Missed the live session? Watch the replay of the Veterinary Mental Health & Well-being Expert Panel, part of the Veterinary Business Institute’s Annual Expert Panel Webinar Series.
This one-hour session brings together leading experts in veterinary mental health and well-being to help veterinarians, practice owners, managers, and support staff navigate the unique emotional challenges of the profession. Learn how to combat burnout, manage compassion fatigue, and create a supportive work environment where mental well-being thrives.
This session is essential for veterinary professionals looking to improve mental resilience, enhance workplace well-being, and sustain long-term career fulfillment. Gain expert insights and actionable strategies to support yourself and your team in a demanding industry.
Founder & CEO, Melyssa with a WHY | Lifestyle Medicine Coach
Founder & CEO, Veterinary Well-Being Buddy
Melyssa Allen is a double board-certified lifestyle medicine professional and health and wellness coach and holds her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She specializes in using therapeutic lifestyle interventions to coach veterinary professionals on adopting health-promoting habits that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With a diverse background as an animal trainer, mental health professional, and health & wellness coach, Melyssa has had the privilege of working with various populations, including first responders, combat veterans, cancer patients, survivors, and healthcare workers.
Melyssa contributed a chapter titled Prioritizing Well-Being for Healthcare Professionals in the textbook Mental Health and Wellness in Healthcare Workers: Identifying Risks, Prevention, and Treatment, showcasing her dedication to addressing unique challenges in the healthcare sector after working at local hospitals providing support to their healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. During the COVID pandemic, Melyssa recognized the need for more support resources in veterinary medicine, given the unique occupational challenges faced within the industry. With her personal connection to the veterinary industry from her time as an animal trainer, Melyssa draws on her training in mental health, well-being coaching, and lifestyle medicine to provide comprehensive well-being solutions for veterinary professionals, teams, and organizations. Melyssa is the author of Healthy Living Doesn’t Have to SUCK and published a guided Well-Being Buddy Journal series available on Amazon.
Mindset & Leadership Coach | AVMA Wellbeing Educator
Founder, Dr. Jennifer Edwards Coaching
Dr. Jennifer Edwards is a dedicated veterinarian, executive coach, and motivational speaker with over two decades of experience in veterinary medicine and leadership development. Based in Bedford, New Hampshire, she has a passion for empowering veterinarians and professional women to overcome obstacles and achieve sustainable, life-changing results.
As the founder of Dr. Jennifer Edwards Coaching, she specializes in mindset and leadership coaching, helping individuals unlock their personal power, happiness, and freedom. She is a sought-after speaker, inspiring audiences with her expertise in personal and professional growth.Dr. Edwards has an extensive background in veterinary medicine, having served as Chief of Staff and Owner of Ponemah Veterinary Hospital for nearly 14 years. She has also worked as an Associate Veterinarian at Derry Animal Hospital and Lockridge Animal Hospital and currently serves as a Relief Veterinarian in New Hampshire.
Her credentials include multiple coaching certifications, including:
Dr. Edwards holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and has pursued extensive training in leadership and coaching, earning certifications from iPEC Coaching, The Canfield Training Group, and The Morter Institute.With expertise in executive coaching, leadership development, and mentoring, Dr. Edwards continues to make an impact by fostering resilience, confidence, and success in veterinary professionals and beyond.
PIMS Director, VetmEDUcate, Mental Health Advocate FlareVet, FREE Non-clinical Careers Coach (NCVC), Advisor, VetRec & Strata, Blogger, The Digital DVM
Dr. Mark Massaro was born and raised in south Jersey and comes from a family of veterinarians. His parents have owned and operated Village Veterinary Hospital in Medford, NJ for over 30 years, where his older brother now serves as head veterinarian. Like Dr. Torre, he graduated from Shawnee High School, and then went on to earn his Bachelors in Biology with Honors from the University of Richmond in Virginia. Following college he attended the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
After graduating from vet school, Dr. Massaro completed a rigorous rotating internship in small medicine and surgery at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES) in Bucks County, PA, which is now one of the greater Philadelphia BluePearl Pet Hospitals. Following internship Dr. Massaro joined the family practice, where he served as an Associate Veterinarian, as well as the Marketing and Technology Lead.
Dr. Massaro’s interests in the veterinary management / technology world grew and he then took on a series of roles at different companies, spanning from remote work in NJ to on-site positions in Philadelphia, Houston, TX and Knoxville, TN. All of these roles centered around advancing technology in the veterinary industry, specifically relating to electronic medical record (EMR) or practice management systems (PMS).
Now returning home to south Jersey, Dr. Massaro is thrilled to take on the role of Director of Medical Software and Training Mentor. He is super excited to bring his knowledge and passion for both clinical work and technology to the teams at vetmEDUcate, across our multiple hospitals. Outside of work Dr. Massaro’s interests include playing sports (soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball), as well as hanging out and hiking with his wife Carolyn and their 3 dogs (Treeing Walker Coonhound, Miniature Poodle, and Texas Street Pitbull) and 2 cats (only the dogs hike, but not for lack of trying!).
Webinar Moderator
Co-host, Veterinary Business Podcast
As an influential leader, Michael looks for opportunities to add value to people. He believes everybody has untapped potential, and most of us have a desire to unlock and engage this potential as we experience the adventure of life and achieve the success that matters.
Part of that success for Michael looks like empowering leaders to lead themselves and others and helping them achieve prosperity in every area of life that they can’t wait to give away to others!
Michael is a recognized Leadership and Business Advisory Coach within an exceptionally diverse range of businesses and organizational sectors.
He is also a professional mediator and facilitator. In addition, he also holds the following qualifications and designations: Qualified (Q.MED) mediator with the ADR Institute of Canada.
Top Skills: