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Blunt Dissection

Blunt Dissection

A Careers , Business and Education podcast

#82 in Careers · 🇦🇺 #197 in Careers · 🇳🇿
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About the show

The Blunt Dissection Podcast exists because everyone has a story worth listening to. It's the original and best interview podcast in veterinary medicine where the best minds in the various subcultures of veterinary medicine (and sometimes outside) are profiled/deconstructed so you can listen to their remarkable stories, and also learn the habits, routines, thought processes and anything else that makes these individuals so good at what they do. What’s in it for you to listen? For some, it's entertainment, for others the show offers inspiration. My hope is that once you’ve seen the pathway to success all you have to do is follow the breadcrumbs. Simple right? So what are you waiting for? Let's jump in and get to know some amazing people better. :) Sometimes funny, sometimes dark but always entertaining - welcome to the hidden world of veterinary success. Your host is Dr Dave Nicol, a veterinarian, occasional CEO, multiple time author, international speaker and mentor/coach to countless vets, nurses and managers in veterinary leadership roles across the world through VetX International.

Newest episodes

89: Challenging the Rules of Vet Med with Dr Mackenzie Gallegos

1 hr 22 min

What do you do when you're fed up with being told, “That's just how veterinary medicine works”? Well, if you're Dr Mackenzie Gallegos, you stop accepting it and build your own practice to prove there's a better way. In this episode of the Blunt Dissection Podcast, I'm joined by Mackenzie, Founder and Medical Director of East End Animal Surgery & Urgent Care in Houston, Texas, and someone who's doing a rather brilliant job of challenging the status quo in veterinary medicine. After years working in shelter medicine, surgery, and emergency care, Mackenzie had seen enough. Animals being euthanized because owners couldn't afford treatment. Young vets left without proper mentorship. And a profession so obsessed with 'gold standard' medicine that we've forgotten there might be other perfectly good ways to get the job done. So she decided to do something about it. She built East End, a practice focused on accessible, practical, pragmatic, and evidence-based medicine, run by a team of self-described “Punky Pirates”. Perhaps you think that sounds a little odd, and perhaps it does. But to Mackenzie and her team, the moniker is the perfect descriptor for both the culture and the deep-rooted connection to the mission to ensure veterinary medicine stays accessible for all. The name might be fun, but the underlying drive behind it is deadly serious. In this episode, we get into: Why Mackenzie decided to build her own veterinary practice.Economic euthanasia and the importance of spectrum-of-care medicine.Why surgical mentorship is failing young vets.The problem with treating 'gold standard' as the only standard.Building teams that challenge ideas rather than blindly follow rules.Why veterinary practices need to collaborate more and compete less.What it means to be a Punky Pirate. At a time when many worry that vetmed has lost its way, Dr Mackenzie is literally flying the flag that flips a rebellious finger in the face of corporate ownership and the negative impact she feels it has...

88: Putting the Fun Back Into Vet Med with Dr Greg Bishop

1 hr 48 min

Veterinary medicine is serious work. But does that mean we have to be so bloody serious while we’re doing it? My guest today is Dr Greg Bishop, a practising veterinarian, cartoonist, author, illustrator and speaker based in Portland, Oregon. Through Sasquatch Paw, Greg combines veterinary medicine, humour, science communication and visual storytelling to explore the absurd, emotional and deeply human parts of caring for animals. He’s also the author of the forthcoming Science Comics: Veterinary Science. And beneath the cartoons, jokes and what Greg calls his “professional zoomies” sits a serious idea: fun matters. In this conversation, we explore why humour and play aren’t distractions from good veterinary medicine. They can help us cope with difficult moments, communicate better, build trust and perhaps stay connected to the reasons we came into this profession in the first place. We talk frankly about burnout and Greg’s own relationship with work, before getting into gallows humour, the science of laughter and the surprisingly powerful role comedy can play in the consult room, even during some of the hardest conversations we have with clients. We also explore clinical communication, creativity, AI, our increasingly digital lives, and the danger of becoming so obsessed with efficiency that all we do with the time we save is cram more work into it. Greg’s argument for slowing down, paying attention and trusting the art alongside the science is a timely one. This is funny, occasionally ridiculous, surprisingly moving and, ultimately, a reminder that fun is not frivolous. In a profession that asks so much of us, humour, creativity and play can help us stay connected, stay curious and keep enjoying the work. If we want veterinary medicine to be sustainable, perhaps putting some of the fun back into it is more important than we think. Episode Highlights[00:05] Meet Greg and his “professional zoomies” [00:20] When veterinary medicine stops being fun [00:25] Burnout and...

87: Trust Is Everything: Leadership, Systems, and the Future of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Peter Weinstein

1 hr 12 min

The keen-eared among you will recognize this voice. And yes - you’d be right. This is ever-wisening Dr Peter Weinstein. (Yes, we meant Wisening, not wizening however much we were tempted by the latter.) Peter is one of those rare figures in veterinary medicine who has seen the profession from every angle. From kennel kid at 15 to practice owner, from board-level leadership to educator, from clinician to one of the clearest thinkers on the business and structure of veterinary medicine today. But what makes this conversation different is timing. Because this isn’t a comfortable moment for our profession. Costs are rising. Clients are pushing back. Teams are stretched. Transactions are falling while prices climb. And underneath it all, something more fundamental is shifting. Trust. In this episode, Peter and I sit down face-to-face to unpack what’s really happening in veterinary medicine right now. We talk about the economic pressure building beneath the surface, the unintended consequences of rapid growth and consolidation, and why the profession feels… wobbly. We explore why leadership, not hustle, is the answer. Why systems matter more than individuals. Why communication is the missing skill in most practices. And why, if we don’t rebuild trust deliberately, we risk losing the very foundation this profession was built on. This episode is reflective, challenging, and ultimately optimistic. Because if we get this right, the future of veterinary medicine doesn’t just survive - it becomes stronger than ever. Episode Highlights[00:02:00] Meet Dr Peter Weinstein [00:12:00] Reacting vs responding under pressure [00:14:00] Are we in a veterinary recession? [00:17:00] Fewer clients, higher prices - the real maths [00:19:00] “Trust is the word of 2026” [00:23:00] The pandemic boom that broke the system [00:28:00] What happens when the leader leaves [00:31:00] Why leadership is the real problem [00:34:00] Systems vs people - what actually holds a practice up [00:43:00] The hi...

Similar podcasts

All episodes

89: Challenging the Rules of Vet Med with Dr Mackenzie Gallegos

1 hr 22 min

What do you do when you're fed up with being told, “That's just how veterinary medicine works”? Well, if you're Dr Mackenzie Gallegos, you stop accepting it and build your own practice to prove there's a better way. In this episode of the Blunt Dissection Podcast, I'm joined by Mackenzie, Founder and Medical Director of East End Animal Surgery & Urgent Care in Houston, Texas, and someone who's doing a rather brilliant job of challenging the status quo in veterinary medicine. After years working in shelter medicine, surgery, and emergency care, Mackenzie had seen enough. Animals being euthanized because owners couldn't afford treatment. Young vets left without proper mentorship. And a profession so obsessed with 'gold standard' medicine that we've forgotten there might be other perfectly good ways to get the job done. So she decided to do something about it. She built East End, a practice focused on accessible, practical, pragmatic, and evidence-based medicine, run by a team of self-described “Punky Pirates”. Perhaps you think that sounds a little odd, and perhaps it does. But to Mackenzie and her team, the moniker is the perfect descriptor for both the culture and the deep-rooted connection to the mission to ensure veterinary medicine stays accessible for all. The name might be fun, but the underlying drive behind it is deadly serious. In this episode, we get into: Why Mackenzie decided to build her own veterinary practice.Economic euthanasia and the importance of spectrum-of-care medicine.Why surgical mentorship is failing young vets.The problem with treating 'gold standard' as the only standard.Building teams that challenge ideas rather than blindly follow rules.Why veterinary practices need to collaborate more and compete less.What it means to be a Punky Pirate. At a time when many worry that vetmed has lost its way, Dr Mackenzie is literally flying the flag that flips a rebellious finger in the face of corporate ownership and the negative impact she feels it has...

88: Putting the Fun Back Into Vet Med with Dr Greg Bishop

1 hr 48 min

Veterinary medicine is serious work. But does that mean we have to be so bloody serious while we’re doing it? My guest today is Dr Greg Bishop, a practising veterinarian, cartoonist, author, illustrator and speaker based in Portland, Oregon. Through Sasquatch Paw, Greg combines veterinary medicine, humour, science communication and visual storytelling to explore the absurd, emotional and deeply human parts of caring for animals. He’s also the author of the forthcoming Science Comics: Veterinary Science. And beneath the cartoons, jokes and what Greg calls his “professional zoomies” sits a serious idea: fun matters. In this conversation, we explore why humour and play aren’t distractions from good veterinary medicine. They can help us cope with difficult moments, communicate better, build trust and perhaps stay connected to the reasons we came into this profession in the first place. We talk frankly about burnout and Greg’s own relationship with work, before getting into gallows humour, the science of laughter and the surprisingly powerful role comedy can play in the consult room, even during some of the hardest conversations we have with clients. We also explore clinical communication, creativity, AI, our increasingly digital lives, and the danger of becoming so obsessed with efficiency that all we do with the time we save is cram more work into it. Greg’s argument for slowing down, paying attention and trusting the art alongside the science is a timely one. This is funny, occasionally ridiculous, surprisingly moving and, ultimately, a reminder that fun is not frivolous. In a profession that asks so much of us, humour, creativity and play can help us stay connected, stay curious and keep enjoying the work. If we want veterinary medicine to be sustainable, perhaps putting some of the fun back into it is more important than we think. Episode Highlights[00:05] Meet Greg and his “professional zoomies” [00:20] When veterinary medicine stops being fun [00:25] Burnout and...

