Veterinary leadership, general practice, emergency medicine, exotics, evidence-based medicine, and motherhood collide in this inspiring conversation with Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond.

The Honest Vet tells us what honesty means to her and what happens when the career you thought you'd have no longer fits? Dr. Hammond shares her unexpected journey from aspiring large animal veterinarian to small animal, ER doctor, relief vet, exotic pet practitioner, Chief of Staff, mother, and creator of The Honest Vet. Along the way, she discusses navigating misinformation, building trust with pet owners, stepping into leadership, giving and receiving feedback, embracing uncertainty, and learning that the most meaningful career paths are rarely linear. This episode is a powerful reminder that flexibility, authenticity, and curiosity can lead to a veterinary career more fulfilling than you ever imagined.

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In This Episode

Why emergency medicine helped shape Dr. Hammond into a more confident veterinarian

How The Honest Vet was created to combat misinformation with compassion and evidence

What stepping into leadership as a female veterinarian really looks like

Why staying flexible and trusting your intuition can open unexpected opportunities

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 Why emergency medicine made Dr. Hammond a better veterinarian
• 01:45 Reconnecting after veterinary school and reflecting on different career paths
• 04:05 Realizing large animal medicine wasn't the right fit
• 07:45 The pivotal moment she switched tracks during clinical rotations
• 09:30 Starting her first small animal position and navigating student debt realities
• 12:20 Taking on emergency medicine to strengthen clinical confidence
• 15:20 The emotional highs and lows of ER practice
• 19:35 The experiences that inspired The Honest Vet
• 24:10 Fighting misinformation and building trust with pet owners
• 26:45 Moving to Charleston and starting over
• 28:25 Relief work as an unexpected career advantage
• 32:10 Discovering a passion for exotic animal medicine
• 41:30 Using social media to advocate for pets through honest education
• 47:50 The meaning behind The Honest Vet brand
• 54:40 "Evidence-based everything" as a life philosophy
• 01:03:15 Stepping into leadership as Chief of Staff
• 01:12:45 Advice for aspiring veterinary leaders and embracing the journey

Key Takeaways

The veterinary career you imagined may evolve into something even better if you stay open to change.

Emergency medicine builds confidence, decisiveness, and skills that benefit every veterinarian.

Honest conversations rooted in empathy and evidence are the strongest antidotes to misinformation.

Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about earning trust, staying adaptable, and helping others grow.

About Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond

Chief of Staff

A 2018 graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Hammond grew up on her family's Angus cattle ranch in southern Arizona, where she spent her childhood as her mother's “unofficial” veterinary assistant. That early hands-on experience shaped a lifelong passion for animal health and welfare. Today, she leads our team as Chief of Staff and is especially passionate about client education and partnering with pet owners on their animals’ care. Dr. Hammond works with a wide variety of species, drawing on her experience with both small and farm animals, as well as advanced continuing education in exotic pet medicine through the Exotic Veterinary Academy. Her clinical interests include nutrition, internal medicine, dentistry, and evidence-based preventive care.

https://allcreatureschs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestvet/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehonestvet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehonestvet.official

Resources Mentioned

📸 Instagram: @EvolvedVets

📺 YouTube: Evolved Vets

🎵 TikTok: @evolvedvets

🌐 Website & Membership: www.evolvedvets.com

📸 Instagram: @drbeththevet

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bethany-weinheimer-a9047558

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drbeththevet

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Hello, and welcome to [00:00:20] the Evolve Vets podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Bethany Weinheimer.[00:00:25] [00:00:30]

Yeah, it was that. And it's always been so fun and inspiring

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: and- 12 years ago.

That's always really shown. So I'm so [00:01:15] happy to have you here on the podcast and- I'm excited to be here ... get to dive a little bit deeper and [00:01:20] celebrate your journey from, you know, where we started, beginning of vet school, to where you're at today. Yeah. So tell [00:01:25] us a little bit about your journey.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes.

But in hindsight, you know, it's crazy [00:02:00] to think that we've been out of school twice as long as we were in school now, but it feels shorter. It

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: It feels so much shorter. And like at least to me it feels shorter. No, I completely agree. So yeah.

Yes. You're tested [00:02:15] regularly, your patience, your drive, your commitment, your perseverance, your [00:02:20] knowledge, your skills, and hon- honestly, your mental capability. Oh, 100%. And you know, [00:02:25] that's, all of that is challenging, and I think our class had a very special bond. Yeah. And we felt [00:02:30] very much like a family.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: And it's a beautiful thing to watch. Yeah, nine, nine years later almost.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Um, it's

All, what, like it was [00:02:50] 126 of us, and I don't think I've kept track of everybody, but a lot of, a lot [00:02:55] of the students I've, or peers I should say, we're not students anymore . We'll always be students in my [00:03:00] mind, but- Exactly ... we are, we are students. We're practicing, we're learning every day. But you know, it is, it's so [00:03:05] fun to see where everyone's gone, and I will admit, I completely kind of forgot the original question you asked me [00:03:10] 'cause I

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: got- Oh, just, just tell us about your journey.

Because we have a ton of members in the Of All Bets [00:03:35] that really get curious around this idea, or it can feel overwhelming or- Oh, 100%, it feels overwhelming ... wanting [00:03:40] leaders. Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

So how did you end up here in Charleston?

Um, I never would have imagined myself the veterinarian [00:04:15] who sees snakes. Like,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Crazy.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I was [00:04:25] so scared. Laura was, like, holding it and I was like, "Can I stay behind- I know ... the

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: snake?"

There's so much for us to do, and many of us do jump ship. So yeah. Yeah. If you [00:04:50] can remember in, in school, I wanted to be the, the cattle veterinarian. I was gung ho. I [00:04:55] wanted, I was in the, was it the beef, um-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: The bovine club?

