Real Talk Unleashed

About the Episode:

In this enlightening episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we are privileged to engage in a deeply insightful conversation with Trish Haak, a licensed clinical veterinary social worker. Join us as we delve into the heart of veterinary social work and its transformative impact on both veterinary professionals and pet owners.

As advocates for increased awareness of what the veterinary community is experiencing, we explore with Trish the importance of shedding light on the realities of veterinary medicine.

To empower our listeners, Trish offers a wealth of resources for suicide awareness training, and guidance on finding veterinary social workers who can provide support. She shares her own journey to becoming a veterinary social worker, fueled by her own experiences and her passion for nurturing the well-being of both animals and their caregivers.

Join us in this incredibly impactful episode as we uncover the profound world of veterinary social work with Trish Haak, and discover the transformative impact it has on veterinary professionals, pets, and pet owners.

About Our Guest:

Trish Haak is a veterinary clinical social worker located in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital within the VM-CVM to provide support, crisis intervention, grief education, and referrals and resources to animal owners.  She works as a member of the veterinary health care team to support difficult decision-making, end-of-life care, and the grieving process.  She provides workshops and rounds on wellbeing, effective client support and communication with veterinary students, staff, interns, residents, clinicians, and faculty.  She received her Master's of Social Work in Clinical Practice at the University of Washington-Seattle and Veterinary Social Work Certification at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  She is also a Certified Social Worker in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and a Certified Trauma Treatment Professional.  She has provided mental health services within hospital, university, school, and research settings to a wide range of ages.  When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, dogs, and chickens, or teaching yoga, running, swimming, and gardening.

Resources:

In this thought-provoking episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we're joined by the remarkable Dr. Eve Harrison. As a seasoned full-time concierge house call veterinarian in Los Angeles, Dr. Harrison has pioneered the practice of true veterinary concierge medicine, offering personalized care to her patients within the comfort of their own homes.

During the episode, Dr. Harrison shares her motivations for pursuing house calls and assisting fellow veterinarians in embarking on their own house call journeys. She discusses the House Call Vet Academy, providing insights into the resources and support it offers to veterinary professionals seeking to transition from clinical practice to relief or house calls.

Dr. Harrison also candidly reveals her experiences with corporations in the veterinary industry and the influence that led her to decline corporate sponsorships for her House Call Academy Conference. She provides thought-provoking advice for veterinary students preparing to enter the workforce in the coming years and offers guidance to current veterinarians who may feel disillusioned with the direction of the industry.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Eve Harrison proves to be an inspiring force for change within the veterinary industry, encouraging veterinarians to break free from the constraints of traditional practice and forge their own paths toward fulfillment and success.

Resources:

In this inspiring episode of our podcast, we sit down with Dr. Serena Nayee, the founder and executive director of Chapter VIII: Veterinary Inclusion & Intersectionality Initiative, a groundbreaking organization aimed at addressing the lack of inclusion and intersectionality within veterinary medicine. With her perspective as a veterinarian and commitment to marginalized communities, Dr. Nayee shares her personal journey and the experiences that led her to establish Chapter VIII.

Join us as we discuss the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in veterinary medicine and the urgent and growing need for accessible and inclusive veterinary care. Dr. Nayee's expertise as a medical director and practice co-owner in the small animal veterinary urgent care sector brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Discover her vision for transforming veterinary medicine through incremental care and inclusive education, making it more representative and accessible to all.

Through this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the impact of systemic barriers and the steps we can take to break them down. Dr. Nayee's passion and dedication to creating a more equitable future in veterinary medicine will inspire listeners to consider their own roles in promoting inclusion and diversity within our industry as well as the veterinary care we provide.

Tune in to this enlightening episode as we uncover the importance of embracing intersectionality and prioritizing inclusion in veterinary medicine with the remarkable Dr. Serena Nayee.

Resources:

In this empowering episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Tierra Price, an inspiring veterinarian and the founder of BlackDVM Network, a groundbreaking platform that provides support, mentorship, and advocacy for black veterinary professionals. Join us as we delve into Dr. Price's "why" for creating BlackDVM Network and the many resources it provides to it's members.

