DALLAS, Texas – In a veterinary industry where burnout rates are rising and staffing gaps continue to widen, Evette Staffing is changing the narrative by putting people first, without compromise. The company, formerly known as VetIQ Staffing, has quickly become a standout leader in veterinary relief coverage by blending personalized support with industry-leading benefits and an unwavering commitment to culture, integrity, and results.
Founded in 2016 by Elise Burns, a seasoned recruitment executive turned visionary CEO, Evette was born out of a desire to serve both veterinary professionals and clinics in a way that humanizes the staffing experience.
“Veterinary medicine may be about animals and the families who love them,” Burns said. “At Evette, we’re here to support the humans who carry that compassion every day.”
The Vision Behind Evette’s Bold Beginning
Raised by her mother Janet, a single parent and trailblazing CEO in the healthcare staffing world, Elise Burns witnessed firsthand the power of determination and smart strategy. She scanned the horizon for industries ripe for innovative solutions to help people. What she found was startling.
Veterinary medicine, she realized, was lagging far behind, especially in staffing. Though veterinarians undergo just as much schooling as doctors, they’re met with fewer job opportunities, less earning potential, and far less structural support. Even more troubling, the profession has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. The alarming news is often tied to chronic burnout, emotional fatigue, and industry-wide staffing shortages.
For Burns, this wasn’t just a professional pivot. It was a personal mandate to bring relief, dignity, and hope to an underserved workforce.
Drawing from models that had long worked in human healthcare, she launched Evette Staffing to bring that same level of care, structure, and respect to the veterinary space. Evette isn’t just staffing clinics. The company is passionate about reviving a field that’s often weighed down by caseloads, clinic politics, and administrative overload.
“Our model is designed around one mission: to restore joy to veterinary medicine,” said Burns. “We do that by offering our vets autonomy, support, and a true partnership with their concierge manager. From scheduling and payroll to clinic communication and travel logistics—we handle it all.”
A Culture That Cares
At the core of Evette’s model is its Guaranteed Salary Program, a groundbreaking approach that offers full-time relief veterinarians an annual salary, even when shifts are canceled.
This level of consistency has made a notable difference in attracting—and retaining—talent across the country.
"I joined Evette in 2020 after leaving what I thought would be my forever job,” said Dr. Lund, a travel DVM with Evette. She shared her story on the company’s website. “I didn't know what I wanted to do next, and I didn't feel ready to commit to a new clinic. Luckily, I found Evette and a whole new way to practice. Working relief is so easy with Evette handling the finances, contracts, and scheduling. Plus, I now have more time off to travel and enjoy things outside of work.”
Evette offers both stationary and travel roles, accommodating professionals who crave flexibility or adventure—or both. Their expansive Travel Relief Program lets licensed DVMs choose where and when they want to work, with all travel expenses, benefits, and licensing logistics handled in-house.
“Whether they’re looking to stay put or explore the U.S., we meet our veterinarians where they are,” said a company spokesperson and marketing associate at Evette. “From Oregon to New Mexico, our doctors are creating the life they want, supported every step of the way.”
Veterinarians in the travel program receive elevated benefits, including flight reimbursements, CE stipends, 401(k) contributions, and a higher guaranteed salary rate—all while working in clinics handpicked to match their preferences and practice style.
“The best travel DVMs are adaptable and curious,” a company spokesperson added. “But we also support those who want to root themselves in one location. It’s about creating custom paths to success, not forcing people into one mold.”
Evette’s concierge-style service doesn’t stop with veterinarians. Clinics also benefit from the white-glove treatment. With demand for relief coverage growing—driven by higher turnover rates and increased workloads—Evette has become a lifeline for practices needing immediate, reliable staffing solutions.
“We provide fully vetted DVMs who not only meet the clinic’s skill requirements but also match their team’s culture,” said a company spokesperson. “It’s not just about filling shifts. It’s about making sure everyone thrives.”
The process is refreshingly seamless.
Clinics work with a dedicated Client Sales Manager who handles all the scheduling, billing, and logistics. “We do the heavy lifting so clinic leaders can focus on patient care”.
How Evette Supports Veterinary Professionals Through Compassion Fatigue and Beyond
In a profession built on empathy, compassion can sometimes come at a cost. For veterinarians, the emotional burden of caring for animals—combined with the grief of pet owners and the rigors of daily clinic life—can take a quiet but powerful toll.
It’s called compassion fatigue, and it’s becoming one of the most significant threats to the well-being of veterinary professionals across the nation.
“It’s a term many are only now beginning to understand,” a company shared. “But for those who live it, it’s more than a concept—it’s a daily reality.”
While burnout is often tied to overwork and poor work-life balance, compassion fatigue stems from something deeper: the prolonged exposure to the emotional suffering of others.
In veterinary settings, this includes euthanasia appointments, delivering difficult diagnoses, or simply holding space for grieving pet parents—again and again. Over time, this emotional labor can drain even the most passionate animal lovers.
Veterinary professionals often form lifelong bonds with their patients. They witness milestones, cheer recoveries, and mourn losses. “What people don’t always realize,” said a former employee, “is that vets grieve too. They carry the stories of every animal and every family.”
The Canadian Medical Association outlines telltale signs of compassion fatigue: helplessness, emotional exhaustion, detachment, irritability, self-blame, and a diminished sense of accomplishment. Many professionals in the field report feeling like they have nothing left to give—no time, no energy, and, most alarmingly, no joy.
How Evette Steps In
This is where Evette offers a lifeline. From its inception, the company has prioritized not only the logistics of relief staffing but the mental health and emotional resilience of those who serve.
“At Evette, we believe caring for people is just as important as caring for animals,” Burns explained. “That’s why we’ve built a model that intentionally protects and empowers our professionals.”
Here’s how Evette is addressing compassion fatigue head-on:
A Culture Shift Worth Leading
As the veterinary industry grapples with high turnover, mental health crises, and increasing demand, Evette is proving that staffing solutions are all about putting people first.
“We can’t change the emotional nature of veterinary work,” said Burns. “But we can change the way people are supported in it. When professionals are well cared for, the care they provide only gets better.”
Veterinary medicine demands heart. With Evette, that heart doesn’t have to break.
