The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Andy Roark

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424

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The Cone of Shame Podcast is the podcast all about life in Veterinary Medicine. Dr Andy Roark covers medical related topics with help from experts in the veterinary industry.

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60 recent

November 9, 202630 min

426 - What Kind of Pet Parent is This?

Dr. Emily Tincher, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide and co-founder of Clarity Vet Surgical Center, is back for her sixth visit, and we're tackling a question every vet team runs into: why does the same treatment plan land perfectly with one client and fall completely flat with the next? We dig into the three Cs of pet owner decision-making (cost, choice, and convenience) and Nationwide's new free pet parent personality quiz, which helps clients figure out their priorities before they ever walk into the exam room. You'll come away with simple ways to flex your communication, build client trust, and meet every pet owner where they are, no judgment required. Gang, let's get into this episode! Thank you to Nationwide Pet Insurance for making this episode possible! LINKS Nationwide Pet Insurance Veterinary Healthcare Team Resources Pet and Pet Parent Quizzes Follow Dr. Tincher on LinkedIn The Nationwide Pet Health Zone - Breed Related Insights ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Emily Tincher is a veterinary executive and emergency clinician whose career spans clinical practice and the design of systems that better support pets, families, and veterinary teams. A second-generation Auburn veterinarian, she grew up in her family’s rural Kentucky practice, where broad-based medical and surgical care and deep relationships with pet families shaped her commitment to accessible, relationship-centered care. She is also Co-Founder of Clarity Veterinary Surgical Center, which expands access to surgical and dental care through focused care practice design. Dr. Tincher serves as Nationwide’s Chief Veterinary Officer and AVP, Pet Health & Strategic Partnerships, where she focuses on care delivery that is clinically sound, financially sustainable, and responsive to the needs of today’s pet families. A nationally recognized advocate for spectrum of care, Dr. Tincher has served in veterinary leadership roles for more than a decade and is the Immediate Past President of the Veterinary Leadership Institute Board of Directors. She is a frequent speaker at major veterinary conferences across North America and has authored publications on cost of care, access to care, payment options, and pet family-centered approaches to veterinary medicine.

November 5, 202636 min

425 - "I Thought I'd Die on Better Hills"

Dr. Sarah Boston, veterinary surgical oncologist, comedian, and the very first guest EVER on the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, is back, and things go off the rails almost immediately! We're talking about the hills we wish we'd stood on earlier in our veterinary careers, emotional blackmail, professional boundaries, and some of the uncomfortable realities of veterinary medicine, including pet relinquishment, animal welfare, and how we compensate veterinarians. Sarah and I don't agree on everything, and that's half the fun as we challenge each other's perspectives on where our profession is headed and what really deserves our energy. Gang, let’s get into this episode. Dr. Sarah Boston is a veterinary surgical oncologist. She is an ACVS board certified small animal surgeon and an ACVS Founding Fellow of both Surgical Oncology and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. She spent the first part of her career in academia as a tenured faculty member at both the University of Guelph and the University of Florida. She currently is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in private practice. She is an international speaker on surgical oncology as well as a keynote speaker on other hilarious topics. Dr Boston is also a best-selling author and stand up comedian. Her book, Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved my Life was a bestseller and she has just finished her first novel and she is frantically trying to get it published. Sarah is a graduate of the Humber College Comedy Performance and Writing Program 2023 and a comedian with YukYuks in Canada. She is the host of the podcast Comedicine, where she interviews healthcare professionals who are also comedians. She is a nerd and believes that we all need to laugh more.

October 29, 202619 min

424 - Does Maropitant Really Reduce Surgical Pain?

Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, CVPP, VTS-LAM (Research Anesthesia), joins me to ask a question that might sting a little: are we giving maropitant to our spay patients and calling it pain control? Stephen explains why MAC sparing is not the same as true analgesia, why nausea makes pain worse (and quietly throws off our pain scores), and why maropitant still belongs in every anesthetic protocol, just not for the reason many of us think. You'll walk away better at reading veterinary research and with a stronger plan for surgical pain management. Gang, let's get into this episode. Register for the 2027 Uncharted Veterinary Conference!

October 22, 202619 min

423 - The Geriatric Pet Revolution

Dr. Bob Lester, DVM, co-founder of WellHaven Pet Hospital, is back, and we're talking about a silver tsunami that could completely change veterinary medicine! As pets live longer, what does that mean for our appointment schedules, chronic disease management, preventive care, and the way we run our practices? We're digging into the opportunities of geriatric veterinary medicine, how wellness plans could help pets live longer, and why communicating the value of veterinary care matters more than ever. Gang, let’s get into this episode! Today's Veterinary Business: Dr. Bob Lester's article, "How Veterinary Practices Can Prepare for an Aging Pet Population" Contact Dr. Bob Lester: drrlester@comcast.net

October 15, 202618 min

422 - Stop Using NeoPolyBac for Every Red Eye

Dr. Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and the face behind The Vet Eye Guy, is here to call us out on something I may or may not be guilty of: reaching for NeoPolyBac every time a dog shows up with a red eye! We're digging into why that approach can lead to missed diagnoses, how to recognize serious conditions like glaucoma and dry eye, and the essential ophthalmic diagnostics every general practice should have in its toolbox. From tonometry tips to empowering veterinary technicians, Alex shares practical ways to improve eye care, practice better antibiotic stewardship, and catch problems before they become emergencies. Gang, let’s get into this episode! The Vet Eye Guy: Follow Dr. Alex Sigmund on Instagram , TikTok, and Facebook (@TheVetEyeGuy). The Vet Eye Team : Dr. Alex Sigmund's veterinary ophthalmology practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

October 7, 202635 min

421 - When Your World Turns Upside Down

Dr. Ryane Englar is joining me on the podcast today to tell her unique story: What happens when you go blind as a veterinarian? Dr. Englar takes us through the journey, from her first symptoms, to diagnosis, to treatment and transplant, to learning to move through the world differently with a disability. Dr. Englar is extremely open, honest, and insightful in this episode, and she shares some really powerful messages that apply to us all. Definitely do not miss this one! Dr. Ryane Englar's new book, " Postcards from Life's Passenger Seat: Reflections on Sight, Identity, and Belonging" All books by Dr. Englar Email Dr. Englar: renglar@arizona.edu Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She practiced as an associate veterinarian in companion animal practice before transitioning into the educational circuit as an advocate for pre-clinical training in primary care. She debuted in academia as a Clinical Instructor of the Community Practice Service at Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals. She then transitioned into the role of Assistant Professor as founding faculty at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine. While at Midwestern University, she had the opportunity to teach the inaugural Class of 2018, the Class of 2019, and the Class of 2020. While training these remarkable young professionals, Dr. Englar became a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). She then joined the faculty at Kansas State University between May 2017 and January 2020 to launch the Clinical Skills curriculum.

October 1, 202619 min

420 - Should You Still Have Cannabinoid Medicines On Your Shelf?

In the 420th episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark talks with Steven Satal about the state of cannabinoid medicine in veterinary care after the early surge of interest 8–10 years ago. Satal clarifies terminology and legal distinctions between hemp (≤0.3% THC) and cannabis/marijuana (>0.3% THC), noting the 2018 Farm Bill definitions may change. They discuss how the field has plateaued but become more normalized, with over 40 PK/PD dosing studies across species and increasing specialist referrals for cannabis consults focused on harm reduction, dosing, and product selection. Satal emphasizes cannabinoids are not a silver bullet; his main uses are chronic pain, epileptic disorders, and canine cognitive dysfunction, with some evidence for itch reduction in dermatology. He typically starts dogs/cats at 2 mg/kg CBD twice daily and adjusts, stresses variable product quality, cites brands with supporting studies, and outlines cautions with sedating drugs and liver monitoring; he does not recommend cannabinoids for pre-visit anxiety. Stephen Niño Cital holds a Masters in veterinary anesthesiology and is a veterinary technician specialist (VTS) in research anesthesia among other credentials. He has a passion for anesthesia, pain management, and integrative medicine. Stephen has authored numerous peer reviewed articles and contributed to several textbooks- including acting as the lead editor for the first veterinary cannabinoid medicine textbook and more recently a second edition of a pain management textbook . He has many exciting professional highlights but some of his favorites include being part the scientific team that discovered acidic cannabinoid forms are absorbed more efficiently than decarboxylated forms, discovered a common drug used in anesthesia causes a serious complication known as methemoglobinemia in monkeys, invented a smaller and more practical blood filter for animals during blood transfusions, and helped gain title protection for veterinary technician specialists. Stephen is a lab manager for HHMI at Stanford University in the department of neurobiology, and the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer and director of the pain and cannabinoid medicine services at Remedy Veterinary Specialists . Additionally, he is the COO of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, LLC., and Executive Director of the Academy of Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Nurses, and president of the California RVT Association. His current pursuits include completing another acupuncture certification and a VTS in neurology.

