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.

Dr. Stacy Anderson, Dean at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and President of COWBEL, joins Andy to dig into the rise of the distributive model for veterinary education. If you have ever wondered how students can get high quality clinical training without a traditional teaching hospital, or you have questions about capacity, specialty exposure, and whether practices actually enjoy taking students, this episode is for you. They also talk about what makes a rotation site truly great, why hands-on experience matters so much, and how practices can benefit from becoming teaching partners. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Cowbel: https://cowbel.org/

Stacy Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-anderson-885a8637/

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

Dr. Stacy Anderson is the Executive Dean of the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated with honors from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, then completed two equine and large animal internships, followed by a large animal surgical residency, a Master of Veterinary Science, and later a PhD at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Anderson joined LMU as founding faculty in 2015 and quickly rose through academic leadership roles, becoming Dean in 2020 and later Executive Dean in 2023. She has been a driving force behind LMU’s distributive clinical education model, shaping innovative clinical skills training, leading the development of new academic programs, and playing a key role in launching the new LMU DVM program in Orange Park, Florida. Outside LMU, she has twice served as President of the Consortium on Workplace-based Education and Learning and contributes widely to ACVS and AAEP initiatives. When she is not advancing veterinary education, Dr. Anderson enjoys dressage, serves as a National Examiner for the United States Pony Club, and spends time on her family’s horse farm with her husband, daughter, and many animals.

Dr. Kara Amstutz, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, CVA, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a one-of-a-kind conversation about balancing a thriving veterinary career with raising a world-famous daughter, musician Chappell Roan. From starting her own practice to becoming boarded in veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Kara shares how she rebuilt her love for vet med through pain management, teaching, and lifelong learning. Andy and Kara talk about burnout, resilience, and what it’s like when fame suddenly lands in your family’s lap. You’ll hear how her clinic team and clients reacted, how she juggled motherhood and management, and why she believes the best part of her daughter’s fame isn’t the spotlight at all. This is a heartfelt, funny, and inspiring episode about rediscovering joy in veterinary medicine and life. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Canine Rehabilitation Institute https://www.caninerehabinstitute.com

Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation https://www.momentumvsmr.com

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

Dr. Kara Amstutz earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 2000 and founded Hometown Veterinary Hospital in 2002. In 2013, she became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, followed by her certification as a Veterinary Pain Practitioner in 2014, and as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2019. These credentials enabled her to transition from general veterinary practice to focusin on rehabilitation and pain management. In 2022, she left full-time clinical practice to become the owner, CEO, and lead clinical instructor at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), which offers postgraduate certifications in rehabilitation and acupuncture, along with various continuing education opportunities. In 2023, Dr. Amstutz earned Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. In 2024, she returned to practice ownership and founded Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, Dr. Amstutz lectures nationally and internationally on topics related to canine rehabilitation and is the immediate past president of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians.

Dr. Rustin Moore, Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about his new book, Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions. This episode dives into why our relationships with animals are so profound, from therapy dogs and service animals to stories of resilience like Molly the Pony and Fiona the therapy dog. Dr. Moore shares what inspired him to write the book, the paradox of loving animals while working in veterinary medicine, and how understanding the human-animal bond can shape better care for both pets and people. You’ll walk away feeling reconnected to your purpose in vet med and inspired by the healing power of our four-legged friends. Gang, let’s get into this episode.

Rustin Moore: https://rustinmooredvm.com/

Rustin Moore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustin-moore-85a024107

Unleashing the Bond Book on Amazon

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

Dr. Rustin M. Moore is the Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean in Veterinary Medicine and the 11th dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he has served since 2015. A two-time graduate of Ohio State, Dr. Moore previously held leadership roles including department chair, executive director of the Veterinary Medical Center, and associate dean for Clinical and Outreach Programs. He has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 20 book chapters, and has guided numerous interns, residents, and graduate students. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Moore earned his BS from West Virginia University and both his DVM and PhD from The Ohio State University. He is active on several professional and community boards and is the author of Unleashing the Bond and Unlocking the Bond, exploring the power and paradox of human-animal interactions.

Dr. Matthew MacLachlan, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Business and Economics at Cornell University, joins Dr. Andy Roark for a deep dive into one of the profession’s biggest debates: do we really need more veterinarians? With new vet schools popping up across the country, Andy and Matt unpack whether more graduates will actually solve the shortage in rural areas or simply flood urban markets. They dig into workforce economics, burnout, wages, and how retention may matter more than recruitment. Matt also shares what rising pet care costs, changing consumer behavior, and mid-level practitioner roles could mean for the future of veterinary medicine. This is a thoughtful, data-driven conversation that helps you see where the profession might be heading in the next decade. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Matthew MacLachlan: https://www.matthewmaclachlan.com/

Matthew MacLachlan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-maclachlan-67247320/

AVMA Industry Tracker: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/veterinary-economics/veterinary-industry-tracker

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. Matthew J. MacLachlan is an economist specializing in agricultural and resource economics. He earned his PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Davis, where he also completed dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Biology and Management and in Economics. Before joining Cornell University, Dr. MacLachlan served at the USDA’s Economic Research Service from 2015 to 2023, advancing to Senior Economist and earning multiple awards, including the John E. Lee Award for Sustained Excellence in Group Economic Analysis and several ERS Extra Effort Awards for his work on food price forecasting and COVID-19 economic impact studies. His research bridges agriculture, economics, and veterinary business management, contributing to policy insights and industry understanding at the intersection of economics and animal health.

Dr. Gail Hughes-Morey, Vice President of the ASPCA Recovery and Rehabilitation Center in Pauling, New York, joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about a brand-new facility built just for canine victims of abuse and neglect. This place isn’t your average shelter; it’s designed from the ground up to heal both body and mind. Andy and Gail dive into how the team is tackling complex behavioral cases, creating safe and enriching environments, and blending high-quality veterinary care with compassion-driven rehabilitation. They also explore what it takes to support the people behind this emotionally demanding work and how this center fits into the ASPCA’s larger mission. If you’ve ever wondered what shelter medicine looks like when it’s done with heart, science, and a whole lot of hope, this episode will make you believe in the good again. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

Careers at ASPCA

ASPCA Website

Dr. Gail Hughes-Morey on LinkedIn

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