In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what happens when a lifelong passion becomes a profession—and why loving horses alone is not enough to sustain a career in equine medicine.

Grounded in recent international research on employee engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals, this conversation examines the workplace factors that help passionate people remain engaged, fulfilled, and committed to the profession. The study identifies four key drivers of engagement: pride and purpose, company culture and leadership, working conditions and compensation, and team culture and learning opportunities.

From stories about growing up as "horse kids" to conversations about identity, autonomy, mentorship, and meaningful work, Andi and Josh explore why equine medicine is both uniquely rewarding and uniquely vulnerable to sustainability challenges. Together, they unpack practical culture renovation strategies that help leaders create workplaces where passionate professionals can continue doing the work they love—without losing themselves in the process.

You will hear:

• Why equine veterinary professionals often identify as "horse kids" long before becoming veterinary professionals
• What new international research reveals about engagement and work satisfaction in equine medicine
• The four workplace factors that most strongly influence sustainable equine careers
• Why autonomy, mentorship, and learning opportunities matter more than many leaders realize
• How aligning personal values with organizational values can strengthen engagement
• Practical culture renovation ideas that support meaningful, sustainable careers for the entire veterinary team

This episode is an invitation to rethink sustainability—not as asking passionate people to care less, but as intentionally creating cultures that allow them to keep caring for the work, their patients, and their own horses for years to come.

Resource Links: 

Episode Article

Title: Engage and Enjoy: Investigating Predictors of Employee Engagement and Work Satisfaction in Equine Veterinary Professionals 

Authors: Yteke Elte, Kate Acton, Jessica Martin, Mirjam Nielen, René van Weeren, & Inga Wolframm 

DOI:10.3389/fvets.2023.1036388 

The Flourish Academy
Salt Creek VH - Daycare Solution AVMA article 
TVCL Episode 18 - Work ethic isn't dead

Florida Woman This Week - Horse DUI 

What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet

Your Hosts:
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC 

Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP

At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and weather

06:02 Horse People Identity

11:53 Passion And Exploitation

13:54 Study Overview And Scope

17:45 Four Engagement Drivers

23:17 Culture Keeps People

24:52 The Dark Side of Calling

27:38 Systems That Support Boundaries

30:30 Autonomy Versus Micromanagement

33:35 Career Stages and Balance

37:06 Culture Renovation Playbook

41:09 Values Alignment in Practice

44:58 Wrap Up and Florida Headline

 Headed to WVC Nashville this August? We'd LOVE to meet you! Andi will be speaking August 16 & 17, and Josh will be there too. Stop by a session and introduce yourself - we always love meeting members of the Veterinary Culture Lab community. Grab your boots, bring your curiosity, and come say hello!