Crafting Your Ideal Veterinary Career

Have you ever wished you could just write your dream job?

If you have ever wanted to at least part of your job description, then you will be intrigued by the fascinating career of Ricky Walther, DVM . ?Dr. Walther's story is about innovation, leadership, and redefining success in veterinary medicine.

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Dr. Walther took early steps in his career of self-discovery, networking, and business acumen that put him on the track to write a job description that allowed him to live out his “why” and make a unique impact doing it.

Some of the many things we discussed in our conversation on Vet Life Reimagined include:

Finding Direction and Connectivity:? Connecting with people and being open to opportunities can shape a fulfilling career. Dr. Walther’s proactive involvement (including getting outside of his comfort zone) in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) enabled him to shape his professional life early in his career. Dr. Walther’s experiences in networking, reflecting on personal goals, and seizing on leadership opportunities underline the importance of community in developing a veterinary career.

Leadership in Uncertainty: Graduating from vet school and starting as a new veterinarian in the height of the pandemic allowed him to experience leadership skills in challenging times and understand clinical dynamics and team management in high-pressure situations – skills that are transferable beyond the clinical setting.

Opportunities in Non-clinical roles (i.e. Pet Insurance): Dr. Walther has a passion for making a large impact in the profession, so he transitioned into a pivotal role at Pawlicy Advisor , a company that is transforming the pet insurance space. His journey demonstrates the importance of cross-sector experiences and the value veterinarians bring to broader industries, especially in creating new roles like Chief Medical Officer in sectors lacking veterinary presence.

There are so many diverse paths veterinary professionals can explore taking transferable skills and impacting animal health. By embracing challenges, fostering connections, and leveraging unique skill sets, a fulfilling and flexible career in veterinary medicine is within reach.

Don’t miss Dr. Walther’s episode on Vet Life Reimagined and stay connected with the veterinary community to let stories like Dr. Walther inspire you to reimagine possibilities in vet med.

Listen on your favorite podcast platform

Watch the episode on YouTube

Sincerely,

Dr. Megan Sprinkle, DVM

Host, Vet Life Reimagined