Ready Vet Go

In this thoughtful, honest, and deeply relatable episode of Ready Vet Go, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with early-career veterinarian Quinn Bauer, DVM, to talk about the real transition from vet school to practice, what mentorship actually looks like on the ground, and how culture, autonomy, and community shape whether a new grad thrives—or burns out. 🩺✨Quinn shares her unique path into veterinary medicine, starting with a rare high school pre-vet program, early hands-on exposure, and a vet school experience that blended gold-standard education with a growing curiosity for wildlife, exotics, and conservation. Together, they unpack the pressure of NAVLE, the loneliness of vet school, using social media to build real connection, and how choosing the right first job can make all the difference. 🤝🐾📌 What You’ll Learn:How early hands-on exposure can clarify whether vet med is truly for you 🐾 Why culture matters more than perks when choosing your first job 🏥 Using recruiters strategically without losing autonomy 🗂️ What mentorship looks like when it supports and gives freedom 🤝 Transitioning from gold-standard vet school medicine to real-world GP 🔧 Learning spectrum of care without guilt or shame 💛 Advocating for better medicine (like dental radiographs) as a new grad 🦷 How being a pet owner builds empathy and trust with clients 🐶 Using social media to reduce isolation and build community 📱🎬 Timestamps:01:40 – Connecting through TikTok and building new-grad community 📱 04:30 – High school pre-vet program: knowing early if vet med is right for you 🐾 09:10 – Vet school at Midwestern: hands-on learning from day one 🏫 13:40 – Discovering wildlife, exotics, and conservation medicine 🦒 18:30 – South Africa and Phoenix Zoo experiences 🌍 24:10 – NAVLE reality: endurance, mindset, and self-care 🧠 30:20 – Job searching as a new grad: waiting, fear, and culture fit 🏥 35:30 – Using a recruiter intentionally (and why it helped) 📋 40:10 – What mentorship really means: support without control 🤝 45:40 – Bringing new medicine into an “old-school” clinic 🦷 51:20 – Spectrum of care: navigating real-world limitations with clients 💛 56:30 – Being a pet owner and practicing with empathy 🐕 01:01:40 – Social media as connection, not comparison 📱 01:06:30 – Wrap-up: confidence, culture, and finding your footing👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What mattered most to you when choosing your first job—or what do you wish you had prioritized?Season 1 • Episode 23✅ If this episode resonated, share it with a vet student or new grad who’s navigating the leap from school to practice.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms 📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_ 📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #NewGradVet #VetSchoolReality #VetLife #SpectrumOfCare #VetCommunity

In this engaging and laugh-out-loud (but deeply meaningful) episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with her friend and beloved Ready Vet Go mentor Jeff Klemens, DVM to talk mentorship, relief practice, real-world “cowboy medicine,” and what it actually takes to build a sustainable career in veterinary medicine. 🩺✨Jeff shares how a sixth-grade classroom visit with a lovebird sparked his path into vet med, what it was like not getting into vet school the first time, and how early mentorship shaped him long before he even had words for it. They also dive into learning medicine without perfect tools, building a full-time relief career from scratch (before apps existed), and why honesty with clients is non-negotiable when mistakes happen. 🤝🎲🍺📌 What You’ll Learn:How mentorship can shape you before you even realize it 🤝Not getting into vet school the first time—and why it’s normal 📨Practicing without “perfect” tools (and still doing good medicine) 🔧🩺Why “give bowel a chance” is a real clinical philosophy 🌀Relief practice: freedom, burnout protection, and building your own schedule 🗓️A memorable mistake story (ITP misdiagnosis → pneumonia) and how to own it 😬🐱Why client communication determines whether mistakes become disasters 🗣️💛The importance of hobbies, joy, and life outside vet med 🎲🍺🐉🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Jeff Clemen 01:10 – Sixth grade spark: the lovebird that changed everything 🐦 03:40 – Kennel kid to clinic assistant: mentorship before he knew it 🤝 06:40 – Not getting into vet school the first time 📨 09:40 – What he did differently before reapplying 12:30 – Vet school realities: species overload + “city mouse” perspective 🐾 16:10 – Dentistry ambitions + doing extractions without the right tools 🦷 21:30 – “Cowboy medicine”: learning to treat without perfect conditions 🔧 25:30 – Give bowel a chance: the golf ball dachshund story 🌀 30:10 – Becoming a Ready Vet Go mentor + helping rural new grads 34:10 – Life outside vet med: board games, craft beer, and Gen Con 🎲🍺 40:20 – Why full-time relief: burnout, nights, and sustainability 🗓️ 45:10 – Building Reliable Relief Services before apps existed ✉️ 52:10 – Mistake story: sticky platelets, ITP diagnosis, and pneumonia 😬🐱 56:40 – The hard part: owning the mistake and talking to the client 🗣️ 59:10 – Wrap-up + why mentors love Ready Vet Go 💛👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one mistake that taught you more than any success?Season 1 • Episode 22✅ If this helped, subscribe and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_ 📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #ReliefVet #NewGradVet #VetLife #ClientCommunication #VeterinaryMistakes

