The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

This week's That Vet Life Podcast is a Q&A special where Dr. Moriah McCauley is joined by Dr. Kate Boatright, Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz, Dr. Chris Byers, and Dr. Addie Reinhard to answer all your burning questions! 

Host, Dr. Moirah McCauley, is a practicing small animal veterinarian who gained her doctor of veterinary medicine from The University of Scotland in 2020. 

Amongst her guests includes, emergency veterinarian and chief veterinary officer, otherwise known as ‘the friendly vet’, Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz. Dr. Marcus graduated from Purdue University in 2018 and since then has been working as a veterinarian alongside writing for his blog ‘The Friendly Vet’. 

Other guests in this episode include, Dr. Kate Boatright, an associate veterinarian, speaker, and author who gained her doctor of veterinary medicine back in 2013. As well as Dr. Chris Byers, a teleconsultant, emergency/critical care and small animal internal medicine practitioner, and the founder and editor of CriticalCareDVM.come. And lastly, Dr. Addie Reinhard, the founder and CEO of MentorVet - an evidence-based mentorship and professional development program designed to provide resources and support to new and recent veterinary graduates.

During this special Q&A episode, Dr. Moriah and other experienced veterinarians from the vet community answer the vet student’s questions coming straight from Dr. Moriah’s Instagram feed.

Listen in as the expert veterinary professionals give a variety of answers and advice to help vet students with the challenges they face.

Outline

• [01:30] Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz and Dr. Kate Boatwright answer how students can manage their dread and anxiety as they prepare to begin vet school. How to dive right into this new chapter of Vet medicine and have a blast doing it.
• If you are a vet student, what is the best way to study efficiently and how do you cope when you do not know everything?
• [06:00] Dr. Moriah answers queries regarding internships and residency.
• What is the right roadmap for veterinary students— enter General Practice right away or take an internship first and pursue a specialization?
• [09:48] Dr. Chris Byers’s research-based take on specialization and internships.
• [13:03] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [14:10] Dr. Moriah resumes the podcast by discussing how to get the best internship.
• How do you find a job that has good mentorship? How do you even begin looking for it? And how do you know if it will offer you effective mentoring?
• [15:40] Here are some questions you could ask at the interview to get a glimpse of your future career recommended by Dr. Addy Reinhard.
• How often will we have check-in sessions? 
• What will my first week, month, year look like? 
• What kind of support and resources are available to your new grads here?
• [19:02] Any advice for the jitters on the first day, week, or month?
• [23:50] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Georgina Johnston joins Dr. Moriah.

In 2013, Georgina Johnston earned a degree from the Royal Veterinary College in London. Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in England, she shares a deep passion for veterinary medicine. She has traveled the world in pursuit of her passion, working with a diverse range of people and animals. She is not only an accomplished veterinarian, but also accomplished in equine research and works to enhance equine performance through high-level training, education, and research.

In this episode, Dr. Georgina discusses her participation in the 1000 km Mongolian Derby, highlighting its history, the selection of the horses, and the risks and difficulties it entails. Dr. Georgina shares her experience from the derby while discussing the role of veterinarians in equine sports.

Listen in as Dr.Georgina Johnston shares how she and a small team of veterinarians took care of nearly 1400 horses that were selected for the race.

Outline of this episode:

• [00:23] Dr. Mo begins the episode with Dr.Georgina Johnston’s introduction.
• [01:10] Dr. Georgina Johnston briefly discusses her college and internship experience.
• [01:50] Dr. Georgina Johnston talks about how and what prompted her to switch from practicing medicine to other fields.
• [04:10] Drs. Moriah and Georgina Johnston discuss the importance of practice in choosing or entering a field of specialization.
• [10:54] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Georgina Johnston discuss the history of the Mongol Derby.
• [16:10] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Georgina Johnston discuss the culture of Mongolia.
• [16:36] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [17:45] Dr. Georgina and Moriah continue the episode by talking about how the process of organizing the Mongol Derby race works.
• [20:40] Dr. Georgina and Moriah discuss the horse selection process for the race.
• [22:20] Dr. Mo and Dr. Georgina Johnston discuss the process of selecting a horse for the race based on both a visual and medical analysis.
• [27:02] Moriah and Dr. Georgina talk about the dangers and challenges associated with horse racing.
• [30:02] Georgina Johnston talks about the medical kit she used during the Mongol Derby.
• [32:00] Dr. Georgina discusses a few of her most interesting experiences from the Mongolian derby.
• [34:55] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.
• To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free.

