Down The Yellow Brick Road

An autobiographical view of the veterinary profession that ends with hope, "Down the Yellow Brick Road" is an eye-opening trip for anyone. Those in the veterinary field, people wanting a sneak peek at the veterinary world, caregivers, and individuals overwhelmed with feelings of sadness will find this illuminating and educational. From her early childhood, through school, and twenty-six years of private practice, L. M. Connolly, MS, DVM, shares her experiences. She openly discusses why compassion fatigue, depression, and suicide are prevalent in the veterinary community, and makes suggestions for treating these issues. The book culminates with her study of the mind, body, and spirit, and how she improved her health. This book provides self-care suggestions and a list of various resources for anyone seeking help with anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.

"Down the Yellow Brick Road" is a journey not to be missed! It is illuminating and educational for those in the veterinary field, people wanting a sneak peek at the veterinary world, caregivers, and individuals overwhelmed with feelings of sadness. Using her own life as an example, L. M. Connolly, MS, DVM, gives the reader an inside look at the veterinary industry – good and bad. She openly and frankly discusses her struggles with anxiety, compassion fatigue/empathic distress, and depression, and why these emotions are also prevalent in the veterinary community. She makes suggestions for helping to improve both the industry and any individuals with similar feelings. In part 1 of the book, Dr. Connolly shares her experiences from her early childhood, through school, and twenty-six years of private practice, and compares them to the 1936 movie, The Wizard of Oz. Part 2 addresses various players in the veterinary industry and the public. Dr. Connolly defines the stressors of the profession and makes suggestions for treating these as she outlines what others can do to help future and current veterinarians, especially those who are struggling emotionally. The book culminates in part 3 with her study of the mind, body, and spirit, and how she improved her physical and mental health instead of giving up. With hope for the future, Dr. Connolly includes self-care suggestions and a list of various resources for anyone seeking help with anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation.

After twenty-six years as an associate veterinarian in private practice, L. M. Connolly has decided to help others through writing and creative arts instead of diagnosing and treating pets. She is an eclectic writer with this nonfiction autobiography/self-help book about compassion fatigue and depression in the veterinary community, an unpublished cookbook for the National Institute of Health (NIH), a screenplay (in the works) and plans for several more fiction books. Dr. Connolly has an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with a minor in Botany, a Master of Science degree in Zoology - Physiological Ecology, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys international travel, camping, the fine arts and watching sports. She lives with her husband and several fur babies.