Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is entering an exciting new chapter through a strategic partnership with Equine Care Group (ECG), bringing together two veterinarian-led organizations with a shared commitment to advancing equine medicine worldwide. In this special episode of StallSide, Dr. Deborah Spike-Pierce, CEO/President of Rood & Riddle, and Dr. Tom Mariën, CEO/Founder of Equine Care Group, talk about what the partnership means for Rood & Riddle, its clients and the broader equine community. The conversation explores the vision behind joining forces, the opportunities for greater collaboration in clinical care, research and education and how the partnership will help expand access to expertise and innovation across an international network. Most importantly, Rood & Riddle will continue to operate with the local leadership, clinical autonomy and commitment to exceptional equine care that have defined the practice for decades. Together, Rood & Riddle and ECG are building on their respective strengths while creating new opportunities to advance equine veterinary medicine for horses, clients and veterinary professionals around the world.
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Today's episode of the Stall Side Podcast is brought to you by Rood & Riddle Veterinary Pharmacy.
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Bart,
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how are you doing today?
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Today is an extra special day,
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Peter.
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Special episode of the podcast.
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We've announced that Rood & Riddle has joined forces with the Equine Care Group.
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It's a big day in our history.
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Yeah,
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absolutely.
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The Equine Care Group is a rather interesting group,
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and it's a different approach to try to keep equine veterinarians in charge of their profession.
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it is.
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They had a very unique pitch to us,
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and very like-minded individuals.
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Group of fabulous,
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wonderful practices,
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mostly in Europe right now.
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But it was very appealing to us,
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and after some time,
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we've joined forces with them.
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Yeah,
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and it's a model that actually fits with the way Rudin-Riddle sees itself,
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and what Rudin-Riddle is trying to do.
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And that sort of makes it really unique,
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because,
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you know,
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there's a lot of change in the structure of the business of equine practice at the moment.
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And this is a different model that actually keeps equine veterinarians in charge,
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and actually driving the science and the practice of equine practice forward.
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Exactly.
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And it is a unique model,
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because today,
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in the podcast with us today,
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we have the CEO and President of the company,
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Tom Marion,
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who is a veterinarian.
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And there's none of these other large groups that have at their heart and soul of a veterinarian at the helm.
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And that's something that's different here.
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So we have Tom Marion and the CEO of Rudin-Riddle Equine Hospital,
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Debbie Spike Pierce,
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who will be joining us.
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Yeah,
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well,
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let's get them in here.
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And so,
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yeah,
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on Stoolside this week,
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we're talking to Dr.
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Tom Marion,
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visionary founder of the Equine Care Group,
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and Dr.
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Debbie Spike Pierce,
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CEO of Rudin-Riddle Equine Hospital,
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to make an announcement of our joining forces.
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Tom Marion,
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welcome to Stoolside.
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thank you.
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and welcome back to Dr.
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Spike Pears.
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Marion,
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tell us a little bit about yourself.
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I'm an equine surgeon.
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I graduated in 1995 at the University of Ghent.
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Came to Rudder Hill in 1996,
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got inspired by the place here,
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by the people working here.
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Went back to Belgium,
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founded my own hospital with the name Aikitom,
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and built many,
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many years to grow that hospital,
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because you all know,
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you know,
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making a hospital is a work of your life.
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And today,
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Aikitom is the largest equine hospital in Europe.
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I always say it's the Rudder Hill of Europe.
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that's very high praise.
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Dr.
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Spike Pears,
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just remind the audience about yourself.
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obviously,
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and I am an equine veterinarian as well.
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I've been at Rudin-Riddle for 32 years,
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and I'm currently the president and CEO.
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Well,
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this is a big day for all of us around the table.
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Tom,
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tell us what brings you to us today,
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and what your vision is for the future.
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in fact,
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it was in 2018,
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there was a corporate group that wanted to buy my practice,
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and it just didn't feel very well,
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I think equine medicine should be guided,
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you know,
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directed by veterinarians and not by financial people.
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And so I decided,
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I said,
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OK,
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if financial people can make a group,
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perhaps we as veterinarians,
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you know,
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should make our own group.
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And I think in veterinary medicine we have some challenges,
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we have some problems,
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that I think we can only resolve by starting working together.
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And so I had that crazy idea to develop an own group,
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equine care group,
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a group made by veterinarians for veterinarians.
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And when I told,
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you know,
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to my people in my hospital and my wife and even my father,
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you know,
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that I wanted to found an equine care group,
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they said,
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Tom,
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you're crazy,
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you have a big hospital,
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everything is fine,
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why going to look for these problems?
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But I felt the need,
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you know,
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to do something good,
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I think,
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also to give something back to our sector.
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And so I made the jump and I founded ECG equine care group,
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it's now five years ago.
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And so in that group we create partnerships with other high-level hospitals,
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practices,
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with the goal to improve equine medicine.
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I think the only way we can do it is share our knowledge,
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share our experiences,
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And Aikidom is a big hospital,
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Rudder Hill is a big hospital.
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We have fantastic infrastructure,
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fantastic innovations,
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equipment,
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fantastic veterinarian specialists.
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And I think if we can exchange our knowledge over the Atlantic Ocean,
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you know,
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I think this makes me happy.
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And that's the reason why I'm here.
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Yeah,
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and so our philosophy has sort of been leading from the front as clinicians and doing the best by the horse.
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Debbie,
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what do we see in the ECG that makes them a natural partner for us?
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Well,
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I think we're very aligned.
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I mean,
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just what Tom just said,
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I mean,
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our whole goal has always been to try to move veterinary medicine forward and to do the best that we can do for our people and for the horse.
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And this seemed like a great opportunity to join forces and continue on.
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And the mission statements are very similar,
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correct?
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So could you talk about that?
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What is the mission of ECG?
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So the mission in ECG is to improve equine medicine.
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I think we still,
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you know,
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can learn so much.
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We are still in the beginning,
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you know,
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of equine medicine.
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And we will only arrive,
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you know,
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to the best possible medical care by working together.
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Not only like hospitals,
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big practices,
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but also,
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you know,
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nutritionists,
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fertility specialists.
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So my idea was let us create a holistic group of all these people working together.
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And another mission for me is,
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I think,
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to improve the quality of the life of equine veterinarians.
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I think for me that's very important to create,
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let's say,
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a better future for the next generation of equine veterinarians.
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And the only people who can do that are we as VETS ourselves.
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And the only way we can do it is to work together,
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to unite our forces,
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and to further professionalize,
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I think,
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our companies and our sector in general.
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You mentioned bringing in natural partners to your practice.
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What other groups,
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what other entities have you actually brought into the ECG group,
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which actually improves the overall care of the horse?
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We are very selective in our partnerships,
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you know.
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The people we partner up,
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like Ruden Riddle now,
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we need to share the same values.
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I think that's important,
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and the same vision for the future,
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like Bart mentioned.
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And so our values,
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and the values are very similar to Ruden Riddle,
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is the patient is always first,
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you know.
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I became a veterinarian because I like horses.
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They should start there.
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I like eco-medicine.
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I've never been money-driven in my life.
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I didn't become a veterinarian with the idea,
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"Okay,
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then I will be able to earn a lot of money". And even today,
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I don't have a job.
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It's my life.
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And I just had a discussion with Steve Reed,
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"Tom,
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I've never had a job in my life.
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I like what I'm doing". So that's,
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for us,
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very important.
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The horse is always first,
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and not the finances.
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Collaboration is very important.
