Episodes

Ryan Leech, founder and host of The Bird Bath podcast and principal at First 100 Veterinary Growth Consulting, joins Dr. Andy Roark for their annual year end tradition, breaking down the biggest veterinary industry stories of 2025 and what they mean for 2026. Feeling whiplash from corporate consolidation, tightening budgets, AI everywhere, and practices wondering what comes next? You are not alone. Andy and Ryan unpack what they call “the great compression,” from private equity shifts and practi...

Dr. Andy Roark, DVM, MS tackles one of the trickiest leadership challenges out there, showing up strong when things do not go according to plan. Ever walked out of a meeting or presentation thinking, well that was rough? Kelsey Beth Carpenter joins us as Andy breaks down why those moments matter more than we think, how leaders build credibility through adaptability, and why owning ambiguity is a core leadership skill. This episode dives into executive presence, audience awareness, and the art of...

Dr. Beth Venit, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, joins Andy to dig into one of the most nerve-wracking topics in vet med: avoiding board complaints by mastering informed consent. If you have ever wondered where the real line is between gold standard care and the minimum standard of care, or how to protect yourself when clients decline your recommendations, this episode will make your shoulders drop a little. Gang, let’s get into this episode! Dr....

Dr. Stacy Anderson, Dean at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and President of COWBEL, joins Andy to dig into the rise of the distributive model for veterinary education. If you have ever wondered how students can get high quality clinical training without a traditional teaching hospital, or you have questions about capacity, specialty exposure, and whether practices actually enjoy taking students, this episode is for you. They also talk about what makes a rotation site ...

Dr. Kara Amstutz, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, CVA, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a one-of-a-kind conversation about balancing a thriving veterinary career with raising a world-famous daughter, musician Chappell Roan. From starting her own practice to becoming boarded in veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Kara shares how she rebuilt her love for vet med through pain management, teaching, and lifelong learning. Andy and Kara talk about burnout, resilience, and what it’s like when fame suddenly lan...

Dr. Rustin Moore, Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about his new book, Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions. This episode dives into why our relationships with animals are so profound, from therapy dogs and service animals to stories of resilience like Molly the Pony and Fiona the therapy dog. Dr. Moore shares what inspired him to write the book, the paradox of loving animals while working in veterina...

Dr. Matthew MacLachlan, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Business and Economics at Cornell University, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a deep dive into one of the profession’s biggest debates: do we really need more veterinarians? With new vet schools popping up across the country, Andy and Matt unpack whether more graduates will actually solve the shortage in rural areas or simply flood urban markets. They dig into workforce economics, burnout, wages, and how retention may matter more than recruitmen...

Dr. Gail Hughes-Morey, Vice President of the ASPCA Recovery and Rehabilitation Center in Pauling, New York, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about a brand-new facility built just for canine victims of abuse and neglect. This place isn’t your average shelter; it’s designed from the ground up to heal both body and mind. Andy and Gail dive into how the team is tackling complex behavioral cases, creating safe and enriching environments, and blending high-quality veterinary care with compassion-driven re...

Dr. Tina Neel joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about the hard but essential rule she has lived by in her career: never, ever lie. From leading a 20-doctor hospital to surviving cancer three times, Dr. Neel shares how honesty, even in the most painful situations, builds trust, protects your reputation, and helps you sleep at night. She reflects on the lessons learned from decades in practice, the importance of mentoring young veterinarians to think independently, and what she wishes would change in t...

Dr. Tina Neel joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about the hard but essential rule she has lived by in her career: never, ever lie. From leading a 20-doctor hospital to surviving cancer three times, Dr. Neel shares how honesty, even in the most painful situations, builds trust, protects your reputation, and helps you sleep at night. She reflects on the lessons learned from decades in practice, the importance of mentoring young veterinarians to think independently, and what she wishes would change in t...

Dr. Sandra Faeh, Chief Medical Officer for NVA General Practice and past president of the AVMA, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a question many seasoned veterinarians face: what’s next after years in practice? When your clinical skills are sharp and your days are full, it can be hard to imagine what growth looks like. Dr. Faeh shares how NVA General Practice is helping doctors at every stage of their careers stay curious and engaged through mentorship, leadership training, and hands-on programs a...

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, board-certified emergency and critical care specialist, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about what it really means to be a veterinarian. In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Marie opens up about her own journey through burnout, perfectionism, and rediscovering joy in veterinary medicine. Her new book, A Compassionate Calling, explores the emotional highs and lows of the profession, from the drive to help animals to the toll it can take on mental health. Andy and Marie d...

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, joins Dr. Andy Roark to unpack one of the most stressful situations for cat owners: a new kitten wreaking havoc on the household harmony. When a lively young Bengal starts chasing the older Maine Coon around the house, Dr. Roark calls in the behavior expert to help navigate the chaos. They talk through the science and strategy behind proper cat introductions, why common advice like “let them work it out” often backfires, and how to use behavior modifica...

Vicky Ograin, RVT, AVTS (Nutrition), MBA, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a Vet Tech Week special that’s full of heart and inspiration. As a lifelong learner, educator, and champion for veterinary technicians, Vicky shares how the profession has evolved, why advocacy and utilization still matter, and how technicians can build fulfilling, sustainable careers in veterinary medicine. Together, Andy and Vicky unpack everything from the return of Hill’s Veterinary Nutritional Advocate Program to the importa...

Dr. Michael Wong, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a question every vet has asked themselves at some point: is my neuro exam actually up to snuff? Together they dig into the art and science of the neurological examination, breaking down how to approach trauma cases, distinguish pain from neuro deficits, and avoid the most common mistakes veterinarians make when running through their checklists. Dr. Wong shares his systematic approach, why pattern recognition matters, and ho...

Dr. Natalie Marks, DVM, CVJ joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a topic that hits home for a lot of veterinary professionals: the fear of the unknown when it comes to career change. Have you ever thought, “I don’t know if I want to keep doing this forever, but I have no idea what else I would do”? You’re not alone, and this episode is for you. Natalie shares her own journey from practice ownership to angel investing and consulting, and together they dig into the spotlight effect, that nagging feeling...

Dr. Josh Gehrke, head of Veterinary Services at the AVMA Trust, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a conversation that might make every veterinarian sit up a little straighter. A recent New York court case awarded emotional damages after a dog was struck by a car, declaring the pet an immediate family member. If this precedent stands, what could it mean for veterinary liability insurance, client lawsuits, and the future of our profession? Andy and Josh unpack the case, explore how proximity and emotional ...

Dr. James Oldeschulte joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about a topic you probably didn’t think you’d hear on your commute today: fecal transplants. Yep, we’re diving into poop and how it is changing the way we treat veterinary patients. If you’ve always thought fecal microbiota transplants were only for chronic diarrhea or parvo puppies, think again. Dr. Oldschulte breaks down why acute diarrhea cases are now a prime place to reach for this tool, how screening donor dogs works, and why capsules are ...

Beckie Mossor, RVT, joins Dr. Andy Roark to dig into the surprising results of NAVTA’s 2024 demographic survey of veterinary technicians. Salaries are climbing, yet job satisfaction is dropping fast. How do we make sense of this? Beckie unpacks the data, from the overwhelming push for title protection and standardized credentialing, to the growing frustrations around underutilization in practice. This episode takes on tough but essential questions: Why do so many techs still need multiple jobs t...

Dr. Chelsie Estey, Chief Veterinary Officer for Hill’s US, joins Dr. Andy Roark to unpack the brand-new 2025 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report. If you think shelter trends are all about “too many pets, not enough adopters,” think again. This massive study digs into the real barriers behind pet adoption and relinquishment, from the rising costs of care and housing challenges to surprising generational differences in how people make adoption decisions. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. C...

Dr. Nathan Peterson, DVM, DACVECC, MA Bioethics joins Dr. Andy Roark to dive into one of the hardest questions in veterinary medicine: what happens when treatments feel futile? As an emergency and critical care specialist at Cornell with a master’s in bioethics from Harvard, Dr. Peterson has studied how veterinary teams wrestle with cases where the outcome may not change and the burden often falls on technicians carrying out the plan. In this conversation, Andy and Nathan unpack how veterinaria...

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior) joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle one of the most nerve-wracking clinic moments: the lunging, growling dog that makes everyone’s heart rate spike. What do you do when a giant breed charges into the exam room, the owner refuses muzzle training or pre-visit meds, and you’re left feeling like your only option is to “just get it done”? In this lively and practical conversation, Tabitha breaks down how to approach fearful and aggressive dogs with empathy and skill. Sh...

Matt Salois, PhD, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about why not every shiny new idea in veterinary medicine is a good idea. From the surge in new veterinary schools to the debate on mid-level practitioners and telemedicine, Matt raises the question: are we solving problems or just creating new ones? With his trademark humor and economist’s lens, he makes the case for smarter, not faster, change in vet med. In this episode, you’ll hear a fresh take on why retention may matter more than recruitment, ...

Dr. Ginger Templeton, DVM, COO of HomewardVet and MOVES, joins Dr. Andy Roark to explore what the future of veterinary careers could look like and spoiler alert: it’s not one-size-fits-all. In this episode, Andy and Ginger dive into the concept of autonomy in veterinary medicine, especially as the profession continues to shift toward a more fragmented, customizable future. Ginger shares her journey from burnout in traditional general practice to launching a mobile house call business and eventua...