Meet The Team

I’ve spent more than three decades in veterinary medicine — healing animals, leading teams, mentoring new veterinarians, and trying to make sense of the human side of this profession. I started as a kid in the kennel who just wanted to help every creature that crossed my path. Somewhere along the way, I learned that veterinary medicine isn’t just about animals — it’s about people. It’s about connection, communication, and carrying the weight of others’ emotions while still finding a way to breathe.

I built two clinics from the ground up. I’ve seen the late nights, the heartbreaks, the let downs, and the moments that remind you why you do this work. I’ve also seen what happens when we forget our “why.” Too many strong, intelligent veterinary professionals burn out, lose their spark, and start to believe that exhaustion is the price of purpose. That realization changed everything for me.

Today, as a doctoral candidate at Pepperdine and the host of Irreplaceable Truths, I’ve made it my mission to help rebuild the soul of this profession — to talk openly about stress, identity, mentoring, and meaning. My research looks at what keeps us whole: emotional intelligence, fit, recovery, and the power of honest conversation. Because we don’t need more perfection; we need more truth.

At my core, I’m still that kid who wanted to fix what’s broken — only now, I’m working to fix the system that breaks the people who care the most. Whether I’m behind a microphone, mentoring a young doctor, or consulting with a clinic on culture and leadership, I’m guided by one belief: empathy isn’t weakness — it’s the highest form of intelligence.

My purpose now is simple — to remind veterinarians why they started, and to help them build lives they don’t need to escape from.

Dr. Amber Parks is a board-certified small animal veterinarian (ABVP, Canine & Feline Practice) and Stress & Burnout Coach for veterinary professionals. After more than a decade in general practice as an associate, medical director, and mentor, she experienced burnout firsthand and learned that true recovery comes from changing how we respond to stress.

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Now coaching full-time, Dr. Parks helps veterinary professionals build confidence, set healthy boundaries, and create sustainable, fulfilling careers. Based in Central Florida, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her partner Todd and their pets, River, Sprout, and Bean.

Brings more than two decades of hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, with a career spanning general practice, shelter medicine, mobile practice, zoo medicine, and veterinary education. As an instructor for an Alternate Route program, Mallory is passionate about elevating the next generation of veterinary professionals through mentorship, practical skill-building, and real-world insight.
In addition to her clinical and teaching background, Mallory is the producer and creative mind behind multiple veterinary-focused podcasts, including, Irreplaceable Tails, and Vet Tech Nerd Party. Through these platforms, she spotlights meaningful conversations, expert perspectives, and the realities of life in the field—empowering students, early-career veterinarians, and vet techs with guidance, support, and community.
Known for her authenticity, humor, and deep commitment to the profession, Mallory continues to champion the human-animal bond and the people who devote their lives to protecting it.

After more than a decade as a school counselor and educator, Jenn transitioned into veterinary medicine, where she developed broad clinical experience in general practice, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter clinics. She passed both the California Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) in 2011, earning her veterinary technician license.

With over 20 years in veterinary medicine, Jenn is an active member of the California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association (CaRVTA), the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Equine Technicians.  She volunteered for more than 10 years with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center before becoming the organization’s first RVT hire, and subsequently expanded her practice into equine medicine. In 2022, she returned to education as an instructor with OCVAS, where she is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in veterinary medicine.

In her copy of Dr. Seuss’s My Book About Me, four-year-old Dani Rabwin wrote that she wanted
to be a trapeze artist or an animal doctor. She decided against the circus, and today Dr. Dani
Rabwin is a veterinarian, author, speaker, and mentor. She is the founder of Ready, Vet, Go, a
growing platform that supports new and early-career veterinarians through remote mentorship,
practical education, and a vibrant community of peers and mentors. Her work complements the
in-clinic guidance offered by veterinary practices, helping early-career vets build confidence,
competence, and connection. Dani graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
in 2004 and completed an internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She is thrilled to be a
part of VetMedHQ, sharing the joy of vet med with other like minded professionals. She
continues to practice in the Bay Area of California, and feels deeply privileged to help
veterinarians thrive in the profession she loves.

I’ve always been enamored by wildlife and nature. The drive to positively impact conservation is what initially set me on the difficult path to a career in zoo medicine. After graduating with my DVM from Tufts in 2019, I spent my first five years as a veterinarian completing a small animal rotating internship, a specialty internship in avian and exotics medicine, and a residency in zoological medicine and surgery. 

 All of that intensive post-vet-school training gave me a solid medical foundation for which I will always be grateful, but somewhere in the process of gaining clinical competency, I lost my “why”.  Now, post-residency, I am in what I lovingly refer to as my “professional rebellious stage”: I’ve chosen to forgo the stability of a full-time job in zoo medicine, in favor of flexibility, balance, and the freedom to chase my original dream of advancing conservation efforts through international wildlife work. I believe that happy vets make better vets, and that a career in vet med can be just as fulfilling as we all once dreamed, but that a major cultural shift is needed within the profession. I plan to be part of that shift. Through open communication and honest reflection, I hope to inspire other young professionals to question the system and carve their own path.

