In this powerful episode of the Paws & Effect Podcast, Dr Carra welcomes the courageous Heather Ashcroft, veterinary nurse, writer, and mental health advocate, who bravely shares her own story of pregnancy loss in vet med. 

Veterinary professionals are known for their resilience, but behind the masks and stethoscopes, too many are silently enduring heartbreak and grief.

With the intense pressures and relentless pace of vet med, compassion and support are often sidelined, leaving those experiencing pregnancy loss to “just push through” unimaginable pain.

This week, Heather joins Dr Carra for a deeply honest and necessary conversation about:

• The hidden heartache of pregnancy and infant loss in veterinary clinics.
• Why the “grin and bear it” culture is failing our profession.
• Overlooked workplace risks and the urgent need for safer policies
• How stigma keeps grief in the shadows, and why it’s time to change that.
• What true support for colleagues experiencing loss should look like It’s time to stop the silence.

Let’s challenge the status quo and start building a more compassionate, supportive veterinary community, because the well-being of caretakers matters too.

Connect with Heather Ashcroft:

LinkedIn: /heather-ashcroft-b6857020b/
Article: vet360.co.za

Connect with Dr Carra:

Website: drcarra.com
Instagram: @UltraPetVet
LinkedIn: /drcarra
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: hillcrestvets.co.za

THIS EPISODES SPONSORS:

Ultra Pet: This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet premium pet food, who has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet premium pet food a try.

Just for Pets is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that’s why we offer a wide ran.