In this engaging and eye-opening episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Adam Gassel, DVM, DACVS—a board-certified veterinary surgeon—to talk mentorship, surgical training, and what it really takes to build confidence in practice (especially when mistakes happen). 🩺💪Adam shares how he went from pre-med at UCI to taking a “gap year” as a vet tech in Sherman Oaks, falling in love with veterinary medicine, and eventually training through Purdue, internship, and a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee. Along the way, he breaks down how mentorship actually works in the real world—how taking initiative attracts great mentors, why internship structure matters, and how to create training environments where interns learn to be doctors (not just coverage). 🤝🏥This conversation is packed with real-world perspective on specialty culture, building strong internship programs, empowering new grads to do more surgery safely, and the communication skills that protect client trust when something goes wrong. 🗣️✨📌 What You’ll Learn:Why surgery wasn’t the original plan—and how mentorship shaped the path 🤝The training roadmap: vet school → internship → residency → specialty practice 🎓What mentors look for (initiative, preparation, follow-through) ✅How to build an internship program that actually trains doctors 🏥Why confidence comes after you do the thing (not before) 💪When referral makes sense—and when GPs can absolutely do the surgery 🩺Corporate ownership + transparency in specialty medicine 🧩A powerful “walk of shame” mistake story—and how honest communication saves trust 😬🗣️🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Adam Gassel (board-certified veterinary surgeon) 01:10 – UCI pre-med → vet tech “gap year” → falling in love with vet med 03:10 – Pierce College + first clinic job in Sherman Oaks 04:45 – Purdue vet school → back to Southern California 06:00 – Rotating internship + specialty internship (Animal Specialty Group) 07:20 – Choosing surgery: how mentorship guided the decision 09:00 – Taking initiative: reading cases, writing up reports, earning opportunities ✅ 10:30 – Spouse support + kids during residency (real life during training) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 12:10 – First job as a surgeon: still needing mentorship after residency 🤝 13:40 – Culture without ego: learning both ways in specialty practice 15:10 – Internship programs: what was broken and how he rebuilt it 🏥 17:10 – Letting interns be doctors (not just coverage) + why it pays off 19:10 – New grads + surgery fear: how reps build confidence 💪 21:00 – Corporate ownership + transparency in vet med 🧩 22:30 – Mistake story: misplaced screw + the “walk of shame” 😬 24:40 – Preventing board complaints: ownership, documentation, and communication 🗣️👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one procedure you wish you got more reps on before you were alone in practice? 💛Season 1 Ep 21✅ If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_ 📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #VeterinarySurgery #DACVS #VetInternship #NewGradVet #ClientCommunication #VetResidency #EarlyCareerVet

Can vets and vet techs boost outcomes through true co-mentorship? How do you enter an established team with confidence—not ego?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin is joined by the Vet Tech Nerd Party crew—Mallory (RVT), Julia (RVT), and Jen (RVT)—for a lively collaboration on two-way mentorship, clinic culture, communication, and staying in love with vet med (with a side of gallows humor and beef-jerky straws).In this episode, you’ll learn:Two-way mentorship: how vets and RVTs upskill each other and speed case flowDay-one trust builders: narrate-the-exam, show X-rays in-room, let clients listen with your stethoscopeHow to enter an established culture: confidence vs. arrogance when you’re the new docBurnout buffers: debriefs after hard cases, “wins boxes,” and knowing your love language at workTeaching the next wave: externships, realistic expectations, celebrating first sticks (not shaming misses)Mistakes happen: owning negative explores and math slips—and how leadership should respondSpecies/setting pivots: HQHVSN, ECC, marine mammal, equine—what transfers and what doesn’tTech-to-tech mentorship: why “Ready Tech Go?” matters, tooWho this is forRVTs/technicians and assistantsEarly-career veterinarians and internsVeterinary students and externsPractice owners, medical directors, and managersShelter medicine and HQHVSN teamsEquine/mixed practitioners exploring sustainabilityTimestamps: 00:00 Intro & collab — Vet Tech Nerd Party × Ready Vet Go (Mallory, Julia, Jen) 03:10 Vet–tech partnership: why two-way mentorship beats hierarchy 07:20 Scripts & trust: narrate-the-exam, show the images, let them listen 11:05 Entering existing teams: confidence, not ego (respect RVT expertise) 15:40 Burnout is real: debriefs, wins boxes, and love languages at work 21:10 Mistakes we lived through: dose decimals, negative explores, honest resets 28:30 Teaching moments: first jug sticks + safe learning spaces 33:55 Species pivots: ECC → marine mammals → equine (mobile realities & safety) 41:20 Culture over credentials: joy, humor, and excited educators 49:05 What’s next: Ready Vet Go + the case for Ready Tech GoResources mentionedExternship & new-grad mentorship checklistsClient-communication scripts (narrate-the-exam, recommender/decider)Debrief template + “wins box” how-toReady Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: [email protected]#vettech #mentorship #VetMed #ReadyVetGo

