Reviving Vet Med

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Step into a space where your wellbeing matters as much as your career. Hosted by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, the Reviving Vet Med Podcast delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help veterinary professionals navigate stress, prevent burnout, and build sustainable, fulfilling careers. Each episode features actionable tips, inspiring stories, and expert insights on topics ranging from emotional intelligence, career transitions, and team dynamics to compassion, financial wellbeing, and mental health in the veterinary field.  Whether you’re an early-career veterinarian, a seasoned specialist, or another valued member of the veterinary team, you’ll gain tools and perspectives that empower you to thrive, both professionally and personally. Join a global community of veterinary professionals committed to balance, resilience, and lasting wellbeing. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a healthier, more sustainable veterinary career.

  1. 1d ago

    The Data Behind Vet Tech Burnout | Episode 103 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Sixty-four percent of veterinary assistants, technicians, and technician specialists say their interest in staying in the field long term has declined — and the research says it isn't really about the work itself. It's about respect, trust, and whether teams feel like their skills are actually being used. Today, in honor of RVT Appreciation Month in Canada and National Veterinary Technician Week in the US, I'm joined by Kelly Foltz, a credentialed Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care and Divisional Nursing Partner at BluePearl, where she supports the technician experience across 41 emergency and specialty hospitals. Kelly is also co-author, alongside Lori Kogan and Leslie Carter, of two studies published last year in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care: one examining the perceptions and experiences of veterinary assistants, technicians/nurses, and technician specialists, and a second focused specifically on VTS credentialing and skill utilization. In this episode, we dig into what the data actually shows about burnout, skill utilization, and "title creep," what changes (and doesn't) after a technician earns their VTS credential, and what Kelly's seen work — and not work — when it comes to closing the trust gap between DVMs and their technical staff across dozens of hospitals. We also talk about where the conversation around an Advanced-Level Veterinary Practitioner role might be headed next. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/-smE5PEyKOM Resources Perceptions and Experiences of Veterinary Assistants, Veterinary Technicians/Nurses, and Veterinary Technician Specialists (article): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12614410/  Veterinary Technician Specialists: Perceptions and Experiences Related to VTS Credentials and Skill Utilization (article): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12614403/  For any questions, please reach out to Kelly Foltz at K.FoltzVTS@gmail.com.  Thank you to our sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition For more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com or HillsPet.ca. Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Thank you to Hill’s Pet NutritionFor more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.ca.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  2. Oct 14

    Rethinking the RVT Role: Top of Scope, Teletriage, and Career Possibility | Episode 102 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Most RVTs are trained to do far more than they're ever actually asked to do. When technicians are held back from practicing at the top of their license, it's not just their own growth that stalls, it's patient care, team capacity, and the long-term sustainability of the practice itself. In honor of RVT Month and National Vet Tech Week, I'm joined by Leilani Saad, a Registered Veterinary Technician with 19 years of clinical experience and the CEO & Co-Founder of Animal HealthLink, a veterinary teletriage company she launched in Calgary. Leilani made the leap from hands-on emergency work to building a service that eases after-hours strain on practices, expands patients' access to care, and opens up meaningful non-clinical career paths for RVTs. She also serves on the board of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association, represents ABVTA on the ABVMA Council, and still locums in the ER to keep her clinical skills sharp. We talk about what "top of scope" really means for an RVT, what changes for a practice and its patients when technicians are trusted to work at that level, and how the rise of teletriage is opening up an entirely new kind of career path within the profession. Watch the Video Version of this Episode [Link pending] Resources Connect with Leilani Saad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilani-mustillo/ and Instagram: @leilanisaad Check out Animal HealthLink at: https://www.animalhealthlink.ca/  Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote See how Scribenote works: https://www.scribenote.com?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Book a Demo: https://calendly.com/d/4zm-dsr-wfh/scribenote-demo  Start with a Free 14-Day Trial Today: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Thank you to our sponsor Animal HealthLink Animal HealthLink provides 24/7 veterinary teletriage across all species, delivered by experienced RVTs on behalf of veterinary practices. For on-call practices, our RVTs handle after-hours calls and involve the DVM only when needed, while practices that refer after hours use AHL to help clients determine what needs emergency care and what can safely wait. The result is fewer unnecessary interruptions, fewer unnecessary ER trips, and qualified guidance for clients instead of Dr. Google. Learn more at ahl.vet or book a demo here: https://calendly.com/d/cycm-66m-9p5/animal-healthlink-discovery-call  Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com Thank you to our sponsor ScribenoteThe first AI-powered veterinary SOAP creator that builds accurate medical records effortlessly. Thank you to Animal HealthLinkYour clients need support after hours. Your team needs rest. Animal HealthLink helps you with both.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  3. Sep 30

