Our series on “Champions for Change” features people of any gender in any role who are making a difference and creating positive change for women in the veterinary sector – enabling aspirations, inspiring and supporting others to grow and follow their passions, and empowering our community.
Marloes Baltus RVN CertFN ISFM CertAVN has a passion for veterinary education, supporting veterinary teams, veterinary nurse consulting and advocating for neurodiversity and mental health. She is author of The Neurospicy RVN Facebook page. Marloes was nominated for Champions for Change by a veterinary professional who was inspired by her educational articles in veterinary media. Read on to find out how Marloes is working towards change in the awareness and recognition of neurodiversity in the veterinary world.
Born in the Netherlands, started studying wildlife management in 2007, burned out in 2009, and dropped out of Uni. Started my mental health journey in 2009 and by 2012 I was stable enough to return to education. Studied Veterinary Nursing in the Netherlands at a RCVS accredited college and qualified as an RVN in 2014, entering the register in November 2014. Moved to England, had my first job in a cats-only clinic in the North East. Decided after a year that if this was going to be my career I needed more varied skills. Joined my first corporate practice in 2015 and have working in various practices in the North since. Now 2024 is ending, I am putting a halt on my clinical career to focus on my health, physical and mental, and on my family. I have a strong interest in feline medicine, am a consulting nurse at heart and am very open and honest about my mental health.
Please summarise how you are working towards change in the veterinary professions and why do you feel this is important?
I am passionate about promoting and creating awareness of neurodiversity and mental health in the veterinary community. I believe education is the road to understanding, and understanding to acceptance. By being a loud voice that explains, breaks down and represents neurodiversity in all of its forms, I am hoping to support those who are less able or willing to put their neck out for acceptance.
I believe neurodiversity is the next frontier in employment equality. One in seven people experiences neurodivergence, and more may experience mental health struggles. My aim is to be present, to be loud and to educate employers and employees as well as the powers that be in the benefits and struggles of neurodiversity, and how this can benefit a company. I want to break down barriers and stigma surrounding the conditions that are part of neurodiversity. Break down the belief that it is just about being awkward, that we have a choice in how our brain works. To cement the understanding that these are real conditions, that can be measured, and that do not affect our intelligence. More often than not neurodivergent individuals are of average to higher intelligence than the neurotypical population, but due to our struggles to conform to normal expected society, this is not always evident in our work.
More and more veterinary and veterinary nursing students identify as neurodivergent and by doing so are challenging the established way of working in vet med: long days, long hours, no breaks and ‘conform or leave’. Many companies boast of neurodiversity inclusion, but on the ground in the practices, many individuals have to fight for every single adjustment. Being made to feel guilty because “No-one else needs this, why do you?” In reality a lot of neurodiverse-friendly adjustment will benefit the neurotypical as much as the neurodivergent. I believe that by supporting gold standard employment practices, everyone will benefit, employees and employers alike.
But it requires people willing to stick their head above the parapet that have energy enough to fight the judgement and prejudice. So here I am, working one post or article at a time at creating more education, more understanding through easily accessible, low-threshold information. And I hope to develop this into lectures and courses to support individuals and companies more formally too.
The NeuroSpicy RVN is a hyperfocus born out of frustration. Frustration at lack of representation, at lack of change and lack of real acceptance.
How do you feel this is making a difference?
I am slowly getting more visibility, and my articles to date have been well received. I have made contact with various organisations and companies to offer support and collaborate. I feel that by creating my posts, I show a real insight into the world of neurodiversity. Often posts and articles on neurodiversity are designed to show the positives and why it is important to keep including neurodivergent individuals. But they do not always highlight the struggles neurodivergent individuals have to go through just to perform their daily tasks. I am hoping to walk the line between blunt honest experiences and education and support for neurodivergent individuals and the people they live and work with.
What motivated you to want to change things?
After I gave birth to my daughter in 2023, I became more and more aware of the effect my neurodivergence has on my day-to-day life, in employment, in self-care, in home management and in parenthood. I found it difficult to articulate what I needed from my employer without feeling like I was selling myself short, and I found that my employer had little understanding of the neurodivergent experience either.
I reset my boundaries to focus more on myself and my family, and that did not align with how I previously prioritised work commitments over anything else. That motivated me to be the change that is needed, realising that a lot of beliefs are stigma, a lot of adjustments don’t fit easily into established work practices, and there is a lack of knowledge around rights and abilities.
How have you encouraged other people to get on board with your ideas?
I am outspoken about my experiences, and will happily stand on my soapbox. My social media has become a bit of a stream of conscious at times, where I discuss my personal experiences alongside more general information. I keep in touch with various groups on social media for struggles discussed and ask for feedback regularly. I have requested input from those with a different neurodiverse expression than mine, as I am fully aware of the breadth of different expressions there are.
What are the biggest challenges you have encountered in this journey and how have you overcome them?
Misinformation, misunderstanding and fear of judgement. Speaking to individuals about their personal experiences for the platform is really difficult as I find a lot of people will comment, but do not want to be involved any further than that.
Other challenges are resistance from employers to make adjustments. And actually getting officially diagnosed is really difficult. Many individuals are self-diagnosed, which furthers resistance from HR and management as there is no ‘proof’ of condition.
What has most helped and motivated you along the way?
The support from the community, being able to use friends as a sounding board, Emily Holmes from Veterinary Creator Co, has been a big supporter. Lacey Daniels who facilitated my first article. Seeing the impact small changes can have on individuals and their quality of life. My own constant battles with my head and a drive to be a better version of myself.
What is the best advice you’ve been given, or that you would give to someone else, about driving positive change?
Do not give up, you have value, you are appreciated and you are seen.
What are your next steps to continue creating change for the better?
Continuing my social media accounts, continuing with writing articles. I am hoping to create some resources with the BVCIS and get involved with the guys over at The Vet Project UK, to support education. I am hoping to develop some lectures and speaking opportunities and have got a column on mental health in the pipeline with The Veterinary Edge.
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2025, we assembled a collection of ‘Champions for Change’ profiles into a free eBook. Explore exclusive stories highlighting inspirational figures driving positive change for women in veterinary.
Our thanks to Marloes for sharing her inspiring story of how she is championing change. If you would like to nominate a Champion for Change or share your story, please let us know.
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