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I think,
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you know,
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to develop a hospital like Rood & Riddle,
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collaboration is central here in your hospital.
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All these world-renowned specialists that are here,
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they work together all day.
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But if you can do that,
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not only in your practice,
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but overseas,
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you know,
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over the ocean and with other people all over the world,
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that's fantastic.
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I think innovation is also one of our values,
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and I see it also,
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when I walk here around,
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you know,
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all the MRI and CT,
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and I just had a meeting with Larry Brown,
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and he was talking about the use of exosomes now in tendon problems.
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You know,
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it's all about innovation.
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I think excellence is also a value,
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and I also see it here.
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Every day,
00:08:26.339 - 00:08:26.889
again,
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question ourselves,
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are we doing a good job?
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What can we improve,
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you know?
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Can we be satisfied every day,
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again,
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trying to move the borders of equine medicine?
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And I think we all share these same values,
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and that's the reason why they're such a good fit.
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And that's what I was driving at before,
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because the horse is central to the goals of both companies,
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and that's why it fits so well together,
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because for many of the groups that we've talked to,
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the bottom line was the goal,
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and everything that we've heard and seen,
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you guys have backed it all up,
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is that the horse is central to the plan of ECG,
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as it is with Rudin-Riddle,
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and then everything flows out from that.
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Yes.
00:09:13.500 - 00:09:17.500
And another thing for us that's very important is the autonomy.
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So if a hospital or practice joins ECG,
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if we make a partnership,
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that practice keeps completely their identity,
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their autonomy,
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Because what you see with these typical,
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more corporate financial driven groups,
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is they are focused on revenue,
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they are focused on financial results,
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and they will start cutting costs.
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And this is something we really don't want to do.
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We do not interfere at all with the practices.
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We are just there to work together.
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Once we are together,
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we start looking,
00:10:01.500 - 00:10:02.089
"Okay,
00:10:02.089 - 00:10:05.529
what can we learn from each other?" For example,
00:10:05.529 - 00:10:06.569
all surgeons,
00:10:06.569 - 00:10:07.500
they are in a WhatsApp group.
00:10:07.500 - 00:10:09.500
They have several regular meetings.
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If there is a complicated case in one hospital,
00:10:11.500 - 00:10:14.500
they will share it with the surgeons of the other hospital.
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And this makes me happy.
00:10:16.500 - 00:10:18.500
And this is with all the specializations,
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with the internal medicine,
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with the orthopedic people.
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We will organize a lot of conferences within also our group.
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And also do,
00:10:29.639 - 00:10:30.500
I think,
00:10:30.500 - 00:10:31.500
like research,
00:10:31.500 - 00:10:33.500
combined research.
00:10:33.500 - 00:10:36.500
And I think research is getting more and more expensive,
00:10:36.500 - 00:10:39.500
and there is less and less room for research,
00:10:39.500 - 00:10:40.500
even at universities.
00:10:40.500 - 00:10:43.500
So I think by combining our forces,
00:10:43.500 - 00:10:45.500
we can do combined research.
00:10:45.500 - 00:10:47.500
And who profits from that?
00:10:47.500 - 00:10:48.289
At the end,
00:10:48.289 - 00:10:49.500
it's the horse.
00:10:49.500 - 00:10:51.500
And veterinarians are naturally curious people.
00:10:51.500 - 00:10:53.500
They want to collaborate,
00:10:53.500 - 00:10:54.500
they want to do things together.
00:10:54.500 - 00:10:56.500
And you and I talked about this earlier,
00:10:56.500 - 00:10:58.500
this is the age of information.
00:10:58.500 - 00:11:03.500
And information and data is being processed in a different way,
00:11:03.500 - 00:11:06.500
and we're at a great time to do this,
00:11:06.500 - 00:11:08.500
because now we can collaborate,
00:11:08.500 - 00:11:11.500
not just across a few veterinarians or a few hospitals,
00:11:11.500 - 00:11:14.500
but across continents and countries,
00:11:14.500 - 00:11:16.500
and there's so much good that can come of it.
00:11:16.500 - 00:11:17.090
Yes,
00:11:17.090 - 00:11:18.500
and also for us,
00:11:18.500 - 00:11:19.480
it's very,
00:11:19.480 - 00:11:26.500
very valuable to see the amount of experience you have here build up through the years.
00:11:26.500 - 00:11:26.980
In Torebret,
00:11:26.980 - 00:11:27.500
for example,
00:11:27.500 - 00:11:28.500
it's amazing,
00:11:28.500 - 00:11:30.500
It's just an amazing place.
00:11:30.500 - 00:11:32.500
There's so much knowledge and experience over here.
00:11:32.500 - 00:11:34.500
And we in Europe,
00:11:34.500 - 00:11:35.500
we have a lot of experience,
00:11:35.500 - 00:11:36.500
like in sport horses,
00:11:36.500 - 00:11:37.500
jumping horses,
00:11:37.500 - 00:11:38.500
dressage horses.
00:11:38.500 - 00:11:41.500
And just the fact that we can exchange,
00:11:41.500 - 00:11:42.710
the knowledge,
00:11:42.710 - 00:11:43.500
you know,
00:11:43.500 - 00:11:44.500
between the breeds,
00:11:44.500 - 00:11:45.529
you know,
00:11:45.529 - 00:11:47.500
it's very...
00:11:47.500 - 00:11:49.500
I think it's very rewarding.
00:11:49.500 - 00:11:58.500
And I also think it will reshape the future of equine medicine and create a better future for the younger generation,
00:11:58.500 - 00:11:59.279
Because now,
00:11:59.279 - 00:12:00.500
when we are partners,
00:12:00.500 - 00:12:02.500
interns and young veterinarians,
00:12:02.500 - 00:12:02.789
you know,
00:12:02.789 - 00:12:03.139
they can go,
00:12:03.139 - 00:12:03.500
you know,
00:12:03.500 - 00:12:08.500
from the United States a few months to Europe and stay there in a hospital.
00:12:08.500 - 00:12:08.990
I think,
00:12:08.990 - 00:12:09.549
you know,
00:12:09.549 - 00:12:11.500
we never had the chance to do that.
00:12:11.500 - 00:12:16.500
So I think the future for young veterinarians in a group like ours,
00:12:16.500 - 00:12:17.169
you know,
00:12:17.169 - 00:12:18.500
it's just amazing.
00:12:18.500 - 00:12:19.500
There's lots of possibilities.
00:12:19.500 - 00:12:20.059
And Debbie,
00:12:20.059 - 00:12:21.500
Tom mentioned a couple of things that I think are important.
00:12:21.500 - 00:12:22.690
You mentioned autonomy,
00:12:22.690 - 00:12:28.500
and they talked about possibilities and opportunities for younger veterinarians.
00:12:28.500 - 00:12:31.620
But what people are going to want to know is,
00:12:31.620 - 00:12:32.500
from a day-to-day perspective,
00:12:32.500 - 00:12:38.500
what's going to be different for our employees and for our clients?
00:12:38.500 - 00:12:40.500
That there will be no difference.
00:12:40.500 - 00:12:41.500
It's not...
00:12:41.500 - 00:12:41.929
I mean,
00:12:41.929 - 00:12:44.500
we still have local autonomy where we're going to decide what we do.
00:12:44.500 - 00:12:47.500
And we all know that we have to take care of our people.
00:12:47.500 - 00:12:49.500
Our people are our biggest asset.
00:12:49.500 - 00:12:51.500
Our veterinarians as well as our staff.
