Episode #
42
The State of Veterinary Relief
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In this insightful episode of the Veterinary Business Podcast, Dr. Amanda Landis-Hanna engages in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Cindy Trice, the visionary Chief Veterinary Officer at Hound, founder of Relief Rover, and co-founder of Kick It Pajamas. Dr. Trice shares her remarkable journey from a traditional veterinary career to becoming a key figure in the veterinary relief industry. The discussion covers the evolution and growing significance of relief veterinary work, the challenges and opportunities in entrepreneurship, and how innovations like Relief Rover are setting new standards in the profession. Additionally, Dr. Trice opens up about her personal experiences with cancer and how it inspired her to create Kick It Pajamas, a company dedicated to enhancing the comfort and dignity of women undergoing cancer treatment. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of veterinary medicine, entrepreneurship, and the importance of compassion in care.
Key Takeaways:
- The Evolution of Veterinary Relief:
- Dr. Trice discusses how relief veterinary work has grown in popularity and why it’s becoming a viable long-term career choice for more veterinarians.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit in Veterinary Medicine:
- Learn how Dr. Trice’s experiences led her to found Relief Rover and Kick It Pajamas, emphasizing the importance of solving problems within the industry.
- Balancing Multiple Roles:
- Insights into how Dr. Trice manages her various roles as a Chief Veterinary Officer, practicing veterinarian, and entrepreneur, and the unique challenges and rewards of each.
- Importance of Networking:
- The episode highlights the critical role of networking in building a successful career, especially in the veterinary and entrepreneurial spaces.
- Technology’s Role in Veterinary Medicine:
- Discover how technology is transforming the veterinary industry, from practice management to improving workplace culture and retention.
Listen to this Episode on
Timestamp
- 00:00 – Introduction
- Welcome to the Veterinary Business Podcast and introduction to the episode’s topic and guest, Dr. Cindy Trice.
- 01:30 – Dr. Cindy Trice’s Background
- Overview of Dr. Trice’s career path, from her early days in veterinary medicine to becoming a relief veterinarian.
- 02:33 – Challenges as a Relief Veterinarian
- Dr. Trice discusses the unexpected challenges she faced as a relief veterinarian and how these experiences inspired the creation of Relief Rover.
- 05:05 – The Birth of Relief Rover
- Insights into the foundation of Relief Rover, its purpose, and how it has evolved to support relief veterinarians.
- 09:04 – Current Trends in Veterinary Relief Work
- An exploration of the growing popularity of relief veterinary work and what this trend means for the industry.
- 11:49 – Business Resources for Relief Veterinarians
- The importance of providing business tools and resources for relief veterinarians to help them succeed.
- 23:15 – Entrepreneurial Journey
- Dr. Trice talks about her experience as an entrepreneur, including the challenges of founding and growing a business in the veterinary field.
- 26:18 – Founding Kick It Pajamas
- The personal story behind the creation of Kick It Pajamas, a company focused on improving the hospital experience for women undergoing cancer treatment.
- 32:13 – Balancing Multiple Roles
- Discussion on how Dr. Trice manages her various roles, including her work with Hound, Relief Rover, and Kick It Pajamas, while still practicing veterinary medicine.
- 39:35 – Technology in Veterinary Medicine
- How technology is transforming veterinary practices, improving connectivity, and enhancing workplace culture.
- 43:52 – The Future of Veterinary Medicine
- Dr. Trice shares her thoughts on the future of the veterinary profession, the increasing role of relief veterinarians, and ongoing changes in practice dynamics.
- 48:22 – Final Thoughts
- Closing remarks, Dr. Trice’s contact information for further inquiries, and how listeners can stay connected.
Dr. Cindy Trice, DVM
Relief Veterinarian
Founder Relief Rover
Chief Veterinary Officer at Hound
Cofounder & Chief Innovation Officer at KickIt Pajamas
Dr. Cindy Trice, a distinguished alumna of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has made significant strides in veterinary medicine, embodying innovation, compassion, and entrepreneurialism. Graduating in 2004, her career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to making a profound impact on both human and animal lives.
Veterinary Career and Achievements
With over two decades of experience as a multi-state licensed relief veterinarian, Dr. Trice has worked across various facets of veterinary practice, including general care, emergency services, mobile clinics, and shelters. Her diverse experiences have not only honed her clinical skills but also instilled in her a deep understanding of the dynamic needs and challenges within the profession.
In 2018, Dr. Trice founded Relief Rover, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect relief veterinarians and technicians with job opportunities and vital resources. Under her visionary leadership, Relief Rover quickly garnered recognition and was eventually acquired by Hound. Dr. Trice now serves as Chief Veterinary Officer at Hound, further solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the industry.
Philanthropy and Personal Ventures
Beyond her contributions to veterinary medicine, Dr. Trice is also a dedicated philanthropist and entrepreneur. Inspired by her own battle with cancer, she founded KickIt Pajamas, a clothing company that designs comfortable and empowering sleepwear for women undergoing treatment and recovery from cancer or other medical conditions. Through this venture, she has provided tangible support to cancer patients while championing a message of resilience and self-care.
Personal Life and Interests
Residing in Bradenton, FL, with her husband and their trio of affectionately termed “long and low” dogs, Dr. Trice leads a life characterized by passion, purpose, and adventure. Whether volunteering her time, concocting culinary delights, plotting her next travel escapade, or indulging in her quirky hobby of crafting rap lyrics for hamsters, she approaches each endeavor with boundless enthusiasm and creativity.
Professional Leadership and Beliefs
Dr. Trice credits being part of the first UC Davis Veterinary Student Leadership Training Program, led by Drs. Donald Klingborg and Peter Weinstein, for laying the groundwork for her eventual journey into leadership. The lifelong relationships formed during that program remain a vital part of her professional network today.
Dr. Trice is a strong advocate for the transformative power of relief work, which she believes is essential for the wellbeing of the veterinary profession. She states, “Relief work is such a vital part of the wellbeing of our profession. The variety and flexibility of this type of practice can be useful for many stages in a veterinary professional’s career and facilitate family responsibilities, financial goals, examination of other disciplines, or life aspirations.”
Global Exploration and Notable Anecdotes
Her insatiable thirst for knowledge and exploration has led her to traverse 34 countries, with plans for many more. Each journey has enriched her understanding of the world and deepened her appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. In a delightful anecdote, Dr. Trice fondly recalls an encounter with supermodel Cindy Crawford, who once winked at her in recognition of their shared name—an unexpected moment of levity that adds to the remarkable tapestry of her life.
Dr. Cindy Trice stands as an exemplar of resilience, compassion, and ingenuity, inspiring colleagues and friends alike to reach greater heights and make a lasting difference in the world.
Connect with Dr. Cindy Trice, DVM
Social Media:
- LinkedIn – Dr. Cindy Trice
- Facebook – Dr. Cindy Trice
Professional Affiliations:
Contact Information:
- Email: cindytrice@me.com
