News & Views

Hiring the right team member is about more than just checking off clinical skills and years of experience. We all know that feeling when a candidate looks great on paper, but something just doesn’t click – or that wonderful surprise when a new veterinarian, nurse, or tech turns out to be an even better fit than you expected.

The trick is asking questions that actually show you who’s sitting across from you. Not rehearsed answers about their biggest weaknesses or where they see themselves in five years, but real insights into how they think, what drives them, and whether they’ll thrive in your practice.

With help from our community of practice owners and managers, we’ve put together four key questions that help get to the heart of what matters: initiative, motivation, growth, and teamwork. These aren’t meant to be fired off like a quiz – they’re conversation starters that let you and your potential new team member get to know each other properly.

Here are the questions our community finds most revealing…

As we enter 2025, the veterinary industry stands at a crossroads, with conventional wisdom being challenged on multiple fronts. While many industry commentators paint pictures of AI-driven practices, seamless cross-border mobility, and ever-expanding corporate consolidation, we believe the reality will be starkly different. Our analysis points to several controversial, perhaps uncomfortable, truths about where the profession is actually headed this year.

In this article, we challenge nine deeply held assumptions about the veterinary sector’s direction. From the emperor’s new clothes of AI to the unsustainable economics of traditional recruitment, these predictions will likely ruffle feathers across the industry. Some readers will disagree vehemently with our views – and that’s exactly the point. These predictions aren’t designed to comfort, but to provoke serious discussion about the real challenges and opportunities facing veterinary professionals, practice owners, and industry leaders in 2025…

For many veterinary professionals – Vets, Nurses, Techs, and more – the dream of merging your love for animals with your passion for travel has always burned brightly. The idea of exploring your country, region, or the world while practicing your veterinary skills is not just a great experience; it can be a career boost too. Yet, often, these dreams remain unexplored, tangled in hesitations and uncertainties.

Discover some of the many options that combine your love for animals with your passion for travel. It’s time to unlock those dreams, overcome common hurdles, and discover the pathway forward on a journey where your veterinary skills become your ticket to adventure. Veterinary professionals from our Community share their stories plus discover tips to get you started on your own journey to quench your wanderlust while keeping your veterinary skills razor-sharp…

Whether you were a practice owner shaping your dream team, a manager fine-tuning your hospital culture, or an Emergency Veterinarian exploring your next move, 2024 was a busy one. Our Community Team – all veterinary professionals themselves – have been busy, too, crafting articles that tackle the real challenges and opportunities you’ve shared with us.

In case you missed one or two of the best, these Top 10 pieces sparked conversations from emergency clinics in Sydney to specialty hospitals in London, from bustling practices in Toronto to family-owned clinics in California. You’ve shared your success stories, challenged our thinking, and helped create better workplaces across our veterinary community in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

So, as the holiday season draws near, we’ve gathered our most-read articles of 2024 – perfect for browsing with that leftover Christmas pudding or during a quiet moment between emergency cases…

Remember that spark of excitement when you first stepped into veterinary medicine? Sometimes, even the most passionate veterinary professionals reach a point where they need to rekindle that flame. Perhaps you’re a skilled veterinarian feeling the pull toward a new challenge, a dedicated nurse ready to spread your wings, or a talented tech seeking greener pastures. The symptoms might vary – a yearning for work-life balance, a desire to be closer to loved ones, or simply that persistent feeling that there’s something more out there for you in the veterinary world.

Just like we approach each patient with a thoughtful diagnostic plan, navigating a career transition deserves careful consideration and strategic planning. Whether you’re contemplating a complete change of scenery or just a slight adjustment to your professional path, we’ve assembled seven proven steps to help guide your journey toward veterinary career fulfillment. Think of this as your comprehensive treatment plan for professional growth – one that’s worked wonders for countless veterinary professionals before you…

Are your scheduling gaps getting wider while other practices’ appointment books are full? Have talented staff members left for practices offering “better technology” or “more flexible working conditions”? Is your practice management system starting to feel more like a barrier than a benefit?

You’re not alone. Independent veterinary practices worldwide are facing unprecedented pressures that threaten their sustainability and growth. But here’s the good news: practices that recognize and address these warning signs aren’t just surviving…they’re thriving. Drawing from insights shared by our global VeterinaryModa Community, here are the critical challenges you need to address now, along with practical solutions that work.

Ever noticed how the best days in practice often come down to smooth communication? When the team clicks, clients get it, and everything just… flows. While we spend years mastering clinical skills, it’s often our communication abilities that make the real difference between a good day and a great one.

Discover five proven techniques to build trust and rapport with both clients and colleagues – skills that boost compliance, strengthen team dynamics, and drive both career and practice success…

Looking after your team doesn’t need a big budget or complex programs – it starts with small, meaningful steps that show you value their dedication. We’ve gathered practical wisdom from veterinary practices of all sizes in the Veterinary Moda Community, focusing on ideas that work in the real world, not just in theory.

Whether you’re running a two-vet clinic or managing a growing practice, these suggestions can be sized to fit your needs and resources. Each tip comes with a simple starting point that won’t break the bank or demand hours of planning. Let’s explore how you can nurture the people who make your practice special…

If you’ve recently started your first role in practice, you’re probably experiencing a mix of emotions that swing between “I’ve got this!” and “What am I doing?” several times a day. And you know what? That’s completely normal.

We reached out to professionals who started their careers within the last year – vets, nurses, and techs who understand exactly what you’re feeling right now. They helped us identify the seven most common challenges that every new graduate faces, from managing client expectations to handling team dynamics. More importantly, they shared what really works when it comes to dealing with these situations. Their practical advice and real experiences show that not only are you not alone in what you’re feeling – you’re exactly where you need to be on your path to becoming a confident professional…