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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 11/04/2025

    8 | Dr. Amelie McAndrews | From Foal Dreams to Equine Dentistry: Building a Career — and a Life — on Her Own Terms

    🌿 Episode Description In this episode of “Just Vetting,” host Peter Tanella, Esq. sits down with Dr. Amelie McAndrews, a board-certified equine dentist and owner of Garden State Equine Dentistry, to explore her remarkable journey from horse-obsessed childhood to leading a thriving mobile specialty practice in New Jersey. Dr. McAndrews shares how early passion, mentorship, and perseverance shaped her path — and how an unexpected career pivot, just one week postpartum, launched her into business ownership and a decade of professional growth. She opens up about: ✨ Discovering her calling in equine dentistry after years in general practice — and the “bright headlight moment” that changed everything  ✨ Turning a failed practice buyout into an opportunity to build her own thriving mobile business  ✨ The realities of launching a practice while raising a newborn — and why resilience (and good advisors) made all the difference  ✨ What practice ownership really means: from defining your mission and team culture to setting your own hours and saying no to the wrong clients ✨ Balancing family, board certification, and business growth while leading one of fewer than 30 board-certified equine dental practices in the U.S. ✨ Why staying small but strong can be just as fulfilling as constant expansion — and how to redefine success on your own terms 🐴 From childhood horse dreams to national recognition in a rare veterinary specialty, Dr. McAndrews’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and growth — a reminder that sometimes the best path forward begins when life forces you to pivot. Whether you’re a veterinarian considering ownership, an equine practitioner exploring specialization, or simply someone inspired by perseverance and purpose, this conversation offers insight, humor, and heart. #Veterinary #EquineDentistry #VeterinaryPractice #VeterinaryOwnership #JustVetting #PeterTanella #VeterinaryLeadership #WomenInVetMed #EquineVeterinarian #VeterinaryBusiness #Mentorship #PracticeOwnership

    28 min

  8. 10/17/2025

    7 | Dr. Cindy Trice | From Production Sets to Vet Med: Reinventing Career Paths with Purpose

    In this episode of “Just Vetting”, host Peter Tanella, Esq. sits down with Dr. Cindy Trice, relief veterinarian, entrepreneur, and founder of Relief Rover and Kick It Pajamas, to explore her inspiring and unconventional journey through veterinary medicine and beyond. Dr. Trice shares how a mid-20s career pivot, a life-changing cancer diagnosis, and an entrepreneurial mindset led her to redefine what a veterinary career can look like. She opens up about: ✨ Discovering veterinary medicine later in life — from a mass communications degree and freelance production work to vet school at UC Davis in her 30s  ✨ How relief work became a deliberate career path, offering freedom, flexibility, and a unique “date before you marry” approach to finding the right fit  ✨ Launching Relief Rover in 2018 to connect relief vets nationwide and give them business tools — and successfully selling it five years later ✨ Balancing clinical relief work with leadership as a board member at NAVC and the Veterinary Innovation Council ✨ Founding Kick It Pajamas, a clothing company inspired by her own cancer journey, to bring comfort and dignity to women undergoing treatment ✨ Why flexibility, curiosity, and community have been her guiding principles — and why now is a uniquely exciting time for veterinarians to innovate 🌿 From San Francisco production sets to Florida clinics, national boardrooms, and entrepreneurial ventures, Dr. Trice’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and reimagining professional pathways. Whether you're a veterinary student, practitioner exploring new career models, or an entrepreneur at heart, this is a conversation about embracing change, saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities, and building a fulfilling life in and beyond vet med. #veterinary #Attorney #VeterinaryPractice #Podcast #VeterinaryLaw #JustVetting #PeterTanella #ReliefWork #Entrepreneurship #VeterinaryInnovation #KickItPajamas #VeterinaryLeadership #NAVC #VetMed

    42 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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