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Sarah Wolff joins Dr. Moriah. Dr. Sarah Wolff is a general practice veterinarian and client experience nerd, who earned her veterinary medicine degree from The University of Edinburgh in 2011.

In addition to being a brilliant vet, Dr. Sarah is also an excellent speaker and expert in client communication. She is also a founder of Wolff Pack Services, a firm that helps veterinary practices to develop an effective veterinarian-client-patient relationship through curated client experiences and effective team strategies.

In this episode, a conversation between Dr. Moriah and Dr. Sarah Wolff takes us on a journey from the beginning to the end of their graduations at the University of Edinburgh. They discuss some of the common challenges young vets face at vet school and describe how the overall journey has shaped their professional careers.

Listen in as two veterinarians who graduated from the University of Edinburgh reflect on their time in vet school and offer insightful advice to aspiring veterinarians.

Outline

• [01:12] The episode begins with Dr. Moriah welcoming Dr. Sarah Wolf.
• [09:00] Dr. Sarah and Dr. Moriah talk about the education and cultural system of the United Kingdom from the United States. 
• [03:35] Dr. Sarah and Dr. Moriah share the challenges they faced while moving to the UK for graduation.
• [15:15] Dr. Sarah talks about the days of vet school, highlighting how her graduation experience helped her in becoming a better vet.
• [17:20] Dr. Sarah Wolf explains the reason behind lead poisoning in Swans, which is a common vet emergency across the UK.
• [21:14] A short ad break - join Thrive.
• [22:43] Dr. Moriah continues the episode by sharing her vet school experience.
• [23:36] Dr. Moriah offers an important piece of advice for students who are planning to study abroad.
• [25:50] Sarah discusses how the veterinary profession allows graduates to apply different approaches to their practice.
• [27:30] How taking different opportunities and volunteering in different activities at vet schools can develop and empower you with excellent communication skills, essential industry experience, and professional confidence. 
• [30:04] Dr. Sarah Wolf offers advice for veterinary students based on her own graduation experience at the University of Edinburgh.
• [33:20] Dr. Sarah explains the idea behind her Wold Pack Services, which helps vet practices create exceptional client experiences.
• [36:09] What are the steps that make an appointment successful for the vet, client, and patient?
• [43:55] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

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For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Alexandru Pop and Dr. Sarah Brisson join Dr. Moriah. Large animal veterinarian, Dr. Alexandru Pop has been in practice for almost three years. In 2019, Alex earned his veterinary medicine degree from North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He spent more than a year working at Pineview Veterinary Hospital before joining Appalachian Veterinary Services, where he is currently the president.

Dr. Sarah Brisson is a confident and competent small animal veterinarian. After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2018, she jumped into rural practice in Ontario where she spent 3 years learning to manage preventative, chronic, urgent, and emergent care cases.

During this episode, Dr. Alex and Dr. Moriah discuss the challenges and difficulties every new vet graduate faces when they start their career emphasizing how important it is to learn from your colleagues and teammates. Dr. Sarah joins the conversation and shares her experiences as a young small animal vet.

Listen as Dr. Alex and Moriah discuss their transformation from veterinary students to practicing veterinarians while acknowledging the common challenges they face and their logical solutions.

Outline

• [01:13] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a short introduction of Dr. Alex. 
• [03:33] Dr. Alex Pop discusses his background in veterinary medicine and his motivations for entering the field.
• [06:22] Dr. Alex and Moriah talk about large animal practice.
• [09:10] Dr. Alex talks about his transition from being a vet student to working as a veterinarian.
• [10:00] How does your support system evolve as you develop from a vet student to a vet professional?
• [12:10] Alex discusses his first job after graduating from vet school, revealing the factor that influenced him to take his first job.
• [13:40] At what point should a Vet Student consider taking on a job? Dr. Moriah and Dr. Alex discuss the right time to explore the possible option.
• [18:00] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [19:18] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Alex resume the episode by discussing the differences between the clinical cultures of small, large, and mixed animal practices.
• [22:30] What can you learn about the work culture at your next job by asking the right questions during an interview?
• [26:15] Dr. Sarah answers the question “What do you wish someone had told you about the transition from a student to a young graduate”?
• Is it necessary for vet students to memorize every single detail at veterinary school? 
• [31:40] Dr. Alex lists the informational resources that he uses as a quick reference while working as Vet professional.
• [34:20] Dr. Alex shares his thoughts on the transition from being a competent Vet into a confident vet.
• [38:15] Dr. Sarah describes the unexpected joy of starting a practice in veterinary medicine. 
• [38:20] Alex and Moriah share their experience starting a veterinary practice and the unexpected joys they encountered.
• [43:00] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode with a subtle request to share the episode.

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In today’s episode, Dr. Cody Creelman joins Dr. Moriah. Dr. Cody Creelman is a Canadian veterinarian also known as the ‘Cow Vet’. After growing up on a commercial cattle operation near Beaverlodge, Alberta, he attended the University of Alberta, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with distinction in 2006.

In 2011, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and joined Veterinary Agri-Health Services as an associate veterinarian. He directly impacted rural communities and provided services to local cattle ranchers in Alberta using his vet experience, entrepreneurial endeavors, and business savvy.

Having over 20 million views, he has established a very loyal following of ranchers, veterinarians, and veterinary students. It's easy to see why Creelman puts a lot of effort into content creation as his videos are highly entertaining, and his attitude towards work is admirable.

During this episode, Dr. Cody Creelman and Moriah discuss the history and evolution of veterinary medicine, emphasizing how the approach to learning, the culture of the profession, and the overall veterinary sector have changed through time and what the future may hold for vet medicine.

Listen in as the popular Dr. Moriah revisits history and explains how veterinary medicine has changed over time while giving a taste of what the future may bring.

Outline of this episode:

• [01:10] Dr. Moriah McCauley welcomes Dr. Cody Creelman to begin the episode.
• [03:30] Moriah and Cody discuss the history of veterinary medicines and the romantic ideas of James Hariot’s writings.
• [05:44] What does veterinary medicine look like now and in the future, according to Dr. Moriah and Dr. Cody?
• [07:40] Dr. Cody talks about the evolution of veterinary medicines.
• [09:50] Dr. Moriah and Cody Creelman discuss the difference between today's learning curriculum and the one in the 30s (James Hariot's time).
• [11:30] What the future holds for the veterinary profession and where does it stand today?
• [15:15] What is Cody Creelman trying to accomplish with Mosaic Veterinary Partners?
• [15:50] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [16:58] Dr. Moriah continues the episode by discussing how the practice culture has changed over time.
• [19:30] Cody Creelman discusses the teaching methods in today’s veterinary schools.
• [24:20] Moriah and Cody discuss goals and visions after vet school.
• [28:50] Dr. Moriah and Cody Creelman talk about common problems veterinarians encounter with clients.
• [31:30] Dr. Moriah and Cody Creelman discuss the toxic negative culture in the workplace. How to escape the culture of toxic negativity in practice?
• [36:20] Dr. Moriah wraps the episode.

