Ever wondered what lab animal veterinarians actually do—and why so many people judge the field without understanding it?

How do you carry ethical weight, compassion fatigue, and tough decisions while still protecting animal welfare? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Kat, DVM, DACLAM for an insightful, inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths. This conversation pulls back the curtain on lab animal medicine—protocols, oversight, stigma, boundaries, and the unseen responsibility behind research that impacts both human and animal health.

Packed with professional wisdom, emotional insights, and authentic experiences, this episode offers valuable lessons for veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal care professionals.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– What lab animal medicine really is (and what the public gets wrong)

– How veterinarians advocate for research animals through IACUC, protocols, and humane endpoints

– Why moral injury and compassion fatigue hit differently in this specialty

– How to set boundaries, navigate politics, and stay sustainable long-term

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinarians & veterinary students

– Animal care professionals

– Veterinary educators and mentors

– Animal lovers passionate about veterinary medicine

– Anyone interested in animal welfare, research ethics, and the unseen side of vet med

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Why lab animal vets are misunderstood + episode setup

03:20 – Dr. Kat’s background: Russia to vet med + why lab animal

10:45 – Internship/residency reality + “guinea pig” training years

19:00 – Stigma, going “incognito,” and what the public assumes

30:00 – Attachment, end-of-study emotions, compassion fatigue support

40:45 – Patient advocacy: IACUC, protocols, amendments, humane endpoints

52:30 – Researcher pushback, politics, and how vets stay protected

1:02:10 – Academia vs industry: pace, salary, and quality of life

1:10:05 – What vet school missed: boundaries + long-term sustainability

1:13:55 – Closing thoughts + where to direct lab animal questions

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you found value in this discussion!

– Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: [email protected]

Ep. 62

#VeterinaryMedicine #Veterinarian #LabAnimalMedicine #DACLAM #AnimalWelfare #VetEthics #VetLife #IrreplaceableTruths