00:12:51.500 - 00:12:51.919
You know,
00:12:51.919 - 00:12:56.500
to be able to provide the kind of service that we want to provide for the horse.
00:12:56.500 - 00:12:57.500
And for the clients as well.
00:12:57.500 - 00:12:59.600
This is all determined by us,
00:12:59.600 - 00:13:02.500
and we'll fluctuate how we need to fluctuate with the market.
00:13:02.500 - 00:13:03.500
But it's not...
00:13:03.500 - 00:13:06.500
It doesn't come from above and tell us,
00:13:06.500 - 00:13:06.779
you know,
00:13:06.779 - 00:13:07.500
this is what you need to do.
00:13:07.500 - 00:13:09.500
Which is very appealing.
00:13:09.500 - 00:13:10.500
Absolutely.
00:13:10.500 - 00:13:14.500
That we can still run how we always have.
00:13:14.500 - 00:13:18.500
And I am super excited about the collaborative efforts.
00:13:18.500 - 00:13:25.500
And really being able to bring expertise together from different aspects of equine veterinary medicine.
00:13:25.500 - 00:13:26.100
You know,
00:13:26.100 - 00:13:29.500
Bill built this place with the idea of being the Mayo Clinic.
00:13:29.500 - 00:13:32.500
And this truly does bring other...
00:13:32.500 - 00:13:33.500
It really diversifies us.
00:13:33.500 - 00:13:39.500
Brings other aspects of equine veterinary medicine to the table for us and also for them.
00:13:39.500 - 00:13:39.720
So,
00:13:39.720 - 00:13:40.500
very excited.
00:13:40.500 - 00:13:40.799
And,
00:13:40.799 - 00:13:41.340
you know,
00:13:41.340 - 00:13:44.500
while we as sort of a practice are actually joining this group,
00:13:44.500 - 00:13:48.500
this is also like a very individual decision as well for all of us to sort of say,
00:13:48.500 - 00:13:49.279
"Okay,
00:13:49.279 - 00:13:59.500
how do we become bigger than the sum of the parts by joining this group?" And when I look at the people that you have within this group,
00:13:59.500 - 00:14:03.500
you start to see people that sort of look like yourself from a professional standpoint.
00:14:03.500 - 00:14:03.950
You know,
00:14:03.950 - 00:14:05.500
you've sort of had the experience,
00:14:05.500 - 00:14:06.500
you've invested your time,
00:14:06.500 - 00:14:08.500
you've invested your talent.
00:14:08.500 - 00:14:11.590
And the place just oozes that ethos of,
00:14:11.590 - 00:14:17.500
"What can we do together for the betterment of the horse?" And it's really good to see a group that actually embodies that,
00:14:17.500 - 00:14:21.500
because we have been approached by other groups that did not have that philosophy,
00:14:21.500 - 00:14:24.570
They were not driven by patient care first,
00:14:24.570 - 00:14:25.309
and as you mentioned,
00:14:25.309 - 00:14:26.500
like taking care of veterinarians,
00:14:26.500 - 00:14:28.500
because if we don't take care of ourselves,
00:14:28.500 - 00:14:32.500
there are plenty of people that will actually take advantage of that.
00:14:32.500 - 00:14:34.500
And that comes back to the financial thing.
00:14:34.500 - 00:14:34.720
Yes,
00:14:34.720 - 00:14:35.500
this is a business,
00:14:35.500 - 00:14:38.500
but it's also not necessarily a way of life,
00:14:38.500 - 00:14:43.500
but it's just sort of like a professional way that you integrate with your life to say,
00:14:43.500 - 00:14:43.860
"Okay,
00:14:43.860 - 00:14:47.500
I am fulfilled by my professional opportunities that I have,
00:14:47.500 - 00:14:53.500
and the conduit is the horse". And it's good to have a group that actually all thinks that,
00:14:53.500 - 00:14:54.990
and then you start to think,
00:14:54.990 - 00:15:01.500
"What is possible when we all get together?" And it's really good to find a group that actually sees things like we do,
00:15:01.500 - 00:15:03.029
because that's why we're all here,
00:15:03.029 - 00:15:03.500
right?
00:15:03.500 - 00:15:03.990
00:15:03.990 - 00:15:05.480
and it was interesting,
00:15:05.480 - 00:15:08.500
because when Steve introduced Debbie and I to Tom,
00:15:08.500 - 00:15:10.259
my initial thought was,
00:15:10.259 - 00:15:12.500
"We've heard all this before,
00:15:12.500 - 00:15:13.500
and Steve's my friend.
00:15:13.500 - 00:15:15.500
I'm going to be nice to him.
00:15:15.500 - 00:15:17.500
He's got this guy in town.
00:15:17.500 - 00:15:19.500
I'll meet him,
00:15:19.500 - 00:15:23.500
and we'll..". But I don't know how it was for Debbie,
00:15:23.500 - 00:15:29.500
but we sat down with Tom and a couple members of his team and talked for an hour,
00:15:29.500 - 00:15:32.500
and I have to admit I was still skeptical,
00:15:32.500 - 00:15:35.240
but the door cracked a little bit,
00:15:35.240 - 00:15:36.500
and I thought,
00:15:36.500 - 00:15:40.500
"Maybe that's possible". What was that experience like for you?
00:15:40.500 - 00:15:40.950
00:15:40.950 - 00:15:43.740
when I was first approached by Dr.
00:15:43.740 - 00:15:45.500
Reed to speak to Tom,
00:15:45.500 - 00:15:46.500
I'm like,
00:15:46.500 - 00:15:47.090
"Okay,
00:15:47.090 - 00:15:47.679
Steve,
00:15:47.679 - 00:15:48.929
this is for you.
00:15:48.929 - 00:15:49.870
I will do it,
00:15:49.870 - 00:15:53.529
but only because you're asking". - And I did it for Debbie,
00:15:53.529 - 00:15:54.500
because Debbie goes,
00:15:54.500 - 00:15:57.500
"Will you please come with me?" - "Will you please come with me?" Because I didn't want to be by myself.
00:15:57.500 - 00:16:00.500
00:16:00.500 - 00:16:00.980
00:16:00.980 - 00:16:01.700
you know,
00:16:01.700 - 00:16:04.500
when we sat down and we spoke to each other,
00:16:04.500 - 00:16:04.980
just,
00:16:04.980 - 00:16:05.700
you know,
00:16:05.700 - 00:16:06.179
"Hey,
00:16:06.179 - 00:16:12.500
this is what we are intending to do and what we're doing," and really wanted us to be part of it.
00:16:12.500 - 00:16:13.000
And then,
00:16:13.000 - 00:16:13.500
you know,
00:16:13.500 - 00:16:15.500
when you really see what they're offering,
00:16:15.500 - 00:16:18.500
and for continued ownership for veterinarians as well,
00:16:18.500 - 00:16:20.500
that is huge.
00:16:20.500 - 00:16:20.860
And,
00:16:20.860 - 00:16:21.519
you know,
00:16:21.519 - 00:16:27.500
then we felt like we could still hire fantastic people and bring them to the table,
00:16:27.500 - 00:16:29.500
and we all have that same vision.
00:16:29.500 - 00:16:31.690
And it was not what I expected,
00:16:31.690 - 00:16:32.500
you know,
00:16:32.500 - 00:16:34.500
when we had that first conversation.
00:16:34.500 - 00:16:36.500
And it was great,
00:16:36.500 - 00:16:40.500
because we wanted to have more conversations and find out more.
00:16:40.500 - 00:16:44.500
And it's been very true.
00:16:44.500 - 00:16:48.500
00:16:48.500 - 00:16:50.059
with your hospitals,
00:16:50.059 - 00:16:50.799
you know,
00:16:50.799 - 00:16:53.500
also in Saratoga and in Wellington.
00:16:53.500 - 00:16:55.500
So you already had that philosophy.
00:16:55.500 - 00:16:56.549
It's just,
00:16:56.549 - 00:16:57.490
you know,
00:16:57.490 - 00:17:04.500
we brought the chance to roll that out further and make bridges to Europe and the rest of the world.
00:17:04.500 - 00:17:06.500
It just accelerates everything.
00:17:06.500 - 00:17:09.599
But you already had that mindset,
00:17:09.599 - 00:17:10.500
I think,
00:17:10.500 - 00:17:13.639
for collaboration and education also,
00:17:13.639 - 00:17:15.500
teaching young veterinarians.
00:17:15.500 - 00:17:23.500
Because Rudin-Riddell is a source of inspiration for veterinarians all over the world.
00:17:23.500 - 00:17:23.940
You know,
00:17:23.940 - 00:17:24.420
in Europe,
00:17:24.420 - 00:17:26.500
wherever I go in the world and I talk about Rudin-Riddell,
00:17:26.500 - 00:17:27.960
everybody knows Rudin-Riddell,
00:17:27.960 - 00:17:28.500
you know.
00:17:28.500 - 00:17:33.500
And so many young veterinarians did here an externship or an internship,
00:17:33.500 - 00:17:35.500
sometimes just for a week or a few weeks.
00:17:35.500 - 00:17:37.299
But it left them a very,
00:17:37.299 - 00:17:38.240
very deep,
00:17:38.240 - 00:17:39.500
deep impression.
00:17:39.500 - 00:17:42.500
And it's just amazing also for us,
00:17:42.500 - 00:17:43.500
you know,
00:17:43.500 - 00:17:46.789
that now we become real partners and we can build up,
00:17:46.789 - 00:17:47.500
you know,
00:17:47.500 - 00:17:48.500
I think,
00:17:48.500 - 00:17:50.500
an amazing future for the new generation.
00:17:50.500 - 00:17:51.400
And we will,
00:17:51.400 - 00:17:52.140
you know,
00:17:52.139 - 00:17:56.980
create a big impact on the future of eco-medicine in the United States and beyond,
00:17:56.980 - 00:17:57.500
I think.
00:17:57.500 - 00:17:58.389
Well,
00:17:58.389 - 00:17:59.440
sorry,
00:17:59.440 - 00:18:00.500
for me,
00:18:00.500 - 00:18:07.500
when I became the most excited was when we went and visited Belgium and visited the practices and we visited Ekitom.
00:18:07.500 - 00:18:09.500
You called it the Rudin-Riddell of Belgium.
00:18:09.500 - 00:18:12.500
And it is all of that.
00:18:12.500 - 00:18:13.500
It is a beautiful facility.
00:18:13.500 - 00:18:16.500
And the people are practicing at a very high level.
00:18:16.500 - 00:18:18.920
And as we walked around and we saw radiologists,
00:18:18.920 - 00:18:19.500
you know,
00:18:19.500 - 00:18:21.500
looking at radiographs and CTs.
00:18:21.500 - 00:18:24.500
And that's when it really clicked for me to go,
00:18:24.500 - 00:18:24.860
"Okay,
00:18:24.860 - 00:18:27.500
this isn't somebody who just wants to tag along with us.
00:18:27.500 - 00:18:31.860
This is an equal that wants to partner with us". And,
00:18:31.860 - 00:18:32.519
you know,
00:18:32.519 - 00:18:34.500
then the skeptical part of me,
00:18:34.500 - 00:18:34.909
we said,
00:18:34.909 - 00:18:35.269
"Okay,
00:18:35.269 - 00:18:36.500
show us all of the...
00:18:36.500 - 00:18:37.279
You know,
00:18:37.279 - 00:18:38.500
you've said this.
00:18:38.500 - 00:18:41.179
Now show us". And I think that's happened now,
00:18:41.179 - 00:18:42.500
that you have shown us.
00:18:42.500 - 00:18:42.809
Well,
00:18:42.809 - 00:18:44.029
and we saw ourselves in you,
00:18:44.029 - 00:18:44.500
right?
00:18:44.500 - 00:18:47.500
And maybe you saw yourself in us.
00:18:47.500 - 00:18:48.500
Exactly.
00:18:48.500 - 00:18:50.500
Just picking up on the partnership thing,
00:18:50.500 - 00:18:52.500
this is just not equine clinics.
00:18:52.500 - 00:18:58.500
There are other aspects to this group which are very important and sort of foundational to the ethos of doing the best for the horse.
00:18:58.500 - 00:19:00.500
Would you like to elaborate on those?
00:19:00.500 - 00:19:01.500
Yes.
00:19:01.500 - 00:19:02.099
So,
00:19:02.099 - 00:19:03.500
you know,
00:19:03.500 - 00:19:06.500
this year I'm 30 years an equine surgeon.
00:19:06.500 - 00:19:08.740
And I build up Aikidom and you can say,
00:19:08.740 - 00:19:09.089
Tom,
00:19:09.089 - 00:19:10.500
you have everything,
00:19:10.500 - 00:19:11.500
you know,
00:19:11.500 - 00:19:12.500
you made your life.
00:19:12.500 - 00:19:13.769
But I was frustrated,
00:19:13.769 - 00:19:14.500
you know.
00:19:14.500 - 00:19:18.500
I was frustrated because I saw too much competition between veterinarians,
00:19:18.500 - 00:19:19.500
between hospitals.
00:19:19.500 - 00:19:22.500
Definitely in Belgium and in Europe there's a lot of competition.
00:19:22.500 - 00:19:29.500
And I saw also that the level of equine medicine was so different between the countries.
00:19:29.500 - 00:19:30.279
For example,
00:19:30.279 - 00:19:31.690
in the southern countries,
00:19:31.690 - 00:19:32.589
Spain and Italy,
00:19:32.589 - 00:19:33.500
it's much lower than,
00:19:33.500 - 00:19:34.490
for example,
00:19:34.490 - 00:19:35.500
in Belgium.
00:19:35.500 - 00:19:37.500
And I always...
00:19:37.500 - 00:19:38.480
In Europe,
00:19:38.480 - 00:19:39.500
for example,
00:19:39.500 - 00:19:43.410
every day there are horses euthanized that should not be euthanized because the vets,
00:19:43.410 - 00:19:46.500
they are not aware that there is a solution for these horses.
00:19:46.500 - 00:19:50.769
So I was always frustrated by that and I thought to myself,
00:19:50.769 - 00:19:52.500
what can I do to improve equine medicine,
00:19:52.500 - 00:19:53.500
you know.
00:19:53.500 - 00:19:57.500
And so my idea was let us create a holistic model,
00:19:57.500 - 00:19:59.650
a group where not only hospitals,
00:19:59.650 - 00:20:01.500
but also the vets on the road,
00:20:01.500 - 00:20:02.089
you know,
00:20:02.089 - 00:20:03.180
they are involved,
00:20:03.180 - 00:20:05.069
but also equine nutritionists,
00:20:05.069 - 00:20:06.500
fertility specialists,
00:20:06.500 - 00:20:08.500
even nutrition companies,
00:20:08.500 - 00:20:09.500
laboratories.
