In this Question of the Week episode of Endless Journeys: The Vet Tech Odyssey, hosts Jen and Michelle tackle “New Clinic, Same Anxiety”—a common challenge for relief vet techs.

They discuss navigating unfamiliar clinics, balancing confidence with humility, and the importance of communication in fast-paced environments. The episode also celebrates Veronica Torres on becoming a licensed veterinary technician and business owner, highlighting the growth and resilience of vet tech entrepreneurs.

Have a question you want featured? Submit it for an upcoming Question of the Week episode!

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Keywords

vet tech, entrepreneurship, relief work, confidence, humility, veterinary industry, success stories, overcoming anxiety, professional growth, communication skills

The Relief Tech Contract Playbook

Michelle and Jen discuss the essentials of contract work for relief veterinary technicians. From building a solid contract to setting clear boundaries, they share practical tips on communication, professionalism, and protecting both the technician and the clinic. This episode offers guidance and encouragement for techs considering relief work and navigating the emotional demands of the field with confidence.

Show Note Links:

https://mastermind.com/

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

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Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

Keywords

veterinary contracts, relief technician, veterinary medicine, self-care, work-life balance, client boundaries, veterinary technician advice, emotional health, professional development, veterinary industry, veterinary contracts, relief technician, contract negotiation, veterinary business, professional boundaries, compensation structure, cancellation policy, overtime pay, confidentiality clause

In this special collaborative episode, we join Athletic Conceptual Training for a candid, high-energy conversation with Ryan Johnson and Katelyn Warford. In this 30-minute video interview, Ryan and Katelyn turn the tables and interview us—diving into our podcast journey, our individual businesses, and the paths that led us to building careers outside of traditional veterinary medicine.

We talk openly about entrepreneurship, mindset, burnout, and the importance of caring for your body and your career. This episode highlights the power of collaboration across industries and how athletic performance principles, resilience, and intentional growth translate seamlessly into veterinary medicine and business ownership.

This conversation sparked even more ideas behind the scenes, and we’re excited to share that future collaborations are already in the works—including a Part 2 you won’t want to miss!

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How our podcast and individual businesses came to life

• The realities of entrepreneurship in veterinary medicine

• Parallels between athletic training, performance, and career longevity

• Burnout, sustainability, and caring for your body as a professional

• The value of cross-industry collaboration

• What’s next for this partnership

Featured Guests: Ryan Johnson & Katelyn Warford Founders of Athletic Conceptual Training

What’s Next: This is just the beginning. More collaborative conversations are coming, and Part 2 is already in the works, where we’ll dive even deeper into performance, recovery, and long-term success in demanding careers.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Piché, RVT, a specialist in hospice and palliative care for pets, to explore how comfort-focused medicine can benefit both patients and veterinary practices.

Emily shares how implementing palliative and hospice care programs can increase revenue, strengthen client relationships, and provide meaningful support for pets and families. We also discuss how these services help reduce compassion fatigue, improve team wellbeing, and allow veterinary professionals to practice more sustainable, values-aligned care.

This conversation reframes end-of-life care as an opportunity for growth, impact, and sustainability in veterinary medicine.

Show Note Links:

The Art of Goodbye website –

https://www.theartofgoodbye.ca/

Company email-

Info@theartofgoodbye.ca

Linkedin –

https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed-secondary_nav

Emily’s published research about the untapped potential of RVTs in hospice care –

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0034

AHAH Study –

https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/the-golden-years-encouraging-veterinary-visits-for-senior-pets/

Tell My Vet Website -

https://telmyvet.com/

RVT50 code for training

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endless.journeys.p?_t=ZP-8x5uDWXHUzP&_r=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLlMjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjSSBI1M1nSTo8tGKgvtYqm0JG2dP16WxEHy7ZUA4d4Iuw__3TGxRJ9X4DMH_aem_HKCPTLtVw6SYVybIaixjSg

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

palliative care, hospice care, veterinary revenue, comfort care programs, compassion fatigue, veterinary practice, patient support, financial benefits

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Piché, RVT, a specialist in hospice and palliative care for pets, to explore how comfort-focused medicine can benefit both patients and veterinary practices.

Emily shares how implementing palliative and hospice care programs can increase revenue, strengthen client relationships, and provide meaningful support for pets and families. We also discuss how these services help reduce compassion fatigue, improve team wellbeing, and allow veterinary professionals to practice more sustainable, values-aligned care.

This conversation reframes end-of-life care as an opportunity for growth, impact, and sustainability in veterinary medicine.

Show Note Links:

The Art of Goodbye website –

https://www.theartofgoodbye.ca/

Company email-

Info@theartofgoodbye.ca

Linkedin –

https://www.linkedin.com/me?trk=p_mwlite_feed-secondary_nav

Emily’s published research about the untapped potential of RVTs in hospice care –

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0034

AHAH Study –

https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/the-golden-years-encouraging-veterinary-visits-for-senior-pets/

Tell My Vet Website -

https://telmyvet.com/

RVT50 code for training

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endless.journeys.p?_t=ZP-8x5uDWXHUzP&_r=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLlMjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjSSBI1M1nSTo8tGKgvtYqm0JG2dP16WxEHy7ZUA4d4Iuw__3TGxRJ9X4DMH_aem_HKCPTLtVw6SYVybIaixjSg

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

palliative care, hospice care, veterinary revenue, comfort care programs, compassion fatigue, veterinary practice, patient support, financial benefits

