Don't Call Me Catty – Details, episodes & analysis

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Don't Call Me Catty

Jillian Carr and Leilani Saad

Business

Society & Culture

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/17d. Total Eps: 23

Don’t Call Me Catty is the unapologetic, plain-talking podcast for veterinary professionals who want real conversations, not sugarcoating. Hosted by Jillian Carr, a veterinary financial strategist, and Leilani Saad, co-founder and CEO of a 24/7 veterinary teletriage company, the show dives into the messy, meaningful parts of vet med: burnout, boundaries, big decisions, money moves, and midnight emergencies.

The podcast began as a pop-up at a veterinary trade show, where unscripted, in-the-moment conversations with the community struck a chord and sparked something bigger. Today, it continues to grow into a movement connecting vet med professionals and their clients through honesty, humor, and the courage to say the quiet parts out loud. Whether you’re leading a practice, on the clinic floor, or you just love animals, this is your space for truth, tools, and the occasional F-bomb.

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https://www.animalhealthlink.ca/
24 shares
https://steadygaitplanning.com/
23 shares
https://solvet.ca/
4 shares

https://www.instagram.com/dontcallmecatty
23 shares
https://www.instagram.com/animalhealthlink
23 shares
https://www.instagram.com/steadygaitplanninginc
23 shares

https://ca.linkedin.com/company/animalhealthlink
23 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-james-dvm/
2 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannongervais/
1 share

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 79%

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Syd Vaughan | Why “Just Breathing” Might Be the Most Underrated Tool in Vet Med | POP-UP | 03

Season 1 · Episode 3

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 • Duration 36:28

We're thrilled to introduce you to Syd Vaughan, Registered Massage Therapist, breathwork coach, and founder of 3 Well by Syd.

Syd shares her personal journey into breathwork and how regulating the nervous system can be a practical, effective tool for managing stress, especially in high-pressure professions like veterinary medicine. The conversation reflects on the speakers’ experience at CVMA 2025, where Syd guided a group of veterinary professionals through a breathwork session that challenged skepticism and reframed breathwork as a grounded, accessible stress-regulation practice.

Together, they explore the role of vulnerability, authenticity, and music in mental health and performance, and why sustainable well-being isn’t about doing more, but about learning how to pause, reset, and give yourself some grace.

Syd Vaughan

Syd Vaughan is a Registered Massage Therapist, Breathwork Facilitator, Dynamic Speaker, and the Visionary Founder of 3 Well by Syd. With over a decade of experience, Syd masterfully bridges the science of the body with the art of self-discovery creating profound, lasting change in the lives of her clients.

Syd launched her personal training business at just 20 years old. Since then, she has built a multidimensional career rooted in helping individuals reconnect with themselves physically, emotionally, and energetically. Syd empowers people to radically transform their relationship with their bodies, beliefs, and breath. With technical expertise she helps clients cultivate self-love, break through limitations, and build sustainable lifestyles.

Her unique skill set guides clients to take deliberate, transformative steps to evolve all elements of mind, body, and breath. From one on one training, facilitating transformational retreats, or captivating audiences from the stage, Syd brings a powerful grounded presence. Her signature approach helps individuals reconnect to themselves, unlocking deep, lasting transformation.

Instagram: @sydvaughan

Website: www.3wellbysyd.com

Support the show

Visit Animal HealthLink

Facebook

Instagram

Visit Steady Gait Planning

Instagram

For podcast inquiries, please contact dontcallmecatty@gmail.com

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Dr. Gerard O’Leary | Pivots, People, and Pet Tech | POP-UP | 02

Season 1 · Episode 2

Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 32:43

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gerard O'Leary, the CEO and founder of NxVet. Gerard discusses his unconventional journey from engineering to veterinary medicine, including his work with the European Space Agency and on smartphone technology before moving to medical devices. He elaborates on his commitment to humanizing the veterinary field and breaking down barriers. Gerard provides an in-depth look at NxVet's innovative stethoscope attachment, which combines AI technology for scribing and vital sign measurements. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, the support from key individuals such as his wife and colleagues, and the challenges faced in entrepreneurship. The episode ends with Gerard’s vision for the future of NxVet and how interested parties can get involved.