87: Trust Is Everything: Leadership, Systems, and the Future of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Peter Weinstein

1 hr 12 min

The keen-eared among you will recognize this voice. And yes - you’d be right. This is ever-wisening Dr Peter Weinstein. (Yes, we meant Wisening, not wizening however much we were tempted by the latter.) Peter is one of those rare figures in veterinary medicine who has seen the profession from every angle. From kennel kid at 15 to practice owner, from board-level leadership to educator, from clinician to one of the clearest thinkers on the business and structure of veterinary medicine today. But what makes this conversation different is timing. Because this isn’t a comfortable moment for our profession. Costs are rising. Clients are pushing back. Teams are stretched. Transactions are falling while prices climb. And underneath it all, something more fundamental is shifting. Trust. In this episode, Peter and I sit down face-to-face to unpack what’s really happening in veterinary medicine right now. We talk about the economic pressure building beneath the surface, the unintended consequences of rapid growth and consolidation, and why the profession feels… wobbly. We explore why leadership, not hustle, is the answer. Why systems matter more than individuals. Why communication is the missing skill in most practices. And why, if we don’t rebuild trust deliberately, we risk losing the very foundation this profession was built on. This episode is reflective, challenging, and ultimately optimistic. Because if we get this right, the future of veterinary medicine doesn’t just survive - it becomes stronger than ever. Episode Highlights[00:02:00] Meet Dr Peter Weinstein [00:12:00] Reacting vs responding under pressure [00:14:00] Are we in a veterinary recession? [00:17:00] Fewer clients, higher prices - the real maths [00:19:00] “Trust is the word of 2026” [00:23:00] The pandemic boom that broke the system [00:28:00] What happens when the leader leaves [00:31:00] Why leadership is the real problem [00:34:00] Systems vs people - what actually holds a practice up [00:43:00] The hi...

86: The Lab Is the Engine: Lessons from Dr. Fred Metzger on Practice, Profit, and Doing the Right Thing

1 hr 48 min

Dr. Fred Metzger is not your typical veterinary speaker. He grew up in a converted church, stocked his swimming pool with fish, and once came home to find his family had bought a cougar kitten. So yes… unorthodox is probably the right word. But behind the stories is something far more important. Dr. Fred Metzger has spent more than 30 years in the profession, built a 13-doctor hospital from scratch, and stayed when many others would have walked away. He’s seen the best of veterinary medicine - and some of the worst. And he’s not shy about saying what needs to be said. In this episode, we go deep. We talk about mentorship, consolidation, culture, and why so many good vets are quietly burning out or leaving altogether. We get into the tension between corporate systems and real-world practice - and what gets lost when leadership forgets to listen. But most of all, we talk about something deceptively simple that could change how you practise tomorrow: The lab. Dr. Fred Metzger makes the case - passionately and convincingly - that diagnostic thinking is the most underused superpower in veterinary medicine. Not as a money-making tool. But as the engine of better decisions, better medicine, and better conversations with clients. That belief has now turned into something tangible. Dr. Fred Metzger has partnered with Purdue University to launch a new clinical pathology programme - built to help vets actually understand and use the lab, not just run tests and hope for the best. You can read more about that here. There’s humour in this one. There’s a bit of fire too. And if you’re willing to reflect on your own practice, there’s a lot to take away. Episode Highlights[00:02:00] Meet Dr. Fred Metzger [00:07:00] The mentorship article that hit a nerve [00:13:00] “You’ll never be a vet” moment [00:19:00] Growing up differently [00:31:00] What success actually means [00:39:00] The mentorship gap in vet med [00:41:00] Where consolidation goes wrong [00:51:00] The lab as your superp...

85: Clients, Colleagues, and Chaos: A Survival Guide with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton

1 hr 36 min

Debra’s story is wild. She’s worked in the courts. She’s bred Irish Setters. She’s been the PTA president (which, as she says, is like running the UN with biscuits). But what makes her special is her ability to meet people in the thick of their mess, whether it's a lawsuit over a pregnant rescue dog or a front-desk blowup, and find the gold. In this episode, I sit down with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton, a former litigator turned mediator turned conflict resolution master. And trust me, if you’ve ever had a client, colleague, or complaint that made you question your career, this conversation is for you. We talk about ego, emotional intelligence, and why boundary-setting isn't just about saying “no.” We unpack the tiny shifts in language that can turn an explosive moment into something manageable. And we dig into a story from my early days that still sits with me, a story about a cat, a fractured jaw, and a moral gut-punch I’ll never forget. This episode is practical, honest, and (if you’re brave enough to look in the mirror) potentially career-changing. Debra brings the kind of wisdom we need more of in vet med: compassionate, clear, and totally unafraid of the hard stuff. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] You Can’t Control Others [00:05:30] How Debra Went from Courtroom to Vet Med [00:10:15] The Rescue Dog Case That Changed Everything [00:14:30] Mediation vs. Litigation [00:17:05] Ego, Suicide, and the Cost of Silence [00:21:15] What Vets and Lawyers Share (It’s Not Just Stress) [00:24:00] 12 Needle Sticks and a Lesson in Dignity [00:28:45] Are Clients the Problem? Or Are We? [00:33:20] Your Practice Culture Shapes Everything [00:38:10] Active Listening Without Losing Yourself [00:46:00] Dave’s Story: The One That Still Hurts [00:52:45] Divorce, Control, and the Cat in the Middle [01:01:00] Conflict Prevention Starts with Culture [01:06:00] Debra’s Stop-Drop-Roll Method [01:08:00] What Clients Really Want (Hint: Not Money) [01:14:30] 10 Ways We Undermine Dignity Without Real...

Ep 84: Fluency, Failure & Feeling Alive with my coach, Mike Porteous

2 hr 16 min

In this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Mike Porteous, a triathlon coach, open-water swimmer, and deep thinker whose approach to performance, confidence, and coaching is anything but ordinary. Mike is a Level 3 Triathlon Coach, British Triathlon mentor, and the founder of Zig Zag Alive. His career spans decades, starting in academia and the UK civil service before pivoting into endurance sport coaching. He’s worked with athletes of all levels, from first-timers to elite competitors, and is passionate about fostering “confidence-centered coaching,” a method rooted not in data or drills, but in presence, ease, and self-trust. He’s also coaching me through my triathlon journey and many of his ideas and methods could, I believe, be highly useful to us inside veterinary medicine as we navigate our own challenges. We dive into Mike’s journey from working in Brazilian economics and UK industrial policy to launching an outdoor sports business, and eventually finding his home in helping others find their flow. A Swim England instructor and writer for the Outdoor Swimming Society, Mike combines intellectual insight with lived experience, including the healing power of endurance sport after personal loss. From redefining resilience and flow to explaining why confidence doesn’t “exist” in the way we think it does, Mike’s perspective is a refreshing and deeply humane take on success and coaching, both inside and outside sport. So whether you're a veterinary leader looking to inspire your team, an athlete seeking sustainable growth, or simply someone navigating your next life chapter, this conversation will leave you with more than a few moments to ponder. Pour a coffee or step outside for a walk, this one’s rich, reflective, and full of gentle, powerful wisdom. Episode Highlights[00:01:00] What Is Confidence-Centered Coaching? [00:04:25] The Cold Water Effect [00:12:00] Be Kind and Brave [00:16:00] Mike’s Zigzag Career Path [00:27:00] Resilient Businesses in Crisis [00:38:...

Ep 83: Scaling Goodness: Why Leadership Still Matters in Vet Med with Dr. Bob Lester

1 hr 36 min

In this episode, I’m joined by a truly impactful voice in veterinary medicine—Dr. Bob Lester. If you’ve ever wondered how to build something big without losing the soul of the work… Bob’s your guy. A veterinarian, entrepreneur, and systems thinker, Bob’s career spans small-town mixed animal practice, the founding of Banfield Pet Hospitals, academic leadership at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and now, his role as co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of WellHaven Pet Health—a company that’s quietly redefining what good corporate veterinary care can look like. From scaling national brands and reimagining vet school education to leading with optimism, Bob brings a rare blend of clarity, compassion, and straight-talking wisdom. In this wide-ranging conversation, we go deep on what it really takes to lead—without burning out, selling out, or tuning out. We talk about the messy middle between toxic positivity and chronic catastrophizing, how to build trust inside veterinary teams, and why who leads your practice matters more than what it looks like on paper. Plus, we explore mentorship, the future of GP care, and why now is actually a brilliant time to be in veterinary medicine—if we’re brave enough to lead with care and courage. This one is full of strategic insight and grounded humanity. Bob is proof that you can scale without losing your heart. Grab a notepad—and maybe a shot of optimism—and dig in. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] Why Leadership in Vet Med Feels Broken (and How to Fix It) [00:05:15] The Power (and Choice) of Optimism [00:10:00] Trust, Toxic Positivity, and Real Talk in Teams [00:14:30] What Actually Happens When You Get a Board Complaint [00:24:12] From Blue-Collar Kid to C-Suite Vet Leader [00:33:16] The Banfield Origin Story and Scaling Through PetSmart [00:41:00] The Case for General Practice as the Hub of Vet Care [00:50:01] How to Scale Leadership Without Killing Culture [01:01:00] Why Taking Care of People Comes First...

Ep 82: Just Keep Swimming with Dr. Paula Yankauskas

1 hr 38 min

In this episode, I’m joined by an absolute powerhouse of a human being—Dr. Paula Yankauskas. A veterinarian, practice owner, and open-water swimming legend, Paula’s story is one of resilience, passion, and pushing the limits of what’s possible. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Paula has spent decades building and leading Lamoille Valley Veterinary Services, a thriving seven-doctor practice in rural Vermont. But as impressive as her veterinary career is, it’s her other life in the water that truly sets her apart. Paula is one of a select few athletes to have completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming—a gruelling trifecta of the English Channel, the Catalina Channel, and the 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan. Not stopping there, she went on to achieve the Frosted Triple Crown, which adds the mind-boggling challenge of an Ice Mile—swimming a full mile in water below 5°C (41°F). From the discipline and endurance required to swim across the world’s toughest waters to the lessons of leadership, resilience, and goal-setting that she applies in veterinary medicine, Paula’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. We discuss how she balances her veterinary career with extreme endurance challenges, the mindset that allows her to push past discomfort, and the power of simply "just keep swimming." Whether you’re looking for inspiration in your own career, curious about open-water swimming, or just love hearing stories about people who redefine what’s possible, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. So grab a coffee (or maybe a wetsuit) and dive into this incredible conversation with Dr. Paula Yankauskas. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] The Meditative Power of Swimming [00:03:12] Paula’s Journey to Veterinary Medicine & Founding Lamoille Valley Veterinary Services [00:08:23] Taking the Leap: Her First English Channel Swim [00:15:45] The Psychological Battle of Marathon Swimming [00:22:10] Lessons from the Open Water & Applying...