And then we [00:05:10] were graduating and, or getting close to graduation and looking at jobs, and I had all this [00:05:15] student debt that I was starting to have minor panic attacks about. Yeah. You know, we- I just

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Right? Like, we know we're going to have to pay it back, but [00:05:25] when you're s- thinking to yourself, "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna have to start paying that back next year.

Going into fourth year, I [00:06:05] was actually in the middle of our second rotation. I don't remember how [00:06:10] many rotations we did in total. It was like, what, like 30 or something, and I was [00:06:15] tracking large.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah,

because I had been on this path since childhood. Like, I was [00:06:30] gonna be this large animal vet. Like, that was who I was gonna be, and it was like this, I don't even know, like, I [00:06:35] was, like, outside of my body, like, watching myself in this place, and I'm like, "This isn't where... This isn't right. [00:06:40] Something's wrong," and I, like, almost had a panic attack.

[00:07:05] And he was great. He was awesome, but I'm, like, watching this go down, and I'm thinking, "I [00:07:10] don't, I don't know if this is for me, actually." I've, I've been around horses my whole life. I've been seeing this my whole life, [00:07:15] and suddenly I'm like, "You know what? Do I want to be kicked at or like- Yeah, yeah

and my jeans and my boots. And I was like, I sat down with, I can't remember her name, but she was so nice. She was [00:07:40] kind of like our, um, advisor. Linda? I think so. I think it was Linda. Yeah. [00:07:45] And I sat down with her, and I was like, "I need help. I have to switch." Like, "Help me." And she was so, I [00:07:50] remember, like, feeling this panic.

I knew who I was. Like, we always think we know ourselves best, and sometimes we actually don't. [00:08:15] I don't know. I felt like the cases were so much more in depth at time. There was so much more we could do-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: See what happens.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Every [00:08:45] three weeks, yeah. Exactly, and I was like That [00:08:50] actually, that looks pretty good.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: That actually looks like the lifestyle that I

I'll get my feet under me. I'll get my loans paid down, and then I can always go back to doing- Yeah ... [00:09:05] large or mixed or whatever.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Um-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: It feels

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: less intimidating when you- Yeah ... tell yourself that story.

Right. Yeah, very small. I think this was the fifth Thrive [00:09:20] ever, and they were only in Austin. And I was really liking it. It was [00:09:25] low cost, high volume, so I got to see a lot and I got to do a lot, right? You know, we are r- fresh [00:09:30] out of school and we're telling people like, "Oh, okay, your dog's got this foreign body and you [00:09:35] really need to go to the ER."

Because then I get to learn- Of course, yeah ... and then, you [00:10:00] know, no harm, no foul. Like, obviously your dog won't survive without this surgery, but you're probably not gonna [00:10:05] find anyone else who can do it for $500. And-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Exactly ...

I was scared. I was like, "Oh my gosh, what if I mess it up?" But looking back, even though I had never done it, I truly [00:10:20] feel like I was prepared-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

I think my first foreign body was, um, a dachshund [00:10:35] that ate a rock. And it was such a perfect, it was like you took the X-ray and it was like, rock. You're like- In dog ... foreign

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah. Like, like- You grab, I can cut this out ... there was no mistaking it. Yeah. And he had, it'd only been going on, his symptoms were like [00:10:45] 48 hours and I opened him up and I found the loop of intestine with the rock in it.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Omental patch, put it back in, flushed everything [00:10:55] out and I was like, that- I just did it ... was very not eventful.

But I was getting, I guess, at [00:11:10] times- I, I did feel unprepared for maybe more emergent scenarios. [00:11:15] People don't necessarily know what an emergency is in veterinary medicine, as we're all aware, right? Right, right. So I [00:11:20] would get people who would just, like, run in. Like, we're in the middle of appointments and someone would just run in and they'd be like, "This dog's, [00:11:25] like, having a seizure."

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I was like, "Whoa, I need a hobby."

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: [00:11:55] Yeah. It's crazy. You're like, "What do I do with myself?" And of course, I didn't know what else to do but more work.

for what, you know, the hour. And they were just like, "Yes, come. We need people. Like, we'll pay you whatever." Yeah, just come. Like, "Just [00:12:25] come." And I was like, "Okay." And I remember showing up for my first shift. So I'm six months out [00:12:30] of school, I think I've been actually practicing for five months, and I show up and I'm like [00:12:35] You know, I, I check in, I, I tell the people at the front, like I walk in and I'm like, "Hey, like I'm Dr.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: busiest day of the week in the

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: ER.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: meet everyone.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Hammond." She's [00:13:25] like, "Oh, good. Okay. That board there, those are all of the rooms that are waiting. Pick a clipboard, go to a [00:13:30] room, start. Like, just go somewhere." And I was like, "Okay." And like I didn't even clock in. I didn't [00:13:35] even know where to put my stuff down yet. They didn't even know how to give me the computer yet because they were so behind.

So I remember- They were like, "

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: They were just like, "A body. Yes." [00:13:45] "Go." And there were like four other doctors. And I remember- That's funny ... going over to the clipboard and being [00:13:50] like, "Oh, my God. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm ... What am I doing here? Why did I do this?"

Yeah. We got ... I, okay, I know what to- You're like, "I know how to do this." I know what to do. Yeah. Yeah. It's like I [00:14:10] know what to do. So that was literally my first experience. So I was doing Thrive full-time, and [00:14:15] then I was doing one day a week at the ER. Yeah. And mostly, like I said, weekend shifts, but sometimes if I didn't [00:14:20] have anything the next day, like if my next day was an off day, I would do 8:00 to 6:00 at Thrive and 7:00 to 7:00 at the [00:14:25] ER.

