'My daughter loved being a vet. Until the client abuse destroyed her.'

Warning: This article discusses suicide.

Growing up, Sophie Putland adored animals. In fact, she loved all living things. 

So it was no surprise to her parents when Sophie told them she'd like to become a veterinarian. 

"It seemed like the perfect career for our kind, caring daughter," says Sophie's mum, Kate Putland.  

"And for a long time it was."

Sophie's love of animals never wavered, but life as a veterinarian was different to what she had imagined. 

While she maintained her love of the profession, it came with a level of abuse she could never have anticipated.

Watch: Discussing teen mental health. Article continues after the video. 

"Angry owners would unleash on her and her team, which was usually brought on by bill shock and a huge misconception that vets and vet staff are making big bucks from treating animals," says Kate. 

"There is no Medicare care for animals, so unlike when a human goes to a public hospital and the vast majority of their medical bills are heavily subsidised, the true cost of medially treating an animal is on the bill. 

"Emotions are high and bill shock can — and does — really set some pet owners off."

The ongoing abuse, combined with unsustainable 16-hour days, and being on call outside of those hours, significantly impacted Sophie's mental health. 

"Sophie was very good at putting on a bright face even when things were difficult," says Kate.

Sophie loved animals. Image: Supplied. 

"We were aware — to a degree — that things were difficult because of her work. We live in Adelaide. Sophie was living and working in Melbourne, and because of those long hours it was often hard to get onto her. 

"One of her last encounters was with an incredibly abusive client and it rocked her. 

"Like so many of us, Sophie managed her mental health, however the pressures of the industry took a huge toll on her… one that ultimately ended in her taking her own life."

Sophie was 33 years old when she died. The impact of losing Sophie has been seismic, says Kate. "How do you get over losing a child to suicide?"

Following Sophie's death, Kate's family discovered that vet professionals are four times more likely to die by suicide than the average person.

"The mental illness epidemic in the profession has to be addressed, and that’s why we started Sophie’s Legacy. Our family cannot — and will not — sit by and allow this to continue."

Sophie's Legacy's new campaign, LOST, aims to change the industry at all levels. 

"Pet owners are being made aware of this crisis and we are meeting with industry bodies and politicians to address how our vets and vet staff can be better supported," Kate says.

"We need accountability within the profession so that vets and vet staff aren't working 16 hour shifts, without breaks and without proper pay, and with bosses breathing down their neck to meet 'see and treat targets'."

Kate says it's been heartbreaking to see her daughter's face on LOST campaign posters across Australia, but says: "I know we have to do this because we have to see the industry change at all levels." 

The LOST campaign aims to raise awareness of veterinarian mental health. Image: Supplied.

While Sophie's Legacy's campaigns have helped Kate's family with their grief, the pain of losing Sophie never goes away. 

"We need to keep going because we are seeing the positive impact these campaigns are having in the general vet community," Kate says. 

"They feel seen, and they feel supported, and the huge majority of pet owners are right behind us too.

"Of course we'd rather Sophie was still us and in a perfect world our family would all be leading a quiet life, but I refuse to hole myself up and shut life away, because I know that Sophie just wouldn't want that for me or for any of her loved ones."

Kate says their family intends to do everything they can to ensure the profession Sophie loved so much, is a safe one. 

"The support we have from the community is incredibly heartwarming and — even though Sophie would be pretty shy about all this attention on her, I know she is looking down on me and saying 'go Mum — let's fix this'."

To support the LOST campaign and help Sophie's Legacy achieve its goal of 10,000 petition signatures, head to https://www.sophieslegacy.com.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your GP or health professional. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. In an emergency call 000.

Feature image: Supplied. 

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