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What do television production, relief veterinary medicine, entrepreneurship, and fashion design have in common?

For Dr. Cindy Trice, they're all part of a career she never could have planned.

Cindy describes herself as a “professional sampler.” She began her career in television production before becoming a second-career veterinarian. Since then, she's explored relief veterinary work, founded Relief Rover, and helped bring Kick It Recovery Wear to life.

In this episode of Vet Life Reimagined, Cindy shares how unexpected challenges, curiosity, and meaningful relationships shaped her career—and how she eventually discovered a common purpose connecting seemingly unrelated experiences.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Becoming a veterinarian as a second career
• How relief veterinary medicine can offer flexibility, variety, and new career opportunities
• Finding the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship without a business background
• Turning personal challenges into opportunities to help others
• Why networking and relationships matter when exploring alternative veterinary careers
• Finding purpose and connecting the dots across a nonlinear career path

Whether you're considering a veterinary career change, exploring life beyond traditional clinical practice, or wondering what your next chapter could look like, Cindy's story offers a different perspective on professional growth.

Resources mentioned:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Podcast Guide on the Sprinkle of Wisdom Substack
• Relief Rover — Resources and opportunities for relief veterinarians
• Kick It Recovery Wear — Thoughtfully designed clothing for people navigating medical treatment and recovery
• The Veterinary Innovation Summit (VIS)

Click the "Follow" button more conversations about veterinary career paths, personal growth, and the many ways veterinary professionals can make an impact.

Dr. Quincy Hawley is leading the second annual Veterinary Burnout Preparedness Summit, a two-day virtual event focused on practical tools to help you thrive in veterinary medicine.

Join us November 21st and 22nd for 11 hours of RACE-approved CE. Use code SPRINKLE67VIP to get a VIP ticket with lifetime access to all of the recordings for just $67. Register here.

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Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

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Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
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Board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Liz Stelow joins Vet Life Reimagined to explore veterinary behavior, the human-animal bond, and why understanding a patient requires considering physical and emotional health, the environment, and communication.

Liz also shares her unconventional veterinary career path, from English major and humane society public relations to veterinarian, behavior specialist, educator, and founder of Pet Allies. We discuss using AI in veterinary medicine to extend (not replace) veterinary expertise, improving access to behavior support, and why veterinary professionals should never stop exploring new ways to grow.

In this episode:

• Veterinary behavior and the human-animal bond
• Pain, fear, anxiety, and behavior problems in pets
• Communication between pets and pet owners
• When veterinarians should consider behavior referrals
• AI and technology in veterinary medicine
• Nontraditional veterinary career paths
• Lifelong learning, career growth, and avoiding becoming “Dr. Crusty”

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Podcast club guide for key takeaways and application (Sprinkle of Wisdom Substack
• Pet Allies
• Keep exploring with previous episode: Behaviorist, Dr. Lisa Radosta (Listen or watch)

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount.

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner!

Send us Fan Mail

Being a professional in veterinary technology often feels like following a rigid, traditional route. This conversation challenges that mindset, showing you how to create a career path that truly aligns with your personal values and interests.

Megan interviews Crystal Schaeffer, MVCC, BAS, RVT, who describes her own story as "rags to riches". She had a rough childhood, but by taking action, being honest, and appreciating the people who helped her along the way, she is now helping the veterinary technology profession rethink what's possible.

This is the third of 10 episodes in the One Community Series with AVTE.

Resources:

• Video episode on YouTube
• Key takeaways and application guide (Sprinkle of Wisdom Substack)
• Crystal's textbook, Veterinary Nursing Strategy
• AVTE
• One Community Episode One with Dr. Mobini
• One Community Episode Two with Mariel Hendricks
• Lincoln Memorial's Master's in Veterinary Critical Care

Support the show

More Vet Life Reimagined? 💡 Find us on YouTube and check out our website.
Connect with Dr. Megan Sprinkle on LinkedIn

Looking to start a podcast?
Use Buzzsprout as your hosting platform, like I do! Use this link to get a $20 credit.
And use Descript as your recording platform, editing tool, AI resources, and more. Use my referral link for a discount.

Make sure you are following the podcast to catch each weekly episode. Here are ways to support the podcast:
- Give it a 5-star rating & review
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Share the episode
- Nominate a guest
- Find out how to become a partner!