Reviving Vet Med

Send us Fan Mail Feedback is one of the most common parts of veterinary medicine, and also one of the most emotionally loaded. Whether we’re giving it, receiving it, or even anticipating it, these conversations can land in ways that feel tense, personal, or activating. In stressful practice environments, that response isn’t just psychological, it’s physiological. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr....

Send us Fan Mail As veterinary professionals, we are conditioned to believe that the next surgery, the next certification, or the next "thank you" from a client will finally make us feel successful. But for many of us, that feeling of "enoughness" never arrives. Instead, we find ourselves stuck in the High Achiever’s Loop—a cycle of perfectionism and overworking that leads stra...

Send us Fan Mail Behavioral euthanasia is one of the most emotionally complex and least supported aspects of veterinary medicine. It sits at the intersection of medical ethics, human safety, and the human-animal bond, often leaving veterinary teams grappling with moral injury. In this episode, we’re joined by Valerie Bogie, an animal trainer and Veterinary Social Worker, to discuss how we can bett...

Send us Fan Mail Burnout is a universal challenge in veterinary medicine, but does the practice environment change the experience? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Emily Li, an Emergency and Critical Care specialist based in Melbourne, Australia. Emily’s interest in mental health was forged on the front lines of emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by her own lived experien...

Send us Fan Mail Medical error is one of the most challenging and least discussed realities in veterinary medicine, yet it has profound implications for the mental health and career longevity of the professionals involved. In this episode, Dr. Rochelle Low, veterinarian and Global VP of Quality and Patient Safety at Mars Veterinary Health, joins us to explore why patient safety is actually a vital...

Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode, Dr. Sonja Olson guides you through a meditation designed to cultivate equanimity and radical acceptance; powerful tools for maintaining emotional balance, compassion, and clarity amidst the challenges of veterinary practice and caregiving roles. This 10-minute meditation offers practical strategies to reduce reactivity, stay grounded in difficult interaction...

Send us Fan Mail Psychological safety is essential in veterinary medicine, yet many professionals report experiencing aggression, bullying, discrimination, or sexual harassment at work. In this episode, Dr. Jolanda Jansen, communications advisor, researcher, and co-owner of St. Anna Advies in the Netherlands, talks about her 2025 study examining harassment and transgressive behavior in Dutch veter...

Send us Fan Mail Stress is an inevitable part of veterinary medicine, but understanding how our brains respond can transform the way we manage it. In this episode, Dr. Sonja Olson, a veterinary wellness coach, former emergency veterinarian, and certified neuroinformed and mindfulness coach, shares her expertise on neuro-informed stress management. We explore what happens in the brain and nervous s...

Send us Fan Mail Thriving in veterinary medicine is not just about clinical skill. It also requires managing stress, sustaining energy, and aligning your career with your values. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Amy Grimm, a veterinarian, certified coach, and founder of Burnout-Free Me. Her work empowers high-responsibility professionals to break free from hustle culture and create sustainable s...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling seen and valued at work is more than a nice-to-have, it’s essential for preventing burnout and fostering healthy, thriving veterinary teams. Appreciation goes beyond praise; it’s about recognizing contributions, supporting one another, and creating a culture where everyone feels they truly matter. In this episode, I speak with returning guest Jolene Watson, Canada’s Networ...

Send us Fan Mail Creating safe, supportive, and high-functioning veterinary teams goes far beyond clinical skill: it starts with leadership, culture, and the everyday interactions that shape how people feel about speaking up, learning, and coping with errors. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Luiz Santos, a veterinary anesthesiologist, educator, and PhD researcher whose work explores humble leade...

Send us Fan Mail Strong mentorship and a culture of support are essential for thriving, sustainable veterinary careers. Beyond clinical skill, how teams grow, learn, and care for one another depends on guidance, connection, and intentional professional development. In this episode, we speak with Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams® and Direc...

