Ready Vet Go

Dani Rabwin
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  • PETS & ANIMALS

Ready Vet Go is the podcast for new and early-career veterinarians who want to thrive in practice. Hosted by Dr. Dani Rabwin, each episode features candid conversations and practical guidance on mentorship, confidence, communication, leadership, and building a sustainable veterinary career—covering the real-world challenges vet school doesn’t always prepare you for.

  1. From Pre-Med to Surgeon: Mentorship, Internships & Owning Mistakes with Adam Gassel, DVM, DACVS | Ready Vet Go

    4D AGO

    From Pre-Med to Surgeon: Mentorship, Internships & Owning Mistakes with Adam Gassel, DVM, DACVS | Ready Vet Go

    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: info@pacificlensstudios.com #ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #VeterinarySurgery #DACVS #VetInternship #NewGradVet #ClientCommunication #VetResidency #EarlyCareerVet

    32 min
  2. Two-Way Mentorship: Vets + RVTs Building Trust, Culture & Joy | Ready Vet Go

    FEB 7

    Two-Way Mentorship: Vets + RVTs Building Trust, Culture & Joy | Ready Vet Go

    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, too Who this is for RVTs/technicians and assistantsEarly-career veterinarians and internsVeterinary students and externsPractice owners, medical directors, and managersShelter medicine and HQHVSN teamsEquine/mixed practitioners exploring sustainability Timestamps: 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 Go Resources mentioned Externship & new-grad mentorship checklistsClient-communication scripts (narrate-the-exam, recommender/decider)Debrief template + “wins box” how-to Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com #vettech #mentorship #VetMed #ReadyVetGo

    56 min
  3. From Vet School to New Grad Mom: Mentorship, Confidence & Work-Life Balance with Ally Williams, DVM | Ready Vet Go

    JAN 31

    From Vet School to New Grad Mom: Mentorship, Confidence & Work-Life Balance with Ally Williams, DVM | Ready Vet Go

    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) 🦷 2 9:20 – 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: info@pacificlensstudios.com #ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #NewGradVet #VetMentorship #VetMom #WorkLifeBalance #ClientCommunication #EarlyCareerVet #WomenInVetMed

    38 min
  4. Kennel Tech to Vet Student: PBL, Spay/Neuter & Mentorship That Builds Confidence | Ready Vet Go

    JAN 24

    Kennel Tech to Vet Student: PBL, Spay/Neuter & Mentorship That Builds Confidence | Ready Vet Go

    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 cases Who this is for Veterinary students and pre-vets (especially PBL-curious)Early-career veterinarians & internsPractice owners/medical directors building real mentorshipShelter med & HQHVSN teamsAnyone refining client communication under stress Timestamps: 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 joy Resources mentioned New-grad mentorship “bumpers” checklist (goals, feedback prefs, case targets)Debrief template for tough cases Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com #vetstudent #PBL #spayneuter #mentorship #communication #ReadyVetGo

    55 min
  5. Equine Vet Shortage, Internships, and Field Mentorship with Dr. Chelsea Fishenfeld | Ready Vet Go

    JAN 17

    Equine Vet Shortage, Internships, and Field Mentorship with Dr. Chelsea Fishenfeld | Ready Vet Go

    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 DVM 03:05 – WesternU 2022 grad: why she chose an intensive mentorship/internship 05:05 – Inside the equine hospital model: specialists at your fingertips 07:10 – Equine emergency reality: why the current system isn’t sustainable 10:05 – The fix: shifts, haul-in emergencies, and collaborative coverage 12:05 – Finding mentors: choosing people, not “assigned” relationships 14:10 – Teaching and leadership: students, pre-vets, and full-circle moments 17:10 – Should you go equine? The honest talk: lifestyle, safety, grit, and burnout 20:10 – Client education in real time: narrating colics, tubes, and “showing the value” 23:10 – Mistakes/complications: when teeth fracture—and how communication saves trust 26:10 – Where communication is learned: mentors, life experience, and repetition 28:30 – 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: info@pacificlensstudios.com #ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #EquineVet #EquineMedicine #VetMentorship #VetInternship #NewGradVet #ClientCommunication #AmbulatoryVet #LargeAnimalVet

    36 min
  6. The Culture Cure: Psychological Safety, Mentorship & New-Grad Success | Ready Vet Go

    JAN 10

    The Culture Cure: Psychological Safety, Mentorship & New-Grad Success | Ready Vet Go

    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 medicine Who this is for Early-career veterinarians and internsVeterinary students and VBMA leadersPractice owners, medical directors, and managersCorporate/regional leaders shaping new-grad programsRVTs/tech leads building training tracks Timestamps: 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 mentioned Culture & debrief checklists (psychological safety prompts)New-grad mentorship outline (skills, soft skills, debrief cadence)GP-led CE initiatives + realistic job preview resources Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com #practiceculture #mentorship #psychologicalsafety #vetmed #ReadyVetGo

    1h 2m
  7. ReadyVetGo: New Grad Vet + Ultra Marathon Runner — Mentorship & Confidence with Dr. Jake Rastas | Ready Vet Go

    JAN 3

    ReadyVetGo: New Grad Vet + Ultra Marathon Runner — Mentorship & Confidence with Dr. Jake Rastas | Ready Vet Go

    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 → internship 04:10 – Mentors who changed everything (and why “pay it forward” matters) 07:05 – Competitive drive without becoming toxic 10:20 – “This is what hard feels like”: ultra running as mental training 13:40 – Confidence isn’t the prerequisite—action is 16:05 – Internship time management + training while exhausted 19:10 – First-time procedures: resources, prep, and staying safe 22:30 – Handling pressure, feedback, and the learning curve 25:40 – 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: info@pacificlensstudios.com #ReadyVetGo #VeterinaryMedicine #VetMentorship #NewGradVet #VetInternship #VetStudent #UltraMarathonRunner #Confidence #MentalResilience

    40 min
  8. Bring Back the Fun: Leadership, Grit & Real-World Mentorship | Ready Vet Go

    12/27/2025

    Bring Back the Fun: Leadership, Grit & Real-World Mentorship | Ready Vet Go

    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 standards Who this is for Early-career veterinarians & internsVeterinary students (any year, any track)Mentors, medical directors, practice ownersHospital managers & team leads building resilient culturesFaculty/curriculum designers exploring PBL & pass/fail Timestamps: 00:00 Intro — leadership, grit & bringing the fun back 03:14 Follower → leader: ownership, MBA, mindset shifts 08:52 Fear vs. growth: safe steps to try procedures and learn in public 13:40 Modeling mistakes: the mentorship exercise that unlocks grit 18:05 Pass/Fail & PBL: teamwork over perfectionism 23:47 Communication as a clinical skill: trust, clarity, outcomes 28:21 Multi-doctor advantage: daily consults, faster learning, less stress 33:09 Culture design: servant leadership + bottom-up ideas 38:12 Make it fun: low-lift rituals that raise morale 42:30 Action list for new grads: day-one leadership moves Resources mentioned Leadership onboarding programs at vet schoolsOrganized vet medicine pathways: local VMA, CVMA/SAVMA, VetPartnersReady Vet Go mentorship packs, small-group role-play & skills training Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone. Follow: @readyvetgo_ Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com #leadership #grit #communication #vetmed #ReadyVetGo

    53 min
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About

Ready Vet Go is the podcast for new and early-career veterinarians who want to thrive in practice. Hosted by Dr. Dani Rabwin, each episode features candid conversations and practical guidance on mentorship, confidence, communication, leadership, and building a sustainable veterinary career—covering the real-world challenges vet school doesn’t always prepare you for.

Information

  • Creator
    Dani Rabwin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Ready Vet Go