#039 - It's safe to say that navigating the emotional landscape of our veterinary work is no small feat; and no matter how experienced you might be, or how many additional qualifications or specialisations you have, sometimes you still feel like an imposter. But guess what? You are not alone in this! Dr Scott Kilpatrick joins us and candidly shares his story; how becoming a clinical veterinarian was infinitely harder than he ever imagined, and how he went from a period of burnout to finding a renewed sense of appreciation for his career.

Scott is a Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, Co-Founder of VTX (Veterinary Thought Exchange), and simply all-round fabulous person. It is clear he is committed to our veterinary profession, and cares deeply about helping colleagues connect, collaborate and develop professionally. During our conversation, we chat about how social media can really have a positive impact on us and how it can truly help us form genuine relationships with colleagues we may otherwise never connect with. We also shine a light on the realities of imposter syndrome, the liberating truth that additional qualifications don't always equate to contentment and an enhanced level of happiness, and the ever-present struggle of fitting continuing professional development into already jam-packed schedules.

This episode is one of vulnerability, openness, and a healthy dose of fun, and is a heartfelt reminder that amidst the tumult of our veterinary profession, happiness and fulfillment can truly be found.

Find out more about The Veterinary Thought Exchange

Check out the VTX Podcast

Follow VTX on Instagram

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#038 - We're ringing in 2024 with the incredible Dr Liv Oginska, emotional intelligence expert, one of the UK's newest Bright Minds Wellness Champions, and creator of Human Savvy.

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of being a veterinary professional - how it is so much more than treating our patients; and just how important it is for us to commit to developing our emotional intelligence in order to perform to the best of our ability - both inside and out of the veterinary practice.

Dr Liv shares some details about the innovative Human Savvy League for Veterinary Leaders, the transformative power of intentional support and performance strategies that are reshaping veterinary leadership around the globe. We also chat candidly about New Year's resolutions, where Liv gives us a healthy reality check by reminding us that action and strategy are critical components to the success of achieving our goals.

Get ready to be uplifted as we share the magic of setting purposeful goals and the courage it takes to chase them. Dr. Liv's vibrancy is contagious, proving that positiVETy is not just an ideal but a practice we can embed in our daily lives. This conversation is an invitation to step boldly into the New Year, armed with joy, purpose, and a community that has your back, cheering you on. Here's to a year of cherished moments; living in alignment; and of course, veterinary happiness!

Join The Human Savvy League waitlist - the next cohort starts in April 2024.

Follow Dr Liv Oginska @humansavvy or find out more about Becoming Human Savvy

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

#037 - Have you ever wondered just how far your veterinary nursing qualification(s) can take you? Or what opportunities can eventuate, once you have discovered your niche? Laura Jones, seasoned RVN joins us, to share her story, her why, and how she has created the most fulfilling and rewarding career. From her early aspirations of becoming a vet, Laura found her true calling in internal medicine nursing, and she’s been making significant contributions to our profession for over a decade.

Laura's story is both inspiring and relatable. From the start of her journey, she has always made decisions that aligned with her goals, and goodness - has that worked out well for her! Over the years, Laura has been highly dedicated to furthering her expertise, gaining numerous additional qualifications which have opened a number of doors and provided her with a wealth of opportunity, the power of staying true to your why.

In a profession that’s constantly evolving, Laura shares her thoughts on the importance of continuing professional development, not only for veterinary nurses but all veterinary professionals; and her personal experiences shed light on the satisfaction and growth that comes with upskilling. We also touch on the influential role of social media, the benefits of her educational platform and the Medical Nursing Academy, and crucial topics like mentorship and self-care. So, buckle up for an enlightening conversation that underscores the joy and satisfaction a veterinary nursing career can bring.

Find out more about Laura's educational platform, Veterinary Internal Medicine Nursing

Get in touch with Laura Jones on Instagram

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#036 - Like so many veterinary professionals, Dr Andrea Harvey knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age. What is perhaps more unique, is how her "why" has been unwavering since she nursed her pony back from a near-catastrophic injury; and it is this strong sense of purpose that has given her the courage to embrace a number of different opportunities.

Andrea has had quite the diverse career, and over the past 20 years has had a number of impressive achievements and made some significant contributions to our profession, predominantly in the field of feline medicine and animal welfare science. There is no question that her openness to new experiences, willingness to step outside of her comfort zone, and an admirable work ethic are traits that have contributed to her success.