00:20:09.500 - 00:20:16.599
So my idea was let us bring all high-quality equine healthcare specialists,
00:20:16.599 - 00:20:17.339
you know,
00:20:17.339 - 00:20:20.549
together in one group and let them work all together,
00:20:20.549 - 00:20:21.240
you know,
00:20:21.240 - 00:20:25.500
because this is something that's not available at this moment.
00:20:25.500 - 00:20:27.500
I think even in human medicine it's a little bit of a problem.
00:20:27.500 - 00:20:29.069
You get all these silos,
00:20:29.069 - 00:20:29.500
you know.
00:20:29.500 - 00:20:35.500
And I think if we want to deliver high-quality medicine and high-quality medical services,
00:20:35.500 - 00:20:36.589
we have to integrate,
00:20:36.589 - 00:20:37.099
you know,
00:20:37.099 - 00:20:39.500
all these people and let them work together.
00:20:39.500 - 00:20:41.210
And it showed to be a big,
00:20:41.210 - 00:20:41.619
big,
00:20:41.619 - 00:20:42.630
big success,
00:20:42.630 - 00:20:44.500
because now for the first time,
00:20:44.500 - 00:20:48.769
all these people are working together around one horse,
00:20:48.769 - 00:20:49.500
you know.
00:20:49.500 - 00:20:55.500
And so the fact that all these people share their knowledges between these different divisions,
00:20:55.500 - 00:20:58.710
the level of equine healthcare goes up enormously,
00:20:58.710 - 00:20:59.500
you know.
00:20:59.500 - 00:20:59.809
Yeah,
00:20:59.809 - 00:21:02.500
and that's one thing that I was really interested in the group,
00:21:02.500 - 00:21:04.500
is that the nutritional focus in the group,
00:21:04.500 - 00:21:06.500
because it's a fairly ancient philosophy,
00:21:06.500 - 00:21:07.930
and I think we've forgotten it,
00:21:07.930 - 00:21:08.980
that food is medicine,
00:21:08.980 - 00:21:09.500
right?
00:21:09.500 - 00:21:14.500
And so talk about ECG's focus on the nutritional part of the group.
00:21:14.500 - 00:21:16.500
So we see at Aikido,
00:21:16.500 - 00:21:21.500
we see every day horses coming in with feet-related problems,
00:21:21.500 - 00:21:25.500
so many diseases as we see in human beings.
00:21:25.500 - 00:21:26.849
And instead of always,
00:21:26.849 - 00:21:27.450
you know,
00:21:27.450 - 00:21:28.500
treating them,
00:21:28.500 - 00:21:28.819
we said,
00:21:28.819 - 00:21:29.059
okay,
00:21:29.059 - 00:21:29.500
we should,
00:21:29.500 - 00:21:29.819
you know,
00:21:29.819 - 00:21:30.500
go to the source.
00:21:30.500 - 00:21:31.440
You know,
00:21:31.440 - 00:21:35.500
we should invest as veterinarians in better nutrition,
00:21:35.500 - 00:21:37.500
in high-quality supplements,
00:21:37.500 - 00:21:38.500
in prevention,
00:21:38.500 - 00:21:39.059
in giving,
00:21:39.059 - 00:21:39.500
you know,
00:21:39.500 - 00:21:40.500
people good advice.
00:21:40.500 - 00:21:44.500
So we hired some board-certified nutritionists,
00:21:44.500 - 00:21:47.500
and we started looking at equine nutrition in depth.
00:21:47.500 - 00:21:52.500
And then we could convince some high-quality partners in Europe.
00:21:52.500 - 00:21:53.500
And at this moment,
00:21:53.500 - 00:21:56.990
we have nine supplement and feed companies in Belgium that,
00:21:56.990 - 00:21:57.730
you know,
00:21:57.730 - 00:21:59.500
that joined our cause.
00:21:59.500 - 00:22:00.000
And also,
00:22:00.000 - 00:22:01.500
for the first time in history,
00:22:01.500 - 00:22:03.500
these companies,
00:22:03.500 - 00:22:04.640
there is one company in Ireland,
00:22:04.640 - 00:22:05.000
in Italy,
00:22:05.000 - 00:22:05.500
in Germany,
00:22:05.500 - 00:22:06.500
you know,
00:22:06.500 - 00:22:08.500
the Netherlands.
00:22:08.500 - 00:22:09.279
Historically,
00:22:09.279 - 00:22:11.500
they were all in competition against each other,
00:22:11.500 - 00:22:13.500
always fighting against each other.
00:22:13.500 - 00:22:14.089
And now,
00:22:14.089 - 00:22:15.500
they all work together.
00:22:15.500 - 00:22:16.009
You know,
00:22:16.009 - 00:22:17.500
we developed a scientific hub,
00:22:17.500 - 00:22:21.500
where we have the scientists of every company sitting together.
00:22:21.500 - 00:22:22.069
And now,
00:22:22.069 - 00:22:23.500
when we need a new product,
00:22:23.500 - 00:22:28.500
all these people are working together to develop the best possible product.
00:22:28.500 - 00:22:29.950
And they even work now together,
00:22:29.950 - 00:22:30.500
of course,
00:22:30.500 - 00:22:33.500
with all the vets in the hospitals and in the practices.
00:22:33.500 - 00:22:33.940
You know,
00:22:33.940 - 00:22:35.019
if somebody has the need,
00:22:35.019 - 00:22:35.500
you know,
00:22:35.500 - 00:22:40.500
of a good product to support a certain disease or to prevent a disease,
00:22:40.500 - 00:22:41.500
it can be developed.
00:22:41.500 - 00:22:41.920
So,
00:22:41.920 - 00:22:47.500
there are direct lines between all these healthcare professionals.
00:22:47.500 - 00:22:49.690
And what you get then is firework,
00:22:49.690 - 00:22:50.500
you know.
00:22:50.500 - 00:22:51.990
You get innovation,
00:22:51.990 - 00:22:54.500
you get development of new products.
00:22:54.500 - 00:22:56.500
And that really makes me happy.
00:22:56.500 - 00:22:56.869
Yeah,
00:22:56.869 - 00:22:59.500
we're all a lot better off when we work together,
00:22:59.500 - 00:23:00.500
and stuff like that.
00:23:00.500 - 00:23:00.819
So,
00:23:00.819 - 00:23:03.500
you had a great thing going in Europe.
00:23:03.500 - 00:23:06.500
Why come to the United States?
00:23:09.500 - 00:23:16.500
I think that the reason why I'm here is I due my career to you.
00:23:16.500 - 00:23:18.500
And I mentioned before,
00:23:18.500 - 00:23:20.630
First I worked at the university,
00:23:20.630 - 00:23:23.500
and then I came to a big conference in the United States.
00:23:23.500 - 00:23:25.500
And there I met Steve Freed.
00:23:25.500 - 00:23:27.500
I was 25 years old.
00:23:27.500 - 00:23:29.779
And Steve is such an accessible person,
00:23:29.779 - 00:23:30.500
you know.
00:23:30.500 - 00:23:33.500
I admire him so much,
00:23:33.500 - 00:23:36.500
Not only for the great person he is,
00:23:36.500 - 00:23:38.500
but that he's such a great professional,
00:23:38.500 - 00:23:40.500
He's known all over the world.
00:23:40.500 - 00:23:41.869
And you can just talk with him,
00:23:41.869 - 00:23:42.339
you know,
00:23:42.339 - 00:23:43.500
like a normal person.
