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Podcast guest, Dr. Jon Geller, graduated from Colorado State's College of Veterinary Medicine at age 44. From a mobile mixed animal practice to Jon building and leading emergency hospitals, to a non-profit founder. An inspiring keynote talk about doing all things in love, soon followed by an encounter with a homeless man and his pit bull, led Jon to change his path again.

Jon founded The Street Dog Coalition, providing free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. It led him to earn his Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. It took him to the Ukraine border, two weeks after the war broke out, where he set up a veterinary tent for refugees crossing with their pets. And it has turned him into one of the most compelling advocates for access to care and the human-animal bond in our profession today.

Jon describes his career as moving from one end of the leash to the other — from treating animals to understanding the humans on the other side of that bond, and what it means when that bond is all someone has left.  We also discuss bold ideas for systemic change and why it is never too late to start something that matters.

Guest: Jon Geller, DVM, (CSU '95), ABVP Diplomate emeritus, MPH (UMN '24), Distinguished Fellow, National Academies of Practice, Adjunct Faculty, Colorado School of Public Health

Resources

• Video version on YouTube
• Podcast Episode Guide
• Street Dog Coalition website
• Worldwide Vets website
• HABRI policies

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More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

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Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
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In this inspiring episode, Dr. Rustin Moore, equine surgeon, Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and author of a series of books on the Human Animal Bond, joins us to reflect on the personal and professional experiences that shaped his path.

He discusses what it means to train the next generation of veterinarians, the science and stories behind the human-animal bond, and why he believes this connection is one of the most important forces shaping our world right now.

Resources:

• Episode's Podcast Club Guide (substack)
• Video episode on YouTube
• TEDx talk: Power of a Pet 
• Book 1: Unleashing the Bond - Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interaction
• Book 2: Unlocking the Bond - The Power and Paradox of Human-Animal Interaction
• Temple Grandin's book, Animals Make Us Human - Creating the Best Life for Animals

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

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What if the most valuable perspective in veterinary medicine came from someone who is not just an 'out-of-the-box' thinker, but an entirely different box?

Christopher Martin isn't a veterinarian — but he co-owns and operates a veterinary practice in Oklahoma alongside his wife, Dr. Rebecca Martin. And what he brought to vet med from 25+ years in human medicine might be exactly the unique perspective to make work and life better.

In this episode, Dr. Megan Sprinkle sits down with Chris to talk about creative thinking, doing things differently, and why "this is how we've always done it" is one of the most expensive sentences in veterinary medicine. 

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube (please subscribe!)
• The Hefner Road Animal Hospital website and YouTube channel
• Substack with the episode's podcast club guide 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

How to start a business and practice clinical veterinary medicine at the same time

What does it look like to graduate from veterinary school and immediately start solving the profession's biggest problems? Dr. Jason Szumski is doing exactly that — practicing full-time at a 24/7 ER-GP hybrid clinic while co-founding VetSOAP, a veterinarian-owned AI scribe platform used by thousands of veterinary professionals every day.

In this episode, Dr. Megan Sprinkle sits down with Jason to talk about building a career with intention, knowing when to say yes and when to say no, and why being action-forward — not just idea-forward — is what actually moves veterinary medicine forward.

What You'll Learn

• How VetSOAP was built without outside investors, private equity, or an MBA - and why that matters
• What Jason discovered about burnout when he used AI to analyze his own clinical conversations
• How to pursue multiple passions in veterinary medicine without losing focus
• Why it costs $0 to be a good person, and how that principle shapes Jason's leadership

Resources and Links:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Vet SOAP website
• Connect with Dr. Jason on LinkedIn

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

How does a boy from New Orleans go from trapping frogs in his backyard to becoming a veterinary ophthalmologist who is now reshaping how general practitioners across the country get access to specialist support?

This week's guest is Dr. Kenneth Pierce, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, founder of Veterinary Vision Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, and creator of Vespecon (Veterinary Specialty Consultants), a platform connecting general practitioners with specialists on demand.

