VIN Foundation: Veterinary Pulse

Listen in as we talk with Dr. Kate Creevy about her fascinating and insightful path in veterinary medicine. She shares how decisions she didn’t see as impactful at the time played crucial roles in her career development, and the important role of science and research for the future of human and animal kind. Plus, learn how a phone call that started with “I got this guy in genetics” led to her role as Co-Founder and Chief Veterinary Officer with the Dog Aging Project, and her advice to veterinary students and colleagues as a veterinary school professor. This is one of those episodes you will want to listen to, save, and listen to again. As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.     Photo credit: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences photo, Dr Creevy with two Border Collies at different parts of their lifespan journey - Poet at age 3, and Sophie at age 14. GUEST BIO:Kate Creevy, DVM, MS, DACVIM-SAIM Dr. Creevy's educational path includes Georgetown University (BS), the University of Tennessee (DVM), the University of Minnesota (small animal rotating internship) and the University of Georgia (internal medicine residency and MS in Infectious Disease). Along the way she has worked in emergency practice in the Twin Cities and Washington DC, as well as academic emergency practice at UGA, and completed a Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship developing protocols for chimeric bone marrow transplantation in immunodeficient dogs at the NIH's National Cancer Institute. After ten years as a small animal internist on UGA's faculty, she joined the faculty at Texas A&M University's School of Veterinary Medicine where she is now a Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine.  Dr. Creevy is the Chief Veterinary Officer for the Dog Aging Project, a multicenter, multidisciplinary research collaboration, with over 50,000 dogs enrolled across the US. The long-term goal of the Dog Aging Project is to understand the genetic and environmental determinants of healthy aging in companion dogs. In addition to her work on canine aging, Dr. Creevy’s research interests include infectious disease, and the development of lifelong learning skills and critical thinking skills among professional students and early-career veterinarians.     LINKS AND INFORMATION: Dog Aging Project: https://dogagingproject.org/ University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine: https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/ University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine: https://vet.uga.edu/ Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/ One Health: https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1 Zoobiquity book: https://www.zoobiquity.com/ Lessons in Chemistry book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58065033-lessons-in-chemistry   If you like these podcast and want to hear more, please support these efforts through a donation to the VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/give/ You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or signup for the newsletter. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Listen in with student debt expert Dr. Tony Bartels in this next installment of our Student Debt Series covering the latest news and information on student loans. In this episode we have six major topics we’re addressing: Quick review of student loan grace periods Consolidation Caution Application Ataxia Start with PAYE, when possible Important dates to add to your calendar How to get help   As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.   GUEST BIO: Dr. Tony BartelsTony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie. LINKS AND INFORMATION: Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim  VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/ VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/ VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:  Changes to federal student loans come into focus: https://vinfoundation.org/changes-federal-student-loans-come-into-focus/ Student Loan Repayment: Trying to leave the SAVE forbearance? Choose PAYE: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-repayment-trying-to-leave-the-save-forbearance-choose-paye/  Student Loans in SAVE Plan Will Start Accruing Interest August 1st: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loans-in-save-plan-will-start-accruing-interest-august-1st/  Application for Federal Income-Driven Repayment Plans Reactivated: https://vinfoundation.org/application-for-income-driven-repayment-plans-reactivated/  Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/  Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857  Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/ One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment  https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment Federal Student Loan Servicers: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service Have a veterinary story you want to share? https://share.hsforms.com/1e6QkQvg2RI-wpDv59Byqkwcos60 Stay up to date with VIN Foundation updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/ Email VIN Foundation: [email protected] Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.  You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Listen in as we talk with VIN Foundation Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship awardee Walter Baker. Walter shares insights and advice from his first year in veterinary school, and what he is looking forward to as he starts his second year.    As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.   GUEST BIO: Walter BakerWalter has been devoted to becoming a veterinarian since seventh grade, and took all of the animal science courses  that were available to him throughout my grade school education. He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate education, and received a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences. As a current second year at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, he was fortunate to secure the Kentucky residents’ in-state institution. Walter was one of two recipients of the inaugural Mike Dunn, DVM Veterinary Student Scholarship created by Becky Godchaux. Walter’s goal is to return to rural Kentucky to practice general mixed-animal medicine. LINKS AND INFORMATION: Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine: https://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/ Veterinary Information Network (VIN) 3D Anatomy: https://www.vin.com/3danatomy Cornell Merlin App: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ Do you like this podcast and want to hear additional stories? The VIN Foundation needs your help supporting this program: https://vinfoundation.org/give Get updates to stay tuned for the VIN Foundation webinars on student debt.  You may learn more about the VIN Foundation, on the website, or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. If you like this podcast, we would appreciate it if you follow and share. As always, we welcome feedback. If you have an idea for a podcast episode, we’d love to hear it!

