Podcast A Vet: Stories, Support & Community From Leaders In The Veterinary Field

Podcast A Vet is taking a break, but don't worry, we'll be back with more stories and insights from our incredible veterinary community soon! In this episode, I wanted to share some of the reasons why we're taking this break - don't worry, nothing serious, life is just full right now. I'm guessing you can relate, and hopefully this episode will be a reminder to look after yourself and do what you need to do to look after yourself and ensure you're showing up for your family, colleagues, friends, and community. We'll be back with more stories soon.   Links Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

This week we're doing something a little different!  If you tuned in last week to our episode with Dr. Seth Williams, you heard the first half of our talk.  This week, you can catch the second half of our conversation over on Seth's podcast, Vet School Unleased. Check out part two of this conversation here. If you haven't checked it out, you can listen to part one here.   Links Listen to part two of our conversation here! Listen to part one Follow Dr. Seth The Vet on Instagram Vet School Unleashed Website   Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Seth Williams is the mastermind behind Vet School Unleashed and a DVM who plays by his own rules. After graduating with a music business degree Seth went back to veterinary school when he realized his passion could bring him closer to a job he could never have dreamed of. Tackling everything from looking on the positive side of a career change to the importance of work ethic and investing in your future, Seth is here today to share his perspective on the veterinary world. If you have ever been curious of what goes on behind the scenes of some of your favorite veterinary social media accounts or podcasts, are hoping to gain insight from those who have come before you, or just want to join in the conversation of sharing both your good and bad days in the field, this is the episode for you. By having confidence in yourself and the work that you are doing you can help the animals you seek without taking everything so personally. Instead of living a life full of the status quo, which eventually will lead to boredom and burnout, Seth wants to encourage you to take each opportunity to stretch yourself and grow as a person. You are not alone, and Seth is here to let you know that you shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Stocked with advice for everyone from a new grad to a seasoned clinic owner, Seth’s attitude and dedication to self-improvement is something you can’t miss.  What did you love most about Seth’s can-do approach to veterinary medicine? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page.   In This Episode  How to figure out what sets you apart when applying to veterinary school The importance of having an outlet and finding a work-life balance Tips for becoming successful on social media as a veterinary professional Recommendations for dealing with irrational or emotional patients Get into the head of a new veterinary school graduate, their concerns and expectations   Quotes “I realized that I could fulfill my business interests, medicine, and work with some pretty kick-ass animals and be a vet.” (6:48) “You get on a plane and you say you are a veterinarian and you get into this whole conversation about either their pets or that they wanted to be a vet and it didn’t work out, it’s the job that almost everyone seems to want to have.” (17:47) “The world needs vets now, and good vets. This is just a good way to show why it’s so awesome to be in this profession.” (18:28) “You’re human, you are going to make mistakes, everybody does. If you expect that you are going to be perfect, you are just going to be set up for a life of disappointment.” (30:20)   Links Follow Dr. Seth The Vet on Instagram Vet School Unleashed Website   Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

If you want to get to the top of any niche in the veterinary world, you probably know it's going to be a tough slog at times. You might not realize, however, the impact of our career pursuits on other areas of our lives. Dr. Jon Congdon shares his insight into how to navigate your way to the top of a specialized field while maintaining your relationships, and sanity.  Dr. Congdon started from the bottom cleaning cages and worked his way up to being Director of Anesthesiology at one of the top 3 schools in the country, NC State Veterinary.  He is one of only 230 board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists in the country, one of my former classmates and a personal friend. Recorded live on location at the 2018 AVMA Convention in Denver Colorado, we discuss the progression of veterinary medicine, the highs and lows of being a specialist, and how to accept vulnerability in your knowledge. Dr. Congdon lays out his pragmatic practical approach to how to make everybody’s veterinary experience better with anesthesia. Getting into the meat of his veterinary story, the struggle of residency and the toll his career had on his relationships, Dr. Congdon relays his advice for those starting out on their journey and anyone interested in anesthesia. Putting importance on learning to think for yourself, searching for information and being prepared, Dr. Congdon brings a no judgment attitude to the field of anesthesiology.   In This Episode An overview of the path to becoming an anesthesiologist Take home tidbits from Jon’s AVMA 2018 Lecture Making the veterinarian experience better for fractious cats The 4 major mechanisms for low blood pressure Relationship advice for anyone going into a residency Being satisfied without recognition   Quotes “You go to a conference and how much of it is really applicable? How much can you take home and use the next day? And that’s really the probably driving idea behind lectures that I do, is what do they really want to know, I mean I’m guessing but you know, and what might they take home tomorrow and actually do something with?” (6:40) “We get so worked up about our little niches, but there is a bigger world out there. And as I have heard many many times at NC State, believe in good intentions, take faith that people have the best of intentions. And they may make mistakes and it may look bad from the outside, but it's not like any of us are trying to make mistakes or are trying to be lazy, we're just busy. And cases come to us that we think are straightforward and then they are not and we have to adapt on the fly. This idea of community and this podcast is a huge part of that.” (40:46) “Anesthesia is super cool for me because I can identify a problem, I can administer a treatment, and I get to fix it right away. Anesthesia, it’s real-time physiology.” (1:04:54) “You will never get the credit. You will never be at the forefront of the story. But it shouldn't matter. We are not here to get accolades, we're here to get them through. We're not here to judge if they should be anesthetized, we're here to get them through. Other doctors are having those conversations with the clients, it's not our role to judge. If they need us we should be here, we are service specialists, we are here to serve the other doctors.” (1:17:50)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perks! AVMA Convention PAV 017: Jeanne Ficociello Invisibles Book   Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go through veterinary school with a new baby? Erika Berra is doing just that, currently in her third year of veterinary school and crushing it as a super mom with her 14-month-year-old, Teddy. Today Teddy and Erika join us to give us a real, honest look at what it looks like to be a new parent in vet school. Everything from planning her final exams around Teddy’s birth to balancing clinic hours with a sick child is on the table today as Erika dives into the hard truths around being a parent. If you are wondering if it is the right time to have kids, want a realistic look at the balancing act of veterinary school and parenthood or just want to hear some adorable background baby gurgles, this is the episode for you. A proponent for makings things work no matter what and proving to yourself that you are stronger than you think you are, Erika dreams of doing it all and is well on her way there. Are you thinking about having kids during veterinary school, or have already had some? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section on the episode page.   In This Episode Tips for balancing new motherhood and veterinary school pressures Advice for future moms or those who are struggling to keep it together The importance of having a support network when becoming a new parent Explore the advantages of having children during veterinary school  Addressing the misconceptions around having a child in veterinary school    Quotes “People always tell me they don’t know how I do it either, and I don’t have a good answer. But I think it is one of those situations where you can do more than you think you can when you are in a situation where you need to do it.” (6:41) “If somebody is in vet school and is at the age where they are thinking that they want kids, just make sure that you have that support system. I’m sure you could do it without it, but it makes a huge difference.” (9:34) “I actually want to mixed animal, I want to do it all.” (18:24) “No matter what is going on, most things that are like terrifying, in the grand scheme of things they are not that big. But you can’t see that far until you are past it. So I think that is the thing, to try and keep everything in perspective.” (22:30) “If you learn how to balance life and school and work now, then theoretically by the time I am out in practice I will be really good at it.” (26:17) “If you can do vet school and be a parent, I know a couple of people that are planning to have a kid or two kids in vet school, and if you can do more than one man, you are truly superwoman.” (34:28)   Links Enjoying the show? Help support Podcast A Vet on Patreon! Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

For a lot of people unfamiliar with the pet oncology space, it comes as a surprise that pets can develop the exact same strains of cancer that humans do. Perhaps even more surprising however is that in many cases, research into cancer treatment for dogs in particular could be the missing link between mice and humans. At the forefront of this research which has already boasted many breakthroughs into both human and animal treatment, is today’s guest, Dr. Christine Hardy. Christine has done enough already to fill multiple lifetimes, with masters degrees in both business and public health, she was formerly the Co-Director of the DBM/MBA combined program at CSU, has served as Senior Director of professional veterinary medicine student services at CSU, and is not the Director of Operations and Strategy at the Flint Animal Cancer Center at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Oh, and she’s also an entrepreneur, and has worked in human health education as well as international wildlife conservation. Phew! Today she shares her personal story of what led her into cancer research and treatment, the links between animal and human diseases, and how veterinarians and physicians are working together extensively to improve outcomes for both human and animal patients.   In this episode: How research into cancer in pets leads to breakthroughs in human cancers How vets and physicians are working together to treat and cure cancer Why getting rejected from vet school initially was actually a blessing in disguise Why deciding to get her MBA was one of the best career decisions she ever made How volunteering at cancer camp helps keep Christine grounded What we can learn from kids about dealing with cancer   Quotes: “Most of the things that I’ve done, haven't necessarily been part of the plan. Opportunities just presented themselves or there was a fork in the road and I took it, and it's been an incredible privilege honor and a tremendous amount of fun.” (3:26) “We’ve asked [pet owners], ‘why do you enroll your pets in a clinical trial?’ for the most part, they all do it for altruistic reasons. They want to do something to contribute to the science. Everybody's been affected by cancer.” (24:20) “I think a lot of times we don’t necessarily know what other people see in us. He must’ve seen something, I sure knew that it was a great opportunity and that I wasn’t going to let him down.” (41:25) “To get to veterinary medicine, there’s a path that you have to go down, there are certain things that you have to achieve to get where you’re going, so I think so many of us are really goal-oriented. And I think at some point I’ve learned to actually be ok with not knowing exactly where I’m going and that opportunities will present themselves.” (43:15)   Links: Enjoying the show? Help support Podcast A Vet on Patreon! One Cure Sky High Hope Camp Camp Dost Episode 24 with Laurie Fonken   Find the full show notes here Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

