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Vet Med
Feeling like the vet med profession is the problem? You’re not wrong—but you’re not powerless either
If you usually skip the well-being sessions at conferences because you already know what you should be doing—and it feels like it won’t matter when the vet med profession is the real issue… I get it.
That reaction is completely valid.
It’s frustrating when the advice is “do more yoga” or “take a vacation” or you even hear me talking about anti-anxiety tools when:
- You’re double-booked all day
- Clients accuse you of being in it for the money
- Leadership pressures you to hit numbers over provi…
The Pressure Cooker That Nearly Broke Me in Vet School
I remember so many late nights as a vet student—exhausted, stressed out of my mind, desperately trying to cram just a little more information into my already tired brain.
I knew I had another eight hours of complex content to memorize the next day. I knew I had a week of exams looming over me.
And I knew—deep down—that I needed sleep.
And yet… the thought of allowing myself to give in to that desire to crawl into bed and close my eyes made me even more anxious.
I knew how important sleep was…
Blaming pet owners for vet med's burnout and suicide rate is preventing us from addressing the real issue that's in our power to change.
I completely understand why it's common to hear pet owners blamed for the high burnout and suicide rate in vet med.
Being told you're only in it for the money.
Wanting to help a pet but having your hands tied because the owner declines everything.
Being yelled at for just trying to do your job when you’ve already had one tough case after another that day.
Being expected to return calls immediately as if you don’t have a million other things calling your attention at once.
Having your morals…
Ep. 83 | Communication Tips for Common Challenges in Vet Med: Delivering Bad News, Imposter Syndrome, Medical Complications, and more with Dr. Josh Rosen
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Show notes:
In this episode of 'Life Boost with Amelia,' Dr. Amelia invites Dr. Josh Rosen back for a detailed discussion on applying clinical empathy and communication skills in veterinary practice. They cover how to deliver bad news, manage euthanasia, handle imposter syndrome, navigate uncertainties in exams, and deal with difficult clients. Dr. Josh shares valuable strategies for maintaining professionalism and compassion…
Ep. 82 | 7 Traits of a Unicorn: How To Be The Change We Need In Vet Med and This World
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Show notes:
You know those people who stand out because they have a special energy to them and you feel better when you’re around them? They’re also the people who are resilient - they bounce back after hard days, and they seem to be living life to the fullest. They aren’t afraid to fail. Those people are breaking the norm and being a “unicorn”.
Being a unicorn isn’t a destination or something you’re born with. It’s a daily …
Ep. 81 | Thriving Together: Revolutionizing Our Approach To Senior Dog Care
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Summary:
In this episode, Dr. Amelia discusses an exciting new approach to senior dog care with guest Dr. Lisa Lippman. They introduce the senior dog veterinary society and new senior dog veterinary certification co-founded by Dr. Lippman, Dr. Monica Tarantino, and Dr. Lauren Adelman. This episode dives into the power of adopting this certification, emphasizing its positive impact on the well-being of the entire vet…
Ep. 80| The #1 Most Important Question To Ask Yourself Going Into 2025
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Show notes:
Dwight Eisenhower got it right when he said, "what is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important".
I connected with that on a deep level a few years ago when I was burned out and wishing decades of my life away. I was dreaming of retirement because that's when I imagined I'd actually get to start living and enjoying my life. And I realized that I didn't want to keep doing that. I wanted to actua…
Ep. 79 | Clinical Empathy: Turn Stressful Conversations Into Your Superpower with Dr. Josh Rosen
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This episode features a conversation with Dr. Josh Rosen, locum veterinarian and expert in veterinary clinical empathy. The discussion explores the importance of clinical empathy in veterinary practice, focusing on improving communication with pet parents to create a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable veterinary field. Dr. Josh outlines key strategies for integrating empathy into day-to-day con…
Ep. 78 | Leaders Have Panic Attacks Too: A Conversation on Unspoken Struggles and Thriving in Vet Med with Hugh Hiemstra of The Vet Vault
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In this candid conversation, Amelia and guest Hugh Hiemstra, emergency veterinarian and host of the Vet Vault and Vet Vault clinical podcasts, chat about feelings of overwhelm that we all experience (even the leaders!) but often don’t talk about in vet med. They share strategies that have helped them to feel more resilient in vet med and the power of increasing self-awareness in order to find a path and naviga…
Ep. 76 | Is the Grass Greener? Tips for Vets Considering Industry and How to Boost Retention in Veterinary Practices with Experts Dr. Debra Nickelson and Stacy Pursell
In this episode of the Life Boost with Amelia podcast, Dr. Amelia and her guests dive into factors contributing to the high burnout and low retention rates in vet med and what we can do about it. Joined by two guest experts in the Industry, Dr. Debra Nickelson and executive recruiter Stacy Pursell, they discuss career transitions, the pros and cons of industry roles, and practical solutions for practice owners to improve retention and cultivate a positive culture that attracts and retain…