During the episode, Andrea reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people, who will encourage and support us in fulfilling our potential. She also shares her wisdom on finding veterinary happiness through making aligned decisions, remaining open to opportunities, and giving back to the profession. Andrea's commitment to helping others reach their goals is evident as she recounts her own experiences with mentorship, and the joy she finds in supporting the next generation of veterinarians. If you are needing some encouragement to say "yes" to an opportunity that is front of you right now, this episode is for you!

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#035 - Did you know that the number one factor that determines whether a client is likely to visit your veterinary practice is whether or not you have parking! So it's not necessarily the veterinary team, the potential care we might provide, or the cost of our services that is the INITIAL drawcard. For many of us this is actually quite hard to hear, but it's an important concept to consider when thinking about the business aspects of veterinary medicine; and is just one of the many "fun facts" Dr Ron See has to share with us.

A recent anonymous survey conducted by the Australian Veterinary Association revealed 60% of respondants were unhappy with their current salary, and so finding ways to improve remuneration is essential for the future of our profession. During the episode Dr Ron openly shares his thoughts on ways in which salaries can be improved, and whilst raising prices is one obvious solution, it is not without issue.

During Part Two of this important conversation, we not only chat about ways in which we can improve clinical efficiencies and scale our veterinary practices, we also discuss what veterinary medicine could (or perhaps should) look like in the future ... our North Star. The current state of our industry, as it pertains to staffing levels, number of patients walking through the door and client expectations is not going to change. We are in the season of our new normal, and during this episode we talk about potential practical strategies we can implement in order to preserve our profession and those working within it.


Dr Woof Apparel

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

#034 - From selling a few scrub caps during his clinical years at vet school, to now having sold over 100,000 units to a customer base exceeding 21,000, Dr Woof Apparel's Dr Ron See has had quite the unique journey.

As his side hustle grew rapidly to a fully-fledged company, Ron realised that clinical practice was not where his expertise were best utilised; and instead decided to contribute to the veterinary profession in a different way. By creating a brand of medical apparel that is not only a joy to look at, but a joy to wear.

Having taken a step outside the profession, Dr Ron has had the opportunity to see our industry through a different lens. A business lens. An entrepreneurial lens. And as a result, has gained with some clarity, a unique perspective on one of the biggest challenges we face. The elephant in pretty much every consult room. Money.

In Part One of this two-part interview, we broach the subject of money and veterinary services, and start a conversation about whether greater remuneration for veterinary professionals could in fact, solve many of our current challenges. Dr Ron shares some interesting numbers with us, which begs the question - why is the topic of money and staff remuneration not being discussed more openly? We're only just scratching the surface in this episode, so be sure to check back in next week for the rest of our discussion.

Dr Woof Apparel

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

#33 - Dr Vicky Brownlie knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at the incredibly young age of 4; and having grown up with birds and rabbits, it is no surprise that she was drawn to the discipline of exotic medicine. Vicky's special interest in the more unlikely pets (which including snakes, lizards and frogs), led her to pursue her ANZCVS Memberships in Unusual Pet Medicine and Surgery - an achievement shared by only a handful of other veterinarians.

During the episode, Vicky talks openly about the challenges she experienced during university, and how she overcame them. As a passionate advocate for the welfare of small furries, she identifies the three key areas she feels all general practitioners should be competent in when it comes to the veterinary care of rabbits and guinea pigs. She also shares with us her thoughts on the aspects in which our industry could be doing better, why we shouldn't be afraid of trying of new things, and how empowering pet owners through education is one her favourite things about being a veterinary professional.

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

#032 - For many of us, our career path has ended up being somewhat different to what we initially envisioned when we first started our training programs. Yet more often than not, our journeys exceed all expectations. Which is precisely the case for today's guest, my mentor and dear friend, Dr Imogen Johns.

Unlike many veterinary professionals, Imogen didn't dream about being a vet from a young age. However as soon as she started her veterinary degree, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be. As a keen rider, Imogen initially wanted to keep her equine hobby and veterinary career separate, and was contemplating a future in small animal medicine. But, as fate would have it, equine medicine was where she would end up. And thank goodness for that; because as an ACVIM Diplomate, Imogen has contributed significantly to the field of equine medicine, not only through her research, but also the training of veterinary students, interns and residents.

During the episode, Imogen shares with us the details of her successful career, that has taken her around the world. We chat about residency training, transitioning from academia to private practice, the effectiveness of career coaching, and how working part-time really provides the opportunity to pursue other non-veterinary passions.

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com

Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com