Veterinary Innovation Podcast

The Veterinary Innovation Podcast covers the most interesting, exciting, and controversial topics in the industry today. Veterinary technology entrepreneurs Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zakharenkov chat with industry leaders and innovators about the biggest challenges they’re facing - and how they’re overcoming them.

296 - Dr. Michael Blackwell | AlignCare Health Inc. 06/19/2025

296 - Dr. Michael Blackwell | AlignCare Health Inc. This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with from the University of Tennessee, and the Director of , 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 Dr. Michael Blackwell recommends using all advances in AI for its transformative potential across sectors, including veterinary healthcare. /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/37075830

295 - James Merchant | ClinicWise 06/12/2025

295 - James Merchant | ClinicWise 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 , co-founder of , 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 . James Merchant recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36968280

294 - Cory Pinegar | Teem 06/05/2025

294 - Cory Pinegar | Teem This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak connect with from 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 . Cory Pinegar recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36852550

293 - Lea-Ann Germinder | Germinder & Associates 05/29/2025

293 - Lea-Ann Germinder | Germinder & Associates This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , Founder and President of . 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 . Discover more about . Lea-Ann Germinder recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36766900

292 - Mark Hines | baxtr 05/22/2025

292 - Mark Hines | baxtr This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak talk with from 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 . Mark Hines recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36668125

291 - Steve Castillo | Profit Solver LLC 05/01/2025

291 - Steve Castillo | Profit Solver LLC This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with from 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 . Steve Castillo recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36386115

290 - James Kademan | Vet Receptionists 04/24/2025

290 - James Kademan | Vet Receptionists This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome from 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 . James Kademan recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36291730

289 - Maria Morgan | Passpaw 04/17/2025

289 - Maria Morgan | Passpaw This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with of , about how veterinary teams can turn international pet travel documentation from a time-consuming task into an efficient, team-led, and profitable service. As more clients travel with their pets post-pandemic, many practices either avoid these certificates entirely or undercharge for the work involved. Maria shares how her workflow management software aims to eliminate the administrative burden of health certificates and enhance team member utilization, freeing veterinarians to focus on patient care. Learn how practices can turn a traditionally frustrating service into a team-led revenue stream that improves client experience and practice profitability: . Maria Morgan recommends and . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36203735

288 - Dr. Kemba Marshall | KLMDVM Consulting LLC 04/10/2025

288 - Dr. Kemba Marshall | KLMDVM Consulting LLC This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak sit down with , veterinarian, DEI expert, and author of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine”, to explore how psychological safety — the #1 trait of high-performing teams and the focus of the P chapter of her new book — drives innovation, improves patient care, and reduces burnout. Dr. Marshall shares real-life examples of how inclusive environments lead to smarter diagnostics, stronger teams, and better patient outcomes. Discover why DEI isn't just about who you hire — it's about saving animal lives and fulfilling the veterinary oath. Learn more about . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/36054445

287 - Andy Bond | BestyBnB 04/03/2025

287 - Andy Bond | BestyBnB This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with from , a tech platform providing confidential, in-home pet care during crisis situations. Andy shares how they've created a "HIPAA-compliant Airbnb for pets" supporting pet owners facing domestic violence, mental health challenges, or housing issues by partnering with social service agencies and animal welfare organizations to keep people and pets safe and together. Learn more about . Andy recommends /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/35988600

286 - Dr. Kristin Welch | DVM STAT Consulting 03/27/2025

286 - Dr. Kristin Welch | DVM STAT Consulting This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , the founder of , for a deep dive into how teleconsultation is transforming access to specialty care in veterinary medicine. They explore the unique benefits of doctor-to-doctor virtual consultations, how AI is being used to streamline the review of complex medical records, and how her team of board-certified specialists is providing real-time, high-touch clinical support to general practitioners, emergency clinics, and even other specialty hospitals — 24/7. Learn more about . Dr. Welch recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/35855575

285 - Dr. Andrew Ciccolini | Serenity Vet 02/13/2025

285 - Dr. Andrew Ciccolini | Serenity Vet This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with from , a new relief platform that uniquely combines a marketplace connecting veterinarians with employers and a business suite featuring financial planning tools for both. They discuss why relief work is growing, how Serenity Vet differentiates itself with features like the clinic profitability calculator and scheduling tools to prevent burnout, and AI-driven predictability for shift fulfillment. Learn more about . Dr. Andrew Ciccolini recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/35271405

284 - Chuck Rich | Greysteel 01/23/2025

284 - Chuck Rich | Greysteel This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by from to discuss current trends in veterinary real estate, including the sale-leaseback model, navigating corporate acquisitions, and strategies for practice owners to unlock equity and plan for retirement or expansion. Learn more about . Chuck Rich recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34983455

283 - Ryan Salvino | VetTalk 01/02/2025

283 - Ryan Salvino | VetTalk This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , the co-founder of , about their automated client education system that integrates with veterinary practice management systems. Ryan shares how VetTalk improves compliance, reduces staff workload, and ensures better pet care through pre and post-appointment educational care plans. Learn more about . Ryan Salvino recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34653825

282 - Dr. Emily Hubbard | Veterinary Innovative Partners 12/26/2024

282 - Dr. Emily Hubbard | Veterinary Innovative Partners This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , the Chief Medical Officer at (VIP), to talk about fostering healthy communication, conflict resolution, and leadership in veterinary practices. Dr. Hubbard shares how VIP supports autonomy, empowers hospital teams, and advances the veterinary field through innovation. Learn more about . Dr. Emily Hubbard recommends focusing on one’s own mental health. /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34618355

281 - Dr. Rory Lubold | Affordable Pet Labs 12/19/2024

281 - Dr. Rory Lubold | Affordable Pet Labs This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by , Founder of , a company dedicated to making diagnostic testing more accessible and affordable for pet owners nationwide. They discuss breaking barriers to veterinary care — both in terms of cost and accessibility — and how their in-home blood collection and at-home testing kits benefit pet owners and veterinarians alike. Learn more about . Dr. Rory Lubold recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34529710

280 - Aoife Caulfield | Village Vets 12/12/2024

280 - Aoife Caulfield | Village Vets This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , Partnerships and Acquisitions Lead at Ireland, to talk about building partnerships, challenges of consolidating practices, innovative practice ownership models, and the future of veterinary in Ireland. She also shared insights on the importance of leadership, networking, and aligning with like-minded partners for sustainable growth. Learn more about . Aoife Caulfield recommends events like . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34415435

279 - Suvi Irvine | Blue River PetCare 12/05/2024

279 - Suvi Irvine | Blue River PetCare This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by , Clinical Development Manager at , to discuss how AI innovations provide a path forward to increasing efficiency, reducing burnout, and improving care access without compromising staff well-being. Learn more about . Suvi Irvine recommends /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34305215

278 - Price Fallin | Otto (formerly TeleVet) 11/28/2024

278 - Price Fallin | Otto (formerly TeleVet) This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at , where he shares the journey of Otto, a leading workflow automation platform. He discusses the challenges of rapid growth, the impact of COVID-19, and how automation can unlock new opportunities for veterinary practice efficiency. Learn more about . Discover more about . Price Fallin recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/34191325

277 - Joseph Faiella | Moichor 11/14/2024

277 - Joseph Faiella | Moichor This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by , Chief Commercial Officer at , to discuss advancements in veterinary diagnostics using AI technology. Joe explains how Moichor provides fast, reliable cytology and pathology results, offering a flexible, affordable, and accessible diagnostic option for practices of all sizes. Learn more about . Discover more about . Joe Faiella recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33931932

276 - Ryan Leech | First 100 Consulting 11/07/2024

276 - Ryan Leech | First 100 Consulting This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome from , a veterinary industry consultant and host of podcast. Ryan shares insights from his consulting experience, discusses the intricacies of veterinary industry trends, technological advancements, and the effects of AI on the field. He also explores future expectations for market consolidations and strategic moves by large firms, as well as potential challenges posed by advanced AI tools and their use by non-experts. Learn more about . Ryan Leech recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33832147

275 - Julia Loew | MWI Animal Health 10/24/2024

275 - Julia Loew | MWI Animal Health This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak are joined by , the Senior Vice President of Commercialization Services at , a division of AmerisourceBergen. Together, they discuss MWI’s shift toward technology-driven solutions and its innovative sustainability initiatives, including the sustainable tote delivery program. Julia addresses key challenges like staffing shortages in veterinary clinics and highlights the importance of expanding access to care through technological advancements. She also shares her perspective on leadership and the future of the veterinary industry. Learn more about . Julia Loew recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33596312

274 - Aaron Pugh | Vet Together 10/17/2024

274 - Aaron Pugh | Vet Together This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , the CEO of , about the vision for transforming veterinary conferences by creating a business-focused event tailored to independent hospitals and vendors. He shares the unique challenges smaller practices face, the innovative conference format, how it’s disrupting traditional trade shows, and what the future holds for Vet Together. Learn more about Aaron Pugh recommends and . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33496977

273 - Elizabeth Green | VetMedux 10/10/2024

273 - Elizabeth Green | VetMedux This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome from , a part of , to chat about the evolution of Clinician’s Brief and Plumb’s from a traditional print resource to a continuously updated digital platform, improving access to the latest drug information. Elizabeth also delves into the role of AI in addressing current challenges within veterinary practice and innovations aimed at improving efficiency and education for veterinarians. Learn more about and . Elizabeth Green recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33402442

272 - Dr. Anna Foster | Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) 10/03/2024

272 - Dr. Anna Foster | Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , Chief of Staff at (VEG). They discuss how the company prioritizes both employee and customer experiences in emergency care. Dr. Foster discusses their open-concept hospital design, allowing pets and owners to stay together during treatment, and explains how they track employee and customer experiences with innovative metrics. Learn more about the . Dr. Foster recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33310842

271 - Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston | Life Boost with Amelia 09/26/2024

271 - Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston | Life Boost with Amelia This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by , Founder of , to discuss her personal experience with burnout in the veterinary field and how it led her to create programs that help veterinary professionals overcome it. She shares practical strategies for addressing burnout on both individual and clinic levels. Free (RACE-approved) resource for . Discover more about . Join the . Connect with Amelia on . Dr. Knight Pinkston recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33188167

270 - Dr. Seth Wallack | Vetology 09/19/2024

270 - Dr. Seth Wallack | Vetology This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , Founder and CEO of , about how Vetology combines artificial intelligence (AI) with teleradiology to streamline workflows and enhance diagnostic efficiency for veterinarians. Dr. Wallack explains the role of AI in providing preliminary radiograph reports while preserving veterinarians’ clinical decision-making. He also highlights upcoming innovations, including faster report turnaround times and the release of feline abdomen AI. Learn more about . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33107172

269 - Dr. Oliver Viner | HelloVet 09/12/2024

269 - Dr. Oliver Viner | HelloVet This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak joined by , co-founder of , to discuss balancing technological innovation technology with practical application in veterinary clinics. Dr. Viner shares insights on creating a more transparent and open veterinary practice model, seamlessly integrating technology into veterinary workflows, and leveraging tools to enhance patient care and client communication. Learn more about . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/33004402

268 - Dr. Christian M. Leutenegger | Antech Diagnostics 09/05/2024

268 - Dr. Christian M. Leutenegger | Antech Diagnostics This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with , Vice President of R&D Assay Development at , about molecular diagnostics in veterinary medicine. He shares insights on the future of diagnostics and the potential of AI in advancing veterinary care. Learn more about and . Dr. Christian Leutenegger recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/32906982

267 - Derek Cummins | PetExpert 08/29/2024

267 - Derek Cummins | PetExpert In this episode of the Veterinary Innovation Podcast, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak welcome , CEO and Co-founder of , to discuss the evolution of pet insurance, its challenges, the impact of inflation, and the importance of integrating technology. Learn how Pet Expert's innovative approach led to its acquisition by Trupanion and what it takes to succeed in the global pet insurance industry. Learn more about . Discover more about . Derek recommends . /episode/index/show/veterinary-innovation-podcast/id/32789117

Veterinary Innovation Podcast

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