10 Influential Veterinarians Who Have Sparked Innovation in Veterinary Medicine
Leaders kick-start the engine of change—they see the vision when others see obstacles, and they energize and inspire us.
In this series, you'll meet leaders from all corners of the veterinary community who are sparking innovation and helping us navigate the challenges we all face every day.
This week, let's take a look at some of the veterinarians who have elevated the standards of veterinary practice, opened the doors of their professional lives to their peers and to pet owners, and continue to have an undeniable impact on the way vet med looks in 2025.
1. Andy Roark, DVM
Dr. Andy Roark is a practicing veterinarian, speaker, author, and media personality known for his engaging and humorous take on everyday veterinary challenges. Through his platform, DrAndyRoark.com, he provides insights and resources on everything from practice management and leadership to personal development, client communication, and pet care. Dr. Roark is also the founder of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference, which provides business, leadership, and professional development training to veterinary professionals.
2. Ashley Bourgeois, DVM, DACVD
Dr. Ashley Bourgeois is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist passionate about making dermatology “more fun than frustrating.” On The Derm Vet Podcast, she shares practical knowledge and tips that help general practitioners tackle dermatology cases and discusses the ins and outs of navigating parenthood as a veterinarian. Dr. Bourgeois speaks to veterinary professionals across the country about dermatology topics, and she's a great person to follow on social media, if that's your thing.
3. Dani McVety, DVM
Dr. Dani McVety is best known for pioneering compassionate end-of-life care for pets. She is the founder and former CEO of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, a network of veterinarians around the United States who care for geriatric pets. Dr. McVety is also a speaker, consultant, author, and media personality who educates and empowers veterinarians to develop their skills in hospice care. She's passionate about raising the standard for end-of-life care and ensuring pets get a peaceful end-of-life experience in the comfort of their homes.
4. Dave Nicol, BVMS, Cert. Mgmt MRCVS
Dr. Dave Nicol is a veterinary leadership expert with substantial business training and a reputation as a successful business leader within the veterinary industry. He has managed veterinary practices and large teams of veterinarians for over a decade. He offers online training courses and shares his insights via blog posts, podcasts, webinars, and social media to help veterinarians become confident and effective leaders and increase their performance, productivity, and happiness.
5. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT
Dr. Ernie Ward is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, author, and media personality who focuses on preventive care and pet wellness. He founded the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and has authored several books on veterinary nutrition. He is also a speaker and educator who leverages social media, conferences, and online content to connect with veterinary professionals and pet owners. He cohosts a weekly podcast, The Veterinary Viewfinder Podcast, which highlights controversial issues and trending news and offers solutions to the challenges facing the veterinary profession.
6. Tannetje Crocker, DVM
Dr. Tannetje Crocker is an emergency veterinarian, practice owner, speaker, and social media personality recognized for her commitment to empowering veterinarians to find fulfilling paths within the profession. She advocates work-life balance, career flexibility, and mental health support. Through her expertise in social media marketing, she offers guidance to fellow veterinarians on how to utilize social media to market their practices and recruit team members, and she provides veterinary professionals with tools to help them thrive in the digital landscape.
7. Evan Antin, DVM
Dr. Evan Antin is a wildlife and exotic animal veterinarian known for his hands-on approach to conservation and exotic animal care. He has shared his experiences through publications, lectures, and media platforms and has gathered significant attention on social media, particularly Instagram, where he has amassed over 1 million followers and is Instagram's most-followed veterinarian. Dr. Antin focuses on making veterinary medicine more accessible by promoting veterinary medicine and animal conservation to a broad audience.
8. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT
Known for her expertise in emergency and critical care, Dr. Justine Lee is a double-board-certified emergency critical care specialist and toxicologist. She is the cofounder and CEO of VETgirl, a popular subscription-based multimedia service offering online continuing education for veterinary professionals. Dr. Lee is also a speaker, blogger, published author, and media personality. She is passionate about helping veterinarians stay current on best practices and advanced medical techniques and shares information on emergency, critical care, and toxicology.
9. Katie Ford, BVSc, CerAVP (SAM), MRCVS
Dr. Katie Ford is known for empowering veterinarians to thrive professionally and personally. She became a coach and mentor after sharing her own battle with imposter syndrome and focuses on helping veterinary professionals improve their mental well-being and develop a healthier work-life balance. Dr. Ford reaches veterinarians through social media, writing, speaking, and coaching and co-founded Vet Empowered, a veterinary coaching company. She also co-founded VetYou, a community designed for open conversations about personal finances for veterinary professionals.
10. Marty Becker, DVM
Dr. Marty Becker, often known as “America’s Veterinarian,” founded the Fear Free initiative, which provides education and resources to help veterinarians, pet owners, and animal professionals reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in animals. Dr. Becker is an author, lecturer, and media personality recognized for his contributions to advancing the standards of care and animal welfare. He encourages veterinarians to adopt patient-centered approaches and make veterinary visits less stressful and more enjoyable for pets and their owners.
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Stay tuned for more veterinary innovators in future posts, and connect with us on LinkedIn or Facebook to let us know which veterinary leaders you follow!
Editor’s Note
When we first published this article, many of you pointed out that it missed the mark—and we agree. We framed this as "leaders to watch" when, while they're still out there doing great work, most of these leaders have been making waves in vet med for a long time. They deserve their recognition, but they don't need us to tell you that.
More importantly, we left out an essential truth about vet med, and one we at Instinct believe wholeheartedly: Every member of the veterinary team is indispensable and capable of being a leader in their own right. By naming only veterinarians in this list but calling the post "leaders to watch," we neglected to recognize the contributions of incredible technicians, managers, assistants, and front office teams. We have adjusted the title and premise of this post to reflect the focus on veterinarians who have changed—and continue to change—vet med for the better.
We're grateful to our friends and colleagues who hold us accountable and lift us all higher as a result. Stay tuned for follow-up posts featuring veterinary professionals from diverse roles, backgrounds, and branches of vet med who are making an impact in our community in 2025.
About Instinct Science
We’re a team of veterinary professionals and technology experts on a mission to make life easier for the exceptional people caring for animals around the world. From clinical resources like Plumb’s and Clinician's Brief to medical-first practice management tools that help veterinary hospitals run smarter, we’re here to support you with everything you need to deliver exceptional care with less stress and more confidence.