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Vet school teaches you the medicine — but it doesn’t always teach you how to communicate clearly with pet owners, build a consistent exam routine, or collaborate on treatment plans that actually work.

In this episode of More Than A Dogtor, Dr. Christien Bolden breaks down his real-world approach to client communication, physical exam structure, and treatment plan discussions — the same framework he uses to reduce mistakes, build trust, and practice confident medicine.

This episode is especially for vet students and new graduate veterinarians who feel overwhelmed in the exam room or unsure how to explain diagnostics, recommendations, or next steps to pet parents.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to talk to pet owners with clarity and confidence

• Building a reliable physical exam routine/checklist

• Why structure reduces mistakes and mental overload

• How to create collaborative treatment plans

• Common missteps new veterinarians make — and how to avoid them

• Why communication matters more than “knowing everything”

If you’re looking to improve client trust, exam-room flow, and confidence early in your veterinary career, this episode will give you practical tools you can use immediately.

Subscribe to More Than A Dogtor for real conversations, mentorship, and guidance for vet students and new grads navigating clinical practice with confidence.

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In this powerful episode of More Than A Dogtor, Dr. Christien Bolden sits down with Dr. Krista Miller, a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and woman of unwavering faith who leads PetSmart Veterinary Services in Houma, Louisiana.

In an industry grounded in science, Dr. Miller shares how she boldly integrates her Christian faith into her work as a clinician, leader, and business owner. She reflects on the moments when God carried her through vet school, the challenges of opening her own clinic, and the seasons of doubt and growth that shaped her into the doctor she is today.

Whether you’re a vet student, new grad, or seasoned professional, this conversation reminds us that your calling is bigger than a career — and there’s room for God in your journey, even in spaces where it’s often overlooked.

Perfect for anyone seeking purpose, mentorship, and spiritual encouragement in the veterinary profession.

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Not every journey into veterinary medicine follows the same script, and that’s the beauty of it.

In this episode of the More Than A Dogtor Podcast, Dr. Tyra Davis shares her non-traditional path into veterinary medicine, a journey that led her to practice ownership and academia. Together, we explore what it means to bloom where you’re planted, discover purpose through passion, and redefine success in vet med.

If you’ve ever questioned your timeline or felt like you’re taking “the long way,” this conversation is your reminder that how you do the work often matters more than what you do. 🌱

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Sometimes you have to slow down to move forward..

After unintentionally stepping away from creating for 8 weeks, I realized the break wasn’t a setback, it was a reset. In this episode, I share what that time taught me about burnout, balance, and the power of rest, reflection, and realignment.

I talk about:

• Why stepping back helped me reconnect with my purpose
• How to audit your progress without guilt
• What it means to rest with intention
• The importance of reflection and realignment for creators and professionals
• How slowing down can actually sharpen your focus and fuel your next season

Whether you’re a content creator, veterinary professional, or anyone chasing growth — this episode will remind you that rest is productive when it’s rooted in purpose.

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Can you really “have it all” in veterinary medicineor does something always give?

For many of us, the job becomes everything until we realize it’s costing us more than we ever thought it would.

In this episode, I sit down with Heather LaDoux Argrave, a veterinary technician working on her certification who’s walked the halls of corporate practice, private practice, and academia at LSU’s teaching hospital. She shares the wake-up calls that made her step back, choose her peace, and put her family and marriage first without losing her identity.

We unpack what balance really looks like, how to notice when you’re running on empty, and practical ways to protect your joy in and out of the clinic.

Whether you’re a student, a new grad, or a seasoned veterinary professional feeling stretched thin, this conversation is a reminder that your career is only part of your story.

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For Dr. Knight, passing the NAVLE wasn’t just about studying harder it was about surviving the mental and emotional toll of repeated setbacks. In this powerful conversation, she pulls back the curtain on the self-doubt, frustration, and exhaustion she face and how a strategic reset we worked on together turned it all around. From rock-bottom moments to the exact mindset shifts and tactics that finally led to her passing, Dr. Knight’s story is proof that you can come back stronger than ever and win the battle you’ve been fighting.

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Can communication make or break your vet school experience?
Ask any seasoned veterinarian and they’ll tell you: knowing medicine isn’t enough. In this episode of More Than A Dogtor, I’m joined by a 4th-year veterinary student, Courtney Ford, in the trenches of clinical rotations and NAVLE prep, sharing what no lecture or textbook teaches, the power (and pressure) of communication.

Whether you’re:
• Prepping for the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Exam)
• Starting your clinical year of vet school
• Struggling with client communication on externships
• Or just wondering how to stand out as a new grad…

This episode is a must-listen for every future veterinarian who wants to thrive, not just survive.

✅ We unpack:
• How communication impacts your confidence on rotations
• Why “book smart” isn’t enough in vet med
• Real talk about imposter syndrome & speaking up
• Tips for mastering client interactions & team dynamics
• Balancing the NAVLE grind with emotional resilience

📍Relevant for:
Veterinary students, NAVLE takers, new grads, clinical year students, and anyone pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

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Welcome to this special episode of the More Than A Dogtor where real life meets real growth for veterinary professionals, students, and the people walking this journey with us. I’m your host, Dr. Christien Bolden and today, we’re unpacking a topic that hits close to home for so many of us, how to defeat impostor syndrome and finally leave self-doubt behind.