The Vet Files

Gretel Wurdack & McCaelyn Beuschel

5.0 (1)
NATURAL SCIENCES
UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to The Vet Files! Join hosts McCaelyn and Gretel, two vet students navigating the chaos of veterinary school, as they share unfiltered stories from the world of vet med. From late-night study sessions and farm call disasters to case studies and industry insights, we’re talking all things vet school, large animal medicine, and everything in between.

2D AGO

File #013: Life and Leadership as a Practice Owner - with Dr. Emily King

In File #013, we sit down with Dr. Emily King for a candid conversation about the realities of modern veterinary medicine. From practice ownership and financial management to the ethical dilemmas veterinarians face every day, this episode pulls back the curtain on the decisions that shape life in general practice. Dr. King shares her perspective on why confidence in general practitioners matters now more than ever—and why relying too heavily on specialists can sometimes erode the autonomy and skill set of the GP veterinarian. We explore the challenges of running a veterinary practice, navigating the business side of medicine, and making difficult calls when medicine, money, and morality intersect. This episode is an honest look at the pressures behind the exam room door and the responsibility veterinarians carry for their patients, clients, staff, and communities. 🎙 In this episode we discuss:• The realities of veterinary practice ownership• Financial management and the business side of vet med• Ethical and moral dilemmas veterinarians face• Why confidence in general practitioners is critical• When to rely on specialists—and when to trust your own training If you’re a veterinarian, veterinary student, or someone interested in the real-world challenges of animal medicine, this episode offers an inside look at what it truly means to practice veterinary medicine today.

39 min
6D AGO

File #012: The Equine Lameness Everyone Misses - with Dr. DeClue

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Audrey DeClue, an equine veterinarian known for challenging the way lameness is traditionally diagnosed in horses. Instead of immediately focusing on the limb and relying on nerve blocks, Dr. DeClue takes a “horse-first” approach, looking at the entire horse, including conformation, biomechanics, and the axial skeleton.Dr. DeClue helped popularize the concept of “body lameness,” encouraging veterinarians and horse owners to consider how the horse’s body, posture, and movement patterns contribute to pain and performance issues. By stepping back and evaluating the whole horse, she has developed a diagnostic philosophy that is changing how many veterinarians approach lameness cases.In this conversation, we discuss:What “body lameness” really meansWhy traditional limb-focused diagnostics can sometimes miss the bigger pictureHow conformation and the axial skeleton influence movement and painWhy Dr. DeClue sometimes rides horses herself to better feel where the lameness originatesThe importance of putting the horse first when approaching complex lameness casesThis episode is for veterinarians, veterinary students, horse owners, and anyone interested in equine performance and biomechanics.

59 min
FEB 25

File #011: Representation in Veterinary Medicine With Dr. Alexia Wade

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alexia Wade, a trailblazing Black veterinarian, to discuss her journey in veterinary medicine and the importance of representation in the field. From the challenges she’s faced to the impact of seeing more Black women in vet med, Dr. Wade shares her insights, experiences, and advice for aspiring veterinarians.Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation as we celebrate Black History Month and highlight the voices shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

46 min
FEB 3

File #010: Will AI Change How We Practice Veterinary Medicine? With Dr. Michael Bailey, AVMA President

In this episode, Gretel Wurdack and Dr. Bailey, AVMA President, talk about the future of AI in veterinary medicine. They dive into the good, the bad, and everything in between when integrating AI into every day life and veterinary practice.

48 min
JAN 8

File #009: Surviving the First Semester

In File #009, we sit down and reflect on our first semester of veterinary school. The expectations we had going in, the reality we faced once classes started, and the lessons we’re taking into the rest of vet school. From anatomy overwhelm and exam stress to small wins and moments that reminded us why we chose this path, nothing is off the table.If you’re a pre-vet student, a current vet student, or just curious about what vet school is actually like, this episode is for you.

42 min
12/05/2025

File #008: The Vet Tech Files with Dr. Jen Quammen, AVMA President-Elect

In File #008, we talk with Dr. Jen Quammen, AVMA President-Elect, about her path from veterinary technician to veterinarian.She shares how hands-on experience shaped her education, how she balanced work and school, and why exploring different corners of vet med can lead to a more fulfilling career. We also dig into leadership, networking, and improving workplace culture in veterinary medicine.Find Dr. Quammen on: - Instagram: @vetleaderquammen- YouTube: @jenquammen - Others: @vetleaderquammen- Website: www.jenquammen.com

1 hr
10/27/2025

File #007: What is Vet School Really Like? 3 Students, 3 Schools

Ever wondered how different vet school can look from one campus to another? In this episode, three first-year vet students — one from LSU, one from Mizzou, and one from North Carolina State — sit down to compare their first-year experiences.We talk about:🐾 The biggest academic and cultural differences between schools🩺 What surprised us most about vet school life☕ How we handled stress, imposter syndrome, and anatomy labs📚 Tips for incoming first-years (and what we wish we’d known!)Whether you’re a pre-vet student, a current vet student, or just curious what the first year of vet school is really like, this episode gives you an honest, unfiltered look at three programs — from the bayou to the Midwest to the high plains.

47 min
09/01/2025

File #006: Student Loans after the Big Beautiful Bill- with Dr. Rebecca Mears (VIN Foundation)

Ever wondered how the One Big Beautiful Bill could affect your journey through vet school or pre-vet studies? 🐾 In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Mears from VIN to unpack the bill’s key points, implications for students, and how future veterinarians can navigate these changes.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How the bill impacts pre-vet and vet studentsKey policy changes every student should knowPractical advice for staying ahead in your studies and careerWhether you’re just starting your pre-vet journey or already in vet school, this conversation breaks down policy into simple, actionable insights.🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on all episodes!#VetStudents #PreVet #OneBigBeautifulBill #VIN #VetPolicy #FutureVets #VetSchoolLife

48 min

Welcome to The Vet Files! Join hosts McCaelyn and Gretel, two vet students navigating the chaos of veterinary school, as they share unfiltered stories from the world of vet med. From late-night study sessions and farm call disasters to case studies and industry insights, we’re talking all things vet school, large animal medicine, and everything in between.

Creator

Gretel Wurdack & McCaelyn Beuschel
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Gretel Wurdack & McCaelyn Beuschel
Show Website

The Vet Files