Walking Together: The Story Behind the Veterinary Voices Hiking Group
- veterinaryvoicesuk
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
The veterinary profession is filled with extraordinary people — compassionate, intelligent, resilient individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for animals and supporting others. Yet behind that dedication, many veterinary professionals quietly struggle with stress, burnout, isolation and loneliness.
The Veterinary Voices Hiking Group was created to help change that.
Founded by RVN Robyn Lowe alongside veterinary surgeon Paul Horwood, the group was born from a simple but powerful idea: bring the profession together outdoors to walk, talk, connect and support one another.
Left to right: Danny Chambers, Robyn Lowe & Paul Horwood
Since its first major challenge (led by Paul and Adrian Nelson-Pratt) in 2021 — trekking the Snowdonia Way to raise funds for Vetlife — the hiking group has grown into a supportive and welcoming community for vets, veterinary nurses, students, support staff and friends of the profession from across the UK and beyond.
The original Snowdonia trek saw more than 20 veterinary professionals come together for five days of hiking, wild camping and conversation while raising over £10,000 for Vetlife, the charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the veterinary community.
As Vetlife treasurer Dr Paul Horwood reflected:
“It was fantastic to get vets and nurses together for a real challenge. After so long feeling isolated from each other, it was a wonderful five days getting together, talking and walking across the beautiful Welsh countryside.”
Since then, the group has continued to grow through adventures across the UK:
• Braving Storm Eunice in the Lake District
• Completing the National Three Peaks Challenge
• Hiking the Herriot Way through Yorkshire
• Covering over 80KM across the South Downs Way
• Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Navigation Events
• Northumberland Beaches
• First Aid in the Lake District
• and more...
But these walks have never simply been about mountains, mileage or fundraising.
They are about connection.
Many veterinary professionals experience loneliness for a variety of reasons — long hours, shift work, relocating away from family and friends, exhaustion, workplace pressures, anxiety or depression. Often, people can feel isolated even while surrounded by colleagues.
The Veterinary Voices Hiking Group aims to create opportunities for genuine human connection in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whether someone joins knowing nobody or arrives with friends, the goal is always the same: nobody walks alone.
Over the years, friendships have formed, mentorships have developed and supportive networks have emerged simply through spending time outdoors together. Some walkers have joined seeking adventure, others seeking conversation, healing or companionship — many finding all four.
The walks also serve as a reminder of the importance of charities like Vetlife, whose work supporting the veterinary profession has never been more vital.
As Veterinary Voices often says:
“It is absolutely okay to not be okay — but please don’t be not okay on your own.”
The hiking group is not a solution to every challenge facing the profession, but it is a meaningful step toward building community, improving wellbeing and reminding veterinary professionals that support exists all around them.
Fresh air, movement, shared experiences and honest conversations can be profoundly powerful.
And sometimes, simply walking beside someone can make all the difference.
Want to Join Us?
Most Veterinary Voices Hiking Group events are shared through our Facebook community. However, if you are not on Facebook and would like to stay updated about future walks, treks and wellbeing events, you can join our hiking group mailing list by emailing:
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or someone who simply enjoys a gentle countryside walk, everyone is welcome.
Because no one in this profession should have to walk alone.
Other articles:
You can also learn more about the group here:https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/vv-hiking
Thank you to Vetnique who has supported us for 2026, so we can provide these events to the community for free and supports us with essential equpiment for the events such as compasses, maps and more!
Comments