PetsApp Podcast Series: Recent Episodes
PetsApp Podcast Series
Digitalisation presents an opportunity for veterinary clinics to resist disruption while embracing digital transformation. We explore the application of virtual care and digital patient advocacy to the veterinary sector. Our guests provide their insights into what has worked well for them, establishing best practice guidance for us all.
In this month's latest episode of our 'Hot Topics' series, pack member Naomi Oikonomou speaks to Becki Maher and Liv Oginska to discus emotional intelligence and just how much behavioural science can be used, successfully to actively but mindfully grow our businesses and the teams working within them.
About Liv Oginska:
Olivia (Liv) Oginska DVM MRCVS PgCertSAS MAPP is a Vet and Keynote Speaker, who passionately promotes the power of Emotional Intelligence and Positive Psychology. Currently based in Western Australia, Liv is the founder of behumansavvy.com An initiative on a mission to empower vet teams and leaders to create psychologically safe workplaces and positive social connections through the power of EQ.
About Becki Maher:
Managing Director of Inside Minds, Dr Rebecca Maher MA VetMB PGCert MRCVS has recently returned to veterinary to help businesses within the vet community to guide clients by applying behavioural science techniques to improve animal welfare and drive profitable growth.
In this episode with Jack Peploe and Mathew Wood, we discuss the increasing interest of veterinary practices in adopting new technology and practice management systems. They dispel common myths surrounding online booking systems, highlight the benefits of technology in improving practice efficiency, and emphasise the importance of education and customisation.
The episode provides valuable insights and tips for successfully implementing new systems, showcasing the advantages of embracing technological advancements in veterinary practices.
About Jack Peploe:
Jack is a Veterinary IT Expert and Certified Ethical Hacker, who has worked alongside the veterinary sector since he set up his first business aged 16.
He has made it his mission to help veterinary practices across the UK utilise their technology so that they can function in a secure, professional, and efficient manner, leaving vets to focus on patient care.
About Mathew Wood:
Mathew joins us as Sales Director of Provet Cloud, the cloud-based veterinary practice management software, making life at the practice easier through the enhancement of client and care processes.
Episode 2 of the PetsApp 'Hot Topics' series. Naomi Oikonomou talks to PetsApp's Talent lead Octav Buzoianu and Recruit4Vets CEO, Ella Snowball about the current hot topics within veterinary recruitment. Specifically: how it's become a candidate led market and why veterinary businesses in the UK possibly still have quite a way to go when it comes to offering flexible, packages that can compete with their global counterparts in order to secure the right recruits.
In Episode 1 of our new 'Hot Topics' series, the pack discuss the latest RCVS 'under care guidelines' and what implications this might have to the industry and it's communities.
Dr Thom Jenkins sat down with Dr Antonina Babchuk who runs the Facebook group British Veterinary Professionals for Ukraine which was set up in the wake of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The Facebook group has grown exponentially since its inception on the 1st of March with an aim "To organise and distribute donations of medicine and medical supplies to the Ukrainian front line."
In the podcast, Dr Babchuk outlines how veterinary professionals can help those impacted by the war, her own background and connections to Ukraine and why vets are in a unique place to help.
Join the Facebook group and find item drop off points in the UK, and other ways to help here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishvetsforukraine
The veterinary profession is facing an unprecedented recruitment crisis, whilst the number of pets across the world grows. It's a tough story to tell - but one that digital solutions can help with.
Join us for this free veterinary webinar, where we're joined by digital experts from across the profession to discuss how apps and online friendly systems can help augment your existing services to give your team some much needed relief, whilst being better able to meet the needs of pet parents.
Our panellists are:
Thom Jenkins (CEO & Co-Founder, PetsApp)
A vet by training, PetsApp CEO Dr Thom Jenkins led innovative veterinary groups in the UK and abroad for years. He was also the inaugural Chair of VetForum and advises companies looking to make a positive impact on society. Thom has a mini zoo at home with 3 kids, a dog and cat called Addy. Mountain gorillas are his second favourite animal at age 8 he set up a not-for-profit called The Gorilla Club.
Victoria Johnson (CEO, VetCT)
Victoria is co-Director of VetCT, a vet to specialist #teleconsulting company established in 2009. After a period in general practice, she moved into the field of veterinary diagnostic imaging and became European diploma holder in 2003. Whilst she now works in a predominantly specialist environment, she remains passionately interested in helping vets at every stage of their career- whether that be students, new graduates, advanced practitioners, residents or specialists. She is currently working on developing solutions to better connect different groups of vets with the aim of better supporting all veterinary professionals in delivering optimal patient care.