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For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Cynthia Courtney joins Dr. Moriah. Dr. Cyndie is a small animal veterinarian practicing in Kansas City. In addition to being a veterinarian, Cyndie is a superb speaker and consultant. She is the brains of the Jerk Researcher, a conflict consulting firm that employs an evidence-based strategy for conflict resolution in the veterinary industry. Cyndie also won the WSAVA 2019 Next Generation Award, the AVMA Future Leader Award, and Virginia Maryland’s Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award for 2021!

During this episode, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Cyndie discuss the problems faced by new graduates at the workplace, highlighting some common conflict scenarios and how to overcome them with a positive approach. Furthermore, Cyndie explains how setting boundaries and establishing relationships can help resolve conflicts effectively. 

Listen in as Dr. Cyndie reveals the best approaches to resolve conflict in the workplace while leaving a positive impact on colleagues.

Outline of this episode :

• [01:20] The episode begins with Dr.Moriah and Dr.Cyndie Courtney discussing their last meeting in January.
• [01:42] Dr.Cyndie explains the idea behind the Jerk researcher and conflict management.
• [03:30] Dr. Moriah talks about the problems faced by new graduates at the workplace, highlighting the tension between new grads and the support staff.
• [05:35] Cyndie discusses the conflicts encountered by new graduates in veterinary medicine.
• [07:36] How to be identified as a new graduate in the practice culture?
• [08:57] Dr. Moriah and Dr. Cyndie Courtney talk about the cultural gaps they encountered as young graduates and how to get over them.
• [13:40] How to handle conflict in the Vet profession?
• [15:44] Dr. Cyndie explains the two approaches to conflict resolution: establishing boundaries and building relationships
• [18:25] How relationship building can help positively in conflict resolution?
• [19:40] Dr. Courtney outlines why some individuals behave destructively at work and how to establish boundaries.
• [21:17] Dr. Moriah and Cyndie talk about unhealthy practice cultures and how to escape them if you find yourself in one.
• [24:10] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [25:20] Cyndie and Moriah continue the episode by talking about how to seek help during a conflict.
• [27:30] How should a freshly graduated respond to criticism from their senior? Is there anything a young graduate can do if there is a disagreement between the two of you?
• [32:22] Dr. Cynthia Courtney shares some tools for managing conflicts for recent graduates.
• [35:01] What is the one thing recent graduates need to consider before starting their first job?
• [36:20] Dr. Moriah concludes the episode by thanking Dr. Cyndie Courtney.

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

Host, Dr. Moriah goes solo in today's episode of That Vet Life Podcast. 

Dr. Moriah McCauley became a small animal veterinarian after combining her love of animals and a passion for taking care of others. She gained her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she began this podcast. 

Utilizing her podcast to share her colleague's stories, Dr. McCauley started to concentrate on the function of these stories in veterinary medicine and how storytelling can enhance outcomes for clients and patients as she made the transition from student to doctor. Through her engaging storytelling, she encouraged veterinarians and veterinary students to be competent and confident.

During this episode, Dr. Mo shares her experience relocating from the USA to Scotland to pursue veterinary medicine, highlighting the challenges and obstacles involved with getting a degree overseas. 

Join Mo as she discusses the strategies and tips she employed while completing her graduation in Scotland.

Outline of this episode :

• [01:20] Dr. Moriah begins the episode with a preview 
• [05:55] What aspects are taken into account while choosing a veterinary school for studies abroad?
• [06:00] Dr. Moriah discusses the financial aspects associated with studying abroad, including tuition and living expenses.
• [09:40] Which veterinary schools are the best? How do you choose the best veterinary school for you?
• [14:15] When moving to a new country, how does it initially feel? 
• Dr. Mo offers advice on how to choose the ideal place to live when moving overseas for studies.?
• [18:32] Dr.Mo talks about the built-in studying facilities at the Edinburgh campus.
• [20:12] Dr.Mo talks about the history of the University of Edinburgh.
• [22:43] 16:55 -  A short ad break - join Thrive
• [23:52] Dr. Mo resumes the episode by continuing on the background of the vet school.
• [30:12] Dr. Mo shares her insight on the programs and academic structure of the veterinary school.
• [35:01] Dr.Mo shares her farm experiences from vet school, highlighting the challenges, and difficulties.
• [36:15] Dr.Mo answers the question “Did your veterinary education prepared you for life outside that school?”
• [38:40] Dr. Mo talks about the challenging parts of veterinary school while highlighting the common challenge encountered by students.
• [41:50] Dr.Mo wraps the episode

