Vet Med Wellness + Leadership Podcast
Recent Episodes
Chipping Away at Access to Care with PetSmart Charities / Robyn Jaynes
This episode features perspectives from a variety of voices of the Veterinary Hope Foundation, including Elizabeth Chosa, Laurie Fonken, Ami VanDeventer, and Trish Oberdorf. They provide a 360 view of the VHF mission and address the vital question of happiness in veterinary careers. VHF fosters support, prevention, and community, emphasizing hope for all veterinarians.
Hope For A Path Forward with Veterinary Hope Foundation
This episode features perspectives from a variety of voices of the Veterinary Hope Foundation, including Elizabeth Chosa, Laurie Fonken, Ami VanDeventer, and Trish Oberdorf. They provide a 360 view of the VHF mission and address the vital question of happiness in veterinary careers. VHF fosters support, prevention, and community, emphasizing hope for all veterinarians.
Get MotiVETed with Renee Machel
It’s time to Get MotiVETed! Listen as I talk with founder of Get MotiVETed, Renee Machel. She shares everything GMU has to offer from coaching to self paced courses. You can feel the passion from Renee as we discuss this incredible support component for the vet med community.
Take Control Of Your Career with Steve Oehley
You can have a rewarding career in vet med in or out of the clinic! Steve Oehley shares his story of burnout to fulfillment. Now, Next Step Vet helps others through personalized strategies based on their strengths. He explains the top three points of his 12 week coaching process and shares tips for how any individual can find renewed professional fulfillment, navigate challenges and build sustainable, rewarding careers.
Collaboration Over Conflict for Pet Lovers and Animal Service Industry Workers with Debra Hamilton
In the animal service industry conflict is impossible to avoid. Attorney Mediator, Debra Hamilton specializes in helping animal lovers and animal service industry workers in resolving conflict in a peaceful way to the benefit of everyone including the pet. She shares tips to diffuse situations and reduce conflict whether you’re a client, breeder, or veterinarian.
AI as a Tool to Reduce Burnout in Veterinary Medicine with Ryan Leech
AI, you might be a fan or maybe a cynic…maybe both? It’s an incredible technology, and Digitails has integrated it into their system to benefit vets and reduce burnout! I talk with Ryan Leech about how to use their AI tool, Tails, and the opportunities this creates in the veterinary industry.
Navigating Euthanasia with Dr. Pam Johnson
Euthanasia is a deeply sad reality of the day-to-day of veterinary care. With 30 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Pam Johnson has started a new consulting business, Veterinary Mastermind. She talks with us about the important topic of Euthanasia and how vets can help themselves and their clients navigate the grief of these difficult decisions.
From Vet Tech to Manager: Pro Tips with Sydney Wandix
Dr. Natalie Fayman understands stressed out veterinarians because she was one. She shares her full circle story with a positive intelligence epiphany. We discuss stress resilience and how veterinary professionals can overcome the stress of their careers to find passion and love for their industry again.
Stress Resilience with Dr. Natalie Fayman
Dr. Natalie Fayman understands stressed out veterinarians because she was one. She shares her full circle story with a positive intelligence epiphany. We discuss stress resilience and how veterinary professionals can overcome the stress of their careers to find passion and love for their industry again.
Healthy Habits for Veterinarians with Kirbie Be
From overworked and utterly exhausted to feeling her best and overflowing with energy, Kirbie Be shares her journey to building healthy habits. Kirbie is a veterinary health coach and living example of the impact of learning healthy skills. She explains how the simple act of taking care of yourself can transform your life and improve your job performance.
Humor and Happy People at Effingham Vet Clinic with Dr. Chad Ely and Colleagues
In an industry weighed down with compassion fatigue, Effingham Vet Clinic is a bright light, using humor to build relationships within their team. Dr. Chad Ely and his colleagues share stories and elements of their practice that keep things lighthearted and fun, creating an outstanding clinic with high retention.
Revolutionary Technology to Boost Radiology and Support GPs with Dr. Neil Shaw
SignalPET is a revolutionary AI technology that will boost veterinary confidence, reduce stress, raise level of care, AND reduce costs. Founder, Dr. Neil Shaw explains how this technology works and will improve the lives of everyone in the veterinary space including vets, specialists, pets, and their owners.
Navigating Difficult Conversations with Dr. Rachel Venable
Dr. Rachel Venable is the owner of Pet Cancer Care Consulting, a teleconsulting firm where she works in the veterinary oncology industry with veterinarians and clients. When it comes to talking about pet cancer and other illnesses, it’s almost never easy. Dr. Venable shares her tips on navigating those difficult conversations and supporting the client, the pet, and the provider.
Closing The Gap Between Vet Med and Technology with Daniel Valdes
Daniel Valdes and his work as a project manager for Celeritas Digital puts at the forefront the power of accessible technology in the vet med space. In our conversation Daniel shares how they use technology to ease veterinarian pain points as well as an important app in collaboration with NOMV.
Embodied Leadership: Lead Effectively By Aligning Your Body and Needs with Dr. Corey Blake
Burnout is often not a result of the career we choose but of how we approach it. Dr. Corey Blake is an Embodied Leadership expert. She explains how embodiment can impact your role as a leader in veterinary medicine. She shares real tips on how to introduce this to your practice as well as getting started with your own mind-body connection.
Reconnecting Your Passion in VetMed with Dr. Ashlee Bruewer
Dr. Ashlee Bruewer’s story is not unlike that of many other veterinarians. The pressures and expectations in the field led Dr. Bruewer to rock bottom. She shares how coaching helped her rediscover and reconnect with her passion for veterinary medicine. And don’t miss the 5 strategies from Dr. Bruewer to help new or struggling veterinarians on a similar path.
Booster Pet: Building Sustainable Systems in Vet Care with Dr. Katie Cutter
Dr. Katie Cutter is the CEO of Booster Pet. In her Booster Pet clinics, she has found a way to build sustainable systems in vet care that don’t only increase clinic profits but also increase happiness among staff, clients, and patients.
Vet Owned and Led Clinics: The Path to Building and Keeping Wealth in the Veterinary Industry with Dr. Keith True, Dr. George Melillo, and Dr. Pamelar Hale
Vets can have it all! That’s the message from Dr. Pamelar Hale, Dr. George Melillo, and Dr. Keith True, who want to spread the word about building and keeping wealth in the veterinary industry. These three passionate vets want to encourage veterinarians to take on leadership in the field and build wealth that will not only benefit their careers but also their families and their communities.
Alleviate Veterinary Workload and Help More Pets with Dr. Chmiel and Dr. Willerton
MySimplePetLab was co-founded in 2019 by Dr. Chmiel and Dr. Willerton. This diagnostic and care kit company was created by mirroring advancements in human healthcare to reach pets faster and alleviate pressure in the field. The founding doctors join me to discuss the impact of MySimplePetLab on not just pets but the field as a whole.
Developing a Culture of Learning with Dr. Sally Ryan
Dr. Sally Ryan, the founder of Veterinary Leadership Services, is not wrong when she says that too often veterinarians are thrown into leadership positions without much training or support. In this episode, she shares ways organizations can create and implement meaningful training programs and provide resources that will not only make their staff more confident but also result in improvements across the clinic.
Solving Financial Stress by Understanding Veterinary Real Estate with Rahul Chhajed
When it comes to wellness, financial stability can be a source of stress, and your real estate situation can really impact this. Real estate in the veterinary health care space can involve a really nuanced discussion. Rahul Chhejed is the leader of Matthews Real Estate, Healthcare Division. He shares some crucial tips, inside information, and advice on seeking a trusted advisor if you have questions about selling or buying property in the veterinary space.
Meditation and Mindfulness for the Veterinary Team with Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
Introducing a mindfulness practice into your personal routine or with your veterinary team can make a huge difference in your mindset and mental health! Dr. Marie Holowaychuck joins me to share and advocate for meditation practices that can greatly benefit veterinary wellbeing. Even if meditation is not your speed, Dr. Holowaychuck has information on the research, the benefits, and how even small mindful habits can make an impact.
Supporting Veterinary Teams with Dr. Liz Barton
Listen Here:Joining me all the way from the UK is Dr. Liz Barton, an accomplished vet with what she calls a ‘squiggly’ career path, leading her to co-found wellbeing and support communities such as WellVet and Vet Mums. Creating groups of extrinsic resilience has such...
Handling the Veterinary Workforce Crisis with Dr. Bob Lester
We are in a veterinary workforce crisis, and the implications of this are more serious than you may have considered. Dr. Bob Lester calls himself an optimist by choice, and he joins me today with positivity and hope as he shares solutions in the works for the industry. Vet care is an important role that should be celebrated. As you listen, stay open minded to change and how we can impact the industry for the better.
Honoring the Connection and Spirituality of Caring For Animals with Dr. Bruce Silverman
Those in the veterinary industry usually start out because of their deep connection with animals. Dr. Bruce Silverman, explains the value in honest, deep connecting, empathetic, and calming veterinary practice. Creating a zen moment in patient visit is not only a benefit to the client but to the mental health of the veterinarian.
A Refreshing Take on Customer and Clinic Staff Communication with Kassandra Erven
Kassandra Erven is a practice manager at a privately owned general practice clinic in Albuquerque, NM. She has been there for 10 years and the practice manager for the past 5 years. Before that she performed marketing/social media management for the clinic as well as specialized in client retention, engagement and education. Kassanra is currently studying for her CVPM boards and takes every opportunity to learn more about leadership from those in the industry.
Finding Opportunity in the Vet Industry with Tiffany Riley
Tiffany’s Animal Care is a solution for the veterinary industry in Tiffany Riley’s local area. This home care business run by a veterinary technician relieves pressure on busy clinics, provides needed services to clients, and at the same time provides autonomy and job satisfaction to its owner. Together Tiffany and I discuss how she sought this opportunity and the benefits it brought to her community and her mental health.
Thriving with Disabilities: A Conversation with Dr. Christina Kaye
I am joined by Dr. Christina Kaye to explore how veterinarians with disabilities can thrive in school and their careers. We discuss the importance of seeking accommodations, communicating with universities, and resources for employees and employers. Discover how to pursue your dreams and succeed in the field of veterinary medicine.
Reinventing Veterinary Care with Dr. Brandon and Dr. Seth
Dr. Bleakley and Dr. Prince bonded in their early veterinary careers and went on to create CARE Surgery Center, a clinic dedicated to providing better care for both patients and staff. The episode highlights the clinic’s focus on creating a high-quality work atmosphere that promotes self-actualization, job satisfaction, and a healthy work-life balance for their staff and their mission to raise the standard of veterinary care.
The Other Side of Hope with Dr. Caitlin Vaughn
Dr. Caitlin Vaughn, like many, has experienced her own personal story of burnout, negativity, and an overwhelming sense of numbness. Her experience in the veterinary profession led her to seek out coaching and in turn inspired her to help those just like her. Dr. Vaugn shares how she helps make change through hope with her company Unlocking Vet Med.
Suicide Prevention: Know the Risks and Warnings with Cheyenne Williams
Cheyenne Williams sits on the board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a mission that not only sits close to her heart for personal loss but affects the lives of so many veterinarians in the industry. We discuss risk factors, warnings, protective factors, and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is in a suicide crisis please seek help by calling or texting the suicide crisis line (988) or texting TALK to 741741.
Creating Change for a Happier Veterinary Industry with Dr. Craig Prior
Veterinary industry veteran, Dr. Craig Prior, joins me to discuss some really interesting insights on the change that could improve the profession. We discuss the entire career journey from veterinary school all the way to clinic ownership. Dr. Craig also has some great things to say about veterinary technicians and their important place in the profession.
Building Wealth as a Veterinarian with Dr. Pamelar Hale
Wealth building is not greedy, you deserve to make money. Dr. Pam Hale is a big advocate for building wealth and strategic decisions for vets to propel their careers. We talk about key ways to build wealth and the importance of veterinary leadership in the profession.
Helping Animals and Pet Owners in Ukraine with Galaxy Vets
The war in Ukraine is still ongoing and the effect on animals, pet owners, and veterinarians in the country is serious and shocking. The Galaxy Vets Foundation, the non-profit arm of Galaxy Vets, has started an initiative to help Ukraine by providing FREE telehealth to pet owners. Director of the foundation Dr. Andrew Ciccolini and telehealth volunteer Dr. Kelly Cooper, share about this program and how you can help these animals and owners in war-torn Ukraine.
