Episodes

  • Front Desk Freedom: Automating Veterinary Scheduling
    Sep 23 2025

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    The digital revolution is transforming veterinary medicine, and nowhere is this more evident than in how practices handle scheduling and client communication. In this illuminating conversation, Bill Butler welcomes Joe Chickerillo from ChckVet to explore how automated scheduling systems are revolutionizing front desk operations and boosting practice performance.

    Drawing from his successful background in dental technology, Joe shares compelling insights about the parallels between human healthcare and veterinary medicine when it comes to client expectations and operational efficiency. The numbers speak volumes: 51% of pet owners prefer scheduling appointments online, 59% of millennials would switch practices for better online access, and 38% of appointments are scheduled after hours when traditional phone systems aren't available.

    Beyond just convenience, the conversation reveals how integrated scheduling and communication systems directly impact practice revenue and client retention. One practice collected $3,000 in accounts receivable over a single weekend using CheckVet's daily huddle feature, while others have seen dramatic increases in appointment bookings through targeted communication campaigns. We explore how customizable scheduling rules can accommodate even the most complex practice needs while saving front desk staff the average 8.1 minutes spent on each phone booking.

    Perhaps most fascinating is the discussion about how independent practices can leverage their agility to implement these technologies faster than corporate consolidators, creating a competitive advantage in an increasingly challenging marketplace. Whether you're considering your first online booking system or looking to upgrade your current client communication tools, this episode offers practical guidance for practices of all sizes to enhance efficiency, improve client experience, and ultimately deliver better care.

    Ready to transform your practice operations? Listen now to discover how the right technology can help you work smarter, not harder.

    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Unlocking Hidden Profits in Veterinary Inventory Management
    Jun 10 2025

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    Lurking within the balance sheets of even the most successful veterinary practices is a silent profit drain that few owners fully recognize. Inventory management, as Emmitt Nantz expertly illuminates in this eye-opening conversation, represents not just a necessary evil but a tremendous opportunity to reclaim lost profits and redirect precious clinical time toward patient care.

    The numbers are staggering. The average veterinary practice carries 30-40% more inventory than needed – translating to $20,000-$50,000 in excess capital sitting idle on shelves. Beyond this immediate cash drain, practices typically spend eight hours weekly managing inventory, time that highly trained clinical staff could spend generating revenue through patient care. Combined with waste from expired products, these inefficiencies inflate Cost of Goods Sold by 2-4 percentage points annually.

    Nantz draws from his two decades of veterinary operations experience to explain why this happens: the fear of running out creates a reactive cycle where "it's better to have too much than not enough." While understandable, this approach creates substantial financial drag that compounds over time. Through powerful examples, including a practice that reduced inventory management from two full-time positions to just two hours weekly while simultaneously dropping their COGS from over 40% to the mid-30s, Nance demonstrates the transformative potential of addressing this often-overlooked operational area.

    The conversation extends beyond inventory to explore broader operational principles, including the critical relationship between technology and process improvement. As Nantz aptly notes, technology itself isn't the solution: "It's like buying a better wrench to fix a car. It's leverage, an amplifier to what you're trying to achieve, but not the solution." The discussion also examines how thinking about veterinary practice through the lens of supply (staff availability) versus demand (when clients want appointments) can unlock significant capacity.

    Ready to reclaim the $30,000-$60,000 that inefficient inventory management might be costing your practice annually? This episode offers practical insights to transform not just your balance sheet but also team satisfaction and patient care quality.

    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • AI Skribing: Reclaiming Time in Veterinary Practice
    May 27 2025

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    Jacinthe Moreau, CEO and co-founder of VetScribe, shares how AI scribing technology is transforming veterinary workflows by dramatically reducing documentation time and improving practitioner wellbeing.

    • VetScribe was born from a dinner conversation where veterinarians expressed intense frustration with the time spent on SOAP notes
    • AI scribing saves practitioners 6-8 minutes per appointment, adding up to approximately 35 hours monthly
    • The technology records client consultations and uses AI to generate medical notes within minutes
    • Practitioners have full control to review and edit AI-generated notes before approval
    • AI notes provide more standardized, consistent medical records that improve continuity of care
    • The technology integrates with practice management systems either through manual copy/paste or a team of medical scribes
    • Entire veterinary teams can use the technology with technicians starting recordings during initial history-taking
    • Reclaimed time allows veterinarians to take breaks, extend appointment times, see more patients, or improve work-life balance
    • The mental relief of eliminating "pajama charting" significantly improves practitioner wellbeing

    Visit VetSkribe.com to learn more about how AI scribing can transform your veterinary practice.


    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Vision Beyond Medicine: Revolutionizing Veterinary Specialist Access
    May 13 2025

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    What happens when pets need specialist care but live hours away from the nearest veterinary specialist? Dr. Kenneth Pierce witnessed this challenge firsthand when he found himself the only specialist serving an enormous three-state region of the country. His solution? Create a virtual bridge connecting general practitioners with specialists nationwide.

    Dr. Pierce's journey from New Orleans to becoming a board-certified ophthalmologist reveals how passion for a specialty can transform into something much larger. While studying at LSU, the language of eye diseases, surgical techniques, and diagnostic processes "turned the lights on" for him, setting him on a path through academia, private practice, and eventually entrepreneurship. His experiences across different practice settings highlighted a critical gap: while metropolitan areas concentrate veterinary specialists, vast regions of America function as "specialist deserts" where access to advanced care requires significant travel or weeks-long waits.

    Vespicon emerges as Dr. Pierce's answer to this nationwide challenge. Unlike traditional telemedicine, Vespicon offers veterinary practices unlimited access to board-certified specialists through recorded video consultations across all specialties for small animals, large animals, and exotics. The subscription model removes financial barriers between veterinarians and specialist guidance, allowing practices to consult freely without passing additional costs to clients. Perhaps most importantly, the system maintains continuity by connecting veterinarians with the same specialist throughout a case's management.

    Throughout our conversation, Dr. Pierce emphasizes the philosophy that guides both his business approach and advice to colleagues: "Be like water." Having clear goals while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances has allowed him to balance running a specialty practice with growing Vespicon. He credits much of his success to surrounding himself with exceptional team members who execute the vision daily, demonstrating that entrepreneurship isn't about doing everything yourself, but finding the right "who" rather than focusing solely on "how."

    Ready to explore how specialist consultation could transform your practice? Connect with Dr. Pierce and the Vespicon team at VespiCon.com or on social media @VespiCon to learn how unlimited specialist access can improve patient outcomes while supporting your veterinary team's clinical co

    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • #25 - Banking on Your Dream Practice With Joe Persichetti
    Apr 29 2025

    Send us a text

    We explore the world of veterinary practice financing with Joe Persichetti, Senior Vice President and Head of Healthcare Business Banking at US Bank, who shares insights on how veterinarians can secure funding and navigate the path to practice ownership. Joe brings nearly 25 years of experience helping healthcare professionals achieve their dreams of practice ownership, expansion, and growth.

    • Student debt is not a barrier to practice ownership - focus on payment management rather than total debt
    • Building the right team of financial advisors, CPAs, attorneys, and healthcare-focused bankers is crucial for work-life balance
    • Veterinary practices remain financially strong and "recession-resistant" businesses, making them attractive to lenders
    • The industry is seeing a resurgence in both startups and independent practice acquisitions
    • Engage with lenders early in the process for guidance, not just after finding a practice to purchase
    • When choosing a lender, ask if they specialize in healthcare, what terms they offer, and what happens after the loan closes
    • Local banking relationships with dedicated representatives are more valuable than call centers for busy practitioners
    • Practice ownership offers greater income potential and autonomy compared to associate positions

    Reach out to US Bank's Healthcare Business Banking team to learn how they can help you achieve your practice ownership goals. Find your team early - the right financial partners can make all the difference in your success.


    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • #24 Safe Pet Anesthesia at Your Fingertips with Dr. Gianluca Bini
    Mar 26 2025

    Send us a text

    Dr. Gianluca Bini introduces Safe Pet Anesthesia, a revolutionary telehealth service bringing board-certified anesthesia expertise to general veterinary practices across the country. This innovative platform connects specialists with veterinary teams via video call during procedures, dramatically improving patient safety while making expert anesthesia care accessible to all pets.

    • Only about 200 board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists exist in the US, with most concentrated in academia or specialty hospitals
    • Safe Pet Anesthesia allows practices to book specialists who monitor cases remotely via video call from pre-op through recovery
    • Monitoring—not drug protocols—is the key to safe anesthesia and preventing complications
    • The service costs a fraction of specialty referral prices, making expert care accessible to more pet owners
    • Veterinarians can focus on surgical procedures while specialists guide technicians through anesthesia management
    • No contracts or minimum commitments required—practices pay per case
    • Many clients willingly pay extra for this service when offered as an option
    • Technical setup requires just a smartphone, internet connection, and the included tripod mount
    • The platform also offers customized training for veterinary teams, both virtually and in-person

    Visit safepetanesthesia.com to learn more about bringing specialist-level anesthesia care to your practice.


    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Innovating Veterinary Practices: Harnessing Diverse Minds with Dr. Temple Grandin
    Feb 26 2025

    Send us a text

    Dr. Temple Grandin shares insights on enhancing animal welfare through fear-free practices and understanding diverse thinking styles in veterinary medicine. She emphasizes the importance of exposure, mentorship, and empathy in creating positive experiences for animals in veterinary settings.

    • Adoption of fear-free practices for better animal handling
    • Importance of recognizing different thinking styles in veterinary staff
    • Strategies for reducing fear in animals during veterinary visits
    • Practical approaches to pain management in both pets and production animals
    • Future of veterinary medicine and the impact of private equity on care quality

    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • #22 Trends in Veterinary Practice Ownership: Legal Insights with Peter Tanella
    Jan 29 2025

    Send us a text

    Unlock expert legal insights for navigating the complex world of veterinary practice ownership with Peter Tanella, an attorney from Mendelbaum Barrett PC and leader of the National Veterinary Practice Group. Gain the tools you need to master the art of starting, buying, or selling a veterinary practice with confidence. Whether it's zoning, employment law, or lease agreements, Peter shares why assembling a team of specialized professionals is crucial to avoid pitfalls and ensure a seamless transition.

    Explore the shifting dynamics of the veterinary practice landscape and discover why larger practices hold more allure for corporate buyers, while smaller practices pivot towards independence. Peter delves into why associate veterinarians are opting to purchase practices, often yearning for the autonomy that corporate acquisitions lack. With a growing interest in startups among veterinarians, this episode provides a roadmap for aligning goals with viable buyers for mutual success.

    Curious about partnership dynamics or the challenges of succession planning? This episode covers it all. From the nuances of practice partnerships to preparing for succession, Peter offers invaluable advice on understanding contract terms and setting clear objectives. With real-life experiences and expert tips, listeners will learn how to enhance negotiating power and maximize the value of their practices, all while surrounding themselves with a strong advisory team to tackle any obstacles along the way.

    Host Information

    Bill Butler – Contact Information

    Direct – 952-208-7220

    https://butlervetinsurance.com/

    bill@butlervetinsurance.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

    Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session


    Podcast Sponsored By:

    Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

    Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

    "Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

    Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

    Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

    We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

    Contact Us Now

    Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins