VSPA Fall 2025 Conference

VSPA Fall 2025 Conference - Reno, NV

November 5 - 8, 2025 · Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno NV

The VSPA Fall 2025 Conference warmly invites the owners and administrators of independently owned veterinary specialty and emergency hospitals that are not in the competitive area of a current member to see what VSPA is about by attending our conference in person. Is that you? If so - Welcome!

Check the VSPA Member Directory - Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance (specialtyvets.com). We are available anytime by email, text, or phone, and we look forward to hearing from you. pam@specialtyvets.com or 919.219.5210.

Also - consider attending Ascend: The Independent Summit for Veterinary Leadership from Saturday, 11.08.2025 and Sunday, 11/09/2025! It is a separate event in the same location where the leaders of ALL independent veterinary practices are invited to attend. Here is the link for information for the Ascend Summit. https://www.eventleaf.com/e/Ascend2025

**NOTE - there are no "live virtual" sessions. Recorded sessions will be available after the conference.

Agenda

Wednesday, November 5

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Board of Directors Meeting

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Ꙭ Casual Gathering & Dinner

Gather in the hotel bar for conversation and connection. Join us for dinner (RSVP required!)

Thursday, November 6

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Yoga, Walk, Meditation

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Members Business Meeting

VSPA NDA Members Only

10:20 AM - 10:30 AM

Bio Break

10:30 AM - 11:10 AM

Ꙭ Presidents Opening

11:10 AM - 12:00 PM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Ꙭ Lunch

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

1:50 PM - 2:00 PM

Bio Break

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM

Ꙭ Break

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

Group Discussions

3:50 PM - 4:00 PM

Bio Break

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Ꙭ Sponsor Networking

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Break

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Ꙭ Social Event

Friday, November 7

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Yoga, Walk, Meditation

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Ꙭ Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Ꙭ What Have You Been Up To - POSTER Session

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Ꙭ Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Ꙭ Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:20 PM

Ꙭ Session - TBA

2:20 PM - 2:30 PM

Bio break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Ꙭ Beyond Burnout: Reclaiming Energy and Effectiveness in Veterinary Leadership

This session explores the unique challenges faced by veterinary leaders and managers navigating chronic stress, compassion fatigue, and decision fatigue in high-pressure environments. Drawing on the latest ....

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Ꙭ Break

4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Breakout Discussions

5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

Bio break

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Ꙭ Sponsor Networking

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Ꙭ Reception

Saturday, November 8

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Yoga, Walk, Meditation

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Ꙭ Breakfast

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Ꙭ The Culture Cure: Building Trust, Psychological Safety, and a Workplace that Retains Talent

A healthy culture doesn’t happen by accident—it is intentionally built through emotionally intelligent leadership and a deep understanding of psychological safety. In this session, Dr. Olson explores how to...

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Ꙭ Occupational Wellness in Veterinary Medicine: A Systems-Level Approach to Sustainable Practice

Veterinary professionals are more than their job titles—they are whole humans operating in complex systems. This session introduces the “wellness wheel” as a framework for examining the....

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Ꙭ Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Group Discussions

Speakers