Episodes

Dr. Brian Bourquin, president of Not One More Vet (NOMV), joins Dr. Andy Roark to unpack the current state of mental health and wellness in veterinary medicine. What started as a small Facebook group has grown into a powerhouse nonprofit providing grants, peer support, accreditation programs, and a safety net for veterinary professionals in crisis. In this candid conversation, Brian shares NOMV’s evolution, the impact of programs like Clear Blueprint and Lifeboat, and what he really thinks abou...

Dr. Simon Haeder joins Dr. Andy Roark to dig into a surprising question: if a parent is hesitant to vaccinate their child, are they also likely to be hesitant about vaccinating their pet? The answer is more complex than you might expect. Drawing from his research published in JAVMA, Dr. Haeder shares insights on the correlation between human and pet vaccine hesitancy, what drives those concerns, and how trust in a veterinarian can be a powerful factor in pet owners’ decisions. The conversation c...

Cone of Shame 347 - When Care Can't Wait: Being Prepared for Critical Cases Julia Sosa, Chief Experience Officer at Pumpkin Pet Insurance, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a must-hear conversation on what happens when care can't wait. Ever had that moment in clinic when a pet’s situation is critical and the client is staring at an estimate, panicked and unsure what to do? This episode dives headfirst into the chaos of urgent cases and how we, as veterinary professionals, can better support clients in t...

Dr. Cory Woliver, DVM, emergency and critical care lecturer at the University of Florida, joins Dr. Andy Roark to discuss venomous snake bite management in veterinary practice. Ever wondered how many vials of anti-venom to give when a copperhead or rattlesnake strikes? This episode cuts through the guesswork on coagulation testing, anti-venom dosing strategies, pain control options, and when to hospitalize versus treat as an outpatient. Dr. Woliver explains why steroids, NSAIDs, and routine anti...

What if improving your clinic’s communication could reduce turnover, boost job satisfaction, and enhance medical quality? Dr. Jason Coe is back on the podcast with brand-new research that shows how “relational coordination” (aka how roles within your team communicate and collaborate) impacts everything from psychological safety to employee retention. In this episode, Dr. Coe and Dr. Andy Roark dive into the findings from a cross-industry communication model now being applied to veterinary teams....

What do you do when your big, lovable diabetic cat suddenly develops renal disease? You call in the nutritionist cavalry! In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by boarded veterinary nutritionist Dr. Caitlyn Getty to tackle a real-world “hot mess express” case: Claudia, an obese diabetic cat who’s now showing signs of kidney issues. Together, they dig into the complexities of nutritional management for cats with multiple chronic conditions. Dr. Getty breaks down why common diets can conflict ...

Dr. Lance Roasa, a veterinarian and practicing lawyer, who is the founder of Roasa Law Group joins Dr. Andy Roark. They dive into two key lawsuits shaking up the veterinary world: LMU Lincoln Memorial University suing the AVMA for anti-competitive practices and veterinary interns launching a class action lawsuit against the Match program and some vet schools. Dr. Roasa breaks down both cases, discussing the reasons behind them, the arguments involved, and the potential impact on the profession. ...

Dr. Petra Harms, veterinarian and founder of VetMaite, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle one of the most overlooked questions in veterinary AI: how do we know these tools actually work? AI scribes, chatbots and diagnostic aids are flooding into veterinary clinics, but who is testing their accuracy, safeguarding client data, or setting ethical standards? Petra is a big fan of AI (she’s not calling for chisels and stone tablets) but argues that without proper quality control, veterinarians and client...

Dr. Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), is back on the Cone of Shame to tackle a classic hot mess express: the IBD dog who now has early kidney disease. In this “How Do You Treat That?” episode, Dr. Andy Roark presents Murph, a finicky Yorkie with a sensitive gut, a history of GI explosions, and renal values on the rise. The kicker? His current food is working, and his owners are terrified to change it. Dr. Getty breaks down how to approach cases with conflicting nutritional needs and ...

Dr. Stacee Santi, veterinarian, tech founder, and author of Stop Acting Like a Girl, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a conversation that challenges the norms women are handed and how those expectations shape careers in veterinary medicine and beyond. From the ER to the boardroom, Stacee has walked the walk, founding Vet2Pet, navigating startup negotiations, and now stepping into authorship and podcasting with her new show Everyday Wonder Women. In this episode, she shares the pivotal moment that inspir...

In this episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide Pet Insurance, to explore how veterinarians can personalize care for individual pets, their families and to the disease. They discuss new research, tools like The Pet HealthZone®, and the power of clinical empathy. According to recent PetSmart Charities research, nearly half of pet families are questioning whether care is worth the cost. This episode dive...

Dr. Steve Marks is building a vet school from scratch, and he’s not afraid to do things differently. In this episode, Dr. Marks, founding dean of Clemson University's College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about what it’s really like to start a vet school in 2025. From juggling seven buildings under construction to planning clinical clerkships and raising funds for student housing, this conversation covers it all. Dr. Marks shares his vision for producing day-one ready vete...