    Financial Conversations That Build Trust and Support Team Wellbeing | Episode 101 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Every veterinary team eventually has to have the conversation about cost, and how it's handled can either build trust or break it. Yet financial communication is rarely taught with the same care we give clinical skills, leaving teams to brace for confrontation instead of leading with confidence. Today, I'm joined by Sharon Vaturi, a Credentialed Veterinary Technician with over 25 years of experience who has spent the majority of her career in emergency medicine. Sharon is a consultant and coach who now trains veterinary teams through a hands-on workshop on delivering estimates, helping teams increase full approvals while reducing staff stress. In this episode, we discuss why financial conversations create so much tension for clients and veterinary teams, what actually happens inside Sharon's estimates workshop, and how small shifts in word choice and tone change the way clients receive difficult news. Sharon also shares why she believes better financial communication isn't just good for the bottom line — it's good for staff resilience and burnout too. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/70gtMCHAcaI Resources Follow Sharon Vaturi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonvaturi/    Visit Sharon’s website RVT Seminars: https://rvtseminars.com/    Read Sharon’s book “I Got a Pet! Now What???”: https://a.co/d/0hPECy6f Thank you to our sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition For more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com or HillsPet.ca. Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Support the show

  4. Sep 16

    BONUS: 100 Episodes Later: A Look Back at the Reviving Vet Med podcast | Episode 100 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail This podcast didn't start as a podcast. It started as Wellness Wednesday videos and Facebook Live sessions on veterinary wellbeing; recordings that eventually became audio episodes, then solo monologues, and eventually the guest conversations you've come to know Reviving Vet Med for today. To mark 100 episodes, I'm taking this one to reflect on that journey: how the show has evolved, what's stayed the same, and the people who've made it possible along the way. I'm sharing some very overdue thank-yous: to the team behind the scenes who help build, produce, and share this podcast every month, and to the sponsors who've supported the show, including Scribenote, our longest-running sponsor. You'll also hear a compilation of guests answering the question I ask everyone who joins me on this podcast: what does Reviving Veterinary Medicine mean to you? It's one of my favorite parts of making this show, and I'm glad to finally share some of those answers with you all in one place. Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of this community for the last 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100. Resources What do you want to hear on the podcast? Complete a quick survey: www.revivingvetmed.com/survey Watch the complete responses from podcast guests to the question “What does reviving veterinary medicine mean to you?”: [YouTube link] Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter  Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Support the show

