Veterinary Innovation Podcast

Veterinary professionals are masters of the clinic environment, but what happens when the electricity goes out, supplies run low, or a patient is miles from the nearest hospital? This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with Tom Roffe-Silvester from Veterinary Task Force and Exped Vet to discuss the evolution of Expedition Veterinary Medicine. Tom shares how his background in the British Army led him to create specialized training and assurance solutions for the working dog community and humanitarian responders. Learn how "survival" training — ranging from Arctic operations to tactical first aid — is helping veterinarians reduce burnout by building resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills that are just as valuable in a local clinic as they are in a disaster zone. Learn more about the Veterinary Task Force LTD. Tom recommends YouTube - William Micklem - the GO! Rules - How to run your own race and thrive in sport and life.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Todd Zion, the Founder and CEO of Akston, a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of long-acting therapeutics for companion animals. Todd, who previously founded a company that engineered the first clinically tested glucose-responsive insulin, explains why his pivot from a $500M human health exit to the pet health market makes perfect sense. Todd details how Akston's Ambifect platform is being used to develop treatments for chronic pain, dermatitis, and cancer that can last for six months or even a year on a single dose, reducing the burden on pet owners and veterinary teams. He also provides a candid look at the streamlined regulatory pathways in veterinary medicine compared to human health, and how their manufacturing platform is poised to make these cutting-edge biologics more accessible and cost-effective for everyday pet care. Learn more about Akston. Todd recommends "Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health" by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, Kathryn Bowers.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Dr. Nathan Mitchell, co-founder of SIMON Education Systems, LLC, a company designing and distributing realistic and affordable veterinary diagnostic simulations. Dr. Mitchell, who started the company with his brother and mentor based on his own struggles learning diagnostics, shares how SIMON's ultrasound and ophthalmic simulators allow students and doctors to practice skills for unlimited amounts of time without the stress, risk, or ethical concerns of a live patient. They discuss how customizable, tag-based probes for ultrasound — which can display both normal and pathological findings — are reshaping veterinary education and continuous training. Learn more about SIMON Education Systems. Dr. Mitchell recommends finding inspiration from the mentorship and expertise of people around you, specifically those who offer guidance and support.

High-end monitoring tech for pets is often too expensive and complicated for the average practice, creating a major barrier to reliable care. This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by hardware entrepreneur Yale Zhang, founder of Seismi Inc., to discuss how his company is disrupting the space with affordable, non-invasive monitoring. Yale shares how Seismi makes continuous monitoring accessible to any clinic through accurate, affordable, subscription-free technology designed for real-world use. They also discuss what it takes to bring good hardware to life and how this innovation could make home monitoring for senior and feline patients a reality. Learn more about Seismi. Yale recommends “Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology” by Chris Miller.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Kimball Carr, CEO and President of Inspire Veterinary Partners, to discuss how his company is challenging the consolidation status quo in veterinary medicine. Kimball shares his vision for a long-term growth model built on an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), designed to fight burnout and create wealth for doctors, technicians, and clinic staff — not just top-level executives. Learn why IVP pursued a fast IPO to ensure long-term stability and funding leverage, and how this unique structure aims to keep the future of veterinary ownership and leadership in the hands of the professionals who drive care every day. This episode offers a compelling look at a new wealth model for the entire veterinary team. Learn more about Inspire Veterinary Partners. Kimball recommends “The Arrogance of Power” by Senator J. William Fulbright for its timely lessons on leadership and avoiding arrogance.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with David Teaster, Product Marketing Director at SATELLAI, about how smart wearables are moving way past “just GPS.”. David explains how their AI-powered collars use advanced GPS and motion tracking to spot changes in your pet’s activity, give you early clues about their health, and create customizable virtual fences. The discussion highlights the importance of innovation in creating closer, longer-lasting relationships between pets and their people. Learn more about SATELLAI. David recommends TED Talk: The Unique Love Between Humans and Dogs | Elias Weiss Friedman.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Sonya G. Gordon, a professor of cardiology at Texas A&M University and member of the Cardiac Education Group. She shares a unique perspective on how AI is transforming veterinary education and clinical practice. Dr. Gordon explains that rather than replacing veterinarians, AI is a tool that enhances efficiency and improves patient care by streamlining medical records and adding precision to diagnostic imaging. She also discusses her work with CEG, the not-for-profit group of board-certified veterinary cardiologists that provides independent clinical recommendations for canine and feline heart disease. The conversation explores how these innovations are making complex tasks more manageable for students and empowering clinicians to work with greater confidence. Dr. Gordon recommends the movie Happy Gilmore 2 for a laugh, as sometimes you just need to be silly and laugh at the end of the day.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Alex Voda from The Cat Health Company to discuss how the startup became the first clinical-stage company focused on feline longevity. Alex explains why cats are better models than other species for pharmaceutical R&D and how repurposing existing drugs could accelerate new treatments. He shares insights into why longevity companies still move slowly, highlights common and unique feline aging mechanisms, and reflects on what these innovations could mean for veterinarians, pet owners, and the broader future of veterinary practice. Learn more about The Cat Health Company. Alex recommends Youtube - Alex Zhavoronkov at ARDD2024: Methylation Clocks and AI Life Models as Sources of Therapeutic Target.

