Dairy Doc, Michelle Schack on DairyKind, Social Media, & Being a Dairy Veterinarian

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$   Title: Dairy Doc, Michelle Schack on DairyKind, Social Media, & Being a Dairy Veterinarian Host: Val Lavigne @DairyGalVal www.dairygalval.com   Guest: Michelle Schack www.dairykind.com TikTok @dairydoc Instagram @dairy.doc Facebook Dairy Doc www.michelleschack.com   Summary In this episode of the Dairy Hour Podcast, host Val Lavigne interviews Michelle Schack, a veterinarian specializing in dairy cattle. Michelle shares her journey from growing up in San Francisco to becoming a dairy vet in Arizona. She discusses her childhood experiences, her passion for animals, and her career path that led her to co-own a dairy education company called DairyKind. The conversation also touches on the importance of training in the dairy industry and how Michelle uses social media to share her insights and connect with the community. In this engaging conversation, Michelle discusses her journey in utilizing social media to promote agriculture, particularly through TikTok and Instagram. She shares insights on the varying responses from farms regarding filming, the unpredictability of viral content, and the balance between her family life and her online presence. Michelle also reflects on the challenges of her veterinary career, emphasizing the importance of connecting with people to succeed in her field. The discussion wraps up with rapid-fire questions revealing her personal preferences and a deep thought on the significance of collaboration and understanding in achieving success.   Takeaways Michelle Schack is a veterinarian for dairy cattle. She co-owns a dairy education company called DairyKind. Raised nine guide dogs for the blind as a child. Initially wanted to be a vet but disliked small animal practice. Cows became her favorite animals during vet school. Family was supportive of her career choice in dairy. DairyKind addresses training needs in the dairy industry. Training is crucial for preventing animal abuse in dairy farming. Michelle started sharing her story on social media in 2021. Community engagement is important for sharing knowledge and experiences. Michelle started using social media for agriculture because it's easier to create videos than write. Different farms have varying levels of comfort with being filmed. Viral content is unpredictable; sometimes the simplest videos succeed. Family activities take up a lot of Michelle's spare time. Michelle enjoys spending time with her kids and supporting their activities. She prefers the mountains over the beach for relaxation. Teleportation would be her ideal superpower to save travel time. Michelle loves baking, especially cookies, and enjoys sharing desserts. Podcasts are her go-to for entertainment during long drives. Being a people person has been crucial to her success in veterinary work.   Sound Bites "I am a veterinarian for dairy cattle." "I co-own a dairy education company." "We raised nine guide dogs for the blind." "I thought I wanted to be a vet." "Cows became my favorite animals." "We created Dairykind for training modules." "Nobody wants any cows to be abused." "I started Dairy Doc in 2021." "It's so unpredictable." "I love that stuff." "I really like cookies."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dairy Doc 01:56 Michelle's Journey to Becoming a Dairy Vet 06:12 Childhood Experiences and Early Interests 09:49 Exploring Different Animal Medicine 14:05 Career Path and Specialization in Dairy Cattle 17:52 Family Support and Life in Arizona 21:51 DairyKind: Addressing Training Needs in Dairy Farming 25:56 Sharing Stories and Building Community 28:11 The Rise of Social Media in Agriculture 32:19 Balancing Family Life and Social Media 35:00 Rapid Fire Fun: Personal Preferences 45:12 The Unpredictability of Veterinary Work 48:57 Connecting with People: The Key to Success