Dr. Julia Campbell has been an animal advocate since childhood, giving up meat at age 7 and bringing home every stray she could find. She once considered a career in psychology instead, worried she cared too much about animals to handle veterinary medicine, before deciding there was no better way to show that love than by becoming an advocate for their health. These days she and her husband travel the country full time with their pets, and she has picked up licenses in eight states, California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, so she can keep doing relief work wherever they land. 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?

"Since I was little, I've always been passionate about animals and felt an incredible love for every species. I was the kid who would rescue insects and set them outside before they got squished. I gave up eating meat when I was seven years old, and I used to bring home every stray animal I could find. I originally focused on a career in psychology, but I still felt such a great love for animals that I needed to do as much as I could for them. I didn't pursue veterinary school right away, because I believed I cared too deeply to be able to do the job. I eventually realized there was no better way to show my love for animals than to become an advocate for their health, safety, and wellbeing."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"Right after graduation, I was a veterinary intern at a hospital that focused on general practice, emergency, and exotics. I worked there full time for a while as an associate, and I really enjoyed working with the interns as a mentor. Eventually I switched to full time relief work, which gave me the flexibility and control I had been craving. During that time I've worked emergency, general practice, shelter, and rescue medicine. I've also volunteered with the San Diego Humane Society and Last Chance at Life rescue in San Diego, fostering and finding homes for cats and dogs. Outside of veterinary medicine, I own a pet sitting company based in southern California that helps clients manage their pets' medical needs in their own homes."
Dr. Julia Campbell

What made you switch to relief practice?

"Work life balance is my number one priority, and I felt the only way to achieve it was to take control of my own schedule and be my own boss. When I had that control, I was a better veterinarian."
Dr. Julia Campbell

What is your most memorable relief job?

"The Cat Depot in Sarasota, Florida. This was an amazing feline only rescue that I found through Relief Rover. They have a beautiful facility and offer high quality medicine and surgical options for the cats they take in, young and old. There was no set schedule to the day. We treated the cats that needed care at our own pace, in a very nice setting with a great staff. No appointments or clients meant so much less stress. It was such a feel good job for me."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"I believe having the option to be a relief veterinarian gives doctors a way to practice medicine while still maintaining their quality of life. We all know the strain this profession puts on us, and if there's a way to balance that strain with time for resting, being with family, and doing things you love, I believe everyone wins. Personally, my best self comes through when I'm taking the time I need for myself. The more energy and happiness I have, the more I can give to the animals I care for and the people I love."
Dr. Julia Campbell

What are your favorite things about being a relief vet?

"My husband and I are super spontaneous, adventurous people, and I love being able to set my own schedule and travel whenever I want. Right now we're traveling around the country for an indefinite amount of time with our pets, and I've become licensed in eight different states so I can work along the way."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"Negotiating fees and contracts with hospital owners is not my forte. I also miss having the benefits that come with a full time job, like PTO and a CE allowance."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"Electronic recordkeeping, appointment length (I typically try to stay away from hospitals with shorter than 30 minute appointments), and reasonable hours."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"My stethoscope, a penlight, my pain management book, and my 'nerd book' that I've been adding to since graduation."
Dr. Julia Campbell

Have you picked up any unique practice tips while doing relief work?

"Hospitals that leave 'work in' or 'urgent care' block offs for same day appointments seem to have a better flow, since it prevents double booking and the schedule backing up. I also find that practices that use their technicians to the fullest extent, for history taking, weights and temperatures, and creating estimates, help me stay on schedule, and those shifts are generally much less stressful for me. On a personal note, I really love when a clinic puts blankets and toys in with the dogs and cats in their cages. There was one hospital in Tampa that had soft music or nature videos on in the cat ward and always kept the lights dim for them. These little ways of showing they care about patient comfort mean a lot to me, and I always feel good working at places like that, because the animals seem a lot calmer."
Dr. Julia Campbell

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

"Hire a good tax preparer. They'll guide you on how to save the most on taxes, and once your earnings are where they need to be, they can advise you on becoming incorporated to get the maximum benefits. I also strongly recommend having service agreements reviewed and signed by the hospital owner or practice manager before you start working, so everything is on paper (pay schedule, fees, hours agreed to, COVID precautions, scope of practice, and so on). It avoids miscommunications and surprises."
Dr. Julia Campbell

How has the pandemic affected your relief practice?

"Being aware of how each practice treats and views the pandemic has presented a whole new set of challenges to being a relief vet. Different places in different parts of the country have handled it differently, and at times it's been difficult to find practices that work within your own level of comfort around COVID precautions."
Dr. Julia Campbell

What states are you licensed in, or working toward licensure in?

"California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania."
Dr. Julia Campbell

Aside from English, what languages do you speak?

"Only English, unfortunately. Maybe Italian or Spanish one day."
Dr. Julia Campbell

What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?

"Hiking, sculpture, cooking, and fostering animals."
Dr. Julia Campbell

Anything else you'd like to share?

"I'm hoping my next venture will include becoming certified in physical therapy and acupuncture and incorporating that into my practice."
Dr. Julia Campbell