Ryan Leach, founder and host of The Bird Bath podcast and principal at First 100 Veterinary Growth Consulting, joins Dr. Andy Roark for their annual year end tradition, breaking down the biggest veterinary industry stories of 2025 and what they mean for 2026. Feeling whiplash from corporate consolidation, tightening budgets, AI everywhere, and practices wondering what comes next? You are not alone. Andy and Ryan unpack what they call “the great compression,” from private equity shifts and practice group shutdowns to leadership changes at major players, all while keeping it light, honest, and very real. They also dig into the rapid rise of AI scribes, why they are more than just note takers, and how artificial intelligence could fundamentally change how practices use data without blowing up day to day medicine. You will walk away with clarity, perspective, and a better sense of how to think strategically about the future of veterinary medicine, plus a few laughs along the way. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

LINKS

The Bird Bath: https://www.thebirdbath.io

First 100 Veterinary Growth Consulting: https://www.first100.io

Ryan Leech on TikTok

Dr. Andy Roark Exam Room Communication Tool Box Team Training Course: https://drandyroark.com/on-demand-staff-training/

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Ryan Leech is an experienced leader with a history of growing businesses through highly scalable sales models. With a background that spans multiple industries, Ryan led sales for startups that raised over $100MM in funding and ran his own sales consulting firm. In his role at Digitail, he is responsible for overseeing collaborations and integrations with industry leaders and innovators to drive digital transformation in veterinary medicine.

In addition to his professional experience as Director of Business Development at Galaxy Vets and Hippo Manager Software, Ryan is also the host of "The Bird Bath" podcast.

Dr. Andy Roark, DVM, MS tackles one of the trickiest leadership challenges out there, showing up strong when things do not go according to plan. Ever walked out of a meeting or presentation thinking, well that was rough? Kelsey Beth Carpenter joins us as Andy breaks down why those moments matter more than we think, how leaders build credibility through adaptability, and why owning ambiguity is a core leadership skill. This episode dives into executive presence, audience awareness, and the art of engaging people even when the format, timing, or tech falls apart. You will walk away feeling validated if leadership sometimes feels messy, more confident navigating high pressure situations, and equipped with practical ways to connect, influence, and lead with intention. If you care about leadership development, communication skills, and building trust in veterinary medicine, this one is for you. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Kelsey Beth Carpenter on IG

Dr. Andy Roark on LinkedIn

Uncharted Veterinary Podcast

Uncharted Leadership Academy & Community

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game

Dr. Andy Roark Exam Room Communication Course

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

Kelsey Beth Carpenter is a Registered Veterinary Technician with over a decade of experience working in emergency hospitals across California. She currently works as the Social Media Manager for DrAndyRoark.com and a Content Specialist for the Uncharted Veterinary Conference. Some of Kelsey’s passions include the open hospital concept, the power of creativity and humor, the overlap of science and art, and sharing lessons learned from living life with chronic illness. Kelsey is probably most known for two of her favorite hobbies: writing and performing comedic songs about veterinary medicine and acting as a full time stage mom for her Chihuahua mix, Birdie.

Dr. Beth Venit, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, joins Andy to dig into one of the most nerve-wracking topics in vet med: avoiding board complaints by mastering informed consent. If you have ever wondered where the real line is between gold standard care and the minimum standard of care, or how to protect yourself when clients decline your recommendations, this episode will make your shoulders drop a little. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Dr. Beth Venit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-venit-vmd-mph-dacvpm-7a840ab/

AAVSB Website: https://aavsb.org/

Dr. Andy Roark Exam Room Communication Tool Box Team Training Course: https://drandyroark.com/on-demand-staff-training/

Dr. Know-It-All Card Game

Dr. Andy Roark Charming the Angry Client Team Training Course

Dr. Andy Roark Swag: drandyroark.com/shop

All Links: linktr.ee/DrAndyRoark

Dr. Beth Venit VMD is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2007. Throughout the area of Washington, DC, she practiced small animal medicine, both ER and GP, as both a full-time associate and a relief veterinarian for the next 12 years. In that time, she earned her Masters of Public Health from the University of Iowa and became a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. She then worked at the US Department of State, first as a fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and then as a full-time project manager focused on training foreign partners on biorisk management and the prevention of bioterrorism. In 2022, she joined the American Association for Veterinary State Boards as their first Chief Veterinary Officer.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking in various parts of the world with her husband (past trips include hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, several 14ers in Colorado, and a successful summit of Kilimanjaro), and being lazy on the couch with her pittie mix, Eleanor Woofsevelt and maine coon / tiger mix, The Chairman Meow.