Clair Sauer, CVT, joins Dr. Andy Roark to explore how we’re teaching (and could be teaching better) in vet med. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, they dig into Clair’s unique path from science teacher to veterinary technician educator at the University of Pennsylvania. With a passion for learning theory and hands-on training, Clair shares her thoughts on competency-based education, the strengths and challenges of the distributive model for vet schools, and why clear learning outcomes should drive everything from curriculum design to in-clinic staff training. If you're curious about the future of veterinary education, technician training, or how to build a stronger teaching culture in your hospital, this conversation will light you up. Let’s get into it!

Clair Sauer on Instagram

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Clair Sauer started her career as a High School Science teacher. After teaching in the USA and Japan over the span of a decade, she earned her MSEd from West Chester University in 2004 . Since then, she has been involved in developing and spreading awareness of inclusive science programs for urban youth and under represented communities. Upon leaving formal teaching, she worked extensively in shelter medicine, animal welfare and public resource management. Working in shelter med led her to pursue her CVT, which she received in 2018 from Harcum College. She is currently enrolled in a Medical Education Masters program to get another MSEd. She loves being a CVT while integrating her education background into her current role in academia. As well as still growing as a tech and becoming more aware of her own neurodivergence, she makes time to stay active in improving education and access to veterinary medicine for all. She has been nominated and recognized for her achievements and leadership, most recently in 2022, receiving the VECCS Steven Haskins Scholarship. She lives in Philadelphia with her 2 Doberman Pinschers and 2 kitties. When she isn’t nerding out about education and vet med, she likes going dancing with other nerds in vet med and riding bikes in the woods.

Dr. Alex Sigmund, DACVO, joins Dr. Andy Roark to share his journey from uncertain pre-vet student to rising ophthalmology star and social media sensation, better known as The Vet Eye Guy. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, Alex opens up about falling in love with ophthalmology during vet school, navigating the competitive world of residencies, and building a wildly popular educational Instagram presence. From his passion for teaching to the moment he realized his bite-sized videos were making a global impact, Alex talks candidly about the heart behind his content—and why he’s determined to make eye care more approachable for veterinarians everywhere. If you're curious about becoming a specialist, growing your online voice, or just love a good origin story, this one's for you. Let’s get into it!

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Alex is a dedicated veterinary ophthalmologist with a passion for educating pet owners and veterinarians about animal eye health. With a background from UGA and the University of Tennessee, Alex shares insights from a diverse career treating various species, including dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Based in Atlanta, Alex offers teleconsultations and engages with a growing community of animal lovers.

Dr. Jimmy Barr, Chief Medical Officer at Antech Diagnostics, joins The Cone of Shame Podcast for a deep dive into the future of veterinary diagnostics. With a background as a criticalist and former CMO of Blue Pearl, Dr. Barr brings a clinician’s perspective to the evolving landscape of diagnostics. He and Dr. Andy Roark discuss how innovation is shaping veterinary medicine, from AI-assisted radiograph interpretation to predictive diagnostics and molecular testing. They explore the role of spectrum of care in diagnostics, the surprising tests veterinarians still perform in-house, and how AI can serve as a cognitive aid rather than a replacement for clinical judgment. Plus, Dr. Barr shares what he wishes he had known about diagnostics when he was in practice. If you’re curious about where veterinary diagnostics are headed and how they’ll impact patient care, this episode is a must-listen!

https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/

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As Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division, James (Jimmy) Barr, DVM, DACVECC, oversees the quality organization and leads delivery of medical care for the global Antech veterinary diagnostics business. Additionally, Jimmy serves a key role in connecting Science & Diagnostics with the Mars Petcare ecosystem and the veterinary profession.

Most recently, Jimmy was Blue Pearl’s Chief Medical Officer, a position he held since 2018, growing the Clinical Affairs team and taking it to new levels of medical leadership and excellence. While serving as CMO of BluePearl, Jimmy helped establish the Board of Chief Veterinary Medical Officers which is an important collective of over 60 top veterinary medical leaders from across the profession representing various industry segments. Jimmy currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Chief Veterinary Medical Officers.

Jimmy holds undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Louisiana State University and completed his residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Jimmy worked clinically at BluePearl starting in 2007 and served on the faculty at Texas A&M University before serving in BluePearl leadership.

Jimmy enjoys outdoor activities and woodworking. He is married to another veterinarian, Medora, and has two dogs, two cats, and two human children. Jimmy is based out of the SDx office in New York.

Dr. David Haworth joins Dr. Andy Roark to unpack one of the most talked-about shifts in veterinary medicine: the rise of mid-level practitioners. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, they dive into the connection between regulation and innovation—yes, you read that right—and how smart, clear guidelines can actually fuel progress. The conversation then shifts to Colorado’s landmark ballot initiative, paving the way for mid-level roles in vet med. Dr. Haworth shares his perspective on what thoughtful implementation could look like, why engagement from veterinarians is critical, and how we can build a future where access to care improves without compromising quality. If you're curious about technician utilization, veterinary policy, and what this all means for the profession, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it!

David Haworth on LinkedIn

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David Haworth, DVM, PhD is an Executive Vice-President at Embark Veterinary, responsible for Research & Development, Business Development and Corporate Strategy, as well as a highly sought-after advisor and consultant to some of the largest and smallest organizations in the animal health and wellness space. He serves on numerous boards including DOG TV and Chairs the Scientific Working Group of the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Prior to Embark, he was the co-founder and president of Vidium Animal Health, a genomic diagnostics company, and helped lead it to a successful acquisition. He is also a former President of PetSmart Charities in the US and Canada, where he managed the largest strategic grant-making organization in animal welfare as well as the former President & CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, providing millions of dollars in grants for veterinary medical research. Prior to his work in non-profits, he served in multiple positions at Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis, Inc.), the largest producer of veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines in the world, ending as the Director of Global Alliances within the Business Development group and before that a Director in Pfizer Animal Health's Research & Development division. Prior to joining Pfizer Animal Health, he was an associate veterinarian at a small animal and emergency clinic in Washington State. Dr. Haworth received his bachelor of science in biology from the College of William & Mary and his doctor of veterinary medicine and doctorate of philosophy from Colorado State University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Colorado State University's Animal Cancer Center. He has two adult children and splits his time between Denver, Colorado and Bozeman, Montana with his wife of over 30 years and their Golden Retrievers, Bridger and Breckenridge.

In this crossover episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast and VetFolio Voice, Dr. Andy Roark, Stephanie Goss and Dr. Cassandra Fleming dive into conflict management in veterinary practices. They discuss how to reframe conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than something to avoid. Stephanie and Andy break down the importance of building conflict-resilient teams—teams that can disagree, talk through issues, and move forward without tension lingering. They explore practical tools for managing conflict effectively, including communication techniques, creating a culture of psychological safety, and empowering team members to handle conflict themselves rather than relying on leaders to mediate every dispute. They also introduce the Conflict Management Certificate, a resource designed to equip veterinary teams with skills to navigate tough conversations constructively. Whether you're a practice leader, manager, or team member, this episode offers valuable insights into transforming workplace conflict into a tool for stronger teamwork and better patient care.

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Dr. Cassandra Fleming obtained her Master's Degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida in 2010 followed by her DVM, also from the University of Florida, in 2014. She graduated with certificates in both Food Animal Medicine and Veterinary Business.

She currently practices as a small animal general practitioner in North Central Florida, where her favorite cases to manage include dentistry and geriatric medicine, specifically pain management in dogs with arthritis.

You may also recognize her as Dr. Cassi of VetFolio, VetFolio's staff veterinarian, which has afforded her amazing opportunities to learn from some of the industry’s best.

When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband Josh and their two young daughters. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Wrigley, and almost any outdoor activity!

Stephanie is a former practice manager who lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. With over 20 years of experience both on the floor and in the office, Stephanie is passionate about staff education, team culture, management and training. Stephanie loves to geek out about technology, especially Practice Management Software. She has experience as a practice manager in both private and corporate practices, ranging in size from one to seven doctors. She has experience as a consultant and trainer with AVImark software, paperlite/paperless transitions, practice management and staff training.

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior) joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about how veterinary technicians can build a career in behavior. She shares her journey from general practice to launching Chirrups and Chatter, the challenges she faced, and the steps she took to advocate for herself and establish a successful behavior consulting business. They discuss imposter syndrome, career growth, and why behavior is an essential part of veterinary medicine. Gang, let’s get into this episode.

Chirrups and Chatter

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Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Behavior), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. She owns Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training and is the animal behavior technician at The Gentle Vet in Ohio. Tabitha lectures at both regional and national levels, enjoying the opportunity to help people better understand and connect with animals. Additionally, Tabitha is a Fear Free certified speaker and coach, a Fear Free Practice Certification and Implemention Consultant, and the host of the podcast, Tails from a Vet Tech.

Tabitha offers organizational consulting and education for veterinary clinics and animal shelters, focusing on best practices that address both the emotional and physical needs of animals. She specializes in behavior and training programs and handling skills. Tabitha has contributed to the development of training and behavior programs for numerous veterinary hospitals and shelters and continues to provide ongoing support to these organizations through her consulting work. \n

3 fun facts:

Im an ultra trail runner

Im vegan

Im a tattoo and hair color euthusiast

Dr. Kate Boatright joins The Cone of Shame Podcast to discuss how new veterinary graduates can sometimes be perceived as money-hungry, not because they are, but because they lack confidence in case management and lean heavily on full diagnostic workups. She and Dr. Andy Roark explore how vet school training, imposter syndrome, and communication challenges contribute to this perception. They dive into the importance of spectrum of care, mentorship strategies for guiding young doctors, and how clinicians can balance thorough medicine with client trust. Whether you're a new grad, a mentor, or someone passionate about communication in veterinary practice, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Blog: https://writetheboat.com/

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Guest Bio: Dr. Kate Boatright has been in small animal practice since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. After nearly 8 years of full time practice in both general practice and emergency clinics, she moved to part-time clinical work to pursue her passion for educating veterinary professionals as a freelance speaker and author. Dr. Boatright enjoys discussing mentorship, the unique challenges facing recent graduates, wellness, and the spectrum of care. She believes deeply in the role of organized veterinary medicine and holds leadership positions in the AVMA and her local and state VMAs. She is a former national officer of the VBMA and was a founding member of the VBMA Alumni. In her remaining time, she stays busy chasing her toddler, running, reading, and watching movies with her husband and cats.

Fun facts: 1. Pizza is my favorite food. I prefer pineapple pizza which i know is a polarizing choice! 2. I love Disney movies and have run half marathons at Disney 3 times, plus a 10-miler in April 2025. 3. I love learning and am considered a "CE junkie" by my colleagues

Dr. Jen Quammen joins The Cone of Shame Podcast to discuss her candidacy for AVMA President-Elect and why she’s stepping up to lead the profession. In this episode, she and Dr. Andy Roark explore what it takes to run for AVMA leadership, the changes she hopes to bring—like expanding membership to include credentialed veterinary technicians—and the challenges of guiding a large, public-facing organization. They dive into the AVMA’s evolution, the importance of diverse representation, and how veterinary professionals can get involved without overwhelming commitments. If you’ve ever wondered what the AVMA does, where it’s headed, or how leadership decisions are made, this conversation is a must-listen.

Jen Quammen: https://jenquammen.com/

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Guest Bio:

I am a practicing veterinarian and influencer of Digital Transformation within the Veterinary Medical Profession. I have extensive experience in small animal medicine, surgery and telehealth. harnessing and creating team harmony using emotional intelligence (EQ), change management and kickstarting new projects. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking and traveling.