In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cindy Trice joins us to talk about carving your own path in veterinary medicine—and life. From working in film production to becoming a nationally recognized relief veterinarian, Cindy shares how following her instincts (and curiosity) led her to build Relief Rover, co-found Kick It Pajamas, and advocate for mental health and belonging in the profession.

Cindy’s story is one of creativity, compassion, and courage. She opens up about her recovery after a traumatic car accident, her cancer diagnosis, and how her personal experiences shaped her approach to leadership and entrepreneurship.

This episode is full of powerful reflections for anyone who’s ever wondered: What if the traditional path doesn’t fit?

• The unexpected path from Hollywood to veterinary school

• How relief work became a gateway to freedom and opportunity

• Founding Relief Rover to build community and structure for relief vets

• Why she launched Kick It Pajamas—and how grief inspired it

• Facing life-altering events: car accidents, cancer, and what came next

• The creative edge of veterinary careers

• The importance of support, self-expression, and showing up as yourself

• Relief Rover

• Kick It Pajamas

• https://cervivor.org/

• One website design option mentioned in the episode: squarespace.com

• LinkedIn: Cindy Trice, DVM

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Episode Summary:
Nobody teaches you this in vet school — how to train clients. In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Phoebe dive deep into the unseen impact clients have on hospital culture, team wellbeing, and long-term sustainability. Together, they break down how to set — and stick to — boundaries that shape the clientele you want, reduce burnout, and foster a consistent, supportive environment for your team.

From not giving out your personal number, to handling unrealistic expectations around call-backs and fear-free care, they share real examples and actionable strategies for both doctors and CSRs. Plus, they explore how standardizing boundaries across the doctor team protects your culture and makes your hospital a better place to work — and a better place to be a client.

Topics Covered:

• Why boundaries should be part of orientation (for staff and clients)

• The danger of inconsistency between team members

• What makes an “ideal client” (and how to attract more of them)

• Real conversations that build trust — and when to let a client go

• How boundary-setting reduces burnout and boosts work-life balance

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our upcoming “DVM Off Script” series debuting in two weeks with Dr. Cindy Trice!

Submit experiences you would like us to unpack in our Lead By Example episodes here: choosepeoplelovepets@outlook.com

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Your team is getting more comfortable giving feedback—awesome. But now comes the next level: finessing those conversations. In this episode, we dig into how to train your team to give feedback that’s not just honest, but helpful.

We break it down into three essential questions:

1. Have you done your homework?

2. Is it an individual issue or a systemic one?

3. Are you being intentional with how you deliver the message?

And at the heart of it all? Curiosity. Approaching conversations with curiosity instead of assumptions is what keeps feedback constructive—and keeps your culture thriving. Join us as we discuss recent conversations that have helped us keep our team on track and in a positive mindset when it comes to holding each other accountable.

Submit experiences you would like us to unpack in our Lead By Example episodes here: choosepeoplelovepets@outlook.com

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