Many equine veterinarians struggle to find balance in their lives or purpose outside their careers. Rev. F. Richard Lesser, DVM, MDiv, addressed these common concerns at the 2024 AAEP Convention in Orlando, Florida, during his Keynote Address titled “Live Your Whole Life,” which resonated strongly with attendees of all ages.
Lesser, a former equine veterinarian and current Catholic priest, attended veterinary school at Cornell University, where he met his wife, Marilyn, one of the first female equine veterinarians to practice in the Northeast. They opened their veterinary practice in Ravena, New York, in 1986, where they made an early decision that “we’re not starting any elective surgery after 10:30 a.m.” The couple had three children together before Marilyn’s unexpected death in 2005.
In 2012, Lesser retired from veterinary medicine. Feeling a strong calling to the ministry, he attended St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Albany, New York, where he received his master’s degree in divinity. He continued his education at the Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Boston, a school for men who are called later in life to pursue the priesthood. Lesser was ordained in 2015. “Service is service,” he said. “Whether a healer of hearts or souls or horses, you’re a healer.”
Finding Purpose and Balance as an Equine Veterinarian
During his address, Lesser acknowledged the difficulties associated with equine practice. “My story is a work in progress, and so is yours,” he said. He went on to make five statements or recommendations about equine practice:
- First, as an equine practitioner, you are dedicated to the horse, and you are a good person.
- Second, you are one of the best and brightest and likely a perfectionist, too. However, Lesser reminded attendees, “No one is perfect, and we all fail sometimes.”
- Third, while practice provides a huge source of pride, accomplishment, and satisfaction, “there is so much more to life than working,” he said.
- Fourth, “Do not let your happiness rely on being appreciated for your good work,” Lesser cautioned. When we anchor our self-worth to our work, it robs us of happiness. Clients often only care about your utility to them, and “a life worth living that depends on your utility and good works can be devastating, and it’s not true!” he stated. He shared a story about losing a large breeding farm client because he took a weekend off to spend with his sons at Boy Scout camp when the breeding shed had just closed for the year. His takeaway from this experience was, “Don’t let your clients rob you of happiness and joy!”
- Fifth, when you make decisions about your life, remember that “we cannot live every possible life; we can live our whole life.” He cautioned not to feel remorse or regret, because there are realities to embrace or discard.
Continuing, Lesser repeated the need to balance your life according to your priorities, stating, “You can live the whole of your life, but you can’t live all the possible lives,” and “There’s more to life than work.”
Rev. Dr. Lesser’s Advice for Equine Veterinarians
Telling stories about his parents and his life with his own family, Lesser shared a few pieces of advice:
- “Have a few adventures.”
- “Do something bigger than yourselves.”
- “Be humble.”
- “Get a mentor and be a mentor.”
- “Have compassion.”
Finally, Lesser expressed the importance of caring for your spiritual center with intentionality of time and place. This practice should help remind you that you are valued and loved “just because,” not because of what you do. He quoted Socrates: “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
In closing, Lesser said, “if you take stock of your life, connect with the divine, and face the wounds of the world with compassion, you will be a better version of yourself.”
Related Reading
- Veterinary Wellness Briefs: Volunteerism and Mental Health
- The Business of Practice: Conquering Burnout in Equine Practice
- Capitalizing on Character Strengths in Veterinary Medicine
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