00:23:43.500 - 00:23:44.279
And he said to me,
00:23:44.279 - 00:23:44.500
Tom,
00:23:44.500 - 00:23:45.500
after the conference,
00:23:45.500 - 00:23:46.500
come with me to Ohio State,
00:23:46.500 - 00:23:47.809
Stay with us and learn,
00:23:47.809 - 00:23:48.500
you know.
00:23:48.500 - 00:23:49.960
In Europe it would be impossible,
00:23:49.960 - 00:23:50.500
you know.
00:23:50.500 - 00:23:52.569
There were all these big ego professors,
00:23:52.569 - 00:23:53.500
and you couldn't talk with them.
00:23:53.500 - 00:23:55.500
And Steve was so accessible.
00:23:55.500 - 00:23:57.089
And then Steve told to me,
00:23:57.089 - 00:23:57.500
Tom,
00:23:57.500 - 00:23:59.500
there is one place you need to go.
00:23:59.500 - 00:24:00.069
I said,
00:24:00.069 - 00:24:00.500
OK.
00:24:00.500 - 00:24:02.500
You need to go to Renneril.
00:24:02.500 - 00:24:02.859
He said,
00:24:02.859 - 00:24:03.160
yeah,
00:24:03.160 - 00:24:03.440
but OK,
00:24:03.440 - 00:24:04.500
how can I go to Renneril?
00:24:04.500 - 00:24:05.500
I will call him.
00:24:05.500 - 00:24:06.769
So Steve called here,
00:24:06.769 - 00:24:07.369
you know,
00:24:07.369 - 00:24:08.500
and I could come.
00:24:08.500 - 00:24:10.500
And that's where everything started.
00:24:10.500 - 00:24:12.500
And so if you saw Aikido,
00:24:12.500 - 00:24:13.500
you visit Aikido.
00:24:13.500 - 00:24:17.500
It's like a copy of Renneril.
00:24:17.500 - 00:24:18.529
And for me,
00:24:18.529 - 00:24:19.500
you know,
00:24:19.500 - 00:24:19.950
this is,
00:24:19.950 - 00:24:20.500
besides,
00:24:20.500 - 00:24:21.500
you know,
00:24:21.500 - 00:24:24.500
marrying my wife and getting my two children,
00:24:24.500 - 00:24:26.789
this is the most beautiful day in my life,
00:24:26.789 - 00:24:27.500
you know.
00:24:27.500 - 00:24:29.500
After 30 years,
00:24:29.500 - 00:24:30.009
to become,
00:24:30.009 - 00:24:30.500
you know,
00:24:30.500 - 00:24:33.500
partner with the hospital that I admired,
00:24:33.500 - 00:24:36.500
I still admire the most in my life.
00:24:36.500 - 00:24:37.170
Because,
00:24:37.170 - 00:24:38.500
like we said before,
00:24:38.500 - 00:24:39.009
you know,
00:24:39.009 - 00:24:40.500
we are doing the same things,
00:24:40.500 - 00:24:41.500
we have the same vision,
00:24:41.500 - 00:24:42.500
we have the same goals,
00:24:42.500 - 00:24:47.500
It's like improving equine medicine and education,
00:24:47.500 - 00:24:47.910
I think,
00:24:47.910 - 00:24:48.500
for Renneril.
00:24:48.500 - 00:24:49.650
It always has been very,
00:24:49.650 - 00:24:50.500
very important,
00:24:50.500 - 00:24:51.089
you know,
00:24:51.089 - 00:24:51.500
I think,
00:24:51.500 - 00:24:53.279
inspiring young people and sharing,
00:24:53.279 - 00:24:53.779
you know,
00:24:53.779 - 00:24:54.500
what we can.
00:24:54.500 - 00:24:56.500
So if we can do that together,
00:24:56.500 - 00:24:57.500
then I think,
00:24:57.500 - 00:24:58.500
you know,
00:24:58.500 - 00:25:00.279
when I'm getting older and when I'm,
00:25:00.279 - 00:25:00.799
you know,
00:25:00.799 - 00:25:02.500
at the end and I want to look back and say,
00:25:02.500 - 00:25:02.769
"OK,
00:25:02.769 - 00:25:03.910
I did something good",
00:25:03.910 - 00:25:04.500
you know,
00:25:04.500 - 00:25:09.500
"I created some impact" and that's what we are doing here.
00:25:09.500 - 00:25:17.500
So anybody that's listening to this will actually get the impression that we're all very excited about the future.
00:25:17.500 - 00:25:17.900
Devi,
00:25:17.900 - 00:25:18.430
for you,
00:25:18.430 - 00:25:20.500
we have a lot of industry partners,
00:25:20.500 - 00:25:27.500
we have a lot of clients and they're going to be asking why we've made this move.
00:25:27.500 - 00:25:30.500
I think we've explained a lot of this is a natural partnership for us.
00:25:30.500 - 00:25:32.500
What are you going to say to people?
00:25:32.500 - 00:25:33.500
What's your elevator speech to say?
00:25:33.500 - 00:25:36.500
Why is ECG our natural partner?
00:25:36.500 - 00:25:39.500
Why is this a great day for our practice?
00:25:39.500 - 00:25:39.900
Well,
00:25:39.900 - 00:25:51.500
I really think it's the future of our practice and that's what we need to look out for is our people that are coming in and to continue to take care of them and this is a group that is going to do that.
00:25:51.500 - 00:25:53.690
Not only is it the people,
00:25:53.690 - 00:26:00.500
but also the research and the collaboration that it's going to take to continue to move the needle forward.
00:26:00.500 - 00:26:02.500
That's always been top of our mind.
00:26:02.500 - 00:26:08.500
Let's figure out how we can do something better or what are our results and what do we need to do to change those results?
00:26:08.500 - 00:26:10.069
And those things,
00:26:10.069 - 00:26:12.500
I think the more global we get,
00:26:12.500 - 00:26:21.500
the only better information that we're going to have to put forward to the horses and the benefit is to the client as well,
00:26:21.500 - 00:26:22.500
not just the horse,
00:26:22.500 - 00:26:23.500
but to let them know.
00:26:23.500 - 00:26:26.690
And when you see the corporate structure of ECG,
00:26:26.690 - 00:26:28.500
you do see the veterinary clinics,
00:26:28.500 - 00:26:30.519
you see the ambulatory practices,
00:26:30.519 - 00:26:31.500
the fertility,
00:26:31.500 - 00:26:32.500
the labs,
00:26:32.500 - 00:26:33.500
the nutrition companies,
00:26:33.500 - 00:26:35.539
but right there in the middle,
00:26:35.539 - 00:26:37.500
there's a block for research.
00:26:37.500 - 00:26:41.500
And that didn't go missed by us,
00:26:41.500 - 00:26:43.500
that there's a reinvestment.
00:26:43.500 - 00:26:48.500
It's in the practices and specifically in the horse.
00:26:48.500 - 00:26:51.500
And I think that's so important that we can...
00:26:51.500 - 00:26:52.500
that's something we can get on board with.
00:26:52.500 - 00:26:53.089
Yeah,
00:26:53.089 - 00:26:53.890
and again,
00:26:53.890 - 00:26:55.690
this is what we would do,
00:26:55.690 - 00:26:56.500
right?
00:26:56.500 - 00:26:57.500
Right?
00:26:57.500 - 00:26:59.500
This is what we would do.
00:26:59.500 - 00:27:05.500
But this actually accelerates our ability to do it by actually partnering with ECG.
