Paws and Effect

She trained to deliver babies. She ended up delivering goats, treating zebras, and running one of the busiest mixed animal clinics around, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this candid episode, veterinarian and practice owner Dr Christine Staten shares the unconventional path from aspiring obstetrician to veterinary clinic owner, and what it actually takes to build a veterinary business from scratch.

She’s honest about the parts most people don’t talk about: the weight of practice ownership, imposter syndrome, and how she protects work-life balance in a profession known for burnout.

Key topics:
The leap from obstetrics dreams to large animal medicine
What no one tells you about owning a veterinary practice
Treating the unusual patients, from goats to zebras
Imposter syndrome and protecting your wellbeing in vet med
Building and leading a team that lasts

Whether you’re dreaming of owning a clinic, leading a team, or you just love the animals behind the medicine, Dr Staten offers a refreshingly hopeful take on where the veterinary profession is heading, and the flexibility, community, and passion that make it worth it.

SPONSOR: Ultra Pet

Check out Ultra Pets' new range here: https://ultra-pet.co.za/product/optimal-balance-adult/

Connect with Dr Carra:
Website: https://drcarra.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarra/
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: https://hillcrestvets.co.za/

Connect with Dr Christine Staten:
Instagram: @dr.christinestaten
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christine-staten

Podcast Production:
This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative and filmed onsite at Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital.
Kythe Creative: https://kythecreative.co.za/

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

Ultra Pet:
This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet, who has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet a try. Check them out here at www.ultra-pet.co.za

Just For Pets:
Justforpets.co.za is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that's why we offer a wide range of products to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy - Check them out at https://www.justforpets.co.za/

FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND GUEST APPEARANCES, email us at drcarra@pawsandeffect.co.za, and we'll get in touch with you.

Don't forget to LIKE this if you found it helpful, SUBSCRIBE for more episodes and content like this.

Dog pulling, biting, lunging, or just flat-out not listening?

In this raw and honest episode, dog trainer Tom Davis tears down the myths keeping owners and their dogs stuck.

Tom exposes why so many “hopeless” and reactive cases land at his door after training failed elsewhere, and reveals the uncomfortable truth: the real breakdown is usually in the human–dog relationship, not the dog.

He doesn’t sugarcoat it. Tom explains why “balanced training”, using clear boundaries and accountability, not just treats and praise, transforms dogs that “positive only” methods leave behind.

He unpacks what socialisation actually means (hint: it isn’t letting your puppy greet every dog in sight), why neutrality beats excitement, and when avoiding a trigger quietly makes things worse instead of better.

Then Tom says the part most trainers won’t: the industry’s egos and tribal warfare are costing dogs their lives. Owners get pushed toward one rigid ideology, the dog doesn’t improve, and the leash gets handed to a shelter. His message cuts through it, no dog is beyond help, but the help you choose matters more than you think.

Whether you’ve got a new puppy or a serious behavioural case you’re on the brink of giving up on, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew and show you how to become the leader your dog actually needs.

Key topics:
Why most trainers fail difficult and reactive dogs, and what to do instead
The pitfalls of trend-driven training (and why “positive only” might not be so positive)
What “socialisation” really means, and why neutrality matters
Avoidance vs. real behavioural change: when to face triggers head-on
How to pick the right dog trainer for your situation
The hope, and the responsibility, every owner needs to hear

Like, comment, and subscribe for more unfiltered expert insights into dog behaviour and training.

SPONSOR: Ultra Pet
Check out Ultra Pets' new range here: https://ultra-pet.co.za/product/premium-recipe-adult/

Connect with Dr Carra:
Website: https://drcarra.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarra/
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: https://hillcrestvets.co.za/

Connect with Tom Davis:
Instagram: instagram.com/tomdavis
YouTube: youtube.com/user/AmericasCanineED

Podcast Production:
This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative and filmed onsite at Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital.
Kythe Creative: https://kythecreative.co.za/

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:
Ultra Pet:
This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet, who has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet a try. Check them out here at www.ultra-pet.co.za

Just For Pets:
Justforpets.co.za is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that's why we offer a wide range of products to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy - Check them out at https://www.justforpets.co.za/

FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND GUEST APPEARANCES, email us at drcarra@pawsandeffect.co.za, and we'll get in touch with you.

Don't forget to LIKE this if you found it helpful, SUBSCRIBE for more episodes and content like this.

Most veterinarians graduate knowing how to save lives. Almost none of them graduate knowing how to manage money, price their services without guilt, or build a business they can actually exit one day.

In this episode, financial advisors Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett, from Florida Veterinary Advisors, get honest about the financial realities of veterinary medicine, the guilt, the misconceptions, the burnout that isn’t really burnout, and the practice ownership mistakes that are quietly eroding what should be one of the most rewarding careers there is.

This isn’t a conversation about investment products or spreadsheets. It’s about the mindset and habits that either build financial freedom or silently prevent it, and why so many intelligent, dedicated professionals end up on the wrong side of that line.

If you’re a new graduate, a practice owner, or somewhere in between, and money feels like the thing nobody in your profession talks about honestly, this one’s for you.

