Togetherall, the leading online peer-to-peer mental health support community, today announced the expansion of its partnership with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), supported by funding from Western Financial Group, and the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA). This enhanced collaboration will extend access to Togetherall’s anonymous, clinically moderated, 24/7 mental health platform to thousands of professionals working across the veterinary field in Canada, including veterinarians, veterinary technologists and technicians, students, and all veterinary support staff.
“Since 2022, CVMA has offered Togetherall access to Canadian veterinarians and veterinary students, demonstrating leadership in recognizing the value of peer support. We sincerely thank Western Financial Group for their sponsorship, which has made this essential support possible,” shared Dr. Kathy Keil, CVMA Director Wellness, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
The veterinary community is uniquely dedicated to animal health and welfare, yet faces well-documented challenges around emotional strain, compassion fatigue, burnout, and mental health stigma. With an estimated 50,000 people working in veterinary medicine across Canada – including over 16,000 veterinarians and 10,000 registered veterinary technologists and technicians – this expansion ensures that support extends beyond clinical staff to include technology students, veterinary assistants, client care teams, hospital managers, and administrative staff who all play vital roles in animal healthcare.
“We hear from our members every day about the challenges they face, including high rates of burnout and mental health strain,” shared Vanessa George, RVT, ABVTA Executive Director. “Providing access to Togetherall is one way we can take meaningful action to support the wellness of veterinary teams, giving them a safe and confidential space for peer support that is available whenever they need it.”
Ms. George continued: “Our vision is a thriving profession where every person in our field feels valued, impactful, and inspired. Access to mental health support through Togetherall helps us move closer to that vision by recognizing the importance of well-being in sustaining a healthy, engaged, and resilient veterinary workforce.”
The timing of this expansion is especially meaningful as it coincides with several events dedicated to raising awareness of mental health and the veterinary profession, including Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) Month, Animal Care Month, and World Mental Health Day.
Expanding reach to all roles in veterinary care
“We know that easy and direct access to mental health support is essential for emotional processing and taking steps toward recovery. Given that mental health services are sometimes difficult to access, ensuring that every member in the veterinary field now has access to Togetherall fills a crucial gap,” shared Dr. Keil, CVMA. “This anonymous platform allows people to connect, feel understood, and find support without pressure or judgment while 24/7/365 constant clinical oversight by licensed mental health professionals provides reassurance that the community is safe and psychologically supported.”
Togetherall’s anonymous community provides users with a safe, online environment where they can share their thoughts and experiences, receive support from peers facing similar challenges, and access mental health resources at any time. This expansion will significantly broaden the platform’s reach within the veterinary community to better capture the shared struggles across clinical and non-clinical roles.
“Wellness in the veterinary profession must be more than a discussion; it must be a priority,” Ms. George, ABVTA. “This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to action, ensuring that veterinary teams across Canada have the support they need today, while building a stronger, more sustainable profession for the future. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organizations across Canada unite to support the veterinary profession. Togetherall provides an essential resource for mental wellness, and we are proud to collaborate with the CVMA and Western Financial to ensure that every veterinary team member from coast to coast has access to this support.”
Engagement opportunities across Canada
The expanded partnership will also be highlighted at several upcoming veterinary conferences and training events, signaling a strong commitment to awareness, engagement, and fostering adoption across professional networks. These include:
- CanWest Veterinary Conference in Alberta (October 2025)
- MVTA Advanced Training Event in Manitoba (October 2025)
- Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Conference (January 2026)
- CVMA Annual Conference (Summer 2026)
At these events, Togetherall, CVMA, and ABVTA will share information about the expanded service, provide demonstrations, and encourage veterinary professionals across roles to utilize the resource as an integral part of their mental health support strategy. Kristy Cieszynski, Director of Employee Benefits at Western Financial Group adds that: “We recognize that accessing mental health support looks different for each individual. It’s important to have a platform that people can utilize without worrying about how to afford it.”
Commitment to long-term wellbeing
This innovative partnership underscores a shared vision: to prioritize the wellbeing of veterinary professionals in every role. By broadening Togetherall’s accessibility, CVMA and ABVTA are helping to create a sustainable model of peer-driven, clinician-backed support that complements traditional mental health services already available in the field.
Dr. Tracy Fisher, CVMA President, concluded: “The CVMA is proud of the leadership role it has played in expanding Togetherall access, which will now also help provide mental health support for essential support staff, while reducing stress for hospital managers and veterinary leaders who now have a trusted referral resource for their teams.”
“This initiative reinforces our vision of a thriving profession where every RVT feels valued, impactful, and inspired,” said Shea Lee, RVT, ABVTA Board Chair & Vice President. “Supporting wellness in a meaningful way is one of the most important steps we can take to safeguard the future of our profession.”
Ms. Lee finally added: “As someone who has personally felt the impact that mental health challenges can have, I know how critical it is to have support systems that are accessible and stigma free. Togetherall offers exactly that — a place where veterinary professionals can connect, share, and find strength in knowing they are not alone.”
About Togetherall
Established in 2007, Togetherall is available to more than 20 million individuals worldwide. Togetherall is the leading clinically managed, peer-to-peer, online support community where members can share what’s on their minds, anonymously, safely, and in-the-moment, 24/7/365. Members can connect through shared lived experiences with a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of real, live, licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. These clinicians empower individuals in peer-to-peer support and foster and maintain a safe, vibrant environment.
If you are interested in offering safe and scalable ways to support your people’s mental health, contact us to find out more about Togetherall’s online community.
