Blunt Dissection

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Saye Clement. Saye graduated from Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph in 1993. During her career she has worked in emergency medicine and since 2003 has been a co-owner of Carling Animal Hospital in Ottawa, where, on top of her clinical caseload, she leads the team and manages the hospital standards of care in her hospital.

Away from her practice, Saye is extremely active within the veterinary community serving on multiple advisory boards including the Lecture Advisory Board of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference, and the Owners Advisory Council for Vet Alliance. She has more recently begun lecturing on the subjects of team empowerment, culture and the art of communication.

While all of these things are fine accomplishments on their own, they are not why I was so interested to have Saye as my guest.

What I haven't told you is that she is a keen musician and board member of a small chamber orchestra in Ottowa called ‘The 13 Strings’. And it was as I watched her giving a talk titled “why I only hire artists” that my suspicions were aroused that Saye not only holds within her two seemingly opposed personas - the scientist and the artist - but she has found a way to blend both to become something better.

In my dealings with her over the years, I’ve seen many examples of how the awareness of the practice and precision required to be an accomplished musician has been applied with equal care to the building of her career and practice - with great results to show, her practice is a stand out for many reasons.

Now, just before we jump into the episode, a quick word from today’s show sponsor which today is VetX:Thrive. 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 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 non-clinical 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 my 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 get a 10% off your subscription visit www.vetxthrive.com and use the promocode ‘podcast’ in the checkout.

Now back to the show, This show was a favourite for me, I’ve known Saye for many years. She is quiet and humble but extremely effective at getting important things done. As I have gotten to know her, it becomes clear just how much more there is to come. I hope you have as much fun listening to this episode and my conversation with the quietly extraordinary, Dr Saye Clement.

My guest today is a genuine global superstar in the world of animal health, Dr Temple Grandin. The word ‘legend’ is often overused, but when you’re talking about one of the most respected animal behaviourists in the world – and the most famous person with autism – the word feels pretty accurate.

Labelled unfairly as mentally 'retarded' because she didn’t talk until she was three and a half years old, Dr Grandin rose to become a prominent author, speaker and consultant on autism, animal behaviour and livestock handling equipment. She is also a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.

But her journey to the top was not easy as she was teased and bullied in high school and workplace for being the “weird, nerd girl”. It was thanks to her science teacher Mr Carlock, who recognised her potential, that she became a scientist and went on to design the revolutionary livestock facilities that are now used by half the cattle production units in the United States.

Dr Grandin’s unique talent is her ability to think and see like an animal, because she sees in pictures, rather than words.

The late Oliver Sacks, physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology, described her first book, Emergence: Labeled Autistic, as “unprecedented, because there had never before been an inside narrative of autism”.

Dr Grandin went on to write in excess of 15 other books, has a TED talk with over five million views and is the subject of an Emmy-winning movie made about her life.

Now, just before we jump into the episode, I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is the VetX:Thrive community.

If you are a young vet looking to find your feet in vet med, grow your confidence, avoid burnout and beat you inner imposter, then VetX:Thrive is for you. As a community member you’ll have access to RACE accredited training modules, monthly meetings with experienced mentors, incredible toolkits and a supportive online community to help you thrive in your career.

Membership of VetX:Thrive is available for just $25/month and if you use the promocode ‘podcast' then you will receive a further 10% discount.

Head to www.vetxthrive.com to redeem this offer and take control of your career.

Now, back to the show.

It was both an honour to sit with Dr Grandin, and find out more about the way her incredible brain works. What seems so obvious to her has revolutionised the way we handle livestock. It’s arguable that her insight has improved the lives of more animals than just about anyone else on the planet.

Though this is a shorter episode than others, it is packed with insight that I know you will enjoy and find valuable. So, sit back and enjoy this, my conversation with the esteemed Dr Temple Grandin.

On today’s show, I’m joined by one of the most respected thought leaders on the planet when it comes to veterinary economics, Dr Karen Felsted.

