The Honest Vet, Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond on Leadership, Motherhood, and Evidence-Based Medicine

Jul 14, 2026

Veterinary leadership, general practice, emergency medicine, exotics, evidence-based medicine, and motherhood collide in this inspiring conversation with Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond.

The Honest Vet tells us what honesty means to her and what happens when the career you thought you'd have no longer fits. Dr. Hammond shares her unexpected journey from aspiring large animal veterinarian to small animal, ER doctor, relief vet, exotic pet practitioner, Chief of Staff, mother, and creator of The Honest Vet. Along the way, she discusses navigating misinformation, building trust with pet owners, stepping into leadership, giving and receiving feedback, embracing uncertainty, and learning that the most meaningful career paths are rarely linear. This episode is a powerful reminder that flexibility, authenticity, and curiosity can lead to a veterinary career more fulfilling than you ever imagined.

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In This Episode

✅ Why emergency medicine helped shape Dr. Hammond into a more confident veterinarian

✅ How The Honest Vet was created to combat misinformation with compassion and evidence

✅ What stepping into leadership as a female veterinarian really looks like

✅ Why staying flexible and trusting your intuition can open unexpected opportunities

Key Timestamps

00:00 Why emergency medicine made Dr. Hammond a better veterinarian
01:45 Reconnecting after veterinary school and reflecting on different career paths
04:05 Realizing large animal medicine wasn't the right fit
07:45 The pivotal moment she switched tracks during clinical rotations
09:30 Starting her first small animal position and navigating student debt realities
12:20 Taking on emergency medicine to strengthen clinical confidence
15:20 The emotional highs and lows of ER practice
19:35 The experiences that inspired The Honest Vet
24:10 Fighting misinformation and building trust with pet owners
26:45 Moving to Charleston and starting over
28:25 Relief work as an unexpected career advantage
32:10 Discovering a passion for exotic animal medicine
41:30 Using social media to advocate for pets through honest education
47:50 The meaning behind The Honest Vet brand
54:40 "Evidence-based everything" as a life philosophy
01:03:15 Stepping into leadership as Chief of Staff
01:12:45 Advice for aspiring veterinary leaders and embracing the journey

Key Takeaways

🔹 The veterinary career you imagined may evolve into something even better if you stay open to change.

🔹 Emergency medicine builds confidence, decisiveness, and skills that benefit every veterinarian.

🔹 Honest conversations rooted in empathy and evidence are the strongest antidotes to misinformation.

🔹 Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about earning trust, staying adaptable, and helping others grow.

About Dr. Sylvalyn Hammond

Chief of Staff

A 2018 graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Hammond grew up on her family's Angus cattle ranch in southern Arizona, where she spent her childhood as her mother's “unofficial” veterinary assistant. That early hands-on experience shaped a lifelong passion for animal health and welfare. Today, she leads our team as Chief of Staff and is especially passionate about client education and partnering with pet owners on their animals’ care. Dr. Hammond works with a wide variety of species, drawing on her experience with both small and farm animals, as well as advanced continuing education in exotic pet medicine through the Exotic Veterinary Academy. Her clinical interests include nutrition, internal medicine, dentistry, and evidence-based preventive care.

Website: https://allcreatureschs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehonestvet/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehonestvet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehonestvet.official