FlightPlan: Quick Consults

AI is everywhere — but what does it actually look like in a veterinary clinic? In this episode, we get practical: where AI is genuinely saving time (we're talking hours per vet), how it's transforming medical records and reducing cognitive load, and what real-world experience with AI in lab equipment looks like.

We also tackle the risks — over-reliance, the fear that saved time just means more appointments (it shouldn't), and what to tell clients who worry AI is making medical decisions about their pet. Plus, we dig into AI medical scribes and how offloading documentation can actually strengthen your client relationships.

And the question everyone's navigating: how do you communicate AI use to clients in a way that's transparent and builds trust?

🎉 Special offer for FlightPlan listeners: Save $100 on registration to the Pawsitive Intelligence AI conference at pawsitiveintelligence.ai using code FLIGHTPLAN at checkout.

Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ

Panelists:

• Gabriel Baldinucci, CEO of Pawsitive Holdings
• Dr. Andrew Ciccolini, Chief Veterinary Officer at SerenityVet

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

Inconsistent PIMS codes don't just create an organizational headache — they undermine every financial, clinical, and operational decision that flows from your data. In this episode, we dig into what it actually costs your practice when everyone's coding differently, and why fixing it matters more than most teams realize.

From the classic dental coding dilemma (does that x-ray live under dentistry, radiology, or anesthesia?) to benchmarking chaos when practices aren't speaking the same language, our guests unpack the real downstream consequences — and share practical advice on where to start. Whether you're independent or part of a group, you don't have to overhaul everything at once. Clean, standardized data is what gives your team the clarity to make confident decisions at every level.

Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ

Panelists:

• Nora Zarcone, VP, Sales and Revenue Growth at BitWerx
• Hannah Bates, Operations Support Specialist at Encore Vet Group
• Ben Spinks, Co-Owner & Managing Director at Tipp City Veterinary Hospital

Thank you to Purina for sponsoring today's episode!

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

In this episode, our panelists unpack the leadership behaviors that can quietly erode trust, even when intentions are good, from inconsistency in communication and accountability to the impact of favoritism and the importance of leaders admitting their own mistakes.

They also share practical, repeatable ways leaders can build stronger, higher-performing teams every single week — including creating space for honest conversations before problems escalate, following through on the small things, and making time for genuine human connection.

If you’re looking to strengthen trust, improve team culture, and become a more intentional leader, this quick consult is packed with insights you can put into practice right away.

Resources mentioned:

• Book - Nine Minutes On Monday

Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ

Panelists:

• Shannon Lovley, CVPM, Senior Consultant at Vet Positive
• Carol Hurst, LVT, CVPM, CVJ, CCFP, Consultant at Encore Veterinary Consulting

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

Veterinary practices often promote their best people and then wonder why things aren't working. Sound familiar?

In this episode, Brenda Tassava Medina, Amy Brauns, Melissa Mauldin and Angela Gainey dig into one of the most overlooked problems in practice leadership: what happens after the promotion. Too often, new leaders are handed a title and left to figure the rest out on their own. No coaching, no resources, no roadmap. Just sink or swim.

The panel also tackles the question of what would change everything for a new veterinary leader if developed early!

If your middle managers feel stuck, this episode will tell you why and where to start!

Resources mentioned:

• Leadership scorecards - email Brenda at [email protected]
• Book - From Bud to Boss

Host: Brenda Tassava Medina, CPVM, CVJ, MVLCE

Panelists:

• Amy Brauns, RVT, CVPM, Hospital Administrator at Everhart Veterinary Group
• Melissa Mauldin, CVPM, SHRM-CP, ACC, Vice President of HR at Encore Vet Group
• Angela Gainey, CVPM, Practice Administrator at Uniontown Veterinary Clinic

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

Months of conversations. Dozens of perspectives. And some very clear patterns!

In this solo episode, Brenda Tassava Medina shares the themes she keeps hearing from high-functioning veterinary practices and what struggling ones consistently miss.

The best practices aren't running on hustle. They're intentional about how work flows, how culture gets built, and how their teams are set up to succeed. Brenda also gets into something that stops a lot of leaders in their tracks: the problem you think you have is usually not the real one!

Tune in to find out what the patterns are telling us.

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

We say it all the time...you can't pour from an empty cup. So why does everyone in veterinary medicine keep pouring anyway?!

In this episode, we get honest about burnout: what the early warning signs actually look like (cynicism, apathy, dehumanizing clients — and they're different for everyone), and why psychological safety through regular one-on-ones is your first line of defense.

We also dig into the systems that actually support team wellbeing — staffing, charting support, structured space to process hard things — and why CSRs, technicians, and DVMs often need different solutions. People over profits, always.

And then the harder question: are you taking care of yourself the way you take care of your patients? When did you last get your own bloodwork done?

Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE

Panelists:

• Dr. Evan Ware, Practice Owner at Laveen Veterinary Center
• Julie Squires, CCFP, CMLC, Rekindle Solutions
• Carol Hurst, LVT, CVPM, CVJ, CCFP, Consultant at Encore Veterinary Consulting

Resources mentioned:

• Compassion Satisfaction Accredited Workplace (CSAW) Program

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

"Work-life balance" might be the most overused phrase in veterinary medicine, so if balance isn't the goal, what is? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Tate, a veterinarian and practice owner who has never fully bought into the myth, and Ron Sosa, a neuro-inclusive leadership coach who has held nearly every role in a veterinary practice. Together, they get real about what sustainable work-life integration actually looks like: delegating and letting your team grow, scheduling in intentional blocks, and building in space to decompress after emotionally heavy appointments.

We also dig into the boundaries we know we should set, but quietly break anyway. From taking back tasks instead of trusting your team to carrying the emotional weight of everyone around you, if you're a fixer, this one's for you.

Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE

Panelists:

• Dr. Amy Tate, Managing Partner at Riverview Animal Clinic
• Ronald Sosa, CVPM, CCFP, PgD-CLP, Neuroinclusive Leadership Strategist

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

In this episode, two veterinarians and a practice manager share how teams can balance high standards of care with the financial realities clients face.

The conversation highlights the importance of reading client cues, offering clear options along the spectrum of care, and meeting clients where they are without compromising medical integrity. The panel also dives into practical strategies to improve compliance, from communicating value and aligning as a team to ensuring consistent messaging across every touchpoint.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between great medicine and affordability, this episode offers real-world insight on navigating it with confidence!

Host: Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE

Panelists:

• Tim Loonam, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer, Encore Vet Group and Veterinarian at Grace Animal Hospital
• Christine Merle, DVM, MBA, CVPM, Veterinarian and VMG Facilitator
• Maggie Holcomb, CVPM, CCFP, Regional Practice Manager, Encore Vet Group

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

In this episode, we explore what high-functioning veterinary practices do differently, and what consistently sets them apart.

Our panel breaks down the systems and behaviors that drive success, from clear operational rhythms and defined accountability to proactive communication, aligned expectations, and shared ownership across the team. 

To close, we share simple but powerful habits that struggling practices can adopt today!

If you're looking to build a more stable, high-performing practice, this episode is a must-listen.

Panelists for this episode include:

• Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting
• Michelle Winter, CVPM, CVJ, VP of Operations at Encore Vet Group
• Shannon Lovley, CVPM, Consultant at CB Strategies
• Susie Crockett, CVPM, Director of Practice Management at Noah's Animal Hospitals

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting

In this episode of FlightPlan: Quick Consults, we tackle a critical challenge for veterinary practices: overburdened practice managers. Our panel breaks down the avalanche of responsibilities—admin, HR, bookkeeping, inventory, client complaints, and more—that keep managers from truly leading their teams.

We explore practical solutions, including delegating tasks, outsourcing, and structuring leadership support so managers can focus on what matters most: leading people, building culture, and driving results. 

If you’re looking for ways to empower your managers, reduce reactionary chaos, and strengthen your practice from the middle out, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and expert insights.

Panelists for this episode include:

• Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting
• Katie Esposito, CVPM, Account Manager at Clarus Technology
• Susie Crockett, CVPM, Director of Practice Management at Noah's Animal Hospitals
• Debbie Hill, CVPM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Consultant at Encore Veterinary Consulting

Thanks for listening!

Website: https://encorevet.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting

Instagram: @encorevetconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting