Episode #101 – Dr. Edna May

Compassion Meets Action
Dr. Edna May discusses her journey through Veterinary medicine, shelter and community care, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. She explores expanding access to veterinary care, keeping pets with the families who love them, leading with kindness, and creating meaningful change for animals and communities

Transcript

Stacy Pursell :
Do you work in the animal health industry or veterinary profession? Have you ever wondered how successful people got their start and what led them to where they are today?
Hi everyone. I’m Stacy Pursell, founder and CEO of The VET Recruiter, the leading executive search and recruiting firm specializing in the animal health industry and veterinary profession. I was the first recruiter in the United States to focus exclusively on this space, building the first search firm dedicated to this unique niche. Over the past 28 plus years, I’ve developed relationships with many of the industry’s top leaders and trailblazers. The People of Animal Health Podcast features the incredible individuals I’ve had the privilege to connect with throughout my career. In each episode, you’ll hear their stories, their career journeys, leadership lessons, and the impact they’ve made on the industry. With a wide range of expert guests, you’ll gain insights, inspiration, and ideas you can apply to your own career. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode.
Hello everyone, and welcome to The People of Animal Health Podcast. Today, I am joined by Dr. Edna May, a veterinarian, nonprofit leader, author, and community advocate whose work is centered on improving access to veterinary care and strengthening the bond between people and their pets. A graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. May practices shelter and community medicine at the Patty Baker Humane Society of Naples. She is also the co-founder and president of Wags to Wishes, a nonprofit that helps families navigate the financial and practical challenges of caring for their pets. And she is the author of Lead With Kind. Her leadership and community impact have also earned her recognition among Gulfshore Business’s 40 Under 40. Dr. Bay, welcome to the People of Animal Health Podcast. And how are you today?

Dr. Edna May:
I’m doing great, Stacy. Thank you so much for having me.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, I’m so glad to have you here. Edna, we first met in Brooklyn, New York when you were working for an animal health startup company before you went to veterinary school. So today I’d love to start off at the beginning. Where did you grow up and what experiences from your early life helped shape who you are today?

Dr. Edna May:
Oh, thank you. Yeah, so I am from the Hudson Valley in New York and now I’m in Florida, so a long way from home, but from the Hudson Valley and always grew up around animals. I will say I wasn’t the type that knew I wanted to be a vet since I was five years old like everyone else in my class, but I was always surrounded by them. I always loved the medical field, but actually thought I was going to be a pediatrician for most of my life, if you had asked me when I was little. I was either going to be a pediatrician or a princess. And I feel like now I have a little bit of a combination of those, but really, I know you’ll ask later a little bit more about the specific veterinary space and how that happened, but growing up around animals, we had a farmhouse, definitely shaped how my childhood upbringing around animals turned out.

Stacy Pursell :
So what drew you to the veterinary profession and at what point in time did you decide, I want to become a veterinarian?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, so like I said, I thought I was doing pediatrics. I was actually in nursing school in college, and it wasn’t until I was in the nursing program and simultaneously volunteering at the animal shelter that I just realized my heart was truly with the animals every day. I couldn’t wait to get done with the nursing school to then go spend time at the animal shelter. I took in my first foster dog then, his name was Buddy, and he was terrified of thunderstorms. And it rocked my world a bit. I was heading on this path and it was a hard school to get into. And once you were in, I was only one of the few that decided to change, and it took another extra year and a half to switch majors and everything, but it was worth it for sure. But yeah, I was just really learning that the animals were calling to me from the shelter.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, when you and I met, you were at an animal health startup company. How did you get involved there?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, so one of the founders was my best friend since sixth grade, and joining Cresilon was amazing. I mean, it was supposed to just be one summer and it ended up lasting three years. And he just knew I was interested in veterinary medicine and they were just doing this startup. And I always think I was like Penny on the Big Bang Theory. I mean, it was all of these super smart guys that had such a great invention, great idea, and I was the one that was just personable and loved meeting new people and networking and I feel like animal lovers are especially easy to network with. So it really turned out to be a great fit and delayed going to vet school, but I feel like for all the right reasons.

