The Vet Vault: Veterinary Career, Clinical Skills & Wellbeing

By Dr. Hubert HiemstraScience

The Vet Vault: Veterinary Career, Clinical Skills & Wellbeing episodes

October 05, 2019 #15: Workafrolic, with Dr. Justine Lee, VETgirl
Dr. Justine Lee, the one and only VETgirl, is best known for the hugely popular on-line veterinary education resources that she produces through the vet girl on the run website, podcast, and pretty much anywhere where you find your continuing education.
Currently, Dr. Lee is one of approximately 450 board certified veterinary specialists world wide in emergency and critical care, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She is also board-certified in toxicology and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology. She’s been published in numerous veterinary journals and books, and has been aired on radio and television to promote preventative medicine, animal health, and the overall well-being of pets.
Justine is the author of two humorous pet reference books, entitled It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet and It’s a Cat’s World… You Just Live In It, and has co-edited and co-authored Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology (Wiley-Blackwell 2011). She is one of the editors for the Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Emergency Medicine textbook. (Elsevier 2013).
She has been a regular recipient of Speaker of the Year Awards for her talks on emergency, critical care, and toxicology, and she was the co-host and veterinary analyst on Nat Geo Wild‘s Animal ER LIVE. Dr. Lee still works as a criticalist at Animal Emergency & Referral Center, a specialty referral hospital in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. And because she wasn’t quite busy enough, 3 years ago she became a mom. So how in the world does she do all of this?!
Join us in our conversation with this whirlwind of efficiency and impact as she shares with us her ideas about career, parenting , money, time management and much, much more.
1 hr 2 min
September 20, 2019 #14: Meaning vs balance, with work-life guru Nigel Marsh.
I’ve been a big fan of guest for today’s episode ever since seeing him deliver a keynote speech at a big-ticket vet conference. I knew immediately that I wanted to hear more about what he had to say. His message resonated strongly with me personally, and with the entire audience of vets there that day. It’s a message that we here at the Vet Vault think will be very valuable to all of you, our listeners, so we were thrilled when he agreed to spend some time with us.
Nigel Marsh is a Management consultant, communications specialist, author and entrepreneur.
He is best known for his creative pursuits. As well as the author of three books – Fat, Forty and Fired, Overworked and Underlaid and Fit, Fifty and Fired-Up – he is also the co-founder of Earth Hour and the founder of the Sydney Skinny. Fat, Forty and Fired is currently being developed into a major TV series. He also has a hit podcast of his own called 'The Five Of My Life.'
The other side to Nigel’s career is his 30+ years experience in the commercial sector. Over that time Nigel has worked with a huge variety of organisations. From the highest profile (McDonalds, Canon, Pepsi, P&G, Virgin, Mars, Fiat, Colgate), to national governments and local enterprises. Whether dealing with big business issues or social engineering, Nigel has provided strategic counsel and impressive results in almost every category imaginable.
Highly in demand as a public speaker Nigel travels the globe regularly giving speeches to major corporations on both his business and personal views. His TED speech on work/life balance remains the most viewed ever given outside of America with well over four million hits.
And this, dear listeners, is why we are talking to Nigel on our veterinary podcast: because us vets are not always that great at finding that elusive work life balance. We’ve had some interesting discussions with other guests on this podcast on this topic: what is work life balance, does it even exist, and is it something that we should be pursuing?
So we’ve called in the big guns: please join us in this highly insightful discussion all about balance and finding meaning in your career with one of today's leading thinkers on the topic.

52 min
September 04, 2019 #13: Communication: It's NOT a soft skill! Prof. Cindy Adams
Most vets would agree that excellent communication skills are one of the most important tools that we need to develop for a happy veterinary career, and it's a topic that we've always wanted to feature here, so we were thrilled when one of the leading minds in veterinary communication training agreed to join us on the Vet Vault.
Cindy Adams is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Calgary, where she teaches in the Clinical Communication and Professional Skills programs. She works to improve communication practices in veterinary medicine and education. Professor Adams has developed evidence-based communication curricula and methods for teaching, learning and evaluating communication skills across North America, UK, and Australia. Today her work forms the basis for communications skills training in many leading vet schools. Her co-authored book: 'Skills for Communicating in Veterinary Medicine,' was released in 2016 and has earned widespread recognition in veterinary medical practice and education around the globe.
In this episode Cindy tells us why we really need to increase our efforts in improving our communication skills, how to rapidly gain client trust, and how to set yourself up for the perfect consult. I guarantee you that this is not just for new grads: it doesn’t matter where you are in your vet career - you are bound to learn something new here.
We talk about agenda setting, listening, perceptual skills and how to have those difficult conversations about money, and Cindy answers a few burning listener questions about tricky communication situations.
Make sure to check out the show notes for the resources that Cindy mentions in the episode. There’s some very useful information on talking about money, discussing medical errors and how to run internal training programs for better communication.
1 hr 29 min
August 21, 2019 #12: Career diversity with the 2018 WSAVA Vet Of The Year. Dr Guy Weerasinghe.
One of our criteria for selecting guests here at the vet vault is to find people from across varied and interesting parts of our profession to showcase all doors that can open to you with your veterinary degree. Well, today’s guest is the poster boy for veterinary career diversity!
Dr Guy Weerasinghe has covered more ground in the veterinary profession than many of us will do in a lifetime. He’s been in diary vet in New Zealand, a small animal shelter vet for the RSPCA - Australia’s largest veterinary charity, he’s worked in government doing field surveillance and policy, and has spent time in general small animal practice.
During this time he gained a masters degree in Veterinary Public Health, and then became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine: in other words - he’s a certified Veterinary Public Health specialist.
While he was doing all of this he co-founded an online employment agency, served as the President of Australian Veterinarians in Public Health, was a branch president for the Australian Veterinary Association, co-authored the AVA’s official position statement on climate change, and became a regular speaker at a range of global conferences on the subjects of zoonoses and preventative medicine.
A career like this does not go unnoticed, and Guy was elected as the World Small Animal Veterinary Associations’ young veterinarian of the year for 2018.
He is currently a veterinary officer with the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy under the Department of Agriculture - in other words: he’s a Veterinary Public heath government vet, and, to top off a big decade, he became a dad 18 months ago.
All of this in less than 10 years! As you can imagine - we had a lot to talk about.
Join us to hear about how to take off your blinkers to be able to see all the opportunities that are out there for vets, about how to recognise your limitations and identify your skills, and about the joy of dealing with clients, even when they don’t like you!
Guy also tells us about the pathway into a career in veterinary public health, and of course what life as a government vet is like, and much much more.
Please enjoy - Dr Guy Weerasinghe.
1 hr 30 min
August 03, 2019 #11: What is life like as a vet in industry? Dr Mina Hamilton
We’ve always known that as part of our guest list we wanted to talk to vets from outside of clinical practice to provide us with some insights about parts of the profession that neither of us knows anything about. When it came to choosing who we should interview from the world of industry, today's guest was at the top of both of our lists.
Dr. Mina Hamilton is a smiling bundle of energy and enthusiasm who took her talents out of clinical practice and into life as an industry vet a few years ago when she decided to work for one of the leading pet food companies. When you watch Dr. Mina doing her thing at work you’re immediately struck by how much she makes it look like a lot of fun, which is exactly why we wanted to talk to her. We wanted to find out if it really is fun, and dig a bit into the whys, the hows, and the pros and cons.
Our conversation with Mina covers a wide range of topics. We talk about how you know whether or not a job is for you, about making the decision to stay or go in your job, and how to approach leaving when it is time to move on. Mina tells us what she loves about life as a technical vet, about the skills she’s learned in her role, about how to break bad habits, why holidays are so important, and much much more
1 hr 25 min
July 21, 2019 #10: Change, balance, and the doing the things you love. Dr James Greenwood
James Greenwood is a practicing veterinary surgeon living and working in Bristol in the UK. Originally from a farming family in Yorkshire, James inherited the family trait and devoted himself to a life spent in the company of animals. Since graduating from Bristol University in 2007, James has worked in mixed, equine and then for the last few years in companion animal practice.
Throughout his life he has shared his passion for science with his passion for art. Although taught originally to paint, James’ creativity has developed into a deep love for ceramics. He was invited to compete on the first series of BBC2’s 'The Great Pottery Throwdown’, which led to further television work, including the hit CBBC children's television series 'The Pets Factor'. He has also developed his own ceramics business, writes for various platforms and delivers talks on how his passion for science and art have influenced his life.
Gerardo spent the day with James and Oliver, the famous one-eyed Labrador, in their home. We had a great time picking his brain about his early work experiences, about finding himself out of his depth and dealing with imposter syndrome, and how he tries to achieve that ever-elusive balanced life. He tells us how he took stock of his career and how he made veterinary science work for him. We also talk about competence, confidence and courage, his life as a TV vet, and the absolute necessity of having things in your life that you love doing.
We had a lot of fun recording this episode, and I think you’ll have the same experience listening to James’ with his infectious enthusiasm.
Please enjoy - Dr James Greenwood.