In this engaging and heartfelt episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Ally Williams, DVM to talk mentorship, early-career confidence, and what it really looks like to start veterinary practice while becoming a new mom. 👩‍⚕️👶🩺Ally shares her non-linear path into veterinary medicine—from growing up with livestock, living in a girls’ home, and nearly choosing a different career, to Ross Vet Prep, transferring schools, and navigating vet school with a newborn. Along the way, she opens up about how mentorship, collaboration, and honest communication shaped her confidence as a brand-new veterinarian. 🤝✨This conversation is packed with real-world perspective on choosing the right first job, building trust with clients when complications happen, leaning into discomfort (in practice and on social media), and why being valued as a person—not just a producer—is essential for a sustainable veterinary career. 💛📌 What You’ll Learn:A non-traditional path into vet med—and why it still leads to success 🛤️The impact of early mentorship (and chosen mentors) 🤝Ross Vet Prep: what it is and who it’s for 🎓Vet school with a newborn: support, flexibility, and resilience 👶What to look for in a first job (culture, teamwork, real mentorship) 🏥A real dental complication—and how communication preserved client trust 🦷🗣️Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness 📞Social media, vulnerability, and leaning into discomfort 📱Small daily habits that support confidence and longevity 💪🎬 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Ally Williams 01:20 – Early inspiration: dogs, livestock, and a life-changing mentor 04:10 – Living in a girls’ home + finding support through vet med 06:40 – Switching majors, academic struggles, and taking time off 09:15 – Ross Vet Prep: what it is and why it mattered 12:40 – Vet school + pregnancy + becoming a new mom 👶 16:10 – Faculty support and bringing a baby to class 19:00 – Career goals shifting after graduation 21:30 – Finding the right first job: culture over production 24:45 – Dental complication as a new grad (and calling for help) 🦷 29:20 – Client communication, honesty, and building trust 🗣️ 33:30 – Social media, discomfort, and inspiring others 📱 38:10 – Surgery confidence, small wins, and daily habits that matter 41:45 – Final reflections + encouragement for new grads👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one small habit or support that’s helped you feel more confident in practice? 💛Season 1 · Episode 20✅ If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_ 📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #NewGradVet #VetMentorship #VetMom #WorkLifeBalance #ClientCommunication #EarlyCareerVet #WomenInVetMed

How do you turn years on the clinic floor into confidence in the OR—and in the exam room? Can problem-based learning and shelter spay/neuter rotations build better communicators?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin is joined by Amber Elalem (WesternU CVM, 3rd-year vet student) for a candid conversation on PBL, supportive surgical teaching, communication under pressure, debt mindset, social media responsibility, and the mentorship new grads actually need.In this episode, you’ll learn:Clinic-to-classroom: how kennel tech → practice manager shaped Amber’s vet-school pathPBL at WesternU: better recall, faster clinical reasoning, learning through real casesShelter spay/neuter rotations: a preceptor model that reduces fear and builds skillCommunication wins: reflective listening, narrating care, and euthanasia empathyShared decision-making vs “gold standard”: aligning what’s best for pet and clientDebt reality (~$350k): negotiating first jobs and weighing specialty tradeoffsSocial media with a license at stake: boundaries, disclaimers, privacy, safetyMentorship that works: “cheerleading + bumpers,” not hand-holdingHow to be a proactive mentee: set goals, share feedback preferences, ask for casesWho this is forVeterinary students and pre-vets (especially PBL-curious)Early-career veterinarians & internsPractice owners/medical directors building real mentorshipShelter med & HQHVSN teamsAnyone refining client communication under stressTimestamps:00:00 Intro — kennel tech → PM → WesternU 3rd-year 02:45 Why WesternU & how PBL works (and sticks) 06:58 Shelter spay/neuter rotation + fear-reducing teaching 10:35 Confidence in surgery: “cheerleader with check-ins,” not hovering 13:22 Rotations ahead + communication gains 16:40 Social media: documenting the journey with responsibility 20:18 Debt mindset (~$350k): medicine first, negotiating, specialty/urgent-care paths 24:05 Shared decisions: best for pet + client (not just “gold standard”) 27:30 Language that helps: reflective listening, narrate-the-exam, euthanasia empathy 31:12 Online risks & boundaries: disclaimers, privacy, safety 34:40 Mentorship that works: confidence, bumpers, timely feedback 38:05 Be a proactive mentee: goals, feedback cadence, case mix 41:10 What’s next: behavior interest vs ER/urgent care—and keeping the joyResources mentionedNew-grad mentorship “bumpers” checklist (goals, feedback prefs, case targets)Debrief template for tough casesReady Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: [email protected]#vetstudent #PBL #spayneuter #mentorship #communication #ReadyVetGo

