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

Veterinarian, bodybuilder, and social media sensation, Dr. Greg Echols, joins Dr. Moriah McCauley for this week’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast.

Dr. Greg gained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 after completing his Bachelor’s in Lab Animal Science from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC in 2014.

When it comes to a diverse work experience, Dr. Echol’s, never shied away from an industry change. From hip-hop instructor to a gym front desk it’s safe to say that Greg had his fair share of interesting jobs before choosing to follow his pathway to veterinary medicine!

Now working as a full-time veterinarian, Dr. Greg is using his social media platform to create fun content aimed at both veterinarians and clients.

In this episode, Dr. Moriah asks Dr. Greg about his mentorship story as part of our series ‘The Making of a Mentor’, and how this has influenced him to become a mentor himself.

Dr. Tannetje Crocker is back again for another episode with Dr. Moriah on That Vet Life Show.

For those of you who don’t know Dr. Tannetje, she is a veterinary mentor, speaker, writer, social media sensation, and ER veterinarian at VEG.

Crocker began her journey into veterinary medicine in 2009 after graduating from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, Dr. Tannetje went on to specialize in equine at an internship in Southern California before working as a solo equine ambulatory practitioner. It wasn’t until 2014 that Crocker transitioned into small animal medicine, which she has stuck with ever since.

Being a full-time veterinarian inspired Tannetje to start ‘Dr. Crocker - Pet Vet’, a social media brand that Dr. Tannetje uses to empower and mentor students and young veterinarians. ‘I am inspired by fellow veterinarians and vet students who want to contribute, support, and move this profession in a new direction.’ - Dr. Crocker.

During this episode, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Tannetje discuss what is mentorship, how do you find a mentor, and how do you become a valuable mentee?

In today’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah is joined by her fellow Royal Dick School graduate and former housemate, Dr. Dannielle Poll.

Dr. Dani’s love of animals began from a young age as she grew up on a small family-run farm in Utah. Not only did this grow her love of animals but it also helped her to gain a healthy respect for the power of animals and their purpose in our lives.

Following her love of animals, Dani set herself the goal to become a veterinarian, and after high school, she attended Utah State University where she received her bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science. Following this, Dani took a break from studying after being rejected from veterinary school twice. Taking a break, Dani was able to travel and live in Germany. Before, being excepted into veterinary school at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she met host Dr. Moriah.

Since graduating, Dani has been working in a small animal practice back in Utah with the passion to one day travel again!

In this episode, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Dani discuss how their first two years as a graduate have been, and how they have overcome confidence and plateau points.

We have a Q&A special in this week’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast! Where host, Dr. Moriah McCauley, answers your questions sent in from Instagram.

For those of you who don’t know our host, Dr. Moriah graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Royal (dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2020, after gaining her Bachelor of Science in 2016.

Since graduating, Dr. Moriah has been been working at a small animal practice alongside hosting weekly interviews on That Vet Life Podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Morah answers the questions such as ‘how to study for the NAVLE, and how to negotiate salary’. Tune in to hear here answers.

Want to ask a question for next time? Drop her a message at: https://www.instagram.com/dr.moriah.mccauley/

In today’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah McCauley is joined with 4th-year veterinary student and president of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), Hidayah Martinez-Jaka.

Hidayah’s journey into veterinary medicine began at age 14 when her family adopted a flock of chickens. With little veterinary support, Hydayah took it upon herself to care and treat the chickens, which in turn, sparked her love of veterinary medicine. “I fell in love with them as pets, and my passion for veterinary medicine grew from that. I love the process of diagnosing and healing animals. I love the science, too, as well as the merging of empathy and knowledge.”

Hidayah is currently in her fourth year of veterinary school and is soon to graduate from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. During her time as a student, Hidayah has been breaking the mold in veterinary education and in 2020 was elected as the president of SAVMA - being the first woman of color and the first student from her college to ever serve in this position. Hidayah is using her platform to support other veterinary students - “I see leadership through SAVMA, not as a way to benefit myself but to lift other voices up”.

In this episode, Hidayah goes into detail about her journey into veterinary medicine, the mentorship that has influenced her journey, and the type of mentorship she delivers herself.

In today’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah interviews Dr. Marie Bucko, veterinarian and the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer at USDA in Washington D.C.

