Vet Med After Hours

You've seen him on social media singing to puppies and on Animal Planet's Hanging With The Hendersons - it's Dr. Ross Henderson!  Ross may be a "celebrity" veterinarian but he is real and shares the same real struggles as the rest of us in veterinary medicine whether we are technicians, assistants, receptionists or doctors.  From his seat on the curb outside a mechanic garage, Ross joined us in the kind of conversation you would have sitting on that curb with your best friend.  Just like yours, Ross's life can be messy but he has chosen to see how that makes it beautiful.  We love how Ross is willing to share the things that terrified him the most and how he got through that fear to find some pretty inspiring experiences.  You can get through that fear too- join our conversation for the inspiration you need.  YOU matter.

Dr. Aziza Glass is making a difference with her Dr2Dr Initiative, as she works to bridge the gap from high school to the medical profession for 1st generation Americans and people of color.  Aziza knows first hand what it is like to have to forge her own lane and we are so thankful that she shared her story with us.  Once a gospel singer on the path to Carnegie Mellon, Aziza ended up in Cornell veterinary school on a National Geographic reality show and now has her own mobile and relief veterinary business!  This lane didn't come without struggle and Aziza, like many of us, allowed stress to affect her health before she realized you have to learn to say no.  Aziza has so many lessons to teach us and is actively making a difference.  You will want to listen to this entire episode to learn how you can make a difference too!

Are you exhausted? Does the thought of what you haven't achieved over the last year bring you down?  Our listener, Dr. Saye Clement shares with us what she just recently realized - we have all been swimming upstream.  When you are swimming upstream you are working much harder than normal. Think about that and then give yourself grace - the grace to realize you have learned and applied so many new things this year and that means you have achieved great things. You have a right to be tired and you have a whole year's worth of learning at your back.  Yes, this past year (with all of its work) has prepared you to take on the next challenges with more strength than you had before. You got this - you matter!

We need, now more than ever, as a community of veterinary medicine to be together, to support each other, and to be kind.  As our profession uses social media more and more we find ourselves wondering, does it help or does it hurt?  Join Tracy and Alec as they talk about what's going on in their lives this week and how they feel that social media carelessness is really affecting our profession.  You should always strive to be kind because you never know who is looking to you for inspiration when you are simply being yourself.  Be you, because you matter and be kind because we all matter.

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in your job but don't have any idea what else you can do in veterinary medicine? Tabitha Kucera, RVT shares with us how she stayed in general practice too long.  She found a way to climb her way out when she realized that there are so many opportunities in this field and that we, as veterinary professionals, are capable of doing so many awesome things.  Tabitha spends her days helping pet owners and veterinary clinics save lives and improve quality of life by using the combined tools of behavioral modification and her motto "better living through chemistry". It took realizing that taking care of herself was important too for Tabitha to improve her own quality of life.  Tabitha shares with us how, once she viewed herself as a patient as well, she was able to start learning how to manage her own high functioning anxiety- by getting help.  Tabitha says it best - advocate for your patients AND advocate for yourself.

 "I won't be able to find a therapist who can help me - they don't understand what it is like in veterinary medicine." Have you ever heard or thought those words? How about "I can't ask for help, it will make me seem weak and vulnerable."? Jamie Holms, RVT gets real and candidly shares the battles she faced as she rose from being the tech who believed she could do it all on her own to the tech who practices asking for help regularly.  Jamie's dry sense of humor and wit punctuates this episode filled with information we all need to hear.  In the veterinary field, we treat pets with behavior orders even though we have never been a dog or cat and Jamie helps us understand how to find the right kind of therapy and therapist that can help us even though that therapist has never been a veterinary professional.  Take the time to listen to this episode and you will understand asking for help in a way that may never have crossed your mind before.  As Jamie says, "the willingness to ask for help is a huge step towards mental wellness." So take the first step and listen to this episode today!

