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

A self-proclaimed 'dude with a truck', Dr. Luke Bass takes his passion for horses and love of helping people and animals everywhere he goes. After admittedly spending more time at the party than the library in his first years of schooling, Luke learned from his mistakes and pulled up his bootstraps to pave his way to an impressive resume and thriving career in the equine field.

Nowadays, he spends his time training equine veterinary students in the field and has a seat on the CSU admission board, among many other hobbies and projects. Today Luke is sharing what can set you apart from the crowd in applications, why it's not always about the grades, and why you should be making self-care a priority. Everything from gangsta rap, to acknowledging your own self-flaws, and how to communicate what you are worth, is on the panel.

Prepare yourself for a no holds barred episode as Luke cuts the curtain and gets real about how to succeed in veterinary medicine and in life.

Do you share a similar equine passion? Inspired by Lukes approach to problem-solving? Let us know your thoughts on today's discussion in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

• How the rodeo can prepare you to become a veterinarian
• Thriving off the mental challenge of multitasking
• Keeping your options open to find your passion
• Common business questions asked by veterinary students in training
• A look at the options out there for an equine general practitioner

Quotes

"It's one of those things that like throughout my life I've realized, you don't have time to think about things, you just have to react. And that's how it is with veterinary medicine. Sometimes in an emergency, you can't think and go look up a dose of steroids or whatever the case, you just have to know and go. And I think that is some of the thrill of the fun of it all." (17:11)

"I think people who are listening who are in veterinary school, just enjoy the ride, have fun. Don't worry so much about every single test, there is more to it." (35:33)

"I don't think you know what your passion is until you have explored everything else. And you try it, and you see what really gets you." (41:19)

"If you want a key to our rotation its preparation and teamwork. And the rest will take care of itself. We'll teach you anything you need to know, just please put in the time." (49:14)

"It's just so rewarding to see that student who on day one couldn't even draw up that sedation in a syringe, to the second week they are asking, 'can I come back and spend another week?'. I love that, I love them wanting to push themselves because they had some faculty members that expected them to give 100% every day." (51:52)

"I think we have to take care of ourselves in the process. Because if not, you will wake up in five years and be unhappy and burnt out and then what?" (57:58)

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Close Your Eyes Till You're 29 by Gary Vaynerchuk

PAV 026: Christine Hardy

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I have long been a fan of Dr. Meghann Berglund and I am thrilled to have her spread her wisdom and incredibly powerful words with all of us today. From shelter medicine to private practice and relief work, Dr. Berglund has seen a lot. And with two daughters on top of that, she has a wide range of stories and life advice to share.

We are discussing everything from the staggering 40,000 animals she has spayed or neutered over her career, to imposter syndrome and postpartum depression. She is sharing her theory of lizard brain and owl brain, why you need to make sure you ask for help when you need it, and why perseverance is the ultimate key to success.

By appreciating your own little acts of bravery and checking the expectations you hold for yourself, you can stop doubting yourself and start embracing the practice of courage. Dr. Berglund believes that by working to speak for those who do not have the ability to speak for themselves, we can find small victories that ultimately amount to self-confidence and freedom.

Join us for an honest and down to earth conversation about sharing your issues and being okay with your normality.

Have you ever struggled with some of the issues Dr. Berglund expresses on this episode? Let us know how you are getting by in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• Finding the 'why' behind your passion
• Caring for vet school classmates beyond the years
• Keeping your passion fresh throughout a veterinary career
• The differences between shelter medicine, private practice and relief work
• How to check your expectations and feel more fulfilled

Quotes

"Everybody has a story they can tell you, everybody has something they can teach you. And I started to realize that that's really, at least to me, what this podcast does. Everybody, no matter how well you think you know them, has treasures to offer and knowledge to give and experience to share. (10:40)

"You may not know [your why] in undergrad, you may not know it in vet school. I was lucky in that I managed to find it before vet school and then I had some purpose and some direction in vet school. But I'm not sure everybody does and that needs to be okay." (34:50)

