The Veterinary Optimist

Listen in as Dr. Cains dives in deep to mentorship, how it shaped her and what she is doing to pay it forward. We talk about her early career, who has made massive impact in her personal career, and how she leads at Thrive. About Kelly Cairns, DVM, MS, DACVIM: Dr. Kelly Cairns is the Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education at Thrive Pet Healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in ve...

Dr. Karen Shenoy serves as Chief Veterinary Officer for Hill’s US. She joined Hill’s Pet Nutrition in 2008 and has extensive industry experience, having progressed through roles of increasing responsibility leading commercial and professional teams at Hill’s. Additionally, she has small animal practice experience & has worked in wildlife rehabilitation medicine and as part-time adjunct faculty...

Jeremiah Pouncy: Why & Who Am I? “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is yet a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." ~ Langston Hughes Hey, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying happy and healthy! I'm Jeremiah Pouncy, a Cornell University veterinary student and proud alum of North Carolina A&T State University. Langston Hughes' words have been a true north for me as I've...

Jeremiah Pouncy: Why & Who Am I? “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is yet a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." ~ Langston Hughes Hey, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying happy and healthy! I'm Jeremiah Pouncy, a Cornell University veterinary student and proud alum of North Carolina A&T State University. Langston Hughes' words have been a true north for me as I've...

Christina Lopes is the CEO and co-founder of the One Health Company, whose flagship product, FidoCure, uses AI and genomic sequencing to provide personalized treatments for pet dogs with cancer and accelerates the development of lifesaving cancer drugs for humans. Under Christina’s leadership FidoCure has expanded into over 1,350 veterinary clinics around the world and treated more than 5,000 pet...

Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several...

Part 3 is here! Listen in to Heather and I talk about where she is now and where she is headed. We dig into why we should set goals and write them down, why celebrating the small things matter, and some of her greatest lessons learned. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

In part 2 we dive into the celling effect, the need for defining roles between vet assistants and credentialed vet techs as well as the need for a clearer career path in our profession. Plus, her thoughts on dreaming big!!! Join us as we hear more from our friend Heather Prendergast!

I can. I can. I can. That is the motto for part one of our THREE part series. Join me as Heather and I dive into her journey in vet med that led to her being THE FIRST VETERINARY TECHNICIAN that has been elected PRESIDENT of the Viticus Group (formally WVC). Listen in as we talk about the many different ways that our early careers in this profession can end up shaping our futures. Heather is walki...

Season 3 is starting off with a BANG! Laura Olsen is a purpose-driven Executive Coach that helps leaders unlock their highest potential. She comes to the table with over 20 years of business and executive leadership experience in animal and human health, including positions in three Fortune 500 companies, Zoetis, Pfizer, and Novartis. She is known for being a passionate and authentic leader commit...

Season 2 Finale! Listen in this fantastic episode featuring Modern Animal CMO, Dr Christie Long, DVM. We cover everything from switching careers, spiritual signs, how to overcome adversities and what led her to Modern Animal.

Join us for this 2 part special season finale! Listen, Like and Share Part 1 of Season 2 Finale of The Veterinary Optimist! I was lucky enough to sit down with Modern Animal for a 2 part special. In this episode, Steven Eidelman , CEO and Founder, and I sit down to discuss where Modern Animal began. We chat about future plans and even unexpected lessons learned along the way. This conversation is...

Listen in to this fun and unique episode where I connect with a few technicians on their biggest client fails and we even play a little game of Never Have I Ever!

Listen in as Dr. Adolph and I talk about what feels different about vet med post covid. We dive deep into topics like inflation, workload and team culture. Thanks to Chris for being a reoccurring guest on TVO. We love having you on.

Join me for this inspirational story of Taylor's journey from the WNBA to starting a clothing line to full time vet student. During our conversation Taylor tells us how she finally found her way to her calling as a veterinarian, her inspiration to focus on shelter medicine, and her biggest struggles along the way.

Listen in as Dr. Farias and I talk about his journey from Vet School to Director, Scientific and Academic Affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition and President Elect of PRIDEVMC. We talk about his journey from school back home to vet school here is the states, his view on having an open seat on his train and some of his biggest life lessons. Join us for this inspirational story of the many different place...

Join me as I get vulnerable with incredibly important conversation around diversity. Listen in as Penny helps give me guidance in area of important growth for me. We touch base on many delicate subjects and really dig deep in an area that needs so much attention right now. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion MATTER.

Listen in as Dr. Garcia and I break down the different characteristics of servant leadership. In part 2 we cover the last 4 of the 8 characteristics.

Listen in as Dr. Garcia and I break down the different characteristics of servant leadership. In part 1 we cover 4 of the 8 characteristics.

Join me as I sit down a friend Paul Diaz in a very raw interview about his passion with ending the Non Competes in Vet Med. If you have ever had ask a new hire to sign a non competes, worked somewhere that required one, or have wondered why they exist... Listen to this episode. Paul Diaz is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with over 22 years of recruiting leadership experience. As the Vice Pre...

Season 2 | Episode 4 - Listen in as I dig into being a culture-first practice with Cassie Perez. Cassie has been Dr. Danny Earl's hospital manager for the last 7 years and has been side by side with him as they worked together to create what some would call, "A Unicorn Clinic." We talk about how they trained leadership to have Key Production Driver meetings, how she puts communication first, and s...

Dr. Heather Loenser grew up knowing she wanted to be a veterinarian. She immigrated from Canada to Iowa when she was 14 and attended high school in Bettendorf. After graduating from Iowa State University with her degrees in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, she spent three years in general practice before finding her true clinical calling, emergency medicine. Since 2008, she has juggled clin...

Join Denise and I in our first ever Social Sessions. Listen in as we take posts from various veterinary social media pages, read them anonymously and work through how we would reply. In this episode we breakdown a question about asking for a pay raise and how to address someone with a strong personality type.

Welcome back to The Veterinary Optimist! Join us as we kick off Season 2 with a dear friend of ours, Dr. Chris Adolph. Look out for the powerhouse as he will most likely be a returning guest here at our show. Dr. Adolph tells his story about being nervous to practice medicine when he first graduated, going from associate to owing his first practice, and going back to school at 39 for a masters deg...

Join me as I highlight some optimistic insights on the power of looking inward on from season one. I revisit inspiring stories from Dr. Seth Jones and Denise Dreyer in this episode. STAY TUNED FOR SEASON 2!