Reigniting Passion in Your Profession

Melyssa Allen is a double board-certified lifestyle medicine professional and health and wellness coach and holds her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She specializes in using therapeutic lifestyle interventions to coach veterinary professionals on adopting health-promoting habits that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With a diverse background as an animal trainer, mental health professional, and health & wellness coach, Melyssa has had the privilege of working with various populations, including first responders, combat veterans, cancer patients, survivors, and healthcare workers.

Melyssa contributed a chapter titled Prioritizing Well-Being for Healthcare Professionals in the textbook Mental Health and Wellness in Healthcare Workers: Identifying Risks, Prevention, and Treatment, showcasing her dedication to addressing unique challenges in the healthcare sector after working at local hospitals providing support to their healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. During the COVID pandemic, Melyssa recognized the need for more support resources in veterinary medicine, given the unique occupational challenges faced within the industry.

With her personal connection to the veterinary industry from her time as an animal trainer, Melyssa draws on her training in mental health, well-being coaching, and lifestyle medicine to provide comprehensive well-being solutions for veterinary professionals, teams, and organizations. Melyssa is the author of Healthy Living Doesn’t Have to SUCK and published a guided Well-Being Buddy Journal series available on Amazon.

Heather Ashcroft is a seasoned veterinary professional, bringing two decades of diverse experience from roles in general practice, urgent care, shelter medicine, and animal welfare. With a passion for storytelling and community, Heather aims to bridge the gap between the needs of veterinary professionals and the emotional narratives of animals and their caregivers.