Episodes

Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Steven Roche talks to Dr. David Bessler (founder of the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG)) about the priorities and vision that sets VEG apart from other consolidated or corporate veterinary hospitals.
Some highlights in this conversation:
- 00:00 Introduction to Elevating the Veterinary Team
- 00:30 Meet Dr. David Bessler and VEG
- 02:24 The Importance of Team-Based Care
- 02:55 Enhancing Client and Patient Experience
- 10:45 Creating a Rewarding Work Environment
- 22:43 Innovative Approaches and Challenges
- 30:00 Future Directions and Expansion
- 37:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Monday Jan 20, 2025
TeamCheck Awareness Campaign
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Learn more about the Ontario Collaborative for Well-being in Veterinary Medicine, its mandate, and TeamCheck, the awareness campaign focused on the theme of prevention.
Shilo Tooze, Deputy Registrar at the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, moderates the session with guests: Terra Shastri, Chief Experience Officer (Ontario Veterinary Medical Association), Andria Jones, Professor, Department of Population Medicine (Ontario Veterinary College), Shana Westrop, Member Services & Communications Coordinator (Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians), Kim Lambert, Associate Registrar, Regulatory Programs (College of Veterinarians of Ontario).

Thursday Jan 02, 2025
Thursday Jan 02, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Steven Roche and Dr. Mike Pownall (co-founder of McKee-Pownall Equine Services) as they explore some of the unique features of equine medicine and innovative ways to improve employee retention and quality of life for staff.
Some highlights in this conversation:
- 00:00 Introduction to Elevating the Veterinary Team
- 00:40 Meet Dr. Mike Pownall
- 01:40 Dr. Pownall's Journey in Veterinary Medicine
- 04:09 Building a Team-Based Practice
- 08:11 Core Values and Culture at McKee-Pownall Equine Services
- 14:13 Innovative Approaches and Future Challenges
- 24:51 Supporting Mental Health and Employee Well-being
- 29:48 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
- 33:56 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Join Dr. Steven Roche and Dr. Enid Stiles (Owner of Sherwood Park Animal Hospital) as they discuss the keys to staff retention and buy-in, the benefits of leveraging technology in clinic workflows, and the importance of having a team-based approach to human resources.
Some highlights in this conversation:
- 00:00 Introduction to Elevating the Veterinary Team
- 01:39 Meet Dr. Enid Stiles: A Journey in Veterinary Medicine
- 04:40 Defining Team-Based Care in Veterinary Practice
- 07:21 Implementing Trust and Communication in the Clinic
- 10:21 Adapting to Change: Technology and COVID-19
- 22:37 AI and Future Innovations in Veterinary Care
- 28:08 Leadership and Team Dynamics
- 36:05 Final Thoughts and Advice for Veterinary Teams
- 38:32 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Episode 1: Setting the Stage: Defining team-based care
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Join Dr. Steven Roche as he discusses how the nature of team-based care is shifting in the veterinary profession with Jan Robinson (Registrar & CEO of the CVO), Dr. Jeff Wichtel (Dean of OVC), and John Stevens (CEO of the OVMA). Is the adoption of a team-based approach to medicine the key to future-proofing the profession? What defines team-based care?
Some highlights in this conversation:
- 00:00 Introduction to the Evolving Veterinary Profession
- 00:51 Meet Your Host: Dr. Steven Roche
- 01:24 Series Overview and Collaborators
- 02:34 Discussion with Veterinary Leaders
- 08:42 Defining Team-Based Veterinary Healthcare
- 12:31 Current Status and Barriers to Change
- 19:09 Legislative Changes and Future Opportunities
- 22:14 Innovative Approaches in Veterinary Teams
- 25:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Friday Jul 26, 2024
Have you seen the new One Health Promotional Kit?
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Veterinary teams have an important role in One Health – learn more through our new podcast! College Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Jan Robinson is joined by John Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and Kristina Cooper, Provincial Manager of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Public Health Rabies Response Program.
The episode highlights the vital role of veterinary teams in promoting One Health, with a focus on the new One Health Promotional Kit and the August One Health Champion contest. Tune in to learn more about how you can become a One Health champion and win three sets of scrubs valued up to $500. Entries are being accepted until August 29, 2024. So don’t delay!
The podcast also provides an introduction to a new information sheet that supports farm families in their conversations with their family physicians.
Visit https://www.cvo.org/about/strategic-plan/one-health/one-health-promotional-kit/one-health-champion-contest for contest details and to learn more.

Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
The Impact of Spectrum of Care on Practice
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
College President Dr. Wade Wright and Dr. Jason Coe, PhD, Professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, chat about Spectrum of Care in veterinary practice. The episode provides valuable insights into the evolving concept of Spectrum of Care and its potential impact on veterinary practice, and how it can be used to support client communication. Dr. Wright and Coe also discuss connections to professional well-being and explore the misconception of gold standard care in the profession. Don’t miss this informative podcast, which is the first in a series on Spectrum of Care.
Visit the CVO website to view our Position Statement: Balancing Available Health Care Options and Client Access to Veterinary Care to learn more.

Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Medical Records - Answering your questions
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
In this episode of our Practice Advise series, Dr. Kim Lambert, Associate Registrar of Quality Practice and Dr. Susan Sabatini, one of the College's practice advisors, answer some questions we frequently get asked about medical records. Get answers to questions like "are veterinarians required to provide an owner with their animal’s medical record when asked?"
The practice advisory service is available to anyone seeking information related to the regulations, policy and expectations associated with the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario.

Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Prescribing and Dispensing (Part 3) - Answering your questions
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
In this episode of our Practice Advise series, Dr. Kim Lambert, Associate Registrar of Quality Practice and Dr. Susan Sabatini, one of the College's practice advisors, answer some questions we frequently get asked about prescribing and dispensing. Get answers to questions like "can a veterinarian prescribe and dispense an injectable drug to a client to administer to their animal themselves?".
The practice advisory service is available to anyone seeking information related to the regulations, policy and expectations associated with the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario.

Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Prescribing and Dispensing (Part 2) - Answering your questions
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
In this episode of our Practice Advise series, Dr. Kim Lambert, Associate Registrar of Quality Practice and Dr. Susan Sabatini, one of the College's practice advisors, answer some questions we frequently get asked about prescribing and dispensing. Get answers to questions like "does a veterinarian have to educate a client about common side effects and proper storage each time a drug is prescribed?"
The practice advisory service is available to anyone seeking information related to the regulations, policy and expectations associated with the practice of veterinary medicine in Ontario.