When Your Coworkers Need Help: The SNAP Reality in Vet Med
It’s easy to assume that everyone working in veterinary medicine is doing fine. After all, we care for animals, help clients, and spend our days surrounded by pets who make life brighter. But behind the scenes, many veterinary professionals—especially assistants, receptionists, and technicians—are struggling to make ends meet. In fact, some of your coworkers might quietly rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries.
The Hidden Crisis in Vet Med
The veterinary field is full of passionate, hardworking people, but it’s no secret that wages don’t always match the intensity of the work. Many veterinary assistants and receptionists earn modest wages that may hover near thresholds for federal food assistance eligibility.
Add in rising rent, student loans, childcare costs, and medical bills—and even full-time staff members can find themselves choosing between paying the electric bill and filling the fridge.
Yet, because veterinary medicine is a “helping profession,” many suffer in silence. They’re the same people who stay late to comfort a client after a euthanasia or skip lunch to squeeze in one more patient.
How SNAP Works—and Why It Matters
SNAP provides monthly benefits to eligible low-income households to help buy food. Eligibility rules include income and resource limits.
In veterinary medicine, where compassion fatigue and burnout already run high, financial stress only adds another layer of emotional weight. Knowing that a coworker might be skipping meals or worrying about groceries brings home how important it is to look out for one another.
The Current SNAP Situation in the U.S.
Here’s what’s happening right now:
SNAP serves roughly 42 million Americans. AP News+1
Due to the ongoing federal government, there is significant uncertainty about full funding of SNAP benefits. CBS News+3PBS+3Food and Nutrition Service+3
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that, for November 2025, SNAP benefits will be reduced to about 50 % of the typical allotment because of limited funding. Food and Nutrition Service+2Food Research & Action Center+2
Some states are warning that payments may be delayed by weeks or even months, because state systems must adjust for the reduced benefit levels. Reuters+1
Major legislative and budget proposals are in motion that may require states to assume a larger share of SNAP costs in the future, which could further impact the program’s reach and sustainability. The Washington Post
For your team members who rely on this benefit—or may become eligible—this is more than a policy issue. It speaks to food security, stress, and morale.
How You Can Support Your Team
You don’t have to be a manager or practice owner to make a difference. Here’s how everyone in the clinic can help:
1. Normalize the Conversation
Create an environment where talking about financial stress isn’t taboo. Share community resources, employee assistance programs, or local food bank information in staff areas.
2. Lead with Empathy
Avoid judgemental language about “needing help.” The truth is, anyone can fall on hard times—and food insecurity can affect even the most dedicated professionals.
3. Advocate for Fair Pay
If you’re in a position to influence pay scales or budgets, advocate for wage increases that reflect the skill, responsibility, and education required in veterinary care. Fair pay isn’t a luxury—it’s a form of respect.
4. Support Community Resources
Consider hosting a clinic food drive, supporting local shelters that provide pet-food assistance, or donating to organizations that help both people and animals. Hunger doesn’t end when someone clocks out of the clinic.
5. Be a Friend
Sometimes the best support isn’t financial—it’s emotional. Listen without judgment, offer encouragement, and remind coworkers they’re not alone.
Taking Care of Each Other
Veterinary medicine is built on compassion — toward animals and each other. Recognizing that someone on your team might be struggling isn’t about pity; it’s about community. When we take care of one another, we strengthen the entire profession. No one should have to heal animals on an empty stomach.