"The relief business was sort of a way to kind of dip my toe in a bunch of different places. But what it ended up being was just this really cool bouquet I got to pick from all my different skills and all the places I had worked." (56:47)

"What I have gotten out of this experience, and out of my life's journey to this point, is that most bravery is unintentional." (1:31:41)

"The merit is in the work and in the process and in the learning and not in the outcome. You can you know 'that's fine' and you toss it in the fail bucket and you learn something from it and you try again." (1:51:24)

"Good or bad, everybody has their treasures. And listening to people and asking about their treasures they are carrying, or their fails that they are carrying, and just saying like 'hey I see you for who you are', is probably a good way for all of us to connect with each other better." (1:54:14)

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Terrible, Thanks for Asking Podcast

Not One More Vet

QPR Gatekeeper Training

Veterinary Information Network

Collective Geekery Facebook Page

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No matter what type of veterinary professional you are, there are some issues that affect pretty much all of us. We are digging into some of the deep questions with Dr. Nate Daughenbaugh today and tackling topics such as the wage gap, gender inequality, and dealing with anxiety and depression.

Dr. Daughenbaugh is a native of one of the most beautiful places in the world, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and has had quite the journey to bring him back home. Born and raised on a cattle ranch, a former Marine and Army member, and current DVM, Dr. Daughenbaugh has had his fill of life experiences and is here to share his knowledge and passion with the Podcast A Vet Community.

This episode is not only a great recap of Dr. Daughenbaugh's incredible life, but also a tool of inspiration and influence for each of us on our own veterinary journeys. Do you have something to add to the safe space for discussion created today? Leave your thoughts in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

• Putting life in the military into perspective
• A look into the invaluable service ranchers provide to the public
• The multiple benefits Jiu-Jitsu can have in your mindset and life
• Steps you can take to decrease the wage gap between vet professionals and human medical doctors
• How being a dad changes your professional life

Quotes

"I grew up in the agriculture business, in the agriculture community. I thought it was a very beneficial way to grow up. Being around all kinds of different animals, that hard lifestyle but very rewarding." (3:09)

"I wouldn't change anything. I've enjoyed every stage of my life and I've been very comfortable with the decisions I've made." (27:32)

"It's such a hard balance to walk that line between providing affordable good quality health care to animals, but still getting paid for what you are worth. And I think as a profession often times we undercut ourselves" (43:28)

"Now that I have a daughter, I can say 'no' or 'no this is something that can wait till tomorrow', much easier. And that has actually made veterinary medicine more acceptable and fun for me too, cause I've learned to say no and prioritize really what is important and what needs help and what doesn't." (53:53)

"The math is there, it's going to happen, none of us are going to get through our career without making some type of mistake, that will probably cost a life. And that's hard, that's really an emotional thing to deal with" (1:00:36)

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PAV 020: Robin Van Meter

PAV 024: Laurie Fonken

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Today we are joined by the first ever theriogenologist to grace the Podcast A Vet airwaves, Dr. Jennifer Hatzel. Jennifer is a board-certified theriogenologist at Colorado State Equine Reproduction Laboratory and is here to share her passion on her specification.

Feeling lost after graduation, Jennifer bounced through different equine internships and residencies until realizing her true passion for reproductive health. She is sharing with us the different aspects of equine reproduction, what can go wrong and right, and why more schools should be focusing on problem-based learning.

Jennifer is walking us through the day to day management of equine reproduction management including following reproductive cycles, breeding through artificial insemination and CSU's pioneering embryo transfer. She is sharing tips on how to set yourself up to be a lifelong learner, how to keep an open mind through your veterinary journey, and so much more.

