Natalie Punt is a small animal emergency veterinarian who started her full time relief business, Fidum Veterinary Services, LLC in 2018. During her career she has been licensed in 12 different states. Natalie is the CEO and founder of mPet, a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pet's medical records and health information

Name your niche:

Companion Animal Emergency Medicine

Everyone has a story – what’s yours? What inspired you to become a veterinarian?

I grew up on a ranch in Northern California surrounded by animals of which some were horses. And, our horses would become lame. The treatment and medications available seemed exceptionally outdated and ineffective such that I wanted to find new drugs and treatments. I initially pursued an interest in research and seriously considered a career in drug development. Yet, ultimately chose to become a companion animal veterinarian as I found the human animal bond to be one of the most unique interactions and wanted to do work that would preserve and promote the human animal bond.

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

After finishing an academic internship and fellowship, I was not interested in working full time for one hospital… or had not found a hospital I wanted to work at full time. I was fortunate to have a recruiter that enabled me to make the professional contacts that allowed me to travel to different veterinary hospitals across the nation. Although the travel and work schedule can be demanding I greatly enjoy the freedom that comes with making my own schedule and having a choice of hospitals to work at.

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

Many hospitals would not function without relief veterinarians. They are vital for covering shifts when the staff veterinarians are unable to.

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

I was an academic scientist for several years and have published in a few journals. I’m particularly fond of my research in Boston studying pediatric leukemia.

What roles have you had within the veterinary profession?

Relief veterinarian

What is your most memorable relief job?

I have a niche at specialty hospitals and most of the hospitals are designed and flow in a similar way.

What are your favorite things about being a relief vet?

Making my own schedule, making a decent wage, working at different hospitals, working with different specialists and traveling.

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

These could be related to medicine, workflow, practice organization, or anything really.

How about your least favorite things about being a relief vet?

Working a grueling overnight shift then being grilled the following morning as a test.

What advice would you give new relief vets?

You have to be very proactive in scheduling shifts and make a good first impression. There is plenty of relief work yet, you have to be very much on top of it to be deemed as reliable and suitable for consistent relief shifts. Know your medicine thoroughly and develop a unique style that is compatible with veterinary medicine.

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

Speciality hospitals with 2-3 fully functional departments in a nice, modern facility. 

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

Mentally pathologically prepared and tough to sustain a grueling shift yet a minimalist when it comes to bringing supplies.

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

California, Utah, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, New York.  Currently in process of obtaining Virginia. Have been licensed in Kansas, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. 

Aside from English, what language(s) do you speak?

Italian. I can speak it but I'm not yet fluent. 

What are your hobbies/passions outside of work?

I love to ski, listen to music, go to concerts, visit art galleries and museums.

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