  5. Sep 2

    Beyond Retention: Building Engaged Veterinary Teams | Episode 99 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Veterinary medicine has spent years asking how we can keep people from leaving—but retention is only part of the story. True workplace wellbeing requires moving beyond preventing turnover and focusing on what helps people feel valued, supported, and engaged in the work they do. When veterinary professionals feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and psychological safety, teams become stronger and more sustainable. In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Hill-Borton, Head of People & Operations at VetGo, to explore what it takes to build engaged veterinary teams. With over 17 years of experience in veterinary medicine, crisis response, human resources, and organizational leadership, Jamie shares her insights on why engagement matters, how it differs from retention, and the critical role psychological safety plays in creating workplaces where people can thrive. We discuss the practical steps leaders can take to foster engagement, the early warning signs of disengagement, and how both leaders and team members can contribute to healthier workplace cultures. Jamie also challenges us to rethink how we approach turnover and reminds us that creating a veterinary profession where people want to stay begins with creating environments where they feel seen, supported, and empowered. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/vHUsC7lIJ5Y Resources Connect with Jamie Hill-Borton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-hill-borton/ and Instagram: @jamie.hb2 Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote See how Scribenote works: https://www.scribenote.com?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Book a Demo: https://calendly.com/d/4zm-dsr-wfh/scribenote-demo  Start with a Free 14-Day Trial Today: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Thank you to our sponsor VetGo Visit www.vetgo.ca to learn more about VetGo. Email team@vetgo.ca to learn how VetGo can help support your practice. Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Thank you to our sponsor ScribenoteThe first AI-powered veterinary SOAP creator that builds accurate medical records effortlessly. Thank you to our sponsor VetGoA seamless extension of your team.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  6. Aug 19

    The Healing Power of Digital Storytelling | Episode 98 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Every veterinary professional carries stories from their journey; moments of challenge, uncertainty, compassion, and growth. Yet we rarely pause to reflect on those stories and the meaning they hold. Digital storytelling offers a powerful way to process our experiences, strengthen resilience, and reconnect with the values that brought us to veterinary medicine. Today, I’m joined by Angie Turner, a veterinary technician with more than 30 years of experience, including over two decades as a Technical Instructor in veterinary pathology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Angie is also the founder of SOS Legacies, where she helps individuals preserve and share their life stories through writing, audio, and digital storytelling. After recognizing the potential for these tools to support veterinary students, Angie created Resilient by Design: Digital Storytelling for Resilience in Vet Med, an elective designed to help learners reflect on their experiences and build resilience. In this episode, we discuss what digital storytelling is, why storytelling has become an important tool in human healthcare education, and how it can help veterinary professionals make meaning from the experiences that shape their careers. Angie shares what she has learned from guiding students through this process, how storytelling can foster connection and self-awareness, and why every veterinary professional has a story worth telling. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/al_uG4chUew Resources Follow Angie Turner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-turner-sos-legacies/    Visit Angie’s website: https://www.soslegacies.com/   Watch Marie’s digital story about mistakes: https://youtu.be/FdnuClAZgnc?si=Fg9DZg-qtRxhH84d  Watch Sarah’s digital story about euthanasia: https://youtu.be/fCXQAvuS1L0   Thank you to our sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition For more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com or HillsPet.ca. Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Thank you to Hill’s Pet NutritionFor more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.ca.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  7. Aug 5

