Afleveringen
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Dr. Dan Thurstonâs journey to becoming a vet is anything but traditional. From marine mammal trainer to aspiring equine surgeon, heâs taken a winding road filled with unexpected turns.
What matters most is the resilience you build along the way. Itâs normal to doubt yourself when you donât fit the mold. Remember, success isnât linear!
The lessons learned from career shifts can be invaluable. Itâs about finding what truly resonates with you, no matter how long it takes.
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In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Cabrera, founder of the Saipan Humane Society and current veterinary student at Washington State University, to talk about one of the most unconventional journeys into veterinary medicine weâve heard yet.Lauren began her career in human healthcare as a nurse practitioner before the COVID-19 pandemic completely shifted her path. What started as fostering puppies on Saipan Island turned into a full transition into veterinary medicine, where she now combines her background in human medicine, public health, and animal welfare into a mission-driven career.We talk about:⢠Founding and building the Saipan Humane Society⢠The realities of shelter medicine on an island⢠The importance of community medicine and accessible careWhether youâre interested in veterinary medicine, shelter work, public health, or making a major career pivot, this episode has something for you.Listen now and follow along with more stories from the veterinary world.#VeterinaryMedicine #VetSchool #ShelterMedicine #Veterinarian #PreVet #AnimalRescue #Saipan #PublicHealth #HumanMedicine #TheVetFilesPodcast
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode, we talk about what happens when you fail a class in vet school. MJ shares their experience of not passing the first year of vet school and opens up about what it actually felt like to go through it.We dive into their decision to remediate (repeat the year), the mental reset that came with it, and how they approached vet school differently the second time around. They share what they changed and how their mindset has evolved now that they're back in the same position stronger, more self-aware, and better equipped to succeed.
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Thinking about taking a gap year? Or wondering if itâs worth reapplying?We sit down with Jett Rush, a first-year veterinary student at Mizzou, who shares his journey of perseverance after four application cycles before finally getting accepted. From navigating rejection to making the most of gap years, Jett breaks down what kept him going and how those extra years ultimately made him a stronger applicant and future veterinarian.We talk about:⢠What to do during a gap year to actually stand out⢠How to stay motivated through multiple rejections
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and a leader within the American Association of Equine Practitioners to talk about the reality of equine medicine, beyond the passion that draws so many of us in.We dive into the evolving landscape of equine practice, the push for better retention and sustainability, and how leadership within the profession is working to create real, lasting change.
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In File #013, we sit down with Dr. Emily King for a candid conversation about the realities of modern veterinary medicine. From practice ownership and financial management to the ethical dilemmas veterinarians face every day, this episode pulls back the curtain on the decisions that shape life in general practice.
Dr. King shares her perspective on why confidence in general practitioners matters now more than everâand why relying too heavily on specialists can sometimes erode the autonomy and skill set of the GP veterinarian. We explore the challenges of running a veterinary practice, navigating the business side of medicine, and making difficult calls when medicine, money, and morality intersect.
This episode is an honest look at the pressures behind the exam room door and the responsibility veterinarians carry for their patients, clients, staff, and communities.
đ In this episode we discuss:
⢠The realities of veterinary practice ownership
⢠Financial management and the business side of vet med
⢠Ethical and moral dilemmas veterinarians face
⢠Why confidence in general practitioners is critical
⢠When to rely on specialistsâand when to trust your own trainingIf youâre a veterinarian, veterinary student, or someone interested in the real-world challenges of animal medicine, this episode offers an inside look at what it truly means to practice veterinary medicine today.
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Audrey DeClue, an equine veterinarian known for challenging the way lameness is traditionally diagnosed in horses. Instead of immediately focusing on the limb and relying on nerve blocks, Dr. DeClue takes a âhorse-firstâ approach, looking at the entire horse, including conformation, biomechanics, and the axial skeleton.Dr. DeClue helped popularize the concept of âbody lameness,â encouraging veterinarians and horse owners to consider how the horseâs body, posture, and movement patterns contribute to pain and performance issues. By stepping back and evaluating the whole horse, she has developed a diagnostic philosophy that is changing how many veterinarians approach lameness cases.In this conversation, we discuss:What âbody lamenessâ really meansWhy traditional limb-focused diagnostics can sometimes miss the bigger pictureHow conformation and the axial skeleton influence movement and painWhy Dr. DeClue sometimes rides horses herself to better feel where the lameness originatesThe importance of putting the horse first when approaching complex lameness casesThis episode is for veterinarians, veterinary students, horse owners, and anyone interested in equine performance and biomechanics.
