My Veterinary Life

Dr. Clarke, the president-elect of the American Animal Hospital Association, a co-owner of a small animal hospital, a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and a member of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee, is our guest this week. His commitment to advanced learning led him to become board-certified through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, while his passion for elevating veterinary care expanded into service with professional organizations including AAHA and AVMA. Dr. Clarke also reflects on balancing professional service with family and team commitments and explains why strong relationships remain at the heart of a successful veterinary career.

Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

Join Dr. Clarke at the 2026 Veterinary Business and Economic Forum, online October 7-8. Thought leaders and innovative researchers will share the latest information on business trends that affect local veterinary hospitals. Come away with actionable insights and easy-to-implement action guides to build your own success strategy. Register here today!

Dr. Keshe Chow, a board-certified specialist and bestselling author of fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction, is our guest this week. From cat-shy pre-veterinary student to feline specialist, animal welfare advocate, and published author, Dr. Chow has built a career by following her curiosity wherever it leads. She shares the changing priorities that shaped her path, including balancing motherhood with board certification and rediscovering her childhood love of creative writing. She also discusses bringing her two worlds together in fiction, using empathy and experience to imagine what it might be like to care for magical creatures in her most recent book, Strange Familiars.

Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

Dr. Kirsty Husby, an equine surgeon with an MBA in Organizational Leadership who will soon be pursuing her PhD in Leadership Studies, is our guest this week. She shares how setbacks and career pivots ultimately shaped a more meaningful definition of success. She explains how earning an MBA sparked her interest in organizational leadership and why skills like emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reflective practice are just as essential as clinical expertise. She also shares how she now combines surgery, mentoring early-career veterinarians, and leadership research to help shape a healthier, more resilient future for the profession.

Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

Dr. John Younker, MBA, a veterinary practice consultant, speaker, mentor, and former practice owner, is this week's guest. From launching his veterinary career during the aftermath of a recession to building and eventually selling a thriving multi-practice hospital, Dr. Younker shares the unexpected twists that shaped his professional journey. He reflects on the lessons he learned about entrepreneurship, leadership, practice ownership, and creating win-win solutions that benefit patients, clients, and veterinary teams alike. Along the way, Dr. Younker offers thoughtful advice for early-career veterinarians on choosing supportive workplaces, embracing growth through challenge, and building sustainable careers without sacrificing personal wellbeing.

Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

Dr. Jen Quammen, current AVMA president, relief veterinarian, chief veterinary officer of Otto, and co-founder of Veterinarian Coaching, is our guest this week. She shares how embracing a portfolio career allows her to have a 'telescopic' perspective while staying grounded in the realities of veterinary medicine. She offers an inside look at the role of the AVMA president, the power of organized veterinary medicine, and why meaningful leadership begins with listening, building relationships, and saying yes to opportunities to serve. Dr. Quammen's story is a wonderful reminder that there is no single path to making an impact in the profession.

Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.