Vet Tech Nerd Party

Pacific Lens Studios
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Scrubs, sarcasm, and saving lives — one patient (and cocktail) at a time. Welcome to Vet Tech Nerd Party — the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud podcast where four seasoned Registered Veterinary Technicians gather 'round the mic (and the drink cart) to spill stories, vent, educate, and celebrate the real, raw, and ridiculous world of veterinary medicine. Hosted by Mallory Dickinson, RVT, and co-hosted by Jenn, Julia, and Erin, this is more than just a podcast — it's a survival circle for the vet tech soul. With over 80 years of combined experience across general practice, shelter med, equine, surgery, emergency, marine mammal, and teaching, the crew dives deep into everything from burnout and boundaries to maggot-infested nightmares, favorite surgical cases, and the art of not losing your mind during a nail trim. Whether you’re elbows deep in a parvo kennel, dodging anal glands like a ninja, or just trying to remember what day it is — Vet Tech Nerd Party is your new favorite hangout. 🎧 What to expect: – Candid convos about the chaos and comedy of vet tech life – Hot takes on workplace culture, teaching, and mental health – Brutally honest insights, advice, and war stories – Ridiculous games, dark humor, and relatable moments – Guests, giveaways, drinks, and debates 🐾 Who we’re here for: – Vet techs, assistants, and students – Animal lovers and pet parents – Veterinary professionals who need a break — and a laugh – Anyone who’s ever left a neutered testicle in their bra – You. Especially if you're not okay — and that’s totally okay. 📍 New episodes drop regularly on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

  1. Who Controls Vet Tech Education? | Burnout, Budgets & Growth | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    6D AGO

    Who Controls Vet Tech Education? | Burnout, Budgets & Growth | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    Learning in vet med isn’t just about CE credits: it’s about access, power, burnout, and who actually gets to grow. In this episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party, host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin settle into a long, honest conversation about what education really looks like for veterinary professionals once real life, money, leadership, and systems get involved. What starts with stories about conferences, CE budgets, and swag culture quickly expands into something bigger: how techs navigate uneven support, relief work, employer priorities, innovation overload, and the emotional crash that comes when inspiration meets clinic reality. Along the way, the group unpacks learning psychology, skepticism around new products, and why continuing education can become either busywork or one of the few forms of leverage vet techs truly own. Funny, candid, occasionally unhinged, and deeply relatable, this episode reflects how growth in vet med is rarely linear, fair, or simple, but still worth fighting for. What you’ll hear explored: Why learning in vet med feels energizing and exhaustingHow budgets, leadership, and job structure shape who gets access to growthThe difference between education that checks boxes and education that changes practiceNavigating innovation, new products, and healthy skepticism without losing curiosity Who will resonate with this episode: Veterinary technicians & assistantsVet med professionals navigating burnout or career transitionsVeterinary students thinking ahead about longevityRelief and contract techs managing growth without built-in supportAnyone who’s ever come back inspired and hit a wall Timestamps: 00:00 - Cold open, drinks, and why learning in vet med gets complicated 07:18 - Paying for CE: value, swag, sponsorships, and reality 15:06 - Budget gaps, employer support, and uneven access to growth 25:02 - Online learning, free CE, and making education work without money 34:08 - Why conferences feel so good (group learning & dopamine) 39:52 - The emotional crash: inspiration meets clinic reality 46:11 - Innovation, new products, and professional skepticism 53:14 - Future medicine on the horizon: injectables, nutrition, long-term care 58:40 - Final takeaway: education as leverage, protection, and power Stay Connected: Like this video if it resonated with youShare your learning wins or frustrations in the commentsSubscribe and hit the bell to stay with the Nerd Party Welcome to the Nerd Party. We’re not okay and that’s totally okay. Resources Mentioned: VetGirl (online CE): vetgirlontherun.comSCVMA Veterinary Team Member education access: scvma.org/continuing-education Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2, Episode 6 #VetTech #VetMed #VetTechLife #VetMedBurnout #VetCommunity #VetTechNerdParty #PacificLensStudios

    1 hr
  2. Big Cats, Burnout & Close Calls | Jenny Weldy shares Wildlife Vet Tech Stories | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    JAN 30

    Big Cats, Burnout & Close Calls | Jenny Weldy shares Wildlife Vet Tech Stories | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    What’s it really like trying to break into zoo, exotic, and wildlife medicine—and why does it burn out even the most passionate techs? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin with special guest Jenny Weldy, RVT for a hilarious, story-packed episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party. From growing up in a wildlife vet household (yes… animals in the bathroom) to the brutal reality of competitive exotics jobs, gatekept knowledge, and leadership burnout, Jenny brings real-world wisdom—and big-cat chaos—to the nerd table. Packed with laughs, relatable vet med truths, and hard-earned professional insight, this episode is perfect for vet techs, animal lovers, and veterinary professionals alike. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – What it’s like growing up with a zoo/wildlife veterinarian parent (and how early “field exposure” starts) – The real path into zoo/exotics/wildlife: grunt work, volunteering, and strategic specialty pivots – Why “gatekeeping knowledge” is dangerous for patients, teams, and hospital sustainability – Burnout, toxicity, and why upper management often breaks great techs 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Techs curious about zoo, exotic, wildlife, or specialty medicine careers 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Jaguar scream cold open + “we’re not okay” energy 03:00 – Meet Jenny Weldy, RVT: zoo/wildlife background + why this niche is so small 10:39 – Inside the exotic hospital setup + “VTNP on the road” idea 18:20 – How to break into zoo/wildlife: grunt work, volunteering, and patience 23:10 – Burnout + toxicity in niche vet med (and why change is slow) 26:18 – Gatekeeping knowledge vs. strong hospitals (what actually protects patients) 31:43 – Vet school training gaps + why so much gets referred out 47:01 – Big-cat stories: jaguars, primates, and the cheetah anesthesia incident 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – VIN (Veterinary Information Network): vin.com – Ranger Zack Show: youtube.com/@therangerzakshow 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2, Ep. 5 #VetTech #VetMed #Exotics #ZooMedicine #WildlifeRehab #VetTechNerdParty #PacificLensStudios

    53 min
  3. Can You Legally Do That? | CA RVT Scope, Supervision & Emergencies | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    JAN 23

    Can You Legally Do That? | CA RVT Scope, Supervision & Emergencies | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    Ever had a clinic moment where you thought, “Wait… is this actually legal in California?” Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a hilarious, real-talk breakdown of California RVT scope of practice—what’s clearly allowed, what’s commonly misunderstood, and what can put patients (and licenses) at risk. From direct vs indirect supervision to emergency exceptions, anesthesia induction/monitoring, and dental extractions, this episode is packed with laughs, relatable chaos, and serious professional wisdom—because “we’ve always done it this way” doesn’t protect anybody. 🎧 What you'll discover: – Direct vs indirect supervision (what it actually means and why clinics mix it up) – What legally qualifies as an emergency (and what “emergency” does not cover) – Anesthesia induction + monitoring: what’s allowed vs what happens in real clinics – Dental extractions + the flap/sectioning gray zone (and why boundaries matter) 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Anyone working in California vet med trying to stay sharp, safe, and within scope 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open chaos + why this episode even exists (scope confusion starts early) 06:45 – Direct vs indirect supervision explained (what California actually means) 14:30 – Emergency exceptions: what qualifies, what’s allowed, and when authority ends 23:10 – Anesthesia induction reality: legality vs clinic shortcuts 32:20 – Clinic culture problems: training gaps, normalization of bad practices 41:40 – Anesthesia monitoring: alarms, troubleshooting, and patient-first thinking 50:10 – Dental extractions, flaps, and scope gray zones that burn licenses 58:45 – Final takeaways: scope = patient advocacy + PU straw surgery sendoff 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – California RVT supervision levels (direct vs indirect) – California emergency exception criteria 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2, Ep. 4 #RVT #CaliforniaRVT #VetTechNerdParty

    1h 1m
  4. Imposter Syndrome in Vet Med | Confidence, Competence & Chaos | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    JAN 16

    Imposter Syndrome in Vet Med | Confidence, Competence & Chaos | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    Do you ever wonder why you doubt yourself even when you're clearly crushing it? Join host Mallory Dickinson with Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a hilarious, honest, deeply relatable dive into imposter syndrome in vet med. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to skill doubt and comparison traps, this episode breaks down the mental battles techs face daily — with humor, vulnerability, and zero sugar-coating. Packed with real stories, emotional truth, and light-bulb moments, this one hits home for anyone who's ever thought, “Should I even be here?” 🎧 What you'll discover: – The 5 types of imposter syndrome every vet tech encounters – Why perfectionism & overpreparing fuel burnout – Skill doubt, confidence crashes & the “super-tech myth” – How environment, culture & mentorship shape self-trust – Practical, encouraging ways to reframe your inner critic 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Anyone battling imposter syndrome or burnout 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Being brave: confidence as an action, not a feeling 00:42 – Welcome back: drinks, chaos & today’s topic — imposter syndrome 04:02 – The 5 types: perfectionist, expert, soloist, superhero, natural genius 10:17 – Burnout patterns: overworking, overdoing & unrealistic expectations 13:09 – Skill doubt, second-guessing & the anxiety–competence loop 17:20 – Comparison traps: “super techs,” memory wizards & muscle-memory skills 24:03 – Clinical gaps, specialty jumps & when your brain lies to you 31:08 – Growth vs. discomfort & learning to thrive in the gray 40:02 – Why culture matters: training, mentorship & psychological safety 53:11 – Fighting imposter syndrome: reframing, receipts, small wins & community 1:13:56 – Final thoughts: you're not a fraud — you're a badass vet professional 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2, Ep. 3 #VetTech #VetLife #VetTechNerdParty

    1h 16m
  5. Corporate vs Private: What Vet Techs Really Experience | Burnout & Real Talk | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    JAN 9

    Corporate vs Private: What Vet Techs Really Experience | Burnout & Real Talk | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    Why do some vet techs thrive in corporate while others run straight back to private practice? In Part 2 of this conversation, host Mallory Dickinson joins Jenn, Julia, and Erin to continue unpacking the real differences between corporate and private veterinary medicine. Building on the stories, frustrations, and laughs from Part 1, this episode dives deeper into leadership breakdowns, employee treatment, burnout triggers, and the surprising culture shifts that happen when ownership changes hands. Packed with chaos, candid storytelling, clinical insight, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is the perfect follow-up for anyone navigating the realities of working in today’s vet med world. 🎧 What you'll discover: – How corporate vs. private leadership actually impacts team morale – Why mentorship, structure, and trust matter more than written protocols – The relationship between burnout, underutilization, and pay ceilings – How “family-style” private practices differ from corporate HR systems – What new grads should look for when choosing their first clinic 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Anyone deciding between corporate and private practice 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold open chaos: “Are you not entertained?” & spritzers 05:15 – Corporate pros: benefits, CE, equipment & real HR vs. private gray areas 10:02 – Protocols, “recipes,” and when critical thinking actually matters 17:04 – Private practice realities: owner illness, family stress & spillover into staff 24:03 – Title protection debates, OTJ “techs,” and scope-of-practice fights 29:01 – RVT exams, alternate route war stories & imposter syndrome 42:09 – Pay, burnout, multiple jobs & why techs stay too long in bad situations 52:57 – ESOP and employee-owned models: profit sharing, shares & a better path forward 1:10:38 – Corporate vs. private for newbies: how to choose your first clinic 1:13:44 – Final thoughts, bathroom-cry confessions & closing cheers 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2, Episode 2 #VetTech #VetLife #VetTechNerdParty

    1h 15m
  6. Spilling the Corporate Tea & Corporate Buyouts | Real Vet Life Unfiltered | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    JAN 2

    Spilling the Corporate Tea & Corporate Buyouts | Real Vet Life Unfiltered | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    What really happens when a thriving private veterinary hospital gets bought out by a corporation? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin for the explosive Season 2 premiere of Vet Tech Nerd Party. In this brutally honest episode, the crew finally spills the tea on their clinic’s corporate buyout — the shocking mismanagement, emotional fallout, and lessons every vet pro should hear. Packed with laughs, jaw-dropping stories, and heartfelt reflections, this episode is a must-listen for vet techs, animal lovers, and anyone navigating the changing world of veterinary medicine. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – The inside story of a real-life corporate takeover in vet med – How decades-long family clinics are vanishing overnight – Why leadership failures destroy staff morale and client trust – The emotional toll on teams when hospitals lose their identity 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Anyone curious about the future of private veterinary practice 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + Season 2 kickoff 01:00 – Catching up after summer break & Beerfest stories 02:10 – The truth about our hospital’s corporate buyout 06:00 – How a pillar of the community fell apart 10:00 – What happened when ownership changed hands 17:00 – Staff walkouts & clients noticing the shift 25:00 – Controlled drugs and chaos behind the scenes 35:00 – Losing trust and watching a legacy fade 47:00 – The final days and closing the doors for good 59:00 – Corporate vet takeovers by the numbers 1:09:00 – Looking ahead to Part 2 (corporate vs private) 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We’re not okay – and that’s totally okay. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 2 Ep. 1 #VetTech #VeterinaryPodcast #VetTechNerdParty

    1h 11m
  7. Holiday Chaos in Vet Med | Sweaters, ER Stories, & Real Talk | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    12/19/2025

    Holiday Chaos in Vet Med | Sweaters, ER Stories, & Real Talk | Vet Tech Nerd Party

    Is the day after a holiday the real emergency season? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a festive, chaotic, and surprisingly real holiday episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party—ugly sweaters, clinic holiday schedules, post-holiday ER stories, and the behind-the-scenes realities vet teams face this time of year. Packed with laughs, relatable moments, and hard-earned perspective, this one’s for vet techs, animal lovers, and everyone who’s ever said “they were fine yesterday…” 🎧 What you'll discover: – How clinics actually split holiday shifts (and why it gets messy) – The real “holiday surge”: pancreatitis, foreign bodies, chocolate toxicity, and more – Why the day after the holiday is often worse than the holiday itself – The emotional side of the season: euthanasia, finances, and compassion fatigue 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Anyone surviving holiday chaos with pets at home 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Ugly sweaters, holiday drinks, and “Christmasified” intros 04:45 – Holiday clinic scheduling: sign-ups, trades, and fairness drama 10:15 – The real surge: why the days after holidays hit hardest 15:40 – Post-holiday cases: ornaments, tinsel, and foreign bodies 21:10 – Pancreatitis season: prime rib, grease trays, and trash raids 27:10 – Out-of-town emergencies + why holiday clients can be extra stressed 33:40 – The heavy reality: euthanasia spikes, waiting for family, and money pressure 40:15 – Holiday hazards: chocolate toxicity, tree water, lights, and mouth burns 46:30 – Pets as gifts: what not to do + worst “starter pets” for kids 52:10 – Mini science break: why pets act insane during the holidays + guest chaos stories 58:55 – Festivus wrap-up, final story, and goodbye to the year 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 1, Ep. 19 #VetTech #VetMedHumor #VetTechNerdParty

    1 hr

  8. 11/07/2025

    Ready Vet Go Vet Tech Mentorship Stories Vet Tech Nerd Party Collab

    What happens when Vet Tech Nerd Party teams up with Ready Vet Go? Join hosts & RVTs Mallory Dickinson, Julia Hamilton, and Jenn Graney for a Season 2 kickoff collab that dives deep into mentorship, burnout, and the unique partnership between veterinarians and RVTs. With Ready Vet Go’s founder Dr. Dani Rabwin, DVM, this episode blends humor, honesty, and expert insights on how mentorship can transform veterinary medicine. Whether you’re a vet tech, student, or seasoned vet, this collab brings laughs, truths, and encouragement to everyone in the field. 🎧 What you'll discover: How Ready Vet Go is changing mentorship for new vets nationwideThe real impact of burnout (and how to survive it)Why techs are essential mentors to veterinarians, tooLaughter, cocktails, and the messy but beautiful side of VetMed 🐾 Who will love this episode: Veterinary technicians & assistantsVeterinary students & recent graduatesVeterinarians seeking mentorship and team supportAnimal lovers & pet owners curious about vet lifeVet Med pros who need humor and community 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome back to VTNP Season 2 🎉00:16 – VTNP x Ready Vet Go collab kicks off03:20 – Bloody Mary garnishes gone wild (beef jerky straw?!)06:00 – Mentorship that flows both ways: vets & techs10:30 – Burnout in vet med: the hard truths18:00 – New grads entering real-world clinics25:00 – Learning from mistakes & sharing them openly33:40 – Why RVTs are vital to mentorship in clinics46:00 – Rekindling joy when instructors lose the spark56:00 – Science break: mentorship literally rewires the brain1:00:30 – Wrap-up & future field trip collab plans 🔔 Stay Connected: Like this video if you laughed or learned something new!Drop your questions or clinic stories in the comments.Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We’re not okay — and that’s totally okay. 📚 Resources Mentioned: Ready Vet Go: https://www.readyvetgo.comAAEVT: https://www.aaevt.org 🎧 Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Season 1 Ep. 18 #VetTech #VeterinaryPodcast #VetTechNerdParty

    1h 2m
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About

Scrubs, sarcasm, and saving lives — one patient (and cocktail) at a time. Welcome to Vet Tech Nerd Party — the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud podcast where four seasoned Registered Veterinary Technicians gather 'round the mic (and the drink cart) to spill stories, vent, educate, and celebrate the real, raw, and ridiculous world of veterinary medicine. Hosted by Mallory Dickinson, RVT, and co-hosted by Jenn, Julia, and Erin, this is more than just a podcast — it's a survival circle for the vet tech soul. With over 80 years of combined experience across general practice, shelter med, equine, surgery, emergency, marine mammal, and teaching, the crew dives deep into everything from burnout and boundaries to maggot-infested nightmares, favorite surgical cases, and the art of not losing your mind during a nail trim. Whether you’re elbows deep in a parvo kennel, dodging anal glands like a ninja, or just trying to remember what day it is — Vet Tech Nerd Party is your new favorite hangout. 🎧 What to expect: – Candid convos about the chaos and comedy of vet tech life – Hot takes on workplace culture, teaching, and mental health – Brutally honest insights, advice, and war stories – Ridiculous games, dark humor, and relatable moments – Guests, giveaways, drinks, and debates 🐾 Who we’re here for: – Vet techs, assistants, and students – Animal lovers and pet parents – Veterinary professionals who need a break — and a laugh – Anyone who’s ever left a neutered testicle in their bra – You. Especially if you're not okay — and that’s totally okay. 📍 New episodes drop regularly on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

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