Artwork for podcast The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast
381 - New Mother, Same Tech? How to Support Pregnancy and Parental Leave
19th February 2026 • The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast • Dr. Andy Roark
00:00:00 00:36:41

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Dr. Emily Singler, VMD, jumps right in with a question every practice owner should be asking, are we truly supporting our people through pregnancy and parental leave, or just hoping it works out? In this episode, she and Dr. Andy Roark unpack how smart veterinary parental leave planning, thoughtful postpartum support, and clear communication help protect team morale, reduce resentment, and keep great people in veterinary medicine long term. You will walk away with practical ideas for accommodations, keeping in touch during leave, and making the return to work feel supportive for both new parents and the rest of the veterinary team. This conversation is really about building a healthier veterinary team culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and excited to stay in the profession. Gang, let’s get into this episode!

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ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Emily Singler is a 2001 graduate of Penn State University and a 2005 graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Her career in veterinary medicine has included experience in shelter medicine, private practice, mobile practice, relief work, mentoring veterinary students, and veterinary writing. She is a mom of four kids and 1 dog. Dr. Singler is the author of Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team, published by CRC Press in 2023. Her book was written to provide information and insight for veterinary professionals as they navigate their transition into working parenthood and as a resource to guide veterinary leaders who support expectant and working parents. She is also Certified as a RETAIN Parental Leave Coach through the Center for Parental Leave Leadership. She uses the expertise gained from this certification to advocate for the needs of veterinary professionals who are expectant or working parents and to educate veterinary leaders on ways to better support parents in the workplace.

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Office Hours w/ Dr. Andy Roark

Inside the Uncharted Veterinary Community, Dr. Andy Roark hosts Office Hours where veterinary leaders can bring real-world challenges and get practical guidance from someone who understands the realities of practice life. These sessions give veterinarians, practice managers, and team leaders a chance to ask questions, workshop difficult situations, and gain perspective on issues like team dynamics, communication, burnout, and clinic operations. Instead of navigating leadership challenges alone, members get direct access to Andy’s insight along with the support of a community of veterinary professionals working through many of the same challenges.

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