In this episode of Leading Veterinary Teams, host Suzanne Thomas welcomes Rick Albrecht, a seasoned professional with over 27 years in the veterinary field and extensive experience in education and leadership development. Rick shares his journey, from starting as a veterinary assistant to becoming a clinical educator, emphasizing the critical role of active listening in effective leadership. He explains how active listening involves empathy, validation, and understanding the root causes of issues, and highlights its impact on building trust, mentorship, and team dynamics. Rick also discusses the importance of self-awareness, growth mindset, and the value of investing time upfront to ensure long-term success. The episode is a comprehensive guide for veterinary leaders looking to refine their listening skills and foster a positive and productive team culture.

🌟 Connect with Rick

LinkedIn: Rick Albrecht

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show and join the movement toward a more inclusive and empowered profession.

In this episode, I sit down with Lanise Parnell, a Licensed Veterinary Technician, leader, and co-founder of the PET X Foundation, to talk about something our profession still has a long way to grow into — belonging, mentorship, and equity in veterinary medicine.

Lanise shares her journey from being fired from her first job to becoming recognized as a voice advocating for inclusion and representation in our field. With over 17 years of experience, she brings raw honesty, vulnerability, and hope to a conversation that challenges us to look inward as leaders.

We talk about the realities of navigating racial bias and barriers to mentorship, what true allyship looks like in action, and how creating inclusive spaces starts with small, intentional choices. Lanise reminds us that leadership isn’t just about managing teams — it’s about seeing people fully and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to build a stronger, more inclusive culture — not through performative checkboxes, but through courage, accountability, and everyday leadership.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The personal story behind Lanise’s passion for equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine

• How early career challenges and lack of mentorship can shape leadership identity

• The founding story and mission of the PET X Foundation

• Practical ways to start conversations about inclusion in your own hospital

• Why representation and mentorship matter for retention and belonging

• How leaders can move from awareness to meaningful, lasting change

  
  

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leading Veterinary Teams
01:06 Guest Introduction: Lanise Parnell's Journey
02:08 Early Challenges in Veterinary Medicine
04:25 Returning to Vet Med and Gaining Experience
06:40 Founding the PET X Foundation
12:30 Mentorship and Barriers in Vet Med
16:09 Addressing Bias and Inclusivity in Veterinary Practices
29:40 Starting Small: Community Inclusion
31:49 The Power of Mentorship in Vet Med
33:31 Networking: Building a Supportive Community
36:40 Opportunities and Challenges in Vet Med
44:15 Future of Diversity and Inclusion in Vet Med
49:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

🌟 Connect with Lanise

LinkedIn: Lanise Parnell
Organization: PET X Foundation

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.
If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show and join the movement toward a more inclusive and empowered profession.

In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Lake, a credentialed veterinary technician with extensive experience in emergency and critical care, to talk about something that hits close to home for so many in our field — moral distress and moral injury in veterinary medicine.Kristin shares how these experiences often show up in practice, how they differ from burnout, and what leaders can do to help their teams process and prevent moral injury. We dig into real-life examples, the emotional toll of tough cases, and the importance of debriefing as a leadership tool — not just to support team wellbeing, but to build trust and psychological safety across the hospital.We also explore how financial constraints and systemic challenges contribute to moral injury, why technicians often carry a unique emotional weight, and how advocacy can be both empowering and exhausting.This is a powerful conversation for any leader who wants to understand the deeper “why” behind team fatigue — and learn how to lead through it with empathy, transparency, and action.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The difference between moral distress, moral injury, and burnoutHow moral injury shows up in day-to-day veterinary practiceThe role of leadership in recognizing and responding to team distressWhy debriefing after difficult cases builds trust and resilienceHow to navigate the emotional toll of financial and ethical constraintsPractical ways to create psychological safety within your teamEpisode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Moral Distress in Veterinary Medicine00:24 Meet Kristin Lake: Expertise and Experience02:20 Understanding Moral Injury vs. Burnout04:00 Real-Life Examples of Moral Distress10:35 Impact on Team Dynamics and Leadership15:44 Addressing Moral Injury: Solutions and Strategies23:51 Building Trust and Accountability in Leadership26:58 The Role of Technicians in Advocacy28:15 Balancing Emotions in Professional Advocacy31:53 Addressing Financial Constraints in Veterinary Care37:41 The Importance of Psychological Safety41:14 Recommended Reading for Veterinary Professionals44:24 Final Thoughts and ResourcesConnect with Kristin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinlake/Website: https://vetmedmathtutoring.com/🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med. If this episode resonates, share it with a colleague and leave a review — it helps more veterinary leaders find the show.