Leading up to World Veterinary Day (April 26), Boehringer Ingelheim has unveiled new survey results that shed light on animal owners’ perceptions of the essential role that veterinarians play in animal health and community well-being.
The 2025 survey of animal owners adds to a 2024 survey, also conducted in partnership with market research institute Kynetec, which explored if veterinarians feel valued and understood by animal owners. This is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Going Beyond campaign, which seeks to put a spotlight on aspects of veterinary work that too often remain unseen and underrecognised.
“In collaboration with our Going Beyond campaign partners, we are proud to celebrate veterinary teams, bringing attention to their crucial role worldwide as animal health practitioners, advocates, researchers, educators, surgeons, public health experts and more,” said Claire Fowler, head of global strategic marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
The 2025 Going Beyond survey of animal owners revealed several findings, which contrast significantly with perceptions shared in the 2024 survey of veterinarians.
Perceptions around appreciation
In the 2025 survey, 94% of animal owners said they appreciate the veterinary profession, and 91% recognised that veterinary teams are essential or important to our society.
By comparison, 49% of veterinarians last year said animal owners appreciate the veterinary profession. In addition, 93% of animal owners this year said they appreciate the level of care provided by their vet teams. In 2024, a lower percentage (75%) of veterinarians said animal owners appreciate the level of care they provide
Arcangelo Gentile, president of the World Association for Buiatrics, said: “It is rewarding to see the high appreciation for veterinarians noted in the Going Beyond survey, and we need to continue to increase awareness of the essential role of veterinary professionals in safeguarding animal health and impacting society through food safety and infectious disease control.
“By partnering in the Going Beyond campaign, we hope to deepen the public’s understanding of this field and foster the recognition veterinary teams truly deserve.”
Views on work-life balance and stress
Among animal owners surveyed, 65% said veterinarians have a good work-life balance. In 2024, 48% of veterinarians said animal owners underappreciate that vets trade off their work-life balance to help animals.
In addition, 66% of animal owners felt veterinarians need a high level of resilience to manage stress and emotional exhaustion. This figure was significantly lower than when asked the same question about other essential professions, including doctors, police, firefighters, and teachers.
In 2024, 49% of veterinarians said animal owners underappreciate their resilience to stress and emotional exhaustion.
Dr Jim Berry, president of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, added: “Veterinary teams are on the front lines of animal health and well-being, yet the intense physical and emotional demands of the profession often go unrecognised.
“To protect this essential profession, the public must do more to acknowledge the commitment and long hours veterinary teams dedicate to ensure the well-being of the animals in their care.”