Dr. Mary Gardner, DVM, co-founder of Lap of Love, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about one of the most emotional parts of veterinary medicine—helping pet owners process end-of-life decisions. Before you brace for a downer, take a breath. This episode is anything but heavy. With laughter, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, Mary brings her signature optimism to a conversation that every vet team will relate to. They dive into the guilt pet owners feel about getting a new pet, the emotional signs that...

Dr. Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, takes the mic to bust a myth that haunts way too many vets: that a board complaint is career-ending doom. (Spoiler: it’s not.) In this honest, eye-opening conversation, Dana, Chief Veterinary Officer at NAVC and exotic animal surgeon extraordinaire shares her personal experience with a board complaint, how it impacted her emotionally, and what she learned from it. Andy and Dana tackle the anxiety, stigma, and fear that swirl around board complaints. They talk about the...

In this jam-packed episode, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Tabitha Kucera to talk about why animal handling deserves way more respect in the veterinary world. We’re not just talking about holding techniques here. This is about understanding body language, reducing fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS), and elevating handling to an art form. You’ll hear Tabitha’s take on why our old-school training methods don’t cut it anymore, how we can retrain ourselves and our teams to do better, and why learning to...

Dr. Derek Fox, DVM, PhD, DACVS joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk all things angular limb deformities and why they’re about so much more than crooked-legged Bassets. In this episode, Dr. Fox shares how limb malalignment is often the root of conditions like patellar luxation and elbow dysplasia, what general practitioners should be watching for in growing puppies, and how to set realistic expectations with pet owners when surgery might be needed. From practical recheck tips to why simple photos can mak...

In this episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide Pet Insurance, to explore the concept of the "pet family perspective" in veterinary care. They discuss the importance of understanding the unique dynamics and needs of both pets and their families to provide more personalized and effective care. Dr. Tincher shares insights from her work on contextualized care, emphasizing the need to consider factors such...

Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about something most of us never thought we’d live through, guiding one of the largest veterinary conferences in the world through a global pandemic. What happens when your flagship event relies on thousands of people flying into one place… and the world shuts down? Gene shares a behind-the-scenes look at the massive decisions NAVC had to make in the early, uncertain days of COVID. From survey results and postponed plans to sacred cows and ...

Dr. Jules Benson joins Dr. Andy Roark for a deep dive into the economics of veterinary care, where it’s headed, and what it means for your practice. Using data trends from the last few years, Dr. Benson breaks down the troubling pattern of rising veterinary service costs and declining client visits, projecting what that could look like by 2030. But this isn’t a doom-and-gloom forecast. Together, they explore practical, optimistic strategies for keeping care accessible, building client trust, and...

Dr. Alex Sigmund joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a common but tricky case, a 9-year-old shih tzu with persistent red eyes. In this "How Do You Treat That?" episode, Dr. Sigmund walks through his diagnostic approach to chronic canine eye redness, including Schirmer tear tests, fluorescein staining, tonometry, and the critical red flags for glaucoma, dry eye, and autoimmune conditions. They also cover practical tips for intraocular pressure measurements, antibiotic stewardship, and how to guide pet...

In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Dr. Camille Torres, a boarded veterinary nutritionist and associate professor at Colorado State University, to tackle one of the most common concerns with young pets: puppy and kitten gastrointestinal issues. They walk through a real-life case involving a nine-week-old kitten with diarrhea and discuss how to manage soft stools, dehydration risks, nutritional transitions, and client communication during these early, critical weeks. Dr. Torres shares ...

Sheri Gilmartin, CVT and VP of Sales at Vetsource, joins Dr. Andy Roark to share data-driven insights on the current state of veterinary practices in 2025. With access to anonymized data from over 8,000 clinics, Sheri discusses key trends—including declining client visits, slowing revenue growth, and how independent practices are performing compared to corporate groups. They also explore rising interest in feline care, the impact of pricing strategies, and how practices that prioritize client co...

Dr. Tannetje’ Crocker, DVM, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about one of the most powerful (and often underused) tools in veterinary practice: social media. From Instagram posts to TikToks, Tannetje’ shares how she uses positive, relatable content to connect with pet owners, educate her community, and grow her practice in meaningful ways. In this episode, they dive into what kind of messaging actually works online, how to reach the right audience without fear tactics, and why being authentic matter...

Clair Sauer, CVT, joins Dr. Andy Roark to explore how we’re teaching (and could be teaching better) in vet med. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, they dig into Clair’s unique path from science teacher to veterinary technician educator at the University of Pennsylvania. With a passion for learning theory and hands-on training, Clair shares her thoughts on competency-based education, the strengths and challenges of the distributive model for vet schools, and why clear learning outcomes...