00:27:05.500 - 00:27:05.720
Well,
00:27:05.720 - 00:27:07.500
and we talked about doing something like this ourselves.
00:27:07.500 - 00:27:09.069
And then when we talked to Tom,
00:27:09.069 - 00:27:09.500
we go,
00:27:09.500 - 00:27:10.500
why would we recreate that?
00:27:10.500 - 00:27:13.500
Here's the blueprint.
00:27:13.500 - 00:27:15.500
Here's some people that are already doing something.
00:27:15.500 - 00:27:18.500
They're years and years ahead of us.
00:27:18.500 - 00:27:20.500
And so we jumped on board.
00:27:20.500 - 00:27:24.500
And also I think we have more financial resources now to do research.
00:27:24.500 - 00:27:27.680
Because also the nutrition companies and the supplement companies,
00:27:27.680 - 00:27:28.500
you know,
00:27:28.500 - 00:27:31.500
they sponsor the research.
00:27:31.500 - 00:27:37.500
And I think also it makes much more sense to do research centrally,
00:27:37.500 - 00:27:38.349
you know,
00:27:38.349 - 00:27:39.500
combined research.
00:27:39.500 - 00:27:41.029
Because we will have more cases,
00:27:41.029 - 00:27:42.519
we will have more specialists,
00:27:42.519 - 00:27:43.500
better insights.
00:27:43.500 - 00:27:45.190
So it will be a big,
00:27:45.190 - 00:27:46.240
you know,
00:27:46.240 - 00:27:48.500
boost for innovation.
00:27:48.500 - 00:27:49.930
And it's all about innovation,
00:27:49.930 - 00:27:50.500
you know.
00:27:50.500 - 00:27:51.759
If you see how medicine,
00:27:51.759 - 00:27:52.299
you know,
00:27:52.299 - 00:27:55.500
evolved the last years through innovation,
00:27:55.500 - 00:27:56.690
in diagnostic imaging,
00:27:56.690 - 00:27:58.089
in regenerative therapies,
00:27:58.089 - 00:27:58.500
etc.
00:27:58.500 - 00:27:59.539
And we should really,
00:27:59.539 - 00:28:00.029
you know,
00:28:00.029 - 00:28:01.500
be on the forefront of that.
00:28:01.500 - 00:28:02.619
And again,
00:28:02.619 - 00:28:03.589
you know,
00:28:03.589 - 00:28:06.500
we vets and mainly the horses,
00:28:06.500 - 00:28:07.009
you know,
00:28:07.009 - 00:28:08.500
they will profit from it.
00:28:08.500 - 00:28:10.369
Because we will get better therapies,
00:28:10.369 - 00:28:11.500
better diagnostics,
00:28:11.500 - 00:28:12.730
you know,
00:28:12.730 - 00:28:14.500
and a better well-being of the horse.
00:28:14.500 - 00:28:14.960
Yeah,
00:28:14.960 - 00:28:16.500
and part of this group,
00:28:16.500 - 00:28:18.500
as you've mentioned before,
00:28:18.500 - 00:28:19.500
is not to be the biggest,
00:28:19.500 - 00:28:23.500
but it's actually to sort of provide the highest level of care.
00:28:23.500 - 00:28:29.500
What message do you have for the equine industry in the United States?
00:28:29.500 - 00:28:33.500
And especially veterinary practices that will look at this and sort of say,
00:28:33.500 - 00:28:35.750
how is this model unique,
00:28:35.750 - 00:28:39.500
and how could we partner with this group?
00:28:39.500 - 00:28:42.500
What is your message to people that are asking that question?
00:28:42.500 - 00:28:43.279
I think,
00:28:43.279 - 00:28:44.049
you know,
00:28:44.049 - 00:28:46.500
when we discussed our values,
00:28:46.500 - 00:28:47.500
you know,
00:28:47.500 - 00:28:49.500
we discussed our vision and our mission,
00:28:49.500 - 00:28:51.500
where we want to go to,
00:28:51.500 - 00:28:54.500
and I think if that resonates with you,
00:28:54.500 - 00:28:56.500
if you have these values,
00:28:56.500 - 00:29:00.500
then I think you can become an interesting partner for us.
00:29:00.500 - 00:29:01.279
But for us,
00:29:01.279 - 00:29:01.910
you know,
00:29:01.910 - 00:29:04.500
these are the fundaments of the group.
00:29:04.500 - 00:29:05.980
If you don't share these values,
00:29:05.980 - 00:29:07.500
the horse is not always first.
00:29:07.500 - 00:29:08.339
If you're not,
00:29:08.339 - 00:29:08.910
you know,
00:29:08.910 - 00:29:12.500
chasing innovation and chasing the best possible care every day,
00:29:12.500 - 00:29:16.500
then you will not probably be a right fit for us.
00:29:16.500 - 00:29:18.500
We don't want to become the biggest group.
00:29:18.500 - 00:29:21.500
I think it's not our goal.
00:29:21.500 - 00:29:26.789
We just want to create a group where similar-minded,
00:29:26.789 - 00:29:33.779
ambitious veterinarians find energy between each other and want to build,
00:29:33.779 - 00:29:34.440
I think,
00:29:34.440 - 00:29:35.500
a better future.
00:29:35.500 - 00:29:41.279
And we want to roll that out worldwide because we already have partners also in Brazil,
00:29:41.279 - 00:29:42.500
for example.
00:29:42.500 - 00:29:44.500
But we are not in a hurry.
00:29:44.500 - 00:29:46.839
If this resonates to someone,
00:29:46.839 - 00:29:47.670
they say,
00:29:47.670 - 00:29:48.150
"OK,
00:29:48.150 - 00:29:48.549
wow,
00:29:48.549 - 00:29:55.500
that's interesting". They can contact you or they contact me and we can discuss.
00:29:55.500 - 00:30:04.500
But I truly think it's a great opportunity for a lot of veterinarians to get out of their isolation also a little bit.
00:30:04.500 - 00:30:05.500
Even at Equitome,
00:30:05.500 - 00:30:06.859
I felt a little bit alone,
00:30:06.859 - 00:30:07.500
you know,
00:30:07.500 - 00:30:09.500
and I was a little bit limited.
00:30:09.500 - 00:30:11.170
I had so many still dreams,
00:30:11.170 - 00:30:12.559
but alone you cannot,
00:30:12.559 - 00:30:15.500
because we are all very busy in our practices,
00:30:15.500 - 00:30:19.500
we cannot always realize our dreams because we are too busy.
00:30:19.500 - 00:30:22.339
But if we combine our forces,
00:30:22.339 - 00:30:27.500
we can realize much more and create much more impact.
00:30:27.500 - 00:30:28.279
And Debbie,
00:30:28.279 - 00:30:36.750
what's going to be your message to other equine practices in this country as to why we joined this group and the vision that we see for the future,
00:30:36.750 - 00:30:38.230
not only of our practice,
00:30:38.230 - 00:30:40.500
but also the wider equine profession?
00:30:40.500 - 00:30:41.119
Well,
00:30:41.119 - 00:30:49.500
I think it's a group that is very unique and it really sets apart from what other groups that there are out there.
00:30:49.500 - 00:30:49.950
Obviously,
00:30:49.950 - 00:30:51.690
we have spoken with other ones over the years,
00:30:51.690 - 00:30:54.500
and this is the first one and the only one,
00:30:54.500 - 00:30:55.500
frankly,
00:30:55.500 - 00:30:57.359
that really aligned with,
00:30:57.359 - 00:30:58.079
you know,
00:30:58.079 - 00:31:04.500
to continue to push veterinary medicine forward to continue to bring young veterinarians in and take care of them.