Ep 81: World Wild Vet - Dr. Evan Antin’s Mission to Save Animals & Inspire Change

1 hr 42 min

In this episode, I’m joined by none other than Dr. Evan Antin—the globetrotting vet with a knack for treating everything from household pets to some of the most exotic creatures on the planet. Known to millions as "America's Sexiest Veterinarian," Evan has carved out a unique career that blends adventure, veterinary medicine, and a passion for conservation. From his Kansas roots to wrestling crocodiles and saving rhinos, Evan’s journey is as wild as the animals he cares for. As a practicing vet at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital in California, he balances his work with pets while traveling to far-flung corners of the globe, providing medical aid to animals in dire need. But it’s not all glamour—Evan dives deep into the challenges of being an exotic animal vet and the ethical questions conservationists face daily. With his signature charm and relentless energy, Evan talks about his passion for educating millions through social media and TV, how he’s using his platform to advocate for responsible pet ownership, and the life-changing stories behind his book, World Wild Vet. Whether it's saving an orphaned rhino calf or teaching us about conservation one Instagram post at a time, Evan embodies what it means to lead with purpose and heart. Grab your brew, sit back, and enjoy as we explore Dr. Evan's incredible journey from small-town Kansas to the global stage. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Ethical Social Media and Wildlife Conservation [00:03:01] Meeting Dr. Marty Becker and Early Career Influences [00:06:16] Growing Up in Kansas and the Passion for Wildlife [00:10:40] Finding Veterinary Medicine as a Career Path [00:15:55] Lessons from Steve Irwin and David Attenborough [00:21:37] The Role of Social Media in Wildlife Awareness [00:27:12] Surviving Vet School and Staying Motivated [00:35:19] Writing World Wild Vet and Lessons from the Field [00:41:23] The Dark Realities of Rhino Poaching [00:46:06] Finding Hope in Conservation Efforts [00:51:43] Dangerous Wildlife En...

Ep 80: Curiosity, Conservation, and Creativity: The Many Lives of Rick LeCouteur

1 hr 46 min

Today’s guest is a remarkable individual whose career spans decades, continents, and disciplines. Meet Rick LeCouteur—a trailblazer in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery, an educator who has mentored generations of veterinarians, and a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. Rick’s story begins in rural Australia, where his love for animals was ignited. Over the years, his relentless pursuit of knowledge led him to teach and lecture in more than 70 countries, transforming lives and veterinary practices along the way. From pioneering advancements in veterinary neurology to developing innovative surgical techniques, Rick’s career is a testament to the power of curiosity and resilience. In his “retirement”—a term he redefines as “what’s next?”—Rick has become an acclaimed wildlife photographer, conservationist, and children’s author. His latest book, Nasty Names Are Hurtful: An Australian White Ibis in the City, combines his passions for storytelling, education, and the natural world. Tackling themes of empathy, resilience, and environmental conservation, Rick continues to inspire the next generation of animal lovers and environmental stewards. In this episode, we explore Rick’s incredible journey from rural beginnings to global impact. We discuss the evolution of veterinary medicine, the art of mastering multiple careers, and how a simple belief—“What’s next?”—can fuel a life of purpose and joy. Whether you’re a vet, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply curious about how one person can make such a lasting impact, this conversation is for you. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and prepare to be inspired by the one-and-only Rick LeCouteur. Episode Links Rick LeCouteur’s websiteNasty Names Are Hurtful and other books by Rick LeCouteur on AmazonRick’s blog: Insights on neurology, conservation, and creativity. Episode Outline 00:01:29 Meet Rick LeCouteur 00:06:00 Early Influences 00:13:00 Challenges in Veterinary Medicine 00:20:00 Philosophy of “What’s Next...

Ep 79: Courage Under Fire: Rescuing Animals and People in Crisis with Pen Farthing

1 hr 38 min

Today’s guest is nothing short of extraordinary. His story is one of courage, compassion, and an unshakable sense of purpose. Meet Pen Farthing—a former Royal Marine Commando who took an unexpected turn to become an animal welfare champion and founder of the Nowzad Charity. It all started with a stray dog Pen befriended during his time in Afghanistan, a bond that sparked the creation of the country’s first-ever animal rescue center. But this wasn’t just about saving animals—Pen’s mission empowered communities, employing Afghanistan’s first female veterinarians and running crucial rabies vaccination programs that saved both human and animal lives in regions desperate for such intervention. Fast forward to 2021, when the world watched the chaotic withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Kabul. Amid this turmoil, Pen spearheaded the now-famous Operation Ark. It was a mission fraught with danger and resistance, from navigating the deadly threat of the Taliban to overcoming relentless bureaucratic hurdles, political pressure, and a hostile media storm back in the UK. Headlines screamed accusations of 'prioritizing pets over people,' but the reality was far more complex. Pen’s focus was on rescuing his entire team alongside the animals, blending humanity with heroism in the darkest of circumstances. The gripping story of Operation Ark is captured in Pen’s book, Operation Ark: The Tale of Courage and Compassion in Afghanistan’s Darkest Hour. Today, we’ll dive into what it really means to lead with integrity when the stakes couldn’t be higher, explore the personal cost of standing by your values, and learn what’s next for this remarkable individual. So, make yourself a brew, settle in, and enjoy this powerful conversation with the one-and-only, Pen Farthing. Episode Links ‘Operation Ark’ by Pen Farthing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Ark-Pen-Farthing/dp/1910461709 Nowzad Charity: https://www.nowzad.com/ Follow Pen Farthing on...

Ep 78: Grit, Mountains, and Medicine: Inside the Mind of Trailblazer Dr. Jasmin Paris

1 hr 7 min

On today’s show, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Jasmin Paris—a true powerhouse in the worlds of veterinary medicine and ultra-running.  Jasmin’s got a serious academic pedigree: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Veterinary Science, PhD, and membership in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Jasmin is a leading expert in small animal medicine, but honestly, it’s her jaw-dropping athletic feats that leave most of us in awe. Jasmin is one of the most accomplished female ultra runners, particularly in Fell Running, on the planet. Just this March, she made history as the first woman ever to complete the brutal Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, a 100-mile monster with a 60-hour cutoff that only 20 people have ever conquered in its 38-year run. And that’s not all—back in 2019, Jasmin won the Montane Spine Race, a 268-mile winter ultramarathon across England’s Pennine Way, breaking the record by over 12 hours, all while expressing breast milk and caring for her 14-month-old daughter. She’s also crushed records in the 2016 British Fell Running Championship and the Bob Graham Round, blazing through that gruelling 66-mile challenge in an incredible 15 hours and 24 minutes. From her days as a vet student, captivated by animals and the science behind their care, to her relentless pursuit of the next peak in mountain running, Jasmin is the embodiment of grit and passion. Today, we’ll dig into her incredible journey, exploring how she’s balanced—and thrived—at the intersection of veterinary medicine and ultra-running, and the lessons she’s picked up along the way. So sit back, grab a cup of tea and enjoy my conversation with the one-and-only Dr. Jasmin Paris. Episode Links Dr Jasmin’s blog: https://jasminfellrunner.blogspot.com/ Follow Dr. Jasmin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminparis_fellrunner/ The Green Runners: https://thegreenrunners.com/ Episode Outline 00:01:00] - Introduction to Dr. Jasmin Paris’s Dual Passions [00:04:45] - Discovering the Call to Veterinary M...

Ep 77: Disrupting the Veterinary Industry: The Genesis of FenVet, with Dr. Cody Creelman

1 hr 46 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by veterinarian, multiple practice owner and digital storyteller, Dr. Cody Creelman. Join us as we talk about Dr. Cody’s exciting journey in and out of veterinary practice, culminating in his new practice FenVet, an ultramodern clinic looking to reimagine veterinary care. Dr. Cody began his veterinary career with a focus on large animal practice, where he quickly became a respected figure, known for his dedication and expertise. Amongst being a veterinarian, multiple practice owner, Cody is also a digital storyteller—sharing his story and daily adventures in entertaining and educational ways that have garnered over 20 million views, followed by loyal cohorts of ranchers, veterinary professionals and the public alike. From working a construction job seven days a week to pay for university, to veterinary graduate, to partner, to multiple practice owner — Cody didn’t catch his breath. However, in 2019, a series of unexpected events led him to pivot dramatically, leaving behind his established career to explore new horizons. Cody loaded up his family and set off into the unknown. After swimming in America’s tidal pools, hiking Redwood’s National Park amongst the oldest trees in the world and sleeping out under the stars, a new challenge started to emerge for Cody. Driven by a desire to innovate and improve the veterinary experience for both clients and practitioners. He opened FenVet in Airdrie, Alberta in May 2021. A new ultramodern clinic, mostly working with dogs and cats. FenVet's mission was clear from the start: to reimagine the veterinary care experience for the betterment of patients, clients, and the FenVet team. Born from Cody’s appetite for innovation, the clinic focuses on continually challenging traditional animal care paradigms with the ultimate aim of extraordinary experience and extraordinary innovation. So sit back, grab a cup of tea and enjoy my conversation with the one-and-only Dr. Cody Creelman. Links FenVet: https://fenv...

Ep 76: Veterinary Medicine to King of Online Education, with Anthony Chadwick

1 hr 32 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by veterinary surgeon turned King of online veterinary education, founder and CEO of The Webinar Vet, musician, environmentalist and Liverpool FC fan, Anthony Chadwick. Anthony Chadwick knew from the age of 8 that he wanted to be a veterinarian. After graduating from his home university in Liverpool, he worked as a small animal veterinarian for over 20 years.  After attending a webinar conference in 2010, Anthony saw an opportunity. Looking to make veterinary education easier, more accessible and affordable for vet professionals with very busy lives, Anthony carved out and pioneered the first online space for veterinary education through his founding of The Webinar Vet in 2010.  The Webinar Vet has now been online for over 13 years, with over 3,000+ hours of video education and vets and nurses from well over 100 countries having benefited from its broad video encyclopaedia. Anthony’s itch for pioneering and innovation doesn't stop there, as he continues to spread the word for circularity and sustainability in the veterinary business and beyond. He has recently completed a Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies course at the University of Cambridge, and is hosting the third annual Veterinary Green Discussion Forum in June of this year. With a principal focus on leaving the planet in the same way we found it, Anthony’s personal life and businesses are built on the foundation of circularity and sustainability. The Webinar Vet is Carbon Negative, having planted over 7,000 trees so far and has cultivated wildflower meadows near its office.  Anthony continues to facilitate regeneration into a more sustainable, environmentally friendly space by encouraging big and small companies to become more ambitious with their targets on climate, biodiversity and resource use to help keep our beautiful planet safe. And as a part of this mission, he is hosting the third annual Veterinary Green Discussion Forum at the London Wetland Centre on the 18th...

