The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast

Maria Pirita hosts the Uncharted Veterinary podcast with coach Ron Sosa to tackle a mailbag question from a practice manager who needs to address an employee returning from smoke breaks smelling like cigarette smoke, despite a general hygiene policy and prior send-home attempts. They frame the real challenge as avoiding hard conversations that leave the employee “last to know,” and emphasize focusing on workplace impact, patient and client experience, and consistent enforcement rather than judging smoking itself. They discuss updating policies to state outcomes instead of prescribing fixes, investigating firsthand before acting on complaints, choosing a private setting, speaking directly in the first 30 seconds, and offering support and realistic solutions such as spare scrubs, body spray, or mouthwash. They also cover managing defensiveness through agreement, follow-up conversations, and progressive discipline, plus reinforcing improvements once without harming dignity, and close by inviting listeners to Uncharted 2027 on January 15.

Ron Sosa is the Executive Director of Uncharted Veterinary Conference, a published author, international speaker, and veterinary leader with more than 20 years of experience in operations, practice management, leadership development, and consulting. From client service representative to business partner to industry educator, Ron has built a career around helping veterinary professionals create healthier teams and more sustainable workplaces. As the founder of Syn APT Neuroinclusive Leadership, he is especially passionate about neuroinclusive leadership, workplace culture, burnout prevention, and helping people thrive at work.

Your associate veterinarian is brilliant, data-driven, and right about half the things she wants to fix, yet every time she stops a workflow to say "That's not how I do it," your team walks away feeling criticized while she stays late doing work they were trained to handle. In this mailbag episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, host Maria Pirita and Dr. Andy Roark tackle coaching associate veterinarians who challenge protocols in ways that land harshly with the team. They walk through separating the behavior from the person, framing a low-stakes ways of working conversation, building a system for veterinary protocol changes, and steering feedback toward the positive so trust can grow. Andy also shares the story of the Roark Report, his own early-career lesson in pushing change too fast. Let's get into this episode!

Join us for Uncharted 2027 and register today!

Overwhelmed by endless veterinary CE options and unsure which conference, certification, or course will actually move your leadership career forward? On this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, host Maria Pirita, CVPM, sits down with guest Ron Sosa to answer a question practice managers keep asking: "What CE should I attend next?" They talk about starting your continuing education plan with the end in mind and why Ron treats veterinary conferences like dating. They also cover the value of learning outside vet med, how veterinary coaching can break through decision paralysis, and where to find CE beyond the big names like VMX, Fetch, VHMA, and AAHA. Whether you're weighing a CVPM, an HR credential, or your next conference, this episode will help you pick continuing education that creates real, lasting impact for you and your team.

If you want to experience a conference built around practice and accountability, registration is open for the Uncharted Veterinary Conference on January 15, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, the day before VMX.

Register for the 2027 Uncharted Veterinary Conference!

Ever wondered what else you can do with your veterinary technician credentials? Whether you're feeling burned out, ready for a new challenge, or simply curious about your options, there's a whole world of opportunities beyond the exam room! Dr. Andy Roark is joined by four registered veterinary technicians from Hill's Pet Nutrition: Anna Springer, RVT, Jennifer Katchadourian, RVT, Erin Richmond, BS, RVT, and Misty Tobyne, RVT. Together, they share how they navigated career changes into research, education, sales, and regulatory affairs, along with the skills, mentors, and mindsets that helped them along the way. If you've ever wondered whether you can grow your career without leaving veterinary medicine behind, this episode is for you!

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

Misty Tobyne, RVT, serves as the PVA Coordinator at Hill's Pet Nutrition. With 23 years of dedication to the organization, Misty brings a deep passion for research and education, and is instrumental in keeping the Professional Veterinary Affairs department running smoothly. Outside of work, you can find Misty with her husband supporting their two daughters on the softball and soccer fields. She enjoys spending time at home in Kansas with their three beagles, a blue heeler/corgi mix, and two cats.

I am a Regulatory Affairs Specialist on the packaging compliance team. Graduate at Colorado State University Global with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management with a Specialization in Marketing. Has completed an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Brown Mackie College (February, 2014) and is a Registered Veterinarian Technician in the state of Kansas (April, 2014). Certifications include Veterinary Nutrition (October, 2022), plus Professional Dog and Cat Grooming from Nash Academy of Animal Arts (April, 2012). Has worked in the pet care industry for 15 years including 12 years in settings that included research. Has worked at the Hills’ Pet Nutrition Center for 9 years.

Anna Springer is a Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Consultation Service Technician and AI Training Specialist with 16+ years of experience in clinical practice and the veterinary industry. Passionate about small animal nutrition and weight management, she partners with veterinary teams at Hill’s Pet Nutrition to resolve complex nutritional and product-related inquiries and support effective weight control plans.

Previously, Anna spent over a decade at Claycomo Animal Hospital in Kansas City, MO, where she managed high-volume caseloads, educated clients on preventive care and nutrition, and improved documentation and workflow standards. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an Associate of Science in Veterinary Technology. She is also an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation Scholarship Review Committee.

Your independent veterinary practice is losing pharmacy sales to online retailers, telehealth apps, and corporate groups with budgets you can't match, and it is starting to feel like a fight you can't win. In this mailbag episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Maria Pirita, CVPM, and Dr. Andy Roark answer a listener from a high-touch, privately owned clinic asking how to stay profitable as online pharmacies and corporate veterinary practices keep growing. Dr. Roark introduces his Vet Medicine 3.0 framework, Maria shares a Southwest Airlines story that reveals a hidden advantage of small practices, and both hosts dig into the convenience gaps, missed charges, and client retention habits quietly costing clinics revenue. If you are a practice owner, practice manager, or veterinary leader wondering where to focus your energy in a changing industry, this conversation will reframe the question entirely.

Register for Uncharted 2027 on January 15th in Orlando Florida!

Maria Pirita is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, Elite Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional and former hospital administrator. In her work with Uncharted Veterinary Conference and beyond, Maria has presented to veterinarians and teams across the US and Canada on topics including veterinary marketing, feedback, team building, and positive work culture. With over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine and over 20 years in leadership, she's passionate helping leaders develop their skills. Maria loves any activity that involves creativity or learning something new. This leads to an abundance of hobbies including crafting, traveling, cooking and aviation.

Maria hosts Ron Sosa to address a mailbag from a practice manager who absorbed multiple roles during short-staffing and now struggles to delegate due to fears tasks won’t get done, won’t be done correctly, or the team is too busy. They discuss the mental barriers behind delegation, emphasizing vulnerability, values, and overcoming perfectionism. Ron recommends tracking all incoming tasks for two weeks, then sorting them by what requires the manager’s authority, what requires knowledge that can be taught, and what only requires willingness. They stress distinguishing people problems from system problems, narrowing responsibilities, accepting 80% competence when appropriate, and avoiding delegating legal or high-risk items. Effective handoffs include clear autonomy, limits, resources, standards, escalation criteria, and review cadence, plus psychological safety, positive feedback, and protected time. They also preview the January 15 Uncharted Veterinary Conference in Orlando celebrating Uncharted’s 10 years.

Register for Uncharted 2027 on January 15th in Orlando Florida!

Ron Sosa is the Executive Director of Uncharted Veterinary Conference, a published author, international speaker, and veterinary leader with more than 20 years of experience in operations, practice management, leadership development, and consulting. From client service representative to business partner to industry educator, Ron has built a career around helping veterinary professionals create healthier teams and more sustainable workplaces. As the founder of Syn APT Neuroinclusive Leadership, he is especially passionate about neuroinclusive leadership, workplace culture, burnout prevention, and helping people thrive at work.

Managing Up in a Hiring Freeze, Boosting Productivity Without Burning Out Host Maria Pirita and Dr. Andy Roark discuss a detailed mailbag from a corporate practice manager who is required to work on the floor 32 hours a week with only eight hours for management, is banned from hiring, and is told to raise a productivity score from 160 to 180. They unpack how to use clinic metrics and industry benchmarks to assess staffing and doctor production, how to approach leaders with curiosity and clarity, and how to avoid over-identifying with the job while setting boundaries. They emphasize understanding how the productivity metric is calculated, negotiating for specific commitments, involving the team, and using four main levers to improve results: raise prices, increase completeness of care, bring more clients in, and improve efficiency and cut time costs. They also promote upcoming Uncharted events, including the Uncharted Veterinary Conference on January 15, celebrating 10 years.

Register for Uncharted 2027 on January 15th in Orlando Florida!

Maria Pirita is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, Elite Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional and former hospital administrator. In her work with Uncharted Veterinary Conference and beyond, Maria has presented to veterinarians and teams across the US and Canada on topics including veterinary marketing, feedback, team building, and positive work culture. With over 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine and over 20 years in leadership, she's passionate helping leaders develop their skills. Maria loves any activity that involves creativity or learning something new. This leads to an abundance of hobbies including crafting, traveling, cooking and aviation.

In this special, 420th episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Maria Pirita, CVPM interviews Jo McGuire of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association about how veterinary practices should handle suspected marijuana impairment at work amid changing state laws. They discuss a mailbag case where a practice manager observed possible intoxication, sent an employee home, and questioned what is legally allowed and when observation is enough. McGuire emphasizes having a clear written drug and alcohol policy with advance notice, distinguishing random testing from reasonable suspicion testing, documenting observable signs and symptoms, and focusing conversations on safety rather than accusations. They cover liability considerations such as arranging safe transportation home, the value of employee education and ongoing handbook review, recovery-friendly workplace initiatives, and evolving marijuana testing options like lab-based oral fluid and breath tools while noting tests do not directly prove impairment. Let's get into this...

Register for Uncharted 2027 on January 15th in Orlando Florida!

You love teaching your team and staying hands on with patients, but every veterinary career path in front of you seems to run straight through the practice manager's office, and you're not convinced that's where you belong. In this episode, Maria Pirita, CVPM sits down with Elizabeth Stark, CVT, FVTE, MBA, founder of Vet Raft Solutions, to answer a mailbag from a veterinary team lead facing exactly that crossroads. Together they unpack why "management or nothing" has become the default veterinary career path narrative in this profession, the real difference between formal and informal leadership, and what a lateral, education-focused practice manager career path alternative can actually look like.

Should your veterinary clinic have an angel fund? That is the exact mailbag question that Maria Pirita brings to this episode, and she pulled in Uncharted member, Beth Mehaffey, co-founder of Pennridge Animal Hospital and founder of Harley's Haven Dog Rescue, to help answer it. Beth has run a 501(c)(3) since 2010 and has grown it from an informal rescue into a full nonprofit with a community fund and a dedicated angel fund for clinic patients. Maria and Beth walk through why practices consider starting a fund in the first place, how to choose between an informal setup, a third-party program, or your own nonprofit, how to build a board and divide roles, and how to market a fund without alienating paying clients. Grab the free workbook in the links below if you are ready to start asking the right questions for your own practice.

Before You Start Workbook

Unfiltered Vet Discussions Podcast

Dr. Beth Mehaffey, VMD, is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Pennridge Animal Hospital, a privately owned multi-doctor practice in Perkasie, PA. She is also the founder and Medical Director of Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue, which has helped more than 2,000 dogs find homes since 2010. Beth is passionate about veterinary leadership, practice culture, mentorship, and compassionate care—both for pets and the people who care for them.