Just Vetting with Peter Tanella, ESQ.

Peter Tanella
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This program fills the gap in veterinary education by focusing on non-clinical skills like communication, leadership, confidence building, and real-world readiness — all essential to long-term success in practice.

  1. MAR 30

    16 | Dr. Michele Drake | From Veterinarian to Industry Leader: Building Culture, Ownership, and Innovation

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Michele Drake, founder of the Drake Center for Veterinary Care and co-founder of Genius Vets, for a candid conversation about leadership, culture, and what it truly takes to build and scale a veterinary practice with intention and purpose. Dr. Drake shares how her passion for veterinary medicine began at an early age and carried her through a rigorous academic journey into ownership—purchasing her first practice at just 27 years old. What started as a small, under-the-radar hospital with limited space and visibility evolved into one of the most respected veterinary practices in Southern California, driven by a clear vision of patient care, team culture, and client experience.  Reflecting on her early days as a practice owner, Dr. Drake discusses the importance of building a strong foundation from the outset—prioritizing communication, aligning teams around a shared mission, and creating systems that support both people and performance. From hosting team meetings in her apartment to scaling a one-doctor practice into an 11-doctor operation, she emphasizes that sustainable growth is never accidental—it’s intentional, consistent, and rooted in relationships.  With decades of experience, Dr. Drake offers a thoughtful perspective on the intersection of medicine and business. She highlights the importance of understanding financial fundamentals, surrounding yourself with industry-specific advisors, and remaining open to learning—even as a seasoned leader. She also reflects on pivotal moments, including navigating economic uncertainty in 2008 and leading through the rapid growth and operational challenges of COVID-19, where strong culture and trust proved essential.  Throughout the conversation, she explores: ✨ Knowing your purpose early—and using it to guide long-term career decisions  ✨ Taking the leap into ownership at a young age and building with intention  ✨ Creating a culture of communication, trust, and team alignment from day one  ✨ Scaling a practice through relationships, service, and operational discipline  ✨ The importance of hiring with clear expectations and maintaining cultural integrity  ✨ Leveraging mentorship, veterinary-specific advisors, and peer networks for growth  ✨ Navigating industry shifts—from digital marketing to evolving client expectations  ✨ Founding Genius Vets to help practices better understand and execute modern marketing  ✨ Why strong culture is not accidental—and must be actively protected  ✨ The balance between innovation and preserving the human connection in veterinary care Dr. Drake’s journey highlights that building a successful veterinary practice requires far more than clinical expertise. It demands clarity of vision, disciplined execution, and a deep commitment to people—both within your team and across your client base. Whether you’re an aspiring practice owner, a current leader navigating growth, or someone thinking about how to build something meaningful in your career, this episode offers a powerful perspective on leadership, resilience, and staying true to your mission. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PracticeManagement #VeterinaryMedicine #VetLife

    31 min

  2. MAR 13

    15 | Robert Goodman, DVM | From Single Practice to Multi-Location Legacy: Leadership and Longevity with Dr. Robert Goodman

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Robert Goodman, longtime leader of Everhart Veterinary Medical Group in Baltimore, for a thoughtful conversation about practice ownership, leadership evolution, and the realities of building a veterinary organization that stands the test of time. Dr. Goodman reflects on the early influences that led him into veterinary medicine, including the impact of a childhood dog that first sparked his interest in the human–animal bond. Growing up in Cleveland and later attending The Ohio State University for veterinary school, he eventually joined Everhart Veterinary Medical Group in the early 1980s, when the practice was a much smaller operation. What began as an opportunity to practice medicine quickly became an immersive education in mentorship, business operations, and the realities of running a veterinary hospital. Looking back over decades in the profession, Dr. Goodman shares how the practice evolved from a single-doctor hospital into a respected multi-location veterinary organization rooted in strong client relationships and community trust. He discusses the lessons learned along the way — from wearing every hat early in his career to navigating the transition from associate to owner and eventually leading a growing veterinary enterprise. With candor and perspective shaped by years of experience, Dr. Goodman also explores how veterinary medicine itself has changed. From advancements in technology and diagnostics to rising expectations from clients and increasing costs of care, he reflects on the challenges practice owners face today and the importance of thoughtful leadership in maintaining both quality medicine and sustainable business operations. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on: ✨ The early influence of the human–animal bond in shaping his career path  ✨ Joining a small veterinary hospital in the 1980s and learning every aspect of practice operations  ✨ The mentorship and hands-on experience that shaped his leadership philosophy  ✨ Transitioning from associate veterinarian to practice owner  ✨ Growing Everhart Veterinary Medical Group into a multi-location organization  ✨ How veterinary medicine has evolved through technology, specialization, and rising client expectations  ✨ What associates often misunderstand about the responsibilities of ownership  ✨ Building a strong practice culture that supports both staff and patients  ✨ The importance of long-term planning, leadership development, and succession in veterinary practices  ✨ Maintaining community roots while expanding and modernizing a practice Dr. Goodman offers the perspective of someone who has spent decades navigating both the clinical and business sides of veterinary medicine. His experience highlights that lasting success in practice ownership requires more than medical expertise — it demands adaptability, mentorship, and a commitment to building teams that can carry a practice forward for generations. Whether you’re considering ownership, currently leading a veterinary hospital, or thinking about the long-term future of your practice, this episode provides valuable insight from a veterinarian who has helped shape the growth of a respected veterinary organization over the course of an entire career. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryBusiness #VeterinaryMedicine #Leadership #PracticeManagement #VeterinaryPractice #VetLife

    36 min

  3. FEB 19

    14 | Dr. Craig Mohnacky | Scaling Care and Culture: Lessons from a Multi-Hospital Veterinary Leader

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Craig Mohnacky, founder and CEO of Mohnacky Animal Hospitals in Southern California, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a veterinary organization that endures.  Starting with his unlikely path into the profession, including fainting at the sight of blood before eventually becoming a surgeon, Dr. Mohnacky reflects on launching a practice immediately after graduation, burning out within five years, leaving veterinary medicine entirely, and returning with a radically different mindset. He shares how stepping outside the profession to learn sales, technology, and real estate reshaped his approach to leadership and ultimately laid the foundation for a multi-location hospital network.  With refreshing honesty, he discusses the dangers of trying to do everything yourself, the discipline required to delegate, and why building “something bigger than you” is the only sustainable path to long-term success. He also opens up about designing a life alongside a career, including spending summers away from his practices while learning, over years, how to create teams and systems capable of thriving without his constant presence.  Throughout the conversation, he reflects on: ✨ Launching a practice straight out of school — and the burnout that followed  ✨ Leaving the profession to gain business skills rarely taught in veterinary training  ✨ Returning with a new philosophy focused on leadership, not just medicine  ✨ Why delegation, trust, and structure are essential to avoiding owner overload  ✨ Building strong workplace culture through clear, unwavering core values  ✨ Creating career pathways that inspire loyalty and long-term retention  ✨ Managing multiple hospitals while maintaining consistency and identity  ✨ The importance of calculated risk and adaptability in uncertain times  ✨ Harnessing technology and change rather than resisting it  ✨ Using success as a platform for service, including support for military families Dr. Mohnacky offers a perspective shaped by decades of experience across clinical care, business ownership, mentorship, and philanthropy. His story highlights that sustainable success isn’t about working harder, it’s about thinking differently, empowering others, and aligning purpose with practice. Whether you’re an aspiring owner, a seasoned practice leader, or simply trying to build a career that doesn’t consume your life, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who has navigated both failure and extraordinary growth. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryBusiness #Entrepreneurship #PracticeManagement #Leadership #VeterinaryMedicine #WorkLifeBalance

    46 min

  4. FEB 11

    13 | Dr. Peter Chapman | Inside Specialty Leadership: Medicine, Mentorship, and The Future of Veterinary Care

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Peter Chapman — dual board-certified internal medicine specialist and Medical Director of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, for an honest, thoughtful conversation about leadership, specialty medicine, and the evolving future of veterinary care.  From his early training at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK to relocating to the U.S. sight unseen and building a 23-year career stateside, Dr. Chapman reflects on the risks, opportunities, and moments of self-doubt that shaped his journey. He shares what it was like stepping into a major leadership role in March 2020, at the very start of the pandemic, and how that experience transformed his understanding of what it truly means to lead. With candor and humility, Dr. Chapman explores the difference between managing and leading, why removing barriers matters more than micromanaging, and how building trust, whether with clients or colleagues, creates long-term success. He also dives into one of the profession’s biggest challenges: burnout. From leveraging technology and AI to restructuring support teams, he explains how efficiency isn’t about doing less, it’s about freeing doctors to do more of the work that fulfills them. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on: ✨ Moving from the UK to the U.S. and building a long-term career abroad  ✨ Stepping into leadership during a global crisis, and learning on the fly  ✨ The difference between management and true leadership  ✨ Why removing barriers creates stronger teams and better retention  ✨ Addressing burnout through support roles, systems, and smart use of AI  ✨ The power of long-term client relationships in internal medicine  ✨ Training the next generation, and teaching residents how to think, not just what to do  ✨ The growing demand for specialists, and concerns about the pipeline  ✨ Super-specialization vs. holistic care in veterinary medicine  ✨ Finding balance through family, fitness, and perspective outside the hospital Dr. Chapman offers a grounded, experience-driven look at what it takes to lead a 100+ doctor specialty hospital while preserving culture, trust, and purpose. His perspective blends clinical excellence with systems thinking, and reminds us that leadership, at its core, is about relationships. Whether you’re a specialist, a practice owner, a hospital leader, or an associate considering the next step in your career, this episode delivers practical insight and thoughtful reflection from someone navigating both the medical and business sides of modern veterinary medicine. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #InternalMedicine #SpecialtyMedicine #PracticeManagement #VeterinaryFuture #BurnoutPrevention #MedicalDirector #VeterinaryCare

