In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris interviews Dr. Eric Davis, founder of Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS). Dr. Davis shares his journey from a rural veterinarian to a leader in veterinary education and community service. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working with underserved communities, particularly on Indian reservations, and the evolution of RAVS into a significant nonprofit organization that trains veterinary students and provides essential services to animals in need. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement in veterinary medicine and the personal fulfillment that comes from serving others.

📚 Extraordinary Vets Reading List:

Dr. Davis recommends "Living Poor" by Moritz Thompson. Originally written about the Peace Corps in the 60s, he suggests it for anyone looking to donate their time to international service, as it honestly lays out the challenges and realities of working in underserved communities.

To learn more about Dr. Davis non profit Rural Veterinary Experience Teaching & Service (RVETS) visit : https://www.rvets.org/

If you are interested in mentorship or have questions on where to start you can also email Dr. Davis: eric@rvets.org

In this special "Dean’s Edition" of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris sits down with three deans who prove there is no single "right" way to reach the top of academia.

Inside the Episode:

• Building from the Ground Up: Dr. Heidi Banse (Arkansas State University) discusses the challenge of launching a brand-new vet school and explains the "community center model" of clinical education and the importance of the Spectrum of Care initiative.

• The Global Perspective: Dr. Brendan Lee (St. Matthew’s University) explains his unique role as Executive Dean and offers advice on the "terminal degree" and why saying "yes" to uncomfortable opportunities is key to career growth.

• From "Mickey Mouse" to UC Davis: Dr. Mark Stetter reveals how 15 years at Walt Disney World provided the leadership, budget, and storytelling skills necessary to lead the world's top-ranked veterinary college.

In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris interviews Dr. Joe Gaydos, a marine mammal veterinarian and science director at the SeaDoc Society. They discuss Joe's unique career path, his experiences in wildlife medicine, and the importance of ocean health and conservation. Joe shares insights from his time in Zimbabwe, his transition to marine mammals, and his efforts in educating the public through children's literature and media outreach. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine, particularly in wildlife conservation, and offers advice for aspiring veterinarians.

Keep up with the SeaDoc Society on their socials:

https://www.seadocsociety.org/

facebook.com/seadocsociety/

instagram.com/seadocsociety/

In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris welcomes Dr. Justin Schlanser, Colonel in the U.S. Army, Chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, and Commander of Public Health Command East. Joining the conversation are Second Lieutenant Shelby Friend and Second Lieutenant Selena Gomez, veterinary students and recipients of the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program.

Together, they discuss Dr. Schlanser’s journey into veterinary medicine, the roles and responsibilities of the Army Veterinary Corps, and the unique career pathways available to veterinarians in military service. The episode also explores leadership development, public health and food safety, emerging and zoonotic diseases, and the growing impact of climate change on veterinary medicine offering valuable insight for students and professionals alike who are curious about service, science, and the future of the profession.

In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris interviews Dr. Daphne Mobley, a veterinarian with a diverse career path that includes lab animal medicine, corporate roles, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Mobley shares her journey from a childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian to her experiences in the corporate world and her eventual leap into entrepreneurship. She discusses her book, 'The Pet Effect: Healing and Learning Life Lessons from the Pets We Love ,' which highlights the positive impact pets have on people's lives.

To learn more about Dr. Mobley and the work she goes you can visit her site: https://www.docdaphne.com/

Discover what it really takes to become a successful dairy veterinarian and how veterinarians transition into the animal health industry with Dr. Matt Boyle,Director, Dairy Technical Services at Zoetis Inc. In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, we explore the day-to-day work of a technical services veterinarian, the future of dairy medicine, and the skills today’s veterinarians need to thrive in a rapidly changing livestock industry.

Dr. Boyle shares his journey from dairy practice to a leadership role at Zoetis, offering practical career advice for veterinary students, new grads, and any veterinarian interested in food animal medicine or alternative career paths. We also dive into public health topics like milk safety, avian influenza in cattle, and the role of veterinarians in protecting the food supply.

If you want to better understand the dairy industry, explore new veterinary career options, or learn how animal health companies support veterinarians and producers, this episode delivers high-value insight from a trusted expert.

In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris sits down with Dr. Bob Sager whose career spans more than 45 years in beef cattle medicine. From running rural mixed practices to leading veterinary health and biosecurity for over 600,000 head of cattle in Russia, Dr. Sager’s journey is anything but ordinary.

He shares stories of innovation in cattle health, the surprising “gummy bear trade” that saved a herd, his late-life PhD pursuit, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of veterinarians. This conversation is a testament to lifelong learning, global adventure, and the heart of a true cattleman.

In this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris interviews Dr. Steve Osofsky, a prominent figure in wildlife conservation and the One Health movement. Dr. Osofsky shares his journey from being a young boy fascinated by wildlife to becoming a leading wildlife veterinarian and conservationist. He discusses his experiences in Botswana, the establishment of the Dept. of Wildlife & National Parks Wildlife Veterinary Unit, and the importance of integrating environmental stewardship and public health through the One Health and Planetary Health concepts. The conversation also explores a range of roles for veterinarians in conservation, and the critical need for good governance in order to achieve sustainable outcomes. Dr. Osofsky emphasizes the importance of adaptability and creativity in pursuing a career in conservation, as well as the need to invest in understanding local contexts when it comes to addressing health and environmental challenges.

For more information on some of the things discussed, please see cornell-ahead.org and wildlife.cornell.edu.

Essential Reading List:

Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie: