Parenting & Life as a Large Animal Vet in Arizona with the Dairy Doc aka Michelle Schack

In this conversation, Michelle Schack, a dairy veterinarian, shares her journey from a non-ag background to becoming a prominent advocate for dairy farming and animal welfare. She discusses the importance of understanding regional farming practices, the challenges of balancing veterinary work with parenting, and the need for respectful communication with consumers about agriculture. Michelle also highlights her initiative, DairyKind, which aims to empower farmers and improve animal welfare training. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the significance of instilling agricultural appreciation in the next generation and the value of diverse roles within the agricultural sector.Connect with Michelle (aka the Dairy Doc) Belowhttps://www.tiktok.com/@dairydochttps://www.instagram.com/dairy.doc/We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected] is a dairy veterinarian with a passion for animal welfare.Dairy farming practices vary significantly by region.It's essential to communicate the realities of farming to consumers.Observation skills are crucial in veterinary medicine.Balancing work and parenting can be challenging for veterinarians.Respectful engagement is key when addressing misconceptions about agriculture.DairyKind focuses on training and accountability in animal care.Raising children with an appreciation for agriculture is important.Veterinary work can be unpredictable, impacting family life.Societal stereotypes about gender roles in veterinary medicine need to be challenged.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Michelle Schack and Her Journey02:52 Understanding Dairy Farming Practices05:54 The Importance of Animal Welfare and Regional Practices08:52 Michelle's Path to Becoming a Dairy Veterinarian14:10 The Role of Observation in Veterinary Medicine17:05 Navigating the Challenges of Agriculture and Parenting21:13 Communicating with Consumers About Agriculture26:45 The Importance of Respectful Engagement Online32:05 DairyKind: Empowering Farmers and Employees39:59 Raising Kids with an Agricultural Perspective48:08 Balancing Veterinary Work and Parenting54:08 Final Thoughts and Parenting Advice