Qualifying as a vet in 2012, Dr. Ford worked in small animal general practice for several years. Upon discovering her love for internal medicine, she went on to study for a certificate in this area in 2016.

“I think I really liked the bonds I could build with clients, as most chronic conditions required me seeing my patients (and their carers) regularly,” she says.

Dr. Ford provided locum relief cover for a variety of practices while she was starting to build her businesses, particularly enjoying emergency shifts where she could quickly see the difference she was making.

Through an unexpected career pivot, though, Dr. Ford switched gears to train as a coach and completed a Master’s degree in Emotional Wellbeing. Now, her focus is on supporting other veterinary professionals to create sustainable, rewarding careers and to reconnect with themselves beyond their job titles.

“In my early years as a vet, I looked ‘successful’ on the outside, but inside I was exhausted, anxious, and constantly questioning myself,” she explains. “After several years of believing the answer was simply to work harder (spoiler: it wasn’t!), seeking support was the turning point—it genuinely changed everything for me.

“For the first time, I realized I wasn’t alone,” continues Dr. Ford, “and that those heavy feelings didn’t mean I was broken. I started to treat myself differently, and my eyes were opened to insights, tools, and support that relit my passion for the profession. I loved being a vet again.”

After living that different outlook for a year, Dr. Ford’s colleagues encouraged her to share her pivotal experience further. When she started speaking openly online and offering support, many other vets came forward to say they felt the same way, growing her Instagram profile (@katiefordvet) to 10,000 followers in less than a year.

The obvious need for this type of support within the veterinary industry led Dr. Ford to gain additional qualifications to further help others. And after a number of years coaching, Dr. Ford connected with another vet and coach who aligned with her values, Claire Grigson. And in 2020, the two vets created Vet Empowered, a coaching organization designed to be a safe space, where veterinary professionals can be honest, reconnect with themselves and remember they’re human first, vet second.

“Along this path, I have been incredibly fortunate to speak across the world, support thousands of professionals, publish books, contribute to projects, and appear in the press,” Dr. Ford shares. “I would never have predicted this would be my career path, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

In addition to co-founding Vet Empowered, Dr. Ford also serves as a director of VetYou, which focuses on financial well-being within the veterinary profession. And in 2023, she was honored to receive the RCVS Inspiration Award, as well as a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contributions to the profession in 2025.

But her work doesn’t stop there. Along with coaching, speaking, and writing about well-being and identity in the profession, she’s also contributed to graduate programs, student initiatives and leadership events, creating a positive impact in the veterinary space.

“No two days are alike, which is one of the things I love about what I do,” Dr. Ford says. “Some days I’m delivering a workshop or keynote talk, other days I’m coaching one-to-one, recording content, or connecting with corporate groups.”

Splitting her time between working from home in the UK, traveling to events and meeting with clients online, Dr. Ford’s role centers around helping people reconnect with themselves and find sustainable ways of thriving in this profession.

“The moment when someone realizes they’re not alone and that there’s nothing ‘wrong’ with them is what I enjoy most about what I do,” she expresses. “Seeing people breathe again, find hope, take back their power, and remember their sense of possibility—that never stops being powerful.”

Dr. Ford says she hopes to see continued investment in the human side of the veterinary profession, such as psychological safety, boundaries, identity, financial literacy and emotional well-being.

“We’ve mastered clinical skills, but sustainable careers rely on the personal side too,” she notes. “Veterinary medicine doesn’t have to cost people their health or their joy.”

When it comes to finding her own joy, outside of work Dr. Ford enjoys traveling and getting outdoors, especially mountain biking with her boyfriend. And at home she has two Ragdoll cats who keep her company and never fail to make her smile.

“They’re like little dogs in cat bodies,” she adds.

True to her own advice of remembering that you are so much more than your job title, Dr. Ford also makes space for the rituals that she says keep her grounded, such as journaling, reading or spending time with the people she loves.

“The work we all do is important and meaningful, but your worth doesn’t begin or end with what you do at work,” she shares emphatically.

“You are not a problem to be solved; you are a human being to be supported. If you’re struggling, please know you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out for support, start a conversation with someone you trust to listen to you. You matter far beyond what you do for a living,” concludes Dr. Ford.

For more information on Vet Empowered, visit www.vetempowered.com