Did You Know? An All Things Partner Podcast.

Today, we talk about this often-misdiagnosed condition with Partner Veterinary’s board-certified surgeon Dr. Dominic Valenzano, who focused his research in vet school and residency on elbow dysplasia. In this episode, he tells us what signs to look for, how it’s diagnosed, what surgery entails, and the what the road to recovery looks like. We’ll also learn what happens if elbow dysplasia goes left untreated.

Wondering why your pet was referred to a veterinary neurologist—or what they actually do? In this episode, Partner neurologist Dr. Ryan Gallagher breaks it down in a clear, approachable way.He explains how neurological exams differ from routine checkups, what MRI and CT scans really involve, and when advanced imaging is (and isn’t) necessary. You’ll also learn whether seeing a specialist is still worthwhile if diagnostics aren’t in the budget—and what your pet experiences along the way.Whether you’re trying to understand a recent referral or simply curious about this specialized field of veterinary medicine, you’re in the right place.

Picture this: You’re out for a morning hike with your dog, or your cat is exploring the backyard. Suddenly, your pet yelps, jumps back, and you notice something’s wrong. Could it be a snake bite? And if it is, do you know what to do?All snake bites are medical emergencies. Whether venomous or not, every second counts, and the actions you take in those first few minutes can make all the difference. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Simons, an emergency veterinarian in our Richmond location. Dr. Simons has treated numerous snake bite victims and tells us everything we need to know—from recognizing the signs of a venomous snake bite, to what we should never do, to why getting to an emergency vet like Partner is your pet’s best chance at survival.So, whether you live in snake country or just want to be prepared, listen in. This conversation could be the one that saves your furry family member’s life.

Losing a pet is one of life’s most profound heartbreaks. In this episode, Dr. Melissa Miller, a Medical Oncologist for Partner’s Richmond Hospital and a Pet-Loss Grief Support Specialist, opens up about her own journey into grief counseling and walks us through the very real emotions pet owners navigate when saying goodbye to a beloved companion. She helps us understand why honoring our grief is crucial for healing and shares compassionate, practical guidance for moving through one of life’s most difficult experiences.Whether you’re currently grieving a cherished pet or simply want to better understand the grief process that touches most pet owners’ lives, Dr. Miller’s insights offer both comfort and hope.

If you’re a pet owner, you’ve likely experienced a time when your pet has been sick. Perhaps you’ve questioned whether their illness is an emergency or not. In this episode, we chat about this topic with Dr. Miriah Wilson, the Lead ER Veterinarian in our Frederick hospital. Dr. Wilson discusses some of the more emergent needs that can’t wait vs. illnesses that might not be as dire as we expect.

In this episode we hear from Partner’s CEO and Co-Founder, Katie Brooks, who is also a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. Katie talks about her path toward becoming an LVT and navigating the complexities of veterinary medicine. She also shares why she chose to create an emergency and specialty hospital where caregivers are empowered to take ownership of their role and responsibility, and where the phrase “We Can Help” truly means something to pet owners in need.She often jokes; I built these hospitals for my oldest Labrador. “For me, the peace of mind that our team is there when needed has been so valuable to our family and the community. It’s the pets who help emotionally regulate the entire family—the health of the family rests on the health of the pets.”

In this episode, we sit down with Miranda David, a Registered Veterinary Technician at our Frederick location, to explore what it really takes to earn a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation in Emergency and Critical Care.Becoming a VTS isn’t just a certification—it’s a rigorous, multi-step process requiring years of experience, advanced training, and hundreds of hours of dedicated work before even qualifying for the exam.Miranda shares her journey, what drives her commitment, and how this advanced expertise directly impacts the care and outcomes for the pets we serve at Partner.

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and “We Can Help” is at the core of everything Partner does, including our ability to help animals who have been subjected to cruelty. In this episode, we have an open discussion about Animal Protection with Hospital Steward Christy Schwartz and ER Dr. Erica Ditzler, both from Partner’s Richmond hospital. Both Christy and Dr. Ditzler have tremendous experience in helping the communities’ most vulnerable dogs and cats, and help lead the Partner team of caregivers in navigating these difficult cases. We discuss how Partner has been instrumental in helping neglected and abused animals in the Richmond community, and learn how people can help support animal protection organizations in their own communities.

Have you ever wondered who might be calming your pet’s nerves after they are behind closed doors? That’s a pretty important role, and just one of the many things Partner’s Hospital Concierge does during her shift. Listen to Maria Kean, our Frederick Hospital Concierge, talk about what her day entails. From keeping the hospital clean to helping calm your pet’s nerves, she does it all.

Did you know acupuncture can be used for pets? This relatively new treatment in veterinary medicine supports a wide variety of medical problems, from acute to chronic conditions, such as pain, osteoarthritis, chronic cough/respiratory conditions, and gastrointestinal, immunologic, and neurologic conditions (paresis/paralysis) as a result of acute injury, general aging, or chronic disease.

Our Richmond hospital offers Critical Care to some of our sickest patients. But do you know what the difference is between a Critical Care doctor and an Emergency Veterinarian? Dr. Pierre Charlebois, a board-certified Criticalist for PVESC in Richmond explains how the two are different and the specific care a Criticalist can offer patients who come through Partner’s doors.

Dr. Rachael Boyd, Partner’s Lead Emergency Veterinarian in our Richmond location, has been practicing ER medicine with a focus on Trauma Medicine for more than 10 years. In this podcast, she explains what’s involved with both stabilization and resuscitation, what training our teams go through to provide these medical interventions, and the overall success rate of both. 

Dr. Rachael Boyd is Partner’s Lead Emergency Veterinarian in our Richmond location. She has been practicing ER medicine with a focus on Trauma Medicine for more than 10 years. In this podcast, Dr. Boyd gives us an in-depth explanation on Partner’s Triage Process—an order of treatment that dictates how patients are prioritized in an ER setting.All emergency hospitals, both human and veterinary, follow this same approach to make sure all patients get the level of care they need as quickly as possible.

Jamie Leach, Partner’s People Operations Coordinator, is working to help create a better environment for team members and better care for our patients. Obsessed with animals, Jamie always knew she wanted to work with them in some capacity, and she’s doing just. How? By helping make Partner’s team members work lives easier so that they can focus on helping the pets who come through our doors.

Jamie Wesolowski is a Veterinary Technician Specialist with Partner’s Richmond Oncology department. In our interview, Jamie discusses how she chose to become a veterinary technician, what some of the most important moments of her career have been, as well as some of the hardest. We also talk about how pet insurance can play such an important in helping pet owners make difficult treatment decisions.What You’ll Learn…Why Jamie chose to work with Partner.What some of the hardest moments are in her career.How pet insurance can play such an important role in treatment.What experience has made the biggest impression on her and the reality of how hard the veterinary profession can be.

Dr. Melissa Miller is a Medical Oncologist for Partner’s Richmond Hospital. In our interview, Dr. Miller discusses why she chose to practice oncology, the biggest misconceptions in cancer treatment, what families should do if their pet’s been diagnosed with cancer, and much more.What You’ll Learn...What are the most common cancers in cats and dogs?What is the biggest misconception about cancer and cancer treatment?Does the age of a pet factor into treatment?How do you choose which cancer therapy to use for a pet?What do you recommend for families preparing for an oncology consult?

Episode 2 – Leadership with Julie CrosbyJulie Crosby is the Hospital Steward for Partner’s Frederick Hospital. In our interview, Julie tells us what a Hospital Steward does, how her time in the veterinary profession has shaped her, and how her moment of fame led to the adoption of her sweet dog, Emma.What You’ll Learn?What a Hospital Steward is and does.Why Julie chose Partner.What brings her the most joy in her day-to-day life at work.The impact Julie wants to leave on the veterinary profession.The adoption of Emma and her amazing story.

Neuro with NearyDr. Casey Neary,DVM,DACVIM Neurology/Neurosurgery, discusses common misconceptions about neurological cases and give us insight into what it takes to become a veterinary neurologist.What You'll Learn ...What does is take to become a Veterinary Neurologist?What are the most common conditions seen by a Veterinary Neurologist?Are certain breeds more susceptible to neurologic disease?What is the biggest misconception about seizures?Will an epileptic dog need to be on LIFELONG seizure medications?