Yes. One day a week.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: One day a week.

Yeah, yeah. And then, and then at the ER it's just, you know, you know. That's what you do. That's your [00:14:50] bread- Yeah ... and butter. And I will say, you know, I just, I'm so thankful for vets who just do [00:14:55] ER- Yeah ... because doing that, and I just did it for about two years, it [00:15:00] did make me realize I couldn't do ER full-time.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: It is very emotional ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Sometimes it does feel like that.

And- I mean, I think it's honestly something that if you have [00:15:45] an option as a new grad veterinarian that you should try to get some emergency experience, even if it's not for [00:15:50] you. Like I said, it was not for me. Yeah, but try it out. But maybe for a little time, because it does, it [00:15:55] definitely made me a better doctor.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I completely agree. Yeah. When I jumped into emergency right out of vet school, it [00:16:05] was learning surgery, learning endoscopy- Yeah ... like, understanding these, [00:16:10] like, high volume, very fast pace, like-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Okay.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah. And

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

and it's not for you, that's okay, because you learned how to multitask. The [00:17:00] juggling is- Oh,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: yeah ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: in ER. And the, the, the pace at which you have to think and react. Like, the, you ... [00:17:10] I'm a very indecisive person naturally.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I also

Yeah. And then it's like I step into this [00:17:35] other person and actually with the, at the clinic that I currently work at now, [00:17:40] um, like the first time we had a real emergency come in, I'd been doing some work there for a while, and then somebody ran [00:17:45] in and, you know, um, two of the girls were, like, running to the back with this dog that was clearly [00:17:50] overheating, and they were like, "We have, like, a, like, a, a heatstroke dog here."

But so he showed up with two dogs. That is so scary. One of [00:18:10] them's actively seizing. Their temperatures were, like, so high. But they were like So [00:18:15] anyway, I'm like managing both these dogs and doing all this stuff, and afterwards the team was like, "You were like a robot." Like, "Who [00:18:20] were you?" Like, "You were a different person."

And I'm like- It's like this like- "You just have to be" ... zen that- Yeah, like- ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: comes over,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: yeah ...

Again, it's like, "I did that." Like I didn't- Yeah ... sit there and second-guess. Like, back to that situation [00:18:45] with the foreign body and the rock, like I could have been like, "Oh my gosh, I can't do this," or, "What if this goes wrong?" or, "What if that goes wrong?" or whatever. Like, [00:18:50] and I had that, that feeling. But in an emergency situation, like you don't have time [00:18:55] to let those demons talk, talk you down.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

or, yes. Or, I, I'll never forget the first time I, [00:19:40] I had my technician come back to like a wellness appointment for this puppy, [00:19:45] and they're like, "Oh, they're here for, you know, establishing care," and like a fecal. And they're like, "Oh, but they don't want to [00:19:50] do like the, the parvo vaccine." And I was like, "What, what do you mean they don't want to do the parvo vaccine?"

Yeah. [00:20:05] And I was like, "No, no, like what?" Like Yeah. I literally could not... He was like looking at me, and [00:20:10] he's like, "No, like they're not, they do not want to do..." And I was like They have [00:20:15] to. Yeah, like when- I'm not leaving ... that's not an option. Yes. Like, so I, you know, I went into [00:20:20] this, this room and I'm trying to

And you might not vaccinate the dog that day, but at least you can like plant a seed, right? That's the way I look at it. But this [00:20:50] is kind of my first scenario, so I'm like, "Okay. All right." What, it was almost more stressful- I can do this ... than an emergency situation. [00:20:55] Yeah. Was like, how do I get this girl to vaccinate her puppy?

so [00:21:15] much. And, um, I followed up with them. I was like, "Hey, like just checking in, you know. [00:21:20] Just

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: want-" Did you get

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: yeah

Mm. But anyway, you know, I'm two and a half years out [00:21:50] of school. I'm hearing stuff from pet parents regularly that just shocked me, you know, like raw [00:21:55] diets or no heartworm preventative or don't wanna do vaccines or-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: just- You know. Yes. Yeah. Or, you know, or you're paid by big pet food companies, or [00:22:05] you're a shill for Big Pharma, like- Yes

Yes, yes. Yeah. So cute. But, um, you know, I'm doing the physical [00:22:25] exam on this dog and I'm like, oh, and he, you know, he's got a bit of brown debris in both of his ears, so I am [00:22:30] concerned about a yeast infection. And doesn't mean he's broken or a bad puppy or anything, you [00:22:35] know. It's very common because- Yeah

Like sure, maybe they've, you know, got a contract, whatever." Yeah. Maybe they're- You know? ... [00:22:55] paying for

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: the vet bill,

[00:23:05] She doesn't know what she's talking about." And I was like excuse me, I can hear you. [00:23:10] Excuse me. You know? Yeah, like- I do know what I'm talking about ... like, yeah, like there's some debris in his ears. And she's like, "Well, debris doesn't always mean [00:23:15] there's an ear infection," and-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: That's why we run the tests. Yeah.

I'm like, "With her microscope?" Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Like,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Like,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: yes. Like- I was like, "What... Look at what?" So-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Look at the debris in the ear?

I'm [00:23:55] tired of this." Like, I'm tired of being on the back foot. Yeah. I'm tired of having to, [00:24:00] like, basically keep people from jumping off this edge of misinformation all of the time, like... So really I [00:24:05] started with the idea of not like convincing these people who are so far down, like [00:24:10] the, the misinformation rabbit hole, I can say.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: They've made

stage. Like, like we can [00:24:35] reach them before they get there.

Code Blue Coaching is not about quitting veterinary medicine. You've [00:25:05] already invested a quarter million dollars or more in your education, and [00:25:10] there's also been time, energy, love, and compassion given to vet med [00:25:15] too. This is about reclaiming yourself inside of vet med instead of giving up on [00:25:20] it. Over six months, I partner with you and hold your hand as we identify [00:25:25] patterns keeping you in survival mode.

So what you get is accountability, nervous system tools, [00:25:55] and a true hand-holding pattern that will help you through with a white glove experience. [00:26:00] And if you've been waiting for permission to choose yourself, now is the time. [00:26:05] Make that extra moment to prioritize you so that way you can sustain your career in [00:26:10] vet med.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: So I started it. Um, I never expected it to be what it's become [00:26:30] today.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: What brought y'all here?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Like, I've never lived on the East Coast, so let's go that way. Oh, beautiful. Yeah. So [00:27:10] we, we d- we did a Google search, and Google said that Charleston was a great place to live by the beach. It didn't [00:27:15] snow. It was small. And I was like, "Okay, well my brother is in Charleston [00:27:20] actually for the naval school."

And I [00:27:45] went and interviewed with both of them and toured the practices, and I just didn't love either of [00:27:50] them.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Well I have to, I can't practice in this area. I have to practice like over here." And I was like, "I don't, I [00:28:05] just don't feel sold by either of these practices," so I decided to do relief for a while.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah. And that was kind of another jump. Yeah. Like it was another leap of faith, another getting uncomfortable [00:28:15] doing a lot of research like how do you even do relief?

And the drastic difference [00:28:45] between some of them, like culturally and even medically, was so [00:28:50] interesting to see.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Just like a fly on the wall too. It's like a

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: huge spectrum that you probably got to just suss out

Like, in, in good ways [00:29:00] and bad ways. Yeah. But like the way some practices were running versus others and, um, kind of just [00:29:05] gathering knowledge of like, "Oh, I like what this practice is doing. I want to practice that way," or like in meeting all these different [00:29:10] doctors who are doing all these different things, and it was really eye-opening.

So the relief experience is really cool. I think it's [00:29:40] something that if you're interested in practice ownership would be really helpful. Um-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yes.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Trying out different types of machines. What

Some practices that everyone really got along and was very respectful and worked together, and there's other ones where I [00:30:00] was like, "I'm probably not coming back here." Yeah, like- Like, this is very toxic ... I will not be

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: picking up another shift. And

Like, right. There's [00:30:15] some, some crazy stuff going on, which I, we hear about that, right? We hear about toxic vet [00:30:20] med and these toxic clinics, and it's sad because then, you know, right down the street there's this clinic that's like sunshine and [00:30:25] rainbows, and everyone's respectful and getting along and- Wow.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: my, that's been my experience- Yeah ... usually as well.

So I did that for a while, but then, um, I got [00:30:45] pregnant. Yeah. Right? And I was expecting my first baby, and I thought, "Okay." I, I, I [00:30:50] never call out sick. I, I pride myself on being reliable. You know, when you're relief, you're the [00:30:55] backup, right? You have to be reliable. Yeah, so you have to be reliable. Yeah. It's your busi- your, you've built a business on [00:31:00] reliability.

Yeah. And like-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Life's gonna

practices that told me that like, "Hey, when you're done doing relief, let us know, because we love working with [00:31:40] you, and we'd love to have you." And so I reached out to a few of those clinics, clinics that I enjoyed [00:31:45] going back to, and clinics that I know wanted- Good culture ... wanted a doc- Yeah, good culture.

Okay, yeah. VetCorps. Yeah, yeah. [00:32:05] Which for corporate, like they are very hands-off. Yeah. Like they really are- That's really nice ... very hands-off. They don't tell us how to [00:32:10] practice or anything like that. Amazing. Um, it's really, really nice. But they're very supportive too, like whatever we want to do. [00:32:15] But Doug was, uh, Dr.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

It's not getting any better. It just needs to be- ... euthanized." [00:32:40] And I was like, "Well, I trust myself to kill anything." Yeah,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: can hum- I can help anything pass peacefully. Yeah, of course. Like I have the medications. Yes. I can't, I [00:32:50] can't mess that up, right?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: You can help it die peacefully,

cancer of some type. It was older. Its belly was full of fluid, and it was just, it looked very sad. So I [00:33:10] was like, "100%, please, like do not make this chicken wait." Yeah, like don't make it wait

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: till tomorrow.

Right? Yeah. And it started with stuff like that. But he [00:33:20] really, you know, w- one day we were talking, and I was like, "Oh, it's so cool that you'll see all these things," and like, "How did you learn to do this?" [00:33:25] And he's like, "Well, I went to veterinary school." You know? He's like, "You know all these things." And I was like, "No, I don't know [00:33:30] how to do- Yeah

any of what you're

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: doing." I think you're, I think- Yeah ... you're picking on me. I don't know.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Yeah. So [00:33:50] most of the time when you're seeing them, it usually is more, like, for palliative care. I have had, [00:33:55] um, one person, you know, take me up on hamster surgery for, like, a laceration [00:34:00] from, like, another hamster. Like, they got in a hamster war or whatever. Oh my gosh. Um, but most people aren't willing to, [00:34:05] to, to do much, you know, but you can still help.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: [00:34:20] don't want

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: to just show up without any context or information.

And I was like, "What am I going to do with a leopard gecko?" Like, I don't know anything about [00:34:40] reptiles. Like, I don't like them. That's what I said. I was like, "I don't like them. They're gross." But-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: oh my God, now I'm obsessed with leopard geckos. Of course. That's how it goes. They've got the cutest little hands.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: so cute.