    The Hidden Toll of Workplace Incivility in Vet Med | Episode 97 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail Incivility is one of the most pervasive yet minimized challenges in veterinary medicine. Whether it’s a passive-aggressive comment from a colleague or a subtle slight from a stressed client, these "low-level" behaviors are frequently swept under the rug as part of the job. In high-stress practice environments, however, this ambiguity isn’t just annoying—it’s a silent, constant drain on our cognitive energy and a primary driver of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and burnout. In this episode, I’m joined by Helen Silver-MacMahon, a Registered Veterinary Nurse, Clinical Human Factors pioneer, and recipient of the 2026 RCVS Inspiration Award, to explore what is actually happening beneath the surface of our daily interactions. We dive into her groundbreaking research on veterinary incivility to unpack how the source of the rudeness, whether it's an insider like a senior manager or an outsider like a client, dictates the type of psychological damage it leaves behind. We also explore the heavy toll of "emotional labor" and the deceptive trap of conflict avoidance, explaining why retreating from rudeness actually worsens chronic stress over time. Finally, Helen shares how clinics can move past the hollow advice of telling staff to "just be more resilient." Instead, she provides actionable, data-backed insights on how leadership can use the "Listen, Act, Support" framework to build a genuine organizational buffer that protects team well-being and enhances patient safety. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/ifz8gqKBKtI Resources Connect with Helen Silver-MacMahon on Instagram @thrivinginvetmed and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helen-silver-macmahon-b0b467183    Visit Helen’s website: www.being-human.co.uk  Civility in Action (program): https://www.being-human.co.uk/copy-of-thriving-teams-development-pr    Download Practical Guide to Managing Incivility in Veterinary Practice: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rRkrjJxf1EmQdz7Dz8UrPzWD1fMtsphFp9uTPZy4PtBUODhRWVBTVElKN1ZRMlRXNVFRUEcyVDZCNy4u  Consequences and coping: Investigating client, co-worker and senior colleague incivility within veterinary practice: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/vetr.2030  Listen, act and support: An investigation into individual and organisational incivility management in veterinary practice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11783998/  Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote See how Scribenote works: https://www.scribenote.com?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Book a Demo: https://calendly.com/d/4zm-dsr-wfh/scribenote-demo  Start with a Free 14-Day Trial Today: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402  Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com  Thank you to our sponsor ScribenoteThe first AI-powered veterinary SOAP creator that builds accurate medical records effortlessly. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  8. Jul 22

    Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions in Vet Med | Episode 96 | Reviving Vet Med

    Send us Fan Mail The relationships we build with clients, colleagues, and students are shaped not only by our medical knowledge, but also by the everyday interactions that influence whether people feel respected, heard, and valued. While many veterinary professionals strive to provide compassionate care, unconscious biases can sometimes show up in ways that create harm, diminish trust, and impact belonging. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Naomi Nishi, PhD, a scholar-practitioner, educator, and Associate Dean of Culture, Community, and Accessible Care at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Naomi is the co-author of the paper “Microaggressions in Veterinary Communication: What Are They? How Are They Harmful? What Can Veterinary Professionals and Educators Do?” We discuss what microaggressions are, why the “micro” does not mean the impact is small, and how these everyday interactions can affect communication, client relationships, and veterinary team culture. Naomi shares examples of how microaggressions can appear in veterinary settings, why intent and impact can coexist, and how we can respond when we recognize that our words or actions have caused harm. We also explore practical strategies for moving beyond awareness into action and creating veterinary environments where clients, students, and team members feel a genuine sense of trust, respect, and belonging. Watch the Video Version of this Episode [Link pending] Resources Follow Dr. Naomi Nishi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/naomi-nishi-phd-0a40532   Read Dr. Nishi’s paper Microaggressions in veterinary communication: what are they? How are they harmful? What can veterinary professionals and educators do?: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/262/3/javma.23.07.0412.xml   Check out Dr. Nishi’s other publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=aOJel2Tk9h8C&hl=en  Thank you to our sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition For more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com or HillsPet.ca. Newsletter For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter Online Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources  Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com Thank you to Hill’s Pet NutritionFor more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.ca.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Step into a space where your wellbeing matters as much as your career. Hosted by Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, the Reviving Vet Med Podcast delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help veterinary professionals navigate stress, prevent burnout, and build sustainable, fulfilling careers. Each episode features actionable tips, inspiring stories, and expert insights on topics ranging from emotional intelligence, career transitions, and team dynamics to compassion, financial wellbeing, and mental health in the veterinary field.  Whether you’re an early-career veterinarian, a seasoned specialist, or another valued member of the veterinary team, you’ll gain tools and perspectives that empower you to thrive, both professionally and personally. Join a global community of veterinary professionals committed to balance, resilience, and lasting wellbeing. Subscribe now to start your journey toward a healthier, more sustainable veterinary career.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Marie Holowaychuk
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Reviving Vet Med
  • Show Website
    Reviving Vet Med

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