About Gerard:

Dr. Gerard O’Leary has led the technology and business development behind NXVET since co-founding NerveX in 2021. He’s passionate about demonstrating the benefits of NXVET in veterinary clinics and thrives when developing new technologies with the engineering team at the NerveX lab. He received his B.Eng. degree from the University of Galway, and his M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Toronto. Gerard has held engineering positions at Analog Devices, the European Space Agency, and ARM.

He is the recipient of the RBC Prize for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the IEEE Predoctoral Achievement Award. His Ph.D. research was in neuroelectronics, and ranged from in-vitro devices for fundamental neuroscience to developing integrated circuits and systems with integrated machine learning accelerators for implantable neural interfaces. Since graduating, Gerard has broadened his research to bioelectronic sensing for solving in-clinic and at-home healthcare challenges. As Chief Executive Officer at NerveX, his goal is to build a sustainable company that supports a world-leading engineering and clinical deployment team. So far, so great!

For more on NxVet: https://nx.vet/

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Dr. Jonathan Leicht | The Ick Factor: Vet Hiring Faux Paws | POP-UP | 01

Season 1 · Episode 1

Monday, August 11, 2025 • Duration 27:26

In the inaugural episode of 'Don't Call Me Catty,' co-hosts Jillian and Leilani introduce their mission of offering a no-nonsense look into the veterinary industry. The special guest, Jonathan Leicht, CEO of Mosaic Vet Partners, shares career insights, including hiring practices, mentorship, and handling workplace challenges. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining team culture and being adaptable in a fast-evolving field. Jonathan also opens up about personal stories, including memorable family experiences and the impact of firing a high-performing but toxic team member. This episode highlights the human side of veterinary medicine, aiming to foster better understanding and empathy within the community.

About Jonathan:

Dr. Jonathan Leicht received his BSc. in Agriculture, Animal Sciences with distinction from the University of Saskatchewan before completing his DVM degree at WCVM in 2009. Over the past 10 + years, Jonathan has worked in clinical practice as well as in a wide range of progressive leadership positions including veterinary sales and operations in general practice, emergency as well as specialty settings. In 2021, Jonathan joined as a partner with Mosaic Veterinary Partners, becoming its CEO in October 2022. Jonathan is passionate about helping guide and grow veterinary businesses, as well as helping team members to achieve greater success in their own careers. When he’s not working, you will find him outside with his wife and two kids skating, skiing, and exploring the world together.

For more on Mosaic: https://mosaicvet.com/

About Leilani
Leilani Mustillo, RVT, has spent 15 years in specialty and emergency medicine, holding both nursing and management roles. Her passion for mentoring led to nine years as a college instructor in Animal Health programs. Dedicated to the sustainability of the veterinary profession and the advancement of RVTs, she co-founded Animal HealthLink in 2020: a teletriage company designed to ease pressure on veterinary teams, support clinic sustainability, and improve patient access to care. Leilani also serves on the boards of the Canadian Veterinary Virtual Care Association and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, where she advocates for high standards, innovation, and animal welfare.

Hot Wings & Hot Takes: Burnout, Business & Big Feelings in Vet Med

Season 1 · Episode 20

Saturday, June 20, 2026 • Duration 51:35

What happens when two veterinary industry leaders put themselves in the hot seat with actual hot sauce? 🌶️

In this special episode of Don’t Call Me Catty, hosts Leilani Saad and Jillian Carr take on a hot wings challenge while answering the questions they usually ask their guests.

As entrepreneurs and passionate advocates for the veterinary community, Leilani and Jillian open up about the conversations happening behind the scenes in vet med. They talk about burnout, leadership, client relationships, money, business ownership, and what it really takes to create positive change in the industry.

