In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Heather James, DVM for a candid conversation about finding your calling, surviving the messy middle, giving back through mentorship, and noticing the impact of your work.

Heather shares her non-linear path to vet med, from an early background in art, to quitting programs that weren’t the right fit, to selling Girl Guide cookies at 2 a.m. outside a bar because opportunity doesn’t always show up during business hours. We talk about grit in its many forms: working rural mixed animal practice with relentless on-call schedules, sleeping in an SUV while doing summer research, leading a rescue operation for an 1800 pound Clydesdale, and carrying the weight of six-figure student debt while finding creative ways to move forward.

But this episode isn’t about glorifying struggle. It’s about what comes beyond survival mode: learning how to make empowering financial decisions despite fear, knowing when to reward yourself, investing in the right people, and realizing that burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Heather speaks openly about leadership, mentorship, and why a mentor’s success should always be measured by the success of their mentees.

We also explore the deeply human side of veterinary medicine, the intimacy of caring for animals who are family members, the trust placed in vets during some of life’s hardest decisions, and the emotional weight that stays with you long after the appointment ends.

This conversation is powerful, practical, and refreshingly honest. It’s a reminder that you’re allowed to do things differently, take up space, and build a career (and life) that actually works for you.

About Dr. Heather:

Heather James, DVM, is a co-owner of Ospika Animal Hospital, a DVM- and RVT-owned small animal practice in Prince George, BC. A 2007 graduate of the WCVM, Dr. James also has a background in contract research, shelter medicine, and mixed animal practice, as well as working as a general practice and emergency locum. She has a strong passion for teaching and trauma-aware mentorship, which grew during her leadership roles as medical director and area medical director at multiple hospitals prior to ownership. A perpetual student at heart, Dr. James loves trying new technology, hearing new perspectives, and is most proud of her certifications in the Human Animal Bond, Trauma of Money, and Master Gardener. She shares her home life on Vancouver Island with her “Tiger Collie” (read “mutt”) called Rhubarb and her husband, who is also an entrepreneur.

Ospika Animal Hospital: https://ospikavet.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-james-dvm/

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For podcast inquiries, please contact Kaleigh at communications@animalhealthlink.ca