In this Chill & Spill bonus episode, Michelle Crew and Jennifer Kretz discuss the realities of relief work in veterinary medicine. They explore challenges such as workplace toxicity, unfair labeling, financial pressures from relief platforms, and the emotional toll of burnout and illness. The conversation highlights the importance of clear contracts, communication, accountability, and building strong clinic relationships, while emphasizing empowerment and community support for relief technicians. Future episodes will dive deeper into contracts and best practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

06:52 Exploring Relief Work Experiences

09:53 Stories from Relief Workers

19:44 Challenges Faced by Relief Workers

29:28 Sickness and Its Impact on Work

32:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

43:40 Strict Protocols and Their Impact on Technicians

51:37 Navigating Personal Circumstances in the Workplace

52:11 Consequences of Incompetence: A Case Study

01:06:38 Accountability in the Veterinary Industry

01:08:54 Systematic Issues in Veterinary Relief Work

01:14:13 The Impact of Middlemen in Relief Services

01:19:27 Building Relationships in Veterinary Practices

01:23:49 The Toxic Culture in Veterinary Medicine

01:29:17 Empowering Veterinary Technicians

01:34:26 Exploring Alternative Career Paths in Vet Med

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endless.journeys.p?_t=ZP-8x5uDWXHUzP&_r=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLlMjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjSSBI1M1nSTo8tGKgvtYqm0JG2dP16WxEHy7ZUA4d4Iuw__3TGxRJ9X4DMH_aem_HKCPTLtVw6SYVybIaixjSg

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

veterinary, relief work, personal stories, challenges, contracts, sick leave, vet tech, experiences, pregnancy, business ownership, veterinary, relief technicians, contracts, bans, fractious cats, accountability, veterinary practices, empowerment, veterinary industry, relationships

In this episode, Katelyn Warford, a registered veterinary technician and life coach, discusses her journey through burnout and her mission to help veterinary professionals rediscover their self-worth. The conversation explores the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and the impact of NDAs in the veterinary field. Katelyn shares her path to business ownership and emphasizes the importance of community support and open communication in overcoming the struggles faced by veterinary technicians. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of teamwork, communication, and support in veterinary medicine. They explore the challenges posed by the sink or swim culture and emphasize the need for self-discovery and healing. The discussion highlights the unique journeys of veterinary professionals and the importance of redefining success in their careers.

Show Links:

Katelyn’s Website and social media -

https://www.facebook.com/people/Vet-Med-Life-Coach/61568166598521/?ref=pro_upsell_xav_ig_profi

le_page_web#

https://www.instagram.com/vetmedlifecoach/

https://www.tiktok.com/@vetmedlifecoach?lang=en

vetmedlifecoach.com

Katelyn’s podcast that she recommends –

https://robdial.com/podcast/

Geoffret’s Instagram Instagram –

https://www.instagram.com/aint.doin.right?igsh=ZXUzc2IwMm1ibWtl

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endless.journeys.p?_t=ZP-8x5uDWXHUzP&_r=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLlMjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjSSBI1M1nSTo8tGKgvtYqm0JG2dP16WxEHy7ZUA4d4Iuw__3TGxRJ9X4DMH_aem_HKCPTLtVw6SYVybIaixjSg

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

veterinary, burnout, life coaching, self-worth, empathy, compassion fatigue, business ownership, veterinary technician, mental health, community support, veterinary medicine, teamwork, communication, burnout, self-discovery, veterinary culture, support, passion, purpose, veterinary careers

In this episode, Katelyn Warford, a registered veterinary technician and life coach, discusses her journey through burnout and her mission to help veterinary professionals rediscover their self-worth. The conversation explores the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and the impact of NDAs in the veterinary field. Katelyn shares her path to business ownership and emphasizes the importance of community support and open communication in overcoming the struggles faced by veterinary technicians. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of teamwork, communication, and support in veterinary medicine. They explore the challenges posed by the sink or swim culture and emphasize the need for self-discovery and healing. The discussion highlights the unique journeys of veterinary professionals and the importance of redefining success in their careers.

Show Links:

Katelyn’s Website and social media -

https://www.facebook.com/people/Vet-Med-Life-Coach/61568166598521/?ref=pro_upsell_xav_ig_profi

le_page_web#

https://www.instagram.com/vetmedlifecoach/

https://www.tiktok.com/@vetmedlifecoach?lang=en

vetmedlifecoach.com

Katelyn’s podcast that she recommends –

https://robdial.com/podcast/

Geoffret’s Instagram Instagram –

https://www.instagram.com/aint.doin.right?igsh=ZXUzc2IwMm1ibWtl

Our Links:

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577179454685

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endless.journeys.podcast/

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endless.journeys.p?_t=ZP-8x5uDWXHUzP&_r=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLlMjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjSSBI1M1nSTo8tGKgvtYqm0JG2dP16WxEHy7ZUA4d4Iuw__3TGxRJ9X4DMH_aem_HKCPTLtVw6SYVybIaixjSg

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kretz-659b12303/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-crew-lvt-7a9270366/

Join the Unattached Vet Tech Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/655721712955548

veterinary, burnout, life coaching, self-worth, empathy, compassion fatigue, business ownership, veterinary technician, mental health, community support, veterinary medicine, teamwork, communication, burnout, self-discovery, veterinary culture, support, passion, purpose, veterinary careers