Late vet’s family launch campaign to kerb abuse from clients

The family of late Adelaide veterinarian Dr Sophie Putland have launched a campaign to combat abuse in the industry.

Late Adelaide veterinarian Dr Sophie Putland with Frenchy the dog. Picture: Supplied by family

Nearly two years after losing their “bright and ambitious” daughter and sister to suicide, the family of late Adelaide veterinarian Sophie Putland has launched a campaign to curb abuse in the industry.

We’re Only Human asks pet owners to treat vets with respect, after a survey revealed client abuse to be the biggest trigger of poor mental health among staff.

Dr Putland, 33, died by suicide in September 2021 while working in Melbourne, after what her family described as a “campaign of abuse” by a client.

Late Adelaide veterinarian Dr Sophie Putland, whose family has set up the Sophie’s Legacy website and We’re Only Human campaign. Picture: Supplied by family

Speaking for the first time since the tragic loss, Sophie’s parents Garry and Kate Putland said they would “never get over losing her”.

“Sophie was a bright, ambitious, loving daughter and dedicated veterinarian who had the world at her feet,” Mr Putland said.

In partnership with the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, the new campaign will involve the distribution of thousands of posters, which feature SASH veterinarian Dr Lauren Bielby caring for a dog, to vet clinics across Australia. The posters include a QR code, which pet owners are asked to scan to pledge that they will treat staff with respect.

Mr and Mrs Putland said their daughter had “some phenomenal colleagues” who have gone on to work at SASH.

A GoFundMe page set up for Dr Putland’s family has raised more than $45,000, which they have used to establish the Sophie’s Legacy website and We’re Only Human campaign.

“We want to put that money into helping to prevent suicide in the veterinary industry – which is all too common, with on average one vet taking their life every 12 weeks,” Mr Putland said.

The Australian Veterinary Association says its industry has one the highest rates of suicide in the country, four times the national average.

Late Adelaide veterinarian Dr Sophie Putland with a calf. Picture: Supplied by family

Late Adelaide veterinarian Dr Sophie Putland with Frenchy the dog. Picture: Supplied by family

The Putland family used its Sophie’s Legacy website to survey more than 600 veterinarians about the pressures they faced, with 67 per cent responding that they had experienced mental illness.

“The biggest trigger – the survey revealed – was client abuse, where animal owners lash out at staff. One of the biggest drivers of that is bill shock,” Mr Putland said.

SASH co-founder Andrew Dunn worked with Dr Putland before she moved to Melbourne and said she was a highly respected veterinarian whose death had devastated her colleagues and the industry.

“SASH employs over 700 team members across our four emergency and specialist hospitals in NSW and SA,” Dr Dunn said.

“The welfare of our team is our highest priority and we strive to provide a safe, supportive and caring environment, in turn enabling our team to focus on providing the highest levels of veterinary care to our patients.”

For mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 4636.