In this engaging and eye-opening episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Chelsea Fishenfeld—an ambulatory equine veterinarian in California—to talk mentorship, emergency medicine in the field, and what it really takes to survive (and thrive) in modern equine practice.Chelsea shares what drew her to horses at age four, why she chose an intensive mentorship/internship after graduating from WesternU (Class of 2022), and how equine medicine is facing a sustainability crossroads—especially when vets are expected to do dentistry all day and colics all night.This conversation is packed with real-world perspective on internships, teamwork across large groups, building confidence in high-stakes scenarios, and the communication skills that can make or break client trust.📌 What You’ll Learn:Why many equine vets benefit from doing an internship (especially for emergencies)What’s broken in the equine emergency model—and what could fix itHow mentorship and collaboration keep practitioners (and horses) saferHow to teach clients in real time so they understand the value of careA “mistake/complication” story that highlights why communication is everythingHow to coach students out of freeze mode and into confidenceWhat grit really means in equine medicine (and why attrition is high)🎬 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Chelsea Fishenfeld (equine ambulatory in CA)01:10 – “Horse vet since age 4”: barns, riding, tech life, and the long road to DVM03:05 – WesternU 2022 grad: why she chose an intensive mentorship/internship05:05 – Inside the equine hospital model: specialists at your fingertips07:10 – Equine emergency reality: why the current system isn’t sustainable10:05 – The fix: shifts, haul-in emergencies, and collaborative coverage12:05 – Finding mentors: choosing people, not “assigned” relationships14:10 – Teaching and leadership: students, pre-vets, and full-circle moments17:10 – Should you go equine? The honest talk: lifestyle, safety, grit, and burnout20:10 – Client education in real time: narrating colics, tubes, and “showing the value”23:10 – Mistakes/complications: when teeth fracture—and how communication saves trust26:10 – Where communication is learned: mentors, life experience, and repetition28:30 – Mentorship in action: letting students do the thing (and why it matters)31:20 – “Freeze mode” is real: building reps, confidence, and capability👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one skill you wish you got more reps on before you were alone in practice?Season 1 Ep 19✅ If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #EquineVet #EquineMedicine #VetMentorship #VetInternship #NewGradVet #ClientCommunication #AmbulatoryVet #LargeAnimalVet

Is practice culture your biggest career risk—or your superpower? Are “lazy new grads” a myth masking broken systems?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin is joined by Dr. G (Gershon Alaluf) for a candid, high-energy conversation on building psychologically safe teams, real mentorship, and simple habits that make clinics fun, resilient, and effective for early-career veterinarians.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why culture is the practice: daily behaviors beat policies every timePsychological safety: how to create space to speak up, debrief, and learn fastThe fear → worry loop: stopping post-op rumination with structured debriefsMoney clarity: production, basic P&L, and fair compensation conversationsMentorship that works: modeling mistakes, role clarity, and paid trainer rolesCorporate vs. private: incentives, signing-bonus traps, and fit checksSoft skills that cost $0: communication, feedback, and “make it fun” ritualsGP-led CE + realistic job previews: preparing grads for real-world medicineWho this is forEarly-career veterinarians and internsVeterinary students and VBMA leadersPractice owners, medical directors, and managersCorporate/regional leaders shaping new-grad programsRVTs/tech leads building training tracksTimestamps: 00:00 Intro — why culture determines your landing as a new grad 03:12 “Culture is the practice”: behaviors, not binders 07:38 Money matters: production, P&L, and transparent goals 12:04 Psychological safety: speaking up without getting burned 16:41 Fear vs. worry: debriefs that prevent 2 a.m. spirals 21:05 Mentorship that sticks: modeling mistakes & paid trainer roles 26:22 Corporate vs. private: incentives, fit, signing-bonus cautions 31:48 The “lazy new grad” myth: expectations, reps, confidence 36:30 Phone-a-specialist: consult culture and referral relationships 41:07 Leadership styles: servant & transformational in the clinic 45:20 Action playbook: day-one moves to lift culture (anyone can do)Resources mentionedCulture & debrief checklists (psychological safety prompts)New-grad mentorship outline (skills, soft skills, debrief cadence)GP-led CE initiatives + realistic job preview resourcesReady Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: [email protected]#practiceculture #mentorship #psychologicalsafety #vetmed #ReadyVetGo

In this energizing and real episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Jake Rastas—a new grad veterinarian, rotating intern at the University of Georgia, and ultra marathon runner—for a conversation about mentorship, confidence, and mental resilience in early-career veterinary medicine.From Division I football to vet school to internship life, Jake shares how mentors shaped his path, how to stay competitive without becoming toxic, and why you don’t need confidence before doing something hard—confidence often comes after you do it. If you’re a vet student, new grad, or intern trying to build your skills while managing pressure, this one will hit home.📌 What You’ll Learn:Mentorship that actually changes your career (and the “pay it forward” culture of vet med)How to build confidence after the hard thing—not beforeUltra marathon mindset: “This is what hard feels like”Healthy competition without rooting for others to failTime management during internship + intense training schedulesLearning procedures for the first time: readiness, reality, and resources🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Dani + Jake (new grad, UGA rotating intern, ultra runner)01:30 – Jake’s path: D1 football → vet school → internship04:10 – Mentors who changed everything (and why “pay it forward” matters)07:05 – Competitive drive without becoming toxic10:20 – “This is what hard feels like”: ultra running as mental training13:40 – Confidence isn’t the prerequisite—action is16:05 – Internship time management + training while exhausted19:10 – First-time procedures: resources, prep, and staying safe22:30 – Handling pressure, feedback, and the learning curve25:40 – What Jake wants new grads to hear right now👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one hard thing you’re leaning into right now in vet school, internship, or practice?Season 1 Ep18✅ If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #NewGradVet #VetInternship #VetStudent #UltraMarathonRunner #Confidence #MentalResilience

Are we training vets to lead—or to chase grades? How do we build grit without burning out?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Peter Weinstein for an energizing deep dive into leadership, resilience, and bringing the fun back to vet med—without skipping the hard stuff. Perfect for new grads, students, and anyone building healthy, high-trust hospital cultures.In this episode, you’ll learn:The origin story of a “leadership guru”: lifelong follower → practice owner → MBA → mentorWhy fear kills growth—and practical ways to reframe risk while staying safe/ethicalGrit vs. burnout: modeling mistakes, normalizing failure, and building psychological safetyPass/Fail & PBL: how assessment models shape collaboration, confidence, and readinessCommunication > memorization: how to find answers fast and build client trustWhy 3+ DVM teams accelerate learning and reduce stressServant leadership: bottom-up culture, listening first, empowering teams“Fun injectors” that boost morale without lowering clinical standardsWho this is forEarly-career veterinarians & internsVeterinary students (any year, any track)Mentors, medical directors, practice ownersHospital managers & team leads building resilient culturesFaculty/curriculum designers exploring PBL & pass/failTimestamps:00:00 Intro — leadership, grit & bringing the fun back03:14 Follower → leader: ownership, MBA, mindset shifts08:52 Fear vs. growth: safe steps to try procedures and learn in public13:40 Modeling mistakes: the mentorship exercise that unlocks grit18:05 Pass/Fail & PBL: teamwork over perfectionism23:47 Communication as a clinical skill: trust, clarity, outcomes28:21 Multi-doctor advantage: daily consults, faster learning, less stress33:09 Culture design: servant leadership + bottom-up ideas38:12 Make it fun: low-lift rituals that raise morale42:30 Action list for new grads: day-one leadership movesResources mentionedLeadership onboarding programs at vet schoolsOrganized vet medicine pathways: local VMA, CVMA/SAVMA, VetPartnersReady Vet Go mentorship packs, small-group role-play & skills trainingReady Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone.Follow: @readyvetgo_Contact: [email protected]#leadership #grit #communication #vetmed #ReadyVetGo

In this inspiring and practical episode of ReadyVetGo, Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Noah Gershoni (he/him), a final-year veterinary student at the University of Arizona, to talk mentorship, networking with authenticity, and how to get the most out of clinical rotations—especially in a distributive model program.Noah shares his non-traditional path to vet school (community college prereqs, years working in ER), how meaningful connections opened doors like Venom Week, and why collaboration beats competition in veterinary medicine. They also dig into the realities of rotating through different clinics and states, the hidden challenge of housing logistics, and how to learn from every mentor and team—without coming off combative.📌 What You’ll Learn:How to network without being transactional (and actually maintain connections)Community college to vet school: confidence, resilience, and belongingWhy UA’s culture (no grades + group-based learning) builds collaborationDistributive clinical year: real-world medicine, pros/cons, and logisticsWhy general practice can do more than people think (and why it matters for access)Mentorship on short rotations: how to ask questions well and respect timeTwo must-use rotation tips: “keep the technicians happy” + find value in everything🎬 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro + pronouns: Noah (he/him) + Dani (she/her)01:44 – How they met: conference lunch line + service dog networking03:00 – ReadyVetGo networking night: “bring as many as you can” (20 students show up)04:39 – Networking that isn’t transactional: curiosity, real connection, follow-through06:35 – Non-traditional path: community college prereqs (no “traditional college” route)09:33 – Working in ER for 5 years: learning fast, growing responsibility10:42 – Falling for surgery: mixed animal + OR confidence11:35 – Why University of Arizona: Venom Week + meeting faculty through networking13:41 – Personal statement: vulnerability, first-gen story, resilience, family pride16:43 – UA culture: no GPAs/grades + group-based learning = collaboration over competition21:29 – Clinical year (distributive model): rotating clinics/states + real-world medicine22:18 – The tough part: housing/logistics + advocating for classmates25:23 – General practice “can do it”: accessibility, internal medicine in GP, specialization trend28:15 – Mentorship nuance: asking questions vs respecting time (the “dance”)30:07 – Evidence-based vs “old school”: how to ask “why” without being combative32:53 – Tip #1: keep technicians happy (donuts + teach-back + teamwork)34:23 – Tip #2: find value in everything (even “how not to do it”) + don’t take it personally👇 QUESTION FOR YOU: What’s one mentoring tip you wish you learned earlier in vet school or practice?Season 1 Ep 18✅ If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a vet student or new grad who needs it today.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.📲 Follow: @readyvetgo_📧 Contact: [email protected]#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #VetStudent #ClinicalRotations #Networking #NewGradVet #GeneralPractice #VetSchool #DistributiveModel

