Dr. Greg Echols on paving the way as an influencer and entrepreneur

It takes a hardworking person to fill the shoes of a relief veterinarian.

Yet there is often A LOT of misunderstanding about this role! 

The American Veterinary Medical Association explains, “Relief practice is not just a temporary gig. Rather, it’s a career for many and a mainstay of veterinary medicine.”

In fact, this group makes up the largest portion of veterinary professionals (outside of practice owners, associates, and interns or residents). Whether it’s covering sick days, leaves of absence, maternity leaves, or stepping in due to low staffing levels, relief vets are real-life superheroes who answer the call, wherever it comes from.  

It’s a job that Dr. Greg Echols loves.

Originally a graduate of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, nowadays Greg is a relief veterinarian working in North Carolina. 

His ultimate goal?

To be the best veterinarian he can be and provide his patients with the care they deserve. Vet Candy is thrilled to have spoken with Echols recently. Today, he shares the three qualities responsible for his success, discusses why burnout is the biggest problem facing vet med, and gives readers a “two paws up” book recommendation. 

Introducing, the remarkable relief veterinarian, Greg Echols! 

Top 3 Qualities of Successful Veterinarians

Independence. Reliability. Teamwork.

These are the traits needed to be a well-rounded vet. 

But to serve the animals that rely upon us successfully, it’s key to find a balanced approach to all three. Too much independence and you can feel isolated from staff, unsupported, miss learning opportunities, and face communication problems. Too little independence, and nothing gets done. 

Luckily, Dr. Greg has figured out the perfect balance. 

“I am a very independent individual, which has benefits but also drawbacks,” he says. “I worked for anything I wanted. Although I am the youngest of three siblings, my mom never gave me anything without having to work for it. She taught me at an early age that if you want something in life, you are going to have to work for it.”

Despite being confident working alone, Greg always tries to be a team player. 

“How can I make this day as smooth as possible?” is a question he constantly asks himself. 

Blending these qualities is what helps him excel.    

Saving Lives, Losing Ourselves: The Reality of Veterinarian Burnout

When asked about the most pressing issues in vet med, Greg Echols had a one-word answer: burnout. 

“I feel the biggest problem facing the veterinary career is burnout,” he tells Vet Candy. “This is something that has been ongoing for a while. Since COVID, I feel this has increased dramatically. Not only are we seeing it with the veterinary technicians, assistants and receptionists, veterinarians are now changing jobs or entering other careers due to the stress from caseload and burnout.”

He adds:

“This is something I personally experienced and being a new grad, it’s concerning. It’s also stressful for incoming veterinary students because now they are worrying if they made the right decision in their career choice.”

As Dr. Greg points out, it’s a great time to be a veterinarian (due to the overwhelming demand), yet it is also a critical time due to the severity of burnout being experienced. 

That’s why it is so important to find ways to destress!

For Echols, this includes lifting weights. In addition to working with furry critters, he’s also a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter.

“Lifting weights keeps me mentally sane,” Dr. Greg explains. “My favorite lift is the deadlift. My current max is 485lbs conventional pull. I compete in a natural organization for bodybuilding called the OCB (Organization for Competitive Bodies). I am currently in prep to hit the stage for fall preparation to earn my Pro Card in Classic Physique.”

What a paw-sitive way to clear one’s head after a hectic day. 

Love the Skin You’re In

As veterinarians, many of us struggle to find time to read.

Sure, we read about constantly evolving research, treatments, and technologies. However, it’s important to read outside the vet med genre too. For those interested in a good book recommendation, Dr. Greg was heavily impacted by “The Skin I’m In” written by author Sharon G. Flake.

Echols says, “It’s about a young black teenager in school facing trialing days due to her skin color. Throughout she learns to love herself and her skin tone – despite what her peers feel. It’s one book that always plays in my head when I am dealing with those clients that feel I am incapable of treating their pets due to my skin color.”

Sounds like a fantastic read, Dr. Greg!

His final words of advice?

Understand you will not be liked by everyone. Be yourself and do not change to try and fit in to please anyone.