Karen graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in marketing and spent 12 years in accounting and business management, six of those with Ernst & Young.

She then made a radical career change to studying Veterinary Medicine at Texas A & M University graduating in 1996. Returning to Dallas, she practiced both small animal and emergency medicine on a full-time basis while maintaining a veterinary accounting and consulting practice. In 1999 she joined Owen E. McCafferty, CPA, Inc., a national public accounting firm specializing in tax, accounting, and practice management services for veterinarians. During this time she also received her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager designation.

In June of 2001, Karen opened her own accounting firm and also joined the prestigious Brakke Consulting group.

In 2008 she joined the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues as CEO and spent over three years there before returning to business consulting.

Karen is currently a member of the Veterinary Economics’ Editorial Advisory Board and in 2011, she received the Western Veterinary Conference Practice Management Speaker of the Year award and in 2014, the VetPartners Distinguished Life Member Award.

But before you get utterly intimidated by her glittering professional roll call a quick word from today’s show sponsor…

Your employees are the backbone of your practice, and if they’re injured on the job, it’s vital to get them back on their feet as soon as possible. And with the average claim costing practices nearly $4000, having workers’ compensation coverage is a must.

One Midwest small animal clinic team member was handling a stressed dog during an x-ray. The dog bit the employee in the arm and later became infected, requiring surgery and a hospital stay.

Without the proper insurance coverage, this would have been a disaster, but thanks to the practices workers’ comp policy through AVMA PLIT, the $190,000 injury was completely covered.

The most effective way to reduce accidents and avoid claims is to have effective safety protocols. Our friends at AVMA PLIT offer a free digital safety manual now available to Blunt Dissection listeners. Download yours today at www.avmaplit.com/drdave.

Now back to the show…

Karen was on my very first list of guests to interview when I began the podcast because she is one of the speakers I have learned the most from and I can think of few others who have their finger firmly over the pulse of veterinary business. So, it was a real honour to welcome her to the show. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with the multi-talented, articulate and economically brilliant, Dr Karen Felsted.

On today’s show, which was performed and recorded in front of a live audience at Fetch Kansas City 2019, I am joined by an incredible woman, who is genuinely making a difference in veterinary medicine, Dr Betsy Charles.

Betsy is the executive director of the Veterinary Leadership Institute (VLI), which allows her to combine her passion for veterinary medicine, leadership development, teaching, and communication.

After graduating from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 and completing an internship with an equine referral hospital, Betsy joined a performance horse practice as an associate vet. She went on to become the Imaging Centre Director and also developed the practice’s extern program.

In 2009 she completed a master’s degree in Organisational Leadership, where her thesis dealt with the implementation of change efforts within organisations, specifically veterinary practice.

She is also an adjunct professor at Washington State University and a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners Leadership Development Committee and Student Programs Task Force.

Now before we get into the interview instead of a sponsor, I’d like to dedicate this episode to all of those brave souls fighting to save animal and human lives in Australia as the worst bush fires in recent memory rage. And in particular highlight, the plight of many of our veterinary friends whose business and livelihoods are under threat as the have either lost their client base or are expending precious resources helping to care for injured wildlife.

And let’s not forget the horror of having to see and deal with so many injured or dead animals.

This fire is not like the rest and our friends down under need our help, so if you want to specifically help your colleagues then please go to www.ava.com.au/donate and give what you can to the benevolent fund. Thank you.

Now back to the show…

Besty is passionate, honest and authentic which really comes across in this podcast.

We cover an incredible range of important topics from the “bullying culture” of education in medicine to why fear of failure is crippling the industry. But most movingly she shares her story of love with her husband Drake, an incredible figure of light, who she lost to ALS (Motor Neurone Disease) in January 2019.

For many reasons, this podcast will move you. To call it one of my favourites would be crass, the subject matter is heavy and I’ll warn you in advance, you are going to need tissues. But if you need proof that even during the darkest of nights, there shines the light of hope. Then this episode is for your soul.

So sit back and prepare for this, my conversation with the brave, inspiring, smart and funny Dr Betsy Charles.

(The audio recording we received was sadly not up to our normal standard, so we've done everything we could in post-production to improve it. While it's not bad, it's not quite where we normally shoot for. But trust me, it's still well worth sticking with it. Betsy shares some incredible things.)

Today’s show is the 2019 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 the now traditional end of year review episode, I take the time to reflect on some of my favourite clips from my 2019 interviews and consolidate the wisdom.

This year a strand that really stood out was how many people have overcome their battles to find some kind of equilibrium between their work-self and their personal self. Balance seems to be a crucial part of maintaining a happy mind and soul - not an easy task in the crazy world of veterinary care!

It would be unwise to say that any single pathway might work for you, but it is clear that there are lots of options that we can all play with as we strive to find a place of stability that allows us to truly love both our work, and ourselves.

In this episode take the time to digest the nuggets and reflect on how pertinent the individual wisdom might be to you. I certainly found as I listened back to my guests, new nuggets and thoughts blossoming in my mind.

I hope you derive similar wisdom and enjoy my framing.

All that remains is for me to wish you a wonderful holiday season. Be sure to get some well-deserved rest with friends and family. Reflect on what has gone before and take time to make a SMART plan for 2020.

Until next year, from all of us at VetX International. Be safe. Be well. And be happy. Enjoy the show. Dr D.x

On today’s show I’m delighted to welcome back (back extremely popular demand) anaesthesia, feline and end of Life care guru Dr Sheliah Robertson for our very first ever “round two” interview.

Sheilah is one of the insanely qualified, brilliant yet humble people in veterinary medicine so, if you missed round one then your homework is to go back to Episode 16 and catch up!

Sheilah grew up in Scotland and graduated from Glasgow University which sort of means we are twins. And her career in veterinary medicine spans more than three decades and encompasses numerous roles and qualifications acquiring four diplomas and one PhD while teaching at schools in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

She has held many prestigious positions including work with AVMA, she's a two-time member of the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners Pain Management Taskforce. And has served as the president of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

That’s saying nothing of the massive list of publications she has written or contributed to. All of which means she’s out of sight at the good end of the dunning-kruger effect curve.

In 2017, Sheilah joined Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice as the Senior Medical Director and helps the team deliver the best end of life care experience possible.

Now, just before we jump into the episode, I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is the VetX:Thrive community.

If you are a young vet looking to find your feet in veterinary medicine, grow your confidence, avoid burnout and beat you inner imposter, then VetX:Thrive is for you. As a community member you’ll have access to 12 online core training modules, monthly coaching with experienced mentors and incredible toolkits to help you thrive in your career.

Access to the community is available for just $25/month and if you use the promocode ‘podcast' then you will receive a further 10% discount.

Head to vetxinternational.com/thrive to take advantage of this offer and take control of your career.

Now, back to the show, I learned so much from my first conversation wit Sheliah that a round two was always on the cards and judging my how well the first episide was received, you felt the same way too. So it gives me huge pleasure to bring you this, my second conversation with the fantastic Dr Sheliah Robertson.

In this episode we get into a lot more detail on Sheliah’s bckstory, including her Scottish history and how she fought and won against cancer not just once, but twice. We also get into some detail on some Scottish mythology, how the faculty at Glasgow University pranked the world and as you might expect from one of the best veterinary anaesthesiologists on the planet, some outstansing advice to help you improve your patient care.

This is a very eclectic and wide-ranging conversation which I hope you enjoy for the content, and if not that, then the double dose of Scottish accents and folklore.

On today’s show I’m joined by former US Marine turned marketing guru Bill Schroeder.

Bill has a fascinating career path and attended Western Illinois University where he gained his degree in Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering in 1991. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corp.

After surviving the legendary Marine Corp boot camp training at the USMC Depot in San Diego, he went on to serve as a helicopter mechanic, plane captain, and then as a reservist, training NCO and section leader.

Following his years of service, Bill started his first business and spent time working in field surveillance and private investigations.

