Dr. Colleen O'Brien nearly went pro before vet school, she was in contention to be a goalie for a national soccer team, until her height ruled it out. She found her way to veterinary medicine instead, and now splits her relief work between general practice and in-home acupuncture visits across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. A cross country move is what pushed her toward relief practice in the first place, she wanted the freedom to leave without leaving a clinic short staffed. This profile first ran on Relief Rover, the relief-vet community platform that joined Hound in 2023.

In Her Own Words

What is your niche, and do you work in general practice, ER, or shelter medicine?

"GP, small animal. I am learning about pocket pets and exotics but not birds."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

What inspired you to become a veterinarian?

"I'm a terrible artist it turns out. And apparently you can't be a goalie for a national soccer team when you're only 5'2". Vet seemed like a good backup."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

You've made the switch to relief practice. Why?

"I moved across the country and wasn't sure if I was going to stay where I moved. I wanted the freedom to leave easily without leaving a practice high and dry."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

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

"It's great for giving people a break. It shouldn't be relied on regularly though because that disrupts continuity of care."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

Outside of the veterinary realm, what types of positions or professions have you been involved in?

"Referee and field marshal for soccer."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

What roles have you had within the veterinary profession?

"Assistant, associate, relief vet, in-home acupuncturist."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

What are your favorite things about being a relief vet?

"Being able to work as little or as much as I want. There is no limit on taking time off."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

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

"The importance of leveraging the staff, your relief vet is not going to know how you do billing or where things are located."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

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

"Not knowing if my treatments made a pet better. Follow up reports are often absent."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming a relief vet?

"Be flexible. You are going into someone else's practice. Maintain your standards, but just because somebody does things differently, does not mean it is wrong."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

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

"Distance, lodging, if I can bring my dog with me."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

Pathologically prepared or minimalist, what supplies or equipment do you bring with you on the job?

"Stethoscope. If they don't have other basic tools, I probably will not return."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

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

"New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien

What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?

"Soccer and hiking."
Dr. Colleen O'Brien