Between increasingly spicy wings, plenty of laughs, and a few moments of regret, they share the personal stories and experiences that shaped their careers, their companies, and the way they think about supporting the people who care for animals.

Whether you’re a veterinarian, RVT, practice owner, student, pet owner, or simply curious about the humans behind veterinary medicine, this episode is for you.

Hot wings. Hot takes. Real conversations.

Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for Season 2 and find out where Don’t Call Me Catty will be recording in 2026. 🔥

Support the show

Visit Animal HealthLink

Facebook

Instagram

Visit Steady Gait Planning

She Was Told to Say Goodbye… Then THIS Happened | Jen Gibson & Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic, RVT (Felix and Fido)

Season 1 · Episode 19

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 • Duration 37:41

What if veterinary care didn’t stop at the clinic door?

In this episode of Don’t Call Me Catty, we’re joined by Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic (RVT & Founder) and Jen Gibson of Felix and Fido, a platform enabling Registered Veterinary Technologists to provide in-home support following veterinary visits.

Built from a personal experience with a critically ill pet, Felix and Fido addresses a common gap in care: the transition from clinic to home.

Their model supports:

Client compliance with treatment plans
Better continuity of care
Reduced stress for pets recovering at home
New, flexible career paths for RVTs

Importantly, this work complements—not replaces—veterinary oversight.
It’s about extending care, improving outcomes, and supporting both pet owners and veterinary teams.

A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of veterinary medicine, patient care, and the evolving role of RVTs.

About Ellyse

Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic is a Registered Veterinary Technician with 18 years of experience and the founder of Felix and Fido, an at-home nursing care company that connects pet owners with credentialed RVTs for prescribed in-home support. Based in Vancouver, Ellyse has a deep love for animals and a genuine passion for veterinary medicine. She’s dedicated to fear-free, low-stress care and to helping pet families feel confident managing treatment at home. She created Felix and Fido to build a company rooted in flexibility, fairness, and real career growth for veterinary professionals.

About Jen

Jen Gibson is the Administrative Director and business partner at Felix and Fido, where she leads human resources, team support, and day-to-day operations for the company’s growing network of credentialed RVTs providing prescribed in-home nursing care. With a strong focus on continuing education and sustainable team development, Jen helps build the systems and culture that allow veterinary professionals to thrive—while ensuring pet families receive consistent, compassionate support at home.

Shea Lee, RVT (ABVTA) | Challenging RVT Misconceptions & Advocating for Forgotten Animals

Season 1 · Episode 10

Thursday, February 19, 2026 • Duration 24:52

Registered Veterinary Technologists are the backbone of veterinary medicine. But so many people (including pet owners) don’t fully understand what RVTs do, what they’re trained for, or how much they carry.

In this episode of Don’t Call Me Catty, we sit down with Shea Lee, RVT, President (Vice-President at the time of recording) of the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA), to talk about the real work happening behind the scenes. We focus especially on shelter medicine, where patients often arrive with no owner, no history, and no one to advocate for them.

We get into:

How Shea found her way from NAIT’s VMA program into RVT life (and why shelter medicine became her calling)
Why the “pound” stereotype is outdated and what shelter medicine actually looks like
Microchips, identification, and hold periods
ABVTA’s current priorities: member engagement, wage insights, governance focus, and sustainable funding
The big conversation: scope of practice, confidence, delegation, and what “top of license” really means
Burnout, boundaries, and Shea’s honest take on mental health leave and building longevity in vet med

Plus: we end with Shea’s walk-in song, funeral song, and win song—because of course we do.

Learn more about ABVTA: https://www.abvta.com/
Questions for the ABVTA team? info@abvta.com

About Shea Lee, RVT:

Shea Lee graduated from the NAIT VMA program in 2013 and the NAIT AHT program in 2015. Since graduation, she has worked full time in shelter medicine while maintaining a part-time position in small animal practice. Shea is passionate about advocating for homeless and neglected animals and takes a special interest in creating fear free environments for them. When not working one of her various jobs, she spends time fostering for local rescue groups and volunteering on the ABVTA Board of Directors. She and her husband share their home with an Australian Cattle Dog named Riggins, a Domestic Short Hair cat named Dill.

