For Dr. Jaime Pickett DVM, veterinary medicine hasn’t been a job, it has been a continuous calling influenced by curiosity, compassion, and purpose. While her initial interests included business and entrepreneurship, fascinated with biology, and driven by her fascination with animal behavior and especially the human-animal-adoption bond; her decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine opened up numerous avenues that improved patient health, complemented public health, exhibited community leadership, and inspired lifelong learning.
Jaime’s career developed at multiple levels, from practice ownership and franchising to executive leadership and consulting. However, in every role she has been committed to improving the lives of pets and pet parents. Today, her work consists of clinical operations with preventative wellness, grounded in patient care, leading people, and being of service to others.
Dr. Jaime Pickett DVM considers her profession as an integral part of her passion for the delivery of the One Health concept, combining human, animal and environmental health. There is a passion in creating connected health for pets, pet parents, and inspires her work in both the community and pet care profession.
Dr. Jaime Pickett, throughout her journey, has naturally maintained her passion of rehabilitation and expanding preventative health for pets. Her work with EQUUSIR has opened her understanding of how pain, mobility, and quality of life intersect with animal health through the lens of veterinary rehabilitation using photobiomodulation (PBM), infrared so it is photobiomodulation (PBM), infrared, and neurostimulation (EMF), and neurostimulation (EMF). She has seen pets physically and emotionally change in rehabilitation care. It does not matter whether an arthritic dog is climbing stairs again, a pet is regaining independence, or animals are being rehabilitated after serious injuries or challenges—the final outcomes show that veterinary care goes beyond just medications and surgery. “We all want to be our best selves," she said, "and that is what we want for our pets.”
She is currently working on her certification in canine rehabilitation (CCRP), and her focus is on the bigger picture. She helps with everything from pain control to restoring mobility in hopes of enabling every pet to live its best life, which, in her mind, is consistent with being proactive in medicine rather than reactive.
Leadership is not something that generally comes up in clinical discussions, but Pickett believes it is a key component. In her opinion, veterinarians tend to be interpreted as leaders by default, yet may not have the formal training or the luxury of seeing their roles modeled for them. "Leadership is a skill set that has to be learned." She reflected on her leadership experience in that she had a lot of experience in managing hospitals and by mentoring others.
While serving in executive positions at locations such as Pet Paradise and Hannah Pet Hospitals, she worked on creating cultures founded on open communication, opportunities for growth, and transparency. And she implemented programs to drive down the number of medical errors, follow-up on care, and develop younger colleagues personally and professionally. A great moment was watching one of her mentees transition into their own leadership role. Those moments," she said, were legacy-constructing experiences that extend well beyond the walls of the exam room.
Her influence extends to business strategy as well. As a former hospital owner and franchisee, she possesses a well-rounded understanding of the financial, operational, and human aspects of veterinary work. Her MBA and her executive education from the Wharton School of Business sharpened her ability to close the gap between clinical excellence and business sustainability.
Preventive care will only be impactful if pet parents trust and understand it. That is why Pickett values outreach and education so much; she has a simple philosophy on community engagement: Educate, engage, and empower.
She sees outreach as more than pamphlets and websites. It is the act of being present in our communities, schools, and local online networks. "That veterinary care looks approachable, essential, and compassionate," she said. "It's not just telling what to do, it is helping people understand the 'why.'"
This mindset also guides how she responds to misinformation, particularly in the digital age. Rather than respond in frustration, she focuses on clear and calm communication. The relationships she creates by providing insightful information line up with her intention to be a reliable source of information, and strengthens the view of her practice as a trusted advisor.
Showing You Value, Integrity and Accountability
Dr. Pickett says her values are not conceptual; they appear in each of her daily interactions with the team, her clients, and their pets. Integrity, transparency, and accountability provide the basis of her professional identity, saying "This work is predicated upon compassion and not just science."
She is a strong proponent of listening to not only pets but the people who care for them. Taking owner concerns seriously, answering owners questions thoroughly, and being a presence in difficult times is all part of the trust she earns over time. Listening is about paying attention to owners' knowledge and helping the connection they have with their pets deepen. This means the veterinarian team can consider the entire family in a pet's care, and this often leads to better end client outcomes.
In this way, Dr. Pickett not only demonstrates to support staff and team members how to value these qualities but also sets the bar for others as well. The diverse teams she works with are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and continue learning and reflecting in safe and forward-thinking environments. And true to her viewpoint, the goal is not perfection. Rather, personal and professional growth.
Dr. Pickett's focus on learning did not start and end with veterinary school. She focused on her own educational goals and pursued training in business education and leadership to support her growing responsibilities as a veterinary professional. She became identified as someone who opened hospitals and developed clinical training programs. She had always thought that education was valuable, personally and professionally, as an individual and a veterinary professional.
"I believe in change and I want to be a positive catalyst for change" she said, an ethos that inevitably made her receptive to new technology, new ways of working with pets, pet family members, co-workers, and mentors, even when, at times, it was overwhelming and intimidating when practice was resistant to change.
She also brought valuable versatility to advisory roles, drawing on her deep understanding of academia and the veterinary profession, including its practices, systems, processes, and commitment to sustainability. She has thrived on working with many small start-up companies and established companies veterinary technology services, and human services each operate within a larger business or industry.
Continuing to be on the cutting edge of clinical and operational trends, she seeks to ensure the practices she is supporting are grounded in sustainable capacity for practice purposes and long-term solutions for success.
As she continues her practice, she focuses on areas where she can have the greatest impact on pet families. This includes completing her certification in canine rehabilitation, supporting new professionals, and developing community-based programs that expand access to preventive healthcare.
She is excited about the ways new devices and therapies will improve pet health outcomes. The benefits promise to reduce dependence on medication for pets and improve mobility and comfort, which are tangible results.
She sees more avenues for giving back through partnerships with community services to develop education campaign initiatives that deliver outreach locally or nationally. Her efforts aim to create a ripple effect to help more pets lead healthy lives with support and help for the people who truly love their pets.
Dr. Jaime Pickett DVM exemplifies a kind of leader who balances clinical skill and experience with empathetic perspective and practical experience. She utilized her expertise to educate pet parents on preventative care, ethical behavior, and skills that enable the development of her team's character, skills, and ability to provide excellent care for pets and their families, positively impacting the lives of many pets and pet professionals. And Dr. Pickett does not chase after assets or recognition from professional organizations for recognition. Let alone even recognize each care for pets she delivers each day, week, and year. She only cares about developing positive results, relationships, and being a relatable veterinarian who lives the values that anchor her each day.
In moving from the exam table and veterinary clinic to the boardroom her values have always aligned to serve, have clarity, and built on something better for pets, pet families, and the community.
