Dr. Christine Longo didn't become a veterinarian until she was forty, after a first career in business research and import and export services at Dow Chemical. Her college degree was in social work, not science, something she says has come in handy more than once in veterinary medicine. She left full time practice for relief work after growing tired of internal politics and missing time with her family, and now splits her relief schedule between Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. This profile first ran on Relief Rover, the relief-vet community platform that joined Hound in 2023.

In Her Own Words

What inspired you to become a veterinarian?

"I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but I never believed enough in myself. Our family veterinarian offered me a job one summer when I was in high school, but said he wanted someone who was interested in going to vet school, so I turned him down. I attended Auburn for undergrad and had a friend who was on the pre-vet track. We never saw him after first semester. I graduated in a completely different field and honestly moved on. Veterinary medicine never left my mind, though. When my horse had a near crippling injury, and I worked closely with my veterinarian, farrier, and my horse, I realized I wanted to do that kind of work. My veterinarian encouraged me, and at 38, I quit my job, took the prerequisites I needed, went to veterinary school, and started a new career as a veterinarian at 40 years old."
Dr. Christine Longo

What states are you licensed in, or working to obtain licensure within?

"I am licensed in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, and I am considering becoming licensed in Virginia. Maybe Maryland and Tennessee."
Dr. Christine Longo

What roles have you had within the veterinary profession, and outside of it?

"Prior to moving to veterinary medicine, I worked for Dow Chemical in business research, safety operations, and, at the end of my career, import and export services for Dow International. I began my move to veterinary medicine as a volunteer for the two doctors who encouraged me, then worked as a student animal caretaker for the DeBakey Institute, and then as a technician in the Equine ICU at Texas A&M Large Animal Hospital. Between semesters and during the summers of veterinary school, I worked at a small animal clinic as a veterinary assistant. My undergrad degree is in social work, and I have an MBA. The former has surprisingly come in handy in veterinary medicine."
Dr. Christine Longo

What made you switch to relief practice?

"Honestly, I got tired of the bickering at the veterinary hospitals I had worked at, the constant struggle of front versus back, lack of leadership, management siding with clients, and general bad behavior when I just wanted to do a good job. It was exhausting, and I was missing life and family events. I wanted to take control of my life and my resources."
Dr. Christine Longo

What are your favorite things about being a relief vet?

"I like being able to set my own schedule, knowing that if I do not like something about a practice I visit, I do not have to go back. Relief work also brings a flexibility that allows me the opportunity to meet new people."
Dr. Christine Longo

What are your least favorite things about being a relief vet?

"Relief work is not perfect, nothing is. Having to find and pay for my own health insurance, not being able to form relationships with clients, arranging contracts and negotiating payment from clinics, and seeing less wildlife than I did as a full time veterinarian is challenging. I have also never truly received performance feedback from the practices I visit, and it is important to me to know if I am doing a good job."
Dr. Christine Longo

How do you feel that relief practice supports the veterinary profession as a whole?

"It allows veterinarians to have a much needed and deserved break. We are also able to come in and offer a fresh perspective on a practice."
Dr. Christine Longo

What supplies or equipment do you bring with you on the job?

"Stethoscope, hemostats, bandage scissors, name tag, pens, surgery cap, and now, a multitude of masks."
Dr. Christine Longo

What do you look for in a practice when deciding to cover shifts for them?

"Adequate staff with a can do attitude. Sometimes location is a factor, but not often. My favorite practices are those with a well trained staff that just needs me to be the doctor."
Dr. Christine Longo

Have you picked up any unique practice tips while being a relief vet?

"I have learned more about using computerized record keeping. I also find it very interesting to see how practices are set up and managed, and to experience the various workflows of the practices I work at."
Dr. Christine Longo

What is your most memorable relief job?

"There are two most memorable moments, almost opposite representations of a clinic working together. One was where the assistants did nearly everything, so I basically stayed in the treatment area unless a client wanted an exam. That was strange to me. Another job was less encouraging. The owner texted the staff so much while I was there that it was difficult to get the work done, and the staff argued frequently."
Dr. Christine Longo

What advice would you give new relief vets, or someone thinking about becoming one?

"Do not be embarrassed about charging what you think you are worth. Figure out what you need to make relief work for your situation, do your homework about fees in your area, and go for it."
Dr. Christine Longo

How has the global pandemic affected your relief practice?

"I updated my contract to state that all members of the practices I go to wear a mask. Masks were mandated by the governor, so I did not think it was out of order for me to ask for that protective measure. I have remained as busy as I would like to be."
Dr. Christine Longo

What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?

"Travel, horseback riding, reading."
Dr. Christine Longo

Anything else you'd like to share?

"The practices that are fully computerized are so easy to work for, especially if they have me set up in the system with my name and a password before I show up. Being fully automated means I do not have to try to decipher other doctors' notes, and prior history is right there at my fingertips. It is awesome. Also, having payment available to pick up, a contact person at the practice, and little things I should know that the owner can share before the shift are very helpful."
Dr. Christine Longo