It's no secret that the most common career path in the veterinary field is the one that leads to small animal care. But that's not every vet's calling. Today we talk with Dr. Myra Barrett about what it takes to break out of that track and specialize in an area that really lights you up. Dr. Myra Barrett is a board-certified radiologist specializing in equine radiology, as well as President of the Large Animal Diagnostic Society, founding partner of Inside Information Radiology a telemedicine radiology company, Assistant Professor of Radiology at Colorado State University, and head of Equine Radiology. On top of all that, she’s also a skier, mountain biker, and super mom. Today we talk about her journey from operating on her stuffed animals to a Stanford degree in Psychology to her now trailblazing the official specialization of equine radiology. She discusses the work-life balance and how to manage a relationship while going to vet school and doing your residency. We also talk about the importance of boundaries and knowing what kind of lifestyle you need as an individual. How to you navigate the work-life balance? Do you have any activities or rituals that help? Leave us a comment below and let us know on the episode page!   In this episode: How she built her own residency to specialize in equine radiology rather than small animals The importance of give and take in managing a relationship as a vet school student Managing personal priorities and building your work lifestyle to fit your needs Dr. Barrett’s past as a girl riding horses bareback in Montana   Quotes: “There’s nothing better for the soul than time at the barn” 8:20 “The traditional residency is very heavily small animal weighted… [which] takes away that time where you could be becoming an expert in that field where you really want to train.” 27:38 “You can’t be excellent at everything, and we put this pressure on ourselves to be excellent at everything and we can’t be and we need to back that down a little bit” 37:43 “It’s not always the internship or the residency. There are a lot of roads that can lead to happiness and success.” 1:01:54   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Sir Isaac Newtown once said that in order to see further than others you must stand on the shoulders of giants. Simon Turner is an equine surgeon originally from Australia who lives this philosophy every day. Through the mentorship, he has received, and in turn, the mentorship he provides others, Simon is a pristine example of the beauty found in the veterinary profession. After a successful career in equine surgery, Simon has leaned his hand into everything from orthopedic research in human labs to traveling the world and being a conductor of a 100+-year-old trolley. Always in training for ‘The Olympics of Life’, Simon is proof that you don’t have to settle no matter your perceived limitations.  Today Simon is here to provide insight into everything from staying fit, to hosting a dinner party, and the importance of developing a specialty for new grads entering the field. A humble giant who is as dedicated to his craft as he is modest, Simon is here to provide you with a vision of the potential wonders that veterinary medicine has to offer. Do you have a giant who you’d like to thank for allowing you to stand on their shoulders? Tag them in the comments on the episode page and let us know what is most special to you about your memories.   In This Episode  The importance of being part of the close-knit veterinary family Why you should be donating plasma cells and red platelets if you can How to guide yourself to retire to something instead of from something What you should be looking out for in a mentor and vice versa Advice for new graduates and the necessity of finding a modern niche   Quotes “There were a few giants in Australia, I stood on their shoulders, but I had to come to the good old USA to stand on a few more giants shoulders, and look where I am! I stood on giants’ shoulders and saw farther than others.” (9:38) “I don’t do things halfway, I go the whole hog. That is why I have lived in Fort Collins for most of my life but I am still very Australian. But I go, pardon the expression, ‘balls out’ on everything.” (26:14) “The Olympics of life, that is what I am training for.” (29:01)  “I am very proud to get up as a veterinarian and to say ‘hey, I am not a physician, I am a veterinarian, look at me now, look at what I have done. And I am very quick to say that MD does not stand for ‘major deity’.” (49:09)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Dr. Sarah Wooten is a veterinarian who believes in pushing boundaries. An advocate for women in veterinary leadership roles, a writer for Pet MD and DVM 360, restaurant owner as well as the creator of Vets Against Insanity, a ‘cards against humanity’ style game for veterinarians, Sarah is a woman of many hats.  Today we are putting the fun back into vet medicine as Sarah gets real on everything from getting over your fear of rejection to eliminating your negative self-talk and expectations. Join in on the discussion around where the veterinary medicine industry currently stands and where it is going, why you need to listen to the messages your body is sending you and explore veterinary medicine from a non-traditional angle.  Even if you don’t know what you are doing, Sarah is here to encourage you to keep showing up and trying your best because you are worth it. Are you ready for a roadmap to taking control of your fear and following the doors that open for you? Share your favorite part of today’s episode in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Techniques to help you put yourself out there and face your fear head-on Common themes in the professional veterinary medicine world right now The importance of conflict management in the workplace to avoid fatigue A look at the amount of quickly changing diversity in veterinary leadership roles How to become more present and increase your recreational time enjoyment   Quotes “I didn’t realize that it was a problem for me because I just pushed through it, I would feel dread and anxiety before I was going into the surgeries and I would feel dread and anxiety when I was scrubbing or I would feel it in the morning as I was driving to work because I didn’t know what I had on my board for that day, and I would feel it Friday afternoon about having to go to work on Monday morning. And it just became such a nightmare for me, and I didn’t know that that was not normal.” (11:19) “It’s not ‘wait until you have the courage’, its ‘do it when you are scared’ anyways.” (16:50) “You get to a place where you just don’t really care anymore. I mean you care, but you don’t care in such a way that you let it get in the way of what you are on this planet to do.” (23:45) “A lot of us have forgotten that we are badasses, that we actually got into vet school, that we’re amazing, strong, resilient, powerful people, superheroes, and we’ve accepted another story about ourselves.” (28:00) “Vets need to be making more money, we need to have better balance within our work lives and our personal lives, and we gotta figure out how veterinary medicine looks in this new world we are creating. Because I guarantee you, the world that my children live in is a very different world than I live in.” (40:03)   Links Purchase Vets Against Insanity Here Dr. Sarah Wooten website Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Happy New Year Podcat A Vet family! While we can barely believe that 2020 is already upon us, it is an exciting time of year here at the Podcast A Vet headquarters. As we look forward to Season 3 of Podcast A Vet and reflect on the past year, we want to say thank you to our wonderful community and Patreons. This show wouldn’t exist without you and it is our pleasure to recognize all you do for your profession and each other.  What are your goals for 2020 and how can Podcast A Vet help support you in achieving those goals? Share with us in the comments on the episode page or through a direct message!   In This Episode A look at the goals for Podcast A Vet and the PAV Community in 2020 Meaningful and heartfelt shoutouts to our Patreons and guests from the past year Behind the scenes peek at what goes into the Podcast A Vet Instagram   Quotes “We have got lots of goals as a podcast, we have got lots of goals for our community, we’re obviously pushing forward with a whole new set of episodes starting in Season 3 starting next week, we can’t wait for your guys to meet all of these storytellers. It seems like every episode just gets better and better and people are just so excited to share with us and we are excited to share that with you.” (2:24) - Kelsey “We found a niche in the podcats world, in the veterinary world, and you can bet that we are going to run with it.” (4:01) - Kelsey  “Its really great to see guests contributing in so many ways, not only did they share their story but really believing in what we are doing here.” (5:07) - Dr. Arnold   Links PAV 015: Tim Hackett PAV 026: Christine Hardy  PAV 025: Erin Crawford PAV 005: Mike Suit Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Happy Holiday’s Podcast A Vet family! Today I am joined by our Director of Operations, Kelsey Cates, to have a look back on all that we have accomplished this past year on Podcast A Vet. With the end of ‘Season 2’ approaching and the start of a new decade we thought we would take the opportunity to thank you as our listeners and look forward into the new year. Join us as we look back at the last year of Podcast A Vet and keep an ear out for when we will be starting again in 2020! What story stands out from the past year on Podcast A Vet? Share your favorite memories with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode The lifechanging magic of flushable baby wipes  A look back at the highlights from Season 2 on Podcast A Vet Exploring the future of Podcast A Vet and what to expect in the new year A big thank you to our audience and Podcast A Vet community    Quotes “I feel like its just one of those times when we just keep growing at a pace where we are so inspired to keep doing this. And that is because of you guys.” (4:29) - Dr. Arnold “All of a sudden it was just like this community grew out of something that we hoped would take off but we just never knew if it could.” (5:49) - Kelsey “Just knowing that [the stories] are hitting home for other people, it is really powerful and it is really moving and I am enjoying every minute of that.” (6:17) - Kelsey   Links: Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

A woman who wears many hats, Lori Cesario is passionate about having her hand in many fields while remaining dedicated to her oncology patients. Originally hailing from California and a Ross University Vet School graduate, Lori is here today to remind us not to sweat the small stuff.  Today Lori is here to share insider tips on everything from what it takes to build an online oncology resource to paying off student debt and what kept her focused on the oncology road. If you are looking for tips on motivating yourself while feeling accomplished, want to learn about surgical oncology as a general practitioner or are interested in learning how journaling improved Lori’s life, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.  How do you take stalk in what you have done and keep moving towards your future goals? Share your motivational tips with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Tips for getting out of debt by making some serious money spending changes The importance of getting your thoughts down on paper to better relax Why you should be setting real-life actionable steps to accomplishing your goals A peek into the life of an oncologist and ways to not be consumed by the work Learn what it takes to become a surgical oncologist and what keeps the passion alive Quotes “It feels a lot better just to confront it and figure out a plan and make progress and make progress and make progress rather than to get all of that anxiety.” (15:32) “If I’m just still kind of going over and over a case or a client that was really difficult or something, I have found that journaling really helps.” (22:27) “When you set goals or you have things that you want to do, you are comparing where you are now to where you want to go. And so you often never feel like you have accomplished everything, so you can sort of feel negative about that. But if you look back at older journal entries or make sure to say ‘what have I done in the last 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, then you can realize all of the things you have accomplished.” (25:11) “It’s nice to learn how to do new things and I like being able to do multiple different things at once, I think that is nice. It is nice to have multiple different types of outlets.” (30:17)   Links Canine Cancer Academy Website ORU Wrapping Fabric Website Advanced Surgical Oncology at the Oquendo Centre   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

MJ Hamilton has spent his entire life in veterinary medicine and it has taken him across the country from Las Vegas to Michigan and more. On top of the wild parties he hosted during veterinary school, MJ realized that even though he had a strong love for veterinary practice, not everything was the right fit. After he hit is a critical breaking point, MJ realized he needed to go after his passion rather than the status quo and started PVS Pet Cancer, the world’s first mobile oncology unit. In this episode, MJ gets real about vulnerability and masculinity, how to find a balance, and why he is looking for his happy. By improving the lives of cancer patients, opening up about the dark times of veterinary medicine and appreciating that time really is our biggest commodity, MJ is proof that sometimes we all need somebody to lean on.  If you are in the process of figuring out what you want next and need some guidance on finding your happy place, MJ is the expert for you. A story of inspiration and perseverance, MJ is proof that sometimes you need to dig deep to figure out what you really want. How has anxiety and panic impacted your ability to do your job? Share your story with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Addressing the trauma that many experience from imperfect days in the field Tips for getting through a residency by learning to ask for help when you need it What it is like to run the worlds first mobile oncology department The importance of asking your peers how they are doing and ways to combat trauma Advice to fellow veterinarians and strategies for staying balanced    Quotes “Being the jack of all trades just didn’t work for me… I realized that I needed to specialize, I needed to just do one thing really well. I started pursuing that more, more my interests, and I always had specialty interests, but then out there I really just said, ‘I gotta do this to survive, I need to just do what works best for my brain’.” (8:44) “It was to kind of find my happy because at that point I had been doing everything for everybody but me.” (25:42) “I was like, you know what, I think I am going to do this. I think I am going to do the first mobile oncology department, and I can still be me but I can do it my way and also be different.” (29:29) “All of these things that we are talking about, taking care of each other, it is a movement now and I really want to support it.” (42:23)   Links PVS Private Veterinary Specialties Website PAV 042: Meghann Berglund   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Often during this celebratory time of year, I like to take a look back and remember all of the moments where I physically felt the feeling of ‘wow, I can’t believe we get to do this’. Podcast A Vet has shared over 100 people’s stories and it is only through being transparent and helping the community grow that we can continue to build the Podcast A Vet Family.  What we do as veterinarians matters, and I think it is important to look back at the path of Podcast A Vet and highlight the things that make us tick. Family, support and saving lives is the medicine that we need every day to keep going and is the ultimate goal of Podcast A Vet. Join me for a recap of some extra-special gratitude based episodes and look into the future of Podcast A Vet for the coming new year. What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving? Share your hopes, memories, and dreams with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode A recap of episodes perfect for re-listening too during the holidays Why you should focus on your family and being thankful this holiday season The impact of having a daughter when viewing time in regards to veterinary work Gain insight into the perspective that goes into the making of Podcast A Vet   Quotes “It is almost a physical feeling for me, of ‘wow, we get to do this’, I feel like Thanksgiving is one of those times.” (1:36) “Never in my wildest dreams did I think we were going to share, at this point, 100 stories. That is just something that I am so so thankful for.” (2:57) “Everybody mentions family as super important, as part of your tribe, whether it is your blood family or your tribe family, having that support is what gets us through and it is what Podcast A Vet is all about.” (4:26)   Links PAV 001: Bronwen Foster PAV 005: Mike Suit PAV 050: Mark Stetter PAV 061: Andy Rourke PAV 072: Trent Gall PAV 071: Becky Krull PAV 038: Kristin Gablehouse PAV 041: Nate Daughenbaugh   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Alissa Edoff’s path to veterinary medicine has taken her all over the world, from her native Colorado to Australia, Glasgow and beyond, she is passionate about exploring and setting yourself apart from the crowd. From hospital work to research and corporate positions, Alissa has the determination to follow what she wants and is here today to share her story of how she was able to find happiness in starting her own business. Everything from travel to alcohol dependency and finding a partner over diarrhea is on this episode as we dive into Alissa’s experience in veterinary school and beyond. Alissa loves to share her passion, connect with her mobile canine rehab and large and small animal acupuncture clients, and share her passion with the world.  An advocate for the importance of having a fulfilling life outside of work and following what makes you happy, Alissa is an inspiring example of dedication and finding joy in the unexpected. How do you balance your career with your desires outside of work? Share your story with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode A look into the life of an international veterinary program  How to become okay with not being perfect at everything Tips to cope with times when you are second-guessing your career path Why Alissa came to the realization that she was using alcohol as a crutch Reasons mobile canine rehab and acupuncture ended up being Alissa’s calling   Quotes “I had never been to either London or Glasgow so I didn’t know what life was like there really. So I just figured, I have to take loans out regardless if I can have more money for traveling rather than rent in somewhere like London, that just made more sense to me.” (12:12) “Travelling to me is one of my #1 priorities and goals in life, to see the world.” (22:32) “It was 100% a coping mechanism and she helped me figure out alternatives, and then I haven’t had a drink for almost 3.5 years.” (34:26) “I started my own business and now I have made veterinary medicine something that I enjoy again.” (39:27) “I am now an extra, so I am not general practice, so if people reach out to me it is because they want to do more for their pets. So they are dedicated and they want the best for their animals.” (42:08)   Links Longevity and Wellness Vet Follow Alissa on Facebook    Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

After brief stints playing in a band in Mexico, working as a waitress and putting herself through veterinary school, H. Howells learned that she enjoyed supporting veterinarians much more than she enjoyed practicing. This inspired her to create Agents of Change, a coaching program focusing on the health, life and team aspects of veterinary medicine. A self-described extrovert who went into school with a ‘B is for Badass’ mentality, H is here today to share how you can look at veterinary medicine through her mindset. Instead of placing your entire identity in what you do, H wants to destigmatize doing something ‘just as a job’ and give veterinarians the freedom to be okay with being more than what they do for a living. H loves to listen to other veterinarians and provide an outlet outside of your immediate workplace to let others know that they are not as alone or as trapped as they think they are. Learn how she was able to resuscitate herself by giving back to the community, why she loves to help others find meaning in veterinary medicine and explore the importance of staying connected as a vital tool to not getting sucked into your daily routines and pressures. If you are looking for a way to find meaning in what you do without it becoming an all-consuming aspect of your life, H. is who you need to hear from. Are you able to look at your role in veterinary medicine as ‘just a job’? Share what you think about H’s perspective in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode How you can recognize and address the stressors of veterinary medicine Ways that you can start being more vulnerable and find a better work-life balance Why you should stop viewing veterinary medicine as your ‘calling’ Exploring The Power of 10 Program and the lifechanging realizations it can spur The importance of actively pursuing things outside of the veterinary profession   Quotes “I can only envision going back and doing more school if I promise myself that it is not going to swallow me alive.” (7:30) “The only thing that I could think was ‘I got to figure out how in the world to get myself out of this profession without incurring another dollar of debt, the end’. And that was really hard.” (18:03)  “I really love coaching and connecting with other veterinarians. And the way that I always describe it is, over time I realized I feel a lot more fired up about supporting other veterinarians than I do about being one.” (21:39) “I think we need to start to have a little bit higher level of being willing to be vulnerable and say when we are struggling so that we can receive the support that exists out there.” (24:37)  “That’s where I think the danger lies when you conflate veterinary medicine with your identity so much so that the rest of our life takes a back seat.” (29:58)   Links  Agents of Change Coaching The Power of 10   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Chris Chase believes in the necessity of the spiritual, mental and educational aspects to becoming a great veterinarian. A DVM, speaker, educator, and chief scientific officer at RTI, Chris is a trained classic virologist and immunologist who uses his unconditional love and commitment to make the profession a better place. A South Dakota native who is passionate about the need to be involved in some level of practice despite your current field, Chris is here to shine a light on microbiology and viruses as well as the importance of exploring all of your possible opportunities with no regrets. Diving deep into the complexities of an animal’s microbiome, the financial implications of scientific research, the importance of developing your ‘soft’ skills, and so much more, Chris is a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to foster a sense of adventure and a child-like fascination with the world.  Do you have a vision of what your veterinary career may look like 10, 20 or 30 years into the future? Share what you learned from Chris today in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode How to embrace variety as the spice of life in work and play A deep look into decades of change in organized veterinary medicine  Analyzing the role of business and ROI in the field of scientific exploration The importance of figuring out what you do want to do as well as what you don’t Understanding how the gut and the immune system interact with each other in animals   Quotes “If you are going to be good at research or anything else outside of veterinary medicine practice, you got to know what is going on in practice.” (5:03) “I find everything interesting, there is just not anything I don’t find interesting. It has always been me. And that frustrates some people because in academia when I get reviewed they always walk in like ‘here is your program, you just do this little piece of the puzzle and that is your focus. Focus, focus, focus’. And I am certainly not.” (23:47) “Most of the time I can see what I don’t want to be or what I don’t want to do, and figure out what you can do to limit that or make sure that you don’t make those same mistakes.” (26:03) “Here is something that is sort of new and novel to me, I sort of turn it around like a Rubix cube in every way that I can to figure out how I can run with that with what I am doing.” (37:52) “What is really important to me is to figure out what you don’t want to do. Because the worst thing you can do is go downstream in something and realize ‘I hate this’.” (56:28)   Links RTI Website   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Jennifer House is a real-life virus hunter, DVM, and public health veterinarian. Jennifer is passionate about keeping animals and humans safe from diseases such as rabies, plague, and tularemia.  While the diseases may sound scary, Jennifer is here to educate about the preventable and treatable ways that you can protect yourself and your animals. An interesting look into alternative veterinary careers, Jennifer is fervent about what she does and stopping diseases in their tracks. If you are looking into a career at the state health department, want to understand the stress behind making life or death decisions when it comes to public health or are interested in learning more about how diseases can impact humans, animals, and the environment, Jennifer is the expert you need to listen too.  Do you have an infectious disease story? Share your experience with us in the comments on the episode page!    In This Episode Understanding the value of having a dedicated human and animal health specialist A peek into the stress behind physician recommendations when diagnosing disease Learn how infectious diseases can impact humans, animals, and the environment Discover the measures taken to protect humans and animals from infectious disease Why you should get rabies vaccines for you and your beloved animals    Quotes “I was called to go down this path. Oddly enough the Hantavirus was the trigger, and so I intentionally went to college and veterinary school with the intent of doing public health, and this career certainly lead me further than I ever anticipated going.” (11:33) “I think it is very valuable to have one person that is looking at that bigger picture of looking at human and animal health concurrently.” (17:55) “It can sound very exciting on the service, but a lot of it is actually spreadsheets and phone calls and reading articles. And all of that really excites me, I find it interesting.” (21:03) “Ultimately the physician makes the decision of what to do, and I have to give them the available science, the protocols and the recommendations so that they can make the best decision for their patients.” (24:27) “I always want to make everybody happy, but sometimes I make nobody happy. But at the end of the day, I hope that what I have done has saved lives, both animals and peoples.” (32:10)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Ryane Englar is a DVM certified in canine and feline practice and an assistant professor and clinical education coordinator at Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine. Ryane works to help her students understand life, connections, and relationships to get to the other side of hardships.  Ryane believes that each person is truly enough, and it just takes a bit of sorting out to figure out what that means for each individual person. Through a mastery of work-life balance, finding a passion project such as ballroom dancing and realizing the life that you want as a veterinarian, Ryane is an inspirational teacher and motivator.  We all bring different angles and perspectives to academia and our profession, and Ryane loves to have real conversations with her students to embrace this messy thing that we call life and help the new generation pull together instead of being separated by our differences. Through the writing of many books and conversations with many students, Ryane has a handle on learning about yourself and the importance of reaching out to others. What was the last ‘real’ conversation you had with somebody about the successes and failures that you are currently experiencing? Share your story with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Life lessons from the ballroom dance floor and learning how to do things better The importance of reaching out to people and letting someone know you are there How to disagree on issues and still be colleagues that can work together Words to help you be better veterinarians while reminding us that we are all human Why you need a light at the end of the tunnel to funnel your stress into and find pleasure   Quotes “I thought all I could ever be was a veterinarian, that was how I defined my whole being, I lived to work and I worked to live. And then I met dance and I met Loel, and I realized a whole person inside of me that I didn’t know existed.” (7:16) “Maybe we all need to think ‘what is enough?’ and change that definition. So that to me is kind of how I am trying to live my life through teaching the students.” (11:25) “We both know that medicine is not easy, you are never going to wake up one day and it is going to be magic and perfect, but why don’t we start giving us tools that can help us succeed better?” (17:14) “That is part of my hope, that maybe someone out there, maybe not even reading the book for its purpose was written for, will say hey, maybe I need to pick up the phone and call somebody.” (26:36) “We don’t need to massive things to change the world or our profession, we just have to be kind to one another.” (31:23)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Laurel Krause is a 4th-year veterinary student from CSU who took the long road to veterinary school and has since embraced her path to veterinary medicine. The CVMA student representative for her year and lifelong ‘cat-whisperer’, Laurel is providing insight into the delicate balance between the art and science aspect of the brain as well as veterinary medicine and how she transitioned from a life in Hollywood to finding her new home at CSU. From playing the trumpet, piano and singing opera to leaving the comfort of Iowa and making life work in LA, Laurel has an amazing story full of perseverance and passion for veterinary medicine. Someone who doesn’t like to adhere to the status quo, Laurel is proof that in the end, we all come back to our true callings. How have the aspects of community, debt, and stability played a role in your path to veterinary medicine? Share your story with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode How to satisfy both the art and science side of the brain simultaneously A look into the backstage extra life on Bones, NCIS, Glee and Modern Family The importance of having the courage to try something different Why a leadership role in school can help you connect with your community Exploring what can be done to address the financial impact of veterinary school   Quotes  “At first I wanted to be a cat, but someone told me that wasn’t possible so I was like oaky, how about a cat doctor?” (3:21) “Now I’m looking back at that and I’m like, man the hours were awful and you never knew what was coming next, but that was a hell of an adventure and I am so glad that I did it.” (23:00) “I wasn’t confident whatsoever that they were going to take the whole non-traditional student approach in a good light. However, from comparing websites of different programs, on the CSU website I saw that their median student age was much higher than others, and that kind of gave me a little bit of hope that maybe CSU was in the business of taking non-traditional students.” (30:25) “I visited CSU after I had been accepted and I just knew that this is where I wanted to be. The atmosphere, the culture, it felt like home.” (38:11) “I honestly don’t know what else I would do. I know I can do other things, but I don’t want to.” (41:43)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

This week is National Veterinary Tech Week, a time where we can give thanks, respect, and love to the heartbeats of our hospital. Without nurses, veterinary technicians, RVT’s, LVT’s, CVT’s and all of the heroes in our hospitals who don't get enough credit, we simply would not be able to function.  I am so grateful for everything that you do which is why we want to highlight some of the past conversations we have had with these wonderful heroes. Join us for a walk down memory lane as we look back at some of the most inspiring and hard-working people in our industry. Some wise words from our nurses and veterinary technicians are our way of saying thank you and showing our appreciation to those who deserve it the most. What is your favorite episode featuring a veterinary technician? Share with us in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode Look back into some of the conversations we have had with veterinary technicians Exploring the specialties and wide potential of veterinary technicians  Understanding the essential tools needed to take a hospital to the next level Addressing anxiety in the field and how to find excitement every day   Quotes “This week is National Veterinary Technician Week, where we give thanks to the heartbeats of the hospital. As I’ve said many times, none of this veterinary thing works without the nurses, the veterinary technicians, the RVT’s, the LVT’s, the CVT’s, all of you heroes out there who don't get nearly enough credit that you deserve.” (1:37) “You don't have to do it all. You have qualified technicians and assistants who are there to help and to bounce ideas off of you.” (3:40) “Some wise words from our veterinary technicians, nurses, our heartbeats of the hospital… Go give a vet tech a high five today!” (9:21)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wanted to bond with lions and tigers and bears? Becca Miceli is the Chief Officer of Science and Welfare, otherwise known as the veterinary technician, at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. From an early age she has had a fascination towards ‘animals that can eat her’, and now works in the sanctuaries 720 acres, with 532 animals ranging from tigers to grizzly bears and lynx. Taking care of carnivorous animals and giving them the freedom to choose how they want to live the rest of their lives after coming from suboptimal and even unthinkable captivity is Becca’s passion. By treating each animal as an individual, respecting their story and learning the unique needs of each animal she treats, Becca helps these mistreated animals find a new home and a new way of living. Join us as we have a look into the stories of some of the animals that Becca takes care of on a daily basis and gain a glimpse of what life is like working with some of the world’s most majestic and frightening creatures. By educating the public on an animals empathy, seeing things from a different point of view and making the world a better place on behalf of the animals who do not have a voice, Becca and the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary are giving animals the best life possible while changing the way we think about the world. Have you ever visited a carnivorous animal sanctuary? Share your experience or desires related to these powerful animals in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode The importance of treating animals as individuals from medicine to psychology Factors that play a role in people wanting carnivorous animals as pets How to adopt an animals attitude of forgiveness into your human relationships A look into what it takes to develop a strong bond with carnivorous animals Understanding the role companionship and grief plays in an animals life   Quotes “I ended up here, a lot of it I say by circumstance and by chance, but I feel very fortunate that I made it here and have been here for as long as I have been.” (7:55) “People forget that they still have a life to live out, they shouldn’t have to end up euthanized because we decided to take them in, out of their environment, out of what and who they are, and disrespecting that and trying to make them a house cat.” (14:37) “To see that freedom and that choice click in their brain, I can’t imagine another job where I can have that same fulfillment. I get to impact their lives daily.” (23:43) “These animals forgive on a daily basis things that they shouldn’t, how can I not look at the world the same way?” (25:19) “I grow every day, I learn something new, I learn a new way to approach something, I get to see them flourish and that all makes it worth it, even on the bad days.” (35:08) “We all have that animal I think where you look in their eyes and you say ‘I will make it through another day because I need to help you’.” (35:28)   Links Wildlife Animal Sanctuary   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

In a lot of ways, the way we practice veterinary medicine today is not setting ourselves up for success. Many of us are burnt out, tired, and considering leaving the profession far earlier than our counterparts in generations past. Lisa Mausbach knows this feeling first hand, and after her feelings toward veterinary medicine shifted from excitement to dread, Lisa knew she needed to make a change. After going to business school and studying the organizational development of the business side of veterinary medicine, Lisa has been rejuvenated and rediscovered her passion for helping other veterinary professionals fill up their own bucket and make more money. By addressing the systemic organizational issues that are keeping us in the dark, Lisa hopes to help entire systems work smarter, not harder. If you are starting to retreat from what you used to love about veterinary medicine, burnout and stress could be playing a major role. Instead of just dealing with it, you can use your voice to create an environment that works for you and your needs. Are you ready to reinterpret what you place value on as a veterinary professional? Share your thoughts on Lisa’s unique approach to increase your worth in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode Out of the box ideas that you can help you and your team make more money Why you should stop giving away your advice for free to increase your value Specific things that you can do at your clinic to help with your overall wellness Learn which organizational factors are contributing to your burnout and how to fix them Why you need to make time to collaborate, work on your passion project and actually think   Quotes “What I’m happy about in our industry, is we are finally talking about it, it is not as taboo, and the focus on personal wellness and taking care of yourself.” (7:05)  “We manage so much of medicine like trying to run a pet assembly line of trying to fix things, and there is no time to collaborate or think or work up a case or all the stuff that comes after that that is part of what is seen as being a good doctor on the human side.” (12:56)  “The important part is our knowledge and what we are telling people, it’s not the heartworm test. Sure the rabies vaccine is great but as an industry and as veterinarians I feel as though we always want to give away our brain. We want to give away our advice, and that I think is that is going to be some of the keys of how we reintroduce value to what we bring to clients.” (22:16) “You just want to be valued for your time, and when you are only valued on these average client transaction numbers and revenue… doctors aren't milking cows.” (29:55) “I think there is a lot of out of the box ideas that doctors can look into to not feel stuck.” (34:19)   Links Mausbach Mobile Veterinary Care   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Wendy Hauser has had a chance to wear many hats in her career, being involved in everything from pharmaceuticals, to practice ownership, consulting and pet insurance. Since deciding she was destined for veterinary medicine at age nine, Wendy has worked to develop her skills and resume to reflect her dedication, determination, and resilience.  Wendy wants to make sure that you realize all of the different gifts you can find in different jobs, never feel stuck, and find a culture that makes you feel necessary and happy. Providing advice on everything from early-career practice ownership to finding a mentor and dismissing the negative connotations around pet insurance, Wendy is proof of the power of diversity in medicine. When you are part of a culture that creates a sustainable and inviting workplace you are able to problem solve as a team, develop your own personal skills and motivate yourself to keep taking brave leaps. If you want to learn why pet insurance is a valuable way to proactively care for an animal, understand the importance of talking to your clients about money or gain tools to create a great company culture, this is the episode for you.  How do company culture, client relationships and proactive strategies fit into your day to day routine? Share the similarities and differences you find in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Exploring the responsibilities and lessons of practice ownership Ways to be a more effective and impactful leader, employee and contributor How to make pet insurance normal in hospitals and part of your team's culture Which things that you can do to let your team know that you've got their back  Three tools to help you adopt a proactive approach to caring for your pet or patient   Quotes “Everything that I did from age 9 was focused towards developing skills that I would need to be the best veterinarian, and best human, that I can be.” (4:03) “I get out of bed every morning to help people. That's why I am a veterinarian. I help people by keeping their beloved pets healthy.” (16:58) “I have a marketable skill, it will be okay. But I need to feed my soul in different ways.” (35:13) “Regardless of whatever role you have, if you are a practice manager, if you are a technician, if you are a doctor, you are building great marketable skills and those will always translate into new opportunities for you. Please never stay in a position where you feel you're stuck, you’re only limited by your own self-beliefs, not by reality.” (36:09) “Why aren't we being leaders in the lives of pet owners? Because once we start educating them then when they come in with their second or third or fourth pet, they know what to expect, and they’re on board with providing the best care.” (50:52)   Links Peak Veterinary Consulting The Veterinarian’s Guide to Healthy Pet Plans by Wendy Hauser and Debbie Boone   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Alan Stockdale, Tatiana Rogers, Taylor O’Malley, and Rikki Vellman have decided to take on the world of veterinary school while simultaneously tackling an MBA. This combination of veterinary medicine and business know-how is giving these students a serious edge when it comes to practice ownership, and they are here today to shed light on what sets them apart in the big picture.  If you have any desire to learn about business, an MBA may be the push you need to set yourself apart from the crowd and get serious about business ownership. Learn what inspired these four students to do a dual degree and the benefits, hardships, and lessons learned from both the business classroom as well as the veterinary clinic.  These students believe in working on yourself rather than on paper, not conforming to any cookie-cutter molds, and ensuring that your veterinary business makes money at the end of the day. A look inside the mind of four bright, inspired and slightly tired DVM/MBA students, the class of 2023 is here to shed some light on the next generation of veterinary students, veterinarians, and practice owners.  Have you ever considered a dual degree to help increase your effectiveness in a practice environment? Share your education journey with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode How owning a business can help you relinquish your debt faster  Understanding the role ownership can play in being a good clinician The biggest takeaways from business school to apply to your practice today Discover the financial perks of doing an MBA at the same time as the DVM The similarities and differences between students in vet school versus business school    Quotes “My ideas for my MBA is to be an innovator and an entrepreneur and I think I really want to try to redefine how veterinary medicine is practiced.” (22:10) - Rikki “What we see differently is the big picture, when we get out we want to be a part of the business administration side and not just the medical side.” (23:27) - Rikki “When you look at it from a business standpoint I think it really helps you provide better care, just as a doctor or a clinician, it really helps you bridge that connection between the medical side of things and the client service. And it helps change the perspective of the client.” (27:50) - Rikki “I wholeheartedly believe that at the heart of every veterinary practice, it is a business.” (37:14) - Rikki “It's kind of nice that we can have other perspectives from other areas of business. With our MBA’s we can kind of see what has been working in other fields of business and kind of use that for ourselves, that adds a little more value as well.” (45:07) - Alan “Keep an open mind and explore those different degrees, there are Ph.D. and all sorts of different dual degrees that you can get, I think they will help you in the future because there are so many things you can do with veterinary medicine.” (51:24) - Rikki “We need innovative minds, we need different perspectives, those are all very important. So don't be discouraged if you feel like maybe you don't fit what a traditional veterinarian might be, because there is no cookie-cutter, be you!” (54:23) - Tatiana    Links Follow Dr. Fit Vet (Tatiana) on Instagram   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Cancer sucks, but learning about cancer should not suck. That’s the motto of Sue Ettinger, aka the Cancer Vet. Sue is a badass oncologist, veterinary cancer specialist and mom who believes in providing reliable and accessible content to both pet owners and veterinarians.  An author, speaker and the 2019 Western Vet Conference Small Animal Continuing Educator, Sue does what it takes to inspire others to bounce back from our shortfalls. Join in today as we talk about everything from tips to building a thriving social media presence, to role storytelling plays in finding joy and how to create more balanced work-life boundaries.  With an old fashioned hard working attitude, Sue is passionate about educating others on finding a career you love, embracing the missteps that got you to where you are and sharing cancer awareness.  How have your past hopes, dreams, and mistakes led you to the place you are in now? Share your failures and successes with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Appreciating the science and the relationships behind oncology How cutting back can increase your sustainable happiness The secret to building a social media or podcasting platform Exposing the need for reliable internet content on cancer The importance of finding out what is going on underneath the surface   Quotes “We don't talk about our failures out loud, but I think it is really important in veterinary medicine, especially when you are talking to students… our failures shape us and allow us to figure out who we are and what we want to do. I think our failures are as important than our successes.” (8:36) “I am always trying to balance family with work, and my personal life with work, self-care and things like that.” (21:24) “You will be lucky if you find a job that brings you such joy. There are so many people that don't love their jobs, and they don't love going to work, they just go to work.” (26:13) “I always say its not about me, it is about the people I am trying to serve. And that to me is the secret to success, consistency and trying to solve the problem of the people I am trying to help.” (32:00) “I just want to create information for veterinarians to share with pet owners and for pet owners to find that is reliable, good information. Because you and I can complain that there is no good information, or we can do something about it.” (36:40)   Links Dr. Sue Cancer Vet Website Follow Dr. Sue on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter Join Dr. Sue’s Oncology Community  The Dog Cancer Survival Guide   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Today we’re joined by Kim Schmidt, a career CVT and veterinary technician specialist in surgery and anesthesia. She is also the program director for veterinary technology at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins where she trains some incredible CVTs.  Kim takes us on her journey from a child with a fascination in reptiles to an internship at a zoo to a certified veterinary technician and instructor. Working in surgery means a lot to Kim as she gets to be part of the team that fixes what’s broken in an animal and send them home with a new lease on life. Furthermore, as a teacher, she feels honored to help prepare the next generation of CVTs. There are so many crucial and rewarding parts of a career as a veterinary technician. From being an integral part of the veterinarian's team to helping to maintain relationships with clients, a vet tech makes the whole process possible. Kim also breaks down her training program for CVTs and explains just what is needed to make this a fulfilling and long-lasting career. How do recognize the value of veterinary technicians in your work? Share with us in the comments on the episode page!   In this episode Following your interests and passions from childhood to career The appeal of specializing in anesthesia as well as its challenges The key elements behind maintaining a cohesive doctor-nurse relationship The process behind obtaining a particular specialty Communicating the value of CVTs for all to recognize What the ideal training for a CVT student should look like    Quotes “I had the reptile passion and getting into the zoo setting and exploring what I wanted to do with life. I always knew it was going to be with animals but I wasn't sure what path I wanted to take.” (8:40) “I really do enjoy the challenge of the anesthesia piece and absorbing just as much information as you can.” (10:15) “I think it’s really important for the veterinary community to understand what is expected of a new graduate and have proper mentorship and watch them grow.”  (30:45) “Pick your passion, don’t just do it because you didn’t get into vet school. CVT really is a career. That’s the piece that people really need to understand.” (37:25)   Links Front Range Community College Veterinary Technician Program Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians Vet Treks Foundation   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Colorado State University believes in the importance of bonding with your fellow veterinary students and professors which is why they have created a Mountain Campus to help celebrate those in their first year of veterinary school. Situated up in the mountains, this two-day retreat features no phones, team bonding, and the ability to get back to nature. Unique to CSU, the Mountain Campus is a great way to embrace orientation for first-year vet students and help you get to know the people you will be working with on a personal level. Everything from ropes courses to sharing circles happens at the Mountain Campus in order to get you the best orientation experience possible. Join Dr. Arnold, Christina Geldert and Chloe Muir as they dive into the highs and lows of the first year of veterinary school. How does your university embrace orientation for first-year vet students? Share your traditions with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode Highlighting the orientation program for vet school at Colorado State University  Common questions from first-year students and advice to your younger self Examining burnout and what that looks like for each person individually How to take mental health more seriously throughout the profession Be inspired by a new generation of veterinary school attendees and professors   Quotes “It was probably the best way to get close to my classmates, and get to know our energy and trust each other and get to know each other as people not just as vet students.” (11:40) “I don't feel like I am a serious person, but I really wanted to set that tone and kind of challenge them to be open with one another and feel okay with it.” (14:46) “A ton of people are also asking, ‘how do I have a balance? How do I stay healthy? How do I maintain a good mental state while I am doing this?’ And I think the fact that they are asking that is super important.” (19:47)   Links PAV 037: Christina Geldert PAV 085: Chloe Muir   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Chloe Muir is about to enter her third year of veterinary school and has a wide range of experience under her belt already. Having just returned from working at a clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, as well as a stint at a pop-up clinic in Guatemala, Chloe is an expert in the challenges of doing veterinary work abroad and the importance of being resourceful.  On this special ‘back to school’ episode, Chloe shares stories of her adventures, inspirational tips for fellow veterinary students, and reflects on the journey that brought her here. Learn why she equates veterinary medicine to summiting a mountain, why she thinks we need to talk more about student debt and get into the mind of a modern veterinary student.  If you are looking to get into the mind of an almost graduated veterinary student, or are hoping to open up the conversation to become more resourceful, this is the episode for you. How did your experience in veterinary school shape your career? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Explore the connection between hiking and veterinary medicine  Takeaways from practicing veterinary medicine abroad with limited resources Reflecting on the highs and lows of veterinary school Why studying does not always equal more success of happiness  Advice to vet students who are struggling and ways to look ahead   Quotes “I think a lot of it is just realizing the world is so big, and I think I have moved a little bit, but I haven't really seen very much. And so I think there is just this curiosity of seeing what it is like everywhere else, especially with veterinary medicine.” (22:25) “When you summit a mountain you are very focused on a goal, but you don't realize all the great things you pass on the way up, and I think vet school is like that too.” (26:24) “I know that there is a ton of knowledge in my brain right now, even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes. So I think getting to actually apply it is going to be such a cool feeling.” (32:49) “I really honestly performed the same, or better probably, by taking a step back.” (36:52)   Links Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Today we are switching things up as I, Dr. John Arnold, invite you to join me during my drive through Colorado as I reflect on the path that brought me to the Leadville Colorado 100 Mile Mountain Bike Race. A look inside my mind and what would be my journal, this episode is all about the culmination of hard work, dedication and a tinge of mid-life crisis.  Join me on my road trip as we take a break from routine and get to know each other better. Learn all about the role Tom Petty has played in my relationship, what I am drinking to stay hydrated, how I prepared myself to train for this race, and much more.  How do you like to reflect on your path? Share how you document your perspective in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Learn the reason why behind the 100 Mile Mountain Bike Race Exploring your inner dog and which dog represents Dr. Arnold Why the bike is a symbol of feeling better physically and emotionally How being more present in the trenches can lead to greater job happiness Discover the difference between doing something as a team versus solo   Quotes “I say race but its more of just something to see if I could do it, and finish and have a blast. And have an adventure, so ya I'm going with adventure. A midlife crisis can be an adventure right?” (4:43) “The bike has kind of been a symbol for me feeling better both physically and emotionally.” (21:48) “I'm so into memories these days and making memories, that's part of what this trip is about too.” (40:31) “Being more present in the trenches has really found me a happy place with practice right now.” (46:29)   Links   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

