In this episode of So You’re a Vet, Now What?, Dr. Moriah McCauley sits down with Dr. Zonram Liao—veterinarian, content creator, and founder of Sunshine Veterinary Care and Wellnergy Pets—to explore what it means to build a veterinary practice rooted in gratitude, mentorship, and service to community.
Dr. Liao, affectionately known as “Dr. Z,” shares the incredible story of how being a “parachute kid” in Diamond Bar, California inspired his return home to build something deeply meaningful for both pets and people. From opening a clinic just minutes from his childhood school to mentoring 18 students in under a year, Dr. Z shows us what it looks like to lead with heart, raise up the next generation, and grow a sustainable practice culture—one student, one client, one case at a time.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered how to mentor without a manual, why attitude sometimes matters more than experience, and how community-focused care can transform both your career and your life.
Episode Outline
[00:00] – Why Mentorship Isn’t Just About Pets
[02:00] – VMAX, Hive Minds, and First IRL Meetings
[03:00] – What It Means to Be a Parachute Kid
[04:00] – Giving Back to the Community That Raised You
[06:00] – Cultural Shifts in Pet Ownership and Education
[08:00] – How a Cousin’s Emergency Sparked a Career
[10:00] – Dr. Wang & Dr. Lee: First Mentors, Forever Mentors
[12:00] – The Power of Push and the Gift of Belief
[14:00] – Attitude, Effort, and Communication: Hiring for Culture
[16:00] – Building a Practice Where Mentorship Is the Business Plan
[17:00] – 18 Students in 10 Months: Mentorship in Action
[19:00] – Designing Externships Around Passion, Not Just Protocol
[22:00] – Why Sustainable Vet Careers Begin with Purpose
[23:00] – Patience, Grace, and Difficult Clients
[25:00] – The Staff Who Make Mentorship Possible (and Joyful)
[27:00] – “When Can I Come Back?”—The Best Feedback a Mentor Can Get
[29:00] – Sunshine, Spurs Culture, and the No-Exit-Strategy Strategy
Episode Links
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