Veterinary Innovation Podcast

What if the most effective way to innovate in veterinary medicine isn't to start something new, but to take something that already works and make it work better? This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak explore insights from Luke Hedlund , the Founder of Tucannon Partners , about exactly that approach. Luke is looking for one business within vet med to manage and make a majority investment in. He...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Michael Blackwell from the University of Tennessee, and the Director of AlignCare Health Inc. , about the increasing challenges families face in accessing veterinary care and how the One Health model offers a transformative solution.  Dr. Blackwell explains that many of the barriers to care stem from human social and financial realities, not j...

Veterinary clinics are facing growing pressure from chaotic workflows, missed calls, scattered forms, and burned-out front-desk teams.  This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak sit down with James Merchant , co-founder of ClinicWise , to explore how deeply integrated, AI-powered tools are helping practices streamline client communication, automate repetitive tasks, and reclaim hours of staff time...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with Cory Pinegar from Teem about how veterinary clinics can reduce overhead and improve reliability by outsourcing administrative tasks to remote teams. Cory shares how Teem's model uses structured training, real-time performance data, and an empathy-first approach to create scalable support without sacrificing service quality, even as staffing cos...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Lea-Ann Germinder , Founder and President of Germinder & Associates, Inc . They chat about the complex challenges and transformative potential of Responsible AI (RAI) in veterinary medicine. Drawing from her PhD research and presentation at Cornell's SAVY Symposium, Germinder outlines the ethical gaps, legal gray areas, and educational challenges sh...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak talk with Mark Hines from baxtr about how veterinary clinics can use technology to streamline their operations and improve access to care. Mark shares how baxtr's software helps independent practices create custom subscription wellness plans with predictable monthly payments, automated communication, and less administrative burden.  He also introduces their...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Steve Castillo from Profit Solver about how veterinary practices can uncover hidden profits through precise, evidence-based pricing strategies. Steve shares how his patented software — already implemented in over 3,700 clinics — uses real financial data and time-motion studies to optimize service fees, boost EBITDA, and create a sustainable path t...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome James Kademan from Veterinary Receptionists to discuss how his specialized virtual receptionist service is helping veterinary clinics overcome staffing shortages, reduce front desk burnout, and improve client communication. James also shares how AI tools like real-time transcription and chatbots are being used behind the scenes, and why bold, strate...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Maria Morgan, co-founder of Passpaw , about how veterinary teams can turn international pet travel documentation from a time-consuming task into an efficient, team-led, and profitable service. As more clients travel with their pets post-pandemic, many practices either avoid these certificates entirely or undercharge for the work involved. Maria sh...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak sit down with Dr. Kemba Marshall , veterinarian, DEI expert, and author of " Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine ", to explore how psychological safety — the #1 trait of high-performing teams and the focus of the P chapter of her new book — drives innovation, improves patient care, and reduces burnout. Dr. Marshall shares real-life examp...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Andy Bond from BestyBnB , a tech platform providing confidential, in-home pet care during crisis situations. Andy shares how they've created a "HIPAA-compliant Airbnb for pets" supporting pet owners facing domestic violence, mental health challenges, or housing issues by partnering with social service agencies and animal welfare organizations to k...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Dr. Kristin Welch , the founder of DVM STAT Consulting , for a deep dive into how teleconsultation is transforming access to specialty care in veterinary medicine. They explore the unique benefits of doctor-to-doctor virtual consultations, how AI is being used to streamline the review of complex medical records, and how her team of board-certified s...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Andrew Ciccolini from Serenity Vet , a new relief platform that uniquely combines a marketplace connecting veterinarians with employers and a business suite featuring financial planning tools for both. They discuss why relief work is growing, how Serenity Vet differentiates itself with features like the clinic profitability calculator and sche...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by Chuck Rich from Greysteel to discuss current trends in veterinary real estate, including the sale-leaseback model, navigating corporate acquisitions, and strategies for practice owners to unlock equity and plan for retirement or expansion.   Learn more about GreySteel . Chuck Rich recommends "Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win" by...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Ryan Salvino , the co-founder of VetTalk Software , about their automated client education system that integrates with veterinary practice management systems. Ryan shares how VetTalk improves compliance, reduces staff workload, and ensures better pet care through pre and post-appointment educational care plans.   Learn more about VetTalk . Ryan Sa...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Dr. Emily Hubbard , the Chief Medical Officer at Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP), to talk about fostering healthy communication, conflict resolution, and leadership in veterinary practices. Dr. Hubbard shares how VIP supports autonomy, empowers hospital teams, and advances the veterinary field through innovation.   Learn more about Veterinary I...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by Dr. Rory Lubold , Founder of Affordable Pet Labs , a company dedicated to making diagnostic testing more accessible and affordable for pet owners nationwide. They discuss breaking barriers to veterinary care — both in terms of cost and accessibility — and how their in-home blood collection and at-home testing kits benefit pet owners and veterinari...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Aoife Caulfield , Partnerships and Acquisitions Lead at Village Vets Ireland, to talk about building partnerships, challenges of consolidating practices, innovative practice ownership models, and the future of veterinary in Ireland. She also shared insights on the importance of leadership, networking, and aligning with like-minded partners for susta...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by Suvi Irvine , Clinical Development Manager at Blue River PetCare , to discuss how AI innovations provide a path forward to increasing efficiency, reducing burnout, and improving care access without compromising staff well-being.   Learn more about Blue River PetCare . Suvi Irvine recommends YouTube - AI Creativity: Genius or Gimmick?

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Price Fallin , Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Otto (formerly TeleVet) , where he shares the journey of Otto, a leading workflow automation platform. He discusses the challenges of rapid growth, the impact of COVID-19, and how automation can unlock new opportunities for veterinary practice efficiency.   Learn more about Otto . Discover mo...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by Joseph Faiella , Chief Commercial Officer at Moichor , to discuss advancements in veterinary diagnostics using AI technology. Joe explains how Moichor provides fast, reliable cytology and pathology results, offering a flexible, affordable, and accessible diagnostic option for practices of all sizes.    Learn more about Moichor . Discover more...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Ryan Leech from First 100 Consulting , a veterinary industry consultant and host of The Bird Bath podcast. Ryan shares insights from his consulting experience, discusses the intricacies of veterinary industry trends, technological advancements, and the effects of AI on the field. He also explores future expectations for market consolidations and str...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by Julia Loew , the Senior Vice President of Commercialization Services at MWI Animal Health , a division of AmerisourceBergen. Together, they discuss MWI's shift toward technology-driven solutions and its innovative sustainability initiatives, including the sustainable tote delivery program. Julia addresses key challenges like staffing shortages...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Aaron Pugh , the CEO of Vet Together , about the vision for transforming veterinary conferences by creating a business-focused event tailored to independent hospitals and vendors. He shares the unique challenges smaller practices face, the innovative conference format, how it's disrupting traditional trade shows, and what the future holds for Vet...

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Elizabeth Green from VetMedux , a part of Instinct Science , to chat about the evolution of Clinician's Brief and Plumb's from a traditional print resource to a continuously updated digital platform, improving access to the latest drug information. Elizabeth also delves into the role of AI in addressing current challenges within veterinary practice...