How Fatherhood Changed My Veterinary Career: From Full-Time Stress to Flexibility and Fulfillment
Written by Alessandro Didiano (doctor in veterinary medicine, MRCVS)
Disclaimer: This article is personally written by me, a licensed veterinarian with more than a decade of clinical experience.
One year ago, I stood in my bathroom, holding a pregnancy test. My girlfriend, nervous and excited, had just asked me to check the result. I had never done one before and honestly had no idea how to interpret it. Looking down at the stick, I saw two blue lines and asked her what that meant.
She went silent for a moment, then looked at me and said:
“It means I’m pregnant.”
That night, I didn’t sleep, and neither did the next. We had only just started trying, so I never expected it to happen so quickly. My veterinary career at the time was so full-on, so consuming, that I knew instantly something had to change. But I thought I had more time before needing to make those changes. Fatherhood, however, doesn’t wait for your career plan to catch up.
The Wake-Up Call: Choosing Family
Veterinary life is rewarding, but it’s also demanding. Long shifts, emergencies, and constant emotional strain can take a toll. Before becoming a dad, I pushed through it all, maybe a bit too much (you can read more about it here). But when I found out I was going to be a father, the idea of missing milestones, being exhausted at home, or not being present simply wasn’t an option for me.
I realized my career needed a reset, not just for me, but for my family. I knew the coming months would be stressful, because major changes were needed if I wanted to be the father I aspired to be.
From Full-Time to Locum: Finding Flexibility
Within months, I made my first move. I left my permanent position and started working as a locum vet. This change gave me more flexibility, better pay per shift, and the freedom to choose when and where I worked.
Of course, locum life comes with less job security. But what I gained was invaluable: time. I now work just two days per week, which allows me to balance veterinary medicine with my new role as a father, and also explore other income streams. Babies cost a lot of money indeed, and on two shifts a week I wouldn’t be able to fully sustain my family.
So, I started a side hustle that brings in passive income. It’s still growing, but sometimes I wake up and realize I’ve earned money in my sleep: let me tell you, that feeling is incomparable. On top of that, the challenge of making money with non-veterinary skills excites me. Since graduation, I never imagined I could earn outside of long shifts. Now, I know it’s possible.
Why Less Is More
Something unexpected happened when I cut back on hours: my work improved.
Because I’m not overworked, I approach each shift with more energy, patience, and focus. Clients notice it too: my feedback has never been so positive. I meet new colleagues, see a wider variety of cases, and actually look forward to walking into the clinic.
Ironically, by doing less, I’ve become a better vet.
The Bigger Picture
Fatherhood reshaped my priorities, but it also reshaped my career. It reminded me that our dream job doesn’t have to be about “climbing the ladder.” Instead, at least for me, it should be about creating a sustainable, fulfilling life for ourselves and the people who depend on us.
For any vet (or any professional) who feels trapped in the cycle of overwork, I can confidently say: change is possible. Sometimes it takes a major life event, like becoming a parent, to push us toward it, but the result can be more rewarding than you ever imagined.
I was there to see my child’s very first smile, a moment that happened on a Tuesday morning, when I would never have been home under normal circumstances. That experience alone made every change I’ve made feel worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Fatherhood has really changed everything for me. No, it’s not super fun to be changing the nappy of a screaming child at 3 a.m. on little sleep. But even those moments have given me perspective, balance, and a renewed appreciation for life.
By stepping away from the traditional path and embracing flexibility, I’ve rediscovered joy in my career again, something I didn’t think was possible a year ago.
I am writing this article on a lazy Wednesday morning and as soon as I am done I will take my baby for a walk at the park. Although I have always dreamt of more freedom, before becoming a parent, I was not brave enough to let go of the long hours, constant availability, and always striving for the next step in my career. But now to me, real success is about being present, building a life that’s sustainable and, above all, enjoying a walk at the park with my daughter.