Shows
Don't Call Me CattyAshley Nicholls (Reach Ag) | Sticks, Coyotes, and the Human Side of AgricultureLeilani and Jillian sit down with Ashley Nicholls of Reach Ag for a wide-ranging conversation that blends leadership, culture, and real-world agriculture experience with plenty of laughs along the way.Ashley shares his journey from Australia to Canada, including stories from Australian cowboy culture and what it was like entering the agriculture industry later in life. Together, they explore the unique challenges that arise when business, family, and tradition intersect: a reality familiar to anyone working alongside farm families and multi-generational operations.The conversation digs into generational differences across Millennial, Gen-Z, and senior team members...
2026-02-1450 min
Don't Call Me CattyDr. Phil Buote, DVM | Fear, Facts, and Fairness: How Veterinary Complaints Are Really HandledComplaints are one of the most anxiety-provoking experiences in veterinary medicine. However, they don’t have to be a mystery, and they don’t have to define you.In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Phil Buote, DVM, Deputy Registrar and Complaints Director at the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA), for an open, human conversation about what really happens when a complaint is filed.Phil walks us through the complaints process from start to finish, sharing why most complaints are dismissed, how peer review actually works, and why the regulator’s role is not about...
2026-02-0532 min
Don't Call Me CattyThierry (Jerry) Locati, RVT | Talking to Pet Owners Is His Full-Time JobWe sit down with Jerry Locati, an RVT whose full-time job is talking to pet owners when they’re worried, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next.Jerry shares his path into veterinary medicine, what led him to become an RVT, and who he is outside of the profession (including his life as a bass guitarist while off the clock). We talk about his role at Animal HealthLink, where he’s often the voice on the phone when a pet owner is facing a potential crisis and needs calm, experienced guidance.The conversation explores what it’s...
2026-02-0434 min
Don't Call Me CattyDr. Jeannet Kessels | The Facebook Post That Sparked a Global Climate Movement in Vet MedIn this episode of Don’t Call Me Catty, we sit down with Dr. Jeannet Kessels, DVM, founder of Vets For Climate Action, to trace how one moment of concern turned into a worldwide effort to unite veterinary voices for the planet. From the frontlines of climate-driven animal welfare crises to conversations with veterinary organizations across continents, Dr. Kessels shares what it takes to build momentum in a profession rooted in science, trust, and community connection.We talk about why veterinarians may be some of the most powerful and credible messengers in the climate conversation, how grassroots ad...
2026-01-2135 minDon't Call Me CattyDr. Savannah Howse-Smith, DVM | She Was a TV Vet. Now What?In this episode, we talk with Dr. Savannah Howse-Smith: Métis veterinarian, former star of Dr. Savannah: Wild Rose Vet, and Lead Veterinarian with the Canadian Animal Task Force. We discuss her journey from mixed animal practice to small animal care, how she found herself on television, and why community-centred care matters in Indigenous communities across Canada. Join us for stories from the clinic, insights into effective allyship to Indigenous communities, and how Dr. Savannah continues to make an impact beyond the camera.Canadian Animal Task Force: https://cataskforce.org/Volunteers Wanted
2026-01-1448 min
Don't Call Me CattyDr. Heather James | Grit, Growth, and Doing Things Differently | POP-UP | 04In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Heather James, DVM for a candid conversation about finding your calling, surviving the messy middle, giving back through mentorship, and noticing the impact of your work.Heather shares her non-linear path to vet med, from an early background in art, to quitting programs that weren’t the right fit, to selling Girl Guide cookies at 2 a.m. outside a bar because opportunity doesn’t always show up during business hours. We talk about grit in its many forms: working rural mixed animal practice with relentless on-call schedules, sleeping in an S...
2026-01-0751 min
Don't Call Me CattySyd Vaughan | Why “Just Breathing” Might Be the Most Underrated Tool in Vet Med | POP-UP | 03We're thrilled to introduce you to Syd Vaughan, Registered Massage Therapist, breathwork coach, and founder of 3 Well by Syd.Syd shares her personal journey into breathwork and how regulating the nervous system can be a practical, effective tool for managing stress, especially in high-pressure professions like veterinary medicine. The conversation reflects on the speakers’ experience at CVMA 2025, where Syd guided a group of veterinary professionals through a breathwork session that challenged skepticism and reframed breathwork as a grounded, accessible stress-regulation practice.Together, they explore the role of vulnerability, authenticity, and music in mental health and pe...
2025-12-3136 min
Don't Call Me CattyDr. Gerard O’Leary | Pivots, People, and Pet Tech | POP-UP | 02In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gerard O'Leary, the CEO and founder of NxVet. Gerard discusses his unconventional journey from engineering to veterinary medicine, including his work with the European Space Agency and on smartphone technology before moving to medical devices. He elaborates on his commitment to humanizing the veterinary field and breaking down barriers. Gerard provides an in-depth look at NxVet's innovative stethoscope attachment, which combines AI technology for scribing and vital sign measurements. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, the support from key individuals such as his wife and colleagues, and the challenges faced...
2025-09-2232 min
Don't Call Me CattyDr. Jonathan Leicht | The Ick Factor: Vet Hiring Faux Paws | POP-UP | 01In the inaugural episode of 'Don't Call Me Catty,' co-hosts Jillian and Leilani introduce their mission of offering a no-nonsense look into the veterinary industry. The special guest, Jonathan Leicht, CEO of Mosaic Vet Partners, shares career insights, including hiring practices, mentorship, and handling workplace challenges. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining team culture and being adaptable in a fast-evolving field. Jonathan also opens up about personal stories, including memorable family experiences and the impact of firing a high-performing but toxic team member. This episode highlights the human side of veterinary medicine, aiming to foster better understanding and...
2025-08-1127 min
The Vet Tech Cafe's PodcastVet Tech Cafe - Leilani MustilloCaffeinators, we're going back to Canada for this one, so pack your bags! Or, you can stay remote like Leilani's employees and listen to her talk about Animal HealthLink! Leilani Mustillo has been an RVT for over 15 years, but as many of us have, experienced burnout and due to life circumstances needed to reimagine her career. She had a love of triage, and created Animal HealthLink in 2020, a tele triage company based in Canada. We talked about starting that type of business, logistics, and how it's grown to have helped over 300,000 pets so far. This was a fascinating discussion...
2024-11-111h 04
The Veterinary Project PodcastAnimal HealthLink is Transforming Telehealth and Triage, with Leilani Mustillo and Sean NeateWhen lifestyle changes forced Leilani Mustillo to consider leaving Vet med, she connected with friend and fellow industry colleague Dr. Sean Neate to discuss a solution to both the career changes she faced and an opportunity to improve Telehealth. After a couple long brainstorming sessions, Animal HealthLink was born, with the vision and mission to redefine the veterinary emergency and after-hours triage model and be the veterinary industry standard for triage.
Leilani, RVT CEO is a born and raised Albertan who completed the Olds College Animal Health Technology program in 2009. Since graduating, she has worked in specialty an...
2022-07-201h 02