Ashley Nicholls (Reach Ag) | Sticks, Coyotes, and the Human Side of Agriculture

Season 1 · Episode 9

Friday, February 13, 2026 • Duration 50:48

Leilani and Jillian sit down with Ashley Nicholls of Reach Ag for a wide-ranging conversation that blends leadership, culture, and real-world agriculture experience with plenty of laughs along the way.

Ashley shares his journey from Australia to Canada, including stories from Australian cowboy culture and what it was like entering the agriculture industry later in life. Together, they explore the unique challenges that arise when business, family, and tradition intersect: a reality familiar to anyone working alongside farm families and multi-generational operations.

The conversation digs into generational differences across Millennial, Gen-Z, and senior team members, how tools like the DiSC personality framework can improve communication, and why prioritizing people and culture isn’t “soft” work; it’s foundational to sustainable ag operations. These themes will resonate deeply with veterinary professionals who navigate complex relationships with producers, staff, and families while balancing care, business pressures, and expectations in the field.

And because agriculture doesn’t stop after hours, Ashley also shares a memorable midnight story involving a heifer with a uterine prolapse, coyotes, and a couple of sticks... a moment that perfectly captures the unpredictability, responsibility, and grit that large-animal vets know all too well.

This episode is a thoughtful, funny, and relatable look at the human side of agriculture, and why strong communication and culture matter just as much as technical expertise.

About Ashley:

Originally from a small farming community in New South Wales, Australia, Ashley Nicholls now resides in Foothills County, Alberta. Although not raised in an agricultural family, Ashley had the opportunity to work alongside several mixed farming operations, sparking a deep appreciation for the industry.

As the founder of REACH Agriculture Strategies, Ashley is a passionate advocate for Canadian agriculture. He is dedicated to strengthening workplace cultures, improving staff retention and enhancing hiring practices across the sector. Through a progressive approach to leadership and a focus on effective communication, REACH delivers customized programs that help producers not only get boots on the ground but keep them there - ensuring the long-term sustainability of operations and the industry as a whole.

Dr. Phil Buote, DVM | Fear, Facts, and Fairness: How Veterinary Complaints Are Really Handled

Season 1 · Episode 7

Thursday, February 5, 2026 • Duration 32:29

Complaints are one of the most anxiety-provoking experiences in veterinary medicine. However, they don’t have to be a mystery, and they don’t have to define you.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Phil Buote, DVM, Deputy Registrar and Complaints Director at the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA), for an open, human conversation about what really happens when a complaint is filed.

Phil walks us through the complaints process from start to finish, sharing why most complaints are dismissed, how peer review actually works, and why the regulator’s role is not about punishment, but rather professionalism, fairness, and learning. Drawing on his own years in clinical practice, Phil explains how empathy, clear communication, and perspective guide his approach when calling colleagues on what may be one of the hardest days of their careers.

This episode is for veterinarians and veterinary professionals who want clarity instead of fear, facts instead of assumptions, and reassurance that being human in medicine does not mean you’ve failed.

If complaints have ever kept you up at night, or you just want to better understand the system that governs our profession, this conversation is worth your time.

About Dr. Phil Buote

Dr. Phil Buote is the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Deputy Registrar and Complaints Director. He grew up in rural Prince Edward Island, completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Prince Edward Island and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 1995. Phil completed a rotating internship in large animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University in 1996.

Dr. Buote began clinical practice in Alberta as a rural mixed animal practitioner in the Peace River region. He did two years of mainly beef cow-calf practice before moving to Sherwood Park where he joined a practice limited to horses. Three years into equine practice he found himself wanting to return to mixed practice and explore practice ownership. He moved to Cochrane where he eventually purchased the Cochrane Animal Clinic, which he owned and operated from 2002 through 2010.