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alexia Wade, a trailblazing Black veterinarian, to discuss her journey in veterinary medicine and the importance of representation in the field. From the challenges sheâs faced to the impact of seeing more Black women in vet med, Dr. Wade shares her insights, experiences, and advice for aspiring veterinarians.Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation as we celebrate Black History Month and highlight the voices shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
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In File #009, we sit down and reflect on our first semester of veterinary school. The expectations we had going in, the reality we faced once classes started, and the lessons weâre taking into the rest of vet school. From anatomy overwhelm and exam stress to small wins and moments that reminded us why we chose this path, nothing is off the table.If youâre a pre-vet student, a current vet student, or just curious about what vet school is actually like, this episode is for you.
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In File #008, we talk with Dr. Jen Quammen, AVMA President-Elect, about her path from veterinary technician to veterinarian.She shares how hands-on experience shaped her education, how she balanced work and school, and why exploring different corners of vet med can lead to a more fulfilling career. We also dig into leadership, networking, and improving workplace culture in veterinary medicine.Find Dr. Quammen on: - Instagram: @vetleaderquammen- YouTube: @jenquammen - Others: @vetleaderquammen- Website: www.jenquammen.com
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Ever wondered how different vet school can look from one campus to another? In this episode, three first-year vet students â one from LSU, one from Mizzou, and one from North Carolina State â sit down to compare their first-year experiences.We talk about:đž The biggest academic and cultural differences between schools𩺠What surprised us most about vet school lifeâ How we handled stress, imposter syndrome, and anatomy labsđ Tips for incoming first-years (and what we wish weâd known!)Whether youâre a pre-vet student, a current vet student, or just curious what the first year of vet school is really like, this episode gives you an honest, unfiltered look at three programs â from the bayou to the Midwest to the high plains.
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Ever wondered how the One Big Beautiful Bill could affect your journey through vet school or pre-vet studies? đž In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Mears from VIN to unpack the billâs key points, implications for students, and how future veterinarians can navigate these changes.đĄ What Youâll Learn in This Episode:How the bill impacts pre-vet and vet studentsKey policy changes every student should knowPractical advice for staying ahead in your studies and careerWhether youâre just starting your pre-vet journey or already in vet school, this conversation breaks down policy into simple, actionable insights.đ§ Donât forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on all episodes!#VetStudents #PreVet #OneBigBeautifulBill #VIN #VetPolicy #FutureVets #VetSchoolLife
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Honeybees are more than just pollinatorsâtheyâre patients. In this episode of The Vet Files, we open the case on honeybee veterinary medicine: how veterinarians are stepping into the apiary, what makes bee medicine unique, and why the health of a colony matters for agriculture, ecosystems, and beyond. From veterinary feed directives to hands-on hive care, we uncover the growing role of vets in protecting pollinators.
We are joined by Breven Stark from University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign!
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Applying to vet school? Feeling overwhelmed by VMCAS? Weâve been there â and weâve got your back. In File #004, we break down the entire Veterinary Medical College Application Service process: from personal statements to experience hours, evaluations to school selections. You'll get real talk, timeline tips, and the inside scoop they donât put in the instructions. Whether you're a first-time applicant or reapplying with a mission, this episode is your roadmap to surviving (and thriving through) the VMCAS chaos.
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In this episode, we expose notorious freeloaders that have mastered the art of parasitism in animals â some with the power to cross into human lives. From the segmented sprawl of Moniezia expansa in young ruminants to the stubborn persistence of Parascaris equorum in foals, we unravel how these internal invaders thrive at the expense of their hosts. Then, we head to the canine world, where Ancylostoma caninum (hookworm) and Toxocara canis (roundworm) reveal a darker zoonotic side â one that can affect humans, especially the young and immunocompromised.
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What is holistic veterinary medicine, really â and does it work? In this episode, we give a quick, clear breakdown of holistic approaches in animal care, then walk you through compelling case studies where alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and more played a key role in healing. Whether you're curious, cautious, or considering it for your own practice, this episode lays it all out with real cases and real results.
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In our very first episode of The Vet Files, weâre diving into our pre-vet journeysâthe highs, the lows, and everything in between. From the struggles of late night study sessions to navigating the unpredictable world of veterinary school admissions, weâre sharing what we wish we knew along the way.
If you're a pre-vet student or aspiring to join the field of veterinary medicine, this episode is for you! Weâll share our personal experiences, offer advice for navigating the pre-vet grind, and give insight into what it really takes to get into vet school.
đ§ Tune in to hear stories of perseverance, mistakes, and the lessons weâve learned (so you donât have to!).
