Texas Equine Veterinary Association

• 18 • 13 13 Over the past decade work-life balance has become a hot topic in equine practice. With fewer graduates entering equine practice and an increasing attrition rate, retention of practitioners is of extreme importance. A large percentage of equine veterinarians are now women, many of us in child bearing years. ose of us in equine practice tend to be highly driven, independent people who have passionately poured a large portion of our time and energy into our patients and profession. e process of becoming a mother is a shi of identity and perspective for most women, regardless of career, and it can be difficult to prepare for that change. Integrating the new, deeply important role in our lives with continuing to be a committed and available veterinarian is a challenge, but I believe it is a challenge we can meet well and create a beautiful outcome. As a new first time mama, these suggestions are ones I think will be helpful in a group practice setting to balance profession and motherhood, with the goal of long-term retention: 1. Support extended maternity leave. I love my job and always planned on coming back aer my baby was born. However, the common expectation of 6 weeks is, in my opinion, very soon to go back to work full time and can be incredibly stressful if it involves leaving your newborn at daycare. I don't lobby for extended paid maternity leave, which would be difficult for a small, privately owned business to sustain, but to allow a sabbatical similar to the time frames allowed for maternity leave in other countries. As someone who happily spent my free time reading journal articles aer working 60–80 hour weeks, I was not prepared for how difficult it would be to leave my child. I know this isn't how every new mom feels, but my employers being willing to allow me to take time has been extremely beneficial to me. New Mamas in Equine Practice Melanie Ramirez graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She joined Weems and Stephens Equine Hospital as an associate in 2018, and enjoys all aspects of equine practice but particularly foals, reproduction, and medicine. Her daughter, Nola, was born in early fall 2021, and she has welcomed the new adventure of motherhood in equine practice. Melanie Ramirez, DVM

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