SPONSOR: Ultra Pet
Check out Ultra Pets' new range here: https://ultra-pet.co.za/product/premium-recipe-adult/

Connect with Dr Carra:
Website: https://drcarra.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarra/
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: https://hillcrestvets.co.za/

Connect with Tom Seeko:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomseeko/

Connect with CJ Burnett:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-burnett-0805a02b/

Podcast Production:
This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative and filmed onsite at Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital.
Kythe Creative: https://kythecreative.co.za/

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

Ultra Pet:
This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet, who has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet a try. Check them out here at www.ultra-pet.co.za

Just For Pets:
Justforpets.co.za is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that's why we offer a wide range of products to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy - Check them out at https://www.justforpets.co.za/

FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND GUEST APPEARANCES, email us at drcarra@pawsandeffect.co.za, and we'll get in touch with you.

Don't forget to LIKE this if you found it helpful, SUBSCRIBE for more episodes and content like this.

In this fascinating episode, I was privileged to talk about my favourite topic: cats! Together, Mikel Delgado, author of Play With Your Cat, and I explored the mysterious world of cat behaviour.

Discover why cats can be so perplexing, how their subtle body language differs from dogs', and the emotions they really feel, including love, grief, and anxiety.

The conversation explores what makes cats happy, signs of stress owners often miss, and how to foster a genuine bond with your feline companion, on your cat’s terms.

Learn why play is crucial for cats of all ages, how to enrich your indoor cat’s life, and get expert advice for managing tricky issues like multi-cat households, fighting, and boredom.

Perfect for cat lovers, pet owners, and anyone wanting to understand the secret lives of their feline friends!

Tune in for science-backed tips, heartwarming stories, and practical strategies to make your cat’s life (and yours!) happier and healthier.

SPONSOR: Ultra Pet
Check out Ultra Pets new range here: https://ultra-pet.co.za/product/optimal-balance-adult/

Connect with Dr Carra:
Website: https://drcarra.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_carra
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarra/
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: https://hillcrestvets.co.za/

Connect with Dr Mikel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikel.delgado/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikel-delgado/

Podcast Production:
This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative and filmed onsite at Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital.
Kythe Creative: https://kythecreative.co.za/

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

Ultra Pet:
This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet, who has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet a try. Check them out here at www.ultra-pet.co.za

Just For Pets:
Justforpets.co.za is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that's why we offer a wide range of products to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy - Check them out at https://www.justforpets.co.za/

FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND GUEST APPEARANCES, Email us at drcarra@pawsandeffect.co.za, and we'll get in touch with you.

Don't forget to LIKE this if you found it helpful, SUBSCRIBE for more episodes and content like this.

Join us for an informative episode with Adam Wickens, the creator behind Wickens Wicked Reptiles, one of YouTube’s largest reptile education platforms.

In this episode, Adam shares the must-know facts for anyone considering a bearded dragon, exposes the common myths and mistakes new owners make, and explains the fine line between keeping your reptile alive and helping it truly thrive.

Discover:
Why bearded dragons are such popular pets, and what makes them unique
The real lifespan (hint: it’s a big commitment!)
The difference between surviving and thriving, and common welfare issues often overlooked
Essential first steps for new owners: set-up, enclosure debates, lighting, temperature, and more
The truth about substrates, diet, humidity, handling, and “beardie” personalities
Common health pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
The correct way to handle and bond with your bearded dragon (without stressing them out)
Myths from pet stores that drive reptile experts crazy

Whether you’re a first-time reptile owner or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode is packed with practical advice, fascinating insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the hobby’s most respected voices.

Don’t risk your new pet’s wellbeing, listen in and set yourself (and your dragon!) up for success.

Subscribe to Wickens Wicked Reptiles for more expert videos and tips!

SPONSOR: Ultra Pet

Check out Ultra Pets' new range here: https://ultra-pet.co.za/product/optimal-balance-adult/

Connect with Dr Carra:
Website: drcarra.com/
Instagram: dr_carra
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drcarra/
Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital: hillcrestvets.co.za/

Connect with Adam:
YouTube: wickenswickedreptiles
Instagram: wickenswickedreptiles

Podcast Production:

This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative and filmed onsite at Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital.
Kythe Creative: https://kythecreative.co.za/

THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

Ultra Pet:
This episode is sponsored by Ultra Pet, which has been scientifically formulating premium pet food for over 25 years. If you want to take the guesswork out of feeding your furry friends, give Ultra Pet a try. Check them out here at www.ultra-pet.co.za

Just For Pets:
Justforpets.co.za is proud to sponsor this episode of the Paws and Effect podcast. Visit their website for all your pet needs and find everything from toys to food and much more. The team over at Just For Pets believe that every pet deserves the best care possible, and that's why we offer a wide range of products to help keep your furry friend happy and healthy - Check them out at https://www.justforpets.co.za/

FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND GUEST APPEARANCES, Email us at drcarra@pawsandeffect.co.za, and we'll get in touch with you.

Don't forget to LIKE this if you found it helpful, SUBSCRIBE for more episodes and content like this.