My Veterinary Life

“There are so many things that being a veterinarian can mean and I think in my single-minded focus to becoming a practicing vet, I really didn’t look at that very thoroughly, didn’t explore that and see what that would look like for myself.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Diane Marshall. Dr. Marshall is a Senior Manager of Veteirnary Affairs with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. We talk through her career starting in small animal practice and why the transition to industry was necessary for her. We also talk about staying curious is a critical skill for all veterinarians. This is such a fun conversation, and we can’t wait to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“And you know for me, I tend to be a fixer. You know I want to fix everything. Us veterinarians want to fix what is broken or with my tow legged kiddos, I want to fix when they’ve got a cut or scrape and that’s kind of my mentality. And I think I went into being a manager as if I need to fix everything and problem solve for everybody. So that was definitely a little bit of a learning curve.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Mary Snyder. Dr. Snyder is the East Region Professional Veterinary Affairs Manager with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. We talk through her career starting in small animal practice and transitioning to industry. We also talk about how many veterinary skills translate into other roles and what it was like taking on a primary role in planning the Hill’s Global Summit. This is such a fun conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and rev

“Even though you are from small, central European country, the world is open to you, and you should never set up low goals. I would much rather try for big goal and fail, then never try for anything and just settle on the situation that just may not be the best for me at that time.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Iveta Becvarova. Dr. Becvarova is the Director of Global Academic and Professional Affairs with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. She is also an adjunct professor of veterinary nutrition at Kansas State University. We talk about her incredible career and how growing up on a family farm in the Czech Republic influenced her career. This is such a fun conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“I didn’t know I was an adrenaline junky, and it turns out that my calling was actually emergency medicine. I befriended several specialists in our local area and was asked if I wanted to do an ER job.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Heather Loenser. Dr. Loenser is the Chief Veterinary Officer at Suveto. We talk about how veterinary medicine helped her realize she is an adrenaline junky and how her career has shifted many times from emergency medicine to association work to now a chief veterinary officer. It is a fun and informative conversation and we cannot wait to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“And so I felt like I had this amazing group of people and I’m just... I’m not there. I’m not happy, I’m not enjoying this and fortunately, again I had amazing, AMAZING bosses who said ‘Well, let’s find your happy. What is it that makes you happy in practice? Let’s have you focus on that.’” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Catherine Ruggiero. Dr. Ruggiero is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Our focus today is finding your happy! Dr. Ruggiero shares what life looked like after graduation from veterinary school and how she decided a residency was right for her. We also discuss what residency looked like and why she decided to venture into industry. It’s a really fun and informative conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetL

“When I was young, I knew that I was going to be one of two things growing up, either a teacher or a veterinarian. Of course, at the time, I was very unaware that you could actually do both. I have a very vivid memory of giving all of my toys a test and those that failed, I threw out the window. Now, thankfully for my current students, I have vastly changed my teaching style.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Ryan Gibson. Dr. Gibson is currently on faculty at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a board-certified veterinary neurologist, and we talk about all the twists and turns his career has taken. He emphasizes how creating a culture of appreciation is key to a healthy work environment AND how he realized he could blend his two passions of teaching and being a veterinarian. This is a fun and inspiring conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts an

“You’re not just a vet student to study. You are not just, I hate that word-get that word out of your vocabulary, you are not just a veterinarian. You are dynamic. You have lots of interests. And just be curious about what’s out there. Talk to people.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Megan Sprinkle. Dr. Sprinkle is a board certified veterinary nutritionist. We talk about her road to veterinary medicine and what she is doing today, including hosting the podcast, Vet Life Reimagined. We talk about the importance of relationships We also discuss how she finds the right rhythm between work and life outside of work, especially with three very busy kids. We can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

: “In this role, I would be able to, not just treat the one sick Harbor seal or the one sick dolphin, but I can help our 100,000 members treat all of their patients, including zoo and aquatic animals. And I was like, that is a spectacular opportunity, to not only impact our profession, but to also just reach out to our clients too and help educate them as well because social media is an amazing impact you can have on the general public too.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Wright. Dr. Wright is currently the Social Media Editor for AVMA Journals. Although she has been in this role less than six months, she is making BIG impacts. One hat she wears is as co-host of Veterinary Vertex Podcast. She also edits submissions to AVMA journals and much, much more. We talk about her road to becoming an aquatic veterinarian and how this recent shift to the AVMA brings a smile to her face every day and how she LOVES embracing change and carving her own path. We can’t wait to share this journey

“You do not have to be a veterinarian 24/7. When I graduated, we got into this profession because we love animals and we want to save everything and we want to be there for everybody all the time, and that’s the way it was when I graduated, I was going to save the world. And just having to be on, be a veterinarian all the time, you get burnt out and you get tired of it. And so, making sure that you take time to step away and have those hobbies and do things outside of veterinary medicine.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Brucker. Dr. Brucker is a practices small animal general medicine in a four-doctor practice. We talk about what keeps her engaged in practice and some of her favorite cases and stories from her career so far. We also discuss how she finds the right rhythm between work and life outside of work, especially with three very busy kids. We can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Pod

