In 2023, a veterinarian left a $150,000 job; three years later, relief work pays twice as much

Ron Titterington has "soft-retired" after decades as a practice owner and chief medical officer at a pet care HMO (Credits: Ron Titterington) In August 2023, Oregon veterinarian Ron Titterington left a stressful executive job that paid $150,000 a year to begin what he calls "soft retirement."Three years later, working flexible relief shifts on his own terms earns him nearly twice as much as his former corporate salary while giving him a much better work-life balance.Titterington, 59, shared his career change in an interview with Business Insider's Jane Ridley.His decision reflects a growing trend among experienced veterinarians looking for better work-life balance as burnout and staff shortages continue across the industry.From childhood dream to clinic ownerTitterington's passion for caring for animals began in fourth grade after an injured dog was hit by a car outside his family home late at night. He sat in the back seat comforting the dog while his father drove to an emergency veterinary clinic.Although the dog did not survive, the experience inspired him to become a veterinarian.He started working part-time in kennels and veterinary clinics while in eighth grade before earning...