Ep 75: Can Vet Heroes Get To Net Zeros? Sustainable Futures, with Dr. Jeremy Watson

1 hr 19 min

Can Vet Heroes Get To Net Zeros? Sustainable Futures, with Dr. Jeremy WatsonAbout the GuestDr. Jeremy Watson completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science with honours at the University of Melbourne in 1986. He established the Brimbank Vet Clinic in 1998, a small animal practice in suburban Melbourne. During 2011, the clinic was rebuilt incorporating the latest environmental design features, facilitating a pathway to make the practice carbon neutral. In 2013, Dr. Watson achieved membership by examination to the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the discipline of small animal surgery. Dr. Watson joined Vets for Climate Action in 2020 to help amplify the role that veterinary teams can play in motivating our community to take urgent action on climate change. Within this organisation, he has been working specifically on the Climate Care Program for Veterinary Practices. Links Brimbank Veterinary Practice: https://www.brimbankvet.com.au/  Connect on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-watson-29243151  Sustainable Clinic AVA Article: https://www.ava.com.au/digest/from-around-the-ava/2021/november/2/jeremy-watson/  Episode DescriptionIn this episode of Blunt Dissection, we dive deep into the quest for net zero carbon emissions in veterinary medicine, guided by Dr. Jeremy Watson, a pioneer in the field of veterinary sustainability. Dr. Watson brings to light the crucial role of integrating business culture and strategic planning in veterinary practices to foster a conducive environment for sustainability efforts. He underscores the necessity for management's commitment to spearhead this journey, through strategic fund allocation, visionary leadership, and setting a clear direction for the practice's future. The absence of such unified leadership and vision, he warns, could hamper efforts to curb carbon emissions, depriving them of the essential support needed for success. Dr. Watson further explores the power of collective action, empha...

Ep 74: Renaissance in Independent Practice Ownership: The Right Time is Now, with Dr. Matthew Salois and Martin Traub-Werner

1 hr 25 min

On today's show, we peel back the layers of veterinary medicine's current landscape, under the guidance of two of the industry's most influential figures, Dr. Matt Salois and Martin Traub-Werner. Matt, the president of VMG, a leading veterinary group purchasing organization, and former Chief Economist for the AVMA, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the economic facets of veterinary practice. His insights into financial trends and strategic planning are invaluable to understanding the broader economic environment in which veterinary practices operate. Martin Traub-Werner, the pioneering former CEO of Vet Success and the current CEO and founder of VetBooks, a cloud-based veterinary accounting software, is a titan of data analysis and entrepreneurial innovation in veterinary medicine. His expertise not only lies in harnessing the power of data to drive business success but also in creating tools that empower veterinary practices to navigate their financial landscapes more effectively. Together, Matt and Martin dissect the complexities facing today's veterinary professionals. They delve into the significant trends that are shaping the industry, from the challenges of navigating economic pressures to the opportunities presented by technological advancements and the shift towards independent practice ownership. Their conversation, while deeply informative, also offers a roadmap for vets to strategize and thrive in an ever-changing professional environment. They discuss the uncomfortable truths of our profession with the precision of seasoned experts, yet also highlight the reasons for optimism, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with a clarity that's both enlightening and actionable. This episode is more than just a dialogue; it's a strategic session that draws on Matt's deep understanding of veterinary economics and Martin's groundbreaking work in veterinary data analytics and software development. Their combined expertise presents...

Ep 73: Dr Chloe Buiting - The Jungle Doctor

1 hr 31 min

Tune in to the latest episode of the Blunt Dissection Podcast, where we are honored to have the remarkable Dr. Chloe Buiting, an Australian wildlife veterinarian, conservationist, published author, and consultant for Fauna & Flora International, join us. With an impressive background as an Official Advocate for Kensington Palace's Earthshot Prize and a member of the Science Advisory Committee at Zoos Victoria, the world's first carbon-neutral zoological facility, Dr. Chloe brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our conversation. Join us as we delve into Dr. Chloe's deep-rooted love for our natural world, cultivated during her childhood on the breathtaking Lord Howe Island. In this episode, she generously shares her early influences, veterinary heroes, and the transformative path that led her to become a dedicated conservation vet. Prepare to be inspired as she opens up about her book, 'The Jungle Doctor,' revealing the motivations, challenges, and profound insights behind its creation. Together, we explore the impact of conservation work and embark on a thought-provoking discussion about the effects of COVID-19 on wildlife, navigating existential crises, and more. In the end, we unravel Dr. Chloe's relationship with Instagram and dive into a rapid-fire round of questions, getting to know the real person behind the inspiring work she does. This engaging episode is brimming with invaluable lessons and advice for the next generation of veterinarians. Don't miss out! Outline of this episode: • [0:48] Meet Dr. Chloe Buiting: Discover the story behind the passionate wildlife veterinarian and conservationist. • [06:30] Early Influences on Lord Howe Island: Explore the formative experiences that shaped Chloe's love for nature and wildlife. • [09:00] Veterinary Heroes: Learn about the people who influenced and motivated Dr. Chloe along her veterinary journey. • [13:05] Path to Conservation Vet Work: Dive into the pivotal moments and factors that led Dr. Chloe to dedic...

Change Makers - Making A Stand Against The Corporate Juggernaut with Caroline Collins & Matt Flann

1 hr 14 min

In this thought-provoking episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with veterinarians Matt Flann and Caroline Collins, the inspiring owners of Pennard Vet Group in the UK. They have challenged the status quo of selling their practice to corporations for large sums and instead forged an ethical path towards a brighter future for pets, their team, and the local community. By creating an employee-owned model and achieving B-Corporation certification, Matt and Caroline have become beacons of change in the veterinary industry. If you're curious about alternatives to selling out to private equity, passionate about leaving a positive impact on the planet, and interested in exploring new ways of engaging and caring for your people, this episode is for you. Matt and Caroline's leadership journey will open your mind to a different perspective on veterinary practice ownership and inspire you to consider the profound impact ethical choices can have on your team and local community. Join us as we delve into the story of Matt and Caroline's bold decision to create an employee-owned model for Pennard Vet Group. We'll explore the challenges they faced, the values that drove them, and the positive outcomes they have witnessed as a result. Discover how their employee-owned model has fostered a culture of collaboration, dedication, and commitment to providing the best possible care for their furry patients. We'll explore how years of commitment to growing fantastic leaders, and a sense of stewardship rather than ownership steered their choices. And we'll dive into Matt and Caroline's pursuit of B Corporation certification an standard that showcases their commitment not just to people, but to society. Lofty stuff indeed. Don't miss this engaging and informative episode that will expand your horizons and challenge conventional notions of veterinary practice ownership. Be inspired to create change and build a future where ethics and compassion mean more than dollar signs. Because doing...

Ep 71: Dr Robert Hilsenroth - Leadership, Community & Conservation

1 hr 18 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Robert Hilsenroth. Dr. Hilsenroth was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1971! After a year in practice, he took the bold step of moving to Colorado and opening a small animal practice as a relatively inexperienced vet and businessman. Things clearly worked out, as he owned the practice for the next 19 years. There were highs and lows, including frustration with how the media handled veterinary issues. As such, Dr Hilsenroth was drawn to develop his media skills to better contribute to and improve the quality of reporting on important local and national veterinary issues. This investment paid off, and for a decade, he was employed by the ABC television affiliate KUSA as their “pet health expert,” producing weekly reports on pet and animal issues.  In addition, he hosted radio talk shows and wrote weekly newspaper columns. In 1991, his career changed course quite dramatically and sold his practice and began a 13-year tenure with the Morris Animal Foundation, an organisation funding health studies for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife.  Initially joining as the Staff Veterinary Communications Officer, Dr. Hilsenroth’s skills allowed him to be identified and successfully appointed as the Foundation’s Executive Director. When he began this role, the Foundation was funding only two studies in the Zoo & Wildlife Division, while there were 10 or more studies in each of the other Divisions. When he got done more than a decade later, the same division was funding more than 30 studies. Dr. Hilsenroth “retired” from Morris Animal Foundation in April 2004 and moved to northern Florida to enjoy fishing and the quiet life. Or so he thought… Talent, however does not often get the luxury of going quietly into the night… and it wasn’t long before the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, a group he had worked closely with while at the Morris Animal Foundation, came calling on his lead...

Ep 70: Dr Ben Howitt - Conservation, Coastlines & Community - A Vet's Galapagos Journey

1 hr 26 min

On today’s show, we have the pleasure of being in the company of Dr Ben Howitt. Ben is the Founder & Managing Director of Pan Animalia Galápagos and is an International Veterinary Manager with Worldwide Veterinary Service. He was brought up in Singapore and studied at the University of Bristol Vet School in the UK. Following graduation, Ben spent three years of mixed clinical practice on the Channel Island of Guernsey before moving to the Galápagos Islands to manage a volunteer and charitable veterinary clinic run by a US charity. He completed this work in 2019, returning to the UK to start his own foundation called Pan Animalia and subsequently teamed up with Worldwide Vet Services as one of their project managers. Pan Animalia’s mission is to conserve endemic wildlife populations in the Galapagos islands by preventing competition, predation, and infectious disease transmission from the domestic animal population. This, in part, means working to educate local communities but also setting up local population control systems and preventive vaccination programs. The foundation is doing terrific work and in the past year since opening has completed more than 700 surgeries, attended more than 1300 animals, hosted 32 students and volunteers, visited 8 local schools and created one awesome team! In 2020 his efforts and ambition were recognised as he was nominated for the British Veterinary Association’s Young Vet of the Year award. Now, before we jump into today’s episode, here is a quick word from today’s show sponsor… Introducing The Vet Career Concierge - the easy way to find your dream job. It's a brilliantly simple concept. Instead of wasting time searching through thousands of practice jobs that might be a good fit - but frequently aren’t. Let The Vet Career Concierge do the hard work. All you have to do is register, and tell us about your skills and what you are looking for from your next practice. Then your Career Concierge goes to work filtering, matching and...

