Unhinged and On Call

Chelsea Luedke DVM, MS

At Unhinged and On Call, we bring you the heart and humor of veterinary medicine—from the barnyard to the back of the clinic. Our hosts Dr. Chelsea Luedke and Trish Wilhelm, RVT are the perfect veterinary duo who take clinical care—and comedy—seriously. With decades of combined expertise in all aspects of veterinary medicine, we’re “on call” to deliver the real-deal insights in every episode.

  1. From Vet Tech to Diver: Natalie's Story

    4D AGO

    From Vet Tech to Diver: Natalie's Story

    From ER Chaos to Fossil Diving: Natalie Pedraja’s Vet Med Journey and Mental Health Advocacy. Hosts Dr. Chelsea and vet tech Trish welcome licensed vet tech Natalie Pedraja of Virginia, who shares her 17-year path in veterinary medicine, from shadowing as a teen and vet science classes to emergency practice, tech school, and leadership roles. She recounts difficult workplaces, including being terminated for discussing wages, intense GP chaos, patient-care failures and retaliation in academia at WSU, and later conflicts in specialty practice and preclinical research, all contributing to burnout and outpatient mental health treatment supported by FMLA. Natalie describes hobbies that helped her heal, including pottery, foraging, and risky South Carolina river diving for fossils and artifacts, finding megalodon teeth and a mastodon molar. After returning to Virginia and briefly working security, she became an UrgentVet practice manager, improved clinic performance, advocated for staff wages, and built a supportive team culture. 00:00 Show Cold Open 01:27 Scuba Fears and Rivers 04:46 Reef Snorkel Stories 09:20 Early Vet Med Origins 14:23 Tech School and Undergrad 16:20 ER Burnout and Firing 17:25 GP Chaos and Cat Hoarders 24:03 Back to ER and Mentorship 29:17 ICU Culture Shock 31:55 Medical Errors in Academia 34:45 Car Wreck and Burnout 39:16 Securing Gear in Cars 40:38 Favorite Dive Spot 41:53 River Diving Dangers 43:06 Fossil Finds and Big Teeth 46:40 Artifacts and River History 49:49 Pottery and Moving West 52:49 Workplace Conflict and Reporting 55:55 FMLA and Healing Break 58:51 Mall Cop to Practice Manager 01:03:45 Building a Thriving Clinic 01:11:26 Advocacy Wages and Team Care 01:14:56 Wrap Up and Listener Call

    1h 17m
  2. Vet Tales: Riding Solo and Overcoming Roadblocks

    MAR 4

    Vet Tales: Riding Solo and Overcoming Roadblocks

    Horse Hauling to Florida, Freak Weather, and a Last-Minute Dressage Test Surprise Dr. Chelsea and vet tech Trish share a horse-focused episode shaped by unusual Colorado warmth and concerns about low snowpack and fire season. Chelsea recounts hauling a group of horses 2,700 miles to Florida with minimal issues, then facing extreme cold, wind, frozen water lines, and a living-quarters heater failure during overnight stops, forcing dry camping and improvised sleeping. In Florida, she manages an 8-year-old Thoroughbred’s sudden lameness from a grapefruit-sized shoe boil that became infected, but still competes successfully at Rocking Horse and plans a move-up to Modified. She also describes arriving at a show unaware the dressage tests had changed, quickly memorizing the new test moments before riding. The episode ends with updates on solo trail riding progress, trail and trailer safety planning, and ways to follow and contact the podcast. 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:47 Colorado Weather Whiplash 02:19 Caravan to Florida 05:08 Horse Motel Survival 07:26 Frozen Mississippi Night 11:37 Back Home and Kids 12:37 Florida Training and Shoe Boil 15:07 Hotspot Data Disaster 16:30 New Dressage Test Panic 24:17 Solo Showing Lessons 27:31 Photos and Fence Cameras 28:47 Palm Trees and Photos 29:09 Meta RayBan Upgrade Talk 31:48 Solo Trail Riding Breakthrough 35:14 Back Cinch and Tack Fit 37:13 Wildlife and Trail Safety 40:21 Rattlesnakes and Summer Risks 42:17 Lane the Forward Horse 47:25 Trailer Safety Course 48:46 Highway Tire Horror Story 52:19 Gooseneck Hitch Lessons 54:43 Wrap Up and Guest Call