But in 1998 he and his wife Katie decided to move in a new direction and began what would turn out to be the start of a two-decade (and counting) love affair with veterinary medicine by founding Intouch Practice Communications Inc., which has grown phenomenally since inception and has helped thousands of veterinarians and dentists step successfully into the digital age.

Bill has completed the Veterinary Management Institute’s Practice Management Program at Purdue University's Krannert School of Management graduating in 2010. He has returned to help teach the Marketing Segment to VMI students ever since.

Now, just before we jump into the episode, I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is the VetX:Leaders community.

If you are a manager, owner or a team leader in a vet practice and people are your biggest problem then VetX:Leaders is designed for you.

As a member, you will learn how to build a high performing team based on three vital areas. Recruitment of the right people, daily management of those people and leadership skills. This is a unique deep dive into the world of high performance, and I will be your personal mentor throughout.

There will be teaching, mentoring and access to all of the templates and frameworks I have used to run successful veterinary hospitals around the world over the past decade. So, if this sort of training would improve your practice performance then go to www.vetxleaders.com to learn more.

Now back to the show…

Bill’s passion for helping his veterinary colleagues succeed is incredible and his ability to see a glass half full make him a great person to listen to and spend time with. These traits coupled to his mischievous sense of humour, storytelling gifts and infectious laugh make him a joy on the ear. So, without further ado, sit back and enjoy this conversation with one of my favourite humans, Mr Bill Schroeder.

On today’s show, I am joined by Dr Steve Noonan. Steve graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1983 and by 1986 (at the tender age of 27) he owned three veterinary clinics.

Though business grew fast, life got tough and with interest rates exceeding 20% per annum Steve very quickly learned how little he knew about business. Thus began an almost 30-year practice management learning odyssey which culminated in the formation of a 12 hospital partnership and the directorship of an ultramodern 15,000 square foot hospital. He also started the Metro Halifax Emergency Hospital, one of the first emergency clinics in Canada.

More recently, Steve has explored new areas and has dramatically diversified his attention which is now split between part-time clinical work (which he still loves), coaching and mentoring his younger peers and building an entirely new venture, Lochland Botanicals, a herb farm and wellness retreat near Toronto, serving up remedies, teas, flowers, yoga, mindfulness classes and some of the best photos on Instagram!

Now, speaking of wellness I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is the VetX:Thrive community.

If you are a young vet looking to find your feet in veterinary medicine, grow your confidence, avoid burnout and beat your inner imposter, then VetX:Thrive is for you. As a community member, you’ll receive 12 success-skill training modules, access to experienced mentors and incredible toolkits to help you thrive in your career.

Access to the community is available for just $25/month and if you use the promocode ‘podcast' then you will receive a further 10% discount.

Head to www.vetxthrive.com to take advantage of this offer and take control of your career.

Back to the show, Steve has felt both the highs and lows that life in practice can offer and he bears the scars on the outside and within. But from the moment I met him, one thing struck me more than anything else. Steve, has a heart the size of a house and wants to do good. His calm and steady demeanour is reflective of his thoughtful inner-self. And if you are looking for someone who has worked hard to become the best version of themselves. Or someone to pick you up when you are feeling down. Or help you find a path when you are lost. Then you’d do a lot worse than have this guy on speed dial.

Today's episode was a long time in the making and I loved every second creating it. I hope you enjoy it too. So without further ado, I offer you this conversation with my friend, colleague and mentor, Dr Steve Noonan.

On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Robert M Miller. Dr Miller is an equine behaviourist, veterinarian, and author.

He was born in New York on March 4, 1927, and raised in Tucson, Arizona. After serving in the infantry in World War II, he attended and graduated from the veterinary school at Colorado State University in 1956. He established the Conejo Valley Veterinary Clinic in Thousand Oaks, California in 1959 and was the pioneer of the larger multi-doctor practice - a rarity at the time.