Puppies have clear care protocols — but what about seniors?This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak dive into conversation with Dr. Lisa Lippman from the Senior Dog Veterinary Society about how her team is closing one of the biggest gaps in veterinary medicine. She explains how the Society is closing a critical gap in veterinary education by offering CE-certified training and a certification program for veterinarians and technicians. The discussion covers identifying senior and geriatric stages across breeds, creating proactive wellness plans, adapting clinics to reduce stress and support mobility, and using quality-of-life scales to guide treatment and end-of-life decisions. Dr. Lippman also explores the emotional side of senior care, including anticipatory grief, and shares her vision for future standards and certification in geriatric veterinary medicine. Learn more about Senior Dog Veterinary Society. Dr. Lippman recommends TED Talks - “What veterinarians know that physicians don't” by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Joe Chickerillo from Chckvet to speak about the company’s evolution from an online booking tool into a five-in-one veterinary platform. Joe explains how Chckvet integrates booking, analytics, communications, reviews, loyalty programs, and client portals into one customizable solution. He shares how client feedback has guided product development and reflects on lessons learned from scaling SaaS in dentistry, highlighting parallels to veterinary medicine. The discussion also explores where AI belongs in practice workflows, where it risks being unnecessary, and how clinics can choose technology that truly solves their pain points. Learn more about Chckvet. Joe recommends Keynote on AI at a CE conference by Stuart Lacey.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Elianne Mimoun from The Veterkin Society, a virtual animal hospital created to address a challenge many veterinarians face after leaving clinical practice or never in clinical practice: access to affordable tools, medications, and diagnostics. Drawing on her 20+ years in veterinary medicine, Dr. Mimoun explains how her membership-based model helps veterinarians care for their own pets and those of loved ones without relying on brick-and-mortar clinics. You will learn how this innovative solution works, who use it, what is the future of The Veterkin Society and why it could change the way independent and non-practicing veterinarians stay connected to their profession. Discover more at The Veterkin Society Facebook. Dr. Mimoun recommends “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak meet with Dr. Eve Hanks, the founder of MI:RNA Diagnostics to chat about her remarkable journey from clinical veterinary practice to becoming the CEO of a pioneering diagnostics company. Eve shares how her background in immunology led to the creation of an AI-powered platform that uses microRNA to detect disease earlier than ever before. You`ll discover how predictive diagnostics can improve clinical decision-making, reduce uncertainty, and support personalized care for both pets and production animals. Learn more about MI:RNA Diagnostics. Dr. Hanks recommends “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

