For the past few months, our Rumpus Writing and Editing team’s motto has been “Write. Edit. Run. Repeat.” We had been training for the second annual Relief Rover 5K, an event organized by Dr. Cindy Trice, Relief Rover’s founder and CEO, and our own Rumpus writer and veterinarian Dr. Juli Goldstein. Founded in 2017, Relief Rover is an online platform connecting veterinary employers and veterinary relief professionals, where members share resources and elevate their practices. This year’s virtual Clinic to 5K running/walking event took place during the last week in June, and raised money for Pride VMC, an organization that supports the LGBTQ+ veterinary community by empowering them to embrace their wellbeing by being their authentic selves.

Veterinary self-care matters

Clinics across the country are woefully understaffed, and the remaining veterinary professionals struggle to meet their increasing caseloads during the day, often feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done—and oftentimes this adage is true. As a result, many veterinary professionals forgo their own needs, and their mental and physical health suffer. With more than a decade’s medical experience, Dr. Juli understands veterinary medicine’s demands and self-care’s importance. Like many on our Rumpus Writing and Editing team, Dr. Juli wears many hats. In addition to being a Rumpus writer, she is a veterinarian working as a marine mammal consultant, and an ultramarathon runner. In an article she wrote for R Magazine, Dr. Juli explains, “Self-care is a vital component to ensure a high quality of life. We teach clients and friends that the most important aspect for our patients is their overall quality of life, yet we struggle to lead by example.” 

Relief Rover 5K participants get active for veterinary professionals’ self-care

Veterinary professionals often find that fitting in self-care—especially physical exercise—to their busy schedules is too difficult, which is why Relief Rover 5K encourages participants to embrace physical activity for their health, and supports a cause meaningful to the profession. During the weeks leading up to the 5K, Dr. Juli became the Relief Rover running coach, providing a training program and recommending resources to help participants of all fitness levels meet their 5K (3.1 mile) walk/run completion goal.

Rumpus writers lace up their running shoes for veterinarians’ wellbeing

When our Rumpus team learned of Relief Rover 5K’s mission, we immediately formed a team to support our colleagues and the veterinary industry. 

Pictured: Sarah Rumple, Rumpus Writing and Editing owner, and CCO with her pups Winnie and Karl.

I love supporting vet med organizations with goals to improve the profession. Relief Rover helps veterinary professionals by providing options that nurture a healthy work-life balance—whether for veterinarians who want to work flexible relief schedules, or for practices that rely on relief veterinarians so their full-time staff can enjoy much-deserved breaks. And Pride VMC is working to create a more inclusive environment in veterinary medicine, so everyone feels welcome and supported, regardless of who they love or how they identify. I’m so proud to support such wonderful organizations! And, selfishly, I love getting outside with Winnie and Karl in the beautiful Colorado sunshine, so participating in this event was a no-brainer.

— Sarah Rumple, Rumpus Writing and Editing owner, and CCO 

Pictured: Angela Beal, DVM, Rumpus Writing and Editing COO

The organizers—Dr. Cindy Trice and our own Dr. Juli Goldstein—are amazing people, and I wanted to support their efforts to unite the veterinary community for a good cause. I was fortunate to be on vacation during the run dates, and walked my 5K+ at Myrtle Beach. I talked my husband into joining me, and we set off in the morning sunshine. I used a GPS app to track my mileage, but it was not working properly, and when we sat down to check, we had walked 3.3 miles—in one direction! Lucky for us, a beachside restaurant was on the other side of the sand dune, and I had eggs benedict before trekking the 3.3 miles back. At the end of the week, it was my favorite vacation memory. Veterinary mental health is such an important issue. I feel eternally grateful to work from the safety of my home, and I sympathize with my colleagues on the front lines who deal with burnout, combative clients, and a poor work-life balance. We need more initiatives such as the Relief Rover 5K to encourage veterinary professionals to take time for their mental health. 

— Angela Beal, DVM, Rumpus Writing and Editing COO

Pictured: Jenny Alonge, DVM, Rumpus Writing and Editing writer

I participated in the Relief Rover 5K because I feel veterinary mental health is extremely important, and more needs to be done to ensure veterinary professionals take time out for themselves to prevent burnout. Running is one way I take care of my health, and I thought the 5K was a great way to promote the issue. I ran on a Saturday, and the weather was hot and sunny, so I was quite sweaty by the end. I also ran so I could get the cute top! 

— Jenny Alonge, DVM, Rumpus Writing and Editing writer

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