Dr. Kristin Welch is a board-certified emergency and critical care specialist and the founder of
DVM STAT Consulting, a 24/7/365 teleconsultation service that helps veterinarians access
board-certified expertise anytime, anywhere.
After earning her DVM from Michigan State University, she completed an internship at the
University of Pennsylvania and a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Tufts University.
Her years leading and co-founding specialty hospitals showed her how financial and logistical
barriers can limit access to advanced care—an experience that inspired her to launch DVM
STAT in 2019.
Kristin is passionate about supporting veterinarians at every career stage, from new graduates
to seasoned practitioners, through clinical coaching and collaborative case support. She lives on
the South Carolina coast with her husband and three children and loves traveling, staying
active, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Dr. Brianna Armstrong is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and podcast host dedicated to transforming the veterinary profession from the inside out. As Medical Director and Co-Owner of Firehouse Animal Health Center 183 in Austin, Texas, she helped grow a new hospital from $0 to $1 million in its first year and continues to lead with a focus on operational excellence, psychological safety, and culture.

She is the founder and host of the Choose People Love Pets podcast, where she and co-host Phoebe Valdez explore leadership, culture, and new career paths in veterinary medicine. Beyond her hospital, Dr. Armstrong develops people-first leadership tools, consults on culture and retention, and speaks on reimagining what success looks like in veterinary medicine—where people and purpose come first.

Small Animal Veterinarian since 2004, work in the ER one week a month in the Uk and Life Coach for burnt out veterinarians in the 3 other weeks. Also do a lot of traveling (I live between Denmark and Spain), practice Cross Fit and Muay Thai and love water sports. I am 100% plant based and particularly crazy about cats and fantasy fiction.

Amber Elalem is originally from Tampa, Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in
biology from Florida Gulf Coast University and her master’s degree in veterinary
medicine with a concentration in shelter medicine from the University of Florida (Go
Gators). She is currently a 3 rd year veterinary student in California. Her main interests
are veterinary behavior and emergency medicine. She hopes to return to Florida to
practice with the goal of building lasting connections with her clients and their pets.
When she is not studying, Amber is an avid hockey fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Social media has been a big part of Ambers’ journey in veterinary medicine, with a
combined following of over 400k, she has built a community that revolves around
education, comedy, and her vet school journey.

A dedicated expert in preventive medicine, my services offer invaluable insights and educational opportunities that transform the veterinary landscape. 

I bring over 15 years of experience to veterinary medical education. From my corporate veterinary roles to directing a 24/7 emergency hospital, my journey reflects a commitment to informing and inspiring veterinary professionals.

As a board-certified specialist in veterinary preventive medicine and host of Vet Watch on DVM360, I regularly address emerging trends and pivotal issues in veterinary science. My role as a NAVLE item writer further solidifies my standing in veterinary medical education, where I contribute to shaping future veterinary leaders.

I am committed to continuing my efforts as a board-eligible candidate in veterinary parasitology, with aspirations to achieve board certification by 2026. Through my initiatives, I aim to lead a shift toward preventive care practices while supporting upcoming veterinary talents.

Monica Tarantino, DVM, is a veterinarian with over ten years of experience and formerly served as Chief of Staff at a busy general practice in Charlotte, NC. She is the co-founder of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, an organization dedicated to advancing the care of senior and geriatric canine patients in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Tarantino also runs Senior Dog Revolution (@seniordogdoc), a growing social media platform that helps pet parents navigate the unique challenges of caring for aging dogs. She is the coauthor of two books for new veterinarians—New Vet Jumpstart Guide: GP Edition and ER Edition—designed to support recent graduates in their transition into practice.

A passionate rescue advocate, she shares her home with four rescue dogs, two rescue cats, and the occasional foster pet. 

A licensed RVT since 2011. I went to Cal Poly Pomona (Go Broncos!) and graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Animal Health Science back in 2010.

I started at a GP and was there for 3 years - learned a lot from my mentors (vets as well as my senior techs). Eventually, I went to shelter medicine and was there for the bulk of my career - 10 years! I really fell in love with the HQHV spay and neuter portion of the shelter-life and still do it to this day! Currently, I am an instructor for the RVT alternate-route and vet assistants, independent contractor for HQHV spay/neuter clinics, as well as the Chair for the Veterinary Team Member for the SCVMA.

I live in Orange County, California with my husband Brian and my two doggos Rylee (mutt) and Opie (chocolate lab). If we are not at work - you can probably find us outside! We love the outdoors - camping/fishing/hiking/snowboarding/etc. 

Dr. Christine Staten graduated from Vet School in 1999 and owns a 10-doctor, 50-team member, 2-location
mixed animal practice in Tucson, Arizona that she grew from a solo-ambulatory practice. Desiring to learn
more about entrepreneurship and business management, she earned her MBA from LSU in 2023.  With her
company Veterinary MBA, Dr. Staten is enthusiastically helping other practice owners and managers create
more sustainable business models while gaining more time, money, and freedom in their lives. She is also
passionate about encouraging and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians into the greatest
profession in the world.
Unapologetically unbalanced, Dr. Staten is married with five children and six grandchildren. She dabbles in
real estate with commercial property, student rentals, and an Airbnb.
Follow along on Instagram @veterinary_mba and