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Leadership shouldn’t be a consolation prize for being the most experienced person in the room. Bill sits down with Andrea Crabtree, CVPM and founder of Fur Paws Consulting, to unpack why promoting from within without training sets teams up to struggle—and how practices can turn that around with protected time, focused CE, and clear role design. We talk about the real forces squeezing clinics right now—cost of care, distributor price hikes, wage pressure, and potential tariffs—and share practical pricing tactics that maintain trust without shocking clients who visit once a year.

Andrea makes a compelling case for total compensation over wage wars. From health benefits and retirement matches to license fees, CE support, and schedule flexibility, she explains how to showcase your true investment with a one‑page total rewards snapshot that changes how staff see value. We also spotlight associates as everyday leaders, outlining steps owners can take to bring doctors into leadership meetings, reserve nonclinical hours for projects, and require communication and management CE alongside medical updates.

Competition still rules too many local markets, but where managers and owners collaborate—sharing policies, scripts, and benchmarks—results improve fast. Andrea highlights SoCal networks that cultivate CVPM talent and raise performance across clinics, then previews a new two‑day Veterinary Executive Leadership Workshop in Southern California featuring modules on HR, insurance, law, finance, and tax planning.

If you’re ready to replace burnout and guesswork with systems, coaching, and community, this conversation delivers a usable blueprint. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague who’s building their leadership bench.

Host Information

Bill Butler – Contact Information

Direct – 952-208-7220

https://butlervetinsurance.com/

bill@butlervetinsurance.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session

Podcast Sponsored By:

Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

"Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

Contact Us Now

Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

Send us a text

We explore why emotional intelligence drives clinical outcomes, how slow change beats rapid pivots, and why clarity prevents errors. Practical habits show leaders how to build trust, grow resilience, and turn small actions into a safer, calmer practice.

• EQ as the core lever for communication and patient safety
• Five elements of EQ applied to daily hospital work
• Give yourself grace and label emotions to create space
• Self-awareness loops that lead to self-regulation
• Realistic timelines for habit and culture change
• Trust building through consistent micro-interactions
• Virtual rapport tips that reduce uncertainty
• Four to six week checkpoints and peer accountability
• Resilience across mental, physical and social lanes
• Collaboration over competition to amplify team strength
• Specificity in expectations and confirming understanding

Please like, share, and review the podcast. Share this with your team, share it with your friends in the veterinary community, and be intentional with resilience, with leadership, and taking action on a small level over time to try and impact your team in a positive way.

Host Information

Bill Butler – Contact Information

Direct – 952-208-7220

https://butlervetinsurance.com/

bill@butlervetinsurance.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session

Podcast Sponsored By:

Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

"Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

Contact Us Now

Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.

Send us a text

Hiring doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. We sat down with John Reed, CEO and lead talent acquisition specialist at Supreme Search Specialists, to unpack a people-first approach to veterinary recruitment that prioritizes fit, flexibility, and long-term retention. From culture alignment to the first 30-day gut check, we break down how smart clinics attract the right DVMs—and keep them.

We dig into what’s changed in the last five years: shifting associate expectations, the rise of flexible schedules, and why PTO, mental health, and predictable hours often rival salary in importance. John explains why retained-fee recruiting can push quick, poor matches, and how a pay-on-hire model with extended rebates encourages patience and better outcomes. He also shares practical tactics that reveal who candidates really are—shadow days, multi-voice interviews, and watching interactions with reception teams who know your practice best.

Beyond the “vet shortage” headline, we examine the real forces behind the skills gap as seasoned clinicians move into non-clinical roles. We look at the hidden costs of over-relying on relief staff and how to convert that flexibility into permanent roles that build loyalty. Expect concrete, immediately useful ideas: ask each candidate what matters most to them, tailor packages by person and market, reward loyalty, and keep communication open enough to fix small issues before they become exits.

If you’re a practice owner or manager ready to reduce churn, protect your culture, and build a team that advocates for your brand, this conversation offers a clear blueprint. Subscribe for more practical strategy, share with a colleague who’s hiring, and leave a review to help other veterinary leaders find the show.

Host Information

Bill Butler – Contact Information

Direct – 952-208-7220

https://butlervetinsurance.com/

bill@butlervetinsurance.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billbutler-cic/

Schedule a Strategy Session with Bill – Strategy Session

Podcast Sponsored By:

Butler Vet Insurance: We wrote the Book on Veterinary Insurance

Running a successful veterinary practice comes with its challenges. At Butler Vet Insurance, we specialize in simplifying insurance for professionals like you.

"Protecting Your Veterinary Practice": Your Guide to Stress-Free Insurance

Insurance-related stress: Order Your Copy Now

Why Choose Butler Vet Insurance?

We specialize in risk management tailored for veterinarians, addressing unique challenges!

Contact Us Now

Butler Vet Insurance – Your Trusted Insurance Partner for Veterinary Practices.