Oregon veterinarian, 59, quit his $150,000 executive job for 'soft retirement'—now, he earns almost twice as much while working flexible shifts on his own terms, spending more time with family and escaping corporate burnout

Ron Titterington had spent decades building a career in veterinary medicine. But when he reached the age of 59, the Oregon veterinarian walked away from an executive position that paid him $150,000 a year. The year was 2023.

He didn't have a detailed retirement plan waiting for him. Instead, he chose what he calls “soft retirement”, working flexible relief shifts while deciding when and where he wanted to work.

Three years later, he proved that his decision has paid off financially too. Titterington now earns almost twice what he made in his previous high-pressure roles, while enjoying considerably more control over his time.


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A childhood experience inspired his veterinary career

Titterington's connection with animals began when he was in fourth grade. One night, an injured dog was hit by a car outside his family's home. He sat in the back seat comforting the animal as his father drove to an emergency veterinary clinic.

The dog did not survive, but the experience stayed with him and inspired him to become a veterinarian. By eighth grade, Titterington was already working part-time in kennels and veterinary clinics. He eventually earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree in 1992.

He later bought a small 1,500-square-foot clinic and spent 16 years growing it into a 10,000-square-foot practice with more than a dozen employees.

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Running a clinic became overwhelming

While Titterington loved treating animals, owning a growing practice came with responsibilities far beyond medicine.

Taxes, employee benefits, marketing, permits and managing staff became a constant source of pressure. Eventually, his clinic was purchased by a corporate company, and Titterington found himself increasingly burned out.

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At one point, he considered leaving veterinary medicine altogether to become a high school science or maths teacher. He told his wife Kathleen, who is also a veterinarian: "I think I'm done with veterinary medicine; I don't have much of a taste of it in my mouth anymore."

He eventually returned to veterinary medicine in 2016 as chief of staff at a pet care HMO and later became its chief of medicine.

His father's cancer diagnosis changed everything

Although Titterington continued performing surgeries and consultations, his executive role involved long workdays and weekend shifts.

Then his father was diagnosed with cancer and the situation forced Titterington to reconsider what he wanted from his career. He realised his demanding schedule was preventing him from being there for his father.

In August 2023, he resigned. "This job isn't feeding me," Titterington remembered thinking. "It's overwhelming and doesn't allow me to be a son."

‘Soft retirement’ gave him more freedom—and more money

Titterington began working as a relief veterinarian through Roo, an app connecting independent veterinarians with clinics that need temporary staff.

Instead of having a fixed corporate schedule, he could accept or reject individual shifts.

"I get to decide my own schedule and can say 'yes' or 'no' to whatever job or location I'm offered," he said. "It feels great not to be at the top of the heap with all the responsibilities that come with it."

A shortage of veterinarians has helped keep demand high, particularly for experienced professionals with surgical expertise.

Titterington said clinics often ask him to take additional shifts, but he deliberately limits his workload.

The financial payoff has been significant.

"It's not job satisfaction, it's job enjoyment. I'm also delighted to be paid almost twice as much as I did in my past, high-pressure positions," he told Business Insider.

For Titterington, the biggest benefit isn't simply earning more. It's having control over his time while continuing to do work he enjoys.

With his father's health now stable, he and his wife have more opportunities to spend time outdoors. Rather than fully retiring, Titterington plans to continue his version of soft retirement, working when he wants and leaving the corporate pressure behind.