September 24, 202630 min

419 - Adapting to a New Pharmacy World - COS Canada

Dr. Andy Roark, host of The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, flips the script and lets Kelsey Beth Carpenter run the show for the launch of a brand new six part miniseries, Cone of Shame Canada. The topic on the table: human pharmacies have entered the veterinary pharmacy business north of the border, and Andy walks through why that regulatory change is rattling Canadian practices, what the US already learned from its own online pharmacy shakeup years ago, and the three things he thinks matter most right now, protecting client trust, talking openly with the team, and evolving the business model in manageable phases rather than panicking. By the end, listeners get a clear-eyed roadmap for navigating pharmacy disruption, plus a sneak peek at the lineup of guests still to come in the series. Gang, lets get into this episode! This episode is brought to you ad-free by Boehringer-Ingelheim Canada! Kelsey Carpenter is a Registered Veterinary Technician with over a decade of experience working in emergency hospitals across California. She currently works as the Social Media Manager for DrAndyRoark.com and a Content Specialist for the Uncharted Veterinary Conference. Some of Kelsey’s passions include the open hospital concept, the power of creativity and humor, the overlap of science and art, and sharing lessons learned from living life with chronic illness. Kelsey is probably most known for two of her favorite hobbies: writing and performing comedic songs about veterinary medicine and acting as a full time stage mom for her Chihuahua mix, Birdie.

September 17, 202626 min

418 - Falling Trust in Research & the Data We Really Need

I’ve got Dr. Jules Benson on the podcast today and we’ve got a doozy of a topic for ya: The sad, sad state of research in vet medicine (my words, not his!) I am bothered by what seems to be a tidal wave of crappy, biased, cherry-picked research lately, and I ask Dr. Benson to get into it with me. How do we get our information in vet med? What do we believe and what do we not believe? How do we actually incorporate data and research into a future that’s feeling more cynical and less trusting? Let’s get into it! Dr. Jules Benson is the Principal at Tapetum Lucidum Consulting and the 2025 Chair at the Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC). With over two decades as a practitioner, industry executive, strategist, and data and technology leader, his focus lies in identifying and applying innovation that can improve the lives of pets, pet families, and veterinary healthcare teams.

September 10, 202623 min

417 - Making Veterinary Medicine Work for the People Who Do It

Dr. Andy Roark welcomes Dr. Isaac Bott, an Utah practice owner and theriogenologist who works with reindeer, to discuss his run for AVMA president (election July 2027) and the profession’s sustainability challenges. They explore how rising cost of care intersects with the need to pay living wages and retain veterinarians, technicians, and support staff, arguing vet medicine is not overpriced even if care can be unattainable for some clients. Bott emphasizes retention through sustainable workplaces, burnout reduction, and clear development pathways that let team members fully use their training, including technician specialization and continued growth for veterinarians. They discuss burnout drivers such as student debt, emotional strain, call burden, and workplace dynamics, and advocate for unity through organized veterinary medicine so veterinarians keep a strong voice amid regulatory and industry changes. Dr. N. Isaac Bott was raised in the small town of Castle Dale, Utah. He is a 2009 graduate of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He owns and operates Mountain West Animal Hospital, a mixed animal veterinary facility in Springville Utah. He currently serves on several national and state veterinary boards. He is a past president of the Society for Theriogenology, an international group of veterinarians with expertise in animal reproduction. In 2023, he was Awarded the Dr. John Steiner Award for Practitioner Excellence. In 2024 he was given the Utah Veterinarian of the Year award. He has also served as a council member and chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Veterinary Service. He also has served as the co-chair of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association’s Legislative Committee. He currently serves as the American Veterinary Mecidcal Association (AVMA) delegate for the Society for Theriogenology. He also serves on the board for the AVMA Political Action Committee, the dean’s advisory board at Utah State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and as a member of Theriogenology Foundation board. He has extensive experience with strategic planning, legislative process and organizational leadership. He has also authored over a dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles, a dozen textbook chapters, and has traveled the globe providing theriogenology services for camelids and cervids. He is the proud father of three children: Kaycee, Kayden and Kendyn.