Thirty-one years later, he retired as a renowned veterinarian and expert in ethology and began a speaking career. Dr Miller has visited every continent giving lectures to colleges, conventions for animal groups, horse organizations, breed associations and other clients.

He has published many books on horsemanship, but what you might not know is that his list of credits also includes seven books of comedic cartoons. His acute sense of humour and love of drawing spilling out onto the pages of magazines and books as fast as the insights came to his quick-witted and creative mind. To date, Dr Miller has published a staggering total of over 20 books.

On top of this he has authored 50 scientific papers and hundreds of magazine articles for both veterinary journals and equine publications and has served on the editorial staff of Veterinary Medicine, for which he is best known for his long-running “Mind Over Miller” column, as well as Modern Veterinary Practice, Veterinary Forum, and Western Horseman magazines.

Dr Miller has received multiple professional awards for his achievements in both veterinary medicine and equine behavior. In 2004, Miller was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Western States Horse Expo, and is a recipient of the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1995. Plus numerous other accolades.

Now, before I get into this episode, I wanted to let you guys know that we have brand new, limited-edition Blunt Dissection Podcast T-shirts available. If you would like to show your appreciation and support the work I do in creating these podcasts then jump across to my website www.drdavenicol.com/shop and you’ll find pictures of the merch there.

Every T-shirt purchaser gets a free podcast laptop sticker too! And of course, my enormous gratitude. The t-shirts and hand-printed here in Brighton, use organic fair trade cotton and environmentally safe inks. But most importantly, they make the wearer look smoking hot. Get yours while stocks last today.

Now back to the show, as I listen back to this episode it struck me how much I was smiling and felt joy in my heart. Partly this is due to a level of nostalgia from the insight into a time and world veterinary medicine is in danger of forgetting, it’s also because Dr Miller is such a funny, warm and engaging person to spend time with.

The insights, story telling and humour that Dr Miller shares make this one of my all time favourite episodes, and I rather suspect that by the end, you’ll feel the same way too.

So sit back and enjoy this episode with a man for whom legend seems to small a word. I give you my conversation with the wonderful Dr Robert M Miller.

On today’s show, I super-excited to be joined by the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Lizzie Lockett.

Lizzie, originally from a farming background in the North of England, is an Accredited PR Practitioner with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and holds a degree in English Language and Literature from St John’s College, Oxford, a postgraduate qualification in journalism, and diplomas in the History of Art, also from Oxford.

She joined the Royal College in February 2005 as Head of Communications, and later Director of Strategic Communications, she was responsible for all of the College’s communications and public affairs functions. She was also responsible for jointly managing the innovative Vet Futures – an initiative that has been instrumental in shaping the recent direction of veterinary medicine in the UK.

In autumn 2014, Lizzie helped set up the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) which aims to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of members of the veterinary team.

Following success in these roles, she was appointed CEO in November 2017 a challenging role for which she has performed admirably, winning plaudits from many quarters for helping to steer and modernise the executive branch of this old British institution at a time when multiple wrecking balls of change sweep through the industry.

Now, just before we jump into the episode, I just wanted to drop a quick word from today's show sponsor which is the VetX:Thrive community.

If you are a young vet looking to find your feet in veterinary medicine, grow your confidence, avoid burnout and beat your inner imposter, then VetX:Thrive is for you. As a community member, you’ll receive 12

success-skill training modules, access to experienced mentors and incredible toolkits to help you thrive in your career.

A year-long membership of the community is available for just $275 and if you use the promocode ‘podcast' then you will receive a further 10% discount.

Head to www.vetxthrive.com to redeem this offer and take control of your career.

Now, back to the show.

For someone in such a prominent position, it was refreshing to hear that she was open, frank and, as is typical for someone hailing from the proud English county of Yorkshire, direct with her opinions and knowledge.

She's smart, sharp as a knife, and most importantly clearly cares as much about the people in veterinary medicine as much as she does the animals we swore our oath to protect.

This is a conversation I know you are going to enjoy. So, without further ado, I give you, my conversation with Lizzie Lockett.