Ep 69: Change-makers - Getting Real about the Toxic Impact of Gold Standard “Care”, with Dr. Sara Pizano

1 hr 15 min

On today's episode of Blunt Dissection, we are doing something a little bit different. For the last six years, I have been interviewing people who are doing remarkable things in veterinary medicine. But this year I feel like getting curious about what different models and thinking is out there.  Why?  - The reason is pretty simple. We are in what seems like an unsustainable moment where we are haemorrhaging talent of all kinds out of the veterinary profession. This comes at a time when there is increased demand in terms of quantity and availability of service but also in terms of quality of service.  We are haemorrhaging talent in the face of increased stress, which starts at university, driven by the soaring costs of education. A stress that previous generations did not have. And yet acting as a counter-balance  we see huge improvements to the quality of life. Working hours per week have never been lower. And we now speak openly, freely and widely about the mental health issues that have confronted this profession for generations.  This of course is all playing as we observe the sweeping changes to the ownership structure of veterinary practices. Gone, it seems, are the days of independent practice as we move into the days of market consolidation and multinational corporate medicine.  The chief decision makers are now shareholders or financiers whose commitment is primarily to the ongoing financial viability and profit of those businesses generate for distant shareholders. That's quite different to the commitments made in the boardroom of smaller independent clinics practices owned outright by vets - where animal welfare is the primary driving factor.  So it’s against this backdrop we explore what's going on in veterinary medicine and we look to the future, not the past. We’ll look to salve the pain of today by looking at the balm of tomorrow’s innovation. I’ll be exploring business models from around the world where people are challenging the status quo. So le...

Ep 68: Martin Traub-Werner - Power to the People!

59 min

On today’s show I’m joined by Martin Traub-Werner.  Martin is the founder and former CEO of Vet Success, a business helping practice owners improve their decisions by taking objective data, sucked from their practice management software, and turning it into meaningful insight. He holds a BA in Economics and Spanish from York, and a Masters in Industrial and Labour Relations from Cornell. His early career was spent cutting his teeth in the HR department of a global manufacturing organization. He then took a “tour of duty” through the various business departments of both fortune 500 companies and small businesses - gradually learning his craft. Having served a very handy apprenticeship, Martin began his entrepreneurial journey for real setting up a marketing automation business. A complete fluke conversation caused a pivot into data intelligence and Vet Success was born. The business grew to a market leading position in data analytics for practices and in January 2021, was acquired by Vetsource. After a year working as the head of Data & Platform Technologies for the company, he moved on to start up his latest venture called VetBooks.  VetBooks is a book-keeping service looking to democratize timely access and understanding of practice financials. Martin’s other notable career contributions are as a co-author of Veterinary Practice Management Essentials and he sat as chair of  VetPartners Practice Management Special Interest Group for two years. Now, before we jump into today’s episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor… Introducing The Vet Career Concierge - the easy way to find your dream job. It's a brilliantly simple concept. Instead of wasting time searching through thousands of practice jobs that might be a good fit - but frequently aren’t. Let The Vet Career Concierge do the hard work. All you have to do is register, tell us all about your skills and what you are looking for from your next practice. Then your Career Concierge goes to work filtering, match...

Ep 67: David McCormick - Profit Is Not A Dirty Word

1 hr 32 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by David McCormick. David is a veterinary valuation appraiser and transaction specialist, working with veterinarians throughout their ownership journey to help evaluate financial health so owners can make better decisions.  To give that a better outline David, in the same way, that veterinarians look at lab tests and x-rays to diagnose disease in animals, uses financial reporting tools to diagnose and treat unhealthy practices, or helps new owners understand their numbers from the beginning. In short, he’s a veterinary business health wizard who can read the tea leaves of your accounts and accurately predict much about your practice without ever walking in the door. A skill that every practice owner or manager would do very well to master too. His career pathway to veterinary medicine was not direct and frankly is worth an interview on its own merits,  with animal encounters in exciting, remote places and a near miss as a musician featuring highly.  But it was his father, Larry, an MBA-holding Veterinarian that was the magnetic draw back into a world he was immersed in as a child. More on that in the interview. David holds degrees in Science, Environmental Resource Management, and a Masters in Agricultural Education. He’s a regular and hugely popular speaker on the veterinary world speaking circuit, a charter member of Vet Partners, and serving as president in 2006. And was the Practice Management Education Manager for Western States Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas for seven years. Money management is massively important for business and by extension physical and mental health. Well-managed businesses which return good profit margins allow for better staff salaries, more investment in new things to help standards of care, and a fair return for owners. Having seen him keep the attention of the PSI vet symposium attendees the day before, on a subject more prone to glazing the eyes of veterinary professionals I knew I’d found my guy to t...

Ep 66: Dr. Peter Weinstein Flips the Mic & 'Blunt Dissects' Dr. Dave

1 hr 31 min

When I sat down for this episode of Blunt Dissection I thought it would be like any normal interview. Very quickly however I found myself in the Blunt Dissection hot seat! Being interviewed by the returning Dr Peter Weinstein. Peter takes to the mic to ask me some of veterinary medicines' most burning questions and I must say I’m a bit worried he’s trying to take over as the host of Blunt Dissection as a whole!  Peter and I have a fantastic discussion on a range of subjects from avoiding mentoring meltdowns, to the importance of culture, to reimagining the whole veterinary model around new technology. There's a lot to cover in this one so we’ll jump right on in but first a short message from our show sponsor... We all know that imposter syndrome, angry clients, and burnout are real and cause many vets to leave their jobs and careers.  But what you might not know is that there is a place where you can learn and master the essential street skills for how to be a great GP vet upon which you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career. A place where you can access mentors view jobs from practices that care about culture and access new weekly articles and podcasts dedicated to your career.  That place is called VetX and you can access all of the resources including a career planning tool, The RACE accredited Thrive Professional Skills course, hundreds of articles, podcasts, live mentor Q&A sessions, swag and more. To join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the better go to www.vetxinternational.com today to register for free! Now back to the show... Before we get into the interview, a quick reminder of just how much Peter has accomplished in his varied and successful career. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University and, after graduation, Peter worked as an associate for three years before fully engaging with his entrepreneurial seizure and opening his practice. Whilst running his practice Peter learned the hard way that it takes way...

Ep 65: Dr Mike Petty - Managing Pain in Pets & Long Lasting Career Happiness

1 hr 23 min

In today's show, we visit rural Michigan and find ourselves on a horse farm… Home to none other than veterinary pain management guru Dr. Mike Petty. Mike is a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. He has been the owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital since 1985. And it was here that he dedicated himself to becoming a pet pain management specialist, developing his practice to include the Animal Pain Center, a hugely popular service drawing pet owners from far and wide.  Within this particular niche, Dr Petty expanded his knowledge and skills to encompass the most up-to-date and compassionate treatments available. He is certified as … and wait for it… a Veterinary Pain Practitioner, a Medical Veterinary Acupuncturist, a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, and he’s a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. In 2016 he published his first book Dr. Petty's Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain.  Mike is the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and the co-author of the AAHA/AAFP 2015 Pain Guidelines.  He is an international speaker, highly published author with articles in several veterinary journals and serves in an advisory capacity to several pharmaceutical companies on topics of pain management.  Now before we jump into the show, a quick word from today’s show sponsor…The VetX community. We all know that imposter syndrome, burnout, angry clients, and burnout are real and cause many vets to leave their jobs and careers.  But what you might not know is that there is a place where you can learn and master the essential street skills for how to be a great GP vet upon which you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career. A place where you can access mentors view jobs from practices that care about culture and access new weekly articles and podcasts dedicated to your career.  That place is called VetX and you can access all of the resourc...

Ep64: Tasha McNerney - Preventing Pain in Pets (& People!)

1 hr 30 min

On today’s show I am joined by uber-technician and Anesthesia Nerds founder Tasha McNerney. Tasha is a certified veterinary technician and pain practitioner specialising in anaesthesia as well as having the distinguished diploma in utterly nerdy vet tattoos!   Her veterinary journey bagan back in 1997 when she first started working in practice and has seen her rise to become one of the most inspiring advocates for animals in our profession.  Tasha graduated from Michigan State University in 2003 with a degree in wildlife Biology, gained her LVT in 2006 after studying Veterinary Technology at Manor college, and in 2015 qualified as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in anaesthesia.  She also works to educate the public on animal pain awareness, founding  Animal Pain Awareness Month alongside the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.  She is a regular on the vet speaking circuit, and in 2020 she was recognised for her contributions by being voted VMX Speaker of the Year for Veterinary Technicians. But perhaps her greatest accomplishment in doing all of this, is in finally proving beyond any doubt that nerds can be cool too. Well, at least Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds! If you are not picking up what I’m putting down then search for Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds on Facebook and you’ll find the group she founded with more than 18,000 other passionately devotees to making life safer for animals under our care, big glasses and, occasionally, cool ink...  Speaking of awesome communities, a quick word from today’s show sponsor….  Did you know there is a community where you can learn the essential street skills for how to be a great GP vet upon which you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career. A place where you can access mentors, view jobs from practices that care about culture and access new weekly articles and podcasts dedicated to your career.  That place is called VetX and you can access all of the resources including a career planning tool, 14 hours of a...

Ep 63: Rob Pope - Becoming Forrest - One Vet’s Epic Run Across America

1 hr 29 min

In today’s episode of Blunt Dissection, we’re joined by the real-life Forrest Gump, Rob Pope.  Rob is best known for being the first person to complete the famous Forrest Gump run: 15,621 miles, five times across the United States. Rob is a graduate of the London Royal Veterinary College, an ER vet, winner of the Liverpool marathon, a qualifier for the Australian Olympic marathon team, ultra-athlete, and the first man to complete the Forrest Gump Run across America.  Averaging nearly 40 miles each day, Rob embarked on this mind-boggling journey across the United States to raise both funds and awareness for causes he really believes in - Peace Direct and the World Wildlife Fund.  His journey took him across the US 4.77 times, covering over 15,700 miles and earning a Guinness World Record.  In 2021 he released his book documenting the journey, “Becoming Forrest”. He has also finished as top Northern European on the six-day, self-sufficient Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, billed as one of “The World’s Toughest Footrace” - and that was despite developing pneumonia during the penultimate stage! To date, his incredible efforts have raised more than £100,000 for charities including the world wildlife fund. Rob hosts the Red Bull podcast called “How to be Superhuman”, where he chats to other similarly insanely brilliant (or perhaps brilliantly insane) endurance athletes of all backgrounds to hear what makes them “superhuman”. Oh, and in addition to his vet degree, he also holds a degree in veterinary pathology and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine. If you like running you are going to LOVE this episode. If you need a lift, Rob is your walking pep talk. And if you just love some vet life philosophy from two dudes with weird accents… we’ve got you covered. Enjoy this conversation with the superhuman running machine, Dr Rob Pope. Outline of this episode: [0:00] The introduction begins. [03:22] The episode begins with Rob describing who he is and what he does.[07:3...