Trauma Informed Leadership and Care with Dr. Phil Richmond
A lot of toxicity in the veterinary space can be relayed back to individual trauma responses from even microtraumas during childhood. Dr. Phil Richmond shares his journey of trauma discovery and how he is coping with his past trauma responses as well as helping others use trauma informed leadership and care to provide and receive support in the field.
Culture and Cash with Andrea Tschakert
Veterinary Medicine is a figure 8, says Andrea Tschakert based on her 27 years as a professional in the industry. We discuss the ebbs and flows of culture in veterinary medicine, how to improve culture when the generation of vets is changing too, and we discuss money, the measure of good medicine.
From Toxic Vet Culture to Manifesting Mentorship with Dr. Amanda Ensor
Most veterinarians out there can relate to at least some part of Dr. Amanda Ensor’s story. Dr. Ensor shares how the toxic vet culture she experienced at the beginning of her career paved the path to joining a mentorship program for new vets. Now from a general practitioner to a full-time mentor, Dr. Ensor provides the important guidance and support that she never received.
Developing and Supporting Hospital Leaders with Dr. Shannon Bass
As someone who has had almost every role in a veterinary hospital, Dr. Shannon Bass is no stranger to the challenges of the veterinary profession. Dr. Bass and I share important skills and competencies for leaders in the field as well as where to find resources to develop and support hospital leaders.
Vetcelerator: Offloading Burnout-Causing Responsibilities While Keeping Full Ownership of Your Practice with Dr. Ira Gordon
Do you often wonder how you can continue doing the things you love in veterinary medicine without worrying about the burdensome responsibilities that come with clinic ownership? Dr. Ira Gordon joins me to share about Vetcelerator, a company that works with vet clinics to take over clinic management without taking any ownership. Dr. Gordon shares success stories and how Vetcelerator can help prevent veterinary burnout in struggling clinic owners.
The Galaxy Way, Systemically Preventing Veterinary Burnout with Dr. Ivan Zak
Dr. Ivan Zak, former ER shares his all to common struggle with burnout in the field. This journey led him to founding Galaxy Vets, a veterinary healthcare system co-owned by its employees. Dr. Zak shares the details of this revolutionary data driven company and how they will change the veterinary industry as we know it.
Building Happy and Healthy Veterinary Teams with Sabrina Beck
Sabrina Beck has such a gift for practice management and making time for her people. She is the founder of Blue Poodle Consulting. Today she shares the importance of building happy and healthy veterinary teams and how to get started.
Credits, Skills, and Community: The Benefit of Mentorship with Dr. Dani Rabwin
A lover of animals and people Dr. Dani Rabwin has watched her career and passions evolve to create the first new veterinarian mentorship program of its kind. Dr. Dani and I swap inspiring stories and discuss the framework and impact of her program Ready, Vet, Go.
The Benefits of Servant Leadership with Christina Delgado
Long gone is the place for Authoritarian style leaders, the current state of Vet Medicine shows there is a need for Servant Leadership. Christina Delgado, a long-time member of the veterinary medicine community, is a multi-clinic manager and management coach and she is good at what she does. Christina shares tips and advice about her leadership approach and the value in investing in your team.
Caring for the Aging Pet Population with Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert Hutchison
Dr. Kelly and Dr. Robert Hutchison are the founders of White Whiskers Aging Pet Care in Colorado Springs, CO. Their goal is to address the challenges that our dogs and cats (and we as veterinarians) often face in the traditional model of care. Our discussion includes how White Whiskers supports brick and mortar veterinary practices and how the practice is more collaborative than competitive. We also talk about the importance of honoring your own boundaries to prevent burnout while still providing amazing service to clients.
Matching and Advocating in an Intern Program with Dr. Christina Kaye
Post veterinary school, you’re probably ready to choose a specialization and find the right internship for you. Dr. Christina Kaye, currently studying to be a veterinary ophthalmologist, joins me today to share some tips for matching with the right intern program, as well as things to keep in mind as you embark on this challenging but rewarding journey.
The Profession of Relief with Dr. Cindy Trice
Relief work is a profession in which veterinarians provide relief by assuming positions in clinics for absent vets and technicians for various reasons. Dr. Cindy Trice, a career Relief Vet, is the founder of Relief Rover, an online community to provide sources and support for building business relationships for Relief Vets and technicians and clinics. Dr. Trice discusses the importance of relief work for the individuals working as relief workers and the clinics who hire them.
The DiSC Assessment with Theresa Bohler
When you know the indicators, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to understand the personality of those around you. Theresa Bohler, Certified DiSC Trainer, joins me today to discuss the DiSC personality assessment. We discuss the four personality types, how to identify them in others, what personalities you’re attracted to, AND how this assessment can be used to create a cohesive work environment in Veterinary Medicine.
Engagement Meets Efficiency with Bret Canfield
Engagement and efficiency are two words you’re likely familiar with, but what do they mean for a veterinary hospital? Bret Canfield joins me in this episode to discuss these two key elements and their harmonious existence for a successful practice.
Increased Consciousness to Improve Mental Health with Dr. Laura Graye
Veterinary professionals are often empathetic caregivers, who give all of themselves in a way that perpetuates burnout and suffering for themselves. Dr. Laura Graye, humanitarian, visionary scientist and founder of Medigraytion shares today her philosophy on how to understand our own empathetic behavior and ground ourselves with increased consciousness to improve mental health across the field.
A Special Practice in the Veterinary Community with Dr. Roth and Dr. Gerard
If you’re in the veterinary industry and wondering about the availability of medical practices with positive cultures, today I am talking with two veterinarians, who came together to create a really special practice. Dr. Cheryl Roth and Dr. Kristin Gerard, founders of Guardian Veterinary Care, share about what sets their clinic apart and sets an example for clinics across the country in support and staff and client culture.
Conflict in the Workplace with Dr. Jeff Werber
Are you sweating the small stuff? Whether a conflict seems big or small, how you handle it is often more important than the problem itself. Today a veteran of the vet industry, Dr. Jeff Werber joins me to discuss some great tips on handling conflict in the workplace. He shares real life stories and advice you can put into practice with your clinic team right away.
Using Transitions and Systems to Manage Burnout with Lety Cavalcante
Operations is a tricky role to lead while balancing the success of the company and the wellness of your team. Lety Cavalcante is a Brazilian woman with a unique perspective and incredible story. She shares advice on how she changed her entire career after moving to America, what she does to create psychological safety in the workplace, and how she utilized programs of change to prevent burnout for her team.
The Journey to Create Resonance in Work and Life with Dr. Amanda Doran
You deserve to thrive in a job you belong doing and to bring that joy into your everyday life. Many professionals in the veterinary industry are feeling distress in their wellbeing. Dr. Amanda Doran is sharing her burnout experience and what she did to create a resonance in her work and life.
Acknowledging and Solving Compassion Fatigue with Charmaine Nawrocki
Are you like me and noticing an incredible amount of Compassion Fatigue in the veterinary industry? I am joined by Partnership Manager at Airvet, Charmaine Nawrocki, to discuss what exactly is Compassion Fatigue. You’ll hear about the hallmark causes of Compassion Fatigue in the veterinary industry, the warning signs, and solutions on the horizon for the field.
Helping Veterinarians Flourish with Josh Vaisman
Veterinary facilities all over are struggling to keep their employees and thrive in their current toxic environments. Josh Vaisman, founder of Flourish Veterinary Consulting, is an expert who has been there and is helping the industry learn how to fix this problem we all see but lack the understanding to fix. Today we discuss his model of The Four P’s of Positive Leadership, the common characteristics for workplace thriving and professional fulfillment.
The Value of Data Security in Veterinary Medicine with Clint Latham J.D
Data security and the psychological security and safety of your staff are more valuable than most hospital management realize. Clint Latham J.D is the founder of Lucca Veterinary Data Security. Today he shares some really eye opening statements about the importance of hospital culture in keeping data safe as well as increasing communication and comradery. Clint provides great resources for hospital management teams to measure and improve psychological safety in their hospitals.