The VetStory Podcast

Rhys Giannarelli
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A place where we tell stories, often at bars or dinner parties. But occasionally, I promise we’ll talk about something helpful.

  1. Aug 31

    From DVM to CEO with Dr. John Yonker

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. John Yonker for a wide open conversation about practice ownership, systems, corporate vet med, owner bottlenecks, profitability, and what it means to move from DVM to CEO. John is a veterinarian, MBA, three time de novo practice founder, and the creator of VetLaunch. He has started multiple clinics from scratch, sold two of them, and now helps veterinarians step into ownership with more clarity and structure. This episode is not one of those polished, tidy conversations. It is more like two practice owners sitting down with a drink and saying the stuff we normally end up saying at the bar after a conference. We talk about why so many owners struggle to exit their practice, why the owner becomes the bottleneck, and why a clinic cannot scale forever on oral history, vibes, and everyone just “knowing how we do things.” We also get into corporate consolidation and why independent practices can still compete. And yes, I said it. You absolutely can compete. But not by trying to out corporate corporate. Independent practices have a different advantage. They can move faster. They can care about people differently. They can make culture decisions without asking a shareholder. But they still need to know their numbers. They still need systems. They still need accountability. They still need to stop doing $20 an hour tasks with an owner brain. John and I also talk about COGS, payroll, inventory, associate compensation, pro sal, when to hire another doctor, utilization, unscheduled appointments, and why the death of wellness may be a bigger problem than many owners realize. The big takeaway is simple. You do not rise to the level of your intention. You fall to the level of your systems. And if your practice only works because you are holding the whole thing together, that is not freedom. That is just a job with more stress. You can find Dr. John Yonker through VetLaunch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

  2. Aug 10

    VEA, Missed Charges, and Smarter Clinics with Patricia Porter

    In this episode of the Vet Story Podcast, I sit down with Patricia Porter, founder of VEA, to talk about AI in veterinary medicine, missed charges, better workflows, and what it actually looks like when technology helps the team instead of adding one more thing to their day. Patricia has worked in AI for over 10 years, including human healthcare, automation, and consumer technology. Now she is bringing that experience into Vet Med with VEA, which stands for Veterinary Exam Assistant. And I will be honest. At first, there were a lot of AI words. A lot. So I made Patricia slow it down and explain it like we were standing in a real clinic, talking to a real practice manager, with a real team trying to get through a real day. That is where the conversation got really useful. VEA can listen during a visit, help create the SOAP note, pull in the pet’s history, support treatment plans, help with estimates and invoices, and catch missed charges before they walk out the door. That part matters. Because every practice owner knows the pain of hearing, “I thought you added it,” or “I thought someone else did it.” And then there goes another $50. Again. We also talk about how AI should be used responsibly in veterinary medicine. Patricia explains why the veterinarian still needs to be at the centre of the decision making, why AI should suggest instead of replace, and why integration with the practice management system matters. We get into: What VEA actually does in a clinic How it helps with missed charges Why memory is not a great billing system How AI can support SOAP notes and treatment plans Why the vet still stays in control What clinics should ask before bringing in AI How declined items can be tracked for future visits What smarter clinics can do with or without AI Why integration matters so much How VEA helps clinics chart smarter, not harder This episode is for practice owners, managers, technicians, doctors, and anyone who has ever looked at the invoice after an appointment and thought, “Well, that should have been charged.” Because missed charges are not always a people problem. Sometimes the system is just asking busy people to remember too much. You can find VEA at VEAforvets.com. If you want to be a guest on the Vet Story Podcast, email me at rhys@ivmsolutions.org. This podcast is brought to you by IVMS, Innovative Veterinary Management Solutions. Practice ownership should not be this hard. Visit ivmsolutions.org to learn more.

  3. Jul 13

    Conscious Leadership Without the Kumbaya with Dr. Jennifer Edwards

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Edwards to talk about conscious leadership, emotions at work, burnout, boundaries, and what it means to lead people in a veterinary practice. Jennifer is a veterinarian, former practice owner, conscious leadership coach, speaker, and team developer. She helps leaders understand how they are showing up, how they are communicating, and how the stories running in the background affect the team around them. I will admit, I pushed back a bit in this one. When we started talking about feelings, emotional needs, and conscious leadership, my brain immediately went to the whole “kumbaya circle” thing. But Jennifer does a great job breaking it down in a way that makes sense. This is not about saying yes to every request. It is not about removing accountability. It is not about coddling the team. It is about being aware of how you lead, how you react, how you communicate, and how to set boundaries without being an ass about it. We talk about unreasonable requests, team accommodations, toxic positivity, leadership burnout, and what happens when practice owners start to feel like no matter what they do, it is never enough. We also talk about what it looks like when a leader realizes they may be contributing to the culture problem they are trying to fix. That one stings a little. But in a useful way. This episode is for practice owners, managers, medical directors, and anyone leading a team who has ever thought, “I am trying so hard, why is this still not working?” You can find Dr. Jennifer Edwards at drjenniferedwards.com or on LinkedIn.