Send us Fan Mail In a profession defined by constant care for others, veterinarians often struggle to make time for their own recovery. What if stepping away, even briefly, could be the key to sustaining joy and longevity in practice? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Heather Gunn McQuillan, veterinarian, educator, and founder of Nature Space Resort and Retreat Centre and AwareVet Veterinary Cons...

Send us Fan Mail Transitioning from veterinary school to practice is exciting but can also be overwhelming. Early-career veterinarians face challenges navigating client interactions, team dynamics, and the emotional demands of clinical work, which require more than medical knowledge and call for emotional intelligence. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Tipsarp (Minnie) Kittisiam, a veterinarian,...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary medicine can be deeply rewarding, but it can also take a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally. Part of the solution may be expanding our idea of care to include ourselves as well as our patients. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Galina Bershteyn, a veterinarian, certified acupuncturist, food therapist, and AVMA Veterinary Wellbeing Educator with more than three d...

Send us Fan Mail In this special bonus episode, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk shares her recent conversation with Dr. Andy Roark from the Cone of Shame podcast, diving into the heart of her new book, A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian . Together, they explore the emotional realities of veterinary medicine, from perfectionism and burnout to purpose, identity, and rediscoveri...

Send us Fan Mail Compassion is at the heart of veterinary medicine, but sustaining it can be tough in the face of long hours, high expectations, and emotionally intense work. While many of us focus on compassion for patients and clients, the missing piece is often self-compassion, which is critical for reducing burnout and building resilience. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Megan Davis, a v...

Send us Fan Mail For many veterinary professionals, there comes a moment when the path ahead feels uncertain. Burnout, loss of purpose, or a yearning for change can leave you wondering: Is this still the right fit for me? And if not, what’s next? In this inspiring episode, we speak with Sophie Gilbert, a Veterinary Surgeon, and qualified Executive Coach, who specializes in emotional resilience, ca...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming veterinary medicine, from enhancing diagnostics to streamlining workflows. But what does this mean for the wellbeing of veterinary professionals? In this insightful episode, we chat with Dr. Christopher Pinard, veterinary oncologist, CEO and co-founder of ANI.ML Health Inc., and leader in AI innovation for veterinary and comparative...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary technicians and technologists are the backbone of every practice, yet many face financial challenges that can feel overwhelming—especially when living paycheck to paycheck. During National Vet Tech Week and RVT Appreciation Month, we’re shining a light on this often-overlooked aspect of wellbeing: financial health. In this empowering episode, we sit down with Grace Wu U...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary workplaces are fast-paced, emotionally charged, and often stressful—which can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and burnout. But what if there was a way to better understand ourselves and each other, so we could reduce tension and work together more effectively? In this episode, Jolene Watson—RVT, certified Myers-Briggs® practitioner, executive coach, and bes...

Send us Fan Mail Conversations about suicide can be uncomfortable—but they’re essential. In this thoughtful and deeply informative episode, we speak with Dr. Jen Brandt, Director of Member Wellbeing Initiatives at the American Veterinary Medical Association, to talk about suicide prevention, stigma reduction, and building truly supportive workplaces in veterinary medicine. With advanced suicidolog...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary teams are no strangers to trauma—emergency cases, euthanasia, client distress, and internal conflict can all leave an emotional mark. Yet, so often, we rush past these moments without stopping to process them. What if we didn’t have to carry that weight alone? In this essential episode, we speak with Julie Morse Elliott, MPCC Provisional (Master Practitioner in Clinical...

Send us Fan Mail Conflict is a part of every workplace—but in veterinary medicine, it’s often something we avoid at all costs. In this episode of Reviving Vet Med, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk explores why conflict avoidance is so common among veterinary teams and how it can silently erode trust, collaboration, and even patient care. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, Marie breaks down...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinary medicine isn’t just a career—it’s often a core part of who we are. But what happens when the role of “veterinarian” starts to overshadow the rest of our identity? How do we stay connected to ourselves when the profession feels all-consuming? In this reflective episode, Dr. Melodie Chan—longtime veterinarian, industry leader, and mentor—shares her personal journey of nav...