VCA Voice: A Veterinary Podcast

In this episode of the VCA Voice Podcast, Dr. Adi Oz and Dr. Negeen Najafi discuss their unique journeys in veterinary medicine and their decision to pursue internships. They share their experiences in veterinary school, their interest in different specialties, and the process of finding a small animal rotating internship program. In their conversation with Dr. Kerl, they discuss the challenges and rewards of being veterinary interns, including the transition from an academic setting to real-world practice, learning client communication skills, and building confidence as primary clinicians. They also share some of their favorite cases and the misconceptions they had about internships. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

April is Heartworm Awareness Month in veterinary medicine and in light of this important issue for pets and pet owners, Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Tom Nelson to the podcast. Dr. Nelson is the hospital director of the VCA Animal Medical Center of Northeast Alabama and has been in private practice for 45 years. Dr. Nelson is also an expert on heartworm disease and how to effectively diagnosis, treat, and prevent it in dogs and cats. For more information on resources mentioned in the podcast, please follow the link below: American Heartworm Society Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

In this episode, Dr. Kerl welcomes Rachel Turner, a credentialed veterinary technician and one of the managers of virtual care services for VCA. Rachel shares her journey in veterinary medicine, from starting as a part-time veterinary technician to joining the virtual care team at VCA. She discusses VCA Live Chat, which supports our clients through medical triage and education 24 hours every day. Rachel also highlights the qualities she looks for in team members and the resources available to virtual care technicians, such as the Knowledge Base. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Lore Haug to the podcast. In their conversation, they chat about Dr. Haug's journey in Veterinary Medicine, what led to her role as an Animal Behavior Specialist, and some helpful insights for new owners of puppies and kittens. Please check out the links below for further information on topics mentioned in the podcast: American College of Veterinary Behaviorists https://www.dacvb.orgAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners https://catvets.comFear Free Happy Homes https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.comAmerican Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior https://avsab.orgThe Pet Professional Guild https://www.petprofessionalguild.comInternational Association of Animal Behavior Consultants https://iaabc.orgKaren Pryor academy https://karenpryoracademy.com Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome Dr. Sharon Mix and Dr. Sydney Stein to the podcast for an intriguing episode about a rare case of rabies in Nebraska and the public health response that has taken place as a result of this case. Dr. Mix is the Medical Director of VCA Animal Medical Center of Omaha and Dr. Stein is an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer for the CDC.  Throughout their conversation, they cover the key role of primary care veterinarians as the “first line of defense in public health” and that it takes vigilance to make a rare diagnosis. Rabies is a significant public health concern, is endemic in wild animals, has no cure, and keeping pets current on rabies vaccination is a crucial step to protect both pets and people. They discuss the differences in the wild animal reservoirs for rabies in the US and why the Omaha case was alarming.Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Welcome to season three of the VCA Voice Podcast! February is Dental Health Month in Veterinary Medicine and in light of this, Dr. Kerl is delighted to welcome Dr. Cindy Koons. Dr. Koons is a Regional Medical Director for VCA in the Mountain Southwest Group and is passionate about promoting dental health, which contributes to overall patient health.  Listen in as they discuss Dr. Koons' lifelong journey in Veterinary Medicine, the joys and challenges in her role as an RMD,  and her experience educating colleagues and clients about sustainable oral health in pets.   For more information about dental health resources mentioned in the podcast, please visit VOHC.org Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Listen in as Dr. Kerl welcomes Dr. Phil Padrid, Senior Regional Medical Director for Specialty Hospitals for VCA Animal Hospitals. With the beginning of a new year, it's a great time to reflect on years past and Dr. Padrid has enjoyed a meaningful and fulfilling career that began as a nurse practitioner for human critical care before becoming a veterinarian, and completing training as a fellow in pulmonology, working as a faculty member in a medical school, and owning a specialty practice prior to becoming a regional medical director with VCA. In addition to leading specialty hospitals, Dr. Padrid is a world-renowned authority on pulmonary disease and is credited with introducing into the veterinary profession the use of inhaled medications to treat pulmonary disease in dogs and cats. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl welcomes Ibrahim Abe Al-Murjan, VCA's Vice President of Digital Product. In this fascinating conversation, Abe recounts the start of his career journey within VCA that eventually led to his current role overseeing an incredibly talented team of associates that are leading the way in developing veterinary industry technology that seamlessly integrates communication within our hospitals and positively effects our clients, patients, and associates. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