Do you share Jennifer's passion for placenta? Let us know your thoughts about this interview in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• What is theriogenology and how to become an equine theriogenologist
• Dealing with imposter syndrome after getting accepted into vet school
• Jennifer's surprising experience with Problem Based Learning
• Peeling back some of the mysteries surrounding horses and reproduction

Quotes

"When I went to vet school I didn't quite understand that there were these intense specialties, you know at the time it was like just go to vet school. And I knew there were people who were surgeons and that sort of thing, but I didn't know you could be super passionate about one area." (16:07)

"So often we get to a point where we are like 'ugh, this was my only opportunity and I don't have it and what am I going to do and my life is over'. And really it's not, there are so many other things that can happen." (40:48)

"If you think about human fertility clinics and what they can achieve with human fertility problems, that's what we do with a horse." (51:57)

"I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. What I have chosen to do and to be a part of is really who I am." (1:02:51)

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You might know where you want to end up in your career, but even if you're 100% clear on the destination, you probably have some questions about how you're going to get there. Chase Weldon shares his insights on getting into vet school, landing your dream job, and more.

Chase is the career education manager at the College of Vet Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. From current students first entering the workforce to alumni who are looking for a change or new direction, Chase uses his expertise to help people use their voice and find their dream jobs.

Chase's shares his behind the scenes tips for the interview process, resume writing, how to stand out from the crowd, and so much more. He is walking us through how to demonstrate value, why a good connection is more important than the perfect GPA, and a look inside the modern veterinary student, and employer.

The more knowledge you have about the pulse of your career, the better you can feel about yourself, and the better you can navigate that landscape when looking for opportunities.

Have you used any of Chase's trusted success skills? Let us know how you got to where you are at in your veterinary career in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

• Being a link in the chain to help people execute their dreams
• The different roadblocks posed by multi-generational workplace environments
• Secrets to help you find a job you feel fulfilled by
• What employers can do to make a position more attractive
• Integrating the past and the future into your resume and cover letter
• How to assess your opportunities and plan for success

Quotes

"You would be surprised how many people pick up the phone say, 'hey that was a pretty creative way to apply for a job', or at least to make a connection. Because you are essentially networking, you are not asking for a job, you're just saying 'hey, let's talk'." (28:21)

"It sounds very cliche, but its the truth. That [employers] want people who can connect with the client and bring productive working relationships with their colleagues. You don't need to be the top of the class you just need to know how to work with people, how to resolve conflict, how to have fun at work. How to enjoy what you do and help people at the same time." (34:40)

"Essentially what we're trying to do is show how you can create value in the workplace. Were not describing what you have done in the past, were showing how you created value." (43:25)

"It's a great time to be thinking about becoming a vet or being on the road to becoming a vet. I am really excited for the whole industry honestly." (1:05:01)

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Chase's Resume Tips

Contact Chase at [email protected]

(970) 491-0526

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We all know that things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes life's curveballs result in unexpected opportunities, and sometimes devastating consequences. How can we plan for these unexpected challenges and setbacks, and how can we move forward after them? Kristin Gablehouse shares her amazing story of how she lives life to the fullest after an accident that changed everything.

Kristin wasn't always sure she wanted to be a veterinarian. But she decided to get into it when her mother asked her why she didn't want to be a "real doctor." Her tenacity took her on a path full of unexpected twists and turns until a biking accident forced her to reluctantly stop practicing. Never one to be told she can't do something, Kristin did the only logical thing next, she ran a 100-mile race!

In this incredible episode, we discuss the path Kristin took to becoming a vet including how she went from equine surgery to small animals emergency care to day practice. We also talk about what it's been like coping with an injury that has forced Kristin to leave veterinary medicine and the mindset required to deal with it.

Yes, Kristin's accident prevents her from doing much of what she used to, but I am truly impressed with what she does now and the meaning she finds in the perseverance and persistence that she embodies.

Have you ever been forced to make a drastic life or career change because of an unexpected event? What did you learn from the experience? Let me know in the comments on the episode page.

