298: The art of negotiating for a life: A veterinarian's perspective

Joe Jesse Owens, III, DVM, is an accomplished Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, inventor, business owner, and dynamic public speaker with a career dedicated to advancing animal health and inspiring others.Born in Marlboro, MA, and raised in Durham, NC, Owens grew up alongside three sisters and credits his parents, Joe Owens, Jr, and Sharon Owens, DVM, as his biggest inspirations for pursuing veterinary medicine. He is a proud graduate of Tuskegee University, where he earned a B.S. in Animal Science (2008) and a DVM (2012). During his time at Tuskegee, he excelled academically and served in key leadership roles, including Class President, SCAVMA President, and as Mr. Tuskegee University (2007-2008).Owens began his veterinary career in Las Vegas, gaining expertise across various fields, including relief work, shelter medicine, emergency care, private practice, and corporate day practice. By 2016, he transitioned into practice ownership, co-owning three successful animal hospitals in Nevada (two day practices and one emergency hospital) with his college colleague, Johnathan Snead, DVM. As an innovator, Owens invented Enjoy-A-Bowl, the first appetite-stimulating bowl for pets, helping improve dietary compliance and addressing feeding challenges for pets with medical or dietary needs. In 2017, he pitched Enjoy-A-Bowl on Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, securing $50,000 in seed funding.In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Owens is the co-founder of Cosmic Development LLC, an investment property company, and contributes to pet welfare through initiatives like Two By Two Pet Venture and But I Love My Pet. A sought-after mentor, Owens travels to veterinary schools to inspire and guide future veterinarians.Outside of work, Owens enjoys spending time with his wife, Leticia, their 2 toddlers, Mekhi and Nyilah, and their 12-year-old Australian Shepherd mix, Que. He is passionate about fitness, gaming, and exploring the world.