Thierry (Jerry) Locati, RVT | Talking to Pet Owners Is His Full-Time Job

Season 1 · Episode 8

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Duration 34:25

We sit down with Jerry Locati, an RVT whose full-time job is talking to pet owners when they’re worried, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next.

Jerry shares his path into veterinary medicine, what led him to become an RVT, and who he is outside of the profession (including his life as a bass guitarist while off the clock). We talk about his role at Animal HealthLink, where he’s often the voice on the phone when a pet owner is facing a potential crisis and needs calm, experienced guidance.

The conversation explores what it’s really like to specialize in communication as a clinical skill, while supporting pet owners across a wide variety of cases, many far outside his own geographic region. Jerry reflects on the rewards of being an RVT, the cases that stick with him long after the call ends, and why he’s become known for his steady, reassuring presence in high-stress moments.

We also pull back the curtain on how Animal HealthLink calls typically unfold: what happens behind the scenes, how decisions are made, and what most people never get to see about this kind of work.

This episode is about the power of calm, the weight of responsibility, and what it means to care for animals by caring for the people who love them, one conversation at a time.

About Jerry

Thierry graduated the Olds College AHT program with honours in 1997. He began his career at The Calgary North Emergency Hospital in the summer of 1997 in the emergency department. In 2002 Thierry started in the Internal Medicine department until September of 2008. In 2008 Thierry played an instrumental role in helping to setup the first Antech Laboratory Stat Lab in western Canada located in the Care centre building in Calgary Alberta. Thierry worked at Antech Laboratories as a lab tech and supervisor until his departure in the fall of 2015, when he moved to Vancouver Island.

Since then he has worked in practice at local ER's and primary care veterinary clinics on the south Island. He began working for AHL as a triage operator in September of 2023. Thierry has a dog, Lola and a cat, Stella. Thierry's special interests are lab work, internal medicine and triage.

Dr. Jeannet Kessels | The Facebook Post That Sparked a Global Climate Movement in Vet Med

Season 1 · Episode 6

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • Duration 35:57

In this episode of Don’t Call Me Catty, we sit down with Dr. Jeannet Kessels, DVM, founder of Vets For Climate Action, to trace how one moment of concern turned into a worldwide effort to unite veterinary voices for the planet. From the frontlines of climate-driven animal welfare crises to conversations with veterinary organizations across continents, Dr. Kessels shares what it takes to build momentum in a profession rooted in science, trust, and community connection.

We talk about why veterinarians may be some of the most powerful and credible messengers in the climate conversation, how grassroots advocacy becomes global leadership, and what the emerging World Veterinary Environmental Alliance could mean for the future of animal health, public trust, and building the guardrails to ensure we’re not just responding to climate-driven crises, but helping prevent them.

This is a conversation about courage, credibility, and what happens when care for patients expands into care for the world they live in.

Tune in for a grounded, honest look at how veterinary medicine is stepping into a much bigger role and why it matters now more than ever.

About Dr. Jeannet:

Dr Jeannet Kessels established her tiny veterinary practice when her children were small, which grew into the multi-site Greater Springfield Vets, known for its strong culture and values. Her motto ‘Excellence with Heart’ is reflected across both life and work. As a creative entrepreneur, she is driven by kindness and surrounding herself with brilliant minds.

Since Jeannet was 5 years old, the world has lost over 70% of its wildlife. It is time for our profession to powerfully and cohesively respond! Jeannet is single-minded in advocating for animals in the triple planetary crisis. She founded Vets for Climate Action Australia (VfCA), which has now scaled to the innovative and profoundly important World Veterinary Environmental Alliance (WVEA). With a focus on climate, sustainability, and biodiversity, the alliance strengthens and leverages the positive work of like-minded vets and veterinary organisations all around the world.

Jeannet models environmental philanthropy, applying practical steps towards sustainability and emissions reduction across her own veterinary hospitals.

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