How do we keep great technicians in vet med—and build mentorship that actually lasts? What can veterinarians learn from RVTs about communication, culture, and training?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Phil Snow, RVT—military veteran turned RVT, educator, and co-founder of an alternate-route vet tech school—for a candid conversation about career pathways, mentorship, VTS specialization, the mid-level debate, and avoiding (and owning) mistakes.In this episode, you’ll learn:Military → medicine: leadership lessons and entering vet med via the kennelTech → teacher → school founder: building an alternate-route RVT program in SoCalVet–tech partnership: case discussions, med checks, and speaking up effectivelyMentorship models that work: compensation, growth, and the “training RVT” roleCareer ladders beyond the clinic: VTS, insurance, reps, teaching, research, public sectorBurnout reality (often 7–10 years) and practical retention strategiesAlternate-route vs AVMA programs: who each path serves and whyMid-level practitioner debate: opportunities, risks, and accountabilityOwning mistakes: the “wrong-leg shave” story and building better safeguardsTimestamps:00:00 Intro — Phil Snow, RVT: why techs matter3:18 Kennel → assistant → mentors paying for school07:42 - RVT to educator: guest lectures to full-time teaching 11:05 - Building an alternate-route tech school (SoCal campuses) 15:10 - Military lessons: discipline, responsibility, leadership 18:44 - Vet–tech communication: raising concerns without conflict 23:02 - Mentorship models: training techs, compensation, “training RVT” role 27:36 - Career ladders: VTS, insurance, rep roles, teaching, public sector 32:15 - Alternate-route vs AVMA degrees: who each serves, VTNE destination 36:48 - Mid-level practitioner debate: promise, pitfalls, accountability 41:30 - Owning mistakes: wrong-leg prep + better checklists 45:05 - What’s next: accreditation goals, keeping talent in vet medResources mentionedOC Veterinary Assistant School (alternate-route RVT training)California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association (advocacy & policy)VTS pathways (ECC, Anesthesia, Dentistry, and more)Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone.Follow: @readyvetgo_Contact: [email protected]#readyvetgo #RVT #veterinarymentorship #vetmed #veterinarypodcast

How do you build real confidence when your first job is solo ER overnights? Can open, transparent care and shared decision-making transform client trust?Host Dr. Dani Rabwin is joined by Dr. Morgan Stoddard, DVM (UIUC ’20) for a fast, practical deep dive into ER mentorship, communication that lowers stress, and leadership that leads with love.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why structured ER mentorship matters—especially on solo overnightsClient language that lowers the load: “I’m the recommender; you’re the decider”Trust-builders you can use immediately (narrate-the-exam, in-room X-rays/laptop, let clients listen)How to bring “open ER” transparency to any clinic—no remodel requiredMistakes & recoveries: dystocia hemorrhage stabilization + when to phone a mentorOwning outcomes: communicating clearly after a “negative explore” following prior R&AFeedback that helps: lead with love, tailor delivery, and use a “wins box”Confidence scripts for “You look so young!” and curbside → face-to-face transitionsBurnout to fit: when to pivot and how to find the right mentorship structureTimestamps:00:00 – Intro: Dr. Morgan Stoddard—ER path, UIUC ’20, why confidence is built (not born) 03:02 – First job reality: solo overnights during curbside and the hidden upsides03:02 - Solo overnights during curbside: reality + hidden upsides 07:18 -Scripts that save you: recommender/decider + looking things up gracefully 11:06 - Shared decisions, not sales: reducing moral weight 15:20 - Open ER transparency: narrate-the-exam, X-rays in-room, stethoscope listening 20:44 - Case lessons: dystocia hemorrhage & phone-a-mentor 26:03 - “Negative explore” after prior R&A: owning outcomes + next steps 31:12 - Leading with love: feedback, safety, and the wins box 36:25 - Curbside → face-to-face: age comments + clinical presence 41:10Resources mentionedSample “recommender/decider” scripts (ER & GP)Narrate-the-exam + transparency checklistTough-case debrief template (+ wins box idea)Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone.Follow: @readyvetgo_Contact: [email protected]#ERveterinary #mentorship #communication #vetmed #ReadyVetGo

