In this episode of Leading Veterinary Teams, host Suzanne Thomas welcomes Rick Albrecht, a seasoned professional with over 27 years in the veterinary field and extensive experience in education and leadership development. Rick shares his journey, from starting as a veterinary assistant to becoming a clinical educator, emphasizing the critical role of active listening in effective leadership. He explains how active listening involves empathy, validation, and understanding the root causes of issues, and highlights its impact on building trust, mentorship, and team dynamics. Rick also discusses the importance of self-awareness, growth mindset, and the value of investing time upfront to ensure long-term success. The episode is a comprehensive guide for veterinary leaders looking to refine their listening skills and foster a positive and productive team culture.

🌟 Connect with Rick

LinkedIn: Rick Albrecht

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show and join the movement toward a more inclusive and empowered profession.

In this episode, I sit down with Lanise Parnell, a Licensed Veterinary Technician, leader, and co-founder of the PET X Foundation, to talk about something our profession still has a long way to grow into — belonging, mentorship, and equity in veterinary medicine.

Lanise shares her journey from being fired from her first job to becoming recognized as a voice advocating for inclusion and representation in our field. With over 17 years of experience, she brings raw honesty, vulnerability, and hope to a conversation that challenges us to look inward as leaders.

We talk about the realities of navigating racial bias and barriers to mentorship, what true allyship looks like in action, and how creating inclusive spaces starts with small, intentional choices. Lanise reminds us that leadership isn’t just about managing teams — it’s about seeing people fully and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to build a stronger, more inclusive culture — not through performative checkboxes, but through courage, accountability, and everyday leadership.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The personal story behind Lanise’s passion for equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine

• How early career challenges and lack of mentorship can shape leadership identity

• The founding story and mission of the PET X Foundation

• Practical ways to start conversations about inclusion in your own hospital

• Why representation and mentorship matter for retention and belonging

• How leaders can move from awareness to meaningful, lasting change

  
  

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leading Veterinary Teams
01:06 Guest Introduction: Lanise Parnell's Journey
02:08 Early Challenges in Veterinary Medicine
04:25 Returning to Vet Med and Gaining Experience
06:40 Founding the PET X Foundation
12:30 Mentorship and Barriers in Vet Med
16:09 Addressing Bias and Inclusivity in Veterinary Practices
29:40 Starting Small: Community Inclusion
31:49 The Power of Mentorship in Vet Med
33:31 Networking: Building a Supportive Community
36:40 Opportunities and Challenges in Vet Med
44:15 Future of Diversity and Inclusion in Vet Med
49:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🌟 Connect with Lanise

LinkedIn: Lanise Parnell
Organization: PET X Foundation

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.
If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show and join the movement toward a more inclusive and empowered profession.

In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Lake, a credentialed veterinary technician with extensive experience in emergency and critical care, to talk about something that hits close to home for so many in our field — moral distress and moral injury in veterinary medicine.Kristin shares how these experiences often show up in practice, how they differ from burnout, and what leaders can do to help their teams process and prevent moral injury. We dig into real-life examples, the emotional toll of tough cases, and the importance of debriefing as a leadership tool — not just to support team wellbeing, but to build trust and psychological safety across the hospital.We also explore how financial constraints and systemic challenges contribute to moral injury, why technicians often carry a unique emotional weight, and how advocacy can be both empowering and exhausting.This is a powerful conversation for any leader who wants to understand the deeper “why” behind team fatigue — and learn how to lead through it with empathy, transparency, and action.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The difference between moral distress, moral injury, and burnoutHow moral injury shows up in day-to-day veterinary practiceThe role of leadership in recognizing and responding to team distressWhy debriefing after difficult cases builds trust and resilienceHow to navigate the emotional toll of financial and ethical constraintsPractical ways to create psychological safety within your teamEpisode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Moral Distress in Veterinary Medicine00:24 Meet Kristin Lake: Expertise and Experience02:20 Understanding Moral Injury vs. Burnout04:00 Real-Life Examples of Moral Distress10:35 Impact on Team Dynamics and Leadership15:44 Addressing Moral Injury: Solutions and Strategies23:51 Building Trust and Accountability in Leadership26:58 The Role of Technicians in Advocacy28:15 Balancing Emotions in Professional Advocacy31:53 Addressing Financial Constraints in Veterinary Care37:41 The Importance of Psychological Safety41:14 Recommended Reading for Veterinary Professionals44:24 Final Thoughts and ResourcesConnect with Kristin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinlake/Website: https://vetmedmathtutoring.com/🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med. If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston — veterinarian, integrative health and life coach, consultant, speaker, entrepreneur, and as she calls herself, a “recovered, burned-out veterinarian.”Amelia’s story is one so many of us in this profession can relate to. On the outside, she was thriving and living her childhood dream, but underneath she was anxious, exhausted, and burned out. That turning point led her to explore a different way of living and working—one rooted in compassion, curiosity, and connection. Today, she helps veterinary professionals “uninstall the malware” of hustle culture and outdated roles so they can create sustainable, authentic, and energizing lives.We get into what burnout really is (spoiler: it’s an overwhelmed nervous system), why productivity can feel safer than rest, and how shifting from judgment to curiosity changes everything—from team dynamics to self-leadership. We talk about vulnerability in leadership (why saying “today isn’t my best day” builds psychological safety), the trap of external validation, and how to reframe uncomfortable pauses as powerful opportunities for growth.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How burnout shows up in the body: fight, flight, and freeze explainedWhy rest feels so uncomfortable—and how to practice it without guiltThe “3 C’s” framework: compassion, curiosity, and connection as everyday toolsLeading by example: modeling boundaries and vulnerability for your teamHow to spot the early warning signs of burnout (in yourself and your team)Why external validation feeds burnout—and how to redefine success on your termsThe power of the pause: lessons from healing through concussion and burnout recoveryConnect with Dr. Amelia:🔗 Website: https://www.lifeboost.today/IG: @lifeboostwithameliaLinkedIn: Amelia Knight Pinkston🎙 Podcast: https://lifeboostwithamelia.buzzsprout.com/🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med. If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review—it helps more veterinary leaders find the show.

In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Vaturi, MS, RVT, CVT — a credentialed veterinary technician with 20+ years in the field, scientist, educator, musician, and founder of RVT Seminars. Sharon has trained teams, led on the floor, and now delivers “keynote concerts” that blend live music with leadership teaching to strengthen culture and morale in veterinary hospitals.

We get into what it actually looks like to step up when you’re on your own: channeling that ER-level focus under pressure, turning training into muscle memory (CPR drills that actually prepare teams), and carrying the same practice mindset into tough leadership conversations. We talk psychological safety in everyday moments (yes, even “can you show me the microscope?”), why gatekeeping kills performance, and how explaining the why boosts client adherence and team follow-through.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to use “ER brain” (focus + delegation) without a crisis
• Training that sticks: short, realistic reps more than once-a-year checklists
• Psychological safety in small moments—and why “thank you” matters
• Teaching vs. gatekeeping: building capability without losing control
• SOPs that prevent blame culture: double-checks, estimates, and clarity
• Why presence is greater than perfect words: pause, listen, then respond
• A creative twist: using music and storytelling to shift team culture

Connect with Sharon

🔗 RVT Seminars: https://rvtseminars.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rvtseminars

🔗 Keynote Concerts: https://sharonvaturi.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sdv.speaker

🔗 Upcoming Book (Oct 2025):

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sdv.author

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med. If this episode hit home, share it with a colleague and leave a review—it helps more hospital leaders find the show.

Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and on YouTube for more real talk about veterinary leadership.

In this episode, I sit down with Claire Pickens, EMBA, CVPM: certified veterinary practice manager, entrepreneur, and business strategist with over 30 years in animal health. Claire has helped countless veterinary owners turn big ideas into bank-ready business plans, while leading operations across the country with expertise in leadership, HR, and practice management.

We dive into what it really takes to shift from managing someone else’s playbook to writing your own as an owner. From opening a practice before ever managing one, to defining values that hold steady through recessions and pandemics, Claire shares candid lessons, practical strategies, and the people-first approach that’s guided her success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why people, not KPIs, are the only true leading indicator

• How to coach to behaviors and outcomes, not just metrics

• The surprising transferable skills from coaching and practice

• What every aspiring owner should study: HR, marketing, and IT basics

• How to define your values before day one and use them to guide tough calls

Connect with Claire Pickens:🔗 Website: www.smallbusiness-dreams.com🔗 LinkedIn: Claire Pickens, CVPM

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

In this episode, I sit down with Kate Boatright, VMD: veterinarian, speaker, writer, and author of Small Animal Veterinary Mentorship Manual. With over a decade in practice, Dr. Boatright has become a leading voice on creating mentorship that works, not just for new grads, but for every role in the hospital.

We dive into why mentorship is more than onboarding or skills training, how to build a culture of support across the whole team, and what both mentors and mentees can do to make the relationship successful. From navigating burnout as a mentor to setting clear expectations from day one, Dr. Boatright shares practical tools and candid advice to make mentorship a lasting part of veterinary culture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why mentorship should extend beyond new graduates to every hospital role

• How to set clear expectations that prevent disappointment and turnover

• The shared responsibilities of mentors and mentees

• How hospital leaders can build mentorship into culture, not just contracts

• The difference between training and mentorship, and why it matters

Connect with Dr. Kate Boatright:🔗 Website: www.writetheboat.com🔗 LinkedIn: Kate Boatright, VMD🔗 Instagram: @writetheboat

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

In this episode, I sit down with Alexandre Contreras, Vet Tech, Innovator, and Entrepreneur, whose path in veterinary medicine began with a childhood fascination and evolved into a career defined by creativity, resilience, and service.

From working in the kennels to launching his own dog massage therapy service, Dogapy, Alexandre has built a career that blends hands-on animal care with entrepreneurial spirit.

He’s the inventor of a pet nail trimming tool, Klip Trio, and the founder of PetTrio Charity, which supports animal welfare and educational initiatives in underserved communities.

In this episode we dive into how persistence and leadership have shaped his journey, the challenges and rewards of bringing big ideas to life, and how he balances professional goals with the responsibilities of being a single father.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- How Alexandre grew from kennel work to launching multiple ventures in vet med

- The origin story behind his innovative pet nail trimming tool - KlipTrio

- How PetTrio Charity is creating opportunities for education and outreach

- The leadership lessons and mindset shifts that fuel his success

Connect with Alexandre:

www.kliptrio.com

www.pettriocharity.org

instagram.com/kliptrio

instragram.com/pettriocharity

www.linkedin.com/in/dogapy

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old school way of leading in vet med.