Pet Influencers 'Go Dark' on Instagram to Raise Awareness on Veterinarian Suicide Rate

Kelli Bender

Pets are doing their part to help the people who help them.

According to Banfield Pet Hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently shared a troubling statistic: one in six veterinarians consider suicide.

In response to this harrowing find, Banfield Pet Hospital — “a firm believer that in order to create a better world for pets, we need to create a better world for those who care for them” —created “ASK — Assess, Support, Know” a suicide prevention training resource. ASK is free for all veterinary professionals and veterinary school students, and is designed to help these groups address “emotional distress and suicidal thoughts”

In support of this effort, and to honor veterinarians everywhere, six pet influencers announced they are going to “go dark” for Jan. 6.

Dogs of Instagram, Kelly Bove, Ralph the Corgi, Hi Wiley, Dr. Lisa Lippman, and Albert on Wheels all announced on Monday that they are going dark for the rest of the day as an united effort to show “support for the veterinary professionals who give so much of themselves to our pets.”

View this post on Instagram

Friends – did you know that according to the CDC, 1 in 6 veterinarians considers suicide? We absolutely love our veterinarian, who has been keeping us healthy and able to live our best lives for the last 6 years. We want ALL our veterinarians to know they are loved and supported. That’s why we are honored to be working with @BanfieldPetHospital to help make a better world for pets by making a better world for the people who care for them. Today, Banfield Pet Hospital is making its “ASK – Assess, Support, Know” suicide prevention training available as a free resource for all veterinary professionals and veterinary school students to help them recognize and address emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. To honor our veterinarians and help raise awareness for this important issue, we will be going dark for the rest of the day. You can learn more about Banfield’s “ASK” training at www.ASKAssessSupportKnow.com ❤ #ad

A post shared by Ralph the Corgi (@ralphthecorgi) on Jan 6, 2020 at 6:11am PST

“The veterinary field is full of committed, passionate animal lovers, and while so many think our job is all puppy kisses and kitten snuggles, the reality is that veterinarians are subject to an incredible amount of stress, caused by emotional, financial, and job-related stressors,” Dogs of Instagram, an account with over 4.6 million followers, wrote along with their announcement on Monday.

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“Did you know that according to the CDC 1 in 6 veterinarians considers suicide due to serious psychological distress? When I chose my job I knew I had to work for a company that is cognizant of this- the more we talk about this serious issue that plagues our profession, the closer we come to making sure that those who spend their lives caring for our animals stay safe. The veterinary field is full of committed, passionate animal lovers, and while so many think our job is all puppy kisses and kitten snuggles, the reality is that veterinarians are subject to an incredible amount of stress, caused by emotional, financial, and job-related stressors. And some of us don’t make it. That’s why I’m honored to share with you a new training program “ASK” (Assess, Support, Know), brought to you by @banfieldpethospital. ASK is available as a free resource for all veterinary professionals and veterinary school students to help them recognize and address emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. Whether it’s joining us in sharing this image or reaching out to your veterinary team to express your appreciation – let’s unite and show our support for the veterinary professionals who give so much of themselves to our pets. To honor my veterinary colleagues, I will be going dark for the rest of today (1/6).” writes @drlisalippman // 🐶 @ellabeanthedog Learn more about ASK at wwww.ASKAssessSupportKnow.com

A post shared by DogsOf (@dogsofinstagram) on Jan 6, 2020 at 9:59am PST

Along with sharing why they are going dark, the pet influencers involved also encouraged all animal lovers to get involved too, by learning more about ASK and by sharing their appreciation for their own vets.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

You can show your support on social media as well by downloading this linked image and posting it online with a message on why your vet matters and tagging @BanfieldPetHospital in the post.