In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd welcome Dr. Jo, a veterinarian from New Orleans, to explore the surprising overlaps between veterinary medicine and cultic dynamics. The conversation highlights how overwork, guilt, and moral injury can act as control mechanisms in “helping professions” like veterinary care—mirroring high-demand group tactics.

Dr. Jo discusses the emotional toll of her work, including the constant oscillation between joy (new puppies) and grief (euthanasia), the high suicide rate among veterinarians, and the systemic lack of self-care built into the profession. Daniella connects these patterns to her broader analysis of institutional cultures that exploit compassion, while Scot reflects on similar burnout dynamics from his time as a pastor.

The trio also dives into capitalism’s role in normalizing self-sacrifice, the ethics of euthanasia, empathy toward animals and humans, and the need for structural—not just individual—change to protect caregivers from exploitation. The episode ends with a reminder: veterinarians are humans too, carrying invisible emotional burdens.

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💡 Key Takeaways

• Veterinary medicine shares cult-like traits such as overwork as virtue, guilt-based control, and moral self-sacrifice.

• Emotional compartmentalization is required—vets may euthanize a long-time patient then pivot to a joyful new-pet visit minutes later.

• The suicide rate among veterinarians is alarmingly high, often tied to compassion fatigue and systemic overextension.

• Capitalism reinforces burnout, framing constant labor and self-denial as moral goodness.

• Many vets struggle to find balance between client care and self-care, often skipping breaks or feeling guilty for resting.

• COVID-19 worsened burnout by increasing pet ownership while reducing staff capacity.

• Financial misconceptions persist: veterinary procedures are costly but still drastically cheaper than equivalent human care.

• Euthanasia ethics are complex—vets must navigate between mercy, owner intent, and lack of viable alternatives.

• Empathy erosion in cults and capitalism parallels how systems dehumaniz