We are so excited to bring you this special episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast. We are talking to Dr. Kara Escutia. Dr. Escutia is a Trust Veterinarian with AVMA’s PLIT and our focus today is navigating anger in the workplace. This is a continuation of our conversations with Dr. Escutia which we will be sharing throughout the year to help you understand some of the most common claims seen and how to prevent them. Facing an angry animal or human can be stressful no matter if it is in your personal or professional life and Dr. Escutia shares some great insights as well as examples of how you can become more comfortable and confident in this area. We are excited to share this conversation with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“Just not getting the advice of have fun. It is so fun and rewarding and cool to be a veterinarian. It. Just. Is. And that’s what we have to start preaching and teaching and believing. And that’s it.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Cat Foret. Dr. Foret is the Vice President of Communications with Suveto. Prior to this she co-owned a growing veterinary clinic with her husband- also a veterinarian. She shares with us how the road to practice ownership was definitely not smooth and how that has shaped many aspects of where her career is now. It is a fun, informative and motivating conversation and we are beyond excited to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“Never underestimate your ability to make an impact. A moment in time, that’s all it takes sometimes. I think we should empower each other more and speak that positivity more to all those who are interested who don’t feel like they’re big enough. We all have something in us that we can give and there’s someone that really needed it.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Timbrala Marshall. Dr. Marshall shares with us how her road to veterinary medicine started with a book. She explored many areas of the profession and started out in small animal practice right after graduation. She is currently the Director of Veterinary Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Programs with VCA. We talk about the importance of this role and the impact she is having on the profession. It is a fun and informative conversation, and we are beyond excited to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. Y

“Finding a new job is a life changing decision. This is a very impactful decision, so you need to take your time, you need to be thoughtful with it.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Paul Diaz. He is the founder and primary consultant of Hire Power Consulting. He is passionate about building teams and finding their strengths and understanding workplace culture. He brings experience from different industries, including both the military and veterinary medicine. He shares thoughts on how to enhance teamwork in the profession and things to consider when reviewing your contract and as you interview your potential employers. It is a fun and informative conversation, and we are beyond excited to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“A couple things, one I do want to say is, yes, networking has definitely helped open a lot of doors and the more you are in this profession, the more you realize you can do with our degree and that you really shouldn’t limit yourself. And I think being open to opportunity allows you to also be open to continuing to find joy and sustainability in this profession. So, I just want to emphasize that because it is something that I feel really, really strongly about.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Tannetje Crocker. Many of you may already know Dr. Crocker from social media. She is a force of positivity in the veterinary social media space. We had the best conversation learning about her career and how she has made decisions about next steps. It is a fun and inspirational conversation, and we are beyond excited to share this journey with you. Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also c

“I think that the skills that I have learned, is working within a budget, which especially in veterinary medicine that’s something that we have to accommodate all the time and I think just being appreciative and respectful of people from different backgrounds too.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Ashlea Tenorio. Ashlea is a veterinary student at Texas A and M. we talk about her journey to veterinary school as well as her impressive list of extra-curricular activities. We talk about some of the challenges she has faced and how she has overcome them. It is a wonderful conversation and we cannot wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“Asking myself a simple question. And so that simple question for me was what job would I commit to even if I didn’t get compensated for it? And for me it was contributing to vet med and working towards becoming a veterinarian.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is CiAsha Hickerson. CiAsha is a veterinary student at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. We talk about what it was like to move abroad from Michigan to pursue veterinary medicine and why she decided an international school was the right decision for her. We also talk about the importance of mentorship and how the DVMC scholarship to attend AVMA Convention impacted her life. It’s a fun conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“I definitely do look for ways to be more inclusive with clients specifically going back to when I was a vet tech. I had this moment where an elderly, deaf couple walk into the clinic, and they start signing and I don’t know sign language. It’s definitely ASL and definitely something I wanted to learn for the longest time.”Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Michelle Mounier Barrera. Michelle just started veterinary school, literally! At the time of the recording, she was in her first week of classes. She is no stranger to veterinary medicine, however. She has had an impressive career leading to veterinary school, which includes becoming a certified veterinary technician and going on to teach other technicians. She shares many stories about her love and passion for this profession and providing the best care for anyone that seeks care for their pets. This is a fun episode and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to

“So servant leadership for me, was kind of like a lifestyle change that I took on in college and had no idea that it would develop to be something that is woven into every single decision that I made in vet school and hopefully pretty soon as a new vet. That really pushed me to take on some pretty big initiatives at Auburn as well.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Indya Woods. Dr. Woods is a 2022 graduate from Auburn University. She talks about her fellowship and creating the Veterinary Intensive Program at Auburn. We also touch on the importance of servant leadership and how that has been woven into the fabric of all her decisions. This episode is so full of advice and fun, we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

“And that your career doesn’t necessarily just look like a straight up ladder. It can be like a jungle gym, where there are lateral moves and sometimes you go down and sometimes you are hanging upside down in the middle. And that’s ok.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Sarah Wooten. Dr. Wooten has had a very exciting career. She started in clinical practice, moved on to shelter medicine, and writing. She then created a game and is not helping to plan a conference and so much more! This episode is full of great words of wisdom and lessons from throughout her career. It is a great conversation, and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcastIf you want to learn more about Dr. Wooten, please visit the following: www.drsarahwooten.comVets

“I started realizing that as veterinarians, all we’ve ever focused on is professional development and CE and how to be a better doctor, and there’s this whole other world of working on yourself. I just didn’t even consider that personal development was a thing.” Our guest on this episode of My Veterinary Life Podcast is Dr. Stacey Cordivano. Dr. Cordivano wears many hats including, equine practitioner, practice owner, mom, podcaster, volunteer, speaker and much, much more. We learn what building her equine career looked at and where they idea for the Whole Veterinarian Podcast came from. It is a great conversation and we can’t wait to share this journey with you! Remember we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ratings and review. You can also contact us at MVLPodcast@avma.org You can also follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcastIf you want to learn more about Dr. Cordivano, visit her website at: https://thewholeveterinarian.com/