Dr. Leah Myles is only two years into her veterinary career, and she has already built a Texas relief practice around the things that matter most to her: family time, new places, and a future in wildlife and zoo medicine. She traces her decision to become a vet back to shadowing a veterinarian at Tuskegee, the moment that sealed it for her. Choosing relief work let her stop missing the family events she cared about most, while still leaving room to chase conservation medicine down the road. 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?

"Growing up, I always had a passion for problem solving, science, and math. I knew I wanted an occupation in the health field, but I didn't want to work in human practice. So when I combined my love for those areas with my love for animals, veterinary medicine just made the most sense. After I shadowed a veterinarian at Tuskegee for the first time, it sealed the deal for me. I knew this was what I wanted to be."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"I have only been practicing for two years, so I have only been an associate veterinarian. I hope to get into wildlife, zoo, and conservation medicine soon."
Dr. Leah Myles

What made you switch to relief practice?

"I wanted to be in control of my schedule. I missed important family events last year, and it hit home for me that I needed to be able to control my time so I could be there for other important aspects of life. I also wanted to give myself time to seek opportunities in wildlife, zoo, and conservation medicine."
Dr. Leah Myles

What are your favorite things about being a relief vet?

"My favorite things are meeting new people, helping fellow veterinarians at possibly short-staffed clinics, and making my own schedule."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"My least favorite things are having to relearn how every veterinary hospital flows, and trying to remember everyone's name, since I am horrible with names."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"Relief practice fulfills an imperative need within our community. Unfortunately, veterinary medicine has a shortage of veterinarians and an excess of hospitals. Being a relief veterinarian means you can help meet the demand for veterinarians and help small practices sustain themselves."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"I usually bring my stethoscope, laptop, pens and highlighters, and plenty of books."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"I tend to go on their webpage and look at the layout of the practice and the mission of the practice, and I try to gauge the overall culture as well."
Dr. Leah Myles

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

"My advice for anyone thinking about becoming a relief veterinarian is to do it. It is very rewarding to feel like you have more control over your day to day life. It's thrilling to meet new people, and it helps break the monotony of everyday life. Plus, if you never practice at different hospitals, you can't learn the thousands of other ways people complete a task. This instills versatility and can ultimately make you a better veterinarian overall."
Dr. Leah Myles

How has the global pandemic affected your relief practice?

"With the pandemic, there have been more hospitals in need of coverage, so the need for relief veterinarians has increased significantly."
Dr. Leah Myles

What are your hobbies and passions outside of work?

"I enjoy hiking, singing, and of course, brunch."
Dr. Leah Myles

Anything else you'd like to share?

"I hope that in everything I do, I encourage other young people who look like me to keep pushing and pursuing their goals. I hope I can be a mentor to others who come after me and hopefully increase interest in veterinary medicine. I would also like to say to my fellow veterinarians: remember to take care of yourself, because you can't pour from an empty cup."
Dr. Leah Myles