What if improving your clinic’s communication could reduce turnover, boost job satisfaction, and enhance medical quality? Dr. Jason Coe is back on the podcast with brand-new research that shows how “relational coordination” (aka how roles within your team communicate and collaborate) impacts everything from psychological safety to employee retention. In this episode, Dr. Coe and Dr. Andy Roark dive into the findings from a cross-industry communication model now being applied to veterinary teams. They explore what high vs. low relational coordination looks like in real life, how communication systems like impactful rounds and EMR notes can move the needle, and why this data matters for improving not just morale but also patient outcomes. Whether you're a practice owner, a manager, or just someone who wants your team to function better, this episode offers both inspiration and real takeaways. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

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Dr. Jason Coe is a Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. After graduating from the College in 2001, he returned from mixed-animal practice to complete a PhD in the area of veterinary communications in 2008. In the same year, Jason joined the Ontario Veterinary College in the Department of Population Medicine where he has established an active research program examining the human-animal bond as well as the role of interpersonal communications on the outcomes of veterinary care.  In his current role at the College, he coordinates the clinical-communication curriculum across all 4 years of the veterinary program and is involved in teaching students about the relationships that exist between people and animals.

Over the past two decades, Jason has established an international reputation for his leadership in veterinary communications, primary-care veterinary education and understanding the human-animal bond. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed to several book chapters, and is regularly invited to speak nationally and internationally at scientific and continuing-education conferences. Jason currently holds the VCA Canada Chair in Relationship-Centred Veterinary Medicine (2021-2026), at the Ontario Veterinary College, dedicated to research and education in communication and relationship-building to improve the outcomes of veterinary care. In 2021, Jason was honoured with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award for his notable contributions to the veterinary profession and in 2022, he founded the research program Relationship-Centred Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College (https://rcvm.uoguelph.ca/).  

What do you do when your big, lovable diabetic cat suddenly develops renal disease? You call in the nutritionist cavalry! In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by boarded veterinary nutritionist Dr. Caitlyn Getty to tackle a real-world “hot mess express” case: Claudia, an obese diabetic cat who’s now showing signs of kidney issues. Together, they dig into the complexities of nutritional management for cats with multiple chronic conditions. Dr. Getty breaks down why common diets can conflict with one another in cases like this, and how Hill’s Prescription Diet Multi-Organ Feline can help bridge the gap. They cover protein and phosphorus challenges, insulin dosing concerns, fiber benefits, and the power of a slow and steady transition when switching foods. Whether you’ve got cats with combo problems like diabetes and kidney disease or just love nerding out over nutrition, this episode is full of practical takeaways and clinical insight. Let’s get into this episode.

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Caitlyn is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® and Scientific Communications Senior Specialist on the US Professional Veterinary Affairs Team at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She spent 13 years at the University of Illinois completing her BS, DVM, and PhD in Nutritional Sciences. During veterinary school and her PhD, she became very interested in nutrition education of veterinary students and the power of nutrition in health and disease. She completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship on the north side of Chicago and then moved to Raleigh, NC to complete her Small Animal Clinical Nutrition residency at North Carolina State University. She currently lives outside Indianapolis with 4 cats, 2 dogs, and her fiancé!

Dr. Lance Roasa, a veterinarian and practicing lawyer, who is the founder of Roasa Law Group joins Dr. Andy Roark. They dive into two key lawsuits shaking up the veterinary world: LMU Lincoln Memorial University suing the AVMA for anti-competitive practices and veterinary interns launching a class action lawsuit against the Match program and some vet schools. Dr. Roasa breaks down both cases, discussing the reasons behind them, the arguments involved, and the potential impact on the profession. They also touch on broader issues like the influence of venture capitalists and the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine. Let's get into this.

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Roasa is a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M who has practiced in small

animal, mixed animal and emergency settings and has bought, operated and sold over a dozen veterinary practices. He has completed a law degree from the

University of Nebraska, is the past president of the American Veterinary Medical

Law Association. Dr. Roasa is a consultant for VIN and is a founder of Drip Learning Technologies, a veterinary continuing education provider. He also lectures in 13 veterinary colleges on the legal aspects of employment contracts, medica record keeping, veterinary malpractice and veterinary business as part of the curriculum. He serves as a national co-advisor to the Veterinary Business

Management Association and regularly lectures to regional VBMA chapters and to the national association on the topics of growth, business metrics, and technology implementation. Dr. Roasa also owns Santa Rosa Ranch, home to the largest registered Brangus cow herd in the United States.

Dr. Petra Harms, veterinarian and founder of VetMaite, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle one of the most overlooked questions in veterinary AI: how do we know these tools actually work? AI scribes, chatbots and diagnostic aids are flooding into veterinary clinics, but who is testing their accuracy, safeguarding client data, or setting ethical standards? Petra is a big fan of AI (she’s not calling for chisels and stone tablets) but argues that without proper quality control, veterinarians and clients could pay the price. In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll hear why “data is the new gold,” what every practice owner should ask before buying an AI tool, and how to embrace technology responsibly without sacrificing patient care or privacy. If you’re excited about AI but also a little uneasy, this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed. Let’s get into this episode!

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Dr. Harms works at the intersection of emerging artificial intelligence technology and practical small animal veterinary practice. She has spent more than two decades working in veterinary clinics, 15 of those as a veterinarian. She has practiced medicine through seismic shifts in the medical field, from the change from paper to electronic medical records and during the ongoing evolution of EMR's.

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She has practiced with fifteen veterinary medical clinics, taken part in three major technology transitions, one major facility transition, and is versed in five EMR systems. She has worked closely with a teams of highly trained emergency clinicians and specialists, and has also worked as solo practitioner in charge of day-to-day clinic operation.

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In the past year, Dr Harms has focused her education on learning about Artificial Intelligence and its significance to healthcare systems, obtaining certificates of specialization from Stanford and Harvard with more on the way.

Dr. Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), is back on the Cone of Shame to tackle a classic hot mess express: the IBD dog who now has early kidney disease. In this “How Do You Treat That?” episode, Dr. Andy Roark presents Murph, a finicky Yorkie with a sensitive gut, a history of GI explosions, and renal values on the rise. The kicker? His current food is working, and his owners are terrified to change it.

Dr. Getty breaks down how to approach cases with conflicting nutritional needs and shares her checklist for diet selection when no one food seems perfect. They dig into the new Hills Canine Multi-Organ diet, why it might be a game-changer for dogs like Murph, and when it might not be the right fit. You’ll walk away with practical tips for food transitions, client communication, and managing complex patients without causing a GI disaster. If you’ve ever had a fragile pup with overlapping conditions and nervous clients clinging to the current food bag for dear life, this one’s for you.

Check out the downloadable team training worksheet and follow along together! Empower your team to educate clients using the notes and discussion questions.

This episode is brought to you by Hill's Pet Nutrition!

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Caitlyn is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® and Scientific Communications Senior Specialist on the US Professional Veterinary Affairs Team at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She spent 13 years at the University of Illinois completing her BS, DVM, and PhD in Nutritional Sciences. During veterinary school and her PhD, she became very interested in nutrition education of veterinary students and the power of nutrition in health and disease. She completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship on the north side of Chicago and then moved to Raleigh, NC to complete her Small Animal Clinical Nutrition residency at North Carolina State University. She currently lives outside Indianapolis with 4 cats, 2 dogs, and her fiancé!

Dr. Stacee Santi, veterinarian, tech founder, and author of Stop Acting Like a Girl, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a conversation that challenges the norms women are handed and how those expectations shape careers in veterinary medicine and beyond. From the ER to the boardroom, Stacee has walked the walk, founding Vet2Pet, navigating startup negotiations, and now stepping into authorship and podcasting with her new show Everyday Wonder Women. In this episode, she shares the pivotal moment that inspired her book title, how generational beliefs shaped her journey, and why so many high-performing women still hesitate to speak up or negotiate their worth. This one’s for anyone mentoring women in the profession, raising daughters, or trying to build a more inclusive clinic culture. You’ll walk away with new insight on how to empower quieter voices, rethink staff meetings, and encourage decisive leadership.

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Dr. Stacee Santi is a 1996 DVM graduate from Colorado State University and the founder of Vet2Pet, a tech platform for veterinary practices that was sold to Vetsource in 2022. With over 20 years in small animal and emergency practice, Stacee offers practical solutions for veterinary teams in tech, workflows, client service, and leadership. She’s also the author of Stop Acting Like a Girl, a book that encourages women to break free from outdated expectations and embrace assertiveness, confidence, and ambition. Stacee has served on multiple industry advisory boards, was past president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and was named 2021 Educator of the Year by the Western Veterinary Conference. She lives in Durango, Colorado with her husband, 6 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 4 chickens, and dreams of a baby burro.

In this episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide Pet Insurance, to explore how veterinarians can personalize care for individual pets, their families and to the disease. They discuss new research, tools like The Pet HealthZone®, and the power of clinical empathy. According to recent PetSmart Charities research, nearly half of pet families are questioning whether care is worth the cost. This episode dives into practical ways to keep care accessible, affordable, and aligned with clients’ goals and realities. They explore how personalizing care goes beyond cost. It's about matching treatment to what the pet family can realistically do, whether that’s giving medications, handling mobility, or managing emotional stress. This conversation is packed with actionable ideas for any veterinary healthcare team in the exam room!

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Dr. Emily M. Tincher is a collaborative leader who uses data-informed approaches to create sustainable systems that meet the needs of pet families, veterinary healthcare teams, and businesses. She is a second-generation veterinarian and a graduate of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and she has worked in industry roles and in small animal emergency and general practices. As Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide, Dr. Tincher manages strategy and operations for pet health programs, develops partnerships within the animal health industry, and directs engagement with veterinary teams.

Dr. Tincher is President of the Board of Directors for the Veterinary Leadership Institute and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Veterinary Innovation Council. She co-authored a chapter in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, "Cost of Care, Access to Care, and Payment Options in Veterinary Practice,” and has become a sought-after speaker, most recently on spectrum of care topics, presenting at major veterinary conferences across North America. 

Dr. Steve Marks is building a vet school from scratch, and he’s not afraid to do things differently. In this episode, Dr. Marks, founding dean of Clemson University's College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about what it’s really like to start a vet school in 2025. From juggling seven buildings under construction to planning clinical clerkships and raising funds for student housing, this conversation covers it all. Dr. Marks shares his vision for producing day-one ready veterinarians, explains why Clemson chose a semi-distributed model for clinical education, and unpacks the challenges of placing students in real-world practices. They also dive into corporate partnerships, vet student recruitment, and what future vet students should know before applying. Whether you're curious about vet school trends, love a good underdog story, or want to know what veterinary education might look like in 10 years, this episode is for you.

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Dr. Steven Marks is the founding dean of Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University, set to welcome its first class in 2026. With curriculum development, faculty hiring, and facilities planning well underway, Dr. Marks is leading efforts to address a critical need for veterinarians in South Carolina and beyond. Passionate about the human-animal bond and veterinary education, he is committed to building a values-driven program that prepares day-one ready clinicians and scientists. As a proud Clemson parent and longtime advocate for veterinary medicine, he’s excited to shape a college that aligns with the University’s mission and serves both people and animals.

Dr. Mary Gardner, DVM, co-founder of Lap of Love, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about one of the most emotional parts of veterinary medicine—helping pet owners process end-of-life decisions. Before you brace for a downer, take a breath. This episode is anything but heavy. With laughter, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, Mary brings her signature optimism to a conversation that every vet team will relate to. They dive into the guilt pet owners feel about getting a new pet, the emotional signs that often go unnoticed, and how to support clients in the thick of grief. From navigating spiritual beliefs to choosing the right language in the exam room, this episode is full of insights, compassion, and some seriously good one-liners. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to guide families through goodbye, how to spot unspoken pain, and why it’s okay to bring some joy into hard moments.

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There is nothing better to Dr. Gardner than a dog with a grey muzzle or skinny old cat! Her professional goal is to increase awareness and medical care for the geriatric veterinary patient and to help make the final life stage to be as peaceful as possible, surrounded with dignity and support for all involved.

A University of Florida graduate (AND ANDY’S CLASSMATE!), she discovered her niche in end-of-life care and is the co-founder and CIO of Lap of Love which has over 350 veterinarians around the country dedicated to veterinary hospice and euthanasia in the home.

Dr. Gardner is co-author of the textbook “The Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Patient”, co-author of a children’s activity book focused on saying goodbye to a dog called “Forever Friend”, and the author of a book dedicated to pet owners “It’s Never Long Enough: A practical guide to caring for your geriatric dog”. Dr. Gardner also won VMX Small Animal Speaker of the year in 2020!"

Dr. Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, takes the mic to bust a myth that haunts way too many vets: that a board complaint is career-ending doom. (Spoiler: it’s not.) In this honest, eye-opening conversation, Dana, Chief Veterinary Officer at NAVC and exotic animal surgeon extraordinaire shares her personal experience with a board complaint, how it impacted her emotionally, and what she learned from it. Andy and Dana tackle the anxiety, stigma, and fear that swirl around board complaints. They talk about the emotional toll, the waiting game, and that wild moment when you wonder, am I the bad guy? Most importantly, Dana shares what helped her cope, grow, and come out stronger and still loving veterinary medicine. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Article Referenced: These "Terrible Things" Aren't That Terrible

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Dana Varble received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 2003 andearned her Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE in 2021. She has practiced clinical medicine in exotic pet, small animal general practice, and emergency medicine and serves as an associate veterinarian for Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital.

She has spoken locally, nationally, and internationally on herpetological and exotic animal medicine and the state of the veterinary profession. She served as the president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians in 2013 and presently works as the managing editor of the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery for ARAV. In 2015, she joined NAVC and in January 2020, she was named Chief Veterinary Officer.

As an NAVC spokesperson and a veterinary industry expert, she promotes animal health and the veterinary profession through media interviews and appearances including CNN, NBC News, local media outlets, and others including regular appearances on WGN radio on the Lisa Dent Show. She is the author of Today’s Veterinary Practice column, “The Secret Life of Vets.”

She shares her home with a Leonberger named Kodi, a Mastiff mix named Denali, a tank of cichlids, four ball pythons, a New Caledonian Giant Gecko, and her human family.