Liz Barton, founder of WellVet, has had the privilege of experiencing the full breadth of veterinary medicine throughout her career. This has not only enriched her professional journey but also given her a deep awareness of the challenges within the field.

She has previously joined us as a guest to discuss her work with Well Vet, an initiative aimed at connecting mothers in the profession and creating a strong support network. Now, as she enters what she calls the "Twilight of Motherhood," Liz has become passionate about supporting women through menopause and perimenopause. Given that veterinary medicine is predominantly a female-driven profession, this issue has never been more urgent.

Three out of four women will experience negative symptoms related to menopause, whether physical or psychological, which can impact both their relationships and overall health. For those who do not experience severe symptoms, the risk of increased health complications remains significant. Liz highlights these statistics and many other compelling reasons why women's health advocacy is crucial across all industries.

To address this, Liz has created a comprehensive, FREE resource designed to offer support. This includes information and practical advice presented in accessible, bite-sized videos. The content is grounded in the pillars of lifestyle medicine, breathwork and yoga techniques, as well as the neuropsychology of hormones.

Liz hopes to lead the way for the veterinary industry—and all industries—to take women's health seriously, providing the necessary education and support for every woman in the workplace.

What’s Inside:

• A problem facing a majority of the veterinary workforce.
• What effects can women experiencing menopause and perimenopause have at work and in the world?
• What are women facing during menopause and perimenopause?
• Blazing the trail for advocacy in women’s health.

Mentioned In This Episode:

WellVet
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Dr. Ruthanne Chun and Dr. Laura Garrett, both veterinary oncologists and professors, emphasize the transformative power of intentional communication in veterinary medicine. With years of experience training students and professionals, they’ve discovered that effective communication is as vital as medical skills.

Unlike humans, animals can’t express their needs directly, so veterinarians must bridge that gap with pet owners. Drs. Chun and Garrett define intentional communication as the practice of engaging with a mindset of “What can I do to build this relationship?” This approach is personal, requires self-awareness, and helps even seasoned clinicians build trust and rapport.

One common challenge is using closed-ended questions, which can feel like an interrogation. Instead, relationship-centered questions foster understanding and create bonds. Core skills include empathy, open-ended inquiry, reflective listening, and attention to nonverbal cues. Additional techniques—like pausing, chunking information, and signposting—help create a supportive environment where clients feel seen and heard.

Dr. Garrett demonstrates these skills through a scenario with an upset client, showing how empathy, open-ended questions, and reflective listening can defuse tension and improve communication. Dr. Chun highlights how each technique contributes to building trust and making challenging situations manageable.

Both emphasize that these skills can be learned gradually, one at a time. Even empathy, they note, can be developed through practice. For those interested in workshops, Drs. Chun and Garrett are available at ruthanne.chun@wisc.edu and garrett1@illinois.edu.

What’s Inside:

• What is intentional communication?
• How can closed-ended questions cause communication difficulties?
• Is it possible to learn empathy?
• The core skills for relationship-centered communications.
• Tools and skills for enhancing client and patient care.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Teaching Cultural Humility and Implicit Bias to Veterinary Medical Students: A Review and Recommendation for Best Practices
Experiences of empathy training in healthcare: A systematic review of qualitative studies
Didactic and Experiential Training to Teach Communication Skills: The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Collaborative Experience
Communication identity in veterinary medicine: a grounded theory approach
Coaching and Feedback: Enhancing Communication Teaching and Learning in Veterinary Practice Settings
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

When Greg Bishop, a veterinarian, writer, and cartoonist, first learned nonviolent communication in veterinary medicine, it transformed how he dealt with difficult clients. What once felt like a precarious challenge became an opportunity to turn clients from ferocious lions into purring kitties.

Nonviolent communication is about staying aware of your own emotions during interactions. As Greg says, "Keep it Vertical." Acknowledge that "I have needs, you have needs—let’s work together to meet them." This mindset protects you from harmful comments, allowing you to stay focused on helping the client.

Greg shares real-life stories, including one where he took over a case involving a critically ill puppy. The client’s first phone call started with a tirade of complaints. Instead of getting triggered, Greg paused and thought, What does she need? By coaching the client to stay calm, he helped the team deliver life-saving care.

New to nonviolent communication? Greg suggests:

• Be patient and understanding
• Be as self-confident as possible
• Stay aware of your feelings and emotions

Clear communication and emotional awareness are key. If you listen, your client will tell you what matters to them, creating a richer experience for both of you.

You can follow Greg’s cartoons, blog, and more at his website, Sasquatch Paw.

What’s Inside:

• What is nonviolent communication?
• Steps to get started with nonviolent communication techniques.
• How nonviolent communication can impact client cases.
• Being emotionally self-aware and listening can tell you all you need to know right away.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Sasquatch Paw
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn