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We invite you to take a peek into part of what makes the Uncharted Veterinary Community so unique: our members! We sat down to interview some of the amazing people who have joined us on our amazing journey since the first conference in 2017. Now, we’re expanding our interviews to highlight the Uncharted Team! This week’s interview was with the newest member of the UVC team, Tyler Grogan, a veterinary technician turned social media/creative mind for Uncharted!

For anyone who doesn’t know you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a Registered Veterinary Technician currently riding a crazy wave of doing relief work all over the country and working for Uncharted! I’m based out of Los Angeles, CA and am excited to see where I may go next. I’ve been working in the veterinary field for almost 10 years, and my role as a Marketing Manager at a small animal practice in Orlando, Florida is how I found my way to Uncharted. My life 5 years ago was completely different than it is today, and I’m grateful for all of the experiences that I have had along the way. I’ve worked in general practice, ophthalmology and emergency clinics as a veterinary technician. I’ve also had the amazing chance to write about those experiences for a variety of blogs, including Uncharted and Harry Potter Vet! Now I spend even more time on the social media side of things with Uncharted and a veterinary podcast. Each of those has made a big impact on making me the veterinary professional I am today. A few of my favorite things outside of vet med are traveling as far and as often as I can, ferrets, watching movies, writing, discovering new, fun music to rock out to in the car on long drives, Julie Andrews, baking and coffee.

What tasks do you work on as part of the UVC Team?

I have the pleasure of creating Uncharted social media posts, working on some of the Uncharted blogs (like coordinating these Member Spotlights!), and doing a little bit of graphic design! I also love helping our new crew members get acquainted with the community. If you’re in there, send me a message anytime! The best part is that I get to work with some of my favorite people in the world…which is pretty awesome.

What were you looking for when you joined Uncharted?

When I joined Uncharted I was looking for mentorship. To say I found it would be the world’s greatest understatement! I found lasting connections that have literally changed my entire life. I was a veterinary technician still in school, learning about social media marketing on-the-job as kind of a bonus when I was invited to the first Uncharted. The imposter syndrome was so real (sometimes it still is!). I showed up in Greenville with no clue what to expect or what I had to offer, but I had a good feeling. The minute this group came together, I knew I found something special…something that was going to last. Now I have a whole community of mentors supporting me as I do things I never dreamed I would or could do. I knew I wanted more out of my career in veterinary medicine, but to be writing this as not only a dedicated, lifelong member of this tribe but a member of the TEAM that gets to bring this to life…I’m living a dream I never even saw coming.

What are your 2 favorite groups in the Uncharted Workplace community and why?

The “Welcome to the Uncharted Community” group is fantastic! Whenever we introduce a new member, so many people chime in to say hello, offer help with goals they’ve shared or ask questions about their lives. It just really shows the new members the essence of Uncharted right off the bat! 

The Marketing group is also a favorite of mine because I get to see all of the great things people are doing in their clinics to tell their stories. Marketing the practice I worked for in Orlando for 5 years was where this all started for me, so I’m very passionate about sharing my own ideas and learning from others!

Who is one of your favorite people you’ve met through Uncharted and why?

I have to say, this is the hardest question to answer because as most of us will tell you, there are too many wonderful people in this group! Right now, I would have to say Dr. Tracy Sands is a big influence in my life. She invited me to her practice to become Fear-Free Certified and to support my newest endeavor of veterinary technician relief work and it was the absolute best experience! It kick-started something that was only a vague idea before and made it a reality. She mentored and pushed me to literally create a business – that’s mentorship on a whole new level! I also have to thank Dr. Andy Roark. He’s coached me through some hard moments and has been an invaluable teacher.

What is one of your favorite Uncharted conference memories?

I could list so many…I remember at the first conference meeting some of the attendees for a trip to the Greenville Zoo. We had such a fun day. We were all fast friends and it was a great day connecting over something we all really enjoyed before the conference even began! I also loved wandering around Kansas City with friends that were old and new at our most recent conference in August. Getting to explore these awesome places and stumble into great conversations with some of the kindest and smartest people…that’s what Uncharted has been all about for me.

What is one thing you believe all veterinary professionals can do right now to make Vet Med even better? 

As Ellen Degeneres says, “Be kind to one another.” I think the greatness of working in veterinary medicine boils down to teamwork, and if we’re all fighting against each other, how can we be a great team? Assume good intent from your peers and your clients and I think you’ll have a much more positive outlook on veterinary medicine!

What is your end-of-workday guilty pleasure? 

I have two…I love to blast the music in my car on my ride home from work. It’s my time to let go of the day and process. Music is a big part of how I tap into my emotions so depending on my mood at the end of a day, I could be jamming to Post Malone, singing at the top of my lungs to an emotional song from Wicked, or quietly taking in something classical. The second part is a long, hot shower. It’s so bad but I just love them.

Where is one place in the world you would love to see?

Austria is my ultimate travel goal. Growing up, my dad told me stories about growing up traveling in Europe and Austria was always his favorite to talk about. He showed me The Sound of Music so I could visualize it and that introduced me to one of my icons, Julie Andrews. I guess it holds a pretty sentimental place in my heart because of that…plus it truly is one of the most beautiful places. I can’t wait to run through those hills myself one day!

Do you have a dream for your career? What is it? 

My dream is to make the most of my career. I want to seize opportunities and step outside of my comfort zone. I want to inspire young veterinary professionals and be an example of what showing up and connecting with your community can do. Honestly, I’m feeling like my dream career is already right here in front of me. I get to work with some of the most wonderful people and do things I love. I’m excited to see what this year will bring.

You can join the Uncharted community and meet people like Tyler by visiting www.UnchartedVet.com and registering to for our April Conference in Greenville, SC!

We invite you to take a peek into part of what makes the Uncharted Veterinary Community so unique: our members! We sat down to interview some of the amazing people who have joined us on our amazing journey since the first conference in 2017. This week’s interview was with Dr. Louise Lango from Springville, NY! The stories of her adventures around the globe will leave you wanting more. Enjoy!

For anyone who doesn’t know you, could you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in Springville, a small town in Western New York, and started going on farm calls with the local vets while I was still in high school and got hooked on vet med. I obtained a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University and then joined the Peace Corps, where I worked with cattle farmers in Zaïre, Africa (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). 

Upon my return to the US, I moved cross country to California for vet school and I graduated from UC Davis in 1995. Then I moved back to the East Coast for a 13-month internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. I worked at a 24-hour referral practice as a general practitioner in Orchard Park, NY for 2 years before finding my veterinary home at the Concord Veterinary Center back in my home town of Springville, NY.

After 14 years as an associate vet at this 2 vet practice, my boss, who was a good friend and mentor, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in August 2012. I was left to run the practice, and 3 years after his death, I officially became the owner. I never wanted ownership, never had it on my radar screen, but here it was, dropped on my head. To not accept the mantle of ownership would have been the death of this practice, so after much soul searching, I made the commitment to my community, my staff, and myself to keep the Concord Veterinary Center alive and thriving.

So here I am, the reluctant practice owner, trying to make a go of it. Some days I struggle more than others, but with the help of the Uncharted Community, I have found a purpose, direction, vision, and network of support and encouragement that makes me a better and stronger leader every day.

I share my life with my husband of 20 years, Scott, my 19-year-old son, Alex, my 16-year-old daughter, Laurel, 2 black cats, Lily and Zoe, a Goffins cockatoo, Jake, and a Flat Coat Retriever, Lilah.

What were you looking for when you joined Uncharted?

Honestly, what I was looking for when I joined Uncharted was a life preserver, or a lifeboat, or a rescue plane to pull me from the middle of this vast, shark-infested ocean that I was treading water in. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Uncharted community, but what I found was a family who truly cares about my well-being and about each other. 