Do, do something for me like this," and I would be like, "Sure." And [00:35:05] then I did some CE, and then I was like, "Okay, I can start seeing, like, leopard geckos and bearded [00:35:10] dragons," because we get a lot of those. And then ball pythons, why not? Sure. Now just take the legs off of it. I can keep [00:35:15] seeing that. Yeah, just take the legs off it.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: um- How long was this, like, development of your e- love for exotics?

with this." One at a time. "Or we can do this," or, like, [00:35:35] you know, "If you walk me through it, I can do my best," and to, like, being full-on, [00:35:40] you know, uh, like, okay, I am seeing these exotic patients. Yeah. Like, that transformation took, like, a [00:35:45] year to me being like, "Okay, I w- I, like, they are my patients. Like, I will see them."

And there's literally nothing. There's no literature.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: There's no information.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: yeah.

And I'm like, "Okay, that's something to go on." [00:36:25] We can

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: try it, yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes. [00:36:35] Yeah. That's always the most intimidating part for me- Yeah ... about exotics. I'm like, okay, .5 [00:36:40] to, like, 2. Yeah.

Great. Yeah. Which, which

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: one-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: which number

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: in between

Like, just looking at us like,[00:36:50]

you waiting for something?" You're like, "You're supposed to be, like, [00:37:00] flat out." Please. Like,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: yeah. I need to be able to touch you and work on you.

if I still, 'cause I'm like, "I'm afraid to give you anything else." Like, what is [00:37:15] gonna-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: What is gonna happen?

And I was like, "Great. Okay." They're like, "And is that one- "Great tip." Yeah ... in the .5 to 2 range?" I

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: which number is

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: that?

I've changed my protocol like five or six times since starting this journey." [00:37:50] Nobody is doing the same thing. Nobody. And I'm like, "I just need to know how to spay a bunny [00:37:55] safely. Like, what does everyone do?" Everyone is doing something different. Like-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: every- Everybody has

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: their own-

I've probably talked to 20 different exotics vets, and they're all doing something different. And [00:38:05] I think that's one thing that, you know, I've, I've learned from this, is like you just have to do what you're comfortable with- Yeah ... and [00:38:10] find, like- And stick to it ... what works for you. Mm-hmm. And then stick to it.

coming back to me." It's coming back. Like, I need someone to [00:38:30] get a cow in here, like, reasonably. Yeah. 'Cause it has to reasonably fit in the building. Well, maybe

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: those, like, cute little fluffy ones.

Unfortunately- Aw ... it was really sick. Aw. So he ended up, um, going to heaven. But, um, I was [00:38:45] still- Poor baby ... just like, "Cool." Like, I I got it. Like, I know what to do. And like when I s- did the exam on the lamb, I was like, [00:38:50] I ... It's all back here. Like, it's in my head. So, but yeah, that's kind of- Wow ... like the progression of like [00:38:55] where my career has gone from me starting as this like, "I just want to see cows," to me seeing like [00:39:00] everything but cows.

Like

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Literally everything but cows. Yeah. Cows are the

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Well, yeah, that's not

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: a great choice.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Nope ...

So- Oh,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: amazing.

Some people just can't, you know? They're like, "I understand." Yeah, of course. Like, "I need [00:39:45] the CT scan, but I can't afford it. And so if you can, do what, do what you can to help me [00:39:50] and, and my pet reasonably." And I'm like, "100%." Of course. As long as you know like, you know, it's all that- [00:39:55] Informed- ... that spectrum of care

informed

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: consent. Yeah.

But yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: completely

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah, it was like an identity crisis, honestly, because I had, like I said, painted [00:40:35] this picture of who I was gonna be, and then I was like

I

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: completely

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: agree. Which is, yeah, which is

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: [00:41:10] Yeah.

Yeah. And I love your story of why you were called [00:41:20] to show up in a way that just is really spreading positive and [00:41:25] truthful information, um, to pet owners. That's huge, and as a [00:41:30] veterinarian who is, like, watching you grow this platform, I was like, "Oh yeah, like I'm glad somebody's out [00:41:35] there, you know, speaking up for this stuff- Yeah,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: yeah

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: [00:41:55] Yeah, I mean, the honest part of my name really just came from I want people to [00:42:00] know that, like, I am being honest about everything that I say. Like, everything that I'm saying on this platform is [00:42:05] honestly how I feel, and- And

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: it's honest and true to you.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: you're just showing up authentically.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Right ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: [00:42:45] Yeah,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: yeah, yeah ... they're limping. They're in pain.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Of course.

Or, you know, the doggy Carbi- [00:43:05] Carprofen, the doggy Advil. Because, yeah, it's ... Nobody wants to suffer needlessly.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: And I'm sure there are outliers. There are people out there who are like, "I would rather suffer than ever take an [00:43:15] ibuprofen." Well, good for you. But, like- Yeah ... maybe your dog wouldn't,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: right? Yeah, yeah.

And then, like let's, like make sure we get them unblocked and- Yeah ... actually move forward with this procedure. Yeah. [00:43:40] 'Cause then it shows them the feeling- How uncomfortable ... yeah, how uncomfortable it is. Yes. I, [00:43:45] I, it's like corneal ulcers, had a corneal ulcer last night. And she was like, "He doesn't seem painful."

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: how

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Okay. I, I love that you do- I do, I definitely do that [00:44:00] too where I'm like, "Okay, let's put ourselves in this situation," because ear infections [00:44:05] even, we see them all the time.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: think people expect-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yes ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: a little bit more [00:44:25] conservative.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: you know?

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah

Yeah. So we can't expect necessarily our pet parents to know all those [00:45:15] tiny nuances that

He was wagging his whole body, like as vigorously as he [00:45:35] could. But here's what was fun about him, is he clearly had a very obvious femoral fracture in [00:45:40] his like right back leg. Oh my gosh. So he's wagging his whole body so enthusiastically. He's like, "Oh my God, I love you guys. [00:45:45] Like, people are the best." And his leg is like doing this.

Yeah. Like, I [00:46:05] think the, the guy said that they had seen this dog get hit by a car or something. Aw. And then like a good Samaritan- Poor thing ... called [00:46:10] him, and then he caught the dog. And he said the dog was easy to catch 'cause he was like, "Oh, I love you guys." Like, and like- And you're [00:46:15] like, "Oh

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: my God, your leg is broken."

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah,

But this poor dog was- I would be laying

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: flat-

But I'm like, okay, if that dog [00:46:55] wasn't showing pain, like they have such high pain thresholds for [00:47:00] expressing it.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: it.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: They feel it.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: empathy. It's like helping them understand-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yes ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: what the pet experiences-

It was just more [00:47:30] like- This is my honest truth to you, like the, the honest- Yeah ... [00:47:35] information that I'm sharing with you. And part of it was, you know, I didn't go with my first name because it's a strange one, you [00:47:40] know? And a lot of people- Yeah ... don't know how to say it, and definitely- I, I

Yeah. They often think it's Weinreimer, which- Yeah ... would be really adorable if that was

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: actually

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: my

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ... yeah. Weinreimer. Yeah, Weinreimer. I

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: get it.

Yeah. Oftentimes in the hospital people will call me

And so that was kind of why I was just toying with other ideas, and then it ultimately just came back to that, [00:48:15] wanting to just put honest information out there about pet health and about being a veterinarian, because I [00:48:20] feel like there's so much people don't understand about what we do either- Yeah ... or what- That's

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: very

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: true

So yeah, that's, I mean, that's kinda where that name, [00:48:40] that name came from. And, um, so really I just, I try to be [00:48:45] authentic in everything that I share and keep it true to myself. Even now, you know, now that it's a bit more of a [00:48:50] profitable, um, venture, you know, I, I do some sponsored [00:48:55] campaigns and stuff. But it's still brands that I would truly recommend, you know?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I love that authenticity and just [00:49:20] conviction- Yeah ... that you have with it. So let's say you're mentoring a younger vet and she's [00:49:25] trying to decide to, you know, do one thing or another, option A or [00:49:30] option B. How would you tell her to, like, guide that decision of a, is that a yes or [00:49:35] is that a no? 'Cause it sounds like you have some sort of process that you lean into of like, [00:49:40] "Okay, this brand is for me.

This isn't for me." Yeah. And like, how do you make that judgment call?

"my loans and stuff by recommending your product." Like, [00:49:55] totally fine to do that. If it's a brand that I already don't recommend, then it's an [00:50:00] automatic no. Right. Like, I don't want to know what you're gonna sen- You know, and, and I'm very polite. I never burn bridges with people who reach out, but [00:50:05] I'm just like, "Hey, I'm so sorry.

But I'm like, "Okay, I'm watching you. I'm seeing how you're evolving as, [00:50:25] as your journey grows." And, um- Uh, but if it's something that I'm [00:50:30] in, I'm, I'm borderline on, I've actually spoken to a few other veterinarians about it. You know, there's, there's [00:50:35] a big group of, of veterinarians who create content on social media, and many of us are connected.[00:50:40]

Yes. Because if it's not, just- Don't ... scrap it. Yeah. Don't [00:51:00] jeopardize... Like, you will get better offers later by staying true to yourself than you'll [00:51:05] get by taking this offer now and, like, compromising your identity- Yeah ... on it.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Don't do that.

Get as much data as you can. You know, especially with supplement companies, [00:51:20] I feel like- Mm ... I cannot believe the amount of, of supplement companies that exist is [00:51:25] mind-blowing, and I only know because I get so many requests to work with them. And, you [00:51:30] know, and it, I'm not saying- Well- ... that all of these supplement companies are bad, right?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Do they give you, like, [00:51:45] research-backed information

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: usually?

It's really not, you know, [00:52:00] but I'll, I'll give them the, the benefit of the doubt. There was a product that came out, um, [00:52:05] about a year ago called Passagen. Have you heard about it? Like the- I think I- The neutralizing- I think I did hear about that one ... spray.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: And that was one, I was like, this sounds like kind of gimmicky, kind of sci-fi, but when I was looking at the data, I was like, oh, [00:52:15] this actually sounds-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah

Yeah. They're like, "I feed Liveclear and I use Passagen." [00:52:35] And I was like, "Oh, cool." Like, so some of these ones that reach out, I mean, they are good products, but you just have to [00:52:40] do your due diligence and- Right ... and be sure. And if you're not sure, don't do it. I always say, like, if you're not sure, [00:52:45] and if you wouldn't use it in your own pet, don't recommend it to other people's pets.

Right. Wait. Right.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Give it more time.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ... [00:53:00]

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: you know, like the- What's

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: an example of that?

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Like some of the fresh food companies, you know- Oh, yeah

Because here's the thing, is- A vast majority of [00:53:20] pet parents couldn't afford to feed that food, right?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah. And they're doing their best.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Mm.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Mm-hmm

Yeah. I don't like-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Don't do it ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: So I'm curious, like, with that self-assuredness and that confidence and [00:54:05] conviction probably comes some, like, truth to your own authentic values. Like, at Evolved Vets, [00:54:10] we talk a lot about identifying the things that you, your, the principles and [00:54:15] the, the values that you wanna live your life by.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: So definitely one of my [00:54:25] mantras is evidence-based everything. And it's really evolved from just life as a veterinarian [00:54:30] to navigating my own life as a mom. Um, you know, misinformation is, [00:54:35] is loud, and it's often compelling and convincing.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

But, you know, when you're a mom, a new mom, and you're seeing [00:55:05] this stuff, you know- Wow ... the algorithm knows when you're pregnant. We- you, you- Oh, I'm sure ... you go to, you know, you, you go to [00:55:10] look up, like, on Amazon, you know, like maternity pants, and then all of a sudden- ... like, everything [00:55:15] in your feed- All the ads start coming in Yeah, every, yeah- And the algorithm knows

you know, preach evidence-based everything in, in pet med [00:55:35] and then, and then vaccinate my kids without at least looking and seeing if there's any truth to [00:55:40] any of this?" Yeah. Like, what's going on? And so yeah, I, I, [00:55:45] you know, I had nine months to do research and reading, and I, um, did. [00:55:50] I read I can't even tell you how many research papers about vaccines and [00:55:55] autism and aluminum and

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Wow.

Yeah, I was like, "Oh, okay, I got it. There's no- But there's some- "There's nothing here."

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: yourself and making sure it's up to date. Yeah. Then when I showed up to the vaccine appointment, I didn't have [00:56:30] that, like, oh, I didn't even look.

But that's where being a veterinarian is so amazing. It, it really- Right ... is a [00:57:00] superpower. Because we have advanced training, not only in immunology and [00:57:05] microbiology that can better allow me to understand these papers, but also training [00:57:10] in reading these papers- Yes ... and training in data interpretation. So, like, a study of eight [00:57:15] doesn't bear nearly as much weight in my mind as a study of 800.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Right.

There's so much- ... misinformation on sleep like I had never expected, [00:57:40] and there I was again. I'm like, "All right. Back to the books." Like- Back to

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: the books.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Like, an, an actual-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Right ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: because I'm not an expert.

Right. So I had to- It

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: takes time.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Right.

before you can be ... Yeah. Longer in some cases. Yeah, yeah. Like, I probably could've kept [00:58:40] going, you know? But I was like, "Okay, I'm tired. I've got, I've gotten e- enough-" The baby's coming. Yeah, yeah. "I've gotten enough data [00:58:45] to make me feel much better about this decision," you know? Um, but yeah, it's, it's- Exciting.[00:58:50]

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: If you love this [00:59:05] podcast, you find yourself nodding along thinking, "This is exactly how I [00:59:10] feel at work, and sometimes even outside of work," then I wanna invite you to [00:59:15] something even bigger.

It's not [00:59:40] toxic positivity. It's not just another membership you sign up for. It's learning how to [00:59:45] manage your energy, protect your boundaries, and build a sustainable career in veterinary [00:59:50] medicine. It's your choice to move from self-abandonment to self-devotion. [00:59:55] And the truth is, you don't have to do it alone, my friend.

Come evolve with us.

I've said no. I have said no.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, yeah.

Yeah. [01:00:25] There's so many options. Now, there are times, 100%, where euthanasia is the best. Of course. You know, and in those situations [01:00:30] we don't argue. We don't, I, no, I never. But if there is, um- No shame. Yeah ... an animal that needs to be [01:00:35] advocated for, I mean, that is our job, too.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: That is

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: our oath. So, yeah.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah. I've, I've, fortunately I've only had a few [01:00:45] really, you know, off-the-wall euthanasia requests. I'm glad it doesn't happen every day. Yeah. I don't get a ton. But yeah, yeah. You

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Oh,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Well, I mean, we see a- Or more unique ones ... a lot of euthanasias, but I mean, just like I said, off the [01:01:00] wall. Like, you know, I had an owner bring her, her cat to be euthanized 'cause it kept vomiting on the carpet like once a week, and I was like, [01:01:05] "Okay. Well, then we can make some changes." How did we get here?

Oh. Or I don't think she was in a wheelchair. That's a lot, yeah. But she was ... I can't remember, but you know, she [01:01:25] was limited mobility. Right. And she said, "Well, I can't keep cleaning the carpet." And I was like, "Okay, well, then we can rehome your cat." Yeah. You [01:01:30] know, like you-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Let's find a new

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: home Yes. Like- Let's do

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: this together,

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: you know?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes. You can say no.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ... yeah, it's your, you sleeping at night. It's your

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: yeah, your life,

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Completely

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: you have to sleep at night. It's

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: your brand. It's

100%.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah, you have to protect yourself.

So people like me and you [01:02:45] have had this amazing opportunity to become women veterinary leaders, and so [01:02:50] first I wanna know like how you got there, and then were there any hard moments in that [01:02:55] journey of leadership that you hit?

It's just a two doctor practice, um, with ... We have about five [01:03:05] technicians, two receptionists, so small team. But when, um, Dr. Doug Berger, who founded the [01:03:10] practice, was stepping away, they needed, you know, kind of a, a, a veterinarian to, to lead the practice, and [01:03:15] he was retiring and he was moving. Um, and yeah, they offered it to me and I [01:03:20] was like, "Oh, of course, I, I'd love to be a leader.

We're gonna do it. We're gonna..." You know, [01:03:40] like the cheerleader- Yeah ... kind of personality. Generator

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: energy-

Yeah, yeah. So I'm like, "Ha, I'm [01:04:00] the leader now. There's so many things we can do to improve this place." Like, you know-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I've been

it could be better"- Yeah, yeah ... and all those things. So that was [01:04:15] actually kind of my first, you know, stepping into leadership and immediately kind of being like [01:04:20] hamstringed a little bit by this reluctance to change, which I think is just very common. Yeah. You know? I think that's gonna [01:04:25] happen anywhere you go or anything you do, especially when you're taking over a team that was established [01:04:30] and running under someone else for a long time, and it was doing fine.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Okay, gr- and glad [01:04:50] we did this." So this, you know. Yes. And, and then you, you kind of win that trust and build that trust. It definitely wasn't easy, [01:04:55] and it took-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: [01:05:05] What was your evolution through

You know, how I approach my feedback with one person is [01:05:30] very different to how I'm gonna approach it with somebody else. And you know, it helps that I, I know these, [01:05:35] these people well. We work together every day. But it's something that you kinda have to, again, learn. You [01:05:40] can't just... And there's trial and error to this, you know?

We all got along really [01:06:00] well, and I kept thinking, "Oh my God, I'm gonna ruin it because I have to say this thing that I know they don't wanna hear, and I wanna have [01:06:05] to ask them to do something that they're doing. I need, I need them to do it differently."

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Right.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: You know? And-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: No, it, it really, [01:06:15] um, was more anxiety inducing than I had anticipated. Yeah. You know? You know, 'cause it's one thing to [01:06:20] like be a leader and like make the plan and then like, you know, lead the team through the plan, but [01:06:25] it's a different thing to have to address people and give negative feedback, and that was something that I hadn't [01:06:30] really ever had to do before.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: not something covered in vet school.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: No.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah ...

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: and wanting to do it well.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: around

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Oh, yes. Yeah, when the, again, then you're like, "Oh my God, I could have said this," or, "Do they hate [01:07:10] me now?" Or, "Did I ruin everything?" So my older brother is actually a major in the Army now, [01:07:15] which is pretty cool, and, uh, he and I talk pretty regularly, and I was sharing with him some [01:07:20] of these challenges, and he's like, "Oh, I've, I've, I have to, I send you a book.

I'm gonna send you a book and it's really gonna help."

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, I'd love

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: that. Yeah. What

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yes. It's called How to Win Friends and Influence People, and it has been in print for almost 100 years [01:07:30] now. It was written in like 1938. I love

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: that book.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: You've read it?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I've read it.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah. Right?

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Like six times.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: so

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: good

Everything is still true. And basically, it's just like how to have a [01:08:00] conversation with somebody and give them feedback and get them to see your side. And not only has it [01:08:05] helped me in those situations, but even on social media- Yeah ... or even in the exam room when [01:08:10] I am in a sticky situation with clients.

read it." It's like $8 on [01:08:40] Amazon, and it's, it takes you maybe a week to read it, even if you're not a big reader because it's entertaining.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: It's a classic. My version is like falling apart and everything's like underlined and- Aw. [01:08:50] You know? Yeah. That's so sweet. And then, and whenever I'm struggling, you know, we had, um, we had a [01:08:55] change in management at our practice, um- A l- less than a year ago, it [01:09:00] was probably like, you know, eight or nine months ago and, um, there was some conflict with a [01:09:05] new manager w- with all of us.

Yeah ... you [01:09:25] know, yeah. Like, and, and, and it was a hard, it's a hard, a hard conversation to have, you know, being like, "Hey, your [01:09:30] leadership skills or, or, or structures and types aren't necessarily matching [01:09:35] this clinic." Yeah. "So here's something you can do to help." And ultimately, I, you know, I don't know that she [01:09:40] read the book.

[01:09:55] And- Right ... and then again, it can fester. And so with experience, I have learned that it is [01:10:00] as daunting as it can be, and sometimes I lay awake the night before these conversations, like [01:10:05] trying to perfect what I'm gonna say and then I don't end up even saying that, which is so

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: frustrating. Right. Yeah. It's

Same.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Same. Yeah. Like, I literally had this all planned.

Don't wait for it to become a thing that's happening all the time or don't wait for it to [01:10:30] trickle through the team, or don't wait for the resentment to build between the doctor and the tech, or the techs and the techs, or the manager and [01:10:35] the ... Whoever it may be, it's better if you just nip it in the bud as-

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yes

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I completely agree. [01:10:50] The sooner you give the feedback, the better it goes. Yeah. And I think there's usually a [01:10:55] fear around it affecting relationships- Yes

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Yeah. And I wanna be your accountability buddy. Let's have a conversation about this and-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Mm ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Mm-hmm.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: you know?

with veterinary medicine. [01:12:00] Of course you're gonna think it's super toxic, so you have to Try other things. [01:12:05] So yeah, we never want anyone to be pushed out.

So, you know, if, if you could give them one piece [01:12:20] of advice, like what would it be

Like you might have a [01:12:40] destination in mind, whether it's practice ownership or medical director or something [01:12:45] like that, but don't be so focused on that that you miss the journey or that you [01:12:50] miss maybe different forks in the road that you could take that might take you somewhere that you [01:12:55] absolutely love.

If you're ever [01:13:20] feeling, you know, burnt out, you can do what I did where you can recognize [01:13:25] that, you can take a step back, and you can completely change how you're practicing. Going from, you [01:13:30] know, full-time GP and ER relief to just doing GP relief was just a [01:13:35] huge shift and- Wow ... was what I needed. And so you [01:13:40] have

It doesn't mean that you gave up, um, you've just found a [01:14:05] different calling or m- even if it's just temporarily.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

It doesn't have to ... Like the answer doesn't have to [01:14:20] be escape the profession-

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Mm-hmm ...

Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond: Yeah.

Like, you can still love veterinary medicine and pivot in small [01:14:55] ways.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: back.

Dr. Bethany Weinheimer: I love it. Well, how can people get in contact with you?

It's a small community, but we need to stick together, and we need to support each other and, and [01:15:35] raise each other up. And that's what I'm here to do, and if I could ever do that for you, I'd love to. So if you need [01:15:40] me, reach out to me.

Um, and just giving this extra layer of, like, [01:15:55] what it's like to be a leader, to be a mom, and to also show up in ways that, [01:16:00] you know, having a public pa- platform and being a voice for pet parents [01:16:05] everywhere, it's like a very special, um, and unique journey that you've had, and just [01:16:10] honored to learn a little bit more about it and kind of peer under the hood a little bit.

Let's evolve together.