In this episode

• Kristin's path to becoming a vet
• The importance of having supportive mentors when learning the ropes of veterinary medicine
• What it's like to change career paths midstream
• Coping with a life-altering incident that impacts your career and your daily life
• Finding and recognizing gratitude in the face of a difficult situation
• Why you should set personal goals so you can recognize your growth and improvement

Quotes

"I ended up quitting. I'd never quit anything in my life and that was devastating. To just feel so defeated and to feel like the bad guys won so to speak. I felt like I had worked so hard to get there. It was the whole reason I had gone to vet school and now I was facing this. If I don't do this, if I don't finish this, what am I going to do with my life?" [17:10]

"It's hard to get into vet school. You jump through a lot of hoops. You work really hard. You get good grades. You're used to being the smart kid. And you identify as being someone who is intelligent and high performing. I was very much type A. And you find yourself in this place where suddenly you feel like an idiot and you can't figure out how to do the simplest things...it's devastating. The loss of identity and loss of direction is incredibly difficult." [36:46]

"Initially I felt very guilty about feeling sorry for myself because there are those people who have it so much worse. And I finally realized that, yes maybe they have it worse, maybe they have bigger problems, but my problems are still real and have still greatly changed my life. And I was giving myself permission to grieve over those losses." [53:23]

"From an emotional standpoint I was not in a good place and I was really struggling and I knew that I needed to do something for myself. I couldn't fix my brain, but I could set this goal for myself and I tell myself you know what, I going to try to get back and I'm going to try to run that race. Setting that goal, giving myself something to aim for was really life-changing for me." [59:03]

"I never did all this to be amazing or to be inspiring. It's really just what I needed to do for myself to give myself that goal and to give myself a reason to get up and get out of my pajamas and do something." [1:11:16]

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Kristin's Blog

AVMA Disability Insurance

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Did you know that bees pollinate 1/3 of everything you eat? I am joined by Christina Geldert, 2nd-year vet student and president and founder of the Honey Bee Veterinary Medicine Club at CSU. This club is the first of its kind and works to highlight the role of veterinarian medicine in bees.

Christina is all-in for bees and is helping bridge the gap between veterinary medicine, agriculture, and honey bee sustainability. By figuring out how veterinarians can help bees and bee health, Christina hopes to put an end to the death of bee colonies and quantify the issues that affect bees.

We are tackling all things bee related on today's episode including farm to table sustainability, education, and exposure. If you are fascinated by bees and want to learn something new, today's episode is for you. Let us know what you think about today's bee fact's and your best bee related dad jokes in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• The surprising connection between veterinary medicine and agriculture
• Why bees need veterinarians
• Learn about honey bees, how they work, and why they are important
• The benefit of having beehives on a campus
• How to give a bee a physical exam and why you need to treat a colony as a superorganism
• Why you shouldn't be afraid to wear bright colors and show your tattoos when interviewing for vet school

Quotes

"So I zipped up that bee suit and I was totally hooked. And like in hindsight it just seems like from that moment on is when I started reading about them and watching documentaries about them and just kind of figuring out bees and what this like incredible superorganism is comprised of. Because bees are just so fascinating in how they interact with one another and how their whole colony is organized." (11:07)

"We are the professionals that have those tools in our toolbox to apply that to a new problem. And the fact that bees are dying is motivation enough to say maybe we should do something about this because we have the curative power of medicine that has not yet been applied to the honey bee population." (32:54)

"We go into superhuman mode for the whole semester. And I think it's really easy to take that energy and somehow like when I don't know what to do with it I kinda can turn it back into this like negative thing or let it just stew inside of me because I'm used to pouring it out into school or what I am doing." (55:51)

"It is an interesting thing to see the similarities in our fields. And by similarities, I mean exact same because we use the same supplies and we follow the procedures when taking care of a patient… those are things that human medical professionals, they don't see it in the same way. Or they see our work as cute or novel or like silly, kind of. And it's like no, we are doing the same stuff, and sometimes harder stuff because our patient can't tell us what hurts." (1:06:47)

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Greater CSU Agriculture Club

Northern Colorado Beekeeping Association

PAV 029: Gretchen Delcambre

PAV 016: Zach Lake

PAV 033: Cherie Buisson

Additional info on Christina's work with beehives

Follow Christina on Twitter

Contact Christina at [email protected]

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As you're probably aware, there is a constant stream of new research, technology, and information available to us in the veterinary profession that helps both make our jobs easier, and deliver better care to our patients. Today we're diving into the veterinary applications of cannabis oil with one of the leaders in the field Dr. Stephanie McGrath.

