Veterinary Horizons

The President-Elect of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) Dr. Nancy Carter brings her extensive veterinary background to Veterinary Horizons this week. Alongside her work with TVMA, Dr. Carter practices at Banfield Pet Hospital, where she Chief of Staff and assists in managing several clinics. Talking points include TVMA’s legislative advocacy, telemedicine as a veterinary challenge, and ways everyone can get involved in TVMA’s transformative veterinary work.

Rehabilitation and sports medicine take center stage in this episode, featuring Dr. Amber Ihrke, Medical Director of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation of Homer Glen. As a board-certified specialist and a pioneer of innovative recovery treatments, Dr. Ihrke wants to help other practitioners grow their clinics and resources to better incorporate rehabilitation and multimodal treatment approaches. Talking points include incorporating specialties like acupuncture and pain management in general practice, the importance of additional vet training in rehab, and Dr. Ihrke’s uniquely developed canine treatments.

Ambulatory veterinarian and business owner Dr. Joe Pluhar highlights the problems facing practice owners and equine practitioners, especially when it comes to business and management. From unexpected expenses to the daily grind of billing and payroll, Dr. Pluhar has identified common pitfalls and key strategies that can prevent hardworking veterinarians from drowning in debt and turn their focus back to their patients. Talking points include improving cash flow, transitioning to project management software, and building clinics with cost-effective practices in mind.

For the inaugural episode of Veterinary Horizons, host David Martinez is joined by Dr. Scott Driever, the President of the American Animal Hospital Association and a veterinarian at Animal Hospital Highway 6. Dr. Driever is known for his expertise in small animal surgery, his amazing leadership, and his commitment to compassionate client care. Talking points include the unique challenges of team building in veterinary medicine, Scott’s journey from practice owner to AAHA Board President, and how Boy Scouts has made Scott a stronger leader.

COO and President of Lap of Love Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia Amy Christensen joins the show this week to talk about her transition into the veterinary industry and her organization’s incredible approach to end of life care. Lap of Love is a network of veterinarians around the country with the goal of empowering every owner to care for their geriatric pets, offering a variety of services from hospice care, telehospice, in-home euthanasia, and cremation. Talking points include how company culture impacts customers, why in-home care options are so important to pet owners and veterinarians, and where Lap of Love services can step in to assist veterinary clinics and practitioners

President and Vice President of the Houston Veterinary Practice Managers Alliance (HVPMA) Krystal Burrell and Meghan Bingham join the pod to talk about creating a safe, collaborative space for practice managers to share experiences and learn from one another. HVPMA promotes quality leadership through professional support, including offering continuing education opportunities for managers of all levels. Talking points include revitalizing membership at HVPMA, building partnerships with vendors, and creating relevant learning opportunities for the veterinary practice community.

Welcome to Veterinary Horizons, the podcast where we explore the future of veterinary medicine, one breakthrough at a time. I’m David Martinez, your host and the VP of Marketing at SVP Meds. Each week, we’ll sit down with leading experts, innovators, and thought leaders from across the veterinary field to discuss cutting-edge technologies, emerging treatments, and the evolving challenges that are reshaping animal healthcare. Whether you’re a vet, a practice manager, or simply passionate about animal welfare, Veterinary Horizons is here to bring you insightful conversations and practical advice to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of veterinary medicine. Together, we’ll chart the course for the future of veterinary care.