  4. Jun 15

    What Practice Owners Need to Know Before Selling Their Clinic with Jordan Morelli

    In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Jordan Morelli to talk about selling a veterinary practice. Jordan is a corporate lawyer who works with veterinarians and practice owners across Canada. He helps with incorporations, leases, employment agreements, practice purchases, practice sales, succession planning, and the legal pieces that come with owning a clinic. We talk about the difference between a legacy sale and a corporate sale, what a letter of intent actually means, when practice owners should involve advisors, and why tax planning needs to happen well before the sale. Jordan also shares why selling a practice is not just about the final price. Culture, values, timing, team communication, and the right advisory team all matter. We get into the current market, what corporate buyers are looking for, why some clinics are harder to sell, and what practice owners can do years in advance to increase the value of their clinic. This episode is for any practice owner who is thinking about selling someday, whether that is next year, five years from now, or sometime in the mysterious land called “eventually.” Because the big takeaway is simple. Do not wait until you are ready to leave before you start planning your exit. You can find Jordan at linmac.com. https://linmac.com/our-team/jordan-morelli/

  5. Jun 1

    Practice Loans, Student Debt, and Buying Your First Clinic with Cameron Harkey

    In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Harkey from Bank of America to talk about veterinary practice financing and what doctors need to know before stepping into ownership. Cameron works in veterinary lending across the upper Midwest and helps veterinarians with practice acquisitions, startups, real estate loans, and ownership financing. We talk about what the loan process looks like, when to speak with a lender, how banks assess cash flow, and what happens when a doctor wants to buy the clinic they already work in. We also talk about one of the biggest concerns for many veterinarians. Student loans. Cameron explains why having student debt does not automatically disqualify someone from buying a practice. It matters, but it is only one part of the bigger financial picture. We also get into real estate loans, acquisition loans, interest rates, and why the lowest rate is not always the only thing to look at. This episode is for any veterinarian who has thought about ownership but wondered if financing, student loans, or lack of business experience might hold them back. The big takeaway is simple. Do not assume you are not ready just because you still have questions. Ask the questions. Look at the numbers. Get the right people around you. That is where ownership starts to become a real option. Find Cameron Harkey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-harkey-mba-27a0ba13/

  6. May 18

    Finding Your Voice in Vet Med with Dr. Frank Niles

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Frank Niles to talk about leadership, burnout, public speaking, and what it takes to build real influence in veterinary medicine. Frank shares his perspective on why Vet Med can be hard to break into, why credentials may open doors but do not replace connection, and how case studies, storytelling, and lived experience help build credibility. We also talk about burnout in Vet Med and why it is not simply a resilience problem. Structure, scheduling, leadership, workplace design, and culture all matter. Then we get into one of my favourite parts of the conversation, public speaking. Frank shares practical advice on finding your voice, managing nerves, using stories, and connecting with an audience in a way that actually lands. This episode is for practice owners, managers, speakers, consultants, and anyone in Vet Med who wants to lead, communicate, and show up better. https://frankniles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankniles/

  7. Feb 8

    The Leadership Duel: Fair Wages and Healthy Practices with Josh Vaisman

    What does “fair” pay actually mean in vet med And can a practice pay people what they deserve while still staying healthy and profitable In this episode, Rhys sits down with Josh Vaisman from Flourish Veterinary Consulting for a candid conversation that started with a spicy LinkedIn thread and turned into something way more useful. They unpack what positive leadership really is (hint: it is not fake smiles), why accountability is part of compassion, and how practice owners can think about technician wages in a way that respects both the humans and the business. They also get into what most people avoid The money The model The reality of what a practice can sustain And what has to change if we want wages to rise without burning teams out If you are a practice owner, manager, RVT, or anyone tired of the same debate with zero progress, this one is for you.

  8. Jan 6

    From Living in a Car to 397 Vet Referrals How Shane Gentry Built Sally Said So

    Shane Gentry is the owner of Sally Said So, a professional dog training company that is exclusively veterinarian referred. And it all started with him living in his car behind a grocery store. In this episode, Shane breaks down how one tech gave him a chance, how that turned into a referral system that scaled across North Carolina, and what it takes to build a team with standards that do not bend. We also get into the fun stuff. The origin story behind the name Sally Said So The wildest client story you will ever hear How his company empowers women through dog training Why training the owner matters more than training the dog The hiring and training process that protects your brand Vet Ready Go, a simple way to help clients prepare dogs for better vet visits Why CE approval and real partnerships with veterinary medicine matter If you want outside the box thinking, real business lessons, and a few laughs, this one delivers. https://sallysaidso.com/

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About

A place where we tell stories, often at bars or dinner parties. But occasionally, I promise we’ll talk about something helpful.

Information

  • Creator
    Rhys Giannarelli
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The VetStory Podcast