1 hr 16 min
July 04, 2019 #9: Getting comfortable with uncertainty. Dr Rob Webster
Dr. Rob Webster is an emergency and critical care specialist and one of the founding members of Animal Emergency Australia, a group of emergency clinics in southeastern Queensland.
Outside of his clinical and leadership roles within the practice he has also trained and mentored large numbers of vets and vet nurses, inspiring them with his boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm.
We pinned him down in his garden in far northern Queensland to see if we could extract some of that wisdom for our own good and yours, and he did not disappoint! We cover valuable ground, such as how he approaches challenges in the face of fear and uncertainty, despite feeling completely overwhelmed. He gives us his views on charting a career path, on whether to specialise or not. Rob even gives us a few study tips and tells us what he thinks one of the best things is that you can commit your time to, and on why you should always listen to your mother.
Please join us in this fascinating conversation with Dr. Rob, and be inspired!
1 hr 7 min
June 22, 2019 #8: Defining the problem. Prof Jill Maddison
Professor Jill Maddison is currently Professor of General Practice, Director of Professional Development and Director of the BVetMed course at the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom. She is actively involved in undergraduate teaching and CPD at the RVC in the areas of small animal medicine, clinical problem solving and clinical pharmacology.
She has lectured extensively around the world on clinical problem solving, small animal internal medicine and clinical pharmacology. If you’ve ever listened to one of her lectures you’ll know that she is the epitome of clear-minded scientific thinking. And if you haven’t had the privilege of hearing her speak - well, luckily she’ has a book just for you: Jill is senior editor of a book called Clinical Reasoning in Small Animal Practice, a must-read for anyone in practice. She’s also published over 60 refereed papers in veterinary and medical journals and is the senior editor of a previous book, Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology.
To keep in touch with the realities of private general practice she consults at a local veterinary practice and at the RVC’s first opinion practice, the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital.
In this episode we talk about clinical vet work for a change: Jill talks about some common mistakes that many vets make when it comes to clinical decision making, and why curiosity and thinking skills are more important than knowledge and facts. Jill gives us her insights about the value of internships and tells us what her favourite textbooks are for everyday practice.
Please enjoy - the queen of small animal veterinary medicine - Professor Jill Madison.
1 hr 23 min
June 09, 2019 #7: Doing the hard things. Dr Craig Challen
Our guest today is a successful businessman who, in his free time, likes to put on a skin-tight black neoprene suit and use his special skills and unique equipment to save lives. No - it’s not Batman, but it may as well be.
Dr Craig Challen has become an Australian icon for his role as a rescue diver in the Thailand cave rescue that captivated the world in late 2018. For his efforts in the rescue, Craig was awarded the Star Of Courage award in Australia, nominated as a Companion of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn in Thailand, and, together with his dive partner, as the joint Australian of the year for 2018/19.
But long before any of this happened, Craig was an accomplished veterinarian and business owner. He had built and run a successful group of veterinary practices, while also quietly becoming one of the world’s most highly qualified cave divers. It's an incredible story with a very, VERY happy ending, and we are thrilled to have Craig share it with you.
In our conversation, we dive deep into the world of veterinary business. Craig shares with us from his wealth of experience tips that vary from how to be a good employee, all the way to building a multi-practice business. Listen out for his 4 step formula to dealing with complaints towards the end of the episode. We talk about career plans, fear, self-confidence, doing hard things, and Craig gives us his take on the challenge of living a balanced life.
But first, we kick off deep underground in a cave, somewhere in Thailand.
1 hr 24 min
May 27, 2019 # 6: Simple habits, big results. Dr Paula Parker
For this episode we are fortunate to have with us a young vet who is contributing more to the veterinary profession in her relatively short career than many of us will do in a lifetime. Dr Paula Parker was the president of the Australian Veterinary Association for 2018/19, and is the youngest person ever to be elected to this position. When she is not leading the team that makes major policy decisions and guides the future of our our profession both in Australia and internationally she works as an emergency vet in a practice in the Gold Coast, Australia.
Our chat with Paula unearthed some very practical tips and tools for every day life as a vet.
I personally found the discussions about productivity, mental resetting and transitioning, and how to get past no especially useful. We also cover a wide range of other topics, like the pros and cons of rural practice, how to deal with being the ‘new vet’, especially the new ‘girl’ vet in a farm practice environment, controlling the controllables, the value of serving on committees and other organisations, and about vomiting for fun... Paula addresses a huge issue for many people in our profession: money - how to think about it, how to talk about it, and how to make it.
We trust that you’ll find this conversation as inspiring as we did.
1 hr 36 min

About The Vet Vault: Veterinary Career, Clinical Skills & Wellbeing

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The Vet Vault is a veterinary podcast for vets and vet students covering career growth, clinical medicine, leadership, and mental health and wellbeing across the veterinary profession. Vet life can…