Season 4 is focused on "leveling the playing field" in the veterinary profession as we normalize conversations about mental health.  Join our marketing editor, Tyler, as she gets to know more about Alec and Tracy's journey and what cool things are to come in Season 4.  Everybody needs help because working together is the only way for veterinary medicine to be sustainable. #vetyoumatter

Brynn Zittle has created a role in veterinary medicine that fits her passion for filmmaking and storytelling.  Preparation and communication is key to her work - yet Brynn bravely shares with us how she believes that, if she had been better prepared, she may not have lost 2 people in her life to suicide. Suicide plagues the veterinary profession and, by listening to this episode, you can learn more about what is like to seemingly have it all yet feel in a dark place. Thank you Brynn for sharing your story because, as you put it, sharing can be therapy.

In this What Matters Blog, listener Amanda Doran, DVM shares with us the 4 lessons she has learned that enable her to turn difficult situations into beautiful teachings.  Being mindful, creating your environment, embracing your emotions (all of them) and forgiving yourself can be the guidelines you need to find peace on this journey.  Being kind to others starts with being kind to you!

There is so much that is really hard right now, but this episode will hit home, inspire, and make you smile!  Join our co-hosts as they talk about how their practice is handling curbside - you know the conversation won't end there.  Alec and Tracy delve into how to prepare for difficult times and the kind of communication necessary to help each other through what life throws our way.  Just like in life, this episode isn't all about the hard stuff, it's the end of a long hot week and our co-hosts get silly and will have you in stitches ready to recharge by the end of the show.

Veterinarian and relationship coach Ericka Mendez walked the same path as many of us - throwing herself into veterinary medicine, staying late and making clients happy.  Unfortunately, also like many of us, veterinary medicine was robbing Ericka of the happiness she could have found in her relationships outside of work.  Join us as Ericka shares the story of how she learned to prioritize (rather than balance) and now her relationships, both in and out of work, are a major source of joy. 

Our What Matters Blog is a platform for your voice, your story, your perspective.  Just like you, Saye Clement's heart has felt unsure - but veterinary professionals are thinkers and problem solvers.  Join us to hear Saye's thoughts and how she envisions the veterinary profession putting our diverse problem solving skills to work in order to make a change.  Collectively, we are strong!

Tierra Price, DVM, MPH will make you laugh, dance and cry- she is energetic, intelligent, passionate and wise.  Her wisdom comes from experience and the acknowledgement that "anything that is good requires change or growth and comes over time".  Join us as Tierra walks us through her journey of tagging along with her uncle the "dog catcher" to founding the much needed, incredibly important Black DVM Network. If you haven't had a chance to consider what being a minority in the veterinary profession can feel like, Tierra will simply and elegantly make it clear.  At Vet Med After Hours we believe that no one in vet med should feel alone, yet Tierra shows us that minorities feel just that - alone.  Thank you Tierra for creating Black DVM Network, and thank you for helping open the window into your world. It is people like you who bring goodness over time.

Statistics show that the majority of veterinary professionals are introverts and perfectionists..... does that sound about right?  If so, you are probably like Kristina in the fact that you are 100% committed but "peopling" simply exhausts you. Join us as Kristina shares with us how to find the balance between the energy you consume at work and home with how you replenish that energy.  Before you know it, you'll realize that asking for help isn't a weakness, it's a true sign of strength!

 What Matters is how you feel and in this episode Jamie Holms eloquently shares her feelings through poetry.  Get a glimpse of what a dog struggling to survive may feel, how creating a friendship in the final moments of life feels and the fear of a dog fight.  We all feel things at different times but what we have in common is the experience of having those feelings.  Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your feelings with us.

2020 VMX Speaker of the Year Eric Garcia joins us during lockdown and it's just like he's across from you at the pub.  Eric "geeks out" with us over aviation, avengers, and how unplugging from the very media that supports his own career is the way to truly recharge.  Eric defines "noodling" as constantly thinking of how to do things better and this self-proclaimed geek is doing just that.  Eric makes the world of veterinary technology, veterinary learning, and social media a better place!  

