Dr Tshidi Gardiner BVSc BSc MRCVS is a small animal veterinary surgeon, Mindset Mentor and Wellness Coach. She is also RCVS Council member, chairing the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Committee, a Director of Affinity Futures, advocating for people from marginalised communities in the veterinary sector, is actively involved with the IVC Ethnic Diversity Scholarship Board and serves as a Trustee of Vets In Mind charity. In her profile, Tshidi reflects on some of the ways she achieves a sense of purpose and balance in her career, including working towards creating generational change in the veterinary professions.
Please give a brief summary of your career path so far:
My career path has evolved into a dynamic intersection of clinical practice, coaching and training, and governance. With over 20 years of experience as a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, I qualified from Onderstepoort, Pretoria, and hold a postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. I am deeply passionate about my clinical work, finding great satisfaction in caring for animals and supporting owners.
Beyond clinical practice, I have dedicated significant time to coaching and mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals. As a clinical coach and examiner for FSc Veterinary Nursing OSCE exams at Duchy and Bicton College, I enjoyed supporting students and ensuring they were well-prepared for their careers. I am passionate about supporting mental health, burnout prevention, and inclusive cultures, speaking on these topics at major conferences and developing training programs to champion wellbeing in veterinary practices.
In the realm of governance, I serve as a Council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and in 2024, I was re-elected as Treasurer, contributing to the oversight of college business and resource management. I chair the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and I am actively involved with the IVC Ethnic Diversity Scholarship Board, Director of Affinity Futures and am committed to fostering a more inclusive veterinary profession. Additionally, I serve as a Trustee of Vets in Mind Charity, advocating for mental health and wellbeing in the industry.
What is it about your work that enthuses you and brings you satisfaction?
What truly energizes me is the sense of purpose my work brings — knowing that what I do has a lasting impact beyond myself. There’s nothing quite like receiving heartfelt ‘thank-yous’ from clients whose pets I’ve helped (even if it is crossing over the rainbow bridge); it’s a reminder of why I love this profession. I also find immense satisfaction in continuously developing new skills and expertise. Being part of initiatives that could create generational change in our profession keeps me motivated, as the idea of contributing to a lasting legacy for the future of veterinary medicine is both humbling and incredibly exciting. Plus, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
What is the biggest challenge to staying passionate in your veterinary career you’ve overcome, and how did you approach it?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my veterinary career was undoubtedly experiencing severe burnout — physically and mentally. I ended up in the hospital, needed surgery, and was signed off work for several months due to mental health challenges. Looking back, it’s no surprise. I was working ridiculous hours, believing this was just what was expected in our profession. I thought my inability to cope was a sign of personal weakness, which couldn’t have been further from the truth.
In reality, I had lost perspective. My entire identity revolved around running my practice, and I had no sense of self beyond that. My life was, frankly, a mess. That forced break, although painful, became a pivotal moment. It allowed me to focus on my wellbeing, recalibrate my life, and realise that burnout wasn’t a personal failure — it was a symptom of an unsustainable work-life balance.
“I trained as a wellness coach, and I turned my mess into my message. Since then, I’ve become passionate about contributing positively to the veterinary community, advocating for mental health, inclusivity and burnout prevention. The journey was tough, but it gave me a renewed sense of purpose and balance in my career.“
What advice can you share with others embarking on similar paths about finding fulfilment in their veterinary career?
My career path is both repeatable and unique. While we all carve our own way, there’s immense value in learning from those who’ve already walked the road. I’m a firm believer in making the journey easier for others, and removing as many obstacles as possible. As a Black African immigrant woman, just getting my foot in the door was tough, and feeling like I truly belonged was the next challenge. I remember sending out over 100 CVs and getting exactly one response—talk about persistence!
It wasn’t easy, but I trusted that the right opportunity would come along, and it did. My best advice? Trust your gut. It knows best. Do something you love, where you can make the greatest impact. Veterinary medicine offers so many varied opportunities, so don’t be afraid to diversify. I’ve been lucky to meet incredible people and explore different areas of the profession that I would have missed had I stayed on just one path.
Ultimately, find fulfilment in your career by staying true to what excites you. Push through the tough times, because the rewards are worth it — both in the animals we help and the connections we make along the way.
What best sums up your approach to keeping yourself and your team motivated and engaged within veterinary careers?
When I first stepped into leadership, I made the classic mistake of thinking being at the centre of everything made me indispensable — turns out, I was just a bottleneck! One person clogging the system creates far more chaos than progress. Now, my focus is on fostering a shared vision that empowers the team to move forward without relying on me for every decision. It’s less about my own career these days and more about laying the groundwork for future vets and nurses, especially women. I’m all about showing them that this amazing profession offers the freedom to build multiple, fulfilling careers.
What do you feel would most benefit job satisfaction in the veterinary professions, and how could we work towards implementing this?
People are at their best when they feel psychologically safe, valued, and heard. By integrating diversity and inclusion with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, we can create a positive shift in workplace mental health and team performance. To get the most job satisfaction, be honest with yourself and find a workplace where you feel genuinely welcomed, can bring your whole self to work, and feel like you truly belong. To leaders in our profession, ‘Your words matter’ — be mindful of the language you use, as it shapes cultures. I feel a personal responsibility to model openness by discussing my own mental health, showing it’s okay to prioritise well-being in the veterinary profession.
For wellbeing resources and to find out more about Tshidi, visit her website at www.DrTshidiGardiner.com
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