00:31:04.500 - 00:31:08.500
And I think that is really what is going to be key.
00:31:08.500 - 00:31:08.970
You know,
00:31:08.970 - 00:31:10.019
this next generation,
00:31:10.019 - 00:31:13.500
they're far more collaborative than what we have been.
00:31:13.500 - 00:31:16.670
And they're going to continue to push it forward,
00:31:16.670 - 00:31:20.500
and it's going to continue to get larger through that.
00:31:20.500 - 00:31:22.500
We're going to bring a lot more information up there.
00:31:22.500 - 00:31:22.950
And Peter,
00:31:22.950 - 00:31:24.069
this isn't a brand new group,
00:31:24.069 - 00:31:24.500
right?
00:31:24.500 - 00:31:28.500
It's been in existence for a number of years.
00:31:28.500 - 00:31:34.500
And one of the first things that we did is we met with some of the members of these practices.
00:31:34.500 - 00:31:35.130
We go,
00:31:35.130 - 00:31:35.859
"Okay,
00:31:35.859 - 00:31:38.500
Tom's telling us one thing.
00:31:38.500 - 00:31:40.500
We want to see it in practice.
00:31:40.500 - 00:31:45.509
How does this exist in reality?" And to a person,
00:31:45.509 - 00:31:49.500
they all said that they had the same apprehensions that we had.
00:31:49.500 - 00:31:51.500
They had the same concerns that we had.
00:31:51.500 - 00:31:52.559
And just over time,
00:31:52.559 - 00:31:53.609
those evaporated,
00:31:53.609 - 00:31:56.500
and their lives and their practices became better.
00:31:56.500 - 00:31:56.950
Yeah,
00:31:56.950 - 00:32:02.500
and it's not a common thing in this world to find people that walk the talk,
00:32:02.500 - 00:32:03.500
right?
00:32:03.500 - 00:32:05.500
You actually embody what you say.
00:32:05.500 - 00:32:06.500
Yes.
00:32:06.500 - 00:32:09.500
And it's all the way through the organization.
00:32:09.500 - 00:32:11.089
Everybody we've met,
00:32:11.089 - 00:32:17.500
everybody is very passionate about the concept and very passionate about the horse.
00:32:17.500 - 00:32:22.500
And marrying that together has just really built something special.
00:32:22.500 - 00:32:22.849
Dr.
00:32:22.849 - 00:32:23.759
Spike Pearce,
00:32:23.759 - 00:32:26.500
thank you for your time on the podcast today.
00:32:26.500 - 00:32:30.500
Anything you'd like to say to the audience before we wrap it up?
00:32:30.500 - 00:32:30.720
No,
00:32:30.720 - 00:32:32.500
I'm just excited about our future.
00:32:32.500 - 00:32:33.500
Really am.
00:32:33.500 - 00:32:38.500
Excited about the future of equine veterinary medicine and of equine care group.
00:32:38.500 - 00:32:38.809
Dr.
00:32:38.809 - 00:32:39.329
Marion,
00:32:39.329 - 00:32:40.500
any closing words?
00:32:40.500 - 00:32:41.079
Well,
00:32:41.079 - 00:32:42.140
I just hope,
00:32:42.140 - 00:32:43.009
you know,
00:32:43.009 - 00:32:47.500
we inspire people over the United States,
00:32:47.500 - 00:32:48.339
clients,
00:32:48.339 - 00:32:48.500
owners,
00:32:48.500 - 00:32:49.900
because I truly think,
00:32:49.900 - 00:32:50.529
you know,
00:32:50.529 - 00:32:51.869
we do something very,
00:32:51.869 - 00:32:52.500
very well.
00:32:52.500 - 00:32:58.150
And I think equine medicine is a fantastic job,
00:32:58.150 - 00:32:59.500
I think.
00:32:59.500 - 00:33:04.500
And sometimes I think they discourage young veterinarians to become,
00:33:04.500 - 00:33:05.500
you know,
00:33:05.500 - 00:33:07.750
equine veterinarian because it's too tough or,
00:33:07.750 - 00:33:08.240
you know,
00:33:08.240 - 00:33:09.670
people aren't paid very well,
00:33:09.670 - 00:33:10.150
etc.,
00:33:10.150 - 00:33:10.500
etc.
00:33:10.500 - 00:33:11.339
But I think,
00:33:11.339 - 00:33:12.009
you know,
00:33:12.009 - 00:33:13.500
times are changing.
00:33:13.500 - 00:33:18.500
I think our sector is much more mature at this moment.
00:33:18.500 - 00:33:22.480
And that we can have a good quality life,
00:33:22.480 - 00:33:23.500
I think,
00:33:23.500 - 00:33:25.500
in a good organization.
00:33:25.500 - 00:33:27.990
Also for the female veterinarians,
00:33:27.990 - 00:33:29.500
I think it's possible.
00:33:29.500 - 00:33:30.279
And I think,
00:33:30.279 - 00:33:30.920
you know,
00:33:30.920 - 00:33:34.500
these type of partnerships we create here really will be,
00:33:34.500 - 00:33:35.500
you know,
00:33:35.500 - 00:33:36.500
give another future.
00:33:36.500 - 00:33:40.720
Because what young veterinarians want is collaboration,
00:33:40.720 - 00:33:41.500
I think.
00:33:41.500 - 00:33:43.500
They also want good communication.
00:33:43.500 - 00:33:48.180
And I think we made some errors in the past,
00:33:48.180 - 00:33:49.500
you know.
00:33:49.500 - 00:33:53.500
We also incentive in our groups young veterinarians.
00:33:53.500 - 00:33:54.619
And I think this is very,
00:33:54.619 - 00:33:55.500
very important.
00:33:55.500 - 00:34:01.500
And to come to work in an environment like Roon & Reel with all these inspiring people,
00:34:01.500 - 00:34:01.880
you know,
00:34:01.880 - 00:34:02.500
it's a dream.
00:34:02.500 - 00:34:05.640
It's a dream for young veterinarians.
00:34:05.640 - 00:34:09.349
Now with this transatlantic collaboration,
00:34:09.349 - 00:34:11.500
the dream is even bigger.
00:34:11.500 - 00:34:11.829
Dr.
00:34:11.829 - 00:34:12.680
Spike Pearce,
00:34:12.680 - 00:34:14.500
thanks for your time today.
00:34:14.500 - 00:34:15.079
And Dr.
00:34:15.079 - 00:34:15.829
Tom Marion,
00:34:15.829 - 00:34:18.500
this has been a fascinating conversation.
00:34:18.500 - 00:34:20.500
And that was Stoolside for this week.
00:34:20.500 - 00:34:21.699
We've been with Dr.
00:34:21.699 - 00:34:22.559
Spike Pearce,
00:34:22.559 - 00:34:24.500
CEO of Roon & Reel Equine Hospital,
00:34:24.500 - 00:34:25.029
and Dr.
00:34:25.029 - 00:34:25.769
Tom Marion,
00:34:25.769 - 00:34:28.500
visionary founder of the Equine Care Group.
00:34:28.500 - 00:34:32.500
We are very much looking forward to the partnership in the future,
00:34:32.500 - 00:34:34.150
with our groups together,
00:34:34.150 - 00:34:36.500
advancing the cause of equine care.
00:34:36.500 - 00:34:37.500
And that was Stoolside for this week.
00:34:37.500 - 00:34:39.500
See you next time.