Marie has over a decade of experience working in food and agriculture issues and working at the intersection of animal health, public health, and communicating science. Before qualifying as a veterinarian, Meria worked as a Science Policy Analyst at the US Food and Drug Administration’s Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program.

It wasn’t until 2021, that Maria gained her Doctor in veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison after gaining her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science and Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2012, and her Masters in Science in Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2015.

As a veterinary student, Dr. Marie was elected as the student president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, before graduating and working as a Science and Technology Advisor. In her current role, Dr. Marie works as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer at USDA in Washington D.C.

In this episode, Dr. Marie openly recalls her journey into veterinary medicine and how it differed to most, she also talks about the effects the global pandemic had on her final year of veterinary school, and how there should be a push for alternative opportunities for veterinarians.

In today’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast, Dr. Moriah McCauley interviews VetX’s very own Thrive mentor, Dr. Gary Marshall.

Dr. Gary Marshall graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 and for the last 25 years has been working as the Founder and Medical Director of Island Cats Veterinary Hospital - a Feline Exclusive Practice on Mercer Island, Washington.

Alongside his job as a veterinarian, Dr. Gary is a mentor and helps mentor the VetX community as our resident North American mentor for our Thrive community. The sessions take place monthly ‘zoom’ sessions and are completely free - if you haven’t signed up yet, you’re definitely missing out!

As well as being a teacher and mentor, Dr. Gary is changing the pathway for veterinary medicine. Gary was the Past-President of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association and still serves on the Board of Directors. He was also elected to serve on the Board of the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative in 2020 and was appointed to serve on the Advisory Group of the AVMA/AAVMC Commission for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Veterinary Profession.

In this episode, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Gary Marshall discuss work-life balance, or should I say work-life symbiosis… What does it really mean and how can we achieve it as veterinary professionals?

In today’s episode of That Vet Life Podcast host, Dr. Moriah McCauley interviews locum veterinarian and mentor, Dr. Kirsten Ronngren.

Dr. Kirsten’s journey into veterinary medicine began as a child when she began shadowing and helping her mum (a small animal practice veterinarian) at her practice. Following in her mother's footsteps, Kirsten graduated as a veterinarian from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. After graduating, Dr. Ronngren began working in a feline-only practice where she was mentored by Dr. Gary Marshall (one of VetX International’s very own mentors).

Following this, Dr. Kirsten went on to practice in Southern California, where she worked as a clinical veterinarian and specialized in client communication and teaching. This led to her taking on a job at Pima Medical Institute where she taught veterinary technicians part-time alongside her time in practice. Her love of teaching and mentoring led to her creating Vet Redefined, a website aimed to connect and aid veterinary students and graduates overcome the challenges of veterinary medicine. At Vet Redefined, “we aim to provide the mentorship, resources, support, and tools that seemed to lag in the training most of us received at the end of school and our first endeavors outside of it.”

In the last year, Dr. Ronngren has moved to England, where she has become a registered member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and is working as a small animal locum vet, alongside mentoring through Vet Redefined and creating digital veterinary content for VetBox.

In this episode, Dr. Kirsten talks about her journey with mentorship, from both her experience being mentored by her mother and seasoned veterinarian Dr. Gary Marshall, as well as touching on all other mentors who have influenced her and helped her become the teacher she is today.

Tune in the learn the impact mentoring has.

Dr. Tannetje Crocker joins Dr. Moriah for this week’s episode of That Vet Life Show. As well as being an ER veterinarian at VEG, Dr. Tannetji is a veterinary mentor, speaker, writer, and social media sensation.

Crocker began her journey into veterinary medicine in 2009 after graduating from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, Dr. Tannetje went on to specialize in equine at an internship in Southern California before working as a solo equine ambulatory practitioner. It wasn’t until 2014 that Crocker transitioned into small animal medicine, which she has stuck with ever since.

Being a full-time veterinarian inspired Tannetje to start ‘Dr. Crocker - Pet Vet’, a social media brand that Dr. Tannetje uses to empower and mentor students and young veterinarians. “I am inspired by fellow veterinarians and vet students who want to contribute, support, and move this profession in a new direction.” - Dr. Crocker.

During this episode, Dr. Moriah and Dr. Tannetje discuss the disparity between young and older vets, the salary expectations of new graduates, and why younger vets are opting to work fewer hours.