What if the most effective way to innovate in veterinary medicine isn't to start something new, but to take something that already works and make it work better? This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak explore insights from Luke Hedlund, the Founder of Tucannon Partners, about exactly that approach. Luke is looking for one business within vet med to manage and make a majority investment in. He is open to vet clinics, but he’s more focused on vendors to vet clinics. Luke shares his approach to fixing the issues that frustrate everyone - ineffective meetings, unclear communication, and poor decision-making processes. He also discusses the risks of chasing inflated valuations over product-market fit, and explains why imaging and workflow improvements hold untapped potential for better pet care and business performance. Learn more about Tucannon Partners. Luke Hedlund recommends “The Manager's Handbook: Five Simple Steps to Build a Team, Stay Focused, Make Better Decisions, and Crush Your Competition” by David Dodson for practical leadership frameworks.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. Michael Blackwell from the University of Tennessee, and the Director of AlignCare Health Inc., about the increasing challenges families face in accessing veterinary care and how the One Health model offers a transformative solution. Dr. Blackwell explains that many of the barriers to care stem from human social and financial realities, not just veterinary logistics. By integrating veterinary services with human healthcare, social work, and community resources, One Health creates a holistic, family-centric approach that supports underserved families, mitigates the risks of zoonotic disease, and reduces long-term public health costs. The episode explores how AlignCare — a One Health initiative led by Dr. Blackwell — has the potential to reshape national veterinary service delivery and ensure no pet or family is left behind. Learn more about AlignCare Health Inc. Dr. Michael Blackwell recommends using all advances in AI for its transformative potential across sectors, including veterinary healthcare.

Veterinary clinics are facing growing pressure from chaotic workflows, missed calls, scattered forms, and burned-out front-desk teams. This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak sit down with James Merchant, co-founder of ClinicWise, to explore how deeply integrated, AI-powered tools are helping practices streamline client communication, automate repetitive tasks, and reclaim hours of staff time each week. James shares how ClinicWise was co-designed with busy hospitals to ensure it solves real, everyday problems — from pre- and post-appointment workflows to personalized education and smart intake. Learn more about ClinicWise. James Merchant recommends “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage“ by Alfred Lansing.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with Cory Pinegar from Teem about how veterinary clinics can reduce overhead and improve reliability by outsourcing administrative tasks to remote teams. Cory shares how Teem’s model uses structured training, real-time performance data, and an empathy-first approach to create scalable support without sacrificing service quality, even as staffing costs and turnover continue to rise. Learn more about Teem's Virtual Assistants. Cory Pinegar recommends “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome Lea-Ann Germinder, Founder and President of Germinder & Associates, Inc. They chat about the complex challenges and transformative potential of Responsible AI (RAI) in veterinary medicine. Drawing from her PhD research and presentation at Cornell’s SAVY Symposium, Germinder outlines the ethical gaps, legal gray areas, and educational challenges shaping AI adoption in vet med. She also breaks down what clinics must know before adopting AI and why ignoring it isn’t an option anymore. Learn more about Germinder & Associates. Discover more about Goodnewsforpets.com. Lea-Ann Germinder recommends “AI Ethics“ by Mark Coeckelbergh.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak talk with Mark Hines from baxtr about how veterinary clinics can use technology to streamline their operations and improve access to care. Mark shares how baxtr’s software helps independent practices create custom subscription wellness plans with predictable monthly payments, automated communication, and less administrative burden. He also introduces their new Monthly Payment Guarantee feature, which ensures clinics are paid even if clients miss a payment. You will gain insights into how automated wellness programs can stabilize revenue, improve client satisfaction, increase compliance with preventive care, and reduce burnout for veterinary professionals. Learn more about baxtr. Mark Hines recommends Youtube - What Being a Veterinarian Really Takes | Melanie Bowden, DVM | TEDxCoeurdalene.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Steve Castillo from Profit Solver about how veterinary practices can uncover hidden profits through precise, evidence-based pricing strategies. Steve shares how his patented software — already implemented in over 3,700 clinics — uses real financial data and time-motion studies to optimize service fees, boost EBITDA, and create a sustainable path to practice growth. Learn more about Profit Solver. Steve Castillo recommends “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome James Kademan from Veterinary Receptionists to discuss how his specialized virtual receptionist service is helping veterinary clinics overcome staffing shortages, reduce front desk burnout, and improve client communication. James also shares how AI tools like real-time transcription and chatbots are being used behind the scenes, and why bold, strategic decisions are essential in today’s fast-changing veterinary landscape. Discover more about "The BOLD Business Book: A strategy guide to start, run and love your BOLD business" by James Kademan. James Kademan recommends ”Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect Hardcover” by Will Guidara.