Feeling like practice ownership might have passed you by, even after years of hard work, paid-down debt, and careful planning? In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Roy Jain, COO and Co-Founder of Blue River PetCare, to tackle one of the most common and painful questions associate veterinarians face today: is practice ownership still possible, or is the system stacked against you? Together, they unpack a real mailbag letter from a veterinarian ten years into their career who feels stuck between buying, starting, or staying put. Roy shares a refreshingly realistic framework for ownership, breaking down mindset traps, real estate constraints, financial guardrails, and step-by-step growth strategies that make ownership feel achievable again. Whether you dream of owning your own clinic, expanding gradually, or simply want clarity on your long-term career path, this episode delivers honest guidance, practical benchmarks, and hope grounded in experience.

This episode is brought to you ad-free by Blue River PetCare!

To reach out to Roy for more information, just click on his bio here: https://blueriverpetcare.com/our-team/

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag

When your team won’t move unless someone tells them exactly what to do, leadership starts to feel exhausting fast. We’re wrapping up the year by revisiting the top UVP episode of 2025, a standout conversation that resonated with practice managers, medical directors, and leaders who are tired of babysitting capable adults and ready to build a culture where initiative is the norm. In this Hall of Fame episode, Stephanie Goss and Dr. Andy Roark break down why initiative stalls in veterinary teams, how leaders often unintentionally reinforce it, and what actually works to build confidence, ownership, and forward momentum without micromanaging. If you’ve ever wondered whether initiative can truly be trained, this episode delivers the clarity, mindset shifts, and practical steps that earned it a place in the UVP Hall of Fame.

Uncharted Veterinary Conference 2026

If your clinic is growing faster than your systems can keep up, you’re not alone. The truth is, most veterinary leaders are fighting the same battle of trying to coach teams, improve communication, and reduce chaos while still keeping up with patient care. That’s exactly what Uncharted Veterinary Conference 2026 is built to solve.

Join us Friday, January 16 in Orlando, the day before VMX kicks off, for a one-day immersive experience that will transform the way you lead. Walk away with proven tools, new friends, and the kind of clarity that will change how you lead forever. Tickets are limited and this event always sells out. Grab your spot now at unchartedvet.com.

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag

Veterinary leadership can feel heavy during the holidays. Between emotional cases, personal transitions, and the pressure to finish the year strong, many leaders find themselves exhausted, reflective, and unsure how to carry both the joy and the weight of the season. This episode brings together honest holiday leadership reflections from Dr. Andy Roark, Tyler Grogan, CVT and Maria Pirita, CVPM offering guidance for anyone who feels stretched thin, unsure of their progress, or overwhelmed by the emotional complexity of veterinary life. If you are seeking emotional resilience, stronger team leadership, or a renewed sense of meaning in your work, this episode is the gift under the tree you did not know you needed!

If your clinic feels like it is constantly reacting instead of leading with intention, you are not alone. Many veterinary leaders struggle to balance patient care, team coaching, and communication challenges while feeling unsure how to shift their culture. Uncharted Veterinary Conference 2026 was created to help you break that cycle and step into leadership with clarity and confidence.

Join us Friday, January 16 in Orlando for a focused one day experience that begins with Ron Sosa and Tyler Grogan's Leadership Audit. You will also participate in Andy Roark’s Coaching and Accountability workshop and Maria Pirita’s Team Communication session. This is a rare chance to get hands on tools that strengthen your leadership immediately. Learn more and save your spot at unchartedvet.com.

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag