When I first started working in a veterinary hospital, I was all in. The fast pace, the unpredictability, the problem-solving…it was everything I loved. But over time, I noticed something unsettling.

Some days, I thrived. I could hyperfocus through surgeries, recall patient histories instantly, and manage a chaotic treatment room with ease. Other days, I struggled to complete even simple tasks. The constant noise of barking dogs and ringing phones left me mentally drained, and don’t get me started on fluorescent lighting. The sudden schedule changes, the last-minute shift requests, the expectation to “just roll with it”…it all felt overwhelming.

At first, I blamed myself. Why couldn’t I keep up like everyone else? Why did I need to step outside for air after back-to-back appointments while my coworkers seemed unfazed? Why did charting at the end of the day feel like climbing a mountain, even though I had just spent hours handling complex medical cases?

It wasn’t until years later after learning about my own neurodivergence that I realized the truth. The problem wasn’t me. It was that I didn’t understand what I needed to thrive in my work environment.

The Hidden Challenges of Neurodivergence in a Veterinary Setting
Veterinary hospitals are some of the most dynamic, rewarding, and challenging workplaces but they’re also filled with unpredictable sensory, cognitive, and emotional demands that can make it difficult for neurodivergent professionals to function at their best.

For some, it’s the sensory overload, like the sound of high-pitched surgical monitors, the flashing of fluorescent lights, the smell of antiseptics mixing with kennel odors.

For others, it’s the executive function challenges like shifting from one emergency to the next, managing mental checklists while being interrupted, remembering to eat, drink, pee, and take a break in a nonstop environment.

For many, it’s the unwritten social expectations from picking up on subtle tone shifts in a rushed conversation to knowing when it’s okay to advocate for a pause, and figuring out how to say “I need help” without feeling like a burden.

These struggles don’t mean we aren’t capable. They mean the traditional veterinary workflow wasn’t designed with neurodivergence in mind.

Why Self-Understanding is the First Step to Thriving
For years, I thought my only option was to push through, masking my challenges, overcompensating with extra effort, and burning myself out in the process. But the reality is, thriving in a veterinary hospital isn’t about trying harder. It’s about understanding your needs and working in ways that support your brain.

That’s why I developed the Self Needs Assessment, a tool designed to help neurodivergent professionals identify their strengths, pinpoint their challenges, and create a work environment that actually works for them.

When I first went through this assessment myself, I had several lightbulb moments:

I realized that verbal instructions during rounds were overwhelming for me, and I processed information much better when I could refer back to written notes or have visualizations.
I recognized that long stretches in the treatment area drained my energy, but breaking up the day with administrative tasks helped me stay engaged.
I saw that my biggest frustrations weren’t about capability, they were about a mismatch between my needs and my work environment.
And once I had that clarity, I could communicate my needs effectively and advocate for small adjustments that made a massive difference in my performance and well-being.

What Happens When You Understand Your Needs?
Workplaces don’t need to completely change their workflows to be more neuroinclusive. But when professionals understand their own needs, they can make strategic adjustments that improve focus, energy, and job satisfaction.

For example, from my experience:

If sensory overload is a challenge, using noise-canceling earbuds during documentation or stepping into a quieter space between appointments can prevent mental fatigue.
If task switching is difficult, structuring work to allow for deep-focus time, such as batching medical records instead of trying to chart between every appointment can improve efficiency.
If verbal processing is a struggle, asking for written recaps of patient rounds or shift changes can prevent misunderstandings and errors.
If energy regulation is an issue, advocating for scheduled breaks (even 5-10 minutes every couple of hours) can help prevent burnout before it happens.
None of these are unreasonable requests. They don’t disrupt patient care. If anything, they help create a more sustainable, efficient, and engaged team which benefits everyone, including the patients we care for.

Workplaces Needs Neurodivergent Thinkers
The veterinary profession specifically is facing a workforce crisis with burnout, turnover, and mental health challenges at an all-time high. We can’t afford to lose skilled, passionate professionals just because their work environment isn’t set up to support them.

The truth is, neurodivergent professionals bring immense value…take the veterinary profession for instance:

Hyperfocus allows for incredible attention to detail in patient care.
Pattern recognition helps in diagnosing complex cases.
Innovative problem-solving leads to better protocols and efficiency.
Deep empathy strengthens client communication and patient advocacy.
But to harness these strengths, we need to stop forcing ourselves to work in ways that don’t serve us.

We need to start asking: What do I need to thrive in this environment? How can I communicate those needs to my team? What small adjustments would make the biggest difference for me?

​The Self Needs Assessment is a great place to start. It’s not about asking for special treatment, it’s about understanding yourself so you can show up as the best version of yourself, both for your team and for your patients. So if you’ve ever felt like I did, like you’re capable but constantly battling against an invisible current, know that there’s another way. Download the Self Needs Assessment today. Start advocating for what you need to succeed. Because workplaces needs you. Not the masked, burned-out version of you…the real, thriving, neurodivergent you.