Veterinarians now face the highest suicide rate in the medical field. In this powerful episode, Amy Doll sits down with her longtime friend Dr. Tara Golden—Naval Academy grad, Navy Reserve O-6, veterinarian, and founder of a mobile veterinary practice and the nonprofit Golden Pawsabilities—to talk about purpose, resilience, and serving people and pets with dignity.
Tara shares how she navigated 12+ years on active duty, used the GI Bill for vet school, and built hospitals on wheels that bring care to seniors, immunocompromised clients, anxious pets, and families with limited resources. We dig into the mental-health crisis in veterinary medicine (incl. Not One More Vet), why asking for help is real strength, and how community can literally save lives.🎧 Listen for: life pivots, leadership, practical balance, charitable impact, and the sweetest surprise—how Tara set Amy up on the blind date that led to her marriage!
Every dollar helps a pet family access exams, vaccines, diagnostics, dentals, surgeries, and medications.
Donate: https://www.goldenpawsabilities.org/
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 12–3 PM
Where: COVA Brewing Co. — 9529 Shore Dr, Norfolk, VA
What: Pet Costume “Pawty” + kids arts/crafts + door prizes + live music
Suggested Donation: $10 (no one turned away)
Can’t bring your pet? Bring a photo to enter the costume contest!
Hosted by: Golden Pawsabilities (501c3) — donations support pet families in need.
Golden Pawsabilities (501c3) – community vet care & assistance: https://www.goldenpawsabilities.org/
Not One More Vet – mental-health resources for veterinary professionals
Support Golden Pawsabilities (501c3)🐾 Upcoming “Howl-o-ween” Fundraiser (Bring the family & pets!)Episode Quotes“Balance doesn’t come until you ask for help.” – Dr. Tara Golden“Sometimes a closed door is the nudge toward the life you’re meant to live.”“Mobile care removes barriers for seniors, immunocompromised clients, and anxious pets.”Resources Mentioned
#DispatchOnPurpose #VeterinaryMedicine #MobileVet #GoldenPawsabilities #NotOneMoreVet #MilitaryToVeterinarian #MentalHealthMatters #HamptonRoads #NorfolkVA #Leadership #Service #Nonprofit #PetHealth #CommunityCare