The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast

Dr. Emily Singler, VMD, jumps right in with a question every practice owner should be asking, are we truly supporting our people through pregnancy and parental leave, or just hoping it works out? In this episode, she and Dr. Andy Roark unpack how smart veterinary parental leave planning, thoughtful postpartum support, and clear communication help protect team morale, reduce resentment, and keep gr...

Bill Schroeder, owner of InTouch Practice Communications, jumps in to tackle a big question every clinic owner is starting to feel: if pet owners are asking AI instead of visiting websites, are veterinary clinic websites becoming obsolete? Dr. Andy Roark and Bill unpack how AI search and conversational search are changing veterinary website marketing, why strong veterinary SEO and original content...

Simon F. Haeder, PhD is an associate professor of public health at The Ohio State University, and jumps in with a question every clinic feels right now, how easy is it really for pet owners to get veterinary care? Using a massive secret shopper study, Simon shares what thousands of calls to clinics reveal about preventive care appointments, rural versus urban access, and what wait times actually l...

Dr. Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSc, DACVS, boarded surgical oncologist, author, podcaster, and stand up comedian, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a candid, funny, and slightly unhinged conversation that started with a text message and turned into a full blown existential check on veterinary medicine. Ever feel like the system is just a little… off? From commission based pay and buried service fees to corporate...

Dr. Aaron Massecar, PhD, is back, and if you have ever wondered whether AI scribes are actually helping or quietly creating new problems, this episode is for you. Andy and Aaron dig into what the human medical literature really says about AI scribes, beyond the hype and sales pitches. They talk about reduced administrative burden, better medical records, improved client connection, and why burnout...

Dr. Michael Jaffe, DVM, DACVS, associate professor of small animal surgery at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a problem hiding in plain sight, feline osteoarthritis. If you have ever thought cats just “slow down with age,” this episode will challenge that assumption fast. Andy gets candid about how often OA is missed in cats compared to d...

Matthew Salois, PhD is currently the President of the Veterinary Study Groups, Inc. (VSG), where he is responsible for enhancing the economic and cultural success of more than 1,800 veterinary member practices. Most recently, Matt was the chief economist and head of the veterinary economics division at the AVMA between 2018 and 2022, where he applied his skills in economics, business, and communic...

Dr. Sheena Warman and Dr. Kristin Jankowski sit down with Dr. Andy Roark to confront a growing challenge in vet med. We are graduating veterinarians who can recite the gold standard, but many feel unprepared for the realities of practice where finances, time, and access shape what care is possible. If you have ever struggled to balance what the textbook recommends with what your client can actuall...

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...

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 c...

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 recommend...

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 actua...

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 lifelo...

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...

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....

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...

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 impor...

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 impor...

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 the...

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 p...

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 introducti...

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 Vick...

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 throug...

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 a...

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, a...