Stacy Pursell :
Yeah, and a great experience for you too. Well, you’ve described yourself as someone who wants to make a positive impact in veterinary medicine and in the world. Where did that sense of purpose come from and when did you realize veterinary medicine could be a vehicle for it?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I mean, that’s a great question. And I will get a little personal here that my father passed away when I was 17, and he was my hero. I mean, the funeral hall said they had never seen as many people come as for my dad. The line was down the street and everybody had a story to tell about something he did to help them. He was a chiropractor, but if they did labor work and they didn’t have enough money, he would adjust them in exchange for chicken eggs. It was one of those things that really impacted me of, I’m going to do something bigger than myself. And I think every veterinarian does that already because you definitely aren’t in this profession for money or power or any of the wrong reasons. It’s kind of impossible to be. But that happening really made me realize I have to do more to help people as well, so the other side of the leash.

Stacy Pursell :
I love that. And your interest in access to veterinary care goes back to your time at Cornell, including your work with the Southside Healthy Pet Clinic. What did that experience teach you about the barriers people face when they’re trying to care for their pets?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I mean, it was an incredible experience. So Southside is basically set up to provide low cost care and veterinary students are the ones giving vaccines and we get the practice and then the community gets this low cost care. So it’s really a win-win, but it was seeing people that truly loved their pets but just didn’t have the financial means to go to a veterinary clinic. And I feel like it’s really important to know that caring for your pet and loving your pet sometimes doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. I mean, a lot of us sleep with our dogs in our beds and that’s totally normal for us. And another family, it might be more for, a cultural thing, that they’re for protection, but the way they love them might look different, but love is love when it comes to animals. So that definitely helped open my eyes to the community and how pets are loved just in a different way than we might’ve grown up with.

Stacy Pursell :
Now your career has included corporate practice, private practice, shelter medicine, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit work. How has moving through those different environments shaped the veterinarian and leader you are today?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I know it’s a lot for not being in this profession very long. I mean, I graduated from Cornell in 2021, so I still consider myself a baby vet in a way, but I feel like having all these experiences did help to shape me and to figure out that I am right where I’m meant to be. It took a lot of different trial and error. I think all of us when we first graduate vet school think we know what we want to do, and then once you’re in it might not be something you are entirely in love with. And I do worry that a lot of veterinarians feel like they get stuck. And I think it’s really important to realize that there are so many different ways to get involved in the profession. So if corporate’s not for you, try shelter, shelter’s not for you, maybe the animal health spaces, maybe it’s research, maybe there’s so much beyond just the typical GP veterinarian that we think of. So if you’re not completely in love with what you do, there is an opportunity to change. So I would love for more vets to realize that.

Stacy Pursell :
I agree, and come talk to me if you’re not happy in the role that you’re in.

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, exactly.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, Edna, looking across those experiences, was there a particular moment when access to care moved from being an issue you cared about to something you felt called to work on directly?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, so I was in corporate practice when Hurricane Ian hit Naples, Florida, and it was traumatic. We had never seen anything like this before. I mean, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island completely wiped out, including the practice that I was working at. So we were shut down for a month, and during that time, I just spent the whole thing helping as best I could. So I worked with the University of Florida. They brought trucks down and were providing low cost care to people in need. And that’s how I ultimately met the Patty Baker Humane Society where I now work. I just offered to help, and they were getting dogs and cats prepared to get on flights to go to New York and Chicago where people all over the country were wanting to help us.
And it was more of a need, and it opened my eyes that there is so much of it and there’s so much that can be done. I mean, not only when something like a hurricane happens, but even when financial crisis happen, and there’s just so many factors that contribute to people needing help. But that was something that changed my life forever, was that one hurricane.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, you currently practice shelter and community medicine at the Patty Baker Humane Society of Naples. What is most rewarding about that work, and what do you wish more people understood about this part of the profession?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, so I was always nervous to get into shelter medicine. I thought it was going to break my heart and make me sad every day, and I would love for people to realize that there is so much positive aspect to it. Even for example, you sometimes don’t have to deal with clients. You can just focus on the animals and doing spay and neuters, or what I do is strictly access to care.
So we have a mobile bus that goes into low income communities. One example is the Everglades, which doesn’t have a vet within an hour radius, and provide this low cost care. So shelter medicine doesn’t always just mean working in the shelter itself. So there are so many opportunities to get involved with organizations that are doing such positive work that I find to be the most fulfilling. I mean, you talk about burnout, and I can understand how that happens in corporate practice, but in my world, I leave every day feeling like I just made such a difference that it inspires you so much to keep going. So I absolutely [inaudible 00:12:02].

Stacy Pursell :
Very rewarding work.

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah.

Stacy Pursell :
You co-founded Wags to Wishes to help families with veterinary care, pet food, and other necessities. What prompted you to create the organization, and what needs were you seeing in Southwest Florida that were not being adequately addressed?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I’m very excited to say Wags to Wishes is an official 501(c)(3). This will be our fifth year doing it, and I have an amazing team. I feel like anyone involved in animal welfare knows that there’s a need nationwide. We are in a crisis. Shelters are full. There’s so much of a need. But I realized while working at the Patty Baker Humane Society, which is gorgeous and they’re doing all this great work, and 10 minutes up the road was our county shelter that wasn’t doing as well. They didn’t have any adoption events, they didn’t really have any fundraisers. So we initially started as a way to help them. Since then, they actually got a new director, Meredith, who completely was a rockstar and revamped everything there. So it allowed us to grow from Wags to Wishes to now help with more than just the shelter.
We help with veterinarian food assistance, and it’s to anybody in our little area, Collier County, Lee County, and we typically just chip in for vet care. So we are not providing the whole bill. We’ve learned the hard way that that’s difficult to do, but sometimes people just need that little boost. So whether it is $250 or $500 just to go towards emergency surgery or a dental procedure or something that is really financially constraining for a lot of people, it can make a huge impact and ultimately keep those pets out of the shelter in the first place. So it’s really preventative, but also just providing another access to care point through this nonprofit.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, congratulations on your success and growth with Wags to Wishes, and I look forward to continuing to follow how your organization is growing and helping. Well, Edna, there can be a perception that when someone surrenders a pet, it means they no longer want or care about that animal. How often are financial or life circumstances really behind those decisions and what can be done to help more families stay together?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, so I think our number one cause of people needing to surrender is housing, and I think… It’s a nationwide crisis, is housing. Here in Florida, it’s also really challenging to find places where you can have a dog more than 20 pounds. And I do wish it was based on other parameters because I feel like those 10-pound chihuahuas are barking way more than the big golden retrievers. So I wish that would change, but I feel like housing is tough. It’s tough finding places that are reasonable, let alone ones that then allow pets. So that’s our number one.
And there are some ways around that, and we’ll work with people, maybe they can get emotional support certification, maybe they can offer to their landlord to pay a pet fee, maybe they can have them get a letter from their veterinarian saying that this pet is very well-behaved and all up to date and that the owner’s very responsible. There are ways of trying to make those situations work, and I feel like that is one hurdle that we try to navigate through. It is a little harder versus something like veterinary care.
If an owner is surrendering because their dog just got diagnosed with heartworm disease and they just can’t afford it and just feel like they’re not able to provide the services they need, that’s a whole different conversation. And that is something now I know I can fix that and I have the resources, whether it’s through my rescue, through the shelter network that I have, I’m very grateful that I’ve made all these connections where I know who to reach out to when somebody needs help and realizing that a lot of it isn’t because it’s a lack of love, it’s because of a lack of access to some of these different resources.

Stacy Pursell :
Hey everyone, we are interrupting the episode briefly to talk to you about today’s sponsor. This episode is brought to you by The VET Recruiter. The VET Recruiter is the go-to executive search and recruitment firm in the animal health industry and veterinary profession dedicated to connecting exceptional employers with high caliber candidates. With a deep understanding of the animal health industry and veterinary profession and a vast pool of talented candidates, we make the hiring process seamless and efficient for the animal health and veterinary employers who have critical hiring needs. If you are an employer in search of top talent or you work in the animal health industry or are a veterinarian ready to take the next step in your career, look no further than the vet recruiter.
The VET Recruiter has placed many of the industry’s top leaders from CEOs to COOs to chief veterinary officers to VPs of marketing and sales and heads of R&D and chief scientific officers. We have built sales forces for many leading animal health companies and have placed more veterinarians in clinical practice than any other search firm in the US. Ready to take the next step? Visit thevetrecruiter.com today. That’s thevetrecruiter.com. And now let’s get back into the episode.
Access to veterinary care has become an increasingly important issue across the profession. What do you see as the biggest obstacles today and where do you see the greatest opportunities for meaningful, scalable solutions?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I guess one example I really like is there’s this new organization called Snoots, and they’re set up in a way of monthly plans so that people can spread out payments to get their care because I think asking somebody for say $500, $1,000 in one visit can be really challenging for people, but they might be able to do that in monthly payments. So it’s something interesting for us to look at, and I know there are big companies being able to help provide it like VetBilling and Cherry and things like that, but I do think it’s interesting to see people are willing to pay and want to get these services, they just might not have it right then and there.
And to know, okay, if you can’t do the gold standard of care that we can take a step back and say, “Maybe even though this is what we should be doing, I should be doing this fecal test, but maybe I can give you a dewormer and we’ll see how that goes. I should do a skin scrape and find out what your allergy is, but maybe we can just try some treatment and see if this works.” So I think providing options and not… We learn in vet school this high standard, especially at Cornell, of what you should be offering. But I think as veterinarians, it is important, I’ve learned this in the shelter world especially, to work with people on trying things and working within their budget and seeing where that takes you before jumping to any major diagnostics.

Stacy Pursell :
Yeah, meeting people where they are and giving them options.

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, of course.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, before becoming a veterinarian, you worked on a commercial side of animal health and participated in the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy. How has that entrepreneurial experience influenced the way that you identify problems and build solutions today?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, it was a really unique thing. I mean, the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy, I remember meeting the CEO at the time at a conference, and I pitched the idea of working directly for him rather than everyone else was working for these different companies for a summer, and I feel like I am just outspoken like that. I’m like, if I have an idea or want to run with it, I just am very gung-ho about it. And I feel like it was a really unique way to branch out because we don’t learn much about entrepreneurial skills or business skills while in that school.
I mean, I’m grateful for things like VBMA, and I know even Cornell did get a business center. So we are growing in that space, but it is something it’s not taught necessarily, and it is really important for us to have those skills. I feel like it’s what made me think I can start my own nonprofit, because it is almost like starting a mini business, and I feel like it does give you that ability to feel also like you’re financially empowered in a way. So I think all of us should spend a little bit more time, less so in, the research and everything is important also, but spending a little more time in the business world definitely helps.

Stacy Pursell :
Now you wrote a book and your book is titled Lead with Kind, and I love that title.

Dr. Edna May:
[inaudible 00:21:06].

Stacy Pursell :
What does leading with kindness mean to you, and how is kindness different from simply being nice when you’re responsible for making hard decisions and leading others?

Dr. Edna May:
I love that you realize that there is a difference between being kind and being nice because that is really the heart of it because being nice can sometimes be just a front or just be something you’re told to be, especially even in the veterinary setting where we might be told you should treat a client a certain way versus being kind is so different and it’s truly having empathy. And it’s something I don’t think many veterinarians need help in that space as much as the general public does because we understand empathy on such a deep level because we are taking care of something that can’t speak for itself. We are a voice for the voiceless every day.
So I feel like empathy is something that comes natural to us, but then it’s taking that compassion and turning it into action is what I hope to accomplish with the book. And it is a self-guided journal, so it’s meant for people to feel empowered themselves to take all of that kindness, that empathy, that compassion, and then find out what you can do with it, what makes you most passionate so that you can find your purpose and really live out things that make you feel better, because really giving ends up giving right back. So that’s kind of my ultimate goal in that.

Stacy Pursell :
I love that. My kids used to attend elementary school and the school had a campaign called It’s Cool to be Kind.

Dr. Edna May:
I love it.

Stacy Pursell :
So they all wore shirts on Fridays that said, “It’s cool to be kind.” So I really like the title of your book. Well, what have you learned about building support around a mission, whether that means engaging donors, volunteers, colleagues, community partners, or pet owners?

Dr. Edna May:
The first thing that comes to mind is making it fun. I mean, I actually became a DJ this year and it’s for charity events because I feel like music is something that brings people together. And our tagline for Wags to Wishes is to party with a purpose. And I feel like sometimes, especially in the animal welfare space, things can just feel like you’re constantly posting this super sad story about a dog that was hit by a car, or I don’t know, constantly this sadness, sadness. And we’ve really tried to put a positive spin on it and make it fun and make it something like all of our events people want to come to. Our big one is puppy prom. It’s in March. I mean, I would love for you to come if you can, March 6th.

Stacy Pursell :
I would love to come.

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, March 6th. But it is really a giant party for a good cause. And I think that’s also important for us to remember that so many people love animals and want to have a great time, and it makes it a lot easier for them to donate and support if they feel like they are well-connected and having fun with it a little bit.

Stacy Pursell :
I love that. Are you going to DJ in March?

Dr. Edna May:
I do the last 30 minutes.

Stacy Pursell :
So fun, so fun. Well, what has surprised you most during your career in the veterinary profession so far?

Dr. Edna May:
Oh, good question. I guess, I’m trying to think. I mean, a lot of it, being in Cresilon where I’ve met so many different vets and went to so many different conferences, really prepared me for the scope of how many different types of veterinarians there are out there and how many different jobs in this space are out there. I guess surprising is how many of us go into this for the love of animals, but have to realize that we’re in it for people too. I mean, everyone will say, “Why did you become a vet?” And a lot of the times your first answer is to say, “It’s because I like animals more than people.” But I think we all have to realize that there is the other end of the leash, and that is a huge part of being a vet is dealing and working with owners. So I feel like the people aspect is something everyone needs to be well aware of ahead of time.

Stacy Pursell :
That’s a good point. Well, what does your crystal ball say about the future of the veterinary profession?

Dr. Edna May:
I mean, a lot has changed in the last few years, even being out. I mean, since graduating, something like AI happened, and I do hope that our veterinary profession looks to these advances in technology in a way, instead of just saying, “Well, I like doing things old school,” or, “I’m afraid that AI is going to take my job.” Luckily, we’re in a profession where majority of what we do, AI cannot take our jobs. I mean, even with telemedicine, which I do think is interesting, I think there is a lot of things that can be triaged that way. I think instead of being afraid of it, we need to embrace it because it’s the only way we will move forward with the rest of the world, and I think it’ll only make us better. So I am really hoping that the technology component makes veterinary medicine better, and that we all embrace that.

Stacy Pursell :
When you look ahead 10 or 20 years, what kind of impact do you hope your work has had on veterinary medicine, animal welfare, access to care, and the Naples community?

Dr. Edna May:
Well, thank you. Oh my gosh. I have very huge goals for myself. I mean, I hope my Wags to Wishes goes international, or at least goes bigger than just my little community so that I can provide this access to care to everybody. So that’s one goal for 10 years, is to really grow that.
But also, I love the thought of non-surgical spay and neuter. I mean, I feel like that’s a space that I really hope to touch on. I work closely with the Alliance for Contraception in Dogs & Cats, and I feel like it could change the world for our shelter medicine and everything, so that’s another goal.
But I do think access to care is something we all need to think about. I feel like we get sometimes a little boxed in our one little clinic, and I remember not feeling like I had options for people, it was either yes or no, instead of learning, “Okay, what other places are nearby that I could refer them to if I can’t do it here?” And feeling like there are solutions and that you’re not just the bad guy sometimes, and whether that is utilizing technology to find those resources near you, I feel like access is going to be huge, and we just have to make sure we’re all well aware of it.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, if you could remove one barrier that would make veterinary medicine more accessible to more people and animals, what would it be?

Dr. Edna May:
Yeah, I think it is that paying everything that day or even emergency care. I mean, it’s interesting because in human medicine, if you don’t have insurance, it becomes a big deal, and pet insurance isn’t something that many vets talk about on a regular basis, and I do think it’s important conversations to have, especially with that three-month-old lab that you know is going to eat a sock. It’s like those types of things I think we need to get a little more prepared for. So maybe it is insurance, but also making a family feel prepared if something were to happen in an emergency setting.

Stacy Pursell :
Edna, what is one message or principle that you wish you could teach everyone listening to our podcast today?

Dr. Edna May:
I mean, if this is mostly going to veterinarians, I just want them to know I’m so proud of our profession. Genuinely, I think people feel like veterinarians feel sad sometimes that they want to do more and feel like they can’t, or feel burnt out because we really put our heart into this profession so much, and every animal is almost like a child is to someone else. It really hits you hard, and because we have so much empathy, it can feel like we are overly sensitive, but I want them to realize that the empathy We have is beautiful. What we can use that for is we’re making a difference way more than we realize every day. And we only remember the bad things that happen or things you regret and to really… And I admit, I struggle with it too. I have plenty of cases that I think about late at night that I could have done differently. And I work on it myself. It’s just reminding ourselves that we are doing a really important job that helps so many people, so many animals, and makes a difference in our own way every day.

Stacy Pursell :
Thank you for the difference that you are making. Well, Edna, many of our guests have a book that changed the way they think about life, leadership, or success. Is there a book that’s had an impact on you? If so, I’d love to hear that story.

Dr. Edna May:
Oh, 1,000%, how to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, my number one. It’s kind of like what inspired Lead with Kind in a way. I feel like it was really impactful. When I was living in New York, I was reading that book, smiling to people on the subways when no one else was, and actually became a Dale Carnegie coach while in New York because of that book. So I feel like I love the idea of influencing people. And it very much leads to that principle of being kind instead of nice, I think is the heart and soul of that book too.

Stacy Pursell :
That’s a great book. I think everybody should read it.

Dr. Edna May:
Yes. Oh, for sure.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, Edna, you’ve got the mic. What is one thing you want to leave with our listeners of The People of Animal Health Podcast before you drop the mic today?

Dr. Edna May:
Yes. Oh my gosh, it’s such a big ending. I feel like things in the world, even beyond veterinarian medicine, feel really divided at times. And I want us to always choose kindness. And it might sound corny to say the lead with kind or that kind is cool, but I feel like kindness is what truly makes a difference. But I also want you to realize that making a difference doesn’t mean changing the whole world. It can be just changing one person’s life, one animal’s life, and then doing that again. So it doesn’t have to be this huge thing. I think all of us are really making a difference every day, but recognizing that and continuing to do that makes your passion feel like purpose.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, Edna, thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. It was great to have you on the podcast.

Dr. Edna May:
Of course. You know what’s so funny, I have to just mention to you, I feel like back when I used to do things like this, I would always bring up that Matt, my husband, is the CEO of BarkBox because I felt like it’s such a cool thing and made me feel cooler. And it is exciting that, it’s interesting that I went this whole interview without mentioning it because I now feel so accomplished and fulfilled in what I’m doing myself. It’s just an interesting thought.

Stacy Pursell :
Well, you are very accomplished.

Dr. Edna May:
Oh, thank you. It does feel good.

Stacy Pursell :
For all of our listeners out here today, remember to lead with kind.

Dr. Edna May:
Yes. Thank you for saying that. Yes, I love it.

Stacy Pursell :
Thank you again for being my guest today on the People of Animal Health Podcast. I love your story.

Dr. Edna May:
I know. I’m glad we’ve been connected all of these years and have watched each other grow in different ways, so thank you for having me.