    42 min

  5. FEB 2

    12 | Justin Toth, DVM | Building a Community Practice That Last: Leadership, Growth, and Culture with Dr. Toth

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Justin Toth for a candid, thoughtful conversation about veterinary ownership, leadership, and what it really takes to build a practice that lasts. Dr. Toth shares his journey from a curious, mechanically minded kid outside Atlanta to the owner of Dallas Highway Animal Hospital — a multi-doctor practice rooted deeply in its community. From early exposure to veterinary medicine through a trusted family veterinarian, to navigating practice ownership at a young age, he reflects on the decisions, risks, and relationships that shaped his career. With honesty and humility, Dr. Toth opens up about the realities of ownership — learning leadership through experience, making costly mistakes, and discovering that strong culture and trust matter just as much as clinical excellence. He speaks openly about building teams, earning buy-in, and why listening often leads to better outcomes than leading by decree. Throughout the conversation, he explores how veterinary medicine has evolved — from the human-animal bond to technology, client expectations, and the shifting future of the profession — and what those changes mean for practice owners and associates alike. He reflects on: ✨ Finding his path into veterinary medicine — and why early mentorship mattered  ✨ Transitioning from associate to owner at a young age, with the support of the right partner  ✨ Learning leadership the hard way — and the “PhD” that comes from real-world mistakes  ✨ Why practice culture is one of the hardest — and most important — things to get right  ✨ Involving teams in decision-making to build trust, accountability, and buy-in  ✨ The business lessons behind wellness plans, pricing, and sustainability  ✨ How technology and the evolving human-animal bond are reshaping client expectations  ✨ What ownership means beyond finances — legacy, community, and long-term impact  ✨ Creating thoughtful ownership pathways for associates as the industry shifts  ✨ Where veterinary medicine may be headed next — and why another reset could be coming 🐾 From early career choices to decades-long community relationships, Dr. Toth offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on what it means to lead a veterinary practice with intention, adaptability, and heart. Whether you’re an associate considering ownership, a practice owner refining your leadership style, or a veterinarian thinking about legacy and longevity, this episode delivers insight, reassurance, and hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s lived every chapter. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryMedicine #IndependentPractice #PracticeCulture #LeadershipJourney #BusinessOfVeterinary #Mentorship #VeterinaryFuture #PeterTanella

    27 min

  6. JAN 13

    11 | Dr. Kelly Cooper | Beyond the Exam Room: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Veterinary Medicine

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Dr. Kelly Cooper for an honest, reflective conversation about veterinary leadership, practice ownership, and what happens when independence comes faster than you’re ready for. Dr. Cooper shares her unconventional journey into ownership,  taking a leap early in her career, learning through trial and error, and discovering firsthand that clinical skill alone doesn’t prepare you for the realities of running a practice. With vulnerability and clarity, she reflects on the pressures of “doing it all,” the cost of isolation, and the pivotal moments that reshaped how she leads, supports teams, and defines success. Throughout the conversation, she explores how growth often comes not from pushing harder, but from building support, community, and systems that allow both people and practices to thrive. She reflects on: ✨ Taking an early leap into practice ownership — and the lessons that only experience can teach  ✨ Why so many veterinarians feel unprepared for leadership, despite being excellent clinicians  ✨ The hidden emotional and mental load owners carry — and why it doesn’t have to be that way  ✨ How shifting from “I have to do everything” to building trust and delegation changed everything  ✨ The importance of mentorship, peer support, and learning from others who’ve walked the same path  ✨ Recognizing burnout before it becomes breaking — and giving yourself permission to ask for help  ✨ How leadership evolves over time, from survival mode to intentional growth  ✨ Why strong teams are built on communication, clarity, and shared responsibility — not perfection 🐾 From early-career ambition to long-term sustainability, Dr. Cooper offers a grounded, deeply human perspective on what it means to lead in veterinary medicine — beyond the exam room. Whether you’re a new graduate navigating big decisions, a practice owner feeling the weight of responsibility, or a veterinarian searching for balance and longevity in the profession, this episode delivers reassurance, insight, and a reminder that you don’t have to carry it all alone. #Veterinary #JustVetting #VetLeadership #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryMedicine #IndependentPractice #WomenInVetMed #LeadershipJourney #BurnoutAwareness #BusinessOfVeterinary #PeterTanella

    40 min

  7. JAN 5

    10 | Jen Coppens | Turning Vision into Action: How Strong Processes Help Veterinary Practices Thrive

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of Just Vetting, host Peter Tanella sits down with Jen Coppens, founder of Coppens Business Strategies, to unpack what it really takes to turn big ideas into sustainable success in veterinary practice ownership. With more than 25 years of experience in business leadership — and nearly a decade working hands-on with veterinary practices — Jen shares how she found her way into the veterinary industry and why helping independent practices build strong systems, cultures, and financial clarity has become her passion. Throughout the conversation, she bridges the gap between clinical excellence and business strategy, offering practical insights that owners can actually implement. She reflects on: ✨ How transitioning from IT and corporate leadership to veterinary consulting revealed powerful parallels between people, process, and performance  ✨ Why most practice owners struggle not with vision — but with execution — and how to make change stick ✨ The importance of consistency, team buy-in, and designing processes with staff instead of imposing them ✨ How COVID, staffing shortages, and consolidation disrupted core fundamentals — and why practices must return to basics to thrive ✨ Creative, culture-driven approaches to recruiting and retaining DVMs and staff in a competitive market ✨ Breaking down financials into simple, actionable “buckets” so owners can actually understand their numbers ✨ The value of peer groups like VMG and VSG — and why community, accountability, and shared learning change everything ✨ One deceptively simple habit every owner should adopt: choosing one initiative at a time and following it through ✨ The two biggest profit leaks Jen sees in practices today — pricing and staff retention — and how to address both proactively 🐾 From forward booking and room flow to leadership mindset and financial intelligence, Jen offers grounded, experience-based guidance that cuts through overwhelm and replaces chaos with clarity. Whether you’re an independent practice owner feeling stretched thin, an associate curious about the business side of medicine, or a leader looking to strengthen culture and performance, this episode delivers practical wisdom, honesty, and encouragement — one process at a time.  #Veterinary #VeterinaryBusiness #PracticeManagement #JustVetting #PeterTanella #VetLeadership #IndependentPractice #VeterinaryConsulting #PracticeOwnership #VetMed #Leadership #BusinessOfVeterinary

    29 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    9 | Dr. Lisa Challberg | Weathering Change, Building Trust: How One Veterinarian Found Home in Small-Animal Practice

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of “Just Vetting,” host Peter Tanella, Esq. sits down with Dr. Lisa Challberg, partner at Muddy Branch Veterinary Center in Maryland, to explore her deeply personal and inspiring journey from aspiring equine veterinarian to small-animal practice owner. Dr. Challberg opens up about how a childhood love of horses shaped her early ambitions — and how a devastating riding accident led her to rethink everything she thought she wanted from her career. What followed was a decade-long evolution rooted in mentorship, trust, and a partnership built on communication, shared values, and mutual respect. She reflects on: ✨ Pivoting from equine medicine to small-animal practice after a life-changing injury — and why she’s “never regretted it for a single second”  ✨ The power of mentorship and how Dr. Victor Katz created space for her to learn, grow, and eventually step into ownership  ✨ Leaving Muddy Branch briefly… and realizing almost immediately that she had walked away from the right place  ✨ Navigating the partnership process — from valuations and financing to tough “what if” conversations and building a foundation of trust  ✨ How dividing leadership roles (finance for Dr. Katz, HR/operations for Dr. Challberg) strengthened the practice and empowered her as a new owner  ✨ Implementing AI medical-record tools, rethinking workflows, and making practice-wide changes that improved efficiency and culture  ✨ The realities of debt, risk, and courage — and why future owners shouldn’t let fear of financing hold them back  ✨ Planning for succession, the future of Muddy Branch, and what it means to carry a community-driven, privately owned practice forward in a corporate-heavy market 🐾 From a career-changing fall to finding the perfect partner, Dr. Challberg’s story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of good leadership. Her journey reminds us that the right practice — and the right people — can change everything. Whether you’re an associate considering ownership, a veterinarian navigating career pivots, or someone who values strong partnerships and purposeful growth, this conversation offers honesty, humor, and heart. #Veterinary #SmallAnimalVeterinary #VeterinaryOwnership #JustVetting #PeterTanella #VetLife #VeterinaryLeadership #WomenInVetMed #PracticeOwnership #Mentorship #VeterinaryBusiness #CareerPivot

    38 min
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This program fills the gap in veterinary education by focusing on non-clinical skills like communication, leadership, confidence building, and real-world readiness — all essential to long-term success in practice.

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