    56 min
  3. Reactive Dogs & Mountain Goats: When Training Gets Wild

    FEB 25

    Reactive Dogs & Mountain Goats: When Training Gets Wild

    Guest: Rachel Harris- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Owner of A Good Feeling Dog Training Episode Summary Join Dr. Chelsea and Trish as they welcome Rachel Harris, a certified professional positive reinforcement dog trainer with 14 years of experience specializing in reactive and aggressive dog behavior. From her humble beginnings with Sonny, a terrified pit bull who became an agility champion, to wild adventures with her fearless American Staffordshire Terrier Waylon, Rachel shares honest stories about the joys and challenges of working with "spicy" dogs. Key Topics Discussed Rachel's journey into dog training and how reactive dogs "chose her" The importance of collaboration between veterinarians, vet techs, and dog trainers Virtual training programs and why they're often more effective than in-person sessions Understanding that reactive dogs aren't "bad" - they're overwhelmed and struggling Creative solutions for vet visits with anxious or reactive dogs The spectrum of dog behavior and bite incidents Unhinged Stories Featured Frisco the Labrador's chocolate pretzel heist A 20-minute chase around a training facility Waylon breaks into a stranger's house Through a cat door to chase their cat (while pit bulls were still banned in Denver!) Mountain goat standoff at 14,000 feet Waylon goes nose-to-nose with wildlife on a fourteener summit Resources Mentioned Website: AGFDogTraining.com Instagram: @agoodfeelingdogtraininginc (74K+ followers) Podcast: Disorderly Dogs (archive of episodes available) Adventure Dog Academy Follow Rachel's hiking adventures Reactive Redefined Virtual training program for reactive dogs Key Takeaways Dogs who react or growl are communicating discomfort, not being "bad" Reactive dogs can live full, expansive lives with proper management Virtual coaching can be highly effective because it trains the human-dog partnership Most "aggressive" dogs are actually scared, overwhelmed, or struggling to self-regulate Creative solutions and humility are essential when working with any animal Connect With Rachel Website: AGFDogTraining.com Instagram: @agoodfeelingdogtraininginc Podcast: Disorderly Dogs Connect With Unhinged and On-Call Website: unhingedandoncall.com Email: chat@unhingedandoncall.com YouTube: Watch full video episodes with visual content Submit your story to be a guest via the website form Rate & Review: Help us reach more veterinary professionals by leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Remember: You're unhinged, but never alone.

    41 min
  4. Love Triangle and Scary Emergency Calls....For the Veterinarian!

    FEB 18

    Love Triangle and Scary Emergency Calls....For the Veterinarian!

    Love Triangles and On-Call Chaos with Equine Vet Dr. Holly McMinn Hosts Dr. Chelsea and vet tech Trish welcome equine veterinarian Dr. Holly McMinn from Lebanon Equine in Ohio. Dr. McMinn shares her non-traditional path into veterinary medicine: growing up in California, leaving a training barn, shadowing an equine vet, gaining hands-on skills as an assistant at West Coast Equine, completing her undergrad at Cal Lutheran, and attending Ohio State for vet school. She describes meeting her husband in vet school, joining Lebanon Equine without a formal internship, and working there for six and a half years through a transition to corporate ownership. Dr. McMinn also discusses her farm life with four horses, a miniature mule, and young children. Dr. McMinn tells an on-call emergency story involving a poorly described “down, bleeding” horse (Trevor) at an unfamiliar barn, conflicting accounts of an attack by another horse, unclear ownership and relationships among the people involved, and a public make-out session that led to the barn becoming known as the “love triangle barn.” The case culminates in a planned euthanasia that is later canceled, and the bill not being paid. The group discusses how non-client emergencies can become unsafe, unpredictable, and often unpaid, and Dr. McMinn recounts another after-hours euthanasia call that felt potentially dangerous while walking into a dark pasture. Dr. Chelsea shares her own non-client emergency experience with a severe nail-in-the-foot case complicated by delayed reporting, a girlfriend searching snowbanks for a lost taser, concerns about a possibly stolen trailer, a declined credit card, and a later complaint filed by the horse’s attorney-owner who had felony assault charges on record—reinforcing why they stopped taking non-client emergencies. Dr. McMinn plugs her social media accounts (@HorseDocHolly on Instagram and TikTok), describing a mix of educational and humorous content created late at night. The episode ends with a call for listeners to apply to be guests via unhingedandoncall.com or chat@unhingedandoncall.com, request ratings/reviews on podcast platforms, and subscribe on YouTube. 0:00 Welcome to Unhinged & On-Call (Meet the Hosts) 00:24 Introducing Dr. Holly McMinn from Lebanon Equine 00:51 From Malibu Barn Drama to Shadowing an Equine Vet 02:36 Learning the Ropes: West Coast Equine + Undergrad Years 04:05 Vet School Leap: Ohio State, New Life, and Landing in Ohio 05:24 Lebanon Equine Today: Corporate Transition & Practice Growth 07:43 Farm Life & Mom Mode: Horses in the Backyard, Kids in the Trenches 10:26 Story Time Setup: The On-Call ‘Love Triangle’ Emergency Begins 11:28 Down Horse Chaos: Missing History, Mystery Barn Owners, and Rising Drama 15:22 The Plot Thickens: Brunch Boots, Bucket-Washing ‘Bill,’ and a Makeout Mid-Discharge 18:00 Who Owns Trevor? The Vet Call That Raises More Questions 18:46 Euthanasia Scheduled… Then the Twist: “That’s Not Deb’s Husband” 20:02 Love Triangle Barn Fallout: Awkward PDA, No Answers, No Payment 21:22 Why We Stopped Taking Non‑Client Emergencies 22:00 After‑Hours Down Horse: Walking Into a Crime Podcast Scenario 24:08 Self‑Defense Talk: “I Have Enough Drugs to Drop You” 24:58 Nail-in-the-Foot Nightmare: Taser, Missing Hay, and a Maybe-Stolen Trailer 27:46 Collections & Felony Charges: The Bill That Backfired 29:46 Wrap-Up: Pink Cowboy Boots, Social Media Plug, and Final Goodbyes 32:33 Podcast Outro: Guest Submissions, Ratings, and YouTube Subscribe

    34 min
  5. Two Full-Time Jobs, Zero Regrets: A Vet Tech's Journey to Partnership

    JAN 7

    Two Full-Time Jobs, Zero Regrets: A Vet Tech's Journey to Partnership

    Unhinged and On Call: Stephen Niño Cital's Veterinary Journey In this episode of Unhinged and On Call, hosts Dr. Chelsea and Trish welcome a special guest, Stephen Niño Cital, a highly credentialed veterinary technician specializing in anesthesia, pain management, and cannabinoid medicine. Stephen shares his impressive career trajectory, from his multiple certifications to his work at Stanford University and Remedy Veterinary Specialists. The discussion touches on Stephen's passion for continuous learning, his groundbreaking approach to pain management, and the importance of technician utilization and respect in veterinary practices. Listeners will gain insights into the evolving field of veterinary medicine and the significance of fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. 00:00 Introduction to Unhinged and On Call 00:28 Meet Our Special Guest: Stephen Niño Cital 01:00 Stephen's Impressive Credentials and Career 01:41 The Importance of Pain Management in Veterinary Medicine 04:09 Stephen's Journey and Passion for Veterinary Medicine 06:27 Balancing Career and Personal Life 09:49 International Reach and Cannabis Consultations 11:01 Stephen's Favorite Aspects of His Career 17:38 Balancing Sacrifices and Growth 17:58 Journey to Partnership 20:31 Building a Practice on Shared Values 22:28 Technician Utilization and Respect 26:55 Challenging Hierarchies in Veterinary Medicine 32:07 The Importance of Communication and Culture 36:16 Closing Remarks and Future Plans 37:15 Podcast Outro and Listener Engagement   Discussion links: NOMV group  Remedy Vets San Francisco  Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Group

    39 min
  6. Meet Dr. Dean Hendrickson, a True Legend in Equine Surgery

    12/31/2025

    Meet Dr. Dean Hendrickson, a True Legend in Equine Surgery

    Pioneering Veterinary Surgery and Wild Adventures with Dr. Dean Hendrickson In this episode of 'Unhinged and on Call,' veterinary professionals Dr. Chelsea and Trish are joined by Dr. Dean Hendrickson, a professor of surgery at CSU and a trailblazer in minimally invasive veterinary procedures. Dr. Hendrickson shares his groundbreaking work in equine surgery, innovative teaching methods, and thrilling stories from his veterinary missions in Africa. The episode highlights his contributions to veterinary medicine, the importance of evolving surgical training, and the incredible experiences he’s had working with diverse animal species. Tune in for a blend of insightful medical discussions and captivating tales from the field. 00:00 Introduction to Unhinged and on Call 00:25 Meet Dr. Dean Hendrickson: Pioneer in Veterinary Surgery 02:13 The Evolution of Minimally Invasive Procedures 06:27 Adventures in Africa: Close Encounters with Wildlife 07:30 The Thrill and Challenges of Field Surgery 17:37 Personal Reflections and Career Highlights 19:33 Reflecting on a 31-Year Career 20:00 Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine 20:32 Advice for Veterinary Students 21:25 Career Path and Personal Growth 23:39 The Importance of Finding the Right Fit 27:13 Developing a New Curriculum 30:56 Simulation and Surgical Skills 34:07 Mentorship and Continuing Education 36:32 Closing Remarks and Gratitude 37:17 Podcast Outro and Call to Action

    39 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

At Unhinged and On Call, we bring you the heart and humor of veterinary medicine—from the barnyard to the back of the clinic. Our hosts Dr. Chelsea Luedke and Trish Wilhelm, RVT are the perfect veterinary duo who take clinical care—and comedy—seriously. With decades of combined expertise in all aspects of veterinary medicine, we’re “on call” to deliver the real-deal insights in every episode.