Ever wondered what Dr. Dave Nicol, Vet Tech Kelsey Beth Carpenter, The Social DVM Caitlin DeWilde, or vet student Trusten Moore would be like on game night?  This is your chance to find out! We had an epic Vets Against Insanity battle and recorded it just for you.  Get ready for some rowdy fun as there is no better way to spend a lockdown afternoon than with these genuine people and a deck of our favorite cards

If you watched 2019 Great British Bake Off then we know you love Rosie! Rosie shares with us how she started as a horse vet but ended up in small animal emergency medicine while nationally competing baking cakes in a tent.  We find out how British veterinary schools differ from the US and how baking and veterinary medicine can be very much the same.  Rosie tells us that veterinarians are pretty amazing people who just need to realize that fact - well we think she is pretty amazing too!

You know you want to get your mind off the Corona virus - spend an hour cracking up with us instead of scrolling your feed! When is a 3 legged cat like a pogo stick? What should you be catching up on tv- you might not know if you don't listen.... We'll do more than share our crazy lives with you, we'll cover veterinary telemedicine, adjusting to the current "normal", and getting ready for the new normal when it comes.  Let Vet Med After Hours help set you up for post traumatic success

If you can really talk to your team about what’s happening to you it can make a huge difference in the end. That's what Brenda, founder of Vet Support and the Compassion Satisfaction Accredited Workplace program, wants you to know. You have to really invest in your team to boost their morale and engagement and in return you will have a dedicated, bought-in team that will provide better patient care. Training and support are the foundations of high level service and the way to get through both the good and tough times.

What Matters is our column of connections where listeners share their stories - you are not alone.  In this episode, we share the story "Gossip Girl" written by Carol Hurst, LVT.

Trusten started out by wanting to share his vet school adventures with his family across the country and, because of his ability to spread joy, he created a community of veterinarians, vet students, and veterinary professionals of 10,000 in just one year! Trusten uses his platform to mentor pre-vet and vet students but his words of wisdom are equally as important to anyone setting out to reach a new goal or looking to mentor someone in the veterinary profession.  Despite the challenges and hardships moving across the country to attend veterinary school brings, Trusten has chosen to spread joy in the veterinary profession and, as you listen to this conversation, you will see he does just that! Trusten shares with us his simple tips so that you can spread joy too - and, did we mention? He sings a great tune!   

David is one of those guys who seems like the energizer bunny on the outside.  Appearing to have never ending energy and able to tackle each new skill he takes on, who would guess that David battles anxiety?  Join us as David is truly vulnerable and shares with us how he has learned to recognize overwhelm before it is too late.    

Sara didn't start out planning on being a hospital manager - she actually started out as a professional ballerina!  Along her way Sara (who once thought veterinary school was her destiny) fell in love with the study of communication and the management of people.  She overcame her distaste for routine and has accomplished great things with her staff.  Sara very much believes that while the clients are important, your team of staff should be at the top of your list. Join us as we chat with Sara about how to empower your employees to give and receive effective feedback, and while we're at it, we're going to have some really good laughs along the way!

The wildfires in Australia are devastating - do you learn enough about them simply by scrolling through your news feed? Join us as Scott Bainbridge, DVM shares with us how he used his Australian vacation to volunteer and make an impact in the world.  Wildlife, livestock, and people are hurting and you can help.  Scott shares with us no matter what your role or how long you have been in the profession, there are still ways to give your time or funds toward recovery.  Australian animals are going to need our help for years as they navigate their new habitat and its loss of food and shelter.  Listen to learn how you can help.

Whether it's to recharge, educate, or to learn, Nicole LaForest travels a lot.  In fact, she loves traveling so much that she and her husband, a veterinary surgeon, travel together every single day in their mobile surgery practice!  Join us as we find out how Nicole has learned to put things aside and just take a nap and how one number changed in a voicemail can make a world of difference.  

Canadian Saye Clement, DVM, started her career early and not necessarily on the right track.  It took a few years and more than a few management lectures until she had her ah-ha moment and discovered that the best of the best were just like her! The best managers and the best veterinary teams are just like you too- you just have to learn where to start.  Join us as Saye shares with us what she has learned from years of trial and error - that the best way to fix your team is to start by fixing yourself.  Along the way we'll hear how we can all learn a lesson or two from a little squirrel in the trashcan and how even veterinarians' pets are affected by the grain free cardiomyopathy crisis.  Saye is known as "The Culture Queen" but by the time you are done listening, we think you'll know her as "friend".  

Engagement, basketball, accomplishments and more - join co-hosts as they recap their 2019 memories and let you in on the amazing things in store for 2020! Let's live in the moment and find balance!

Are student loans weighing you down? Andrew Rotz is on a mission to make loan repayment manageable, understandable, and doable! Join us as Andrew makes student loan repayment options easy to understand while he gives us hope for a veterinary career without fear of drowning in debt.  Student loan repayment, like all things, is a whole lot easier to deal with in bite sized chunks.  Financial advice equals life advice in this conversation!  

When you think about taking care of yourself, you often think about things that cost you money- massages, gym memberships, vacations.  Do you stop to think about your budget or finances?  Don't worry - this episode won't overwhelm you with numbers and statistics.  We will take a look at why it seems that your dollar doesn't stretch far enough and what you can do to make sure your veterinary career is sustainable!  Join us as we learn from Andrew Rotz a simple formula to be sure that you are taking care of yourself with each paycheck. Staying out of debt and planning for the future can be made easier by following his guidelines.  Andrew makes navigating finances a whole lot less scary and we loved our conversation with him!

Mike Falconer travels the country recruiting for his Las Vegas veterinary hospital and teaching others about the importance of culture and belonging in a veterinary setting.  Join us as Mike shares with us his journey from being a "lights guy" and writer to becoming an administrator for a hospital with well over 100 staff!  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but on Vet Med After Hours we like to share it all and we can't wait for you to get to know Mike better! He is, after all, making awesome normal and so can you!

If you are running labs and calling clients while you shove a PBJ in your mouth, you are not taking lunch and you aren't taking care of yourself.  We applaud your commitment to your patients and your work ethic, but you and your patients will end up in a better place with just 20 minutes of downtime a day. Sit down with us to learn how you can make it happen!  

The life of Shell Keith, LVT took quite a turn when she unexpectedly became a mother and had to reduce her work hours at the veterinary clinic.  Things got to the point where she considered resignation but, instead, Shell decided to stay and make a change.  Listen to hear the tools that Shell used to change perceptions within her team and create a strong, enjoyable workplace!

Find out how Adam Greenbaum landed his dream job in the dream location - just like The Hulk -using his own fire within! Adam created the awesome website company Whiskercloud that is providing veterinary professionals the help where they often need it the most -online! Adam and his team are the self-proclaimed "nerds in the backroom" and we couldn't be happier to have them!

Join co-hosts on their lunch break as they discuss some of the easy mishaps to avoid when interviewing for your next veterinary position and some tips on finding the right job for you!

Join us as we talk with Tosha Zimmerman CVT about the creation of the group Not One More Vet Support Staff and how this group is a safe place for veterinary support staff to discuss personal feelings about work and life. This is a place where you are most definitely not alone.  Then, join us as we raise money so that NOMVSS can provide grants for therapy to support staff who are struggling.  Choose happy!  

Join us as your co-hosts discuss an effective way to empower your team to answer their own questions - really! By empowering your team you will find that you too can enjoy boundaries and time off.

Vet Med After Hours Podcast has developed the Veterinary You Matter Campaign to bring hope to veterinary team members by showing them how much they matter and that it is okay to ask for help.  Normalizing discussion about mental health issues has to happen if we are going to improve wellness and decrease suicide in the veterinary profession.  To find out more about Veterinary You Matter Campaign - visit our website https://carlisleveterinarian.com/vet-med-after-hours/  

If you want hope for the veterinary profession's future, just listen to our conversation with Amanda Sautner. From boating with alligators to graciously accepting that sometimes the best thing for a family isn't saving a pet's life, Amanda will inspire you, make you laugh, and make you proud to be a part of the profession!               

