Mrs Hall had been bringing spaniels to Megan’s practice for over a decade, so when she asked the consultation fee, it barely registered. When she asked again in reception three days later, it did. By week’s end, there had been a few more pauses around estimates, a couple of extra questions before appointments were booked, and then at dinner with friends, a side remark that veterinary prices were “skyrocketing”. For Megan, what had been a background hum was coming into sharper focus…

When your next pay conversation arrives, the most valuable question may not be “How much more?” Veterinary compensation is becoming far more varied, with practices rethinking how they reward skills, contribution, flexibility and long-term value to attract and retain great people. Whether you are considering a move or perfectly happy where you are, these five models could change what you ask for next…

What will set you apart in veterinary medicine in 2027 may have less to do with acquiring another clinical technique and more to do with how you think. Some of the most valuable abilities are already taking shape in changing client expectations, new ways of delivering care, and what practices increasingly need from their teams. These five stand out, and there’s at least one surprise that will be well outside what you expected to learn next…

New technology promises faster workflows, smarter systems and fewer frustrations. But what happens when efficiency starts changing the way your team works, communicates or connects with clients? The strongest practices are finding ways to embrace useful technology without losing the human moments that make them great places to work. So where should you draw the line?…

Veterinary life is full, often overflowing, and most of us accept that it comes with the territory. But all work and no play takes its toll. The hard part is not knowing you need something different. It is finding a way to begin, especially when stepping into a new group or experience feels confronting. These five practical starting points may make that first leap easier, more social, and far more fun…

Your practice may be established, successful and deeply trusted, yet many of its systems were shaped for a different team, a different client base or a different stage of growth. De novo founders begin with a rare advantage: the chance to choose each element deliberately. The good news is that you can apply the same thinking to your new or existing practice. Discover the de novo principles and how to get started…

Claire had bought a respected practice, a capable team, and years of trust already built. But she also inherited the habits, loyalties, and decision-making patterns that had quietly formed around Dr Henry. As she began sharing authority and preparing to bring in someone she already trusted, Claire discovered that fine-tuning culture was not simply about changing what came before. It was also about preserving what still had a role in its future…

Are you succeeding in clinical practice, yet still wondering where else your veterinary experience could take you? The complex cases, difficult decisions, client conversations and everyday problem-solving have built a skill set that reaches well beyond the consult room. You understand where care falls short, what veterinary teams need, and whether a promising idea will work when it meets the realities of practice.

Animal health startups need that perspective. Across biotechnology, diagnostics, wearable monitoring, therapeutic technology and AI tools, veterinarians are helping turn new ideas into products and services that clinicians and patients can genuinely use. These five career options show where your experience could fit, and how you might begin exploring a different direction without treating everything you have built in practice as something you need to leave behind…

Ask almost any veterinary practice owner or manager about their biggest challenge and recruitment will be near the top of the list. Workforce pressure is real. Roles remain open for months, applications can be scarce, and promising candidates may disappear before a meaningful conversation begins. In that environment, “there’s no one out there” can feel like the only reasonable conclusion. Yet the shortage is only part of the story, because while many practices continue to struggle, others attract, engage and recruit strong candidates consistently, including veterinary professionals who were not actively planning a move.

These practices are rarely relying on luck or geography. They take a whole-of-practice approach that begins long before a vacancy appears and continues well beyond the contract being signed. They build a visible reputation, tell an honest and compelling story, stay present across the channels veterinary professionals already use, and create an experience that confirms the promise once someone joins. Great hires seldom begin with a single job advertisement. They grow from consistent actions, credible moments and a practice that remains quietly ready to meet its next team member. Here is what that looks like before, during and after recruitment…