On this episode of the VCA Voice Podcast, Dr. Kerl welcomes Dr. Patricia Dettlinger. Dr. Dettlinger is the VCA North Atlantic Regional Medical Director and an adjunct professor at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She has been instrumental in the North Atlantic region's unique partnership with Monty Tech that is helping take care of the future of Veterinary Medicine. Tune in to hear more about Trish's fascinating journey in veterinary medicine and how she is investing in the next generation of veterinary industry leaders.  Here is more information on VCA's partnership with Monty Tech, as mentioned in the episode. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Please join Dr. Kerl as she welcomes Dr. Diccon Westworth to the podcast. Dr. Westworth is a veterinary neurologist working in private practice in California and is leading efforts in the clinical sustainability domain to facilitate bringing people together and uniting them with a single purpose of fighting the existential problem that threatens us all - anthropogenic climate change; and most importantly highlighting methods to limit our ecological footprints, so we can all flourish sustainably. In their conversation, they also talk about practical steps everyone can take to help diminish their carbon footprint in day to day life. For resources mentioned in the episode, please check out the links below: Carbon Calculator- personal:https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/calculatorCarbon calculator vet practice- UKhttps://vetsustain.org/work/vet-sustain-carbon-calculatorProcurement Guide from Colorado Statehttps://colostate.pressbooks.pub/veterinaryprocurementguide/Veterinary Sustainability Alliance- US/Canadahttps://veterinarysustainabilityalliance.orgVet Sustain UK - Carbon Literacy coursehttps://learn.vetsustain.org/pages/carbon-literacy-for-veterinary-professionalsVets for Climate Action Australia - Climate Care coursehttps://www.vfca.org.au/climatecareBooks: - https://www.kimnicholas.com/under-the-sky-we-make.html- https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Saving-Us/Katharine-Hayhoe/9781982143848- https://global.oup.com/academic/product/greening-health-care-9780199385836?cc=us&lang=en&- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118342527- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.1201/9781003149774/climate-change-animal-health-craig-stephen-colleen-duncanVisit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Join in the conversation as Dr. Kerl welcomes Jose Limon, a hospital manager for VCA's West Coast region and an army veteran currently in active duty military service. Jose's incredible career journey started with VCA at the West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group in 1990 when VCA consisted of only three hospitals. Between 1990 and 1996, Jose was promoted from runner to Tech Assistant, to Veterinary Assistant, to Tech Lead, to Tech Supervisor. In 1996, Jose was offered the position of Director of Technical Services. For the next 5 years, Jose worked in support of all matters related to Tech Support team members and hospital inventory.After the September 11th attacks, Jose joined the Army as an Active-Duty Aviator providing support through the use of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. He served two rotations through Iraq between 2004 - 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2017, after 15 years away, Jose returned to the West LA Animal Hospital as the Director of Operations and later that year was offered the role of Hospital Administrator. Today, Jose can be found at the VCA West Coast Specialty Emergency Animal Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA. Jose continues to serve our nation with the Army Reserves based out of Los Alamitos, CA. His current role is that of a MEDEVAC Aviator providing support in theater and state-side operations.Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Listen in as Dr. Kerl welcomes Lorrie Nimsgern, Senior Regional Vice President of VCA's Heartland Group. In their conversation, Lorrie shares her exciting journey over her 37 years in veterinary medicine, from her beginnings as a receptionist, experience as a hospital manager, and her role as Regional Operations Director, leading primary care, specialty, and emergency hospitals. In addition to her many professional talents, Lorrie has published an award-winning book and in her free time enjoys gardening, quilting, American history, reading, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

In celebration of Vet Tech Week, Dr. Kerl welcomes Ashley Byrne, LVT, CVT and Regional Technician Director for VCA's Northwest/Hawaii Region.  In this episode, they discuss Ashley's 20 year long career in Veterinary Medicine and how her role has evolved over time, from her training as a technician, early days of growth with VCA,  and her work with the Washington State Tech Association. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Listen in as Dr. Kerl chats with Dr. Michele Chin about her fascinating work as a career-long ER Veterinarian and her role as an intern director. For more information on the resources Dr. Chin mentions in the episode, check out the links below: North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet CenterZoo Magnet AlumniVCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral CenterVisit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl welcomes Dr. Susan Zobler to the podcast to discuss her work as one of VCA's first RMDs and as an ABVP boarded individual. They also chat about Dr. Zobler's various non-work activities of regular travel and orchid collection, emphasizing the importance of having a life outside of work in our profession both for veterinarians and technicians.Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

At VCA, we love to celebrate our veterinary technicians and highlight the valuable work they do within our animal hospitals. On the podcast, Dr. Kerl invites Julie Drinkwater, a Regional Technician Director with VCA to share her personal and professional journey. They discuss the importance of leadership training and support for technician supervisors and technician managers, as well as the ins and outs of becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Join Dr. Kerl in an interview with Michelle Taylor as they discuss the secret lives of customer service representatives within VCA. In their conversation, they chat about the vital role CSRs play in keeping the day to day communication channels of an animal hospital running smoothly. Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl is pleased to welcome to Dr. Kristin MacDonald as they chat about her role as a Clinical Cardiologist at the VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County, CA. Dr. MacDonald has served as section editor for Handbook of Small Animal Practice, published a multitude of original research papers, and is coauthor of The Textbook of Feline Cardiology, the only text of its kind available. Dr. MacDonald has also participated in clinical trials involving treatment of canine congestive heart failure, and enjoys being the lecturer for the VCA Cardiology Series in the United States.Visit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

This week, Dr. Kerl welcomes two leaders from VCA Charities, a nonprofit organization started by VCA to bring the joy of pet ownership to people by helping pets find and remain in loving homes. Kimberly West is board president and chair of VCA Charities board of directors. She is also Vice President of Corporate Affairs at VCA Animal Hospitals. Diana Duncan is also on the board of directors for VCA Charities and serves as Group Vice President for the South Atlantic, which includes 94 hospitals in 11 states. To learn more about VCA Charities, visit VCACharities.org or find us on Instagram and Linkedin.  For an easy way to donate, text GIVE to 213-325-1919 For more information on resources mentioned in the podcast, please use the links below:Mars Better Together Fund Boop my NoseVisit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative

Dr. Kerl welcomes Christy Bell, DVM, Director of Talent Acquisition and Co-lead of VCA's Pride Diversity Resource Group (DRG). In this episode of the VCA Voice podcast, they chat about Dr. Bell's role with and support of the Pride DRG, her personal and professional experiences in veterinary medicine, and her role leading student recruiting for VCA. For more information on resources mentioned in the podcast, check out the link below:  Remedy: Atlanta Human SocietyVisit us on our website VCAVoice.comProduced and recorded by dādy creative