Dr. Burnell is a dedicated veterinarian and Evette Ambassador who has been part of the Evette relief community for more than three years. With extensive experience in relief medicine, she brings a thoughtful and honest perspective on what flexibility in veterinary work can truly look like.
In this blog, Dr. Burnell shares her personal relief journey with Evette, while also introducing her business, PupLid, a brand she co-created to help shade dogs’ eyes from the sun, as well as to protect pets with eye conditions and sun sensitivities.
We asked Dr. Burnell to share more about her relief experience with Evette, her flexible career path, and the inspiration behind PupLid. Here’s what she had to say.
I’ve always loved animals and science, but it wasn’t until the end of my undergraduate studies at UC San Diego that I considered combining those passions into a career in veterinary medicine. That moment of clarity set my path, and I’ve now been practicing as a veterinarian for 18 years. It’s been incredibly rewarding to build a career centered on helping animals and supporting the families who love them.
I earned my veterinary degree from Colorado State University. My clinical passions include preventative care, internal medicine, dermatology, and client education. Much of this has been shaped by my own pets. My dog, Buddy, suffered from severe skin allergies requiring long-term management, and my cats dealt with chronic conditions such as kidney disease, IBD, and food allergies. Those personal experiences deepened my empathy and fueled my interest in managing chronic disease and improving quality of life for pets and their families.
Relief work with Evette has given me a level of work–life balance I honestly never believed was possible in veterinary medicine. I absolutely love being a relief veterinarian. It has simplified my life while still allowing me to do what I love—care for animals and support their families.
Relief shifts are significantly shorter than the hours I worked as an associate, and the impact has been profound. I’m no longer perpetually exhausted, I don’t need recovery days after a work week, and I no longer miss evenings with my family. Even something as simple as having a real lunch break—where I can leave the hospital—has added enormous balance to my life. I’ve been working with Evette for three plus years, and lunch breaks still feel exciting to me!
Having control over my schedule has been truly life-changing for my mental health and overall well-being. Being able to block off dates and schedule PTO without wondering if it will be approved has removed a significant amount of stress from my life.
In addition to working relief full-time, I’m also the co-owner of, PupLid, a business that my husband and I started together. The flexibility I have as an Evette relief veterinarian allows me to move seamlessly between my role as a veterinarian, a business owner, and simply being present in my personal life. That balance has made me a happier, healthier person and veterinarian.
The idea for PupLid started with our dog, Buddy—a San Diego beach pup who loved being outdoors but constantly squinted in the sun and tried to avoid bright light. As his dog mom and veterinarian, I knew he was uncomfortable.
When I couldn’t find a dog hat that fit well or stayed on, I teamed up with my husband Tony—Buddy’s dog dad and an engineer—to create one. Being a Southern California beach dog, we wanted his hat to reflect his lifestyle - so naturally, he got a trucker hat!
That first “puplid” worked so well that we knew we had something special. That’s how PupLid was born—with the goal of helping dogs enjoy the sunshine comfortably and safely. We reimagined the dog hat, engineering it to fit securely, stay on, and feel great—while still looking like a human hat.
And yes, we make matching hats for humans too… because who doesn’t want to twin with their dog?
PupLid is truly an extension of who I am as a veterinarian. It’s another way for me to improve the lives of animals beyond the exam room by helping comfortably protect their eyes from the sun.
Veterinarians—including veterinary ophthalmologists—have started recommending PupLid for patients with eye conditions and sun-sensitivities, and some ophthalmology clinics even display PupLids in their reception areas as a sun-protection option. We regularly receive reviews from pet parents whose dogs have benefited from PupLid due to eye disease or simply a need for sun protection. Knowing that PupLid hats are enhancing pets' lives is incredibly rewarding and deeply meaningful to me as a veterinarian.
Pet parents can learn more or purchase PupLid directly through our online store or follow us on social media:
• Website: www.puplid.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/PupLid
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@PupLid
• Facebook: facebook.com/PupLid
I’ve never felt more supported or appreciated as a veterinarian than I do as part of the Evette relief community. Everyone on the Evette team is personable, caring, and genuinely invested in my well-being. The hospital teams I work with are also consistently welcoming and often express sincere appreciation for my presence.
My experience with Evette has inspired me to be a resource for other veterinarians who may be struggling with burnout or considering a career change. Working as a relief veterinarian with Evette has truly been the best three plus years of my veterinary career. I’m incredibly grateful that Evette exists and for the amazing team that makes this work possible.
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