In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Dr. Lauren Jones, VMD to talk about reclaiming joy in veterinary medicine — and why joy, leadership, and compassion must coexist in business. Lauren shares her story as a veterinarian, practice owner, and tech leader who’s transforming burnout into balance and building teams that truly thrive.
👩⚕️ About Dr. Lauren Jones, VMD
Dr. Lauren Jones is a veterinarian, speaker, and Director of Veterinary Medicine at Shepherd Veterinary Solutions. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, she also owns the Animal Hospital of Chester County in Pennsylvania.
Her career centers on reclaiming joy in veterinary medicine through leadership rooted in empathy and systems that make work easier, not harder.
🩺 The Path Toward Reclaiming Joy in Veterinary Medicine
From the time she was six, Lauren knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. But after years of 80-hour weeks and emotional exhaustion, she realized the system needed healing as much as the animals did.
“Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means the system is.”
Her journey shows that reclaiming joy in veterinary medicine starts with redefining what success looks like for both teams and leaders.
💼 Leadership and HR Lessons That Restore Joy
Lauren learned the hard way that strong leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself — it’s about listening, explaining the “why,” and empowering others.
“When you get your team’s buy-in, that’s when the culture really starts to change.”
Key HR Takeaways
-
Hire for values alignment, not just technical skill.
-
Over-communicate the why behind decisions.
-
Encourage open feedback and collaboration.
-
Make joy and well-being measurable goals.
For more leadership tips, see our post on Building a Purpose-Driven Team.
💻 Technology and Systems for Reclaiming Joy in Veterinary Medicine
As Director of Veterinary Medicine at Shepherd, Lauren helps clinics implement tools that actually give their teams more time and freedom.
“Technology isn’t the enemy — bad systems are. The right software can actually give you your time back.”
Her mantra for her team: “Let’s get in, get out, and get home.”
Because thriving in veterinary medicine — or any industry — means making time for what matters most.
(Related: Leveraging Innovation to Reduce Burnout)
💬 Memorable Quotes
“You can be a great doctor and still make it home for dinner.”
“When we fix the workplace, we heal the healer — and that changes everything.”
“Joy isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility — and we should fight for it.”
💡 What It Takes to Be a Business Owner
When asked Jamie’s signature question — What does it take to be a business owner? — Lauren said:
“It takes grit, determination, and the ability to pivot — and through all of that, recognizing that we all deserve joy.”
Her philosophy is a reminder that reclaiming joy in veterinary medicine isn’t just for vets — it’s for anyone building a business that puts people first.
🎧 Listen to the Episode
Catch the full episode on your favorite platform:
Or explore more stories at Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes
