What career paths exist for RVTs outside the clinic? Is pet insurance a smart pivot for vet techs ready for something different?

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia & special guest Phil Snow, RVT for a hilarious, engaging episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party as they unpack real-life burnout, the pivot into pet insurance, teaching as a way to give back, and the wild behind-the-scenes story of how a locked-door school shutdown helped spark OC Veterinary Assistant School.

Packed with laughs, relatable insights, and professional wisdom, this episode is perfect for vet techs, animal lovers, and veterinary professionals alike.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– VTNE vs California exam reality + why testing strategy matters long-term

– Burnout even in “great clinics”: emotional drain, hypervigilance, and the silent drive home

– Pet insurance as a pivot: what claim work/training is actually like (and why techs love it)

– How teaching started immediately after licensure — and how it shaped Phil’s career path

– The Heritage shutdown story, the 90/10 rule, and how they got students through anyway

– Building OC Veterinary Assistant School + accidental SEO win + expanding into Lake Forest

– Phil’s best advice for techs: perseverance, durability, and not quitting over one bad moment

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Techs considering leaving clinics but wanting to stay in vet med (insurance, teaching, training)

– Anyone curious how vet tech programs and licensing pathways actually work behind the scenes

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Part 2 kickoff + VTNE vs California exam talk (and why some techs had to re-test)

06:30 – “Unicorn clinic” reality check: management pressure + burnout still happens

13:30 – Hypervigilance at home + emotional exhaustion (silent drive home vibes)

20:30 – Bernie stories: foreign bodies, “bad dogs,” and clinic culture memory lane

27:00 – Pivot to pet insurance: VPI/Nationwide, trainer life, and why some techs thrive there 33:30 – Teaching right after licensure + interview/CPR presentation story

39:30 – Heritage campus shutdown: locked doors, 90/10 rule, and finishing students anyway

46:00 – Launching OC Veterinary Assistant School + naming/SEO luck + expansion to Lake Forest

51:30 – Closing advice: perseverance, staying flexible, and the crew’s sendoff

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2 Ep. 9

#VetTechNerdParty #PetInsurance #VTNP #VetTech #RVT

Ever wonder how someone goes from the Navy… to kennel… to RVT… to running a school?

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia & special guest Phil Snow, RVT for a hilarious, story-packed episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party that dives into Phil’s origin story in vet med, the “put in your time” reality of hospital life, and the ongoing debate around alternate route licensing vs traditional programs.

From traumatic first cases and after-hours foreign bodies to classic clinic pranks and hard opinions on mid-level practitioners, this one balances laughs with real professional perspective — perfect for techs who want community and the honest behind-the-scenes of how this career actually works.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– Phil’s entry into vet med: how one volunteer attempt turned into a career

– The case that hooked him early (and why first “wow” moments matter)

– Kennel-to-treatment growth: earning trust, putting in reps, and leveling up

– Alternate route vs traditional schooling: who it serves, when it works, and why it’s still expanding

– The mid-level practitioner debate: what could help, what could backfire, and what’s missing

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants (new and seasoned)

– Vet tech students choosing a pathway to licensure

– Clinic teams who lived the “after-hours surgery” era

– Vet med pros who love the culture, the chaos, and the dark humor coping mechanisms

– Anyone curious about how licensing standards vary state-to-state

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – “Deposition” intro chaos + why Phil’s in the hot seat

04:45 – Navy exit, Laguna move, and the kennel job that changed everything

12:30 – Grinding in kennel + earning trust in treatment

16:50 – C-sections, foreign bodies, and GP culture at Canyon

21:40 – Why Phil chose the RVT path despite pay realities

26:30 – Hospital-paid schooling + loyalty + golden era of licensing

31:15 – Alternate route vs degree route: who each path really serves

36:50 – Mid-level practitioner debate: threat or opportunity?

42:30 – VTS, liability, and whether vet med should mirror human medicine

47:00 – Licensing loopholes, state differences, and California standards

51:20 – Part two preview: insurance, school ownership, AI, and business

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2 Ep. 8

#VetTech #RVT #VetMed #VetTechNerdParty

Is noticing breed patterns “being breedist”… or is it just good medicine?

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a hilarious, engaging episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party as they unpack breed stereotypes, genetic realities, and the fine line between smart pattern recognition and lazy diagnosis.

From Frenchies and doodles to Dobermans and Greyhounds, the crew shares clinic stories, hot takes, and practical reminders that help techs anticipate needs without boxing patients in.

Packed with laughs, relatable insights, and professional wisdom, this episode is perfect for vet techs, animal lovers, and veterinary professionals alike.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– When breed pattern recognition helps (and when it turns into bias)

– The “genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger” framework in real-life cases

– Common breed-linked conditions techs should anticipate (IVDD, BOAS, DCM, wobblers, bloat, and more)

– Why “zebra hunting” can wreck your diagnostics—and how to stay sharp without getting lazy

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Shelter/low-cost clinic teams dealing with high-stress patients and real-world constraints

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Neuter timing chaos + episode setup

07:00 – Breed patterns: bias vs good medicine + “breedist” confessions

14:00 – Frenchies/bulldogs: ethics, rescues, and frustration with “cute” breeding

21:00 – Doodles/designer trends + responsible breeding vs irresponsible demand

28:00 – Genetics vs environment: IVDD/BOAS/HCM/DCM + “genes load the gun”

35:00 – Owner choices, mismatched lifestyles, and why environment changes outcomes

42:00 – Breed awareness in practice: handling, anesthesia prep, and anticipating needs

49:00 – Offended owners/breeders: “my breeder said…” vs your clinical reality

56:00 – Lazy diagnosis vs smart rule-outs: zebras, horses, and real examples

1:03:30 – Favorites to work on/own + greyhound prey drive story + closing takeaway

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2 Ep. 7

#VetTech #VetMed #VetTechLife #VetMedHumor #VeterinaryMedicine #VetTechNerdParty

Learning in vet med isn’t just about CE credits: it’s about access, power, burnout, and who actually gets to grow.

In this episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party, host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin settle into a long, honest conversation about what education really looks like for veterinary professionals once real life, money, leadership, and systems get involved.

What starts with stories about conferences, CE budgets, and swag culture quickly expands into something bigger: how techs navigate uneven support, relief work, employer priorities, innovation overload, and the emotional crash that comes when inspiration meets clinic reality. Along the way, the group unpacks learning psychology, skepticism around new products, and why continuing education can become either busywork or one of the few forms of leverage vet techs truly own.

Funny, candid, occasionally unhinged, and deeply relatable, this episode reflects how growth in vet med is rarely linear, fair, or simple, but still worth fighting for.

What you’ll hear explored:

• Why learning in vet med feels energizing and exhausting
• How budgets, leadership, and job structure shape who gets access to growth
• The difference between education that checks boxes and education that changes practice
• Navigating innovation, new products, and healthy skepticism without losing curiosity

Who will resonate with this episode:

• Veterinary technicians & assistants
• Vet med professionals navigating burnout or career transitions
• Veterinary students thinking ahead about longevity
• Relief and contract techs managing growth without built-in support
• Anyone who’s ever come back inspired and hit a wall

Timestamps:

00:00 - Cold open, drinks, and why learning in vet med gets complicated

07:18 - Paying for CE: value, swag, sponsorships, and reality

15:06 - Budget gaps, employer support, and uneven access to growth

25:02 - Online learning, free CE, and making education work without money

34:08 - Why conferences feel so good (group learning & dopamine)

39:52 - The emotional crash: inspiration meets clinic reality

46:11 - Innovation, new products, and professional skepticism

53:14 - Future medicine on the horizon: injectables, nutrition, long-term care

58:40 - Final takeaway: education as leverage, protection, and power

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if it resonated with you
• Share your learning wins or frustrations in the comments
• Subscribe and hit the bell to stay with the Nerd Party Welcome to the Nerd Party. We’re not okay and that’s totally okay.

Resources Mentioned:

• VetGirl (online CE): vetgirlontherun.com
• SCVMA Veterinary Team Member education access: scvma.org/continuing-education

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms

Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2, Episode 6

#VetTech #VetMed #VetTechLife #VetMedBurnout #VetCommunity #VetTechNerdParty #PacificLensStudios

What’s it really like trying to break into zoo, exotic, and wildlife medicine—and why does it burn out even the most passionate techs?

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin with special guest Jenny Weldy, RVT for a hilarious, story-packed episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party.

From growing up in a wildlife vet household (yes… animals in the bathroom) to the brutal reality of competitive exotics jobs, gatekept knowledge, and leadership burnout, Jenny brings real-world wisdom—and big-cat chaos—to the nerd table.

Packed with laughs, relatable vet med truths, and hard-earned professional insight, this episode is perfect for vet techs, animal lovers, and veterinary professionals alike.

🎧 What you’ll discover:

– What it’s like growing up with a zoo/wildlife veterinarian parent (and how early “field exposure” starts)

– The real path into zoo/exotics/wildlife: grunt work, volunteering, and strategic specialty pivots

– Why “gatekeeping knowledge” is dangerous for patients, teams, and hospital sustainability

– Burnout, toxicity, and why upper management often breaks great techs

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Techs curious about zoo, exotic, wildlife, or specialty medicine careers

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Jaguar scream cold open + “we’re not okay” energy

03:00 – Meet Jenny Weldy, RVT: zoo/wildlife background + why this niche is so small

10:39 – Inside the exotic hospital setup + “VTNP on the road” idea

18:20 – How to break into zoo/wildlife: grunt work, volunteering, and patience

23:10 – Burnout + toxicity in niche vet med (and why change is slow)

26:18 – Gatekeeping knowledge vs. strong hospitals (what actually protects patients)

31:43 – Vet school training gaps + why so much gets referred out

47:01 – Big-cat stories: jaguars, primates, and the cheetah anesthesia incident

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

– VIN (Veterinary Information Network): vin.com

– Ranger Zack Show: youtube.com/@therangerzakshow

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2, Ep. 5

#VetTech #VetMed #Exotics #ZooMedicine #WildlifeRehab #VetTechNerdParty #PacificLensStudios

Ever had a clinic moment where you thought, “Wait… is this actually legal in California?”

Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a hilarious, real-talk breakdown of California RVT scope of practice—what’s clearly allowed, what’s commonly misunderstood, and what can put patients (and licenses) at risk.

From direct vs indirect supervision to emergency exceptions, anesthesia induction/monitoring, and dental extractions, this episode is packed with laughs, relatable chaos, and serious professional wisdom—because “we’ve always done it this way” doesn’t protect anybody.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– Direct vs indirect supervision (what it actually means and why clinics mix it up)

– What legally qualifies as an emergency (and what “emergency” does not cover)

– Anesthesia induction + monitoring: what’s allowed vs what happens in real clinics

– Dental extractions + the flap/sectioning gray zone (and why boundaries matter)

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Anyone working in California vet med trying to stay sharp, safe, and within scope

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold open chaos + why this episode even exists (scope confusion starts early)

06:45 – Direct vs indirect supervision explained (what California actually means)

14:30 – Emergency exceptions: what qualifies, what’s allowed, and when authority ends

23:10 – Anesthesia induction reality: legality vs clinic shortcuts

32:20 – Clinic culture problems: training gaps, normalization of bad practices

41:40 – Anesthesia monitoring: alarms, troubleshooting, and patient-first thinking

50:10 – Dental extractions, flaps, and scope gray zones that burn licenses

58:45 – Final takeaways: scope = patient advocacy + PU straw surgery sendoff

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

– California RVT supervision levels (direct vs indirect)

– California emergency exception criteria

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2, Ep. 4

#RVT #CaliforniaRVT #VetTechNerdParty

Do you ever wonder why you doubt yourself even when you're clearly crushing it?

Join host Mallory Dickinson with Jenn, Julia, and Erin for a hilarious, honest, deeply relatable dive into imposter syndrome in vet med. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to skill doubt and comparison traps, this episode breaks down the mental battles techs face daily — with humor, vulnerability, and zero sugar-coating.

Packed with real stories, emotional truth, and light-bulb moments, this one hits home for anyone who's ever thought, “Should I even be here?”

🎧 What you'll discover:

– The 5 types of imposter syndrome every vet tech encounters

– Why perfectionism & overpreparing fuel burnout

– Skill doubt, confidence crashes & the “super-tech myth”

– How environment, culture & mentorship shape self-trust

– Practical, encouraging ways to reframe your inner critic

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Anyone battling imposter syndrome or burnout

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Being brave: confidence as an action, not a feeling

00:42 – Welcome back: drinks, chaos & today’s topic — imposter syndrome

04:02 – The 5 types: perfectionist, expert, soloist, superhero, natural genius

10:17 – Burnout patterns: overworking, overdoing & unrealistic expectations

13:09 – Skill doubt, second-guessing & the anxiety–competence loop

17:20 – Comparison traps: “super techs,” memory wizards & muscle-memory skills

24:03 – Clinical gaps, specialty jumps & when your brain lies to you

31:08 – Growth vs. discomfort & learning to thrive in the gray

40:02 – Why culture matters: training, mentorship & psychological safety

53:11 – Fighting imposter syndrome: reframing, receipts, small wins & community

1:13:56 – Final thoughts: you're not a fraud — you're a badass vet professional

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2, Ep. 3

#VetTech #VetLife #VetTechNerdParty

Why do some vet techs thrive in corporate while others run straight back to private practice?

In Part 2 of this conversation, host Mallory Dickinson joins Jenn, Julia, and Erin to continue unpacking the real differences between corporate and private veterinary medicine. Building on the stories, frustrations, and laughs from Part 1, this episode dives deeper into leadership breakdowns, employee treatment, burnout triggers, and the surprising culture shifts that happen when ownership changes hands.

Packed with chaos, candid storytelling, clinical insight, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is the perfect follow-up for anyone navigating the realities of working in today’s vet med world.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– How corporate vs. private leadership actually impacts team morale

– Why mentorship, structure, and trust matter more than written protocols

– The relationship between burnout, underutilization, and pay ceilings

– How “family-style” private practices differ from corporate HR systems

– What new grads should look for when choosing their first clinic

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinary technicians & assistants

– Animal lovers & pet owners

– Veterinary students & recent graduates

– Vet med professionals seeking humor & community

– Anyone deciding between corporate and private practice

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold open chaos: “Are you not entertained?” & spritzers

05:15 – Corporate pros: benefits, CE, equipment & real HR vs. private gray areas

10:02 – Protocols, “recipes,” and when critical thinking actually matters

17:04 – Private practice realities: owner illness, family stress & spillover into staff

24:03 – Title protection debates, OTJ “techs,” and scope-of-practice fights

29:01 – RVT exams, alternate route war stories & imposter syndrome

42:09 – Pay, burnout, multiple jobs & why techs stay too long in bad situations

52:57 – ESOP and employee-owned models: profit sharing, shares & a better path forward

1:10:38 – Corporate vs. private for newbies: how to choose your first clinic

1:13:44 – Final thoughts, bathroom-cry confessions & closing cheers

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you learned something new!

– Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Season 2, Episode 2

#VetTech #VetLife #VetTechNerdParty