Ep 62: Dr Sarah Boston - Dedication, Improvization & Actualization

1 hr 38 min

Now after a short intermission, on today’s show, we’re back. And I’m joined by Canadian veterinarian, comedian, author, and cancer survivor Dr. Sarah Boston. Sarah graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1996.  She completed a rotating internship at the University of Guelph the following year. She then returned to Western Canada for three years of general practice before going to the University of Guelph for a residency in small animal surgery - becoming board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004.  Sarah followed this up with a Fellowship in Surgical Oncology in 2005 and is an ACVS Founding Fellow of both Surgical Oncology and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. She was on faculty at the University of Guelph for 5 years before moving south to the University of Florida where she was an Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology. Having achieved tenure at both institutions she took the less beaten path and moved back to Canada where she started a Surgical Oncology Service at 404 Veterinary Emergency & Referral in Newmarket. She is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Guelph. A Past-President of Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Sarah has authored numerous journal articles and textbook chapters on surgical oncology. Sarah is also a published author and cancer survivor. Her first book, Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved My Life, was published in 2014.  In addition to her writing and vet work, Sarah has found a huge creative outlet in comedy, founding The Cageliner, a satirical newspaper for the veterinary industry, and, having made the Top 10 in CBC Comedy’s 2019 Next Up amateur comedy competition, she decided to make comedy her next big move, undertaking a two-year diploma qualification at Comedy School! In this episode, we delve into Sarah’s past and learn what has shaped her to become the person she is today, from living on her own at age fifteen to her ‘crazy’ patients in Fl...

Ep 61: The Time of Your Life with Dr Adam Christman

1 hr 21 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by vet, author, social media personality and potentially the biggest Doxie & Disney cheerleader in the world, Dr. Adam Christman. Adam gained his Bachelors in Animal science from Rutger University in 2000 before going on to study veterinary medicine at Iowa State where he graduated in 2004. He is also a rare breed vet holding an M.B.A from Aspen University. Adam’s career kicked off at lightning pace, initially working in his hometown practice where he ended up the chief of staff (while also working ER and relief shifts). He’s scratched his altruistic itch working both in shelter medicine and in education teaching on the veterinary assistant program at his local community college. In 2010 his personal brand took off with the launch of his Dr Christman Show on youtube, and most recently the explosion of his tik tok profile where nearly a million followers consume his content designed to help pet owners and vets connect. Although I admit at least 500,000 of them are me watching his version of Doxie Vs Soft-toy Roulette videos. If you’re confused, don’t worry, just google Adam. In 2017 he faced a triple tragedy that would put anyone in a tailspin and after much soul searching he pivoted again into his current role as CVO of the much loved Fetch DVM360 media group. Oh, and did I mention he also wrote and published a book called ‘Honey, Have You Squeezed the Dachshund? A Guide for Dachshund Owners Who Are Terrified of IVDD’? Now, whilst you catch your breath, I’d like to invite you to join something that can help you get ahead in your career as a vet. We all know that imposter syndrome, angry clients and burnout are real, and cause many vets to leave their jobs and careers. But what you might not know is that there is a community where you can learn the essential street skills for how to be a great GP vet upon which you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career. A place where you can access mentors, view jobs from practices that ca...

Ep 60: Stop, Start, Less, More with Dr Andy Roark

1 hr 14 min

My first Blunt Dissection episode of the year kicks off with veterinarian, podcaster, international speaker, author, media personality, founder of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference, and of course good friend, Dr. Andy Roark. Dr. Andy graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Florida in 2008 and since then has been changing the pathway of veterinary medicine through his many outlets and talents. Over the past 10 years, Andy has poured himself into life as a veterinarian, as well as being an award-winning columnist for DVM360, a veterinary speaker for Dr. AndyRoark.com ‘a veterinary social hub’, and most recently he founded Uncharted Veterinary Conference - a veterinary medicine’s premier business and career development community - with the goal to help veterinarians thrive and avoid practice drama and burnout. Now, before we jump into the episode, I’d like to invite you to join something that can help you get ahead in your career as a vet. We all know that imposter syndrome, burnout, angry clients and burnout are real and cause many vets to leave their jobs and careers. But what you might not know is that there is a community where you can learn the essential street skills for how to be a great GP vet upon which you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career. A place where you can access mentors, view jobs from practices that care about culture and access new weekly articles and podcasts dedicated to your career. That place is called VetX and you can access all of the resources including a career planning tool, 14 hours of accredited education, hundreds of articles and live mentor Q&A sessions, plus earn swag and more. To join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the better go to www.vetxinternational.com today. Registration is free so get on that as soon as the show is done! Now back to the show, I first interviewed Dr. Andy for the Blunt Dissection four years ago, but couldn’t resist having him back on and quizzing his s...

Ep 59: A Slingshot Round Adversity - 2021 Highlights

1 hr 0 min

If 2020 was the year that got away, 2021 was the year where we bounced back. It too came with huge uncertainty and challenges and life in practice was played out against a depressing narrative of burnout and talent loss. With uncertainty still rife, and vet med at what feels like a dangerous tipping point, what can, indeed, what must we do to move forward? One of the answers I suspect is already in play - hiding in plain sight. Resilience, that of talked about but seemingly elusive quality is borne out of adversity and in the past 2 years you’ve been building yours, perhaps without even realising it. So as we reflect on another journey around the sun, I thought it would be nice to shine some light on how each of my guests refused to let adversity crush them, instead harnessing its painful energy to sling shot out the other side scarred, but stronger. Let’s dive in. Guests included: Dr. Molly McAllister Dr. Lisa Lippman Dr. Peter Dommett Dr. Fabian Rivers Megan Brashear Dr. Sharon Grossman Dr. Marty Becker Dr. Robin Downing Dr. Mandisa Greene Prof Liz Mossop The Street Vet - Dr Jade Statt We see further and feel so much bigger, when we stand on the shoulders of giants. And that friends, is as positive a message as I can leave you with. All that remains is to thank all of my guests this year for giving up their precious time to talk. I’ve made some new friends, deepened some relationships and I hope has helped you work through another year in this special world we pet professionals call home. Thank you for listening and supporting the show. I hope you get some downtime with your friends and family over the festive season. For the last time this year, from all of us here at VetX….. Be safe, be well and be happy. Today's show was made possible by the VetX Thrive Community. To join this growing band of vets dedicated to building a successful and sustainable career in veterinary medicine visit www.vetxinternational.com today.

Ep 58: The Street Vet - Dr. Jade Statt

1 hr 22 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr. Jade Statt, cofounder of Street Vet a charity caring for the pets of homeless people. Jade graduated from Glasgow University Vet School with honors in 2002 and initially worked as an assistant in a small animal practice where her innate desire to help others spurred her on to compile and write The Pocket Book of Small Animal Tips For Vets. A book she donated to raise funds for vet mental health and wellbeing charity, Vetlife. Her own struggles with depression led to her serving on the board of VetLife for three years, before finding her true calling one evening on the way back from a night out in London in 2016. Stopping to speak with a homeless man, Jade came to realize the importance of pets to homeless people. But it was also apparent that the vet care and support we might take for granted was non-existent for those living on the street with pets. An idea was born and soon after she took to the streets of London with a backpack stuffed with medicines, food, toys, collars, and leads, and the desire to help. Not long after she met her co-founder Sam Joseph who by happy coincidence was doing something similar and Street Vet was born. Since then, Street Vet has grown rapidly with teams active in 17 locations and a volunteer army of more than 700 dedicated vets, nurses, and support roles nationally in the UK. Jade, in her role as founder and ambassador for the charity, is a tireless advocate taking on many of the other issues that result in increased homelessness such as the lack of available pet-friendly temporary accommodation and has successfully launched a service of accreditation and training for hostels who wish to change. In 2019, her incredible work was duly recognized as she was announced as the Animal Star Awards Vet of The Year. Now, oftentimes we’ll have an advert here…. But today our only ask is that you take a second to visit www.streetvet.org.uk and see what you can do to help. If you are a vet or nurse in...

Ep 57: Prof Liz Mossop - Growing Tomorrow's Vets

1 hr 30 min

On today’s show it is my pleasure to be joined by one of the most influential and innovative people in steering global veterinary education, Professor Liz Mossop. Liz graduated from the Edinburgh Vet School in 2000, and following several years in mixed practice jumped, and I do mean jumped, headlong into academia, taking up a new post as lecturer in Clinical Veterinary Education at the University of Nottingham in 2006, the same day as her students arrived! She was part of the team that created a new model for educating vets and delivered a de novo curriculum based on applied learning with hands-on clinical work from day one. The school has been consistently ranked as outstanding by its students who have gone on to win much admiration from employers across the country since. On her own journey into academia, Liz has racked up an impressive list of achievements including completing a masters and PhD in clinical education. She has consistently published on topics of interest to anyone who values a happy career in practice and is one of the most cited authors in her field. In 2016 she was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy and gained a fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She became professor of clinical studies at Nottingham University in 2017. Since then, Liz’s career has continued to soar and has taken her away from veterinary medicine altogether. She currently works at the University of Lincoln as Deputy Vice Chancellor for student development and engagement. A role in which she helps 17,000 students studying everything from medicine to music. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, feeling like an imposter or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are si...

Ep 56: Dr Mandisa Greene - Inspiring Inclusivity and Diversity For All

1 hr 25 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Mandisa Greene, the first black president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, here in the UK. Raised in Trinidad, Mandisa grew up surrounded by animals and aspired to become a vet from an early age. However, her path into veterinary medicine wasn’t easy. Mandisa faced rejections from all her university applications on her first attempt. But luckily for us, she didn’t let rejection get in her way and, after first completing a degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, Mandisa was accepted to study veterinary medicine at Edinburgh’s Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies graduating in 2008. Following four years in general practice, Mandisa then worked in a dedicated emergency clinic covering Birmingham before transitioning to relief vet work to enable her to have a better work/life balance as she raised her family. Mandisa is a published author, and along with being passionate about her own development, is also a strong advocate for veterinary nurses achieving and being used to their full potential. To this end she has lectured at Harper Adams University educating both student and qualified veterinary nurses. In 2020 Mandisa was historically appointed as the first black president of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and having completed her year of office is now serving as senior vice president. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, feeling like an imposter or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are simply missing some super-important skills no-one teaches at university. Skills you will learn as part of the VetX community. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills course where members receive training, toolkits and one-to-one coaching to develop these skills. Join hundreds of other vets who have changed...