In this episode, you'll hear about veterinary mentorship, diversity in the veterinary ophthalmology specialty, opening a new practice in the pandemic, starting a veterinary consultation business, thoughts on AI and technology for the future of veterinary medicine, and what keeps Dr. Pierce going as a clinician and veterinary entrepreneur. 

Resources & Links:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Dr. Pierce’s ophthalmology practice website
• Vespecon — Veterinary Specialty Consultants: 
• Podcast Club Guide for this episode
• Connect with Dr. Kenneth Pierce: 
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram: @vespeconvsc
  • Facebook: @vespecon

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary career paths aren’t one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Vet Life Reimagined guest, Dr. Shannon Bass, shares how she’s navigated general practice, ER, acupuncture, recruiting, and leadership by staying true to her values of connection and curiosity. Now VP of Medical Leadership at Vets Pets, Shannon offers practical advice on job interviews, leadership, and building a career that actually supports your wellbeing.

Whether you’re new to the field or reevaluating your next move, you’ll find inspiration and actionable tips in this conversation.

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Get the podcast club guide for this episode

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

The Certificate in Veterinary Workplace Wellbeing meets Women's History Month. 

The certificate is hosted by Dr. Phil Richmond and the Florida VMA. Check out the FVMA's Inspire program. 

Looking for an inspiring veterinary career story? These are the episodes referenced in the episode:

• Dr. Linda Rhodes, Breaking Barnyard Barriers
• Launched their own clinics (like Dr. Eva Evans)
• Led biotech companies (like Dr. Linda Black at Gallant)
• Advocated for diversity and wrote powerful books (like Dr.s Kemba Marshall and Cherice Roth)
• Built innovative startups and transformed industry sectors (like Dr. Eve Hanks at MiRNA and Drs. Michelle Schack & Shari van de Pol in dairy health)
• Took on executive leadership roles in global companies (like Dr. Molly McAllister with Mars Veterinary Health and Dr. Sasha Nefedova in Australia)

PERMA assessment: 

Don't forget to follow the Tiny but Mighty wellness tips on social media! And text us (1) what social platform do you spend the most time on, and/or (2) what are your favorite tiny ways to enhance your wellbeing? 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

About the Guest:

Mindy Dutka is a dog documentary photographer, advocate, and storyteller whose business, Dogs I Meet, is built on the belief that every dog has a tale worth telling. With a lifelong love for dogs, she has traveled the globe providing brands and animal welfare organizations with story-driven content that gives voice to the voiceless. Her work spans documenting the human-animal bond at Veterinary Emergency Group, photographing pet familites during the COVID pandemic, and, most recently, embedding with a volunteer spay-neuter team in Suriname to capture the stories of the veterinarians, vet techs, and local families who showed up for their dogs.

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube - illustrated by Mindy's photos
• Mindy's website (Dogs I Meet)
• Follow Mindy on LinkedIn
• Follow Dogs I Meet on LinkedIn
• Caribbean Spay Neuter website
• World Tails website

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

From barnyard to boardroom: Dr. Linda Rhodes shares her exciting career path from despite the many 'no's, becoming Utah's first large animal veterinarian taking care of cows in world-class daires to the many adventures that followed. Dr. Linda continued to get a PhD, to lead teams in the pharmaceutical industry, to starting her own consulting firm, to starting the first award to recognize women in animal health, The Feather in Her Cap award. She is also an Iron Paw award winner. She is now an author: her memoir "Breaking the Barnyard Barriers: A Woman Veterinarian Paves the Way" will be released on Feb 17, 2026. (link below)

Resources:

• Video version on YouTube
• Linda's website
• Order Linda's book on Amazon
• 2026 Feather in Her Cap Awards winners Press Release 

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner! 

Send us Fan Mail

About the guest: 

Alexandre Contreras, VT, CCMT is a veterinary technician trained in canine physical therapy and is now an innovator and entrepreneur. He has built a service business called DogApy, a product business called KlipTrio, and a non-profit that brings together community and empowers students interested in careers in animal health. Alexandre is driven by passion and purpose and believes that anyone can put in the work to build a career that is meaningful. 

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• KlipTrio.com 
• PetTrio Charity website

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount. 

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner!