AAEP Practice Life

In the world of equine veterinary medicine, practicing in rural areas presents unique challenges and opportunities. In this episode of AAEP Practice Life, podcast co-hosts Travis Boston and Jessica Dunbar engage with three dedicated veterinarians -- Lara Stephens Brown, Christy Sontag-Brasuhn and Jandy Torland -- who share their experiences and strategies for thriving in regions where care is often limited.    Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

Dr. Matt Evans joins AAEP Practice Life podcast co-hosts Drs. Travis Boston and Jessica Dunbar to share his unexpected journey from a veterinarian with little horse experience to an equine dentistry specialist, practice leader, comedian, author, and advocate for a healthier culture in veterinary medicine. In this episode, Matt discusses how he built his career in equine practice, and also explains how comedy became an important part of his professional and personal life. He shares why humor can help veterinarians manage imposter syndrome, build stronger relationships, and develop resilience during the difficult early years of practice. From writing down three funny things each week to using inside jokes to strengthen team connections, Matt offers practical ways to bring more laughter and connection into the workplace. Matt talks about his new book, his decision to take a sabbatical from veterinary medicine, and his mission to speak with veterinary students and teams about humor, mentorship, and overcoming self-doubt. His story is a reminder that you do not have to begin with perfect experience or complete confidence to find your place in equine medicine.       Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

AAEP Practice Life Podcast cohosts Drs. Jessica Dunbar and Travis Boston host a practical roundtable on what new equine graduates actually learn in school, where the real gaps show up, and how mentors can set better expectations. Guests Drs. Anna Bracken, Jared Hardaway, and Kylie Yancey compare academia, private practice, internship training, and the realities of transitioning into practice. The conversation is especially useful for anyone hiring, mentoring, or nearing graduation. It focuses on hands-on skills, troubleshooting, clinical reasoning, and the difference between structured training and real-world responsibility.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

This episode explores the realities of private versus corporate veterinary practice through candid stories from experienced vets, highlighting the tradeoffs around ownership, culture, leadership, and career fulfillment. It offers practical insight for anyone weighing a practice transition or trying to make smarter decisions about their future. Join podcast hosts Drs. Jessica Dunbar and Travis Boston as they compare private and corporate practice with Drs. Meghan Delp and Rachael Levine.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

In this episode of AAEP Practice Life, podcast hosts Drs. Jessica Dunbar and Travis Boston chat with two experienced veterinarians, Drs. Susan White and Tom Brokken, as they share their insights on achieving longevity in equine practice, the evolution of veterinary medicine, and the importance of relationships and self-management in a successful career.      Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

Discover how unexpected collaborations with industry partners can transform your equine practice. This podcast episode from the American Association of Equine Practitioners explores the collaborative relationship between veterinarians and their corporate industry partners. Hosted by Travis Boston and Jessica Dunbar, the discussion features practice owner Dr. Ruthie Lindberg, and Carlina Progin, regional manager from Boehringer Ingelheim, who share strategies for mutual growth. They examine how these partnerships facilitate client education meetings, professional skill-building, and diagnostic support to improve horse health and business sustainability. The participants emphasize the importance of open communication and honesty to ensure that promotional efforts benefit the clinic, the manufacturer, and the horse owners.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/   

Join Practice Life podcast co-hosts Drs. Jessica Dunbar and Travis Boston as they chat with safety experts Mark Harrison and Dominique Gruber on the important subject of safety in equine veterinary practice. They share insights on safety training protocols, OSHA compliance, field practice safety considerations, and how to foster a safety-first culture to protect veterinarians and staff.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/ 

In this episode of the AAEP Practice Life podcast, co-hosts Travis Boston and Jessica Dunbar discuss the impact of emerging technologies in equine veterinary practice with guests from the Emerging Technology Committee, Drs. Mike Pownall, Laura Stokes-Greene and Kathy Klein. They explore the role of technology in improving efficiency, client communication, and patient care, while also addressing the legal and ethical considerations surrounding AI use. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing among veterinarians to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The Facebook Emerging Technology page referenced in the podcast can be found at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Krz4C88is/. The page is open to AAEP members.     Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/ 

(Note: the deadline for submitting scientific papers for the AAEP Convention is March 1, not March 15 as mentioned in the podcast.) In this episode of AAEP's Practice Life podcast, hosts Jessica Dunbar and Travis Boston engage with AAEP leadership, including David Foley, Sarah Reuss, and Eric Mueller. They discuss the roles and responsibilities of AAEP leaders, reflect on the past convention, and outline future strategic plans. The conversation highlights the importance of member engagement, educational offerings, and advocacy efforts within the equine veterinary community. The leaders share insights on how to get involved and the various resources available to members, emphasizing the AAEP's commitment to supporting equine health and veterinary professionals.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/ 

In this episode of Practice Life, co-hosts Travis Boston and Jessica Dunbar engage with our Business News Hour presenters — Drs. Shane Baird, Stacey Cordivano and Becky Ruemmler — for a recap of their 2025 AAEP Convention presentation. They explore the current state of the veterinary economy, highlighting that while there are challenges, the situation is not as dire as previously predicted. The conversation shifts to the evolving financial landscape for early-career veterinarians, noting a significant increase in starting salaries, and the importance of timely invoicing to improve revenue. The episode also delves into non-monetary compensation, legislative changes affecting the profession, and the critical issue of burnout among equine practitioners, emphasizing the need for better support systems and benefits packages.   Sponsored by: AAEP Practice Life is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Visit them at https://bi-animalhealth.com/equine/