Ever wonder how someone goes from the Navy… to kennel… to RVT… to running a school?

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia & special guest Phil Snow, RVT for a hilarious, story-packed episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party that dives into Phil’s origin story in vet med, the “put in your time” reality of hospital life, and the ongoing debate around alternate route licensing vs traditional programs.

From traumatic first cases and after-hours foreign bodies to classic clinic pranks and hard opinions on mid-level practitioners, this one balances laughs with real professional perspective — perfect for techs who want community and the honest behind-the-scenes of how this career actually works.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– Phil’s entry into vet med: how one volunteer attempt turned into a career

– The case that hooked him early (and why first “wow” moments matter)

– Kennel-to-treatment growth: earning trust, putting in reps, and leveling up

– Alternate route vs traditional schooling: who it serves, when it works, and why it’s still expanding

– The mid-level practitioner debate: what could help, what could backfire, and what’s missing

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants (new and seasoned)

– Vet tech students choosing a pathway to licensure

– Clinic teams who lived the “after-hours surgery” era

– Vet med pros who love the culture, the chaos, and the dark humor coping mechanisms

– Anyone curious about how licensing standards vary state-to-state

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – “Deposition” intro chaos + why Phil’s in the hot seat

04:45 – Navy exit, Laguna move, and the kennel job that changed everything

12:30 – Grinding in kennel + earning trust in treatment

16:50 – C-sections, foreign bodies, and GP culture at Canyon

21:40 – Why Phil chose the RVT path despite pay realities

26:30 – Hospital-paid schooling + loyalty + golden era of licensing

31:15 – Alternate route vs degree route: who each path really serves

36:50 – Mid-level practitioner debate: threat or opportunity?

42:30 – VTS, liability, and whether vet med should mirror human medicine

47:00 – Licensing loopholes, state differences, and California standards

51:20 – Part two preview: insurance, school ownership, AI, and business

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2 Ep. 8

#VetTech #RVT #VetMed #VetTechNerdParty