Ep 55: Dr Robin Downing - Analgesia For The Soul

1 hr 31 min

On today’s show I’m joined by the woman with potentially the new Blunt Dissection record (Sorry Sheilah) for the number of letters after a name, Dr. Robin Downing, DVM, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP, CVA, MS in Clinical Bioethics. Robin, who will be familiar to many of you, graduated from Loyola University of Chicago, (where she obtained a degree in English) in 1981 and later from the University of Illinois: College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. Growing up, Dr. Robin had a natural rapport with animals, thanks to her Grandad; and was later pushed towards pursuing her career in veterinary medicine by her partner and now wife. Utilising her degree in English, Robin wrote a weekly column in The Denver Post, as well as multiple magazine articles, short stories, and two books. Meanwhile, using her veterinary degree to transform Windsor Veterinary Clinic into a Practice of Excellence and create The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management. Alongside, this Robin serves as a Trustee for the Morris Animal Foundation and is an affiliate faculty member at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. It is no wonder that in 2001, she was presented the prestigious Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association in Vancouver, and the winner of the 2020 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, feeling like an imposter or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are simply missing some super-important skills no-one teaches at university. Skills you will learn as part of the VetX community. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills course where members receive training, toolkits and one-to-one coaching to develop these skills. Join hundreds of other vets who hav...

Ep 54: Dr Marty Becker - Fighting For A Better Future For Pets & People

1 hr 34 min

On today’s show, I’m joining by Dr. Marty Becker. Also known to the public as “America’s Veterinarian,” Marty is a genuine titan of vet medicine with an incredibly successful career spanning not just the decades, but also the categories. He was born and raised in potato country on a small family farm in Southern Idaho. Where his family had dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, and, of course, dogs and cats. Back then the cats were mostly feral and lived in the shadows of the haystacks and farm buildings, and the dogs were outdoor-only. Becker went to veterinary school to become a dairy practitioner, but after listening to Dean Leo Bustad’s introductory talk about the human-animal bond, he switched his attention to companion animals on the spot. Today, our pets occupy more of our beds than we do, which is part of the reason he founded the juggernaut “Fear Free” practice movement which aims to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them. Over his career, Marty has owned multiple practices and built a national media profile through his TV appearances, national newspaper column, and book publishing deals. To date, he has written 23 books that have sold almost 8 million copies, including three New York Times best-sellers. Dr. Becker is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and also at the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine at both Colorado State University and the University of Missouri. Additionally, he has lectured at every veterinary school in the United States, and is on the advisory board of World Vets, an international veterinary and disaster relief program to help animals. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, imposter syndrome, or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is th...

Ep 53: Exhausted to Extraordinary with Dr Sharon Grossman

1 hr 22 min

On today’s show I’m joined by Dr Sharon Grossman. Dr. Grossman is a Psychologist, Life Coach, and Speaker, who is an expert in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and managing burnout in high achieving professionals. She graduated more than two decades ago with a Bachelors in Psychology and since has completed a double Masters and a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology from Fordham University. For the past two decades, Dr Grossman has worked with lawyers, doctors and other high-achieving professionals to help improve mental health and well-being, as all are prone to sacrificing their self-care as a result of work demands. Individuals she describes as having “too much on their mind, no direction, and end up focussing on unimportant items while forgetting about more important ones”. Thus entering a paradoxical downward spiral of perceived-underachievement, and eventually exhaustion. If you’re thinking this sounds eerily familiar, then you perhaps get why I was so keen to have Dr Grossman on the show! In addition to her work as a psychologist and coach, Dr. Grossman published her best selling book ‘The 7E Solution to Burnout’ in 2020. A book she hopes will help more high achievers transform their lives from exhausted to extraordinary - a book I strongly recommend you check out. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, feeling like an imposter or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are simply missing some super-important skills no-one teaches at university. Skills you will learn as part of the VetX community. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills course where members receive training, toolkits and one-to-one coaching to develop these skills. Join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the better as a Thrive member. To learn more and find out...

Ep 52: Megan Brashear - Career Pivots on the Road to Happiness

1 hr 26 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Megan Brashear. Megan initially went to college as a History major, with the objective of teaching high school students. But quickly realising that, for her, such a career was potentially an act of gross masochism she quickly pivoted. Instead, she found biology, and shortly after, veterinary technology. Fast forward several years and Megan gained a BS in animal science from Brigham Young University, her CVT at Oregon in 2000, and became a VTS in ECC in 2004. During her career she has amassed more than 20 years of ER/ICU nursing, along the way working as a senior leader in both private and corporate practice. Following a period of ‘never-say-no’ induced burnout, Megan took a sideways adventure into online training which was part of her seemingly inevitable 360 back into education, but this time with the right group of students - her beloved vet techs. And so it is that Megan now works as a member of faculty at Purdue University, a place where she has found her ‘home’ combining her skill and passion as a mentor, trainer, and leader - helping to develop the vet technician talent of tomorrow. And if you were looking for any evidence that she’s in her element as an educator, the fact she’s won the coveted VMX speaker of the year award, not just once, but twice is probably as good a sign as any! Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing time, feeling like an imposter, or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are simply missing some super-important skills no-one teaches at university. Skills you will learn as part of the VetX community. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills course where members receive training, toolkits, and one-to-one coaching to develop these skills. Join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers fo...

Ep 51 - Dr Fabian Rivers - Inclusion & Diversity in Veterinary Medicine

1 hr 23 min

On today’s show I’m joined by Dr Fabian Rivers. Fabian is an exotics vet, TV personality, social activist, and philosopher. Hailing from Birmingham in the United Kingdom, Fabian, also known as Dready Vet, took a path less travelled to becoming a vet by undertaking his training in the Czech Republic. So why did he go overseas to study? The answer perhaps sheds some light on why there is such a glaring mismatch between the ethnic diversity of our general population and the ethnic diversity of our profession. As an applicant from the black community Fabian found, time and again, doors in the UK closed to him that in all probability would have been wide open to others. Thankfully for us all, he was not to be denied, and his perseverance and courage saw him graduate in 2018. Since then he has made an impressive impact. Fabian works in exotics medicine and is a tireless campaigner on his favoured topics of mental health, racism, plus new graduate and student welfare. 2020, a year of hell for many, saw his star rise further, first winning the BVA Young Vet of the Year award (for exemplary contribution to the vet community) and also landing a presenter role on the hugely popular Pets Factor children’s TV show. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive community. If you are struggling with managing your time, feeling like an imposter or burnout then you need to make a change. The good news is that you are not broken or a bad fit for the profession, you are simply missing some super-important skills no one teaches at university. Skills you will learn as part of the VetX community. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills course where members receive training, toolkits, and one-to-one coaching to develop these skills. Join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the better as a Thrive member. To learn more and find out if the class is a good fit for you visit www.vetxinterna...

Ep 50: Dr Peter Dommett - an Incredible Farming & Transforming Ecosystems Story

1 hr 14 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Pete Dommett. Pete graduated from the Onderstepoort school of veterinary medicine in South Africa. A born adventurer with a lust for life, he now lives in Scotland managing an organic farm, literally ploughing a new furrow for ethical food production, and a move away from unsustainable monoculture farm practice. Something he firmly believes is detrimental to animal welfare, the planet and even the survival of the human race. Peter’s convictions derive in no small way from a life lived to the full. Highlights include an entirely harrowing and tragic yachting trip in the wild southern ocean, the rehabilitation and transformation of Waterford Farm a beautiful, non-mechanised cattle farm. Located high in the Drakensberg mountains, his efforts were initially written off as impossible, yet he grafted, innovated and ultimately proved his values-led model of farming worked. One where animals, people and the ecosystems work in harmony. Each remarkable step of these chapters of his life proceeding with a captivating mix of blood, sweat, laughter and tears. His is a story of one man's journey into the unknown which I'll warn you now, will frequently leave your jaw on the floor. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Leaders program for practice managers. If you are responsible for the management of a vet practice and people more accurately staff dramas are your biggest challenge then Leaders was designed for you. The program is the only complete leadership system developed specifically for veterinary practice that will help you transform your practice from 'Hot Mess', to 'Hot Rod'! During the course, you'll learn how to create a compelling vision, choose the right strategy, hire effectively and lead your team so you create a positive culture that brings results. Leaders is a unique deep dive into the world of high performance and I will be your personal mentor throughout....

Ep 49: Dr Lisa Lippman - Carving Your Own Path in Veterinary Medicine

1 hr 9 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by the socially savvy Dr Lisa Lippman. Lisa is one of the most followed and socially influential veterinarians in the United States. She is a regular fixture on media outlets such as Dr Oz, Inside Edition, and People Magazine as a go-to source for expertise in pet health and safety. Whilst growing up in New Jersey Lisa developed a passion for animal care. After initially majoring in Public Relations, she was accepted into vet school and graduated from Western University. After graduation, she completed an internship in New York, the city where she currently resides. Keen to offer a ‘gentler’ veterinary service to her clients, Lisa soon embarked on creating her own house call business ‘vets in the city’. When not treating some of the most influential pets in the world she sits on the board of Animal Lighthouse Rescue, whose mission is to help the homeless dogs of Puerto Rico, and is the co-host of a hugely popular podcast 'We Don't Deserve Dogs' with her partner, comedian Richie Redding. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive professional skills course from VetX International. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter THRIVE. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills training course where members receive training, toolkits and mentoring support to support development of these skills. Paul, one of the community members says joining was the best decision of his life and went from being miserable to being energised and happy in his work. Membership is available for a small monthly fee where you can join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the bette...

Ep 48: Dr Molly McAllister - Leading & Living with Purpose & Humanity

1 hr 26 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by one of the most senior vets in the United States, Dr. Molly McAllister. Molly graduated from Oregon State Vet School in 2004, holds a BA in biology, and a Masters in Public health. After a brief stint in equine practice, she worked as a GP vet in Portland before life got tough and circumstances took her in an entirely different, but retrospectively serendipitous, direction. It was 2009 when she began work within the Mars Petcare family, joining as Scientific Services Vet until her move to Banfield in 2014. Molly was initially appointed as director of research, a role where among other things she was responsible for producing the Banfield State of Pet Health Report, a fascinating insight into the disease incidence derived from analysis of more than 3 million health visits to Banfield practices each year. Various other roles followed where Molly’s triple love of people, data, and medicine became evident, allowing her to contribute to, or drive many important initiatives within Banfield and beyond. In 2019 she was appointed the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, a role where she drives strategy and organisation of the veterinary teams while being accountable for the medical quality standard across the company. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive professional skills course for vets. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are likely contributing to many of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter THRIVE. Thrive is a RACE accredited, professional skills training course where members receive instruction, toolkits, and mentoring support to ensure success. Membership is available for a super-small monthly fee where you can joi...

Ep 47: 2020 - Messages From The Year That Got Away

52 min

Today’s show is the 2020 end of year review. Normally it is my job to interview and tease apart the life of interesting people from around the world of veterinary medicine. But in our traditional end of year review episode, I take the time to reflect on some of my favourite clips from my 2020 interviews and consolidate the wisdom. In this year, it was very poignant to reflect on how easy it was to meet our friends and families, and to a certain extent how for-granted we all took many elements of life before COVID. So our theme for this episode is finding strength in the work and words of others, because although our sense of connection has been reduced it’s the fortitude and wisdom that can be found in the words and deeds of others that might inspire the strength within to endure and come through this toughest of years. I loved listening again and want to thank my guests who were exceptional in both their talents and generosity in allowing us to peek through the window to their life. The clips I chose are a variety of insights that seemed to have relevance in today’s world and certainly gave me plenty to ponder. I hope you derive a similar pleasure. If this is your first experience of the show then consider it a tapas plate of audio joy, and as such, I invite you to dip in and let the journey take you deeper into the minds of my guests as you see fit. Feel free to explore the 46 other episodes that currently exist! All that remains is for me to wish you a wonderful festive season. Be sure to get some well-deserved rest whether with friends and family or in self-isolation. Thank you for listening and we’ll see you next year. From all of us at VetX International to you, wherever you are… Be safe. Be well. And be happy. Dr D. x

Ep 46: Dr Caroline Murray - The Wilderness Vet

1 hr 30 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Caroline Murray aka the Wilderness Vet. Caroline graduated from Liverpool University Vet School in 1997 and, in addition to her veterinary degree, holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a Master's in Conservation & Wildlife Medicine. After spending the first few years of her career working in the UK, she took the opportunity to spread her wings and taste the combination of remoteness, veterinary medicine, and conservation (that became the hallmarks of her career) with a trip to West Africa to care for orphaned primates. Wild adventures ensued, a pattern was set, and the Wilderness Vet was born. This spirit of adventure has since led her all over the globe caring for horses in the Mongol Derby - a 1000km horse race across the Mongolian Desert. Near-death experiences with injured Sled dogs in light aircraft above the frozen Alaskan tundra, as part of the Iditarod vet team. And more recently to New Zealand where she currently resides. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the Thrive professional skills course from VetX International. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter THRIVE. Thrive is a RACE accredited professional skills training course where members receive training, toolkits, and mentoring support to support the development of these skills. Paul, one of the community members says joining was the best decision of his life, and went from being miserable to being energised and happy in his work. Membership is available for a small monthly fee where you can join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the better. To learn more and enroll visit www.vet...

Ep 45: Laura Muir - The Vet Going For Olympic Gold

1 hr 10 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by double European record holder, gold medalist, and Olympic athlete, Laura Muir. Laura made her debut in senior athletics representing Great Britain at the 2013 World Championships and is the current British record holder over 1500m. In 2017 she had an incredible year becoming the fastest woman in the world over this distance, taking her first diamond league world title and winning two gold medals at the European Indoor Athletics Championships, breaking a 32-year old championship record along the way. So what does any of this have to do with veterinary medicine? Well not content with taking the athletics world by storm, Laura achieved many of these feats while completing her veterinary degree at the equally world-beating Glasgow University Veterinary School! In fact, Muir missed the chance of gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, opting instead to focus on passing her veterinary medicine finals. But in August that year, she was back and achieved her greatest honour to date winning gold in the 1500 metres European Championships in Berlin, the first British woman ever to win this title. And you thought it was hard to go for that early morning run twice a week! Now a quick word from today's show sponsor. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter Thrive. Thrive is a course and support community where you will learn the professional skills needed to build a sustained and successful career. With RACE accredited webinars, workbooks, and live monthly mentoring events you have all the tools to set you up for success. Membership is available for a small monthly fee where you can join hundreds of other vets who have changed their careers for the bet...

Ep 44: Dr BJ Miller - Embracing our mortality for a better shot at life

1 hr 12 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr BJ Miller. BJ is a practising hospice and palliative medicine physician in San Fransico, an author and speaker, best known for his TED Talk, "What Really Matters at the End of Life”. He has been on the teaching faculty at UCSF School of Medicine since 2007 and sees patients and caregivers through his online palliative care service, Mettle Health. He is the subject of Netflix's Academy Award-nominated short documentary, End Game and his book for approaching the end of life, A Beginner’s Guide to the End, was co-authored with Shoshana Berger and published in 2019. He’s also a triple amputee who suffered a horrific injury resulting in the loss of both legs and his left arm when he was an undergrad at Princeton. To many, this would have been calamitous. To BJ, it became a transformative moment of deep pain he harnessed to find purpose. Now, before we get into the show, a quick word from today’s sponsor... When it comes to end of life care, most pets are still euthanised in the sterile and sometimes harsh clinical environment of the veterinary practice which, while convenient for practitioners, is not ideal for pets and can result in as many as 20% of clients never returning to the clinic again due to the psychological trauma. Enter Lap of Love, a veterinary service working in partnership with veterinarians across America to offer an incomparably compassionate end of life care experience for pets in their own homes. In one memorable example, CEO Dr Dani McVety was asked to euthanize a family pet in his beloved swimming pool…. The result was a pet passing in his favorite place, a family grieving but grateful, and a sad moment made infinitely better by an act of amazing kindness. So, if want your clients to experience a beautiful end to their pet’s life or learn more about how you can make the euthanasia experience better for your patients then visit www.lapoflove.com. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll end up doing house calls in swim...

Ep 43: Debt & Money - The Elephant in the Room of Veterinary Medicine

1 hr 32 min

On today’s show I’m joined by not one, but two awesome guests as we take on the towering elephant in the room of veterinary medicine - MONEY! More specifically, DEBT! To dissect this huge issue we have a two for one deal where I’m joined by vets and financial experts Dr. Meredith Jones and Dr. Phil Zeltzman. Meredith is an ER doctor from Virginia, host of the Debt Free Vets Facebook group, and was able to pay off her entire student debt in less than five years post-graduation. She now uses the knowledge she acquired in the process, plus the huge amount of financial training she has undertaken since to help other vets follow the same path. Phil is a multi-time business owner, investor and board certified traveling surgeon, supporting clinics in his home state offer advanced surgical care without the need for referral. He is also a published author with two books available on Amazon and happens to be one of the best storytellers in the business. Now, rather wonderfully both of these amazing people have teamed up and are on a mission to teach vets how to escape from the burden of the amassed student debt they carry and have created the Veterinary Financial Summit which will hold its inaugural event in September 2020. Check is out at https://vetfinancialsummit.com/ --------------- Today's episode is sponsored by the VetX:Thrive community. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have mixed news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter VetX:Thrive - a RACE accredited, non-clinical skills course/community where members receive training, toolkits, and mentoring support to support the development of these skills. Paul, one of the community members says joining was the best decision of his life and went from being miserable to be energized and hap...

Ep 42: Dr Melinda Merck and the World of Veterinary Forensics

1 hr 7 min

On today’s show, we go on a dive into the dark side of humanity as I am joined by veterinary forensics expert, Dr Melinda Merck. Dr Merck is the owner of Veterinary Forensics Consulting in Austin, which supports law enforcement by tackling crime scene investigation as well as the examination of live and deceased victims. She helps with large scale operations including exhumations of burial sites and examination of skeletal animal remains. She frequently testifies as a veterinary forensic expert for animal cruelty cases around the country including the high profile and successful conviction of NFL player Michael Vick. The fearless Dr. Merck, a Michigan State University veterinary graduate, also trains veterinarians, attorneys, and police officers around the world on the use of veterinary forensics in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases, and the important link between this and domestic violence. She serves on the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, is the Past President of the Board of Directors for North American Veterinary Community, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Plus, my favourite to last she is a member of the International Association of Blood Stain Analysts - if you’re thinking Dexter right now, I suspect you are not alone! In addition to her incredible list of accolades, Dr Merck is the author of “Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigation, the co-author of “Veterinary Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty: A Guide for Veterinarians and Law Enforcement,”. Now, just before we jump into the episode, I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is my brand new VetX:Leaders training group. If you are a manager in, or owner of, a vet practice and people are your biggest challenge then VetX:Leaders was designed for you. The program is a complete personnel management system where you will learn how to create vision & strategy, hire effectively, and lead yo...

Ep 41: Dr Lisa Radosta - Being Unbreakable (and much more besides)

1 hr 17 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Lisa Radosta. Dr Radosta graduated in 2000 from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, she worked as a primary care veterinarian for 2 1/2 years. She then completed a 3-year residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. During her residency, she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row. Dr Radosta is contributing author for chapters of many well-known textbooks including The Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat; Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult and Small Animal Pediatrics. She has published research articles in Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science, The Veterinary Journal and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior and written review articles for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Compendium, Clinician’s Brief and AAHA Newstat. Plus she is the section editor for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. Dr Radosta also serves on the Fear Free Advisory Board and the AAHA Behavior Management Task Force. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the VetX:Thrive community. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100% in control of changing things and having a great career. You are missing some skills and they are NOT clinical. Enter VetX:Thrive. VetX is a RACE accredited, non-clinical skills training course/community where members receive training, toolkits and mentoring support to support the development of these skills. Paul, one of the community members says joining was the best decision of his life and went from being miserable to being energised and happy in...

Ep 40: Dr Sara Pizano & Her Mission to Transform Shelter Medicine

1 hr 47 min

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Sara Pizano. Sara is a Cornell Graduate and leading light in shelter medicine who has brought about enormous positive change to shelters across America. After university, she completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York in 1995 and was subsequently hired by North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, New York where her shelter medicine adventure began. In 1998 Sarah was recruited as director of the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale and in 2005 she was appointed the Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services in Miami, Florida. During her tenure, she attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding, nearly tripled the adoption rate and pretty much rewrote the Animal Services County Code! In 2013 she joined 'Target Zero' as program director and was instrumental in creating and developing a new model to transform high euthanasia public shelters. In the course of her work, she visited and mentored multiple shelters around the country resulting in a drop of nearly 50,000 animal euthanasias in just 18 of those shelters alone. In an effort to offer a wider scope of services to help shelters of all types and sizes she created Team Shelter USA in 2017, where her goal is for all animal welfare organizations to have access to her life saving practices. Dr. Pizano is the author of The Best Practice Playbook for Animal Shelters and leads the assessment and mentorship program at Maddie’s Shelter Medicine, University of Florida. She has received multiple awards and is a board member of the Companion Animal Advisory Council and the Humane Society of the United States. Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is the VetX:Thrive. If you are working in practice and clients or colleagues are making you miserable then I have good news and bad news. The bad news is you are probably the source of your problems. The good news is that you are also 100%...

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