We all have significant struggles, but collectively Uncharted gives us the strength, encouragement and resources to address and overcome our problems and improve our practices and our lives. Uncharted is a lifesaver for me. 

I feel that my involvement in Uncharted brings out the best in me, and we bring out the best in each other. This is a very positive group, and not in an artificial Pollyanna way. We are all in the trenches fighting significant battles. When we give each other advice and support, it is authentic and comes from a place of true understanding and from the heart.

Who is one of your favorite people you’ve met through Uncharted and why?

There are SO MANY wonderful people in Uncharted, it’s very difficult to pick just one. Phil Zeltzman is definitely one of those wonderful people. He’s funny, smart, and most of all, he cares deeply about others. His workshops are a wealth of useful and practical information. He makes you laugh and holds you accountable for achieving your goals.

What is your current work-related goal?

There are many work-related goals that I am pursuing: work on and improve practice culture, become a Fear Free Certified Practice, increase practice revenue so that I can support my staff better, are 3 of my current goals.

What is your favorite hobby and how did you discover it? Would you recommend it to others?

I love nature and the outdoors. My husband and I enjoy birding. He is much better at it than I am but I find it very relaxing. We discovered it together when we went on an informal local birding expedition with a vet coworker and good friend who is a birding fanatic. It was actually our first date! We had a lot of fun and still enjoy it decades later. I love being able to call in barred owls and have a “conversation” with them. I highly recommend this hobby. You can do it anywhere in the world for free. Of course, you can get all kinds of fancy equipment, but all you really need are a pair of binoculars. A good ear also helps you identify birds you can’t see well in dense vegetation or woods. 

What is one thing you never thought you could do (or were afraid to try) that you’ve done since joining Uncharted? 

I am striving to become financially literate and understand my practice and personal numbers better. This is a work in progress. I have always been intimidated by financials but through the help of the Financial Masterclass taught by Stephanie Goss and Jenn Galvin, I have a base to build on and continue to grow from.

What is one thing you believe all veterinary professionals can do right now to make Vet Med even better? 

Great communication is extremely crucial to making our lives better, both in vet med and in our personal lives. Just think of how much trouble, angst, heartache, and major problems could be avoided by making sure we communicate clearly. It is very easy to miscommunicate, especially through texts and emails where there is no context of tone of voice, body language, or facial expression. William Howard Taft, 27th President of the United States and 10th Chief Justice of the United States timelessly said: “Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood.”

Tell us a story of how another Uncharted Member has helped you.

I was very fortunate to have Katie Berlin as my accountability buddy for one of Phil Zeltzman’s workshops. We faithfully called each other every week for 6 months, keeping each other on track for our personal and professional goals that we set for ourselves. I am indebted to Katie for her encouragement, strength, wisdom, perspective, and most of all for her friendship. She was a sounding board, a comforter, and an overall inspiration by all the wonderful things she was accomplishing in her life, but also by encouraging me with what I was working on or struggling with in my life. This relationship extends far beyond the workshop. Katie is a lifelong friend and we still check in with each other from time to time. 

You can join the Uncharted community and meet people like Louise by visiting www.UnchartedVet.com and registering to become a member!

Ericka Mendez, DVM

What if I told you that there is a skill set that could make you feel like a better spouse, a better parent, and a better doctor? Would you be open to hearing that? Would you be open to living that? What would it take for you to reach out and grab that helping hand to show you the way? I’ll tell you what it took for me, and it wasn’t pretty…

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Unchartedvet.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ericka Mendez is a small animal veterinarian and veterinary professional mentor on the east coast of Florida. She loves reading, teaching and writing about veterinary wellness and channels all her loves into her blog, The Purposeful Vet. She shares her life with her husband and daughter and can often be found at the beach, at a Disney park or on the couch watching Harry Potter movies.