By Brenda Tassava Medina, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting
When I think back to my early days as a practice manager, two things stand out clearly.
I loved helping my hospital grow and I knew I wanted to make a bigger impact.
What I didn’t know was what the next step looked like, or how to take it.
At the time, veterinary consulting felt mysterious. You either stumbled into it, were recruited into it, or figured it out on your own through trial, error, and a fair amount of uncertainty. There was no clear path. No structured education. No one saying, “Here’s how you turn your real-world experience into a sustainable consulting career.”
I often wish something like the Encore Consulting Academy had existed back then.
That wish is exactly why this program exists today.
Why Veterinary Consulting Matters to Me
I’ve spent my career alongside veterinary teams—first as a practice manager, then a hospital administrator, and later as a consultant and organizational leader. I’ve seen what happens when practices are truly supported: when leadership is confident, systems are intentional, and teams are given the tools and clarity they need to thrive.
Veterinary practices are uniquely complex. They are medical environments, businesses, and communities, often all under one roof, often under immense pressure. When practices struggle, the impact is felt deeply. When they succeed, the ripple effect extends far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Consulting allows experienced veterinary professionals to take what they’ve learned over years, sometimes decades, and multiply their impact. It’s one of the most meaningful ways I know to give back to this profession while continuing to grow professionally.
The Conversations That Keep Coming Up
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with practice managers and veterinary leaders who sound very much like I once did.
They’re curious.
They’re growth-minded.
They enjoy mentoring, coaching, and solving complex problems.
And they feel a pull toward something more.
Some ask directly how to get into veterinary consulting. Others aren’t sure consulting is the answer, but they know they’re ready for their next chapter.
The Encore Consulting Academy was built for those professionals.
What the Encore Consulting Academy Is
The Encore Consulting Academy is a six-month, cohort-based program designed to prepare experienced veterinary professionals for a future in consulting. It is structured, intentional, and grounded in real-world application, not theory alone.
This program focuses on how consulting actually works:
- How to shift from internal leader to trusted external advisor.
- How to think strategically at the practice and organizational level.
- How to build the skills, confidence, and mindset required to support practices effectively.
Participants gain exposure to consulting fundamentals, practical tools, and the less-visible aspects of the work while being supported by people who have walked this path themselves.
Consulting is a skill set. It can be learned, refined, and strengthened. No one should have to figure it out alone.
The Program I Wish I’d Had
If I’m honest, creating this academy is deeply personal.
When I was taking my first steps toward consulting, I would have welcomed a roadmap, a community, a group of mentors who understood both the excitement and the uncertainty of making that leap.
The Encore Consulting Academy is our way of offering that support to the next generation of veterinary consultants.
Who This Program Is For
This academy is designed for experienced veterinary professionals, particularly practice managers, operational leaders, and veterinarians who are curious about consulting as a career path.
It’s for people who:
- Enjoy helping practices grow and evolve
- Thrive in coaching, mentoring, and problem-solving roles
- Are ready to invest in their own professional development
- Want to turn experience into broader impact
If you’ve found yourself searching for veterinary consulting education, how to become a veterinary consultant, or simply wondering what the next meaningful step in your career might be then this program was built with you in mind.
An Invitation
I am incredibly proud of the Encore Consulting Academy and the intention behind it. Even more, I’m excited about the people who will move through this program and the impact they’ll have on veterinary practices across the profession.
If you see yourself reflected in any part of this story, I invite you to learn more and consider applying. Your experience matters, and there is a place for you in the future of veterinary consulting.
You can learn more about the program and the application process here.
I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you!
~ Brenda Tassava Medina, President of Encore Veterinary Consulting
