PERMA4 Plus Wellbeing
for Veterinary Schools
Welcome
SAVMA is committed to supporting the wellbeing of over 20,000 veterinary students—the future leaders of our profession—through the introduction of a Tool, a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that addresses wellbeing on every level: Me, We, and Us.
Our mission? To empower student veterinarians to thrive by providing accessible tools for mental health, self-awareness, team connection, and positive culture-building—starting now, while you’re in school.
Through this initiative, SAVMA is offering access to the PERMA4Plus evaluation for Veterinary Professional Schools, a scientifically grounded wellbeing assessment created specifically for the veterinary profession.
Me: You’ll receive a confidential, individualized wellbeing report and have the opportunity to create a personal wellbeing plan based on your results.
We: Use your insights to strengthen relationships with classmates and teammates, enhancing group connection and resilience.
Us: Help us shape a healthier, more supportive veterinary profession—beginning with your student community and extending into your future workplaces.
Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. This is about investing in your growth, your peers, and the future of veterinary medicine.
As a SAVMA member, you have complimentary access to your individual wellbeing insights report through the PERMA4Plus Tool for Veterinary Workplaces—a resource designed specifically for veterinary professional students.
This tool helps assess key areas of your experience as a future veterinarian, including:
Comprehensive Wellbeing
Burnout Risk
Positive Leadership
Psychological Safety
Why take this evaluation?
✅ Evidence-based
🔒 Completely confidential
🌟 Actionable insights to support your wellbeing
The following areas will be evaluated to support you and the veterinary learning environment you’re part of:
PERMA4 Plus Factors: Positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning/purpose, achievement plus Health, Midset, Economic Security & Environment.
Workplace Engagement & “Workplace Nutrients”: Factors that help individuals and teams thrive
Psychological Safety: Assessed on an individual (Me), peer/group (We), and organizational (Us) level
Psychosocial Risks & Burnout: Including stressors that impact wellbeing and performance
CARE Leadership Qualities: Compassion, appreciation, responsibility, and emotional wisdom in your learning and leadership environments
SAVMA will use aggregated and anonymous results to better understand the needs of veterinary students nationwide and to guide the development of tools, supports, and wellbeing initiatives that reflect what matters most to you and your future profession.
What are the PERMA4 PLUS factors?
We hope you’ll use this as a moment to check in with yourself. Consider this your personal invitation to take an important step in your wellbeing journey.
If you feel like you need additional support, please connect with one of your school’s mental health professionals.
A message about wellbeing from Dr. Philip Richmond.
Access to this evaluation is complimentary & open/available until the end of May 2026
As Maya Angelou beautifully said, “Every journey begins with one step”. We’re honored to take this step with you.
Regards,
Rebecca Michelin, SAVMA Wellbeing Officer, and SAVMA Leadership
Dr. Phil Richmond
Dr. Michelle McQuaid
Dr. Alex Miller
*Special thanks to Dr. Virginia Corrigan and Rebecca Newman for early framing input provided. They had no role in instrument design, validation, governance, or distribution