This one’s a game-changer. In Part 2 of his Ready Vet Go interview, Dr. Gersh Alaluf (Dr. G) takes a hard look at who we’re accepting into veterinary school — and what that means for the future of our profession.🔥 Are we selecting for IQ over EQ? 🔥 Are perfectionists more prone to burnout in vet med? 🔥 Are schools doing enough to prepare students emotionally for real-world practice?Joined by host Dr. Dani Rabwin, Dr. G unpacks how admissions criteria, mentorship gaps, and emotional blind spots are fueling stress, imposter syndrome, and attrition among new grads. He shares real stories of mentorship done right, burnout avoided, and moments that almost broke him — and why communication, empathy, and community are the true skills that will save the profession.🧠 In This Episode:The theory that sparked Dr. G’s doctoral research: Attraction–Selection–Attrition (ASA)Why Ready Vet Go bridges the gap between what vet school teaches and what vet med requiresReal-life board complaint stories — and how emotional intelligence helps prevent themHow mentors can pick up the phone for their mentees in moments of crisisWhat to say when things go wrong (and how to say “I’m sorry” without accepting blame)The 3-part burnout triad — and how to break itCondolence card wins, thank-you boxes, and how to hold on to why you started this journeyWhether you’re a vet student, new grad, mentor, or practice leader, this conversation is a roadmap to sustainability, self-worth, and staying power in veterinary medicine.ep. 10#ReadyVetGo #VetAdmissions #VeterinaryBurnout #EmotionalIntelligence #VetMentorship #VetSchool #VeterinaryEducation #EarlyCareerVet #MentorshipMatters #EQinVetMed #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMentalHealth #LeadershipInVetMed

This is the Ready Vet Go episode you didn’t know you needed.Veterinarian, entrepreneur, mentor, and doctoral candidate Dr. Gersh Alaluf (Dr. G) joins Dr. Dani Rabwin to unpack the raw, unfiltered truth behind veterinary mentorship, leadership, ownership, and emotional intelligence.💥 What happens when the corporate machine makes you question your entire identity? 💥 How do you go from kennel kid to practice owner — and still feel like you don’t belong? 💥 Why is emotional intelligence the most overlooked skill in veterinary education today? 💥 What does real mentorship look like — and why are so many vets getting it wrong?Dr. G shares his journey from humble beginnings to owning multiple practices to being pushed out by a corporation that misunderstood him — and how that sent him on a mission to understand what makes this profession tick (and break).🎓 Now a doctoral candidate in business researching early-career veterinary stress, Dr. G offers wisdom, wit, and unwavering honesty on what it takes to survive and thrive in vet med today.🧠 Topics CoveredThe real ROI of mentorship: stories that changed his lifeWhy early-career vets aren’t failing — the system isEmotional intelligence as a teachable skill (and why it’s missing from vet school)Leadership lessons from the exam room and the boardroomWhat to watch for when choosing your first jobWhy mentorship needs structure — not just “I’m here if you need me”The truth about burnout, corporate buyouts, and imposter syndromeThis episode is a must-listen for early-career veterinarians, practice owners, and vet students who want to build a career that’s sustainable, joyful, and real.ep. 9#ReadyVetGo #DrG #VeterinaryMentorship #VetBurnout #VetOwnership #EmotionalIntelligence #VeterinaryLeadership #EarlyCareerVet #VetMedRealTalk #VetStudentLife #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMentalHealth #EmpathyInVetMed #VetLife

Veterinary school graduate Dr. Alex Elizas shares a powerful and candid journey from feeling unprepared, overwhelmed, and nearly quitting veterinary medicine to discovering strength, resilience, and career-saving mentorship.Facing difficult mentors, surgical nightmares, and professional isolation, Alex reveals how joining Ready Vet Go transformed her confidence, practice, and future.This honest discussion is a must-watch for vet students, early-career veterinarians, and anyone navigating mentorship challenges in veterinary medicine. Dr. Alex Elizas opens up about the harsh realities faced by new vets, the critical role of mentorship, and how Ready Vet Go saved her veterinary career.ep. 8#petmed #vet #ReadyVetGo

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Ready Vet Go, Dr. Dani sits down with Dr. Greg Gstrein—relief veterinarian, business owner, and all-around empathetic powerhouse.💥 Rejected from vet school multiple times💥 Learned the hard way how to trust his gut and survive critical mistakes💥 Built his own relief business from scratch💥 Mentors teams with compassion, leadership, and some serious X-ray teaching skillsDr. G doesn’t just talk vet med—he lives it. From his beginnings as a zookeeper to navigating imposter syndrome, tax strategy, and client heartbreak, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone in veterinary medicine.📌 What You’ll Learn:Why not getting into vet school the first time can actually be a giftHow early-career vets can survive mentorship gapsWhat relief veterinarians owe their clients and the teamHow to communicate through grief, mistakes, and misdiagnosisThe power of shared decision-making and empathy in client careBusiness tips for starting your own relief practiceWhy pollinating practices with positivity matters🐾 Whether you're a vet student, early-career DVM, or exploring relief work, Dr. Gestrin’s journey will resonate, inspire, and educate.👉 Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode if it speaks to you—or to someone you know who’s feeling alone in this profession.ep. 7#ReadyVetGo #ReliefVet #VeterinaryMentorship #VetSchoolJourney #VetLife #VetMedRealTalk #EarlyCareerVet #ImposterSyndrome #SharedDecisionMaking #VeterinaryPodcast #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentalHealth #VeterinaryMistakes #MentorshipMatters

