters or emergencies. We’ve supported veterinary teams during Cyclone Gabrielle, flooding, extreme weather events, and drought.
With extreme weather events becoming increasingly common, it’s more important than ever for veterinary teams to have a plan in place. If the worst happens, we can provide:
- regular updates to keep you informed
- a roster of veterinary professionals who are willing to help out if you need additional staffing support
- connections with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other key stakeholders
- trauma or grief counselling through Vitae
- resources and advice to help you respond to a natural disaster or emergency
- templates to help you develop a personalised emergency management plan for your business.
A friendly ear when you need it
Whether you need advice about a client, patient, colleague, or career opportunity, the NZVA team is just a phone call away. We’ve supported members through a variety of situations, from ethical dilemmas and regulations to social media abuse and workplace bullying. We’re always here to listen, and can connect you with relevant organisations so you can get the best advice possible.
As a membership association, queries from our members will be prioritised over general or public queries.