No voice is small within the veterinary profession and the front desk team is built of talented, compassionate individuals who matter. Have you ever heard a receptionist being treated badly? Dr. Sands pauses during a busy week to share her reflections on what reception life is like and how clients bullying the staff is not okay.

Kelsey Beth Carpenter is a registered veterinary technician and songwriter well know for making us laugh.  Turning her adventures into song help Kelsey avoid the burnout that is so common in our profession.  Join us as she tackles issues of mental health and technician sustainability while cracking us up along the way! While you are at it - download songs by Kelsey at www.kelseybethcarpenter.com/music

A different type of listening experience, this episode shares with you a powerful article written by Dr. Andy Roark.  This article details the 4 Eyes Save Lives initiative and is an amazing example of what can happen when you decide to do more than just talk, you decide to do.  Veterinary professionals (doctors and staff) save animal lives all the time. It's time we start saving our humans too. Please find the article to read and share at www.drandyroark.com.  If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please text 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Veterinary neurologist, and Vice President of Not One More Vet, Carrie Jurney is not normal and we like her that way! Following the rigid path to become a specialist, Carrie found herself burnt out - not once, but twice!  However, by choosing not to be normal, Carrie found a way to be responsible for her own recovery and now, through relief work and the amazing work of Not One More Vet, she is helping veterinary professionals around the work survive and recover as well.  Join us as Carrie shares with us how she learned to build flame throwing dragons, how she finds and uses staff that are right for her ADHD style, and how you can learn to see the signs that you or someone you know might be crying out for help.  If you or someone you know needs help, please go to www.nomv.org or email vetmedafterhours@gmail.com  

Join us as we have a fascinating conversation with Brandon Hess of Vet Support.  Brandon once was a semi-pro soccer player and was inspired by emergency veterinary professionals caring for his own dog so much that he joined the field!  Brandon is doing wonderful things to support veterinary professionals including writing about compassion fatigue and burn out. In our episode, not only does he explain the difference between the two but we learn the cool ways that he recharges after hours to counteract the hectic work day.  We love you Brandon! 

"Join us as we get to know our Co-Host Dr. Tracy Sands. Follow along on her vet med journey from sorting files and palpating dairy cattle, to what inspired her to start a house call business and grow it into an inclusive clinic and pet resort. Along the journey, we hear her practice pearls (clinic sick days can be the boost your practice needs and the importance of frequent structured meetings), how she feels Fear Free changes medicine, along with how loss of a dear friend has shaped her world. So grab your favorite cup of coffee or wine and sit down and join our conversation. If you would like us to have a conversation with you or someone who inspires you, shoot us an email at vetmedafterhours@gmail.com!"  

"Join us as we get literal with the brilliant Jamie Holms. She is an RVT, an Administrative Manager for Dr. Andy Roark and The Uncharted Veterinary Community, Administrative Manager for the Recover Initiative, and Facility Committee Administrator for the Veterinary and Critical Care Society. Jamie speaks at conferences all across the country. Specifically, VMA, VMX, and The Uncharted Veterinary Community as well.  Jamie shares with how she ended up with this unique career (and ended up working with Andy Roark), the monkey that changed her perspective on self worth, her work in preventing suicide and how you can make a difference, what she sees as the biggest challenge in Veterinary Medicine, and how fruit trees resemble our journey.   Don't miss the ending for a special message from Dr. Andy Roark! So grab your favorite cup of coffee or wine and sit down and join our conversation."

We are excited to launch our first episode in which we meet with one of our co-hosts to discover the power of saying yes to opportunities! Office manager and veterinary assistant hybrid, Hilary Sorrenti, never envisioned herself in this profession, but she is thankful for what it has brought her!

Food animal medicine is not a glamorous career, but it is one that this DVM couldn't picture herself without. This Vet Med journey is sure to have you say "Whaaaaat?", while also inspiring you to be a helping hand no matter your job description.

Join us on our co-host, Alec’s journey as a Lead Client Care Specialist! Working the front desk requires great skill and composure being the face of the clinic! Alec’s journey is one of learning from failure and developing a growth mindset through life experiences!