Tyler veterinarian shares struggles of PTSD in his profession

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an issue that plagues 2.3 million Texans across an array of professions.

“Some things are incredibly difficult. We hear stories that have to deal with a car wreck. A lot of our folks who have post traumatic stress disorder are war veterans or they were an emergency responder,” said Ryan Oakley, the Alethia Family Counseling Executive Director

One profession you may not expect, but that often sees the effects of PTSD, is veterinarians.

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that people in the profession are three to five times more likely to die by suicide than general population.

Some struggle to stay in the profession for very long.

“Good friends that I graduated with didn’t last in veterina