Listen in with student debt experts and Board Member Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series covering the One Big Beautiful Bill impact on student loans. In this episode we have seven major topics we’re addressing: SAVE forbearance zero-interest ending Updates for current veterinary students those starting and returning to vet school Pre-veterinary students applying for 2026/2027 year 2025 veterinary graduates whose grace period is ending RAP (Repayment Assistance Program) Phase out of existing programs Where things stand with PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness)   As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.     GUEST BIOS: Dr. Tony BartelsTony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie. Dr. Rebecca Mears Rebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, and a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca started her career as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member, currently serving as a member of the AAEP DEI Committee. Her interest in student debt education began with keeping her own education costs lower and grew from there. This was supported by her involvement in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), which she now gives back to as a National Advisor. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found obsessing over plants and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.    LINKS AND INFORMATION: Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim  VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/ VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/ VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give Vet School Bound Future Veterinary Student Loan Changes: https://vetschoolbound.org/future-veterinary-student-loan-changes/ VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:  Changes to federal student loans come into focus: https://vinfoundation.org/changes-federal-student-loans-come-into-focus/ Student Loan Repayment: Trying to leave the SAVE forbearance? Choose PAYE: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loan-repayment-trying-to-leave-the-save-forbearance-choose-paye/  Student Loans in SAVE Plan Will Start Accruing Interest August 1st: https://vinfoundation.org/student-loans-in-save-plan-will-start-accruing-interest-august-1st/  Application for Federal Income-Driven Repayment Plans Reactivated: https://vinfoundation.org/application-for-income-driven-repayment-plans-reactivated/  Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/  Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionar

Listen in with student debt experts and Board Member Drs. Tony Bartels and Rebecca Mears in this next installment of our Student Debt Series. In this episode we have three major topics we’re addressing: 1) a new challenge for the almost new grads 2) New Grad Playbook webinar and 3) the latest student loan updates.   As always, we want to hear from YOU. Please share your thoughts by sending an email or joining the conversation.     GUEST BIOS: Dr. Tony BartelsTony Bartels, DVM, MBA graduated in 2012 from the Colorado State University combined MBA/DVM program and is a VIN Foundation Board Member and Student Debt Expert, and an employee of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). He and his wife, a small-animal internal medicine specialist practicing in Denver, have more than $400,000 in veterinary-school debt that they manage using federal income-driven repayment plans. By necessity (and now obsession), his professional activities include researching and speaking on veterinary-student debt, providing guidance to colleagues on loan-repayment strategies and contributing to VIN Foundation resources. Beyond debt, his professional interests include small- and exotic-animal practice. When he’s not staring holes into his colleagues’ student-loan data, Tony enjoys fly fishing, ice hockey, camping and exploring Colorado with his wife, Audra, daughter, Lucy, and their two rescued canines, Addi and Maggie. Dr. Rebecca MearsRebecca Mears, DVM is from Lexington, KY, and a graduate of University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rebecca started her career as an equine general practitioner and is an active AAEP member, currently serving as a member of the AAEP DEI Committee. Her interest in student debt education began with keeping her own education costs lower and grew from there. This was supported by her involvement in the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA), which she now gives back to as a National Advisor. In her time away from veterinary medicine, she can be found obsessing over plants and hosting impromptu dance parties. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving the lives of veterinarians, pre-vet and vet students.    LINKS AND INFORMATION: VIN Foundation Student Debt Center: https://vinfoundation.org/studentdebtcenter Check your current student loan servicers and other loan details -- VIN Foundation My Student Loans tool: http://www.vinfoundation.org/mystudentloans Loan Repayment Simulator: https://vinfoundation.org/loansim  VIN Foundation WikiDebt: https://vinfoundation.org/wikidebt VIN Foundation Webinars: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/webinars/ VIN Foundation get updates: https://vinfoundation.org/updates/ VIN Foundation GIVE page to support these programs & tools: https://vinfoundation.org/give Debt Repayment Prep Challenge: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-student-debt/debt-repayment-prep-challenge/  May 7th webinar - New Graduate Student Loan Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/ VIN Foundation Blog, Related Student Debt Blog posts:  Application for Federal Income-Driven Repayment Plans Reactivated: https://vinfoundation.org/application-for-income-driven-repayment-plans-reactivated/  Personalized student loan Help from VIN and VIN Foundation: https://vinfoundation.org/veterinary-student-loan-debt-help/  Income-Driven Repayment Plan Discretionary income calculations, WikiDebt: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&catId=74141&id=7249857  New Grad Student Loan Repayment Playbook: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/veterinary-new-grad-student-loan-repayment-playbook/  Borrow Better: https://vinfoundation.org/resources/borrow-better-veterinary-school-loan-debt/  Federal Student Aid Data, Consolidation, and Repayment Applications: https://studentaid.gov/ One-time Forgiveness Count Adjustment  https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjus