What if the key to your pet's health has been hiding in plain sound? In this episode, Dana sits down with Dr. Janet Marlow, a classically trained guitarist, Carnegie Hall performer, and the pioneer behind species-specific music for animals. After noticing the profound relaxation her own dogs and cats showed during her practice sessions, Janet left a legacy music career to answer a question no one in veterinary medicine was asking: what do animals actually hear, and how does it affect their health?

Janet spent three years researching animal audiology before creating Pet Acoustics in 2009 — and how her team has now conducted over 50,000 hearing screenings across 76 countries, revealing that 1 in 2 pets has some level of hearing loss. She introduces us to the Pet Acoustics app: a free, two-minute, fear-free digital hearing test any pet parent or veterinary practice can use today with no sedation, no specialist, no equipment required.

Whether you're a veterinarian looking to differentiate your practice, or a pet parent wanting to do more for your animal's long-term wellness, this episode will change the way you think about sound.

Resources:
Pet Acoustics - https://petacoustics.com
What Pets Hear Series by Janet Marlow - https://www.petacoustics.com/books
Biometric Studies on Animal Hearing - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10406387211012345

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:00 Dr. Marlow's Foundation
7:30 The Science of Sound and Animal Hearing
10:00 Innovating Hearing Tests for Pets
13:40 Sound Therapy in Veterinary Practices
18:45 The Role of Sound in Reducing Pet Anxiety
24:05 Understanding Pet Stress and Cortisol Levels
27:42 Creating Calming Soundscapes for Pets
29:10 The Science Behind Pet Acoustics and Its Benefits
32:56 Integrating Hearing Wellness into Veterinary Care
34:48 Hearing Information for Early-Life Pet Owners
38:55 Future of Veterinary Medicine and Pet Hearing Health

The timing of this episode couldn't be more relevant. Right now, veterinary practices are navigating a genuinely tough market: new bookings and fill rates are down, and client and talent retention are harder to hold onto than ever. At the same time, AI is reshaping how practices operate daily, and many clinics are still running on outdated methods that weren't built for where the industry is heading.

Christopher Martin, operations manager at Hefner Road Animal Hospital and Pet Resort in Oklahoma, spent 22 years in human healthcare before walking into that chaos for the first time. His reaction was not sympathy. It was disbelief. In this interview, Chris shares how, in a challenging market where client acquisition and retention are critical, delivering exceptional care for every pet parent and patient isn't just the right thing to do, it's the growth strategy. His approach has helped drive at least 1.5x more patients through the door. Chris digs into the operational excellence that makes it possible: training, technology, and strategic delegation to improve efficiency, staff satisfaction, and patient care.

Chapters

• 00:00 Operational Wizardry: A Day at Hefner Road
• 04:11 Chaos in Veterinary Medicine: A Unique Perspective
• 06:56 Eliminating Chaos: Training and Team Structure
• 09:50 Cross-Training: Empowering Staff and Enhancing Engagement
• 11:00 Creating Rhythm: The Importance of Workflow
• 13:02 Measuring Success: Key Metrics in Operations
• 15:20 The Role of Technology: AI in Veterinary Medicine
• 17:17 Identifying Inefficiencies: The Patient Journey
• 21:04 Empowering DVMs: Leadership and Delegation
• 24:25 Investing in Training: Building a Cohesive Team
• 28:00 Creating a Positive Work Environment: Fun and Fulfillment
• 28:53 Creating a Positive Work Culture
• 32:13 Operational Efficiency in Veterinary Practices
• 37:40 The Business of Veterinary Medicine
• 39:30 Leveraging Technology for Better Operations
• 45:49 Practical Steps for Veterinary Operations Improvement

Guest Links

https://hefnerroadanimalhospital.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@HefnerRoadAnimalHospital

In this engaging first episode of Veterinary Best Practices, Dr. Charles Hurty shares insights on veterinary medicine, compassion fatigue, and the transformative role of AI technology. Discover practical strategies for supporting veterinary teams, leveraging AI for efficiency, and fostering a healthy work environment.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Veterinary Best Practices
• 19:30 Differentiating Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
• 33:28 Supporting Compassion Fatigue in Veterinary Medicine
• 41:17 Leadership Boundaries and Expectations
• 48:36 AI Technology in Veterinary Medicine
• 56:07 AI and Compassion Fatigue
• 01:05:37 Future of AI in Veterinary Medicine
• 01:15:39 Resources for Further Learning