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Katie Ford joins Dr. Moriah. 

Dr. Katie is a veterinary surgeon, mentor, and speaker. She completed her graduation in Veterinary Medicine with a distinction from the University of Liverpool in 2012. Katie continued working in small animal first opinion practices following graduation, and in 2016 she earned her RCVS Certificate in Internal Medicine.

After learning the importance of preventative mindset techniques, she sought coaching training to equip herself with mentorship skills. She now shares different mindset techniques with other professionals across the country so they can succeed in the veterinary industry. 

Apart from being an excellent mentor, she is also a brilliant speaker and regularly talks about gratitude and self-worth. She is a gratitude and empathy enthusiast and helped many individuals to overcome self-doubt and Imposter syndrome. Furthermore, she is also an influencer, regularly spreading her positive message via social media platforms and speaking events.

In this episode, Dr. Katie and Dr. Mo talk about the value of gratitude in the veterinary field and how it significantly lowers stress levels. They share their experience of identifying and actively engaging gratitude in their daily life. 

Listen in as Dr. Mo and Katie Ford shares their strategy to reduce stress by showing a little appreciation for life.

Outline of this episode:

• [01:06] The episode begins with Dr. Moriah expressing a warm welcome to Dr. Katie. 
• [01:42] Dr. Katie Ford talks about her experiences as a vet, emphasizing how she overcame the challenges like self-doubt and imposter syndrome using the strategy of “gratitude”
• [06:15] Dr. Katie talks about her ideas on "gratitude" and how it inspired her to be appreciative of even the most fundamental things in life.
• [07:55] How to be grateful.
• [09:55] Why does gratitude signify more in veterinary practice than in other fields of work? Dr. Katie discusses clinical studies that showed how expressing gratitude could drastically lower stress levels in medical professionals.
• [12:55] Mo and Dr. Katie talk about the various aspects of gratitude and their significance in the veterinary field.
• [14:47] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [15:56] Drs. Katie and Mo continue the episode by talking about how a child is the biggest inspiration for being grateful for all of life's little joys and how gratitude evolves as you move forward in life.
• [20:10] Dr. Katie offers advice on how to master the practice of gratitude, especially when it comes to expressing it to others.
• [26:00] - What are the tools and techniques vet students can use to start integrating and training their brains for gratitude.
• [31:03] - Dr. Moriah wraps the episode 

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free.

For this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Alyssa Mages joins Dr. Moriah. 

Alyssa Mages is a Certified Veterinary Technician and Chief Visionary Officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams. She has worked in six practices in two countries and has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of Vet Med in her 18 years of clinical practice.

In addition to being a CVO, Alyssa is a superb public speaker, content producer, and collaborative coach focused on the growth and development of team members in the veterinary medical field.

Alyssa is a veterinary medicine leader that believes in team empowerment, training, and encouragement. In 2019, she co-founded Empowering Veterinary Teams with her friend Caitlin Keat to pursue her passion. EVT aims to improve veterinary medicine's knowledge foundation, training and coaching, program development, and general culture.

During this episode, Alyssa Mages and Dr. Moriah address several aspects of clinical training and its importance to veterinary professionals. Alyssa Mage discusses how clinical training benefits a veterinarian student's professional development, noting the differences in approach between young students and seasoned veterinarians.