Anthony Chadwick (CEO, The Webinar Vet & Simply Vets)
Anthony Chadwick is the CEO of Alpha Vet International and is a veterinary dermatologist. Anthony qualified from Liverpool University in 1990 and achieved his CertVD in 1995. Anthony set up a practice in Liverpool in 1997 in Liverpool which he eventually sold in 2011 so that he could concentrate on The Webinar Vet which he started in January 2010. The Webinar Vet is the largest online provider of veterinary CPD in Europe and is a past winner of the FSB’s NW online business of the year and The Regional Business Awards’ Knowledge Business of the year. Anthony is also a veterinary futurist and is fascinated about new technology in the veterinary profession. At a futurist conference in 2016, he heard about the hololens and immediately set about developing Sheba, the holographic GSD which he demonstrated at that year’s London Vet Show. Anthony enjoys thinking strategically and connecting teams together- an ideal quality for project managing multi-disciplinary teams
Silvia Janská (CEO & Co-Founder, Innovetting & Flexee)
Silvia obtained a BSc in Veterinary Science and a MSc in Wild Animal Biology prior to graduating with a vet degree from the Royal Veterinary College, U. of London in 2014. Throughout her 8-year education at the RVC, she also worked at the RVC e-Media department on various tech projects that enhanced student learning.
Silvia is the founder of Flexee, a venture exploring flexible working for permanent vet employees.
However, she still works as an ambulatory equine vet, and consults for animal health start-ups via Innoveting. On the volunteer side, she is a SPVS Ltd board member and a member of the Greener Veterinary Practice working group for VetSustain.
This week, Thom is joined by senior vet, locum and wellness writer Allisdhair McNaull.
In this episode, they discuss:
- Allisdhair's personal journey towards discovering wellness
- How we can advocate for increased mental health support in the profession
- How mentoring can supercharge someone's veterinary career
This week, Thom is joined by Vet Stay Go Diversify's Ebony Escalona.
In this episode, they discuss:
- the limitless possibilities afforded to vets and vet nurses thanks to the varied skills of a veterinary career
- the preconception of what 'being a vet' looks like, and how that can hamper career progression
- how important interpersonal skills are in the veterinary profession
- ways to increase workplace retention
Thom is joined by this week's guest, Melanie O'Donoughue (Founder, VetAssist). In this week's episode, they discuss Melanie's unique career story; her experience in veterinary practice design; and how the global pandemic has changed the way we think about the in-clinic customer journey.
Melanie's LinkedIn
In this episode, our very own Lewis Martins talk with our CEO, Thom Jenkins about the challenges practices can face when recommending products and services, and how the approach and use of technology can help remove those barriers, increase patient advocacy opportunities and compliance.
Liz and Thom talk about breaking down the health taboos that many working vet team members are living with, and how we as a profession can better support individuals in the workplace.
In December last year Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is in her early thirties, was a fit and healthy vet with no family history of breast cancer. Luckily, she found the lump early which has meant her treatment has hopefully been successful. She was alerted to the importance of checking her breasts by a poster she saw in the gym. If she hadn't discovered the lump until a few weeks or months later then her future might be very different.
Statistics show 1 in 8 women are diagnosed in their lifetime and the numbers of women in the veterinary profession is increasing.
We think it is very important to increase awareness about this. With breast cancer early detection means that there is a much better chance of being cured or surviving it. Throughout Anna's treatments she has been working on the idea of putting up a poster in every veterinary practice and vet school changing -room in the UK to remind people to check themselves.
For more information visit and to download a copy of her poster please visit vetyourbreasts.com
Thom and Billa discuss how Billa decided to become a vet. We look at the challenges of being a clinic owner and a veterinarian, and explore the incredibly successful introduction of virtual care at All Pets Vet Care. Finally, we discuss how virtual care is being used as part of preventative health plans.
Thom and Ellie discuss how Ellie decided to become a vet, and her journey to partnership at Castle Vets. We look at the challenges of being a clinic owner and a veterinarian, and explore the incredibly successful introduction of virtual care at Castle Vets. Finally, we discuss how virtual care is particularly relevant to our feline patients.