Dr. Price shares her journey, challenges, and triumphs in advocating for support and representation within veterinary medicine. Through heartfelt discussions, we explore the barriers faced by black veterinary professionals and the effects of empowerment and support.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation as Dr. Tierra Price leads the charge towards a brighter, more supportive future for black veterinary professionals in the field of veterinary medicine.

Resources:

In this episode, we will be discussing mental health in veterinary medicine and the Not One More Vet (NOMV) organization. Our special guests, Cassandra Walls and Kelsey Creelman of NOMV, will be joining us to delve into some important questions.

We'll explore the story behind how NOMV got started and the impact it has had on the industry. We'll also discuss the difference between compassion fatigue and burnout as well as the resources NOMV has available for those struggling with these issues.

As the suicide rate continues to rise in the veterinary industry, we'll also talk about actionable steps that individuals can take to mitigate these challenges. Finally, we'll look to the future and discuss what it will take to change the industry and reduce the suicide rate.

Don't miss this insightful conversation on one of, if not the most important topic in our industry right now.

Resources:

In this episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we discuss pet nutrition and diet-related DCM with Dr. Caitlin Marie, an early career veterinarian and passionate science communicator. Dr. Caitlin shares her motivation for researching this topic and offers valuable recommendations for pet owners. We also address myths about the pet food industry, FDA statements, and diagnostic recommendations. Dr. Caitlin highlights the issue of predatory marketing and shares her work at AllTradesDVM and Science Rehashed.

We also discuss the myth that veterinarians are receiving kickbacks from big pet food brands and Dr. Starke wants to know where her 20 years worth of kickbacks are because she has clearly been missing out ;) 

Join us for this insightful and informative episode on pet nutrition, and be sure to tune in to Real Talk Unleashed for more engaging conversations with industry professionals.

If you liked this episode, please give us a 5 star rating and leave us a message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this highly anticipated episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we sit down with Paul Diaz who has been shaking shit up in the veterinary industry with his journey to end the veterinary non-compete. In this info packed episode we will discuss:

• Who Paul Diaz is and why he wants to end the non-compete.
• Why non-competes do not protect business owners and their practices.
• The impact that non-compete agreements are having on veterinarians.
• Lack of education of the business side of veterinary medicine in vet schools.
• The financial implications of non-competes, regardless of enforcability.
• The AVMA's stance on non-competes.
• Paul's newly launched hiring process, Offer First.

Are you wondering about grain-free diets, Diet Associated DCM, and what cardiologists are currently recommending?

On this month's episode of Real Talk Unleashed, we sit down with Dr. Emily Suess, a resident in cardiology at CVCA, to discuss:

📄The FDA and cardiologist's latest stance on this hot topic

🔬What's causing increased rates of non-hereditary DCM

🐕What breeds are at a higher risk of different forms of DCM

🌾Grain-free diets and when they are/are not appropriate

👩‍⚕️Dr. Suess' experience as a veterinary student and now a veterinarian

💕 Our advice for veterinary professionals and those considering entering the field

Join the Real Talk Unleashed team and special guest, Dr. Niccole Bruno, for the very first episode in our Women in Leadership series.

We kick off this amazing episode by discussing Dr. Bruno's path into leadership, whether DEIB education should be mandatory in veterinary schools, how to smash the patriarchy, why representation and diversity are so important, Dr. Bruno's advice to other women and people of color in vetmed, and so much more!

Niccole Bruno, DVM is the CEO and Founder of Blendvet, a veterinary hospital certification program in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.  She is a graduate of Tuskegee University and Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine.  She has worked in private practice for over 15 years, serving in veterinary leadership within her hospitals.  Dr. Bruno's decision to pivot into DEIB work and pursue Blendvet stemmed from her lived experiences being underrepresented in the veterinary profession and her desire to shift the culture in veterinary medicine.

Do you ever wish you could take all of the shock and prong collars off of pets and put them on the misogynistic, patriarchal people of the world? 

In this episode, Dr. Starke, Michele, and Kaitlynn sit down with Dr. Amy Pike, a veterinary behaviorist in Northern Virginia to discuss her advice to both veterinary professionals and clients as well as delve into their experiences as women in Vet Med. 

Join the Real Talk Unleashed team as we discuss the signs of a toxic workplace, some of the issues that contribute to the toxicity, and suggestions to mitigate some of the dumpster fires you experience on a regular basis.