In this episode, we jump back into the large animal world with DVM, large animal surgeon and lab research developer, Jeremiah Easley. After trying to rebel against his father's career of equine medicine, Jeremiah found his way back to his passion and has since found a thriving home in surgery and the development of medical devices.  Today Jeremiah is here to relive the knowledge and wisdom he has gained over his career and dive into the exciting world of research and development on the medical side of things. We take a look into the highs and lows of equine surgery, how to find a job that you are excited about, the importance of finding growth in the passion to learn, and much more.  Join us as we reflect back on the crucial moments of life where things worked out just right, and the importance of making a difference in both human and animal lives through continuous growth and the pursuit of knowledge. How did your upbringing impact your decision to become a veterinary professional? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Explore cutting edge research developments and how they came to be The importance of keeping your options open and going against the grain Discover the many facets and positions available in veterinary medicine Examining the things that happen at a young age that affect how you grow up Putting a face to the world of surgery, medical research, and development    Quotes “I kinda tried everything under the sun to find out what else I wanted to do and it eventually came back to veterinary medicine.” (19:11) “Always my focus was surgery, and just kind of how I ended up there, I don't know if I cared what path I took, as long as I was going to be doing that I think I was going to be happy.” (27:50) “I kind of went into that job, ‘I want to run this lab’. It may not have worked out that way, or it may have been something where I didn't like it or whatever, but I certainly wanted to go into it saying ‘I think this will be something I can make a go at and love’, and I think its worked out really well.” (37:19) “It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it, and certainly I love it now just by the fact that I run the day today, it's really what I’m passionate about.” (45:32) “You can do anything as a veterinarian, there are so many things that are possible out there.” (46:38)   Links PAV 040: Jennifer Hatzel   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

A prominent figure in the vet world and advocate for veterinary people, Dr. Kimberly Pope-Robinson is a voice for wellness and sustainable happiness in the veterinary world. With a career spanning over 20 years, Kim has dabbled in both large and small animal practice before finding a home in the pharmaceutical industry.  Today Kim is getting real about anxiety, depression, and the importance of cultivating the ability to deal with all of the emotions that come with a full life. Despite her predisposition to look on the negative side, Kim makes an effort every day to retrain her brain and focus on the positive. If you take away one thing from this episode, it should be that you are normal, you are not broken and you are not alone.  By working to walk away from the ‘name, blame and judge’ and towards the ‘recognize, embrace and connect’, Kim can help you recognize your sinkers and ballons and stay connected to everything around you. The information you learn on this episode will provide strategies to help you learn from the burns of life instead of letting them overwhelm you.  Are you ready to burn through instead of burn out? Share what you related to the most in Kim’s story in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode The importance of dwelling on happy memories instead of the loss  Finding what you need internally instead of relying on others to give it to you How to follow your unique path by recognizing your triggers and staying connected Ways to leverage self-forgiveness as the foundation for career longevity  Recognizing your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual balloons and sinkers   Quotes “I learned to recognize that I have anxiety, recognize that I have fear, recognize that I am scared because I don't have control over something. And then I embrace it instead of fighting it.” (7:55) “I think I’ve learned a lot about life as a veterinarian, I’ve learned a lot about death from being a veterinarian, and it's not that I’m okay with it and I just want it to come, but I’ve accepted it because I see it and I have to support it.” (15:28) “You are normal and you are not broken and you are not alone and I see you.” (22:20) “I can't expect someone to give me what I need to hear, I need to give it to myself.” (33:01) “I was getting so many requests to be out there helping that I couldn't do my job and those requests together. So I had to make a decision. And the decision was to walk away from financial security and dive in and start this movement.” (36:08)   Links The Unspoken Life by Kimberly Pope-Robinson The Unspoken Life Coloring Book 1 Life Connected Movement 1 Life Connected Blog The 1 Life Connected Commitment   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Dr. Erik Hofmeister, DVM, DACVVA, DECVAA, MA, MS, has more letters behind his name than in it, but remains humble and focused on how hard someone works over their grades. Currently a Professor of Veterinary Anesthesia at Auburn University, Erik knows a lot about the powers of determination and perseverance. A ‘highschool dropout’ turned academic, Erik has helped many people get into internships, residencies, and faculty positions, and chooses to look at the way someone recovers over how they fail. A believer in finding many different paths to happiness, Erik is here today to dive in-depth into the world of anesthesia, academics, and more to help you optimize your life. If you are able to dedicate yourself to a skill, you can learn how to thrive in veterinary medicine. Erik finds beauty in going unnoticed, loves to encourage people to follow multiple paths, and ultimately works to find happiness and fulfillment for all those he works with.  Are you ready to work hard, enjoy the process and be a reasonable freaking human being? Share what you found the most interesting about Erik’s take on academia in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Exploring the demand for anesthesiologists in private practice and academia Why the anesthesiologist should be the calmest person in the room  Finding freedom in autonomy and a results-oriented work environment The importance of being just a reasonable freaking human being How to deal with your income in the right way to reach financial independence   Quotes “My wife says its somewhat disingenuous for me to say I am a high school dropout because I left to go to college early.” (24:30) “Its really looking at what is your output rather than your butt in a chair for a certain number of hours a day. Because of the studies on American productivity and how much time we waste during the day.” (33:34) “I enjoy not having the responsibilities of department share… it's really nice just to have my time when I am off clinics. Like I said earlier, to have the autonomy to just be doing what I am doing. I get to read more, and I get to work on my research projects and all those other things I couldn't do as easily as an administrator.” (43:58) “Just be a reasonable freaking human being, doesn't seem like hard criteria, doesn't seem like a high level, but just be a reasonable freaking human being and so many things are better.” (55:20)   Links The Vetducator Blog PAV 032: Jon Congdon Mr. Money Mustache Blog Mint.com   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Our community recently lost a great friend and a true veterinary icon, Kim Ellis. Kim impacted so many in such a positive way, from her 32 year-long career as a CVT and equine nurse, to her passion for teaching students, her previous episode on PAV, and the words and actions of compassion she extended on a daily basis.  Please join us as we revisit Kim’s previous episode and find new inspiration in her message and strength. Learn about Kim’s fixation for draft horses and promoting the term ‘equine nurse’, the importance of never being satisfied, and why you need to stop and smell the roses before life forces you too.  Kim was an open book who was dedicated to spreading the message of being kind to yourself, persevering through the bad times, and making as many memories as possible. Kim held the true secrets to longevity and connectivity and embraced the lessons cancer taught her. Someone who touched the lives of everyone she met, Kim will be greatly missed and her words of wisdom will continue to live on through this podcast and all of our listeners.  Are you ready to lean into the collar and join the fight to stop breast cancer? Donate to the link below and share how Kim or her message impacted your life in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Lessons after diagnosis and words of advice to others struggling with cancer The importance of advocating for yourself in the veterinary tech field Why you should be embracing meditation throughout your career How to find a better balance in life and take time for yourself and the people you love Discover the secret to marriage longevity and finding the right person   Quotes “You just lean into the collar and go. And that is the way I have been through anything I do in this life, is just lean into that collar and go.” (14:33) “It has never crossed my mind, since the day I was diagnosed, of ‘why? Why me?’ Never. I’ve always said ‘why not me?’. If this cancer will allow me to take 10 children’s cancer away; if you lined up 10 kids in front of me and said ‘she’s gonna take your cancer for you?’. Let me have it.” (18:13) “Don't be satisfied, keep branching out and become specialized, that is the only way you are going to get out of that $15-$16 an hour.” (40:00) “I just everyday found excitement in learning something and knew that I was in the right place because I wanted to teach. And I kept myself learning something or developing something or creating something, just go, just kept myself going. I never settled, I just wanted to keep expanding.” (46:14) “I’m still learning, every day I'm learning, but I'm learning to take care of me.” (53:27) “Make memories and be kind to yourself, that's my tag line. You have to be kind to yourself first before you can be kind to other people. And that is where I have learned to take anything negative and to find the positive.” (55:01) “It took cancer for me to get like this, unfortunately. So that's why my message is out there, to start now before something like this makes you start thinking that way.” (55:46)   Links PAV 045: Kim Ellis Donate to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation  AAEVT Calm App   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work on the national level, providing insight into animal disease emergencies and potential outbreaks? Alex Turner, DVM, went from skiing on an Olympic course, to equine ambulatory practice, to the USDA, and has loads of stories to go with his experiences.  Having just returned home from a 23-day 'deployment’ with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Alex is part of an emergency response team that helps keep all of us safe. Today he shares his stories from the equine world and emergency scene, why he stands by his controversial Harry Potter opinions, and much more. Being open to new opportunities has been the key to Alex’s success and he is here to shed some light on the importance of mentorship, following your dreams, and asking for help when you feel trapped. Have you ever dreamed of protecting plants and animals from potential disease outbreaks? Share what you found the most interesting about Alex’s field in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Learn what is involved during an organized group response to a disease outbreak  Repetitive ‘gold stars’ to look out for on your final exam and in real-life practice  Understanding how diseases impact multiple aspects of the agriculture industry Dive into the realities of animal disease emergency response and equine medicine Organizational tips to help manage your stresses and be okay with the unexpected   Quotes “There are diseases like this that affect both small and large animals, but the first line is the veterinarian. So its that red light goes off, and the great next call is to your local state veterinarians office.” (15:20) “In hindsight looking at it, my parents said ‘we're gonna put him in this so he can get this horseback riding thing out of his system and move on’. And that was in 1985 so, not quite out of my system yet!” (21:14) “It is amazing to see something you have worked on, and helped an athlete to do their job at the highest level it is done.” (39:15) “When opportunity knocks, don't just ignore it and send it to voicemail. Sometimes listen, that really helped me out.” (52:03)   Links PAV 045: Kim Ellis   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Lauren Smith, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian from New York who has taken her passion for vet med to the depths of the internet writing various blogs for sites such as Dr. Andy Roark, and her own site, The Vetitude. Now in the process of transitioning from clinic work to her own relief business, Lauren is here to talk about everything from entrepreneurship to empathy and how to deal with haters in your comments section.  A self-described ambivert who found a safe haven in academics, Lauren has a wide range of stories and life experience to share with you today. Learn how ROSS University of Vet School helped equip her to deal with what life and the Universe throw at you, ways to work through the anxiety that may be stopping you from achieving your dream, and how to have more empathy and less compassion fatigue with your peers and clients. If you struggle to understand things from a clients perspective, want to increase your charisma in the exam room, or are having a hard time narrowing in on the core values you need in a workplace, Lauren is here to help guide you in the right direction.  Are you ready to build up your empathy muscle and come to terms with the reality that nobody is perfect? Share what you learned most from Lauren’s perspective in the comments on the episode page.    In This Episode Tools to understand a clients perspective in a non-judgemental and empathetic way How to have more empathy for yourself, your teammates and your clients  What to do when a client asks you what you would do in their position Understanding how the way you dress can convey power and charisma  Fostering open communication through self-care and identifying your core values   Quotes “I definitely like the puzzle of putting together the diagnostics and figuring out what is going on with animals. Dealing with a complex DKA or an IMHA, I'm really in my element with those.” (19:33) “More than anything, those core values, finding a place that matches your core values is going to be the most important thing in finding a job where you are happy. Because if you are surrounded by people who are doing things that don't fit your value set, you are never going to be happy.” (27:03) “We need to have more empathy for ourselves, for our teammates and for our clients. And I think those are the three things I really try to emphasize in what I try to tackle with the vetitude.” (33:58) “Empathy is a self-renewing resource, the more we practice it the more we have. And actually the less compassion fatigue we get because we are building up that empathy muscle.” (37:43)   Links The Vetitude Website The Vetitude Instagram The Vetitude Facebook Lauren Smith DVM Website Dr. Andy Roark Website The Real Reason Your Wait At The Vet's Office Is So Long by Lauren Smith These Are My Thoughts When I Lose A Patient by Lauren Smith Thank You for Not Judging Me by Lauren Smith   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

On our first international podcast, Natalia Strokowska joins us from Poland to shed some light on the similarities and differences between the veterinary profession in America and Poland. DVM, MRCVS, entrepreneur, medical English teacher, and avid traveler, Natalia discusses everything from the clubbing culture, travel to five different continents helping animals, the importance of mental health, and much more. Join us for a look into the stereotypes, limitations, and advantages of becoming a vet in Poland and England, why Natalia uses her modeling career as a platform on Instagram to discuss larger issues such as depression, and how she balances running a business, being a local vet and being an entrepreneur teaching others. Natalia believes that you can find your motivation from your inner child and use that to get closer to your passion, whatever that may be. Learn what motivates the millennial generation, how to survive burnout, the challenges of surviving a winter in Poland and why everyone should dance a little bit more. Do you resonate with Natalia’s strong desire to succeed? Share what resonated with you most about her veterinary school experience and beyond in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode Understanding the impact of the Berlin wall and clubbing culture in Poland Analyzing the urgent need for psychological health help in veterinary school Exposing the global problems with the gender gap in veterinary medicine How to use social media platforms to engage your audience and share your insight Addressing the double standard of online sexuality in a public service position   Quotes “With my strong will to help the world to be a better place, and the helper that is deep inside of me that would like to just help the animals in need. Within the 2 or 3 days, I was [at veterinary school] the whole vision of how my life would look like was starting to be formed.” (16:24) “If someone was to ask me if I would like to work as a vet in America, of course, I would love to. But this complete lack of work-life balance scares me.” (30:45) “I told myself that one day I was going to research students and vets and show the world what really happens, and I am really proud that we did it.” (48:28) “We need to fail for a moment just to be stronger.” (1:16:57)   Links Follow Natalia on Instagram Furry Vets Website Veterinary English Website Vet No Limits Website Natalia Strokowska TEDxWarsaw Miss Honey Dijon on YouTube   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Today we are flipping the script on your host, Dr. John Arnold, and giving him his chance in the hot seat. Want to know how Dr. John met his wife, where he wishes he was living, and why he chose to become a general practitioner? All this and more is answered today as we dive deep inside what makes Podcast A Vet tick. Going back to the beginning of Dr. John’s veterinary career we are discussing everything from the importance of mentorship to learning who you should be giving your attention too, and ways to become a master in the art of recovery. And as a bonus, hear John’s rendition of The Safety Dance in our question lightning round! If you want to get to know your host better, or are looking for advice when it comes to any part of the veterinary field and life, this episode is for you. Get ready to be inspired by Dr. John and prior guests, as we review the struggles of achieving your dreams and the reasons why it is all worth it. Do you have a question that you want to ask Dr. John? Share it with us in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode Understanding the intimidations and decisions of practice ownership How to deal with the pressure between balancing career and home life Common threads found among the superheroes in the veterinary world Playing an active role in someone else's passion to provide mentorship Steps to harness family and community as the driving forces in your life   Quotes “As far as mentorship, I think it boils down to playing an active role and just stoking someone's passion a little bit.” (6:43) “Looking back, she was more important than the ‘where’. And that's really cheesy but it's true.” (19:10) “If you can picture a bagel or a donut, that inner circle is kind of the people you should be spending the most time with and sacrificing the least for, and I had it backward for a long time because I didn't want to let anybody down.” (29:05) “Wherever your tribe is, hold onto them. They not only bring you a lot of joy but they bail you out when things get bad.” (36:08) “I need to thank you guys, listeners, because you have impacted me in so many ways. And made me a better doctor, a better father, and a better human in general.” (38:24)   Links PAV 052: Kelsey Cates PAV 051: Kelsey Cates PAV 016: Zach Lake   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Continuing on with Brownen Foster on this Part 2 episode, we are getting to some audience questions and learning what exactly goes on in the background that fosters Bronwen’s compassionate and calming presence. Catch up on Part 1 of our conversation. A relief vet and acupuncturist, Bronwen has started living life by her own rules and has found peace by focusing on the positives. Today Bronwen encourages us to reach out, find a team and gain some perspective on your options. Learn how to become okay with not being perfect, ways to set boundaries and expectations within the clinic, and discover when you need to swallow your pride and ask for help. A guiding light on this confusing path, Bronwen knows what it's like to hate your job and provides great tools to help you gain the experiences you desire and create the habits you deserve. What do you admire most about Bronwen's attitude and passion for true happiness? Share with us in the comments section.   In This Episode What to do when you are feeling insecure in your job Cues to help set specific boundaries without being rude The importance of getting out of your comfort zone during vet school How to gain self-awareness and tap into your inner balance Steps to foster your ability to deal with life's difficulties   Quotes “Reach out and ask another opinion, shutting down the ego a little bit and putting on your ‘I’m open to learning’ face, and just being open to getting others opinions and being okay that that person figured it out. And being gracious for that, because you know it's going to come back.” (4:51) “Take control of your rooms for sure and what people are telling you.” (14:07) “It's quality, right? It's about connecting quickly with that person so that they trust you, and then getting your stuff done. Whenever you do that it always ends up positive.” (17:37) “It's not about the grades, try and learn what you can and experience what you can. It really gets hard in vet school because it's so competitive, and that kind of breeds perfectionism, so be the one person that doesn’t want to be a perfectionist.” (22:16) “If I want to do something and maybe I don't have all the money, I still do it and it works out. You know the law of attraction, and doing enough of that to where it just starts flowing, you just allow it to flow.” (35:43)   Links PAV 073: Bronwen Foster Part 1 PAV 001: Bronwen Foster   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Brennan Pitard is back for round two of this Financial Wellness Series to share more from his unique perspective as both a veterinarian and banker. Brennan is passionate about helping people buy into or take over a veterinary practice to live their dream as an owner and is sharing tips and strategies to help you realize that dream as well if you so choose. Whether you want to know what you should be doing to own a practice in five years, think that your student debt will hold you back from your dream of practice ownership, or are ready to take steps starting today to achieve your dream, Brennan is here to answer your questions and set your mind at ease. Learn why Brennan doesn't even blink at $200,000 in debt, how to stop your debt from holding you back from pursuing your goals, and why he believes in getting the whole story behind the person to help them establish confidence. If you are thinking about taking the leap and buying into a practice, Brennan wants to provide you the tools to make your mark on the veterinary ownership world, however that looks for you. With the right lender, the ownership process can be an exciting journey full of support. Do you dream of one day taking the leap and diving into the ownership pool? Share what excites you most about ownership in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode What you can be doing to avoid loan red flags and attract lending investors Ways to take on more responsibility as an associate hoping to become an owner How to make sense of the salary to debt ratio to lower your monthly debt burden Steps you should be taking every day to stop limiting your own potential Why you should stop letting the excuse of student debt hold you back from your goals   Quotes “Once they talk to somebody and establish some confidence that they can do it, it is like a lightbulb moment. And from that point, they move forward with unparalleled intensity to get to their dream.” (3:44) “Getting to know you on a personal level as a veterinarian, your management experience, is probably the most crucial thing.” (8:13) “I'm very involved, I'm sorry any clients out there if I annoy you, but I like to know what's going on!” (11:54) “Owning your own and running a business like you want to be run and putting your hard work and sweat equity into something, its a big deal to people.” (22:57) “Networking and surrounding yourself with a good group of likeminded people is crucial to success, you can't do it alone.” (26:11)   Links Contact Brennan at bpitard@ffb1.com FFB Veterinary Loans Homepage First Financial Bank Website Blue Heron Consulting Website PAV 056: Sam Romano   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perk Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

After dealing with compassion and burnout fatigue herself, Bronwen Foster decided to make a change and has since helped herself and others find joy in their jobs and have more fulfilling lives because of it. Our first sequel guest episode, we are reflecting on the past year and a half of Podcast A Vet, the changes Bronwen has been through both professionally and personally, and how to stop hating your job and remember your love for veterinary medicine again. On this episode, Bronwen is opening up the conversation towards what is possible in veterinary medicine and providing tools to help you figure out what sparks your passion and how to do more of that. By letting things fall into place, replacing your negative attitude with an open mindset, and doing the work to trust in your ability to be happy, you can train your brain to be quiet and start living life with no limitations. Someone who has been there and done that, Bronwen is bringing her self-awareness and vulnerability to you today to give you hope and encourage you to find relief in the right person or right space in order to find your joy again. If you are struggling to keep going in the field and are looking for a way to be reignited about veterinary medicine, you have come to the right place. How do you relate to Bronwen’s story, and what do you find the most difficult when changing your mindset? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode The importance of feeling valued and having a sense of humor in vet medicine Ways to recognize what sparks your inner joy and go after it Daily tools to help deal with burnout and compassion fatigue How to stop feeding into the negativity of your clinic or hospital Tips on how to reach out when you are struggling to find a safe space to talk   Quotes“I just kind of changed my mind into thinking, life is so abundant and we can have whatever we want, and as soon as you start thinking that things just start falling into place.” (6:20) “We're not trained in psychology, but people expect us to be, and that part is draining. And I think a lot of people in other professions don't realize that it is a big card to carry.” (25:28) “We have a lot to be grateful for, and even when we think about our job, we have a job! We live in a great place, we really do have a great profession, you just have to figure out why it is great for you and do that, don't do what's making you miserable.” (39:13) “This podcast alone, people reaching out, that makes me not feel alone. Thank you for allowing not only me to share my story and help but thank you for knowing there are more people going through it and asking for help.” (40:21)   Links PAV 001: Bronwen Foster   Enjoying these stories? Consider supporting Podcast A Vet on Patreon & check out our awesome patron-only perks! Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Trent Gall is a small animal veterinary surgeon, family man, and sole owner of his own mobile veterinary surgery clinic. On this episode, we dive into the importance of community, acceptance, and tolerance as we discuss everything from archery to down syndrome, mid-life crisis’s, and everything in between. One of the rare ‘go with the flow’ veterinary surgeons, Trent is sharing his zest for life, tips to run a successful mobile practice, and how to create a happy home life for yourself despite challenges as a parent and a veterinarian. Learn about his families struggle through residency and pregnancy, how to find a good fit in surgery for your specific talents and the fun perks of owning your own business. Trent believes in the importance of finding what works for you, being an advocate for the communities you care about and rolling with the punches to create the life that you dreamed of. How do you relate to Trent’s story of balance, compromise, and positivity? Share with us in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode A peek into the complex and varying world of competitive archery Debunking the stigma in the medical field around down syndrome How to get onto the path of owning your own mobile surgery clinic Comparing and contrasting private practice and owning your own practice The importance of being there for each other in the veterinary community   Quotes “There are is abilities and different challenges from so many different people, and it was just awesome being in the middle of that.” (42:40) “I realized I really like anatomy, I really like dissection, and I really like power tools. So… surgery?” (47:04) “It's a great lifestyle, you get to help a lot of patients, you just have to find what works for you.” (52:35) “I take my job seriously but not myself seriously. If things affect a patients outcome maybe that's when I get really type A about it. But if it is something that more is an inconvenience for me, I just go with that.” (59:19) “Don't be arrogant, just don't. That's my business model, don't be a jerk. That's it.” (1:01:03)   LinksFollow Gall Mobile Veterinary Surgery on Facebook Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association Website   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Do you sometimes feel like you are living your life on autopilot, never truly feeling content and struggling with burnout and compassion fatigue? Dr. Becky Krull was dealing with all of this until she made a change, sought some help, and found her happy again. These feelings are common in veterinary medicine and Dr. Becky is here to share how she discovered her spark again for life, and veterinary medicine, on this episode. After finding an integrative medicine doctor and life coach, Dr. Becky’s life has turned around. She has started to invest in the foundation of herself, and harness her energy to work through the daily struggles and still find a way to smile. Today Dr. Becky is sharing some actions and accountability tools to help you become a better person, how to navigate the tress turmoil and self-worth issues of veterinary medicine, and ways to shift your nurturing nature to provide the best of yourself for everyone, including you. The similar stories many of us share, working too many hours, toxic employees and clients, and not feeling passionate about your work, can all be solved when you are able to recognize your priorities and provide some time for self-care. Once you do the work to learn these tools for yourself, it can change the way you practice, your relationships with others, and how you relate to yourself. Dr. Becky believes in reaching out for help, being intentional with your day, saying no and setting boundaries as the keys to bringing back your inner child and finding your passion again. How does Dr. Becky’s story relate to your own story? Share with us in the comments section on the episode page.   In This Episode Becoming aware of your own energy force and how it affects your surroundings Ways to improve your sleep hygiene, stop your insomnia and manage your stress Being intentional about what you do and how you start your day to gain clarity and peace Understanding the homework that takes to change your energy force and self-talk Set your life up for control by following your values and prioritizing time management   Quotes “It was becoming more the norm that I was numb to the life around me, and that is not a way I wanted to go through life anymore, and that is when I understood what burnout was.” (3:39) “I hate the word balanced, work-life balance, I don't think that exists. I think what does exist is that for a moment in your life you are going to nurture certain things really well, and at other moments you are going to have to nurture something else really well.” (25:43) “Clearly what I was doing on my own was not working, and I had to do something or I was going to become a statistic of this burnout and compassion fatigue.” (36:33) “I think in veterinary medicine for sure it is feeling worthy and fear of judgment, and we have got to work through where that comes from and how we can get over it.” (42:51) “We all live with the same 24 hours in a day, and it really just depends on how you want to spend those 24 hours, and what you prioritize and your values.” (48:35)   Links Dr. Becky Krull Website Follow Dr. Becky Krull on Facebook | Twitter |  LinkedIn Simply Kerry Life Coaching Website   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Continuing on with our Financial Wellness Series we are joined by Brennan Pitard, a DVM who left practice only a few years after graduation to help bridge the gap between banks, lenders, and veterinarians. Having experienced the veterinary field himself, Brennan knows first hand the struggles, pressures, and roadblocks faced by his peers, and helps look past those obstacles to see the bigger picture and help others achieve their dreams of practice ownership. One of the only, if not the only veterinary lender who helps new and aspiring practice owners on a step-by-step journey, Brennan is the kind of guy who will talk to you at 8 pm on a Friday night to help make sure that you understand the path to your future. To give you a taste of his knowledge, Brennan is here to provide the steps you need to take to realize your dream of practice ownership, why he chooses to look past the unfortunate circumstances of most debt and find a solution, and ultimately explain how he works to align veterinary medicine and banking.   Brennan and his team of lenders at First Financial Bank believe it's about the numbers, but its also about the people too. With the right financial partner, even burdens like student debt won't hold you back from reaching your goals of practice ownership and financial stability. Learn why you should be looking at income-based repayment if your goal is practice ownership, understand the process and timeline behind starting a practice, and why if you are thinking about buying a practice, you should probably do it. You don't have to be a name or a number on a piece of paper to a bank, there are loaners out there like Brennan and the First Financial Bank team who will be with you every step of the process, ensuring you are always supported and never alone. Have you taken steps to alleviate your financial stress and embrace your ideal career model? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode Comparing the lifestyle differences between practice work and ownership Strategies to eliminate your debt on a realistic time frame for buying a practice Ways to decide if you should be buying the real estate along with the practice Steps an individual can take to become part of a team even as a sole owner Habits to avoid and adapt to get your credit score to the optimal level   Quotes “Right now it fulfills me to be able to help those veterinarians out there that think that they cannot open a practice, think they cannot start their own practice, don’t have the resources and the knowledge to do it, and it’s important to me to let them know they can do it.” (6:13) “Being involved and getting to work with veterinarians on a daily basis and help them accomplish their dream makes it all worth it for me.” (12:15) “There’s a lot of different pieces to the puzzle. If you were willing to take a leap of faith and have the confidence to spend that money or take that loan to accomplish your dream, there is no reason we should penalize you for having that under your belt.” (26:41)   Links Contact Brennan at bpitard@ffb1.com FFB Veterinary Loans Homepage First Financial Bank Website PAV 062: Financial Wellness Series Part One with Stith Keiser PAV 066: Financial Wellness Series Part Two with Stith Keiser & Larry Alexander Blue Heron Consulting Website PAV 056: Sam Romano   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Get ready for all things horses as we are joined by Elizabeth Dooher, an equine veterinarian passionate about integrative therapies and helping horses around the world find healing. Elizabeth combines therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture, rehabilitation, massage, laser therapy, nutrition and more and applies these treatments both at home in Vail, Colorado and abroad in countries like Egypt and Jordan. Today Elizabeth is diving into all things horses, acupuncture, and how she has found a way to take her passion for travel and turn it into a lifesaving practice. If you have ever been curious what it is like to give acupuncture to a horse, want to learn the secrets to listening and communicating successfully with horses, or are looking to find your own middle ground between Chinese and Western veterinary medicine, this is the episode for you. Elizabeth takes us from the Sahara desert to equine charities in the Middle East to paint a picture of the vast landscape of international and integrative veterinary work. Running on a philosophy of going with the flow, making a global impact and empowering veterinarians to interact with animals in new ways, Elizabeth is a positive energy source who thrives on the unknown to keep things interesting. By accepting what the Universe puts in front of you, and finding a way to mesh your unique passions, you can find the appropriate system for you to deliver optimal healing. What about Elizabeth’s journey inspires you to follow your own soul purpose? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode How to acupuncture a horse safely, carefully, and what reaction to expect What it is like to attend vet school after eight years out of the education sector Connecting with both animals and communities through integrative medicine Veterinary expectations found in Jordan, Eygpt, and other Middle Eastern countries Learning how to combine alternative therapies and travel passions for global healing   Quotes “By the time I decided to go to vet school, I had a real purpose and a real reason and a real desire. It wasn't just a default choice, it was a very intentional decision for me to go to vet school.” (11:35) “If we really listen to these horses, they are so willing to have such conversations with us and if we can respect that and honor that part of them, they will let us in in such incredible ways.” (18:17) “It’s been a really neat way to get to know cultures and communities and people, and it just happens that veterinary medicine has been my vehicle to connect with these communities.” (41:26) “I am 100% sure that I am safer walking down the streets of Aman, the capital of Jordan, at night than I am in any city in the US by myself at night.” (46:55) “If you are going to do any sort of abroad work, you really sort of have to have that kind of attitude. Because these countries, they are not like the US, and we can't go there expecting it to be, and I don't wish that they were.” (1:04:58)   Links Integrative C.A.R.E Website Follow Integrative Care on Facebook Egypt Equine Aid Website   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Kayle Austin is a DVM, Large Animal Practitioner, 2017 CSU grad, and one of the first recipients in Colorado of the Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program. Today Kayle dives into the four-year commitment she made to work rurally with large animals in order to subsidize her student debt, and why it was one of the best decisions she has made so far. If you have ever been interested in the large animal world, particularly calf and cattle being raised for dairy, Kayle is the expert you need to hear from. She explores the differences between small animal and large animal veterinary medicine, what it is like to be one of the few young women working in the field, and how she ended up running her own successful practice a mere two years after graduation. An advocate for working together and using your resources, Kayle is a testament to the power of determination and never backing down from a challenge. The need for large animal practitioners in Colorado and across the country is constantly growing and with a program like the Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program you could win the financial lottery just like Kayle. Get ready to have a peek inside a world that you may have never considered before, and be exposed to the benefits, and downfalls, of rural large animal work. Everything from management, to medicine, herd health, and surgery is on the table today as we explore the world of Kayle Austin. Have you applied to any programs that could help alleviate the financial burden of veterinary school? Share your resources in the comments section on the episode page!   In This Episode How simple things like milk prices could impact your job as a large animal practitioner Exploring the stereotypes of young female doctors in the large animal community What it is like to run your own practice two years after graduation Incentives to apply for the Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program Evaluating the role veterinarian's play when raising cattle for dairy or beef   Quotes “I think that was the idea behind the program, to help encourage young vets getting out with a big student loan burden to get them out into those rural areas if that's what they wanted and help them make a go if it there.” (6:37) “If you want anything bad enough you know you will get it done and make it happen, but it sure makes it a lot easier to swallow financially.” (12:46) “You have to look at it as production, it is your business, you have to have a little less emotional attachment, unfortunately. And it's hard, it's the black and white of it, it's just the nature of the game.” (41:51) “You are dealing with the rough, gruff country type of people, and I love that personality but not everybody does.” (51:42) “It’s not worth doing if it’s not fun along with way.” (52:36)   Links Austin Veterinary Services LLC   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Veterinary medicine is made special by the people and connections you make throughout your career. Dr. Adam Conroy is a testament to this and is passionate about helping others embrace failure in order to find success. A small animal practitioner, successful practice owner, consultant and mentor, Dr. Conroy is all about having a vision and accomplishing your goals. Dr. Conroy believes that by aligning yourself with a strategic mentor, and learning skills of leadership and partnership, you can be successful in whatever niche of veterinary medicine you chose. Today we are learning all about the importance of taking risks, learning that you will never avoid failure, how to avoid burnout in your career, and much more. Dr. Conroy is an inspiring example of how to use humility and persistence to achieve happiness. We are diving into how to analyze communication in your relationships and repair them on a business level, why you need to fully commit to whatever project you are working on, and exploring some harsh realities of primary ownership, partnership and how to set yourself up for success. Dr. Conroy is providing tools to help you accomplish your goals, and a message of empowerment for anyone feeling lost and overwhelmed. Once you are able to look back at your failures with ease, you will have learned the lessons necessary to find success. By taking risks, going back to the drawing board and finding the right partners, you can create whatever kind of life you prefer. How has Dr. Conroy opened your mind up to potential career possibilities? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode Questions you should be asking employers when approaching the job market Breaking down the stereotypes surrounding younger doctors and how to change them Why most people bomb their first job and how to prevent that from becoming you The reality of mentorship, finding a job after graduation and taking on an ownership role Learning how to find balance in your relationship at home and work relationships   Quotes “Anybody who thinks they can do this alone, you can’t. So you have to accept that you have to find people that are willing to help you.” (6:14) “The majority of the major successes I have had have been the direct result of things that I have failed at multiple times.” (7:49) “Say what you want, say where you want to be, and the people who are close to you make it very transparent ultimately what your vision is and do they support that or not. Get that established right off the bat, and once those things become in line, then I think the trajectory of your success will parallel that.” (19:12) “You chose a great career, we're here to tell that you did. Now it’s just what you make of it.” (20:12) “You have to have and surround yourself with other people and a diversity of doctors that have a constant pulse, as opposed to you being the only heartbeat there.” (35:10)   Links Animal Care Clinic Website MarkRoy Consulting Website Snout School Website   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

We are back for Part 2 of our Financial Wellness Series, and today we are diving into the specifics of practice ownership. Everything from how to find a practice, what to look for and how to get the money to buy in is on the table today as Stith Keiser rejoins us and gives us some tips on how to be successful in ownership. Stith believes in finding your ‘why’ in order to hold onto your passion and really make it as a lasting practice owner. In addition, he explains the importance of understanding need versus demand, why you need to like more than medicine to be an owner, and why you should be looking at your loan as an accountability tool. There’s always lots of options to talk yourself out of a big decision, but if you are ready to put in the work and make your dream of ownership a reality, it can be accomplished with the help of the right lender. First Financial Bank is a premium partner of the veterinary field and Larry Alexander also joins us on today's episode to get down to the nitty-gritty about what it takes financially to make your own ownership dreams come true. Larry is highlighting why First Financial Bank chooses to hire representatives from the veterinary field and not just bankers, reasons FFB values networking and peer to peer conversation in order to make businesses thrive, and how you can help them understand your needs to be successful in the short and long term. Once you are able to understand your own skill set and how it can be best leveraged to make the industry better, you may be ready to see the business from the other side and step into an ownership position. By finding a lender without judgment, like First Financial Bank, and setting yourself up with the knowledge provided by someone such as Stith, you can be sure that you are stepping into this new role with your best foot forward. Have you thought about taking the plunge and buying into or starting your own practice? Share what most excites and worries you about the perspective in the comments on the episode page.   In This Episode How to have the hard conversation when you decide to buy a practice Finding a lending partner that is right for you and holds the same values Analyzing how much cash in the bank you really need to buy a hospital What to expect from the first thirty days after taking on an ownership role Creating a custom business solution with three main key players for success   Quotes “It’s start with your ‘why’ as a veterinarian and your ‘why’ as an owner. Because we are just wasting our time worrying about location or financing if we don’t know what it is we want to do as practice owners.” (2:25) - Stith “Ownership is not just medicine, you don't buy a practice to buy a job.” (5:16) - Stith “As a lender, what we are trying to do is really just learn more about everyone's situation. Because I think every situation is unique.” (13:48) - Larry “You are not alone, whatever you think might be your struggle or your hurdle, I guarantee someone else has been there.” (16:40) - Larry “With our service model and the experience we have on our team drawing from the industry, not from a banking background, I think we are able to offer a local service and that local feel that I believe vets try and treat their patients and clients with.” (21:28) - Larry “My ‘why’ is helping whoever I am working with achieve their ‘why’.” (32:28) - Stith   Links First Financial Bank Website Blue Heron Consulting Website   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Former President of the AVMA, current Chief Veterinary Officer at Veterinary Practice Partners and founding board member of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLADI), Dr. Doug Aspros has an impressive resume spanning many fields of veterinary medicine. Throughout his different positions, Doug noticed a lack of female representation in the board room. He decided to do something about it and helped create WVLADI as a response to this lack of diversity in veterinary communities. On this episode, Doug helps us analyze the male lens, its influence in veterinary medicine, and everything in between. Doug believes in raising your hand and saying yes to life in order to open doors and works to help others, women in particular, have access to better opportunities. By opening your work culture to as many types of people as possible, you will achieve greater success and create lasting happiness in your workplace. Today Doug helps to breakdown exactly how we can prepare women to take on higher leadership roles, as well as how we can alter these positions to better meet the responsibilities and needs of women. Creating a more flexible, dynamic and stress-free work environment leads to more productivity and satisfied clients, and Doug believes the key to this is giving individuals the chance to be whoever they want to be. By understanding the artificial impediments standing in the way of women and helping them knock them down you can help promote women to their fully realized roles in our profession and in society. It is time to help women realize their potential and encourage them to seek higher leadership positions for the betterment of our entire industry. Does a specific woman come to mind when listening to Doug’s inspiring feminist mentality? Give them a shoutout in the comments section on the episode page!   In This Episode Advice to those who want to take action and see more representation in leadership Why including women in leadership should matter to men Finding a diversity balance in leadership to achieve greater success What you can do to encourage a more flexible approach in your workforce Why working fewer days can lead to being more productive in the short and long term Bonus Fact - What life is like living with a Grey African Parrot   Quotes “We haven’t evolved the way we work in veterinary medicine in a way that really supports women and allows women to act as leaders and enjoy their careers.” (6:43) “There are a lot more women in the room, but I want to make sure there are whole lot more women in the room 10 years from now.” (8:48) “If you want to get any group into more prominence and give them more opportunity, you have to actually make that happen. And you can't make that happen if you don't will it to happen.” (14:24) “We all got into this profession because it actually is a wonderful profession and there are just so many good things about it, but the things that aren't great about it lets fix.” (23:07) “This is not just somebody else's problem. You as a member of the veterinary community, this is part of your problem too. And it is important for you to understand it and play some role in fixing it.” (34:37) “I'm proud of whatever contribution I have made to make this profession better.” (39:50)   Links Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative Website Veterinary Practice Partners   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

Stephen Cital is on a mission to bring veterinary technicians the respect they deserve while making some real money. An RVT specializing in anesthesia pain management, Stephen has a passion for promoting diversity in the veterinary space, as well as the use of cannabis as a legitimate therapeutic tool. Stephen combines a vast array of knowledge and topics to break down some of the barriers in our profession and is opening our eyes to a world of possibilities on today's episode. Everything from vet tech utilization, how to introduce diversity into a clinic’s culture, and the major benefits of cannabis use for animals is on the table today. Stephen is educating us on the possibility of improving an animals life through cannabis and how to move the needle on accepting different ethnicities, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds in the veterinary field. In addition, Stephen is providing some serious tips on how to turn a nurse or technician position into a career, and profit from it, by looking outside of the clinic. An engaging and refreshing breath of fresh air in the veterinary community, Stephen is advocating for those underrepresented in order to create workplaces where everyone feels included. If you are ready to have a conversation about changing our culture from within, this episode is for you. What inspires you most about Stephen’s message of acceptance and never settling for less than you are worth? Let us know in the comments section on the episode page!   In This Episode Changing the stigma behind cannabis use and its medical benefits Why fields like research and development may be the key to earning more Embracing and utilizing your veterinary technician for a lifelong career Addressing the cultural double standards in the veterinary field Tips to break down barriers and make the workplace inclusive for everyone   Quotes “We have quite a few animals that are on cannabis now, and were able to decrease traditional pharmaceutical drugs, and the owners love it. They want to go back to mother nature and let's give her the credit.” (9:50) “[Cannabis] encompasses everything I love. The medicine, being on the cutting edge of things, discovering things, it encompasses it all.” (15:38) “I think these bigger organizations could do better with supporting some of these diversity initiatives.” (37:08) “If you are in an isolated area where you are that person on the team that sticks out from everybody else, just understand that there are other people out there.” (41:11) “You can have a respectable career as a human medical assistant, you can have a respectable career as a veterinary assistant, and nobody should ever be ashamed of that.” (46:43)   Links Stephen Cital RVT Website Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Facebook Group Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Website Veterinary Cannabis Academy Facebook Group Multicultural Veterinary Medicine Association Follow Animal Guy on Instagram   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!

If you have been living under a rock these past few years and haven’t hopped on the social media bandwagon yet, you could be missing out on huge business and monetary gains. Danielle Lambert has a passion for helping veterinary hospitals market themselves and has created a successful business teaching others how to convert business from the internet into income for your practice. Founder of the Snout School and VP of Business Development at Whisker Cloud, Danielle knows what she is talking about when it comes to monetizing social media and putting your best virtual foot forward. Today Danielle explains just exactly how social media marketing works, why your website could be one of your biggest assets, and reasons why the online marketing game is not going anywhere. She is providing specific tips on how you could be supplementing your veterinary income with an internet related business, why you need to start with a goal when getting into the social media game, and reasons she is a big believer in paying for online advertisements to increase your ROI. By putting content out onto the internet, and encouraging your team members to do the same, you could be creating a valuable aspect of your business that you didn't even know existed. The opportunity to retain more clients and increase your average transaction through online marketing tools is possible if you know what to do. Danielle is a wealth of knowledge on an increasingly important aspect of all businesses and is highlighting the necessity to bring this new wave of thinking into the veterinary field. Does Danielle’s perspective make you rethink the amount of effort you spend on your social media strategy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments on the episode page!   In This Episode Finding balance in your veterinary practice through social media monetization How to measure social media campaigns to track your advertising success What constitutes a successful post and how to increase your online popularity Creating compelling content with a business strategy for client retention Removing the competitive nature from online communities and increasing diversity   Quotes “I want to develop Snout School into something that not only teaches veterinary hospitals how to market themselves but also helps empower women in veterinary medicine to find their unique career paths and use social media to achieve their goals.” (5:08) “If you put a little bit of hard work and dedication into something, you can create whatever the heck kind of job you want now.” (7:28) “I think that the more we get proactive about our business skills there are plenty of opportunities to do things that are going to help you out financially.” (18:33) “Using social media as a tool and in a positive way, to have a positive impact on this industry and on the lives of pets, it’s there, and it can be used to your advantage, you just have to jump on in.” (33:35) “I really wanted to see more, I wanted to showcase these women with these skill sets because I think it is more representative of the industry.” (40:04)   Links Veterinary Social Media: The Snout School Community Snout School #SnoutSquad Danielle’s Whisker Cloud Website Snout School Website Follow Snout School on Facebook | Instagram Follow Danielle on Instagram | Twitter   Find the full show notes here  Keep up with everything Podcast A Vet Follow Podcast A Vet on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Join our free community of dedicated vet professionals looking to improve their practices and lives in our free Facebook community! We'd love it (and you) if you would take 1 minute and leave us a review on iTunes!