Skills for Veterinary Wellbeing
Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) provides a practical framework for navigating conflict, decision-making, and self-reflection with clarity and empathy. It is especially valuable in high-stakes or emotionally charged interactions common in veterinary settings. NVC strengthens team communication, supports psychological safety, and enhances the effectiveness of other approaches such as feedback models, critical incident debriefing, and QPR.
In 2025, Monae Roberts, SVM Chief Diversity Officer, provided nonviolent communication training to the Class of 2029 during Prologue Week. In 2026, Monae facilitated a six-session training series for the SVM community. Participants developed skills in using nonjudgmental language, identifying underlying needs, and expressing observations, feelings, and requests with precision. Please contact Monae for information about future training opportunities.
The Healer's Art
The Healer’s Art is an experiential program focused on values clarification and professional identity formation. Offered each spring as an extracurricular opportunity, the course creates a safe, reflective space for exploring core commitments such as service, healing relationships, reverence for life, and compassionate care. Through facilitated dialogue and personal reflection, participants reconnect with meaning and purpose in veterinary medicine—supporting resilience, empathy, and sustained engagement in the profession.
Under the guidance of the SVM Healer's Art program directors, practicing veterinarians serve as facilitators for dialogue sessions with first- and second-year veterinary students. Practicing veterinarians and DVM students are encouraged to contact Tina Maher, Assistant Director of DVM Professional Development, about future program offerings.
Critical Incident Debriefing
Critical incident debriefing training prepares participants to respond to stressful or traumatic events in a structured, supportive manner. This training emphasizes that any team member—not only clinicians—can help facilitate a healthy debrief process.
In January 2026, Dr. Erik Olstad and Dr. Grace Vanhoy led two sessions for over 100 members of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) community. Participants learned practical strategies to guide teams through reflection, reduce distress, and promote recovery following critical incidents. Session recordings are available to SVM community members, and additional offerings will be announced by the SVM Community Council.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) equips individuals without formal mental health training to recognize signs of suicide risk, engage in supportive conversation, and connect individuals to professional resources. Nearly all staff members from the Office of Professional Education and the Admissions & Student Programs Office have completed QPR training. SVM community members interested in completing QPR training may do so by:
Attending In-Person Training
Amanda Steidlamyer, Director of DVM Professional Development, offers an annual training in-person. This allows participants to practice a mock intervention in a safe and supported environment. Please check with the Office of Veterinary Success for upcoming training. All participants receive a QPR training certificate of completion.
Completing Online Training
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provides free, online QPR training to members of the veterinary community. Register for a QPR Institute account and enter the AVMA registration code at https://qprinstitute.com/organization/register?org=AVMA®Code=AVMA484572900.