Dr. McGrath is a board-certified neurologist and assistant professor at Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital. She is here to talk neurology, family, stem cells and CBD oil, among others. We are discussing Dr. McGrath's recent field of study, cannabis oil in veterinary use, and how she came to be one of the first veterinarians out there researching the effects of CBD in veterinary medicine.

In addition to cannabis, Stephanie tells us all about attending school at Columbia, Michigan State, and CSU; plus how she made the decision to become a veterinarian, and who inspired her to become a neurologist. We are tackling the tip of the iceberg when using cannabis in veterinary medicine and so much more. Are you excited by neurology? What are your thoughts on the use of cannabis in veterinary medicine? Let us know in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

• What it's like to be a neurologist, mom, and marijuana researcher
• The difference between CBD and THC in medical use
• Why Dr. McGrath opted out of a traditional residency for a specified internship
• How spinal and brain surgery is different between humans and dogs
• A breakdown of how the cannabis plant can be used in medicine

Quotes

"Michigan State did not at the time, have a neurologist. So I learned from an orthopedic surgeon, who ironically actually has later become board certified in neurology. And he is wonderful, however, it was challenging to learn a complicated subject from somebody who stepped up to the plate but didn't really have a strong background in neurology at the time." (22:17)

"My favorite aspects of neurology are like I was saying before, kinda the narrowness in some ways of the field. So we do a neurologic exam on every animal and that neurologic exam is exactly the same every single time, for me, that's really soothing I guess in some ways, it really helps me kind of I feel like get better at doing it, because I do the same thing every single time." (29:23)

"There's absolutely no data to support using it or not using it. So again as a veterinarian, as an animal advocate, as a scientist, I felt like even though it might be okay its probably not a good idea. And, somebody should probably start looking into it because clearly it seems to have a lot of interest and potentially some medical attributes that could help dogs and humans and so it seemed like this is something that maybe we should look into." (45:35)

"All I'm out to do is start understanding what this drug does, how it works in the body, and whether its effective in treating some of the diseases in veterinary medicine that we don't have good treatments for right now." (56:29)

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As veterinary professionals - not to mention humans - it's important to keep learning, growing, and evolving as we move through our careers and lives. Not only will we be happier, but this mindset is essential to staying engaged in our work, avoid mistakes, and building a sustainable career.

I'm still riding the high of the past week at the AVMA Conference by catching up with my friend and former teacher, Ame Moon. Ame is a CVT and a VTS in Emergency and Critical Care. Today we are tackling issues such as finding longevity in being a vet nurse, finding happiness, and evolving your career throughout the years.

Find out about what ER cases and procedures continue to drive Ame's passion, why you should allow yourself to make mistakes and how to cultivate the teacher inside of you. Ame shares her tips on how to find support in your vet tech community, the reality of financials in the veterinary profession, and why she is staying away from being a 'go-for' tech and thinks you should too.

Superstar veterinary nurses this episode is for you so let us know your thoughts and give a shout out to your favorite vet nurse in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

• What it is like teaching students in an Emergency and Rehabilitation Hospital
• Longevity and making a career out of veterinary nursing
• The best ways to show appreciation to the nurses in your life
• A step by step breakdown of what it takes to become Veterinary Tech Specialised (VTS). The current cost to write the exam is $175.
• Putting self-worth into the equation of how much you charge

Quotes

"Doctors have a job, and they are meant to be doctors. And nurses have a job, and they are meant to be nurses and to take care of the patients. And I just found the longer I was in the field, I wanted to be the one that was taking care of the animals and not necessarily the one making the major decisions for those animals." (10:34)

"I've always been drawn to [teaching], I've been told it comes very natural to me. Whether it's teaching students or technicians or clients, that's a big one too, it's just something that I've gotten a lot of satisfaction out of." (24:32)

"I think that the biggest thing for me that's kinda kept me in the field is just personal growth, and finding my passion. And I know that's a very recurrent theme when we talk about longevity, but I think it's so important. I knew that I wanted to be in emergency medicine. I learned that I enjoyed teaching. I learned that I liked the client interactions. I learned the things that brought satisfaction to my life." (30:46)

"The veterinary technician specialties allow technicians to do that, it is our version of becoming board certified, and that's exactly what it is. And there are so many out there, that's the great thing. You know if you have a passion in exotics, if you have a passion in oncology. The Academy for Radiology just got a veterinary technician specialty so that's going, there's one in behavior, there's one in nutrition, dentistry... The amount of specialties that are out there are truly amazing. So if you are able and lucky enough to find your passion, you now have this route that you can go down to be board certified and be a pro at what you love to do." (39:56)

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PAV 030: Elizabeth Downing

PAV 007: Jocey Pronko

Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT)

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It's easy to look at the news every day and feel like the world is quickly becoming a meaner, more dangerous place. Whether it's clients, co-workers, bosses, or other people in our lives, it often feels like we're surrounded by jerks, and are powerless to change things. However, as Dr. Cyndie Courtney shares today, we have incredible power to reshape our view of the world and to make our practices, communities, and the world, friendlier, and more inspiring places.

Dr. Courtney practices at Grand View Animal Hospital in Missouri, as well as hosting the Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast and working on her passion project, The Jerk Project. She is an expert in more areas than one and is sharing her techniques on how to deal with disenfranchised grief, as well as her tips on her ability to respond to negative reviews with confidence, competence, and compassion.

We take a humble look at ourselves, our flaws and how we can work together to build each other up on today's episode, which we recorded on the floor of the AVMA Conference in Denver recently.

What do you do in your daily life to make your world a better place? We'd love some new ideas, so let us know in the comments on the show notes page!

In This Episode

• A peek inside Dr. Courtney's passion project: The Jerk Project
• How to help your peers grow through open communication and feedback
• Dr. Courtney's path to achieving balance by stopping saying yes to everything
• Tools to deal with challenging people in your life
• How to know if you are being a total jerk and need to change your behavior

Quotes

"Knowing that the information I found can help other people, one of my taglines is 'making the world less mean'. And if I can make the world a less mean place for [my son] to live in too, I think that's also something that's really worth doing." (22:52)

"I feel like every time I turn around one of my classmates is doing something awesome. And I honestly think that a huge part of why that is, is because we had a critical mass of very positive people. And actually I'm not sure I was one of those people, but we had this critical mass of positive people who really believed in lifting each other up and if we were successful we would help each other be successful." (25:51)

"I know its hard, but get up early on Saturday morning and go to that wet lab. I know you want to sleep in, I know you are gonna worry you might not have enough time to study, but that hands-on experience is worth its weight in gold and it's really hard to get it, especially once you graduate." (26:43)

"We often blame, we say 'that person is toxic, that person is a jerk, they are just a bad person, and more often than we know, its the situation that person is in, or sometimes they just don't have the same expectations." (37:41)

Links

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Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast

Veterinary Viewfinder Facebook Page

Vet Changes World Blog

Follow Vet Changes World on Facebook | Instagram

The Jerk Researcher

The Voices of Veterinary Medicine Podcast

The Social DVM

Cyberbullying Support for AVMA Members

Book Recommendations

Mastering Civility by Christine Porath

The Cost of Bad Behavior by Christine Pearson and Cristine Porath

The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton

The Asshole Survival Guide by Robert I. Sutton

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

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