What can senior dogs teach us about resilience—and what do new grads need most to survive veterinary medicine?

Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Monica Tarantino (The Senior Dog Doc), veterinarian, mentor, and co-founder of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, for an inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths.

From her journey as a second-career vet to building a movement around senior pet care, Dr. Tarantino shares practical tools, personal lessons, and professional wisdom that every veterinary professional needs to hear. Packed with insight, honesty, and encouragement, this conversation explores sustainability, mentorship, and the heart of animal care.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– Why senior dogs are the “underdogs” of veterinary medicine—and why they deserve more

– How burnout reshapes identity and the boundaries vets must set to thrive

– The mentorship lessons behind The New Vet Jump Start Guide

– Why perfectionism isn’t required to be an excellent veterinarian

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinarians & veterinary students

– Animal care professionals seeking mentorship and sustainability

– Veterinary educators and mentors

– Animal lovers passionate about senior pet care

– Anyone navigating burnout and resilience in high-pressure careers

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Dr. Monica Tarantino, “The Senior Dog Doc”

02:08 – Choosing the underdogs: why senior dogs matter

07:30 – Vet school, mentorship gaps, and early career lessons

13:28 – Building confidence without perfectionism

16:06 – Writing The New Vet Jump Start Guide & learning from mistakes

20:16 – Switching careers and rediscovering purpose in vet med

27:05 – Thriving as an introvert in exam rooms & setting boundaries

33:39 – Burnout, bitterness, and becoming unrecognizable to yourself

39:04 – Senior Dog Veterinary Society: elevating geriatric care

43:42 – Quality of life vs longevity: hard truths in senior care

58:56 – Irreplaceable truth: respect your team, every single day

🔔 Stay Connected:

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Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments.

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📚 Resources Mentioned:

– Senior Dog Veterinary Society (seniordog.com)

– The New Vet Jump Start Guide (updated edition coming 2025)

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 43

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