Outline of this episode:

• [01:10] - The episode begins with Dr. Moriah and Alyssa Mages discussing their last meeting in Chicago.
• [03:06] - Alyssa explains the idea behind Clinical Training and Coaching and how it is closely intertwined with personal well-being.
• [05:01] - Moriah and Alyssa discuss how the idea of Clinical Training applies to Vet students and to their veterinary schooling.
• [07:02]- Dr. Moriah talks about the differences in approach between first-year vet school students and those who have been practicing for a year.
• [08:08] - Alyssa explains how they as professionals talk to the first-year students to bring them awareness.
• [09:30] - What causes students to drop out of veterinary school in their second year?
• [12:12] - What does it look like when first-year students and people who have already been practicing for a year collaborate to bring a change?
• [16:55] -  A short ad break - join Thrive
• [18:05] - Alyssa and Mo continue the episode by discussing how we can implement the Clinical practice to bring a change.
• [21:17] - How well-being and clinical skills are important in the Veterinary profession?
• [22:30] - Alyssa and Mo talk about the ‘Wholistic” approach.
• [28:30] - What can vet students do to be changemakers in the university?
• [30:42] - Alyssa and Moriah discuss the concept behind Empowering Veterinary Teams.
• [31:35] - Dr. Mo thanks Alyssa and wraps the episode

To listen to the extended version of this episode, join our Thrive community for free. 

In this week's episode of That Vet Life Show, Dr. Krispin Kanan joins Dr. Moriah. Dr. Krispin Kanan is a large animal veterinarian currently working at Veterinary Enterprises Group Limited in a business development role. Krispin is also a part of Massey's MMI for vet students, which is part of the pre-selection program for the Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences.

Dr. Krispin began his veterinary career as a Large Animal Veterinarian at Veterinary Enterprises Group Limited after graduating from Massey University in 2010. Krispin traveled throughout the world and conducted locum work in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland during his 15-month sabbatical.

In 2019, he completed an Executive MBA and joined Veterinary Enterprises as a Business Manager. Krispin, in addition to being an excellent veterinarian, works hard to spread positivity through his social media posts.

Dr. Krispin and Dr. Mo discuss the differences between small and large animal veterinarians in this episode, as well as the value of emotional intelligence in the profession.

Listen in as Krispin describes his experiences as a veterinarian traveling around the world and reveals the trick to being positive during times of stress.

Outline of this episode:

• [01:08] Dr. Mo begins the episode by complimenting Krispin for using his social media presence to spread positivity.
• [04:50] Dr. Mo and Dr. Krispin give a snapshot of their graduation journey, emphasizing how swiftly the years passed.
• [08:55] How the Vet Profession benefits from the wide age group and backgrounds of Vet Students.
• [11:20] Dr. Krispin discusses the MMI pre-selection program and the possibilities of graduating from New Zealand's vet school.
• [12:26] Dr. Krispin and Dr. Mo talk about the vet school's new selection method, highlighting how other skills might help you get into the vet school.
• [15:35] Dr. Krispin talks about his first job as a young veterinarian.
• [18:06] A short ad break - join Thrive
• [19:12] Dr. Krispin and Dr. Mo continue the podcast by talking about the mistakes that young vets make after graduating.
• Is it a good idea to do locum work right after graduation?
• [21:12] Dr. Krispin recounts a memorable event he had while on his first job, which enabled him to travel around the world.
• [25:28] Dr. Krispin and Dr. Mo talk about the differences between small animal and farm animal medicine, as well as how the pace of life changes depending on which role you select.
• [28:50] How can young grads identify the finest practice for them?
• [31:26] Dr. Krispin and Dr. Mo discuss corporate practice and how it differs from private practice.
• [37: 24] How can a system be implemented in Vet school so that students can acquire critical skills like PCS in a fun way?
• [40:25] Dr. Mo wraps the episode.

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