My Veterinary Life

Dr. Olivia Patania, a Senior Investigative Pathologist at StageBio and a Consulting Hepatobiliary Pathologist at Texas A&M University, is our guest on this week's episode. She discusses her training through vet school, residency, and PhD, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, research experience, and aligning career decisions with long-term goals. The way Dr. Patania lives her own advice to "make time for the things you're passionate about" with consulting and volunteering with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists is an inspiration for us all. You won't want to miss this episode!Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLi

Dr. Bailey Goff, the current George W. Bishop AVMA Congressional Fellow, is our guest on this week's episode. She discusses her path from aspiring clinician to Congressional Fellow, sharing how she discovered a passion for public policy through conversations, externships, and hands-on experiences beyond traditional practice. She reflects on balancing clinical work with policy training, and how skills from veterinary medicine translate into government and advocacy roles. This episode encourages us to explore diverse career paths, connect with others, and stay open to opportunities that align with their evolving interests.Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social m

Dr. Laura Weintraub, a large animal associate veterinarian who recently completed her residency in Large Animal Emergency and Critical Care, is our guest on this week's episode. Dr. Weintraub shares how her transition from student to veterinarian in general practice sparked a desire for deeper learning and academic camaraderie, leading her to pursue a hybrid internship and eventually a residency. Following her advanced training, she has found a great fit as an associate in a practice that prioritizes professional sustainability. Along the way, she highlights the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and keeping an open mind as new opportunities shape an evolving and fulfilling career path.Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and revi

Dr. Timi Wu, lecturer in the department of microbiology & immunology at Cornell University, shares his journey into veterinary pathology and parasitology, highlighting how his passion for science, art, and pattern recognition shaped his unique career path. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, embracing non-traditional roles in veterinary medicine, and finding a niche that aligns with personal strengths and interests. The episode emphasizes that uncertainty is a normal part of career development and encourages us to explore widely, stay curious, and carve out their own path in the profession.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodca

Dr. Lindy O’Neal, small animal practice owner and AVMA's House Advisory Committee Chair, shares how mentorship and unexpected opportunities led her from associate veterinarian to local and national leadership and practice ownership. She discusses building and expanding multiple clinics, navigating partnerships, and finding confidence as a leader. Along the way, she explains how she involves her family in her career decisions to ensure that everyone is aligned. It's a great episode you won't want to miss!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

Dr. Naomi Hoyer, service head and associate professor of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery at Colorado State University, is our guest on this week's episode. She shares her veterinary journey from mixed animal practice to becoming a board-certified veterinary dentist and associate professor. Tune in to hear her perspective on the challenges of transitioning from new graduate to confident practitioner, how she found her passion for dentistry, and why she seeks volunteer opportunities in organized veterinary medicine.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

Dr. Sara Verghis, an equine associate veterinarian, concludes our Opportunities in Organized Veterinary Medicine mini-series this week, speaking to the experience of volunteering with the American Association of Equine Practicioners.Volunteering is a great way to expand your network and help shape the future of our profession, but it can be challenging to know where to start, what options are available, and how to find the time. This 3-week miniseries shares the stories of 3 early-career veterinarians: their careers so far, how they got started volunteering, and what they think about the experience.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@a

Dr. Brennan Pitard, a small animal practice owner, continues our Opportunities in Organized Veterinary Medicine mini-series this week, speaking to the experience of volunteering with the Arkansas State Veterinary Medical Association.Volunteering is a great way to expand your network and help shape the future of our profession, but it can be challenging to know where to start, what options are available, and how to find the time. This 3-week miniseries shares the stories of 3 early-career veterinarians: their careers so far, how they got started volunteering, and what they think about the experience.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@a

Dr. Karen Cross, a small animal associate veterinarian, begins our Opportunities in Organized Veterinary Medicine mini-series this week, speaking to the experience of volunteering with AVMA as a member of the Early Career Development Committee.Volunteering is a great way to expand your network and help shape the future of our profession, but it can be challenging to know where to start, what options are available, and how to find the time. This 3-week miniseries shares the stories of 3 early-career veterinarians: their careers so far, how they got started volunteering, and what they think about the experience.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at M

This quarter's featured guest, Dr. Carolyn Luther, Professional Veterinary Affairs Senior Manager, East Region at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, shares her fascinating career journey from equine practice to small animal medicine to leadership roles within the animal health industry. You'll hear honest insights on mentorship, calculated risk-taking, and how unexpected pivots can lead to deeply fulfilling work. It is a great conversation for practical guidance and inspiration for those exploring career transitions, and you won't want to miss it!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

Dr. Gayle Leith, associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine,  joins the show this week to share her journey from a horse-loving child to a longtime equine practitioner, practice owner, and now faculty member. She reflects on the mentors, values, and resilience that shaped her 33-year career in equine practice and her transition into academia. This episode offers encouraging advice about professionalism, passion, and trusting that even uncertain beginnings can lead to rewarding paths, and we can't wait to share it with you!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVe

Dr. Kristin Jankowski, Director of Veterinary Services at Open Door Veterinary Collective, and Dr. Sheena Warman, Professor of Veterinary Education and Deputy Head of Bristol Veterinary School, explore spectrum of care (also known as contextualized care) on the podcast this week. They discuss how it helps veterinarians deliver compassionate, evidence-based medicine that fits the lives of pets and their families. Drawing on perspectives from the U.S. and U.K., our conversation highlights mindset shifts, education, mentorship, and practical case examples that support access to care and professional wellbeing. We can't wait to share their insights with you!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a ra

Dr. Stephanie West, small and large animal practitioner, practice manager, educator, consultant, and now author, joins the podcast this week. She describes how mentorship and community have shaped her path, and why she believes veterinarians already have the skills to lead and manage— if they’re willing to apply them differently! She provides insights from her new book, S.O.A.P. for Success, on how to treat your business like a patient. Our conversation is full of practical insights and encouragement for growth, and we can't wait to share it with you.Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org.Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVe

Dr. Marty Betts, a small animal practitioner in Charlottesville, VA, and Heather Hopkinson, a credentialed veterinary technician at North Carolina State University, join the podcast this week to explore the evolving role of veterinary technicians in practice. The conversation highlights their career journeys, their shared work on AVMA’s Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists, and real-world examples of how empowering technicians to work at the top of their scope improves efficiency, patient care, job satisfaction, and retention. It's a great episode, and we are excited to share it with you!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, small animal veterinarian, author, stand-up comedian, and TV star, returns to the show this week to share an update on his memoir, It Started With A Turtle, and to take a look back on his 43-year veterinary career. He emphasizes kindness, community involvement, and lifelong learning as core values of veterinary medicine. And you don't want to miss the tale of "Beanie Boy" from his early days in practice!Thank you to our podcast partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition! You can find more information about Hill’s Pet Nutrition at Hill's Pet Nutrition - Dog & Cat Food Transforming Lives and Hill's Vet - Veterinary Health Research, Practice Management Resources.Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.orgFollow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

Dr. Jon Geller, emergency veterinarian and founder of the Street Dog Coalition, returns to the podcast this week to share how his relief efforts have evolved in both Ukraine and Gaza. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Geller reflects on resilience, creativity, and the importance of turning setbacks into opportunities, offering powerful lessons for those who feel called to make a difference, no matter where we are.Thank you to our podcast partner, the AVMA Career Center. Are you a veterinary professional looking for a position change or even a complete change of scenery? The AVMA Career Center is THE place for all veterinary professionals to find the next step in their career journey. Learn more and explore career resources at https://www.avma.org/careersRemember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.orgFollow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

Amanda Fark, AVMA's Assistant Director of Veterinary Career Services, joins the show as this quarter's featured guest for a conversation about career coaching and how it can support your veterinary life. Amanda shares what to expect from a coaching relationship, how to find a qualified coach, and why self-reflection, accountability, and openness to the process are key to meaningful career growth. This episode offers practical insight and reassurance for anyone feeling stuck or curious about their next step, and we can't wait to share it with you!Thank you to our podcast partner, the AVMA Career Center. Are you a veterinary professional looking for a position change or even a complete change of scenery? The AVMA Career Center is THE place for all veterinary professionals to find the next step in their career journey. Learn more and explore career resources at https://www.avma.org/careersRemember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and revie

This special 400th episode is a heartfelt farewell to podcast founder Dr. Marci Kirk. In her final episode as co-host, Marci shares candid memories from the early days of podcasting, standout guest moments that changed how she views the profession, lessons on communication and storytelling, and the deep gratitude she feels for the veterinary community that made the podcast possible. Thank you, Marci, for your inspiring passion and dedication to the show for 6 wonderful years.Thank you to our podcast partner, the AVMA Career Center. Are you a veterinary professional looking for a position change or even a complete change of scenery? The AVMA Career Center is THE place for all veterinary professionals to find the next step in their career journey. Learn more and explore career resources at https://www.avma.org/careersRemember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.orgFollow us on social med

Because student loans are a part of veterinary life for many of us, student loan expert Paul Garrard joins us this week for an in-depth yet approachable conversation about the federal  changes slated to take effect July 1, 2026. Paul breaks down the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, new federal borrowing caps, new and changing repayment options, and the status of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It's a great episode to help you make an informed decision about your loans and repayment strategy.For more student loan resources-- including short video modules and an up-to-date repayment plan comparison chart-- visit the Finance section of myvetlife.avma.org.Thank you to our podcast partner, the AVMA Career Center. Are you a veterinary professional looking for a position change or even a complete change of scenery? The AVMA Career Center is THE place for all veterinary professionals to find the next step in their career journey. Learn more and explore career resources at https://www.avma.org/careersRemem

Mary Emfinger, a third-year veterinary student at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, joins us on the show this week for an inspiring episode. She shares how she balances vet school, motherhood, serving as a SAVMA senior delegate, and launching her own compression sock business, Bright Alert Responsive. She reflects on learning patience, following ideas that won’t let go, embracing work-life integration, and how being a second-career student highlights the strong teamwork and collaboration in veterinary medicine that she hopes to carry into her future career. We can't wait to share her story with you!Thank you to our podcast partner, the AVMA Career Center. Are you a veterinary professional looking for a position change or even a complete change of scenery? The AVMA Career Center is THE place for all veterinary professionals to find the next step in their career journey. Learn more and explore career resources at https://www.avma.org/careersRemember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe