The Vet Cookbook is the result of an unprecedented collaboration with over 100 veterinarians, nurses, techs, kennel hands, groomers, students, doctors and animal health professionals, mostly from Australia but also from around the world. The idea germinated with the realisation that we often bond most with colleagues over food. The conversation flows as the ‘hangryness’ and hypoglycaemia dissipate. The shocking truth is that this book isn’t about food. It’s a humble attempt to approach the epidemic of mental health issues in our profession by promoting collegiality. It’s about self-care and team-care, oft-undervalued soft skills, resilience and compassion. If you can’t practice what you preach, if you can’t (or won’t) work to maintain your own wellbeing, you – we, us – can’t do your best work, and you might even cause harm.