Episode 08 — Behind the Barn: Meet the Team

Season 1 · Episode 08 Run time: ~35 minutes Host: Michael Dargie Featuring: Dr. Beth Barrett, DVM

Episode Description

Ever wonder who all those people are at your vet clinic — and what they each actually do? In this special “Behind the Barn” episode, Michael pulls back the curtain at Barrett Veterinary Practice with Dr. Beth Barrett to introduce the full team that cares for your pets.

From Tammy at the front desk to the Registered Veterinary Technologists who run anesthesia, x-rays and lab work, to the tech assistants who keep everything flowing — Beth shares why veterinary medicine is a team sport, how she hires for personality fit using the “Colors” framework, and what she’s actually doing in the four pillars of her own role. Plus a sneak peek at the AI tools transforming how Barrett documents care, and a few stories you won’t find on the website (yes, including the house-trained baby goats).

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re seeing three or four different people during one appointment, this is the episode that explains why that’s a very good sign.

In This Episode

• Who you actually meet at a vet visit — and why a “team of four” is the goal
• The difference between RVTs, tech assistants, and veterinarians (and why Beth doesn’t call any of them “her assistant”)
• The “Colours” personality framework Beth uses to build her team
• The four legal pillars of what a veterinarian actually does
• How AI-powered appointment recording is improving discharge summaries
• Why Beth says she’s “always hiring” the right person

Episode Chapters

Key Takeaways

1. Vet medicine is a team sport. Seeing three or four people during one appointment isn’t a red flag — it’s a sign the clinic is running efficiently and putting the right person on the right job.
2. RVTs are highly trained, regulated professionals. Registered Veterinary Technologists in Alberta are licensed under the same body as veterinarians (ABVMA). They handle anesthesia, dentistry support, x-rays, lab work, nursing care, triage, and a huge share of client education.
3. The vet’s role is narrower than most people think. Legally, the veterinarian owns four pillars — diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan, prescriptions, and surgery. Everything else flows through the team.
4. Hire for fit, not just skill. Beth uses the Colors personality framework to match people to roles they’ll thrive in — and looks for “A-players” who match the clinic’s culture of warmth, humour, and getting things done.
5. Technology should serve the team. Barrett was an early-adopter clinic in Alberta, and Beth now uses an AI appointment recorder to generate accurate, complete discharge summaries — catching the small details that handwriting and end-of-day typing inevitably miss.

Myth or Muzzle?

MYTH: “Everyone in scrubs at the vet clinic is basically a vet’s assistant.”

Beth’s take: they’re all part of the team, but they’re not assistants to the vet. If anything, the relationship runs the other way — Beth sees herself as more of a tech’s assistant on a lot of procedures. Everyone fills a different role, and each role has its own training, scope, and value.

Ask Dr. Beth

Listener Question: “Why do I sometimes see three or four people during one appointment? Is something wrong with my pet?”

Short answer: no — and you should actually be glad you’re seeing three or four people. Each team member is doing what they do best (billing, nail trims, history-taking, diagnosis, discharge). Seeing only the vet would be slower, less thorough, and frankly less warm. The team approach is what makes the appointment work.

Resources & Mentions

• Barrett Veterinary Practice — barrettvet.ca
• The “Colors” personality assessment — the framework Beth uses for hiring and team-building
• Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) — the licensing body for both veterinarians and RVTs in Alberta
• Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA) — the support association for Alberta RVTs
• AI appointment-recording tools — Beth’s clinic adopted one for discharge summaries; Michael now uses a Plaud device for his own meetings
• Steve Jobs (quoted): “A small team of A-players will run circles around a large team of B-players.”

Now Hiring at Barrett

[LIVE-FILL: insert current open role(s), application link, and any deadline]

Heard something in this episode and thought, “I’d love to work somewhere like that”? Barrett Veterinary Practice is hiring right now. Visit barrettvet.ca for the latest postings, or call 403.860.5763 to start a conversation.

Connect with The Independent Vet

• Website: barrettvet.ca
• Instagram: @barrettveterinarypractice
• Email: drbarrettvet@gmail.com
• Phone: 403.860.5763

Got a question for Dr. Beth? Send it in — it might land in a future “Ask Dr. Beth” segment.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian for medical advice specific to your pet.