Veterinary leadership burnout can leave even the most dedicated practice managers wondering if life would be easier back at the front desk, free from the constant pressure of staffing decisions, client complaints, and carrying the emotional weight of the whole hospital. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss respond to a heartfelt mailbag question from a manager considering stepping down into a CSR role and unpack the realities of making that transition. They explore why these feelings are so common, the cultural and identity challenges of changing roles inside the same practice, and how to decide whether stepping down is truly the right move or simply a sign that boundaries and support need to change. Let's get into this episode!

Uncharted Practice Owner Summit at NAVC SkillShop

Owning a veterinary practice comes with challenges no one teaches you in school. The Uncharted Practice Owner Summit, hosted at NAVC SkillShop in Orlando, is a hands-on leadership workshop designed to help owners strengthen their teams, improve operations, and make confident business decisions. This small-group, working session focuses on real-world tools and honest conversations, not passive lectures.

Spots are limited. Register now:

https://navc.com/skillshop/uncharted-practice-owner-summit/

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag

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

Dr. Andy Roark and Maria Pirita, CVPM, tackle one of the most emotionally charged realities in veterinary medicine, when corporate leadership changes clinic schedules without local input and leaders are left to deliver the news to frustrated teams. In this episode, they respond to a multi-site medical director caught between upper management directives and the trust they have worked hard to build with their doctors. They explore the leadership trap of managing up and down, how to communicate schedule changes without losing credibility, and practical strategies for protecting team morale, retention, and engagement during corporate veterinary practice transitions. If you have ever felt stuck translating decisions you did not make, this episode offers clarity, validation, and actionable veterinary leadership tools to help you navigate change effectively.

Regional Leaders Summit 2026

Leading multiple clinics comes with bigger pressure and tougher decisions. The Uncharted Regional Leaders Summit 2026 is a working virtual summit for veterinary regional and multi-site leaders who want practical tools, real solutions, and peer collaboration, not lectures.

Save 20% with code REGION and register now:

https://community.unchartedvet.com/uncharted-regional-leaders-summit-2026

Ready to stop guessing your way through practice ownership and start leading with clarity? The Uncharted Practice Owner Summit, part of NAVC SkillShop in Orlando, is an immersive, hands-on leadership experience designed specifically for veterinary practice owners who want practical tools, real-world strategies, and honest conversations about running a successful clinic. Hosted alongside NAVC’s renowned SkillShop, this intimate workshop combines expert instruction, small group learning, and actionable business education so you can immediately strengthen your team, improve operations, and build the practice you actually want. Spots are limited, and this is not a lecture series. It is a working summit for owners who are ready to grow. Register now: https://navc.com/skillshop/uncharted-practice-owner-summit/

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag

A former associate leaves your veterinary practice, opens their own clinic, and now your team members are getting recruited, leaving you worried about staff loss and wondering whether to fight back legally or double down on fixing things internally. This week, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackle the emotional and practical reality of veterinary staff poaching, walking through how practice owners and managers can move past anger, stabilize their teams, and focus on culture, communication, and retention strategies that actually keep employees loyal long term. If you’re struggling with staff retention, leadership stress, or fear of losing great team members to competitors, this episode delivers practical, level-headed guidance to help you protect your practice and lead confidently through the challenge. Let’s get into this episode!

Regional Leaders Summit 2026

Leading multiple clinics comes with bigger pressure and tougher decisions. The Uncharted Regional Leaders Summit 2026 is a working virtual summit for veterinary regional and multi-site leaders who want practical tools, real solutions, and peer collaboration, not lectures.

Save 20% with code REGION and register now:

https://community.unchartedvet.com/uncharted-regional-leaders-summit-2026

Upcoming events: https://learn.unchartedvet.com/pages/events

All Links: https://linktr.ee/UnchartedVet

Do you have something that you would love Andy and Stephanie to discuss on the podcast? If so, send us a message through the mailbag! Submit it here: unchartedvet.com/mailbag