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Creating safe, supportive, and high-functioning veterinary teams goes far beyond clinical skill: it starts with leadership, culture, and the everyday interactions that shape how people feel about speaking up, learning, and coping with errors.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Luiz Santos, a veterinary anesthesiologist, educator, and PhD researcher whose work explores humble leadership, psychological safety, safety climate, error disclosure, and the second victim phenomenon in veterinary practice. Luiz shares how leadership behaviours, team culture, and even seemingly small acts of incivility can profoundly impact both patient safety and the wellbeing of veterinary professionals.

You will learn what humble leadership really looks like in practice, why psychological safety is essential for learning and growth, and practical strategies for fostering safer, more resilient, and more compassionate teams. Whether you’re a practice owner, manager, or team member, this conversation offers evidence-based insights to improve communication, support wellbeing, and strengthen safety in every veterinary workplace.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/b9zXfiDkZic

Resources
Follow Dr. Luiz Santos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ls522/

Impact of humble leadership on attitudes to error disclosure: the mediating role of psychological safety and safety climate in Australian veterinary practices: https://bmjleader.bmj.com/content/9/4/394

Navigating veterinary error disclosure: An examination of humble leadership and safety attitudes in veterinary practices in Australia: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vetr.5816

The Power of Mattering (Book by Zach Mercurio)

We Need to Talk About Error: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1136/vr.103331

Discerning the effect of the relationship between disclosure and responsiveness on depression, anxiety, and compassion fatigue among veterinarians: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/4/javma.22.08.0359.xml

A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian: https://acompassionatecalling.com/

Thank you to our sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition
For more information about Hill's products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.com or HillsPet.ca.

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For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Additional Resources
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https

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Strong mentorship and a culture of support are essential for thriving, sustainable veterinary careers. Beyond clinical skill, how teams grow, learn, and care for one another depends on guidance, connection, and intentional professional development.

In this episode, we speak with Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams® and Director of MentorVet Tech. Alyssa has spent over 20 years fostering professional growth, mentorship, and team empowerment across the veterinary profession. She shares her insights on how effective mentoring relationships, supportive leadership, and team development initiatives can enhance wellbeing, resilience, and job satisfaction.

You will learn what mentorship truly looks like in veterinary practice, why it matters for both individuals and teams, and practical strategies for creating a culture where every team member can grow, contribute, and feel valued. Whether you’re a practice owner, manager, or team member, this conversation offers evidence-informed guidance to strengthen professional growth, wellbeing, and collaboration across your team.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
[Link pending]

Resources
Follow Empowering Veterinary Teams on Instagram @empvetteam or visit their website: https://www.empoweringveterinaryteams.com

MentorVet Tech: https://www.mentorvet.net/tech

Ready, Vet, Go: https://readyvetgo.co/

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Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

One-on-One Coaching
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s coaching and to book a complimentary intro call visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/coaching

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

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In a profession defined by constant care for others, veterinarians often struggle to make time for their own recovery. What if stepping away, even briefly, could be the key to sustaining joy and longevity in practice?

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Heather Gunn McQuillan, veterinarian, educator, and founder of Nature Space Resort and Retreat Centre and AwareVet Veterinary Consulting. After nearly two decades in clinical practice and academic leadership, Heather now helps veterinary professionals restore balance through nature-based wellness retreats.

She shares how mindfulness, rest, and intentional time in nature can promote resilience, health, and emotional recovery, and why immersive retreats can create lasting change. You will learn how to integrate mindfulness and rest into daily life and how community and connection can revive your passion for veterinary work.

Whether you are feeling depleted, curious about retreats, or looking to reconnect with yourself and your purpose, this conversation offers inspiration and practical guidance for sustainable wellbeing.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/zMh4X8V2ErQ

Resources
Learn more about Heather’s retreats and offerings on her website: www.naturespaceresort.com

Follow Nature Space Resort on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatureSpaceResort

Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote
See how Scribenote works: https://www.scribenote.com?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402

Book a Demo: https://calendly.com/d/4zm-dsr-wfh/scribenote-demo

Start with a Free 14-Day Trial Today: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Support the show