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We’re expanding the short film into a full-length documentary! We want to dig deeper into the mental health crisis in the veterinary field, bring pet parents into the conversation, and spotlight solutions that can save lives.

We're currently fundraising for our full development budget of $28,000 by the end of September. This will help us build our team, connect with participants, begin filming, and continue breaking silences around burnout, grief and suicide.

A busy veterinarian practice is intense, with life and death decisions made constantly. But as seasoned veterinarian Kathy Gervais shows us, it’s not just the pets whose lives are at stake.

For individuals:

For communities:

“This film recognizes animals' vital role in people’s lives and the impact that veterinary care can have on their owners. People will see the heart, grief, stress, and love that veterinary professionals carry and why we love doing what we do.”

–Karla Fernandez, RVT and former NOMV Board Member

“I’m beyond moved by this. Honestly...I have no words right now. I'm blown away. Thank you for your brilliance and compassion in covering such a sensitive, heartfelt issue.”

–Dr. Katie Lawlor, psychologist & co-founder of Veterinary Mental Health Support

“Raw, vulnerable, and transparent - it is all this and more. A must-see for pet parents who may not know the mental health challenges facing veterinarians and their staff.”

–Colleen Rolland, President of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Meet the Filmmakers

Grace Galletti

  • Grace Galletti is a documentary filmmaker and journalist with a passion for mental health because of her own struggles with depression and anxiety. She has focused her work on the subject to raise awareness and overcome the stigma that has kept many, including herself, in silence. She graduated from UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism in 2023 and is now freelancing with award-winning filmmakers.

Zhiwei Feng

  • Zhiwei Feng is a video producer and journalist who focuses strongly on animals and has previously done data-driven reporting on California’s pet shelters. He also graduated in 2023 from UC Berkeley’s Graduate Journalism School in the shortform video track.

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