Welcome to Ready Vet Go, the podcast where we elevate veterinary mentorship one real conversation at a time.In this powerful episode, Dr. Dani sits down with Dr. Tasha—emergency veterinarian, mentor, and mother—to talk about what it really takes to survive and thrive in veterinary medicine.💥 From vomiting into a trash bag during her internship while pregnant... 💥 To discovering her passion for organized chaos in emergency vet med... 💥 To owning her mistakes, surviving imposter syndrome, and mentoring the next generation... Dr. Tasha gets real about what it means to be a resilient, resourceful, and relatable veterinarian today.Whether you're an early-career DVM, a vet student, or a seasoned pro wondering how to make this career sustainable—this episode is a masterclass in honesty, humility, and hope.📌 Topics Covered:Emergency medicine vs. general practiceRelief vet lifestyle (and the real challenges behind the glamor)Mistakes that changed her career—and why we need M&M Rounds in vet medHow to ask for help and bounce ideas off colleaguesIn-home euthanasia and rediscovering purposeMentoring with heart, even after burnout🎧 Ready to feel seen, supported, and inspired? Press play. 👇 And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow vet who needs to hear it.ep. 6#ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMentorship #EmergencyVet #ReliefVet #VetMedLife #VeterinaryMedicine #NewGradVet #VetMom #WomenInVetMed #ImposterSyndrome #MentorshipMatters #VeterinaryPodcast #VetStudentLife #RealTalkVetMed #VeterinaryStudent #VeterinarySchool

This episode of Ready Vet Go hits different. 🎙️Veterinary student Garth turns the tables and puts podcast host Dr. Dani Rabwin in the hot seat to tackle some of the realest questions about veterinary mentorship, early-career stress, and what it actually means to be ready after vet school.🔥 What does true mentorship look like—and how do you find it before you graduate? 🔥 What happens when mentorship is promised but never delivered? 🔥 How does Ready Vet Go actually support new grads, and why does it matter now more than ever? 🔥 Why are so many new grads leaving their first job within 12–18 months—and how do we stop it? 🔥 PLUS: Dr. Dani opens up about her own mistakes as a mentor, her biggest lessons learned, and the secret to feedback that doesn’t suck.This is not your average episode. This is a call to action for every student and early-career veterinarian who’s navigating mentorship, burnout, feedback, and the fear of failure in vet med.👣 Whether you’re applying for your first job or still in school, this episode gives you a roadmap for building confidence, finding your people, and creating longevity in the profession.🧠 Topics Covered:Finding the right mentor as a studentBeing a strong mentee (and why that matters)Red flags in mentorship promisesThe hard truth about early-career attritionCreating psychological safety in feedbackThe value of community and shared experienceHow Ready Vet Go actually works—and how to ask your clinic to pay for it🎓 Vet students, this one’s for you. 🐾 Early-career vets, you’ll feel seen. 💬 Practice owners, take notes.ep. 5#ReadyVetGo #VetMentorship #VeterinaryStudent #NewGradVet #VetSchoolLife #MentorshipMatters #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMedCommunity #VeterinaryWellness #EarlyCareerVet #FeedbackCulture #PsychologicalSafety #VeterinaryLeadership #DVM

What really keeps vet techs in the field for 20 years? What does true mentorship look like behind the scenes in vet med? And why are RVTs the unsung heroes of every successful veterinary practice?In this powerful episode of Ready Vet Go, Dr. Danny Rabwin sits down with Mallory, a seasoned Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), educator, and shelter volunteer, for a deeply honest conversation about the highs, lows, laughs, and lessons from two decades in veterinary medicine.🎙️ Topics we cover:How to find your forever clinic (and why culture matters)The RVT’s role in mentorship & medical decision-makingTeaching the next generation of vet techsNavigating transitions from tech to manager to educatorPet adoptions, shelter stories, and the truth about bringing work homeWhether you're a new vet, a student, a tech, or just someone who loves animals, this episode delivers real stories, expert advice, and relatable moments from the trenches of vet med.🔥 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe — and share this with someone who’s thinking about entering veterinary medicine!👇 Drop your questions or stories about mentorship in the comments!ep. 4#VeterinaryMedicine #VetTechLife #RVT #VetMentorship #ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryPodcast #VetMedSupport #VetStudents #AnimalHealth #VetClinicLife #ShelterMedicine #VetSchool #VetTechProblems #MentorshipMatters #ReadyVetGoPodcast